US20060248676A1 - Automatic cleaning device - Google Patents
Automatic cleaning device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060248676A1 US20060248676A1 US11/318,494 US31849405A US2006248676A1 US 20060248676 A1 US20060248676 A1 US 20060248676A1 US 31849405 A US31849405 A US 31849405A US 2006248676 A1 US2006248676 A1 US 2006248676A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- dirt receptacle
- dirt
- sensor
- set forth
- installation chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/14—Bags or the like; Rigid filtering receptacles; Attachment of, or closures for, bags or receptacles
- A47L9/1427—Means for mounting or attaching bags or filtering receptacles in suction cleaners; Adapters
- A47L9/1472—Means for mounting or attaching bags or filtering receptacles in suction cleaners; Adapters combined with security means, e.g. for preventing use, e.g. in case of absence of the bag
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/14—Bags or the like; Rigid filtering receptacles; Attachment of, or closures for, bags or receptacles
- A47L9/1427—Means for mounting or attaching bags or filtering receptacles in suction cleaners; Adapters
- A47L9/1436—Connecting plates, e.g. collars, end closures
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L2201/00—Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an automatic cleaning device, and, more particularly, to an automatic cleaning device having a dirt receptacle sensor unit to sense the presence of a dirt receptacle.
- an automatic cleaning device is a self-running vacuum cleaner.
- the automatic cleaning device automatically finds its way back to its charging station to recharge when needed. If the cleaning hasn't been completed when the automatic cleaning device needs to be charged, the automatic cleaning device continues cleaning when charging is finished.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating the general configuration of a conventional automatic cleaning device.
- the conventional automatic cleaning device comprises: a body 100 ; a fan motor 200 mounted in the body 100 to generate a suction force; and a dirt receptacle 300 containing a filter 301 therein.
- the dirt receptacle 300 is detachably mounted in an installation chamber 101 defined in the body 100 .
- the installation chamber 101 is connected with the fan motor 200 , and thus, the dirt receptacle 300 is connected with the fan motor 200 .
- the conventional automatic cleaning device further comprises: a suction pipe 400 ; a suction head 500 ; and a brush 600 .
- the suction pipe 400 is penetrated through the bottom of the dirt receptacle 300 to be connected with the filter 301 .
- the suction head 500 is coupled to a lower end of the suction pipe 400 to suction dust and dirt from the floor.
- the brush 600 is located in the bottom of the suction head 500 so that it is exposed to the outside to come into contact with the floor.
- the body 100 is provided at the bottom thereof with a plurality of wheels exposed to the outside.
- the wheels include a drive wheel 700 for the self-running of the body 100 and a plurality of auxiliary wheels 701 to assist the operation of the drive wheel 700 .
- a controller 102 is mounted in the body 100 to control the traveling direction of the automatic cleaning device.
- the automatic cleaning device travels in a predetermined direction in accordance with operation of the controller 102 , so that it suctions dust and dirt from the floor via the suction head 500 into the suction pipe 400 during the driving of the fan motor 200 . Subsequently, the suctioned dust and dirt are caught while passing through the filter 301 .
- the conventional automatic cleaning device is adapted to clean a room while discharging filtered air.
- the above-described prior art has a problem in that it has no function of sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle.
- the conventional automatic cleaning device may continue cleaning without knowing the absence of the dirt receptacle. This causes the suctioned dust and dirt to be directly discharged into the room without passing through the filter of the dirt receptacle, resulting in room contamination. Furthermore, the dust and dirt may be suctioned into other elements of the device, causing the automatic cleaning device to breakdown.
- the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic cleaning device having a dirt receptacle sensor unit to sense the presence of a dirt receptacle.
- an automatic cleaning device comprising: a body; a fan motor to generate a suction force; an installation chamber defied in the body to be connected with the fan motor; a dirt receptacle detachably mounted in the installation chamber, the dirt receptacle having a through-hole connected with the fan motor, an insertion through-hole for the insertion of a dirt suction pipe, and a filter received in the dirt receptacle to be connected with a distal end of the suction pipe; and a dirt receptacle sensor unit to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle inside the installation chamber, whereby if the dirt receptacle sensor unit senses the absence of the dirt receptacle inside the installation chamber, the dirt receptacle sensor unit inputs the sensed result to a controller, so that the controller stops the operation of the automatic cleaning device.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit may include: a mounting recess defined in an inner lower surface of the installation chamber; and a micro switch received in the mounting recess to be switched on/off in accordance with installation/removal of the dirt receptacle.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit may include: a magnet attached around a circumference of the through-hole; and a magnetic sensor mounted to a suction side of the fan motor to be magnetically attracted by the magnet, the magnetic sensor sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle based on a magnetic field produced by the magnet.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit may further include a sealing member made of a synthetic rubber material, and attached to an outer surface of the magnetic sensor that will be attached to the magnet.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit may include: a magnet attached around a circumference of the insertion through-hole; an insertion recess formed in an inner lower surface of the installation chamber to receive the magnet; and a magnetic sensor mounted in the insertion recess around the suction pipe to be magnetically attracted by the magnet, the magnetic sensor sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle based on a magnetic field produced by the magnet.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit may further include a sealing member made of a synthetic rubber material and attached to an upper surface of the magnetic sensor that will be attached to the magnet.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit may include: a sensor mounting recess formed in an inner lower surface of the installation chamber; and an optical sensor mounted in the sensor mounting recess to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle by the use of emitted and received light.
- the optical sensor may include: a light emitting element received in an inner lower surface of the sensor mounting recess to emit light to the dirt receptacle; and a light receiving element located to surround the light emitting element to receive the light if the light, emitted from the light emitting element, is reflected by the bottom of the dirt receptacle to the light receiving element, thereby sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle.
- the optical sensor may include: an insertion protrusion formed at the dirt receptacle to be inserted into the sensor mounting recess; a light emitting element mounted in a lateral location of the sensor mounting recess to correspond to a location on the circumference of the insertion protrusion; and a light receiving element mounted in another lateral location of the sensor mounting recess opposite to the light emitting element, and adapted to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle if light is emitted from the light emitting element and is reflected by the insertion protrusion of the dirt receptacle to be introduced into the light receiving element.
- the optical sensor may include: an insertion protrusion formed at the bottom of the dirt receptacle to be inserted into the sensor mounting recess; a light emitting element mounted in a lateral location of the sensor mounting recess to correspond to a location on the circumference of the insertion protrusion; and a light receiving element mounted to surround the light emitting element, and adapted to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle if light is emitted from the light emitting element and is reflected by an outer circumference of the insertion protrusion to be introduced into the light receiving element.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit may further include an absence informer electrically connected to a controller in a signal transmission manner, the informer outputting the absence of the dirt receptacle to the outside if the dirt receptacle is taken out of the installation chamber.
