U.S. patent application number 11/269674 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-24 for automatic cleaning apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Sam-jong Jeung, Ki-man Kim, Jang-youn Ko, Ju-sang Lee, Kwang-soo Lim, Jeong-gon Song.
Application Number | 20060185690 11/269674 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36579167 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060185690 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Song; Jeong-gon ; et
al. |
August 24, 2006 |
Automatic cleaning apparatus
Abstract
An automatic cleaning apparatus has a cleaner body having at
least one driving wheel, and in certain disclosed embodiments, a
vapor spray means installed in the cleaner body for generating
water vapor during operation, and spraying the generated water
vapor toward a lower part of the cleaner body.
Inventors: |
Song; Jeong-gon;
(Gwangjucity, KR) ; Ko; Jang-youn; (Gwangju-city,
KR) ; Lee; Ju-sang; (Gwangju-city, KR) ; Lim;
Kwang-soo; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim; Ki-man;
(Gwangju-city, KR) ; Jeung; Sam-jong;
(Gwangju-city, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLANK ROME LLP
600 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
36579167 |
Appl. No.: |
11/269674 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/21 ;
15/319 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 2201/00 20130101;
A47L 11/34 20130101; A47L 11/4083 20130101; A47L 11/4086
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/021 ;
015/319 |
International
Class: |
B08B 5/04 20060101
B08B005/04; A47L 5/00 20060101 A47L005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 24, 2005 |
KR |
2005-15491 |
Claims
1. An automatic cleaning apparatus, comprising: a cleaner body
having at least one driving wheel; and a vapor spray means
installed in the cleaner body, for generating a water vapor during
operation, and spraying the generated water vapor toward a lower
part of the cleaner body.
2. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vapor
spray means comprises: a water tank detachably mounted to the
cleaner body; and a vapor generating module installed in the
cleaner body in fluid connection with the water tank, for
converting a water from the water tank into a vapor and spraying
the converted vapor toward a lower part of the cleaner body.
3. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaner
body comprises a first mounting location to detachably mount the
vapor generating module, and a second mounting location to mount
the water tank, with the first and the second mounting location
being connected with each other.
4. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cleaner
body comprises a door provided to an upper part of the cleaner body
to open and close the second mounting location.
5. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vapor
generating module comprises: a housing in fluid connection with the
water tank, and storing a supplied water therein; a vapor
generating element provided inside the housing, for generating a
vapor while in operation; and a vapor spray part in fluid
connection with the housing, for spraying the vapor generated from
the housing toward a lower part of the cleaner body.
6. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vapor
spray part comprises a vapor conveyance path in fluid connection
with the housing, and one or more vapor spray nozzles in fluid
connection with the vapor conveyance path, which are exposed toward
a lower part of the cleaner body.
7. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 6, wherein there is a
fan installed on the vapor conveyance path to force the vapor
against a surface to be cleaned.
8. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vapor
generating element comprises a carbon rod which is positioned under
the water of the housing, and generates a vapor when electricity is
applied to the rod.
9. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vapor
generating element comprises a heater which is positioned under the
water of the housing, and electrically generates heat.
10. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vapor
generating element comprises a vibrator which is positioned under
the water of the housing, and generates a vapor while in
operation.
11. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 5, further comprising
a wet floor-cloth which is rotatably mounted to a lower part of the
automatic cleaning apparatus.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2005-15491, filed Feb. 24, 2005, in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of
automatic cleaning devices.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a robot cleaner automatically runs around,
without requiring significant input from a user, and cleans the
floor by drawing in foreign substances such as dust.
[0006] The robot cleaner confirms presence and absence of obstacles
or distance to the objects in a given area such as furniture,
office equipment or wall, to be able to clean without undesirable
collisions.
[0007] An exemplary robot cleaner may include a left driving wheel,
a right driving wheel, and a driven wheel, all at the lower part of
a cleaner body. Each of the driving wheels are driven in
association with a driving motor. The driving motor is controlled
by a controller and therefore, the cleaner body can shift
directions.
