WO2021194026A1

WO2021194026A1 - Robot cleaner

Info

Publication number: WO2021194026A1
Application number: PCT/KR2020/011437
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hwang Kim; Seungjin Lee; Sangik Lee
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2020-03-25
Filing date: 2020-08-27
Publication date: 2021-09-30
Also published as: TWI752611B; TW202135720A; US20230112896A1; KR102278845B1

Abstract

A robot cleaner is disclosed, which comprises a main body forming an external appearance, a water bucket unit provided in the main body, supplying water to a water mop, a driving wheel rotated by a rotational force of a driving motor provided in the main body, moving the main body, and a wiper module provided in the water bucket unit, wherein the wiper module is extended to front and rear directions of the driving wheel and formed to be protruded toward the floor where the main body drives.

Description

ROBOT CLEANER

The present disclosure relates to a robot cleaner, and more particularly, to a robot cleaner that may enable water cleaning and prevent slip from occurring.

Generally, a cleaner is a home appliance that sucks and removes particles on the floor. Among such cleaners, a cleaner that performs cleaning automatically is referred to as a robot cleaner. The robot cleaner sucks and removes particles, etc. on the floor while moving by a driving force of a motor that operates by a rechargeable battery.

Meanwhile, a robot cleaner provided with an element for mopping of the floor as well as sucking particles has been recently launched. A robot cleaner that supplies water to the element for mopping to perform entire cleaning without a shortage of water has been also launched.

The Korean Laid-Open Patent No. 10-2015-0014351 discloses a robot cleaner provided with a mop board configured to supply water to a lower portion in a rear direction of a robot body and provided with a water mop below the mop board to enable continuous water supply.

If the robot cleaner according to the related art is driven in a state that a water mop contains much water, wheels of the robot cleaner may be slid by water, whereby driving of the robot cleaner may not be performed smoothly.

The present disclosure has been devised to solve the above problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a robot cleaner of which wheels are not slid by water remaining on the floor.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a robot cleaner that may be driven without slip even when it is driven on the floor, such as a marble floor, having a low friction coefficient.

To achieve the objects of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a robot cleaner comprising a water bucket unit supplying water to a water mop, and a wiper module provided in the water bucket unit. Since the wiper module may remove water from a portion where a wheel contacts while the robot cleaner is driving, or may reduce the amount of water, slip of the robot cleaner may be prevented from occurring.

The present disclosure provides a robot cleaner comprising a main body forming an external appearance, a water bucket unit provided in the main body, supplying water to a water mop, a driving wheel rotated by a rotational force of a driving motor provided in the main body, moving the main body, and a wiper module provided in the water bucket unit.

If a driving environment of the robot cleaner is a floor having a low friction efficient, such as marble, slip may occur in a state that water remains. The present disclosure suggests a structure that may sweep water in a left and right direction by a wiper module provided in a front and rear direction of a wheel of a robot cleaner.

The wiper module of the robot cleaner may be arranged in a diagonal direction before and after the driving wheel.

The wiper module may be extended to front and rear directions of the driving wheel and formed to be protruded toward the floor where the main body drives.

The present disclosure provides a robot cleaner comprising a main body forming an external appearance, a water bucket unit provided in the main body, supplying water to a water mop, a driving wheel rotated by a rotational force of a driving motor provided in the main body, moving the main body, and a wiper module provided in the water bucket unit, wherein the wiper module is extended to front and rear directions of the driving wheel and formed to be protruded toward the floor where the main body drives.

The wiper module includes a body coupled to the water bucket unit, and an arm extended from the body.

The arm includes a first arm extended toward the front direction of the driving wheel, and a second arm extended toward the rear direction of the driving wheel, wherein the first arm and the second arm may be extended in their respective directions different from each other.

The wiper module may include a wiper coupled to the arm.

One end of the wiper is inclined to have a thin thickness.

One end of the wiper is extended to contact the floor when the robot cleaner drives.

One end of the wiper may be extended to be spaced apart from the floor when the robot cleaner drives.

The water bucket unit may be provided with a guide forming a space, and the wiper module may be inserted and coupled into the space.

The guide may be arranged at a side of the water bucket unit, and the space may be provided to open the water bucket unit toward the floor where the robot cleaner drives.

The water bucket unit may be provided with a hook, and a coupling groove into which the hook is inserted and coupled may be formed at a lower portion of the main body.