- an absence informer electrically connected to a controller in a signal transmission manner, the informer outputting the absence of the dirt receptacle to the outside if the dirt receptacle is taken out of the installation chamber.
- the absence informer may have a sound generator electrically connected to the controller in a signal transmission manner, to output a sound to indicate the absence of the dirt receptacle based on signals inputted from the controller.
- the absence informer may have an output display electrically connected to the controller in a signal transmission manner, to output an image to indicate the absence of the dirt receptacle based on signals inputted from the controller.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating the general configuration of a conventional automatic cleaning device
- FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of circle A of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 3 ,
- FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of circle B of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of circle C of FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 10 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 9 ;
- FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of circle D of FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 13 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 12 ;
- FIG. 14 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of circle E of FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 16 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 15 ;
- FIG. 17 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of circle F of FIG. 17 ;
- FIG. 19 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 18 ;
- FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of circle A of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 3 .
- the automatic cleaning device comprises: a body 2 ; a fan motor 3 to generate a suction force; an installation chamber 10 defined in the body 2 ; a dirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in the installation chamber 10 ; and a dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the installation chamber 10 is defined in the body 2 at a position connected with the fan motor 3 .
- the dirt receptacle 20 which is mounted in the installation chamber 10 , is connected with the fan motor 3 .
- the dirt receptacle 20 has a through-hole 21 , so that the dirt receptacle 20 is connected with the fan motor 3 via the through-hole 21 when the dirt receptacle 20 is detachably mounted in the installation chamber 10 .
- the dirt receptacle 20 further has an insertion through-hole 22 for the insertion of a dirt suction pipe 4 .
- a filter 23 is mounted in the dirt receptacle 20 , so that a distal end of the suction pipe 4 is fitted into the filter 23 to be connected with the interior of the filter 23 .
- the dirt receptacle 20 having the above-described configuration is able to filter the dust and dirt contained in the air by use of the filter 23 .
- the through-hole 21 is a passage to deliver the filtered air to the suction side of the fan motor 3
- the insertion through-hole 22 is a passage to guide the insertion of the suction pipe 4 and to connect the distal end of the suction pipe 4 to the filter 23 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in the installation chamber 10 to sense the presence of the dirt-receptacle 20 .
- the sensed result is inputted into a controller 5 , which is mounted in the body 2 .
- the controller 5 stops the operation of the automatic cleaning device. Thereby, the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 serves to prevent the automatic cleaning device from continuing cleaning without knowing the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 includes: a mounting recess 31 a defined in an inner lower surface of the installation chamber 10 ; and a micro switch 32 a received in the mounting recess 31 a to be switched on/off as the bottom of the dirt receptacle 20 comes into contact with the inner lower surface of the installation chamber 10 .
- the micro switch 32 a If the dirt receptacle 20 is put into the installation chamber 10 and the bottom of the dirt receptacle 20 presses the micro switch 32 a, the micro switch 32 a is switched on. Thereby, the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 is able to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 .
- the micro switch 32 a Conversely, if the dirt receptacle 20 is taken out of the installation chamber 10 and a push force applied to the micro switch 32 a is removed, the micro switch 32 a is switched off. Thereby, the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 is able to sense the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 .
- FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of circle B of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 6 .
- the automatic cleaning device comprises: the body 2 ; the fan motor 3 ; the installation chamber 10 defined in the body 2 to be connected with the fan motor 3 ; the dirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in the installation chamber 10 ; and the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in the installation chamber 10 so that it senses the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 and inputs the sensed result into the controller 5 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 of the present embodiment includes: a magnet 31 b attached around the circumference of the through-hole 21 formed at the dirt receptacle 20 ; and a magnetic sensor 32 b mounted to the suction side of the fan motor 3 to be magnetically attracted by the magnet 31 b. If a magnetic field is produced by the magnet 31 b, accordingly, the magnetic sensor 32 b is able to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the magnetic sensor 32 b is attracted by the magnetic field of the magnet 31 b attached around the through-hole 21 of the dirt receptacle 20 , thereby sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 .
- the magnet 31 b escapes from the effective range of the magnetic sensor 32 b, making it impossible for the magnetic sensor 32 b to sense the magnetic field of the magnet 31 b. Thereby, the magnetic sensor 32 b is able to sense the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 .
- an outer surface of the magnetic sensor 32 b is made of a metal material so that the magnetic sensor 32 b is magnetically attached to the magnet 31 b.
- Such a magnetic attachment between the magnet 31 b and the magnetic sensor 32 b has the effect of mounting the dirt receptacle 20 into the installation chamber 10 with an increased coupling strength.
- a sealing member 33 b made of a synthetic rubber material, is attached to the outer surface of the magnetic sensor 32 b prior to attaching the magnet 31 b to the magnetic sensor 32 b. As the magnet 31 b is magnetically attached to the outer surface of the magnetic sensor 32 b, the sealing member 33 b is pressed, thereby serving to prevent the leakage of air between the magnet 31 b and the magnetic sensor 32 b.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of circle C of FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 10 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 9 .
- the automatic cleaning device comprises: the body 2 ; the fan motor 3 ; the installation chamber 10 defined in the body 2 to be connected with the fan motor 3 ; the dirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in the installation chamber 10 ; and the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in the installation chamber 10 so that it senses the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 and inputs the sensed result into the controller 5 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 of the present embodiment includes: a magnet 31 c attached around the circumference of the insertion through-hole 22 formed at the bottom of the dirt receptacle 20 ; an insertion recess 32 c formed in the inner lower surface of the installation chamber 10 to receive the magnet 31 c; and a magnetic sensor 33 c mounted in the insertion recess 32 c around the suction pipe 4 to be magnetically attracted by the magnet 31 c. Thereby, if a magnetic field is produced by the magnet 31 c, the magnetic sensor 33 c is able to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the magnetic sensor 33 c is attracted by the magnetic field of the magnet 31 c attached around the insertion through-hole 22 of the dirt receptacle 20 , thereby sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 .
- the magnetic sensor 33 c is able to sense the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 .
- An outer surface of the magnetic sensor 33 c is preferably made of a metal material so that the magnetic sensor 33 c is magnetically attached to the magnet 31 c. Such a magnetic attachment between the magnet 31 c and the magnetic sensor 33 c has the effect of mounting the dirt receptacle 20 into the installation chamber 10 with an increased coupling strength.
- a sealing member 34 c is attached to the outer surface of the magnetic sensor 33 c prior to attaching the magnet 31 c to the magnetic sensor 33 c.
