U.S. patent application number 11/787092 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Sam-jong Jeung, Kyoung-woung Kim, Myeong-ho Kim, Jang-youn Ko, Hak-bong Lee, Ju-sang Lee, Jeong-gon Song.
Application Number | 20080120801 11/787092 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39462210 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080120801 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Myeong-ho ; et
al. |
May 29, 2008 |
Cleaner
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner having a blade, which rotates, is disclosed.
The vacuum cleaner includes a body, a blade attached to a lower end
of the body, and a rotating unit attached to the body so as to
rotate the blade.
Inventors: |
Kim; Myeong-ho;
(Gwangju-city, KR) ; Jeung; Sam-jong;
(Gwangju-city, KR) ; Song; Jeong-gon;
(Gwangju-city, KR) ; Lee; Ju-sang; (Gwangju-city,
KR) ; Ko; Jang-youn; (Gwangju-city, KR) ; Kim;
Kyoung-woung; (Gwangju-city, KR) ; Lee; Hak-bong;
(Jeollanam-do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul D. Greeley;Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.L.P.
10th Floor, One Landmark Square
Stamford
CT
06901-2682
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
39462210 |
Appl. No.: |
11/787092 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/383 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/0666 20130101;
A47L 9/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/383 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/00 20060101
A47L005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 28, 2006 |
KR |
2006-118340 |
Nov 30, 2006 |
KR |
2006-119837 |
Claims
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a body of the cleaner; a blade
attached in the vicinity of an inlet at a lower end of the body;
and a rotating unit to rotate the blade.
2. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the rotating unit rotates the
blade toward a surface to be cleaned when a friction force of the
surface to be cleaned is smaller than a first friction force
between the blade and a carpet, and rotates the blade in a body
direction when the friction force of the surface to be cleaned is
larger than the first friction force.
3. The cleaner of claim 2, wherein the first friction force is
determined as the mean value to friction force values of
low-ranking 20% among a plurality of friction force values between
a plurality of carpets and the blade.
4. The cleaner of claim 1, further comprising an accommodating
space formed in the body, so that the blade is at least partially
received therein when the rotating unit rotates the blade in the
body direction.
5. The cleaner of claim 4, further comprising a prominence formed
in the accommodating space so as to restrict a rotation of the
blade when the rotating unit rotates the blade toward the surface
to be cleaned.
6. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the rotating unit comprises: a
rotating axis formed on the blade; a coupling hole formed in the
body, so that the rotating axis of the blade is inserted therein;
and an elastic member having one end connected to the blade and the
other end connected to the body.
7. The cleaner of claim 6, wherein the elastic member has an
elastic force less than a first friction force between the blade
and a carpet and more than a second friction force between the
blade and a floor.
8. The cleaner of claim 7, wherein the second friction force is
determined as the mean value to friction force values of
high-ranking 20% among a plurality of friction force values between
a plurality of floors and the blade.
9. The cleaner of claim 6, wherein the elastic member comprises an
elastic force less than a first friction force between the blade
and a carpet.
10. The cleaner of claim 9, wherein the elastic member comprises a
spiral spring.
11. The cleaner of claim 10, wherein the blade comprises a groove
formed thereon, so that the one end of the spiral spring is
inserted in the groove.
12. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the rotating unit comprises: a
rotating axis rotatably coupled on the body; a frame formed, so
that the blade is attached thereto and having an end fixed on the
rotating axis; and an elastic member having one end connected to
the frame and the other end connected to the body.
13. The cleaner of claim 12, wherein the elastic member comprises a
spring.
14. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a body of the cleaner; and a blade
attached in the vicinity of an inlet at a lower end of the body, so
that an angle of the blade to a surface to be cleaned is adjusted
according a magnitude of a friction force between the blade and the
surface to be cleaned.
15. The cleaner of claim 14, wherein the blade is rotated in a
direction perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned when the
friction force of the surface to be cleaned is smaller than a first
friction force between the blade and a carpet, and the blade is
rotated in a body direction when the friction force of the surface
to be cleaned is larger than the first friction force.
16. The cleaner of claim 14, further comprising an accommodating
space formed in the body, so that the blade is, at least partially,
received therein when the blade is rotated in a body direction.
17. The cleaner of claim 16, further comprising a prominence formed
in the accommodating space so as to restrict a rotation of the
blade when the blade is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the
surface to be cleaned.