The hook may be formed to be protruded from the water bucket unit toward a direction where the water bucket unit is coupled to the main body.

The water bucket unit may include a water supply unit supplying water to a water mop, and the water supply unit may include a water transfer member absorbing water and transferring the absorbed water to the water mop and a shielding member in which the water transfer member is provided.

The water supply unit may be arranged on a lower surface of the water bucket unit.

The water bucket unit may be provided with a binding rib, the main body may be provided with a binding portion into which the binding rib is inserted and fixed, and the binding portion may be arranged in a rear direction of the main body and arranged at the center of a horizontal width of the main body.

An air inflow unit for controlling an air pressure of a space filled with water may be formed on an upper surface of the water bucket unit.

According to the present disclosure, since the robot cleaner may be prevented from being slid when driving a floor having a low friction coefficient, driving performance of the robot cleaner may be improved.

Also, according to the present disclosure, water remaining on the floor may be prevented from moving to wheels of the robot cleaner, whereby slip may be prevented from occurring in the wheels of the robot cleaner.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a water bucket unit of a robot cleaner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating that a water bucket unit of a robot cleaner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is detached from a main body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an upper structure of a water bucket unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a lower structure of a water bucket unit.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a main portion of one embodiment.

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, which may implement the above objects in detail, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Sizes or shapes of elements shown in the drawings may be shown exaggeratedly in view of clarification and convenience of description. Also, the terms especially defined in consideration of configuration and operation of the present disclosure may be modified depending on intention of a person skilled in the art, practices, or the like. The terms used herein should be defined by the meaning lying within and the description disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a water bucket unit of a robot cleaner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating that a water bucket unit of a robot cleaner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is detached from a main body, FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an upper structure of a water bucket unit, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a lower structure of a water bucket unit. For reference, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the state that a guide is not provided.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a main body 11 of a robot cleaner 100 may be formed in a polyhedral shape that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and edge surfaces. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the edge surfaces of the main body 110 corresponding to front and rear directions of a driving direction of the main body 110 will be referred to as a front surface and a rear surface of the main body 110. The edge surface of the main body 110, which is arranged between the front surface and the rear surface of the main body 110, will be referred to as a side of the main body 110.

A nozzle opening 111 may be formed on a lower surface of the main body 110. The nozzle opening 111 may be defined as a portion of the main body 110 into which the air containing particles is sucked. The nozzle opening 111 may be formed as a front end of the lower surface of the main body 110 is partially cut.

A suction unit may be provided inside the main body 110. The suction unit sucks the air containing particles, through the nozzle opening 111. An agitator which is rotated may be provided in the main body 110. The agitator may be provided in the nozzle opening 111.

A wheel 150 for moving the robot cleaner 100 may be provided in the main body 110. The wheel 150 may include a driving wheel 151 and an auxiliary wheel 152. The driving wheel 151 may be rotated by a driving force provided from a driving motor to drive the main body 110. At this time, the driving motor may be provided inside the main body 110 to generate a rotational force, and the rotational force may be transferred to the driving wheel 151. The auxiliary wheel 152 performs a rolling motion by driving of the main body 110, and may be provided to support the main body 110 at a position spaced apart from the driving wheel 151. The auxiliary wheel 152 may not be directly supplied with the rotational force of the driving motor but may be rotated as the main body 110 moves by rotation of the driving wheel 151.

Coupling grooves

162 and 164 are formed on the lower surface of the main body 110. The coupling grooves include a first coupling groove 162 provided in a front direction on the lower surface of the main body 110 and a second coupling groove 164 provided in a rear direction on the lower surface of the main body 110.

The water bucket unit 20 is provided with

hooks

292 and 294 formed to be protruded from the water bucket unit 20 toward a direction where the water bucket unit 20 is coupled to the main body 110. The hooks include a first hook 292 coupled to the first coupling groove 162 by being inserted thereinto and a second hook 294 coupled to the second coupling groove 164 by being inserted thereinto.

The hooks may be provided at left and right sides of the water bucket unit 20, and the coupling grooves may be formed at left and right sides of the lower surface of the main body. The water bucket unit 20 may be coupled to the main body 110 in a direction where the hooks are inserted into the coupling grooves. Therefore, the water bucket unit 20 may be coupled to the main body 110 in a direction vertical to the lower surface of the main body 110.