- the sealing member 34 c is made of a synthetic rubber material, and is located beneath the magnet 31 c. As the magnet 31 c is magnetically attached to the outer surface of the magnetic sensor 33 c, the lower sealing member 34 c is pressed, thereby serving to prevent the leakage of air between the magnet 31 c and the magnetic sensor 33 c.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of circle D of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 13 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 12 .
- the automatic cleaning device comprises: the body 2 ; the fan motor 3 ; the installation chamber 10 defined in the body 2 to be connected with the fan motor 3 ; the dirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in the installation chamber 10 ; and the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in the installation chamber 10 so that it senses the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 and inputs the sensed result into the controller 5 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 of the present embodiment includes: a sensor mounting recess 31 d formed in the inner lower surface of the installation chamber 10 ; and an optical sensor 32 d mounted in the sensor mounting recess 31 d to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 by the use of emitted and received light.
- the optical sensor 32 d has: a light emitting element 321 a received in the inner lower surface of the sensor mounting recess 31 d to emit light into the dirt receptacle 20 , and a light receiving element 322 a located to surround the light emitting element 321 a to receive the light if the light emitted from the light receiving element 322 a is reflected by the bottom of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the light such as an ultraviolet ray
- the light emitting element 321 a If the dirt receptacle 20 is put into the installation chamber 10 , the light, such as an ultraviolet ray, is emitted from the light emitting element 321 a, and is reflected by the bottom of the dirt receptacle 20 , thereby being introduced into the light receiving element 322 a mounted around the light emitting element 321 . Thereby, the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 is sensed.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 is able to sense the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 .
- FIG. 14 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of circle E of FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 16 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 15 .
- the automatic cleaning device comprises: the body 2 ; the fan motor 3 ; the installation chamber 10 defined in the body 2 to be connected with the fan motor 3 ; the dirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in the installation chamber 10 ; and the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in the installation chamber 10 so that it senses the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 and inputs the sensed result into the controller 5 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 of the present embodiment includes: the sensor mounting recess 31 d formed in the inner lower surface of the installation chamber 10 ; and the optical sensor 32 d mounted in the sensor mounting recess 31 d to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 by the use of emitted and received light.
- the optical sensor 32 d of the present embodiment has: an insertion protrusion 321 b formed at the bottom of the dirt receptacle 20 to be inserted into the sensor mounting recess 31 d; a light emitting element 322 b mounted in a lateral location of the sensor mounting recess 31 d to correspond to a location on the circumference of the insertion protrusion 321 b; and a light receiving element 323 b mounted in another lateral location of the sensor mounting recess 31 d opposite to the light emitting element 322 b.
- the light receiving element 323 b is able to sense the presence or absence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the insertion protrusion 321 b is inserted into the sensor mounting recess 31 d
- the light such as an ultraviolet ray
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 d is able to sense the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 .
- FIG. 17 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of circle F of FIG. 17 .
- FIG. 19 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle of FIG. 18 .
- the automatic cleaning device comprises: the body 2 ; the fan motor 3 ; the installation chamber 10 defined in the body 2 to be connected with the fan motor 3 ; the dirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in the installation chamber 10 ; and the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in the installation chamber 10 so that it senses the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 and inputs the sensed result into the controller 5 .
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 of the present embodiment includes: the sensor mounting recess 31 d formed in the inner lower surface of the installation chamber 10 ; and the optical sensor 32 d mounted in the sensor mounting recess 31 d to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 by the use of emitted and received light.
- the optical sensor 32 d of the present embodiment has: an insertion protrusion 321 c formed at the bottom of the dirt receptacle 20 to be inserted into the sensor mounting recess 31 d; a light emitting element 322 c mounted in a lateral location of the sensor mounting recess 31 d to correspond to a location on the circumference of the insertion protrusion 321 c; and a light receiving element 323 c mounted to surround the light emitting element 322 c.
- the light receiving element 323 c is able to sense the presence or absence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- the insertion protrusion 321 c is inserted into the sensor mounting recess 31 d, the light, such as an ultraviolet ray, is emitted from the light emitting element 322 c, and is introduced into the light receiving element 323 c after being reflected by the outer circumference of the insertion protrusion 321 c. Thereby, the presence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 is sensed.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit is able to sense the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 inside the installation chamber 10 .
- FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 of the automatic cleaning device further includes an absence informer 40 electrically connected to the controller 5 in a signal transmission manner. If the dirt receptacle 20 is taken out of the installation chamber 10 , the informer 40 outputs the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 to the outside.
- the absence informer 40 has a sound generator 41 electrically connected to the controller 5 in a signal transmission manner.
- the sound generator 41 outputs a sound to indicate the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 based on signals inputted from the controller 5 .
- the controller 5 operates the sound generator 41 , for example, a speaker, to output a voice or sound to the outside, thereby allowing a user to easily recognize the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 .
- FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit of the present embodiment further includes the absence informer 40 electrically connected to the controller 5 in a signal transmission manner, so that it outputs the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 when the dirt receptacle 20 is taken out of the installation chamber 10 .
- the absence informer 40 of the present embodiment has an output display 42 electrically connected to the controller 5 in a signal transmission manner.
- the output display 42 outputs an image to indicate the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 based on signals inputted from the controller 5 .
- the controller 5 operates the output display 42 , for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) window, mounted at the body 2 of the automatic cleaning device, to output information indicating the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 , thereby allowing a user to easily recognize the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 in a visual manner.
- LCD liquid crystal display
- the output display 42 In an operating example of the output display 42 , it displays letters, which indicate the absence of the dirt receptacle 20 , on the LCD window provided at the outer surface of the body 2 .
- the output display 42 has a function of blinking the LCD window or the displayed letters.
- the present invention provides an automatic cleaning device having the following effects.
- the automatic cleaning device has a function of sensing the presence of a dirt receptacle. This effectively prevents the automatic cleaning device from continuing cleaning without knowing the absence of the dirt receptacle when the dirt receptacle is separated from the automatic cleaning device due to user carelessness or external shock.
- the present invention provides a dirt receptacle sensor unit, which can effectively sense the presence of the dirt receptacle with a simplified structure.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit of the present invention further can serve to achieve an increased coupling strength of the dirt receptacle by the use of a magnetic force. This has the effect of enabling more stable cleaning by the automatic cleaning device and preventing unintentional separation of the dirt receptacle due to external factors, such as shock.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit is configured so that it can be securely coupled to the dirt receptacle by the use of a magnetic force while achieving air-tightness at the connecting region therebetween.