18. The cleaner of claim 14, wherein the cleaner is a robot vacuum
cleaner.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(a) of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2006-0118340 and
10-2006-0119837, filed Nov. 28, 2006 and Nov. 30, 2006,
respectively, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the
entire disclosure of both of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to a vacuum cleaner
and, more particularly, to a moveable blade, which is attached to a
lower end of the cleaner.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a vacuum cleaner at an undersurface thereof has
an inlet, which draws in dust or dirt, and a blade, which is
projected downward to collect dust or dirt in the vicinity of the
inlet, thereby increasing a cleaning efficiency.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an undersurface of a general
vacuum cleaner, particularly, a robot vacuum cleaner.
[0007] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the robot cleaner includes a
cleaner body 1, driving wheels 2, an inlet 3, an agitator 4, and a
blade 5. To draw in and remove dust or dirt from a surface to be
cleaned, the cleaner body 1 has a pan motor and a filter mounted
therein. The driving wheels 2 are installed on an undersurface of
the cleaner body 1 to move the cleaner. The inlet 3 is formed in
the vicinity of the driving wheels 2 to draw in the dust or dirt
from the surface to be cleaned. The agitator 4 is rotatably
installed inside of the inlet 3 to wipe off the dust or dirt
adhered to the surface to be cleaned and, thus, to allow the inlet
to easily draw in the dust or dirt. The blade 5 is projected and
disposed in the vicinity of the inlet 3 to collect the dust or dirt
in an inlet direction.
[0008] The robot cleaner as described above senses cleaning areas
and obstacles by a sensor 6 installed in the cleaner under a
control of a controller (not shown), and travels around on the
sensed cleaning areas. At this time, as the agitator 4 rotates,
most of the dust or dirt attached to the surface to be cleaned in
the sensed cleaning areas is drawn in through the inlet 3. The rest
of the dust or dirt, which is not removed, is captured by the blade
5 and, thus, is collected in the inlet direction, so that it is
secondarily drawn in through the inlet.
[0009] However, in this case, if the surface to be cleaned has a
high friction force, as in a carpet or the like, a problem occurs,
in that the projected blade produces friction with the surface to
be cleaned and, thus, acts as a considerable load in moving the
cleaner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An aspect of the present disclosure is to solve at least the
above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the
advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present
disclosure is to provide a cleaner capable of selectively jutting
out a blade toward a surface to be cleaned, thereby increasing a
cleaning efficiency, when the surface to be cleaned has a low
friction force, and rotating the blade in a body direction, thereby
reducing a traveling load to the cleaner, when the surface to be
cleaned has a high friction force.
[0011] In order to achieve the above-described aspects of the
present disclosure, there is provided a cleaner including a body of
the cleaner, a blade attached in the vicinity of an inlet at a
lower end of the body, and a rotating unit to rotate the blade.
[0012] At this time, preferably, but not necessarily, the rotating
unit rotates the blade toward a surface to be cleaned when a
friction force of the surface to be cleaned is smaller than a first
friction force between the blade and a carpet, and rotates the
blade in a body direction when the friction force of the surface to
be cleaned is larger than the first friction force.
[0013] The first friction force may be determined as the mean value
to friction force values of low-ranking 20% among a plurality of
friction force values between a plurality of carpets and the
blade.
[0014] Also, an accommodating space may be formed in the body, so
that the blade is inserted therein. A prominence may be formed in
the accommodating space so as to restrict a rotation of the
blade.
[0015] The rotating unit may include a rotating axis formed on the
blade, a coupling hole formed in the body, so that the rotating
axis of the blade is inserted therein, and an elastic member having
one end connected to the blade and the other end connected to the
body.
[0016] Preferably, but not necessarily, the elastic member has an
elastic force less than a first friction force between the blade
and a carpet and more than a second friction force between the
blade and a floor.
[0017] The second friction force may be determined as the mean
value to friction force values of high-ranking 20% among a
plurality of friction force values between a plurality of floors
and the blade.
[0018] More preferably, but not necessarily, the elastic force of
the elastic member is a first friction force between the blade and
a carpet.
[0019] Preferably, but not necessarily, the elastic member is a
spiral spring.
[0020] A groove may be formed on the blade, so that the one end of
the spiral spring is inserted therein.
[0021] Alternatively, the rotating unit may include a rotating axis
rotatably coupled on the body, a frame formed, so that the blade is
attached thereto and having an end fixed on the rotating axis, and
an elastic member having one end connected to the frame and the
other end connected to the body.
[0022] At this time, preferably, but not necessarily, the elastic
member comprises a spring.