Meanwhile, a binding portion 130 may be formed in the rear direction of the main body 110 to bind the water bucket unit 20 so as not to be detached therefrom. The binding portion 130 may be defined as a portion into which a binding rib 227 of the water bucket unit 20 is inserted and bound. The binding portion 130 may be arranged at a center of a horizontal width of the main body 110. The binding portion 130 may inwardly be provided with a recess, whereby a bent shape of the binding rib 227 may be assembled with the recess.

The binding portion 130 may be formed to be recessed on the lower surface of the main body 110. One end of the binding portion 130 may be formed to be inclined to guide inflow and outflow of the binding rib 227. The binding rib 227 may be provided to be elastically deformed at one side of the water bucket unit 20, and may selectively be bound in the binding portion 130 by elastic deformation when the water bucket unit 20 moves in front and rear directions. A moving direction of the bent shape of the binding rib 227 may be guided while being in contact with the binding portion 130, and if a portion corresponding to the bent shape of the binding rib 227 meets a recess, the binding rib 227 may be coupled with the binding portion 130.

Meanwhile, a space 50 filled with water supplied to a water mop may be formed in the water bucket unit 20. The water bucket unit 20 may be formed in a plate shape having a predetermined area and height. The water bucket unit 20 may be formed in a plate shape formed and coupled to a portion of the bottom and a portion of the rear surface of the main body 110. An entire external appearance of the water bucket unit 20 may be formed by coupling between an upper member 200 and a lower member 300.

In detail, the upper member 200 may be provided to form an upper structure of the water bucket unit 20. The upper member 200 may be categorized into a water bucket-forming unit 210 forming the space 50 by coupling with the lower member 300, and a manipulation unit 220 manipulated by a user to detach or attach the water bucket unit 20 from or to the water bucket-forming unit 210. At this time, an area of the water bucket unit 20, in which the space 50 is formed, may be defined as a water bucket portion.

A recessed space may be formed on the bottom of the water bucket-forming unit 210, and the lower member 300 may be formed to shield the recessed space of the bottom of the water bucket-forming unit 210. Therefore, the space 50 may be formed between the water bucket-forming unit 210 and the lower member 300.

Meanwhile, the manipulation unit 220 may be provided to a portion of the lower member 300 without being provided to a portion of the upper member 200. That is, the water bucket unit may be formed by coupling between the water bucket-forming unit 210 of the upper member 200 and the lower member 300, and the manipulation unit 220 may be formed in a single body with the water bucket-forming unit 210 or a single body with the lower member 300. In this embodiment, a structure in which the manipulation unit 220 is provided as a portion of the upper member 200 will be described in detail as an example.

The space 50 may be formed at a front portion of the water bucket unit 20, and the water bucket-forming unit 210 may be defined as a front end portion of the upper member 210. The manipulation unit 220 may be defined as a rear portion of the upper member 210.

Meanwhile, the manipulation unit 220 is a portion where a user grips and manipulates to move the water bucket unit 20 to the main body 110, and may be extended from the rear end of the water bucket-forming unit 210. The manipulation unit 220 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the rear surface of the main body 110 and then contact the rear surface of the main body 110 in a state that the water bucket unit 20 is fixed to the main body 110.

A second opening 222 may be formed between the manipulation unit 220 and the water bucket-forming unit 210. The second opening unit 222 may be formed as the manipulation unit 220 is partially cut.

A first opening 221 may be formed in the manipulation unit 220. A user may move the water bucket unit 20 by gripping the manipulation unit 220 to pass through the first opening 221, and may couple the water bucket unit 20 to the main body 110. A grasp portion 223 may be formed in the manipulation unit 220. The grasp portion 223 may be formed to be protruded from the upper end to the rear direction of the manipulation unit 220.

The binding rib 227 may be formed in the manipulation unit 220. The binding rib 227 may be defined as a portion bound in the binding portion 130 when the water bucket unit 20 is fixed to the main body 110. The binding rib 227 may be formed to be protruded from one side of the manipulation unit 220 to an upward direction, and may be formed to be elastically deformed. For elastic deformation of the binding rib 227, a cut portion 229 may be formed at one side of the manipulation unit 220 adjacent to the binding rib 227.

The manipulation unit 220 may be formed to be extended to an up and down direction to surround the rear surface of the main body 110, thereby having a predetermined height.