- the dirt receptacle sensor unit can completely prevent not only unintentional separation of the dirt receptacle, but also the leakage of air from the connecting region. Preventing the leakage of air, consequently, has the effect of increasing the suction force of a fan motor.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
- Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
- Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is an automatic cleaning device having a dirt receptacle sensor unit to sense the presence of a dirt receptacle. The dirt receptacle is detachably mounted in an installation chamber defined in a body of the automatic cleaning device.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to an automatic cleaning device, and, more particularly, to an automatic cleaning device having a dirt receptacle sensor unit to sense the presence of a dirt receptacle.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Generally, an automatic cleaning device is a self-running vacuum cleaner. The automatic cleaning device automatically finds its way back to its charging station to recharge when needed. If the cleaning hasn't been completed when the automatic cleaning device needs to be charged, the automatic cleaning device continues cleaning when charging is finished.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating the general configuration of a conventional automatic cleaning device. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , the conventional automatic cleaning device comprises: abody 100; afan motor 200 mounted in thebody 100 to generate a suction force; and adirt receptacle 300 containing afilter 301 therein. Thedirt receptacle 300 is detachably mounted in aninstallation chamber 101 defined in thebody 100. Theinstallation chamber 101 is connected with thefan motor 200, and thus, thedirt receptacle 300 is connected with thefan motor 200. - The conventional automatic cleaning device further comprises: a
suction pipe 400; asuction head 500; and abrush 600. Thesuction pipe 400 is penetrated through the bottom of thedirt receptacle 300 to be connected with thefilter 301. Thesuction head 500 is coupled to a lower end of thesuction pipe 400 to suction dust and dirt from the floor. Thebrush 600 is located in the bottom of thesuction head 500 so that it is exposed to the outside to come into contact with the floor. - The
body 100 is provided at the bottom thereof with a plurality of wheels exposed to the outside. The wheels include adrive wheel 700 for the self-running of thebody 100 and a plurality ofauxiliary wheels 701 to assist the operation of thedrive wheel 700. - Also, a
controller 102 is mounted in thebody 100 to control the traveling direction of the automatic cleaning device. With the above-described configuration, the automatic cleaning device travels in a predetermined direction in accordance with operation of thecontroller 102, so that it suctions dust and dirt from the floor via thesuction head 500 into thesuction pipe 400 during the driving of thefan motor 200. Subsequently, the suctioned dust and dirt are caught while passing through thefilter 301. Thereby, the conventional automatic cleaning device is adapted to clean a room while discharging filtered air. - However, the above-described prior art has a problem in that it has no function of sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle. When a user forgets to put the dirt receptacle into the installation chamber of the body after emptying the dirt receptacle, or the dirt receptacle is unintentionally separated from the installation chamber due to external factors, such as shock, the conventional automatic cleaning device may continue cleaning without knowing the absence of the dirt receptacle. This causes the suctioned dust and dirt to be directly discharged into the room without passing through the filter of the dirt receptacle, resulting in room contamination. Furthermore, the dust and dirt may be suctioned into other elements of the device, causing the automatic cleaning device to breakdown.
- Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic cleaning device having a dirt receptacle sensor unit to sense the presence of a dirt receptacle.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic cleaning device having a dirt receptacle sensor unit which can sense the presence of a dirt receptacle with a simplified structure, allow the dirt receptacle to be coupled to a body of the device with an increased coupling strength by the use of a magnetic force, and achieve an increase in the air-tightness of the connecting region between the dirt receptacle and the dirt receptacle sensor unit.
- It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an automatic cleaning device having a dirt receptacle sensor unit, which is capable of allowing a user to easily recognize the presence of a dirt receptacle.
- In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an automatic cleaning device comprising: a body; a fan motor to generate a suction force; an installation chamber defied in the body to be connected with the fan motor; a dirt receptacle detachably mounted in the installation chamber, the dirt receptacle having a through-hole connected with the fan motor, an insertion through-hole for the insertion of a dirt suction pipe, and a filter received in the dirt receptacle to be connected with a distal end of the suction pipe; and a dirt receptacle sensor unit to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle inside the installation chamber, whereby if the dirt receptacle sensor unit senses the absence of the dirt receptacle inside the installation chamber, the dirt receptacle sensor unit inputs the sensed result to a controller, so that the controller stops the operation of the automatic cleaning device.
- Preferably, the dirt receptacle sensor unit may include: a mounting recess defined in an inner lower surface of the installation chamber; and a micro switch received in the mounting recess to be switched on/off in accordance with installation/removal of the dirt receptacle.
- Preferably, the dirt receptacle sensor unit may include: a magnet attached around a circumference of the through-hole; and a magnetic sensor mounted to a suction side of the fan motor to be magnetically attracted by the magnet, the magnetic sensor sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle based on a magnetic field produced by the magnet.
- Preferably, the dirt receptacle sensor unit may further include a sealing member made of a synthetic rubber material, and attached to an outer surface of the magnetic sensor that will be attached to the magnet.
- Preferably, the dirt receptacle sensor unit may include: a magnet attached around a circumference of the insertion through-hole; an insertion recess formed in an inner lower surface of the installation chamber to receive the magnet; and a magnetic sensor mounted in the insertion recess around the suction pipe to be magnetically attracted by the magnet, the magnetic sensor sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle based on a magnetic field produced by the magnet.
- Preferably, the dirt receptacle sensor unit may further include a sealing member made of a synthetic rubber material and attached to an upper surface of the magnetic sensor that will be attached to the magnet.
- Preferably, the dirt receptacle sensor unit may include: a sensor mounting recess formed in an inner lower surface of the installation chamber; and an optical sensor mounted in the sensor mounting recess to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle by the use of emitted and received light.
- Preferably, the optical sensor may include: a light emitting element received in an inner lower surface of the sensor mounting recess to emit light to the dirt receptacle; and a light receiving element located to surround the light emitting element to receive the light if the light, emitted from the light emitting element, is reflected by the bottom of the dirt receptacle to the light receiving element, thereby sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle.
- Preferably, the optical sensor may include: an insertion protrusion formed at the dirt receptacle to be inserted into the sensor mounting recess; a light emitting element mounted in a lateral location of the sensor mounting recess to correspond to a location on the circumference of the insertion protrusion; and a light receiving element mounted in another lateral location of the sensor mounting recess opposite to the light emitting element, and adapted to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle if light is emitted from the light emitting element and is reflected by the insertion protrusion of the dirt receptacle to be introduced into the light receiving element.
- Preferably, the optical sensor may include: an insertion protrusion formed at the bottom of the dirt receptacle to be inserted into the sensor mounting recess; a light emitting element mounted in a lateral location of the sensor mounting recess to correspond to a location on the circumference of the insertion protrusion; and a light receiving element mounted to surround the light emitting element, and adapted to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle if light is emitted from the light emitting element and is reflected by an outer circumference of the insertion protrusion to be introduced into the light receiving element.