[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided a cleaner including a body of the cleaner, and a blade
attached in the vicinity of an inlet at a lower end of the body, so
that an angle thereof to a surface to be cleaned is adjusted
according a magnitude of a friction force of the surface to be
cleaned.
[0024] At this time, preferably, but not necessarily, the blade is
rotated in a direction perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned
when the friction force of the surface to be cleaned is smaller
than a first friction force between the blade and a carpet, and in
a body direction when the friction force of the surface to be
cleaned is larger than the first friction force.
[0025] An accommodating space may be formed in the body, so that
the blade is inserted therein.
[0026] Also, preferably, but not necessarily, a prominence may be
formed in the accommodating space so as to restrict a rotation of
the blade.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0027] The above aspect and other features of the present
disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail
exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached
drawing figures, wherein;
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an undersurface of a prior
art cleaner, particularly, a robot cleaner;
[0029] FIG. 2A is a perspective view exemplifying a portion to
which a blade is mounted to an undersurface of a cleaner according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 2B is a perspective view magnifiedly exemplifying only
the blade of FIG. 2A;
[0031] FIG. 3A is a perspective view exemplifying an operation of
the blade of FIG. 2A when a surface to be cleaned has a small
friction force;
[0032] FIG. 3B is a perspective view exemplifying an operation of
the blade of FIG. 2A when a surface to be cleaned has a large
friction force;
[0033] FIG. 4A is a partially cut-away view exemplifying a portion
to which a blade is mounted in detail according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0034] FIG. 4B is a partially cut-away view exemplifying an
operation of the blade of FIG. 4A when a surface to be cleaned has
a large friction force.
[0035] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be
understood to refer to the same elements, features, and
structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Hereinafter, a cleaner according to exemplary embodiments of
the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference
to the accompanying drawing figures.
[0037] FIG. 2A is a perspective view exemplifying a portion to
which a blade is mounted to an undersurface of a cleaner according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 2B
is a perspective view magnifiedly exemplifying only the blade of
FIG. 2A. Referring to FIG. 2A, the cleaner according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a blade 23,
a rotating unit 24, and an accommodating space 25. The blade 23 is
attached in the vicinity of an inlet 22 for drawing in dust or dirt
from a surface to be cleaned at a lower end of a body 21 of the
cleaner. The rotating unit 24 rotates the blade 23. The
accommodating space 25 is formed in the body, so that the blade 23
is received therein.
[0038] The rotating unit 24 is provided with a rotating axis 23a, a
coupling hole 21a, and a spiral spring 26. The rotating axis 23a is
formed on both ends of the blade 23. The coupling hole 21a is
formed in the body 21, so that the rotating axis 23a of the blade
23 is inserted therein. The spiral spring 26, as an elastic member,
that has one end connected to the blade 23 and the other end
connected to the body 21. Since the spiral spring 26 has the one
end inserted to a groove 23b formed on the blade 23 and the other
end connected to the body 21, it gives a rotation force to the
blade 23. Also, a prominence 25a (see FIG. 3) is formed on the
accommodating space 25 into which the blade 23 is inserted, so as
to restrict a rotation of the blade 23.
[0039] An elastic force of the spiral spring 26 is set less than a
first friction force between the blade 23 and a carpet and more
than a second friction force between the blade 23 and a floor, such
as a wooden floor or the like.
[0040] Accordingly, the rotating unit 24 rotates the blade 23
toward the surface to be cleaned when a friction force of the
surface to be cleaned is smaller than the first friction force, and
rotates the blade 23 in a direction towards body 21 when the
friction force of the surface to be cleaned is larger than the
first friction force.
[0041] FIG. 3A is a perspective view exemplifying an operation of
the blade 23 when the friction force of the surface to be cleaned
is smaller than the first friction force, for example, the surface
to be cleaned is a slippery floor 31. When the surface to be
cleaned has a small friction force, as in the slippery floor 31,
the blade 23 is rotated in a direction towards the slippery floor
31 by a rotation force of the spiral spring 26. At this time, the
blade 23 is maintained in a state generally perpendicular to the
floor 31 by the prominence 25a. According to this, the blade 23
collects dust or dirt from the floor 31.
[0042] FIG. 3B is a perspective view exemplifying an operation of
the blade 23 when the friction force of the surface to be cleaned
is larger than the first friction force, for example, the surface
to be cleaned is a carpet 32. In this case, since a friction force
between the blade 23 and the carpet 32 is larger than a rotating
force generated by the spiral spring 26, the blade 23 is rotated in
a direction towards body 21 and, thus, is received, at least
partially, in the accommodating space 25.