Meanwhile, a mop-fixing member 40 for fixing a water mop may be provided on the upper surface of the water bucket-forming unit 210. For example, the mop-fixing member 40 may be a Velcro, and a corresponding Velcro fixed to the mop-fixing member 40 may be provided in the water mop. The mop-fixing member 40 may be provided at each of front and rear ends of the water bucket-forming unit 210, and may be provided in a plural number to adjoin both left and right ends from each of the front and rear ends. Therefore, the user may fix both sides of the water mop to the mop-fixing member 40 after allowing the water mop to surround the bottom of the water bucket unit 20 corresponding to the water bucket-forming unit 210. At this time, one side of the water mop may be fixed to the mop-fixing member 40 provided at the front end of the water bucket-forming unit 210, and the other side of the water mop may be fixed to the mop-fixing member 40 provided at the rear end of the water bucket-forming unit 210 after passing through the second opening 222.

The front and rear ends of the water bucket-forming unit 210 provided with the mop-fixing member 40 may be formed to be inclined. Therefore, the user may more easily detach or attach the water mop from or to the mop-fixing member 40.

Meanwhile, a water injection unit 230 provided with a punctured water injection hole to supply water into the space 50 may be formed on the upper surface of the water bucket-forming unit 210. A stopper 30 for opening or closing the water injection hole may be provided in the water injection unit 230.

Meanwhile, an air inflow unit 270 for controlling an air pressure inside the space 50 may be formed in the water bucket-forming unit 210. A guide groove 260 guiding a moving direction of water is formed in the water bucket-forming unit 210. The air inflow unit 270 may be formed on the bottom of the guide groove 260. At this time, the guide groove 260 may be provided to be inclined and formed to be downwardly inclined toward a front direction. Therefore, if water inside the space 50 is drained out through the air inflow unit 270, the drained water may be guided to the front direction along the guide groove 260 and absorbed by the water mop.

Meanwhile, the lower member 300 may be provided to shield a low direction of the space 50, and may be coupled with the upper member 200 such that its portion coupled with the upper member 200 may form a complete sealing state, whereby water inside the space 50 may not be leaked.

The lower member 300 may be provided to form most of an area surrounded by the water mop on the lower surface of the water bucket unit 20. The lower member 300 may be provided in a plate shape, and its lower surface may be formed in a completely flat state. Therefore, the water mop may be tightly adhered to the lower surface of the lower member 300 in a state that it is fixed to the water bucket unit 20, and may be supported in the lower member 300 and tightly adhered to the floor to mop the floor.

The lower member 300 may be provided with a water supply unit for supplying water inside the space 50 to the water mop. The water supply unit may include a water transfer member 70 for absorbing water inside the space 50 to transfer the absorbed water to the water mop, and a shielding member 60 provided with the water transfer member 70 and provided in the lower member 300 to provide a supply path of water.

The shielding member 60 may provided in the lower member 300 in a plural number. For example, the shielding member 60 may be provided to be symmetrical at both sides from the center of a horizontal width of the lower member 300, and may be arranged on a pair of lines for trisecting the lower member 300 in a horizontal direction. The shielding member 60 shields water from being drained to the other portion other than a portion where the water transfer member 70 is exposed.

A wiper module 400 is provided in the water bucket unit 20. The wiper module 400 is extended to front and rear directions of the driving wheel 151, and formed to be protruded toward the floor where the main body 110 drives. The wiper module 400 is extended to partially surround front and rear portions of the driving wheel 151. That is, when the robot cleaner drives, the wiper module 400 may move water of a portion where the driving wheel 151 is in contact with the floor, to another place. The wiper module 400 may move water on the floor where the robot cleaner drives, to another portion, whereby the driving wheel 151 may be prevented from being slid when the driving wheel 151 is rotated.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a guide 290 that forms a space is provided at the side of the water bucket unit 20. The wiper module 400 may be fixedly inserted into the space formed by the guide 290. The wiper module 400 may be inserted into the space formed by the guide 290 in a vertical direction along the side of the water bucket unit 20, and may be coupled with the guide 290. That is, the guide 290 may be arranged at the side of the water bucket unit 20, and the space is formed to open the water bucket unit 20 toward the floor where the robot cleaner drives.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a main portion of one embodiment, and FIG. 5 shows a state that the wiper module 400 is provided in the water bucket unit 20.

The wiper module 400 includes a body 410 coupled to the water bucket unit, and an arm extended from the body 410. The arm include a first arm 421 extended toward the front direction of the driving wheel, and a second arm 422 extended toward the rear direction of the driving wheel. The direction where the first arm 421 is extended may be different from the direction where the second arm 422 is extended.