- Preferably, the dirt receptacle sensor unit may further include an absence informer electrically connected to a controller in a signal transmission manner, the informer outputting the absence of the dirt receptacle to the outside if the dirt receptacle is taken out of the installation chamber.
- Preferably, the absence informer may have a sound generator electrically connected to the controller in a signal transmission manner, to output a sound to indicate the absence of the dirt receptacle based on signals inputted from the controller.
- Preferably, the absence informer may have an output display electrically connected to the controller in a signal transmission manner, to output an image to indicate the absence of the dirt receptacle based on signals inputted from the controller.
- The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating the general configuration of a conventional automatic cleaning device; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of circle A ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 3 ,; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of circle B ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of circle C ofFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 10 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of circle D ofFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 13 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 12 ; -
FIG. 14 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of circle E ofFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 16 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 15 ; -
FIG. 17 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of circle F ofFIG. 17 ; -
FIG. 19 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 18 ; -
FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention. - Now, preferred embodiments of an automatic cleaning device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of circle A ofFIG. 2 .FIG. 4 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 3 . - As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the automatic cleaning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises: a body 2; a
fan motor 3 to generate a suction force; aninstallation chamber 10 defined in the body 2; adirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in theinstallation chamber 10; and a dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20. - The
installation chamber 10 is defined in the body 2 at a position connected with thefan motor 3. Thus, thedirt receptacle 20, which is mounted in theinstallation chamber 10, is connected with thefan motor 3. - The
dirt receptacle 20 has a through-hole 21, so that thedirt receptacle 20 is connected with thefan motor 3 via the through-hole 21 when thedirt receptacle 20 is detachably mounted in theinstallation chamber 10. Thedirt receptacle 20 further has an insertion through-hole 22 for the insertion of a dirt suction pipe 4. Also, afilter 23 is mounted in thedirt receptacle 20, so that a distal end of the suction pipe 4 is fitted into thefilter 23 to be connected with the interior of thefilter 23. - If air, containing dust and dirt, is introduced via the suction pipe 4 in accordance with a suction force generated from the
fan motor 3, thedirt receptacle 20 having the above-described configuration is able to filter the dust and dirt contained in the air by use of thefilter 23. - The through-
hole 21 is a passage to deliver the filtered air to the suction side of thefan motor 3, and the insertion through-hole 22 is a passage to guide the insertion of the suction pipe 4 and to connect the distal end of the suction pipe 4 to thefilter 23. - The dirt
receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in theinstallation chamber 10 to sense the presence of the dirt-receptacle 20. The sensed result is inputted into acontroller 5, which is mounted in the body 2. - If the dirt
receptacle sensor unit 30 senses the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10 and inputs the sensed result into thecontroller 5, thecontroller 5 stops the operation of the automatic cleaning device. Thereby, the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 serves to prevent the automatic cleaning device from continuing cleaning without knowing the absence of thedirt receptacle 20. - The dirt
receptacle sensor unit 30 includes: a mountingrecess 31 a defined in an inner lower surface of theinstallation chamber 10; and amicro switch 32 a received in the mountingrecess 31 a to be switched on/off as the bottom of thedirt receptacle 20 comes into contact with the inner lower surface of theinstallation chamber 10. - If the
dirt receptacle 20 is put into theinstallation chamber 10 and the bottom of thedirt receptacle 20 presses themicro switch 32 a, themicro switch 32 a is switched on. Thereby, the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 is able to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10. - Conversely, if the
dirt receptacle 20 is taken out of theinstallation chamber 10 and a push force applied to themicro switch 32 a is removed, themicro switch 32 a is switched off. Thereby, the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 is able to sense the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of circle B ofFIG. 5 .FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 6 . - As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the automatic cleaning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises: the body 2; the
fan motor 3; theinstallation chamber 10 defined in the body 2 to be connected with thefan motor 3; thedirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in theinstallation chamber 10; and the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20. - The dirt
receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in theinstallation chamber 10 so that it senses the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10 and inputs the sensed result into thecontroller 5. The dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 of the present embodiment includes: amagnet 31 b attached around the circumference of the through-hole 21 formed at thedirt receptacle 20; and amagnetic sensor 32 b mounted to the suction side of thefan motor 3 to be magnetically attracted by themagnet 31 b. If a magnetic field is produced by themagnet 31 b, accordingly, themagnetic sensor 32 b is able to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20. - Specifically, if the
dirt receptacle 20 is put into theinstallation chamber 10, themagnetic sensor 32 b is attracted by the magnetic field of themagnet 31 b attached around the through-hole 21 of thedirt receptacle 20, thereby sensing the presence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10. - Conversely, if the
dirt receptacle 20 is taken out of theinstallation chamber 10, themagnet 31 b escapes from the effective range of themagnetic sensor 32 b, making it impossible for themagnetic sensor 32 b to sense the magnetic field of themagnet 31 b. Thereby, themagnetic sensor 32 b is able to sense the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10. - Preferably, an outer surface of the
magnetic sensor 32 b is made of a metal material so that themagnetic sensor 32 b is magnetically attached to themagnet 31 b. Such a magnetic attachment between themagnet 31 b and themagnetic sensor 32 b has the effect of mounting thedirt receptacle 20 into theinstallation chamber 10 with an increased coupling strength. - A sealing
member 33 b, made of a synthetic rubber material, is attached to the outer surface of themagnetic sensor 32 b prior to attaching themagnet 31 b to themagnetic sensor 32 b. As themagnet 31 b is magnetically attached to the outer surface of themagnetic sensor 32 b, the sealingmember 33 b is pressed, thereby serving to prevent the leakage of air between themagnet 31 b and themagnetic sensor 32 b. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of circle C ofFIG. 8 .FIG. 10 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 9 . - As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the automatic cleaning device according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises: the body 2; the
fan motor 3; theinstallation chamber 10 defined in the body 2 to be connected with thefan motor 3; thedirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in theinstallation chamber 10; and the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20. - The dirt
receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in theinstallation chamber 10 so that it senses the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10 and inputs the sensed result into thecontroller 5. The dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 of the present embodiment includes: amagnet 31 c attached around the circumference of the insertion through-hole 22 formed at the bottom of thedirt receptacle 20; aninsertion recess 32 c formed in the inner lower surface of theinstallation chamber 10 to receive themagnet 31 c; and amagnetic sensor 33 c mounted in theinsertion recess 32 c around the suction pipe 4 to be magnetically attracted by themagnet 31 c. Thereby, if a magnetic field is produced by themagnet 31 c, themagnetic sensor 33 c is able to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20. - Specifically, if the