[0008] The cleaner body may have a suction port at a lower part, to
draw in foreign substances such as dust from a surface being
cleaned. The suction port is subject to a suction force which is
generated from a suction motor additionally provided to the cleaner
body. The suction port is fluidly connected with a dust chamber
which is provided inside the cleaner body. The drawn foreign
substances are collected and stored in the dust chamber.
[0009] A robot cleaner may additionally include a floor-cloth to
wipe out contaminants off from the surface being cleaned. The
floor-cloth is generally provided on the lower part of the robot
cleaner and rotates during operation. The robot cleaner runs along
the floor, and removes foreign substances by drawing in air, or
wiping the floor.
[0010] Because a dry floor-cloth is usually employed in such a
robot cleaner, the robot cleaner may not effectively wipe out
stubborn dirt which is stuck and/or dried on to the floor.
Accordingly, the user is required to use a wet floor-cloth, which
is inconvenient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is to be understood that both the following summary and
the detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are
intended to provide further explanation of the invention as
claimed. Neither the summary nor the description that follows is
intended to define or limit the scope of the invention to the
particular features mentioned in the summary or in the
description
[0012] In certain embodiments, the disclosed embodiments may solve
one or more of the above problems and/or disadvantages and may
provide one or more of the advantages described herein.
[0013] In some embodiments, an automatic cleaning apparatus such as
a robot cleaner has an improved structure, which is capable of
effectively removing contaminants off from a surface being
cleaned.
[0014] In some exemplary embodiments, an automatic cleaning
apparatus, includes a cleaner body having a driving wheel; and a
vapor spray means installed in the cleaner body, for generating a
water vapor during operation, and spraying the generated water
vapor toward a lower part of the cleaner body.
[0015] The vapor spray means may include a water tank detachably
mounted to the cleaner body; and a vapor generating module
installed in the cleaner body in fluid connection with the water
tank, for converting a water from the water tank into a vapor and
spraying the converted vapor toward a lower part of the cleaner
body.
[0016] The cleaner body may include a first mount part to
detachably mount the vapor generating module, and a second mount
part to mount the water tank, with the first and the second mount
parts being connected with each other.
[0017] The cleaner body may include a door provided to an upper
part of the cleaner body to open and close the second mount
part.
[0018] The vapor generating module may include a housing in fluid
connection with the water tank, and storing a supplied water
therein; a vapor generating element provided inside the housing,
for generating a vapor while in operation; and a vapor spray part
in fluid connection with the housing, for spraying the vapor
generated from the housing toward a lower part of the cleaner
body.
[0019] The vapor spray part may include a vapor conveyance path in
fluid connection with the housing, and one or more vapor spray
nozzles in fluid connection with the vapor conveyance path, which
are exposed toward a lower part of the cleaner body.
[0020] A fan may be installed on the vapor conveyance path to
forcibly cause the vapor to spray.
[0021] The vapor generating element may include a carbon rod which
is positioned under the water of the housing, and generates a vapor
in accordance with the supply of an electric signal.
[0022] The vapor generating element may include a heater which is
positioned under the water of the housing, and generates heat in
accordance with the supply of an electric signal.
[0023] The vapor generating element may include a vibrator which is
positioned under the water of the housing, and generates a vapor
while in operation.
[0024] A wet floor-cloth which may further be provided by rotatably
mounting to a lower part of the automatic cleaning apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
form a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments
and, together with the description, further serve to enable a
person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use these
embodiments and others that will be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a robot cleaner employed as
an example of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part
of the robot cleaner of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the robot cleaner
of FIG. 1; and
[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view provided for
explanation of a vapor generating device of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0030] An automatic cleaner and improved features thereof will now
be disclosed in terms of various exemplary embodiments. This
specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate
features of the invention. The embodiment(s) described, and
references in the specification to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", "an example embodiment", etc., indicate that the
embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not
necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or
characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily
referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection
with an embodiment, persons skilled in the art may effect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
[0031] In the following description, similar drawing reference
numerals may be used for the same elements even in different
drawings. The embodiments described, and their detailed
construction and elements, are merely provided to assist in a
comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent
that the present invention can be carried out in a variety of ways,
and does not require any of the specific features described herein.
Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in
detail since they would obscure the invention with unnecessary
detail.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a robot cleaner according to one
embodiment of the present invention includes a cleaner body 10,
left/right driving wheels 12 and 13 installed at the lower part of
the cleaner body 10, a suction port 20 formed in the lower part of
the cleaner body 10, a wet floor-cloth unit 30 installed at the
lower part of the cleaner body 10, and a vapor supply device 100
installed in the cleaner body 10.
[0033] The cleaner body 10 includes therein a dust collecting part
(not shown) which collects dust from the air when the dust-laden
air is drawn in through the suction port 20. The dust collecting
part is connected with a vacuum motor to be provided with a suction
force. The dust collecting part may include, among other things, a
cyclone dust collecting unit and a dust bag.
[0034] In an embodiment, there is a sensor 11 installed on the
outer side of the cleaner body 10. The sensor 11 is exposed to the
outside of the cleaner body 10 so that the sensor can send out a
signal and receive reflected signal. A plurality of sensors may be
arranged along a side of the cleaner body 10 at predetermined
intervals. The sensor 11 also may include a camera unit. The sensor
11 may also include an obstacle sensor which detects obstacles such
as furniture or wall. The sensor 11 may also include a running
distance sensor. The cleaner body 10 may preferably have a
streamlined configuration in consideration of possible collision
with obstacles during operation. As it can be referred from the
bottom view of FIG. 2, the cleaner body 10 in the embodiment
illustrated is approximately circular in section.
[0035] In this embodiment, the left/right driving wheels 12 and 13
are selectively driven by a driving motor (not shown) which is
separately provided in addition to the vacuum motor. The driving
motor is controlled by a control part which is formed inside the
cleaner body 10. The left/right driving wheels 12 and 13 may be
provided with idle wheels 15 and 16 that passively rotate.
[0036] The suction port 20 is located behind the left/right driving
wheels 12 and 13 with reference to a running direction A of the
robot cleaner 10. In other words, the suction port 20 is located at
the downstream of the robot cleaner 10. The suction port 20 is
formed to a predetermined length and in parallel relation with
respect to a rotary shaft of the left/right driving wheels 12 and
13. The suction port 20 is extended to a predetermined length at
the lower part of the cleaner body, but does not reach the side of
the cleaner body 10. A rotary brush 21 may be provided to the
suction port 20. The rotary brush 21 may be rotated by a driving
force transmitted from the vacuum motor, or rotated by a suction
force. When rotated by the suction force, a turbine is connected to
the rotary brush 21.
[0037] A wet floor-cloth unit mounting location 17 may be provided
at the lower part of the cleaner body 10, for the mounting of a
detachable wet floor-cloth 30. The wet floor-cloth unit mounting
location 17 may be provided in near to the suction port 20, and
recessed into the lower surface of the cleaner body 10 to a
predetermined depth. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one
illustrative embodiment, the wet floor-cloth unit 30 includes a
unit body 31, a rotary body 33 rotatably provided to the lower part
of the unit body 31 for the detachable mounting of a wet
floor-cloth 32 thereto, a bi-directional rotary motor 34 which
provide driving force for rotating the rotary body 33 during
operation of the robot cleaner, and a driving force transmitting
unit 35 which transmits the driving force of the rotary motor 34 to
the rotary body 33. The driving force transmitting unit 35 may
include a worm wheel gear 35a for engagement with the rotary body
33, and a worm gear member 35b which connects the worm wheel gear
35a with the shaft 34a of the rotary motor 34. The unit body 31 may
be firmly secured by screws, while being inserted in the wet
floor-cloth unit mounting location 17.