The first arm 421 and the second arm 422 may be extended at their respective angles from the body 410. Generally, since the robot cleaner mainly moves in a forward direction, the first arm 421 may be bent to have a greater angle with respect to the body 410 than that of the second arm 422.

The first arm 421 and the second arm 422 are bent from the body 410 at their respective angles different from each other but may be extended to the body 410 as much as the same vertical distance. Since the second arm 422 is bent at a small angle from the body 410, the second arm 422 may be longer than the first arm 421.

A wiper 430 is provided in the

arms

421 and 422. The wiper 430 is extended at the same angle as those of the first arm 421 and the second arm 422, and has the same length as those of the first arm 421 and the second arm 422. One end of the wiper 430 is inclined to have a thin thickness. At this time, one of the wiper 430 is arranged toward the floor when the robot cleaner drives.

Meanwhile, one end of the wiper 430 may be extended to contact the floor where the robot cleaner drives. According to this type, if water remains on the floor where the robot cleaner drives, the wiper 430 may move while sweeping water on the floor so as not to contact the driving wheel 151. Particularly, in case of a floor having a low friction coefficient, such as marble, the wiper 430 may move water to another portion not a portion where the driving wheel 151 may contact while moving, in contact with the floor.

Meanwhile, one end of the wiper 430 may be extended to be spaced apart from the floor when the robot cleaner drives. If one end of the wiper 430 is in contact with the floor where the robot cleaner drives, friction may occur when the robot cleaner drives. Therefore, if the robot cleaner drives the floor of which friction coefficient is not great, one end of the wiper 430 is spaced apart from the floor, whereby the wiper 430 may disperse water to an area, to which the driving wheel will move, within a low range only if much water remains on the floor. Therefore, since the wiper is not always in contact with the floor when the robot cleaner drives, friction may be reduced.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, the above embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims and all change which comes within the equivalent scope of the disclosure are included in the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

A robot cleaner comprising:

a main body forming an external appearance;

a water bucket unit provided in the main body, supplying water to a water mop;

a driving wheel rotated by a rotational force of a driving motor provided in the main body, moving the main body; and

a wiper module provided in the water bucket unit,

wherein the wiper module is extended to front and rear directions of the driving wheel and formed to be protruded toward the floor where the main body drives.
The robot cleaner of claim 1, wherein the wiper module includes a body coupled to the water bucket unit, and an arm extended from the body.
The robot cleaner of claim 2, wherein the arm includes:

a first arm extended toward the front direction of the driving wheel; and

a second arm extended toward the rear direction of the driving wheel,

wherein the first arm and the second arm are extended in their respective directions different from each other.
The robot cleaner of claim 2, wherein the wiper module includes a wiper coupled to the arm.
The robot cleaner of claim 3, wherein one end of the wiper is inclined to have a thin thickness.
The robot cleaner of claim 5, wherein one end of the wiper is extended to contact the floor when the robot cleaner drives.
The robot cleaner of claim 5, wherein one end of the wiper is extended to be spaced apart from the floor when the robot cleaner drives.
The robot cleaner of claim 1, wherein the water bucket unit is provided with a guide forming a space, and the wiper module is inserted and coupled into the space.
The robot cleaner of claim 8, wherein the guide is arranged at a side of the water bucket unit, and the space is provided to open the water bucket unit toward the floor where the robot cleaner drives.
The robot cleaner of claim 1, wherein the water bucket unit is provided with a hook, and a coupling groove into which the hook is inserted and coupled is formed at a lower portion of the main body.
The robot cleaner of claim 10, wherein the hook is formed to be protruded from the water bucket unit toward a direction where the water bucket unit is coupled to the main body.
The robot cleaner of claim 1, wherein the water bucket unit includes a water supply unit supplying water to a water mop, and the water supply unit includes a water transfer member absorbing water and transferring the absorbed water to the water mop and a shielding member in which the water transfer member is provided.
The robot cleaner of claim 12, wherein the water supply unit is arranged on a lower surface of the water bucket unit.
The robot cleaner of claim 1, wherein the water bucket unit is provided with a binding rib, the main body is provided with a binding portion into which the binding rib is inserted and fixed, and the binding portion is arranged in a rear direction of the main body and arranged at the center of a horizontal width of the main body.
The robot cleaner of claim 1, wherein an air inflow unit for controlling an air pressure of a space filled with water is formed on an upper surface of the water bucket unit.