dirt receptacle 20 is put into theinstallation chamber 10, themagnetic sensor 33 c is attracted by the magnetic field of themagnet 31 c attached around the insertion through-hole 22 of thedirt receptacle 20, thereby sensing the presence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10. - Conversely, if the
dirt receptacle 20 is taken out of theinstallation chamber 10, themagnet 31 c escapes from the effective range of themagnetic sensor 33 c, making it impossible for themagnetic sensor 33 c to sense the magnetic field of themagnet 31 c. Thereby, themagnetic sensor 33 c is able to sense the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10. - An outer surface of the
magnetic sensor 33 c is preferably made of a metal material so that themagnetic sensor 33 c is magnetically attached to themagnet 31 c. Such a magnetic attachment between themagnet 31 c and themagnetic sensor 33 c has the effect of mounting thedirt receptacle 20 into theinstallation chamber 10 with an increased coupling strength. - A sealing
member 34 c is attached to the outer surface of themagnetic sensor 33 c prior to attaching themagnet 31 c to themagnetic sensor 33 c. The sealingmember 34 c is made of a synthetic rubber material, and is located beneath themagnet 31 c. As themagnet 31 c is magnetically attached to the outer surface of themagnetic sensor 33 c, thelower sealing member 34 c is pressed, thereby serving to prevent the leakage of air between themagnet 31 c and themagnetic sensor 33 c. -
FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of circle D ofFIG. 11 .FIG. 13 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 12 . - As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the automatic cleaning device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises: the body 2; the
fan motor 3; theinstallation chamber 10 defined in the body 2 to be connected with thefan motor 3; thedirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in theinstallation chamber 10; and the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20. - The dirt
receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in theinstallation chamber 10 so that it senses the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10 and inputs the sensed result into thecontroller 5. The dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 of the present embodiment includes: asensor mounting recess 31 d formed in the inner lower surface of theinstallation chamber 10; and anoptical sensor 32 d mounted in thesensor mounting recess 31 d to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20 by the use of emitted and received light. - The
optical sensor 32 d has: alight emitting element 321 a received in the inner lower surface of thesensor mounting recess 31 d to emit light into thedirt receptacle 20, and alight receiving element 322 a located to surround thelight emitting element 321 a to receive the light if the light emitted from thelight receiving element 322 a is reflected by the bottom of thedirt receptacle 20. - If the
dirt receptacle 20 is put into theinstallation chamber 10, the light, such as an ultraviolet ray, is emitted from thelight emitting element 321 a, and is reflected by the bottom of thedirt receptacle 20, thereby being introduced into thelight receiving element 322 a mounted around the light emitting element 321. Thereby, the presence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10 is sensed. - Conversely, if the
dirt receptacle 20 is taken out of theinstallation chamber 10, the light, emitted from thelight emitting element 321 a, fails to be introduced into thelight receiving element 322 a since thedirt receptacle 20 does not reflect the emitted light. Thereby, the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 is able to sense the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10. -
FIG. 14 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of circle E ofFIG. 14 .FIG. 16 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 15 . - As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the automatic cleaning device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention comprises: the body 2; the
fan motor 3; theinstallation chamber 10 defined in the body 2 to be connected with thefan motor 3; thedirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in theinstallation chamber 10; and the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20. - The dirt
receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in theinstallation chamber 10 so that it senses the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10 and inputs the sensed result into thecontroller 5. The dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 of the present embodiment includes: thesensor mounting recess 31 d formed in the inner lower surface of theinstallation chamber 10; and theoptical sensor 32 d mounted in thesensor mounting recess 31 d to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20 by the use of emitted and received light. - The
optical sensor 32 d of the present embodiment has: aninsertion protrusion 321 b formed at the bottom of thedirt receptacle 20 to be inserted into thesensor mounting recess 31 d; alight emitting element 322 b mounted in a lateral location of thesensor mounting recess 31 d to correspond to a location on the circumference of theinsertion protrusion 321 b; and alight receiving element 323 b mounted in another lateral location of thesensor mounting recess 31 d opposite to thelight emitting element 322 b. In accordance with whether theinsertion protrusion 321 b of thedirt receptacle 20 intercepts the light emitted from thelight emitting element 322 b or not, thelight receiving element 323 b is able to sense the presence or absence of thedirt receptacle 20. - If the
dirt receptacle 20 is put into theinstallation chamber 10, and thus, theinsertion protrusion 321 b is inserted into thesensor mounting recess 31 d, the light, such as an ultraviolet ray, is emitted from thelight emitting element 322 b, but is not introduced into thelight receiving element 323 b since the insertion protrusion 321 intercepts the emitted light. Thereby, the presence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10 is sensed. - Conversely, if the
dirt receptacle 20 is taken out of theinstallation chamber 10, and thus, theinsertion protrusion 321 b disappears from thesensor mounting recess 31 d, the light, emitted from thelight emitting element 322 b, is introduced into thelight receiving element 323 b. Thereby, the dirt receptacle sensor unit 30 d is able to sense the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10. -
FIG. 17 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of circle F ofFIG. 17 .FIG. 19 is an enlarged section view illustrating separation of a dirt receptacle ofFIG. 18 . - As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the automatic cleaning device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention comprises: the body 2; the
fan motor 3; theinstallation chamber 10 defined in the body 2 to be connected with thefan motor 3; thedirt receptacle 20 detachably mounted in theinstallation chamber 10; and the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20. - The dirt
receptacle sensor unit 30 is mounted in theinstallation chamber 10 so that it senses the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10 and inputs the sensed result into thecontroller 5. The dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 of the present embodiment includes: thesensor mounting recess 31 d formed in the inner lower surface of theinstallation chamber 10; and theoptical sensor 32 d mounted in thesensor mounting recess 31 d to sense the presence of thedirt receptacle 20 by the use of emitted and received light. - The
optical sensor 32 d of the present embodiment has: aninsertion protrusion 321 c formed at the bottom of thedirt receptacle 20 to be inserted into thesensor mounting recess 31 d; alight emitting element 322 c mounted in a lateral location of thesensor mounting recess 31 d to correspond to a location on the circumference of theinsertion protrusion 321 c; and alight receiving element 323 c mounted to surround thelight emitting element 322 c. In accordance with whether the light emitted from thelight emitting element 322 c is reflected by an outer circumference of theinsertion protrusion 321 c or not, thelight receiving element 323 c is able to sense the presence or absence of thedirt receptacle 20. - If the
dirt receptacle 20 is put into theinstallation chamber 10 and thus, theinsertion protrusion 321 c is inserted into thesensor mounting recess 31 d, the light, such as an ultraviolet ray, is emitted from thelight emitting element 322 c, and is introduced into thelight receiving element 323 c after being reflected by the outer circumference of theinsertion protrusion 321 c. Thereby, the presence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10 is sensed. - Conversely, if the