[0038] The cleaner body 10 may include first and second mounting
locations 18 and 19. The first mounting location 18 is recessed in
the lower side of the cleaner body 10. The second mounting location
19 is recessed in the upper side of the cleaner body. The second
mounting location 19 may be opened and closed by a door 40. The
first mounting location 18 may be formed near the wet floor-cloth
unit mounting location 17, or alternatively, may be connected with
the wet floor-cloth unit mounting location 17. The first and second
mounting locations 18 and 19 are preferably connected with each
other.
[0039] The vapor supply device 100 may include a water tank 110
which is removably mounted in the cleaner body 10, and a vapor
generating module 120 also mounted in the cleaner body 10 in fluid
connection with the water tank 110.
[0040] The water tank 110 may include a water feed opening 111
through which water is supplied, and a water discharge opening 113
through which the water is fed into the vapor generating module
120. The water discharge opening 113 is provided with a valve to
enable selective supply of water.
[0041] The vapor generating module 120 converts the water of the
water tank 110 into vapor so that the vapor can be sprayed through
the lower part of the cleaner body 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the
vapor generating module 120 may include a housing 121 which is
fluidly connected with the water tank 110 and holds a certain
amount of water supplied from the water tank 110, a vapor
generating element 123 which is provided inside the housing 121 and
generates vapor during operation, and a vapor spray part 125.
[0042] The housing 121 has a space to hold a predetermined amount
of water therein, which may be detachably mounted at first mounting
location 18. The housing 121 has an opening 122 on the upper part
to receive water supply from the water tank 110.
[0043] In one embodiment, the vapor generating element 123 may
include a pair of carbon rods which are positioned under the water
of the housing 121. The carbon rods may be formed of substances
such as charcoal or graphite, and therefore, form electrodes. More
specifically, as plus (+) and minus (-) power is supplied from a
power supply 50 to the carbon rods, the carbon rods start to be
discharged and cause adjacent water to boil. As a result, steam is
generated from the boiling water, and it usually takes
approximately 3 to 5 seconds to generate steam.
[0044] The carbon rods are electrically connected through
connecting terminals 52 and 54. The connecting terminals 52 and 54
are provided to the housing 121 and the first mounting location 18
in a corresponding relation.
[0045] In another example, the vapor generating element 123 may be
a heater which vaporizes water by heating it with the supplied
electricity. In yet another example, the vapor generating element
123 may be a high frequency vibrator which generates high frequency
waves with a supply of electricity to decompose the water into
vapor. The vapor generating element 123 is not limited to the
examples provided herein, and may employ any adequate method of
generating vapor that is available in the industrial field.
[0046] The vapor spray part 125 may include a vapor duct 125a that
connects to a side of the housing 121. The vapor duct 125a is
connected with a vapor outlet 211a which is provided to an upper
side of the housing 121. The vapor duct 125a includes a vapor spray
nozzle 125b at a lower portion of the cleaner body 10, toward a
direction which is exposed to the surface being cleaned.
Preferably, the vapor spray nozzle 125b is formed in the proximity
of the wet floor-cloth 32. Accordingly, the vapor sprayed from the
vapor spray nozzle 125b causes the wet floor-cloth to dampen the
surface being cleaned, and cleaning efficiency improves. The vapor
spray nozzle 125b may be formed in plural numbers at regular
intervals.
[0047] The vapor spray part 125 may further include a fan 126
mounted to the vapor duct 125a. By the rotation, the fan 126
forcibly blows the vapor from the housing 121 to discharge to the
vapor spray nozzle 125b.
[0048] As described above in a few exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, an automatic cleaning apparatus having the above
constructions has a vapor generating means and therefore, is able
to spray vapor to a surface being cleaned to loosen stubborn dirt
or dust on the surface. Then as the wet floor-cloth wipes out the
loosened dirt or dust, the surface is cleaned more rapidly and with
higher efficiency.
[0049] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely
exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present
invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other
types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the embodiments of
the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to
limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives,
modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
* * * * *