[0043] According to this, the blade 23 comes in diagonal contact
with the carpet 32 so as to reduce a traveling load to the
cleaner.
[0044] FIG. 4A is a partially cut-away view exemplifying a portion
to which a blade is mounted in detail among a cleaner according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 4A, the cleaner according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a blade
112, and a rotating unit 113. The blade 112 is attached in the
vicinity of an inlet (not illustrated) for drawing in dust or dirt
from a surface to be cleaned at a lower end of a body 111 of the
cleaner. The rotating unit 113 rotates the blade 112 about a
rotating axis 117 coupled on the body 111. To accommodate the
rotating unit 112, an accommodating space 114 is formed in the body
111. A prominence 114a is formed to the accommodating space 114a so
as to restrict a rotation of the rotating unit 113.
[0046] The rotating unit 113 is provided with a rotating axis 117,
a rotating frame 115, and a spring 116. The rotating axis 117 is
rotatably coupled on the body 111. The rotating frame 115 has an
end fixed on the rotating axis 117, and is formed, so that the
blade 112 is attached thereto. The spring 116, as an elastic
member, has one end connected to the frame 115 and the other end
connected to an undersurface of the accommodating space 114 of the
body 111. A groove 115a is formed in the rotating frame 115, so
that the blade 112 is vertically attached therein.
[0047] FIG. 4A illustrates an operation of the blade 112 when a
friction force of the surface to be cleaned is smaller than the
first friction force between the blade and the carpet as described
above, for example, the surface to be cleaned is a slippery floor
118. When the surface to be cleaned has a small friction force, as
in the slippery floor 118, the rotating frame 115 is rotated in a
direction towards the floor 118 by a tension force of the spring
116. At this time, the rotating frame 115 is maintained in a
horizontal state to the floor 118 by the prominence 114a. According
to this, the blade 112 attached to the rotating frame 115 collects
dust or dirt from the floor 118.
[0048] FIG. 4B is a view exemplifying an operation of the blade 112
when the friction force of the surface to be cleaned is larger than
the first friction force, for example, the surface to be cleaned is
a carpet 121. In this case, since a friction force between the
blade 112 and the carpet 121 is larger than a rotating force of the
rotating frame 115, the spring 116 is compressed. As a result, the
rotating frame 115 is rotated in a direction towards body 111 and,
thus, received, at least partially, into the accommodating space
114. According to this, the blade 112 attached to the rotating
frame 115 also comes in diagonal contact with the carpet 121 so as
to reduce a traveling load to the cleaner.
[0049] A magnitude of the first friction force by which the blade
113 is rotated is determined by measuring friction forces between
the blade used in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure and a plurality of carpets, which are sold on the
market. That is, after friction force values between the plurality
of carpets and the blade are measured, the mean value to friction
force values of, for example, low-ranking 20% among the plurality
of friction force values between the plurality of carpets and the
blade can be determined as the first friction force. If the first
friction force is determined in the manner as described above, the
blade can be rotated on most of the carpets, which are sold on the
market.
[0050] Also, a magnitude of the second friction force can be set by
measuring friction force values between the blade and a plurality
of floors, which are sold on the market, and then determining the
mean value to friction force values of, for example, high-ranking
20% among the plurality of friction force values between the
plurality of floors and the blade as the first second friction
force. If the second friction force is determined in the manner as
described above, the blade can be maintained in a vertical position
on most of the floors, which are sold on the market.
[0051] After the first and the second friction forces are
determined, an elastic force of the spring is set, so that it is
less than the first friction force and more than the second
friction force. More preferably, but not necessarily, the elastic
force of the spring is set to maintain a balance to the first
friction force.
[0052] As apparent from the foregoing description, according to the
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaner
rotates the blade toward the surface to be cleaned to collect the
dust or dirt from the surface to be cleaned, thereby increasing the
cleaning efficiency, when the surface to be cleaned has the low
friction force, and rotates the blade in the body direction to
reduce the friction force, thereby reducing the traveling load to
the cleaner, when the surface to be cleaned has the high friction
force.
[0053] Although representative exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure have been shown and described in order to exemplify the
principle of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not
limited to the specific exemplary embodiments. It will be
understood that various modifications and changes can be made by
one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope
of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, it
shall be considered that such modifications, changes and
equivalents thereof are all included within the scope of the
present disclosure.
* * * * *