dirt receptacle 20 is taken out of theinstallation chamber 10 and thus, theinsertion protrusion 321 c disappears from thesensor mounting recess 31 d, the light, emitted from thelight emitting element 322 c is not reflected by theinsertion protrusion 321 c, thereby failing to be introduced into thelight receiving element 323 c. Thereby, the dirt receptacle sensor unit is able to sense the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 inside theinstallation chamber 10. -
FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention. - As shown in
FIG. 20 , in the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 of the automatic cleaning device further includes anabsence informer 40 electrically connected to thecontroller 5 in a signal transmission manner. If thedirt receptacle 20 is taken out of theinstallation chamber 10, theinformer 40 outputs the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 to the outside. - The
absence informer 40 has asound generator 41 electrically connected to thecontroller 5 in a signal transmission manner. Thesound generator 41 outputs a sound to indicate the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 based on signals inputted from thecontroller 5. - In operation of the
absence informer 40 having the above-described configuration, if the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 senses the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 and inputs the sensed result to thecontroller 5, thecontroller 5 operates thesound generator 41, for example, a speaker, to output a voice or sound to the outside, thereby allowing a user to easily recognize the absence of thedirt receptacle 20. -
FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic cleaning device in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention. - As shown in
FIG. 21 , similar to the seventh embodiment, the dirt receptacle sensor unit of the present embodiment further includes theabsence informer 40 electrically connected to thecontroller 5 in a signal transmission manner, so that it outputs the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 when thedirt receptacle 20 is taken out of theinstallation chamber 10. - The
absence informer 40 of the present embodiment has anoutput display 42 electrically connected to thecontroller 5 in a signal transmission manner. Theoutput display 42 outputs an image to indicate the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 based on signals inputted from thecontroller 5. - In operation of the
absence informer 40 having the above-described configuration, if the dirtreceptacle sensor unit 30 senses the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 and inputs the sensed result to thecontroller 5, thecontroller 5 operates theoutput display 42, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) window, mounted at the body 2 of the automatic cleaning device, to output information indicating the absence of thedirt receptacle 20, thereby allowing a user to easily recognize the absence of thedirt receptacle 20 in a visual manner. - In an operating example of the
output display 42, it displays letters, which indicate the absence of thedirt receptacle 20, on the LCD window provided at the outer surface of the body 2. Theoutput display 42 has a function of blinking the LCD window or the displayed letters. - As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides an automatic cleaning device having the following effects.
- Firstly, according to the present invention, the automatic cleaning device has a function of sensing the presence of a dirt receptacle. This effectively prevents the automatic cleaning device from continuing cleaning without knowing the absence of the dirt receptacle when the dirt receptacle is separated from the automatic cleaning device due to user carelessness or external shock.
- Secondly, the present invention provides a dirt receptacle sensor unit, which can effectively sense the presence of the dirt receptacle with a simplified structure. The dirt receptacle sensor unit of the present invention further can serve to achieve an increased coupling strength of the dirt receptacle by the use of a magnetic force. This has the effect of enabling more stable cleaning by the automatic cleaning device and preventing unintentional separation of the dirt receptacle due to external factors, such as shock.
- Thirdly, according to the present invention, the dirt receptacle sensor unit is configured so that it can be securely coupled to the dirt receptacle by the use of a magnetic force while achieving air-tightness at the connecting region therebetween. As a result, the dirt receptacle sensor unit can completely prevent not only unintentional separation of the dirt receptacle, but also the leakage of air from the connecting region. Preventing the leakage of air, consequently, has the effect of increasing the suction force of a fan motor.
- Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
Claims (17)
1. An automatic cleaning device comprising:
a dirt receptacle sensor unit to sense the presence of a dirt receptacle inside an installation chamber defined in a body of the automatic cleaning device.
2. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the dirt receptacle is detachably mounted in the installation chamber to be connected with a fan motor.
3. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the dirt receptacle includes:
a through-hole connected with a fan motor; and
an insertion through-hole for the insertion of a dirt suction pipe.
4. The device as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the dirt receptacle further includes a filter received in the dirt receptacle to be connected with a distal end of the suction pipe.
5. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein, after sensing the absence of the dirt receptacle inside the installation chamber, the dirt receptacle sensor unit inputs the sensed result to a controller, so that the controller stops the operation of the automatic cleaning device.
6. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the dirt receptacle sensor unit includes:
a mounting recess defined in an inner lower surface of the installation chamber; and
a micro switch received in the mounting recess to be switched on/off in accordance with the installation/removal of the dirt receptacle.
7. The device as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the dirt receptacle sensor unit includes:
a magnet attached around a circumference of the through-hole; and
a magnetic sensor mounted to a suction side of the fan motor to be magnetically attracted by the magnet, the magnetic sensor sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle based on a magnetic field produced by the magnet.
8. The device as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the dirt receptacle sensor unit further includes a sealing member made of a synthetic rubber material, and attached to an outer surface of the magnetic sensor that will be attached to the magnet.
9. The device as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the dirt receptacle sensor unit includes:
a magnet attached around a circumference of the insertion through-hole;
an insertion recess formed in an inner lower surface of the installation chamber to receive the magnet; and
a magnetic sensor mounted in the insertion recess around the suction pipe to be magnetically attracted by the magnet, the magnetic sensor sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle based on a magnetic field produced by the magnet.
10. The device as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the dirt receptacle sensor unit further includes a sealing member made of a synthetic rubber material and attached to an upper surface of the magnetic sensor that will be attached to the magnet.
11. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the dirt receptacle sensor unit includes:
a sensor mounting recess formed in an inner lower surface of the installation chamber; and
an optical sensor mounted in the sensor mounting recess to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle by the use of emitted and received light.
12. The device as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the optical sensor includes:
a light emitting element received in an inner lower surface of the sensor mounting recess to emit light to the dirt receptacle; and
a light receiving element located to surround the light emitting element to receive the light if the light, emitted from the light emitting element, is reflected by the bottom of the dirt receptacle to the light receiving element, thereby sensing the presence of the dirt receptacle.
13. The device as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the optical sensor includes:
an insertion protrusion formed at the bottom of the dirt receptacle to be inserted into the sensor mounting recess;
a light emitting element mounted in a lateral location of the sensor mounting recess to correspond to a location on the circumference of the insertion protrusion; and
a light receiving element mounted in another lateral location of the sensor mounting recess opposite to the light emitting element and adapted to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle if light is emitted from the emitting element and is reflected by the insertion protrusion to be introduced into the light receiving element.
14. The device as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the optical sensor includes:
an insertion protrusion formed at the bottom of the dirt receptacle to be inserted into the sensor mounting recess;
a light emitting element mounted in a lateral location of the sensor mounting recess to correspond to a location on the circumference of the insertion protrusion; and
a light receiving element mounted to surround the light emitting element, and adapted to sense the presence of the dirt receptacle if light is emitted from the light emitting element and is reflected by an outer circumference of the insertion protrusion to be introduced into the light receiving element.
15. The device as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the dirt receptacle sensor unit further includes an absence informer electrically connected to the controller in a signal transmission manner, the informer outputting the absence of the dirt receptacle to the outside if the dirt receptacle is taken out of the installation chamber.
16. The device as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the absence informer includes a sound generator electrically connected to the controller in a signal transmission manner, to output a sound to indicate the absence of the dirt receptacle based on signals inputted from the controller.
17. The device as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the absence informer includes an output display electrically connected to the controller in a signal transmission manner, to output an image to indicate the absence of the dirt receptacle based on signals inputted from the controller.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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KR1020050037628A KR100704484B1 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-05-04 | Apparatus for sensing a dust container of robot cleaner |
KR10-2005-0037628 | 2005-05-04 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20060248676A1 true US20060248676A1 (en) | 2006-11-09 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/318,494 Abandoned US20060248676A1 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-12-28 | Automatic cleaning device |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060248676A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1719442B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100704484B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN100438813C (en) |
RU (1) | RU2308868C1 (en) |
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US20110191976A1 (en) * | 2010-02-11 | 2011-08-11 | Jason Yan | Thin-type automatic cleaning device |
US20110214246A1 (en) * | 2010-02-10 | 2011-09-08 | Marshall Jeffrey S | Aeroacoustic Duster |
US20110225765A1 (en) * | 2010-03-17 | 2011-09-22 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Suction cleanning module |
CN102379658A (en) * | 2010-08-31 | 2012-03-21 | 财团法人工业技术研究院 | Dust-absorbing cleaning module |
US20130232718A1 (en) * | 2012-03-08 | 2013-09-12 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Robot cleaner |
US20140150524A1 (en) * | 2010-12-14 | 2014-06-05 | Universidad De Santiago De Chile | Real-Time Monitoring System to Determine Wear of Grate Ribs in Semi-Autogenous Mills, to Detect Clogging Conditions of the Grates During the Operation and to Detect Working Conditions Under Direct Impact of the Balls on the Grates |
JP2015112204A (en) * | 2013-12-10 | 2015-06-22 | シャープ株式会社 | Vacuum cleaner |
DE102016109640A1 (en) * | 2016-05-25 | 2017-11-30 | Vorwerk & Co. Interholding Gmbh | Filter bag for a vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner |
US10646091B2 (en) * | 2006-05-19 | 2020-05-12 | Irobot Corporation | Coverage robots and associated cleaning bins |
US11700990B2 (en) | 2019-07-31 | 2023-07-18 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Robot cleaner |
US11712146B2 (en) | 2019-07-31 | 2023-08-01 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Robot cleaner |
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KR101352272B1 (en) * | 2009-07-06 | 2014-01-17 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A robot cleaner |
US8732901B2 (en) | 2009-07-06 | 2014-05-27 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Robot cleaner |
JP5535400B2 (en) * | 2011-04-08 | 2014-07-02 | モニュエル インコーポレーテッド | Robot vacuum cleaner |
KR102122861B1 (en) * | 2013-06-17 | 2020-06-29 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Robot Cleaner and Method for Controlling the Same |
CN106137043B (en) * | 2014-12-24 | 2018-09-11 | 江苏美的清洁电器股份有限公司 | The control method and control device of sweeping robot and sweeping robot |
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KR102267826B1 (en) * | 2019-03-19 | 2021-06-23 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Air conditioner |
KR102245799B1 (en) * | 2019-03-19 | 2021-04-28 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Air conditioner |
KR102286287B1 (en) | 2019-07-31 | 2021-08-04 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Robot Cleaner |
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- 2005-12-28 US US11/318,494 patent/US20060248676A1/en not_active Abandoned
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- 2006-01-09 CN CNB2006100036672A patent/CN100438813C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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US10646091B2 (en) * | 2006-05-19 | 2020-05-12 | Irobot Corporation | Coverage robots and associated cleaning bins |
US11672399B2 (en) | 2006-05-19 | 2023-06-13 | Irobot Corporation | Coverage robots and associated cleaning bins |
US11246466B2 (en) | 2006-05-19 | 2022-02-15 | Irobot Corporation | Coverage robots and associated cleaning bins |
US20110214246A1 (en) * | 2010-02-10 | 2011-09-08 | Marshall Jeffrey S | Aeroacoustic Duster |
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US20110225765A1 (en) * | 2010-03-17 | 2011-09-22 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Suction cleanning module |
US8590101B2 (en) | 2010-03-17 | 2013-11-26 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Suction cleaning module |
CN102379658A (en) * | 2010-08-31 | 2012-03-21 | 财团法人工业技术研究院 | Dust-absorbing cleaning module |
US20140150524A1 (en) * | 2010-12-14 | 2014-06-05 | Universidad De Santiago De Chile | Real-Time Monitoring System to Determine Wear of Grate Ribs in Semi-Autogenous Mills, to Detect Clogging Conditions of the Grates During the Operation and to Detect Working Conditions Under Direct Impact of the Balls on the Grates |
US9527087B2 (en) * | 2010-12-14 | 2016-12-27 | Universidad De Santiago De Chile | Real-time monitoring system to determine wear of grate ribs in semi-autogenous mills, to detect clogging conditions of the grates during the operation and to detect working conditions under direct impact of the balls on the grates |
US20130232718A1 (en) * | 2012-03-08 | 2013-09-12 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Robot cleaner |
US9549649B2 (en) * | 2012-03-08 | 2017-01-24 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Robot cleaner |
JP2015112204A (en) * | 2013-12-10 | 2015-06-22 | シャープ株式会社 | Vacuum cleaner |
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US11712146B2 (en) | 2019-07-31 | 2023-08-01 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Robot cleaner |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
RU2006100288A (en) | 2007-07-20 |
CN1857149A (en) | 2006-11-08 |
RU2308868C1 (en) | 2007-10-27 |
CN100438813C (en) | 2008-12-03 |
EP1719442B1 (en) | 2013-04-24 |
EP1719442A2 (en) | 2006-11-08 |
KR100704484B1 (en) | 2007-04-09 |
EP1719442A3 (en) | 2009-05-06 |
KR20060115220A (en) | 2006-11-08 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LG ELECTRONICS INC., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BAEK, OH-HYUN;REEL/FRAME:017423/0558 Effective date: 20051221 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |