U.S. patent application number 12/591052 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-10 for wheel assembly and robot cleaner having the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hong Won Kim.
Application Number | 20100139029 12/591052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42229429 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100139029 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Hong Won |
June 10, 2010 |
Wheel assembly and robot cleaner having the same
Abstract
Disclosed is a wheel assembly capable of preventing a floor from
being contaminated due to dust or impurities existing on driving
wheels that move a body case. The wheel assembly includes a driving
wheel that moves a body case in at least one direction, and at
least one dust separator having an inclination angle with respect
to an axial center line of the driving wheel to separate dust from
the driving wheel.
Inventors: |
Kim; Hong Won; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700, 1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
42229429 |
Appl. No.: |
12/591052 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/319 ;
301/5.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/009 20130101;
A47L 2201/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/319 ;
301/5.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/00 20060101
A47L005/00; B60B 19/00 20060101 B60B019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 9, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0125001 |
Claims
1. A wheel assembly comprising: a driving wheel that moves a body
case in at least one direction; and a dust separator having an
inclination angle with respect to an axial center line of the
driving wheel to separate dust from the driving wheel.
2. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the dust separator is
installed at the body case while making contact with the driving
wheel.
3. The wheel assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one
dust transfer section provided between the body case and the
driving wheel to receive the dust separated by the dust
separator.
4. The wheel assembly of claim 3, wherein the body case is provided
with at least one dust collection section to collect the dust
transferred from the at least one dust transfer section.
5. The wheel assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one dust
transfer section comprises a first dust transfer section that
receives the dust from the dust separator when the driving wheel
rotates in a first direction, and a second dust transfer section
that receives the dust from the dust separator when the driving
wheel rotates in a second direction.
6. The wheel assembly of claim 5, wherein the dust collection
section comprises a first dust collection section communicating
with the first dust transfer section and a second dust collection
section communicating with the second dust transfer section.
7. The wheel assembly of claim 4, wherein the body case is provided
with at least one dust remover section to remove the duct collected
in the dust collection section.
8. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the driving wheel
comprises a ground contact section making contact with a floor, and
the dust separator comprises a brush having a length corresponding
to an axial length of the ground contact section.
9. The wheel assembly of claim 8, wherein the brush comprises: a
brush bar coupled with the body case; and brush bristles connected
with a lower portion of the brush bar to separate dust from the
ground contact section.
10. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the dust separator
comprises: a first dust separator coupled with the body case and
having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial
center line of the driving wheel; and a second dust separator
inclined against the first dust separator about the axial center
line of the driving wheel and having a predetermined inclination
angle with respect to the axial center line of the driving
wheel.
11. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the body comprises: a
fan motor generating suction force; a filter collecting dust sucked
by the fan motor; and a connection duct that transfers the dust
separated by the dust separator to the filter.
12. The wheel assembly of claim 10, wherein the first and second
dust separators are installed at the body case such that the first
and second dust separators are configured in a substantially
triangular shape while making contact with the driving wheel.
13. A robot cleaner comprising: a body case; a fan motor installed
at the body case to generate suction force; a filter collecting
dust sucked by the fan motor; a suction head provided at a lower
side of the body case; a driving wheel installed at the lower side
of the body case; and at least one dust separator having an
inclination angle with respect to an axial center line of the
driving wheel to separate dust from the driving wheel.
14. The wheel assembly of claim 13, wherein the dust separator
comprises: a first dust separator coupled with the body case and
having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial
center line of the driving wheel; and a second dust separator
inclined against the first dust separator about the axial center
line of the driving wheel and having a predetermined inclination
angle with respect to the axial center line of the driving
wheel.
15. The wheel assembly of claim 13, wherein the body case comprises
a connection duct that transfers the dust separated by the dust
separator to the filter.
16. The wheel assembly of claim 15, wherein the connection duct
comprises: a first connection duct that transfers the dust from the
dust separator to the filter when the driving wheel rotates in a
first direction; and a second connection duct that transfers the
dust from the dust separator to the filter when the driving wheel
rotates in a second direction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2008-0125001, filed on Dec. 9, 2008, in
the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments relate to a wheel assembly capable of removing
dust or impurities from driving wheels of a body case. More
particularly, embodiments relate to a wheel assembly capable of
preventing a floor from being contaminated due to dust or
impurities existing on driving wheels that move a body case.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a robot cleaner detects a cleaning area and
obstacles by using a sensor installed at the robot cleaner to
automatically perform a cleaning function while travelling along
the cleaning area under the control of a controller. If a battery
provided in the robot cleaner is discharged, the robot cleaner
charges the battery using a charger separately provided at a
predetermined position, and then returns to the cleaning area to
perform the cleaning function.
[0006] Since the cleaning area of the robot cleaner is limited to a
space between two driving wheels thereof, the robot cleaner may not
remove dust or impurities existing on a floor in front of the
driving wheels. Thus, the dust or impurities may adhere to the
driving wheels of the robot cleaner, causing contamination of the
floor.
SUMMARY
[0007] Accordingly, it is an aspect of exemplary embodiments to
provide a wheel assembly capable of preventing a floor from being
contaminated due to dust or impurities existing on driving wheels
that move a body case.
[0008] In an aspect of exemplary embodiments, there is provided a
wheel assembly including a driving wheel that moves a body case in
at least one direction, and a dust separator having an inclination
angle with respect to an axial center line of the driving wheel to
separate dust from the driving wheel.
[0009] The dust separator may be installed at the body case while
making contact with the driving wheel.
[0010] The wheel assembly may further include at least one dust
transfer section provided between the body case and the driving
wheel to receive the dust separated by the dust separator.
[0011] Further, the body case may be provided with at least one
dust collection section to collect the dust transferred from the at
least one dust transfer section.
[0012] Further, the at least one dust transfer section may include
a first dust transfer section that receives the dust from the dust
separator when the driving wheel rotates in a first direction, and
a second dust transfer section that receives the dust from the dust
separator when the driving wheel rotates in a second direction.
[0013] Further, the dust collection section may include a first
dust collection section communicating with the first dust transfer
section and a second dust collection section communicating with the
second dust transfer section.
[0014] Further, the body case may be provided with at least one
dust remover section to remove the duct collected in the dust
collection section.
[0015] Further, the driving wheel may include a ground contact
section making contact with a floor, and the dust separator may
include a brush having a length corresponding to an axial length of
the ground contact section.
[0016] Further, the brush may include a brush bar coupled with the
body case, and brush bristles connected with a lower portion of the
brush bar to separate dust from the ground contact section.
[0017] Further, the dust separator may include a first dust
separator coupled with the body case and having a predetermined
inclination angle with respect to the axial center line of the
driving wheel, and a second dust separator inclined against the
first dust separator about the axial center line of the driving
wheel and having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to
the axial center line of the driving wheel.
[0018] Further, the first and second dust separators may be
installed at the body case such that the first and second dust
separators are configured in a substantially triangular shape while
making contact with the driving wheel.
[0019] Further, the body may include a fan motor generating suction
force, a filter collecting dust sucked by the fan motor, and a
connection duct transferring the dust separated by the dust
separator to the filter.
[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a
robot cleaner including a body case, a fan motor installed at the
body case to generate suction force, a filter collecting dust
sucked by the fan motor, a suction head provided at a lower side of
the body case, a driving wheel installed at the lower side of the
body case, and at least one dust separator having an inclination
angle with respect to an axial center line of the driving wheel to
separate dust from the driving wheel.
[0021] Further, the dust separator may include a first dust
separator coupled with the body case and having a predetermined
inclination angle with respect to the axial center line of the
driving wheel, and a second dust separator inclined against the
first dust separator about the axial center line of the driving
wheel and having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to
the axial center line of the driving wheel.
[0022] Further, the body case may include a connection duct that
transfers the dust separated by the dust separator to the
filter.
[0023] Further, the connection duct may include a first connection
duct that transfers the dust from the dust separator to the filter
when the driving wheel rotates in a first direction, and a second
connection duct that transfers the dust from the dust separator to
the filter when the driving wheel rotates in a second
direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more
readily appreciated from the following description of exemplary
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of
which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of a
robot cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a bottom view illustrating the robot cleaner shown
in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a wheel assembly
of a robot cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a wheel assembly of a
robot cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a wheel assembly rotating
in a first direction according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a wheel assembly rotating
in a second direction according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a wheel assembly
according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a wheel assembly
according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a
robot cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment; and
[0034] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a wheel assembly of the
robot cleaner shown in FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like
elements throughout. Exemplary embodiments are described below by
referring to the figures.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of a
robot cleaner 10 according to an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 is a
bottom view illustrating the robot cleaner 10 shown in FIG. 1, FIG.
3 is a perspective view illustrating a wheel assembly of the robot
cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a side
view illustrating the wheel assembly of the robot cleaner 10
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the robot cleaner 10
according to an exemplary embodiment includes a body case 110, a
fan motor 200, a filter 300, a suction head 400 and a main brush
500.
[0038] The fan motor 200 is installed in the body case 110 to
generate suction force, and the filter 300 is installed in front of
the fan motor 200 to collect dust or impurities sucked by the fan
motor 200. Further, the suction head 400 is provided at a lower
side of the body case 110 while being connected with the filter 300
through a connection pipe 410 to suck the dust or impurities
existing on a floor. The main brush 500 is rotatably installed in
the suction head 400 to remove the dust or impurities existing on
the floor. Further, the robot cleaner 10 includes a controller 600
to control operations of the elements.
[0039] The body case 110 is provided therein with a battery 720 and
on a rear surface thereof with a charge terminal 710 such that the
battery 720 can be charged through the charge terminal 710.
[0040] The body case 110 is provided at an inner side of a front
center portion thereof with an ultrasonic transmitter 810 that
transmits ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transmitter 810 is
provided at upper and lower sides thereof with ultrasonic receivers
820 that detect the ultrasonic waves reflected by an obstacle after
being transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 810.
[0041] A wheel assembly 100 is installed under the body case 110 to
move the body case 110 in at least one direction. The wheel
assembly 100 includes a pair of main wheels 100a disposed at both
end portions of the main brush 500, and a plurality of auxiliary
wheels 100b that support the body case 110 at the front and rear
portions of the main wheels 100a such that the body case 110 can be
horizontally maintained.
[0042] Since the main wheel 100a is substantially identical to the
auxiliary wheel 100b, the following description will be focused on
the main wheels 100a of the wheel assembly 100. Further, although
FIGS. 1 and 2 show the body case 110 employed as a body case 110 of
the robot cleaner 10, the body case may be used for various devices
provided with wheels to move from place to place. For example, the
body case may be used for a vehicle having tires and a cleaner
having wheels. In particular, such devices may include a unit that
moves in a room using wheels, but contaminates the room due to the
wheels.
[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wheel assembly 100
according to an exemplary embodiment includes a driving wheel 120
and a dust separator 130 inclined with respect to an axial center
line L of the driving wheel 120 at a predetermined angle.
[0044] The driving wheel 120 includes a ground contact section 121,
which makes contact with a floor during movement of the body case
110, and side sections 122 provided at both sides of the ground
contact section 121.
[0045] Since the ground contact section 121 continuously makes
contact with the floor during movement of the driving wheel 120,
dust or impurities repeatedly adhere to and separated from the
ground contact section 121. The side sections 122 are both sides of
the driving wheel 120, which do not make contact with the floor.
Each side section 122 is formed in one side thereof with an
elongated recess 123 having a predetermined depth. A shaft 124 is
provided at the center of each recess 123 such that the shaft 124
can be coupled with a side of the body case 110.
[0046] The body case 110 is provided with the dust separator 130
that is inclined with respect to the axial center line L of the
driving wheel 120 at a predetermined angle to separate dust from
the driving wheel 120 while making contact with the driving wheel
120.
[0047] The dust separator 130 prevents dust or impurities scattered
on the floor in front of the driving wheel 120 from adhering to the
ground contact section 121, thereby preventing contamination of the
floor. In detail, the dust separator 130 is installed on a bottom
surface of the body case 110 to separate the dust or impurities
adhering to the ground contact section 121. The dust separator 130
is inclined with respect to the axial center line L of the driving
wheel 120 at a predetermined inclination angle a such that the dust
or impurities separated from the ground contact section 121
according to rotation of the driving wheel 120 can be shifted to
one end or both ends of the driving wheel 120. In detail, the dust
separator 130 is disposed above the ground contact section 121 in
the diagonal direction of the body case 110 and has the
predetermined inclination angle 8 with respect to the axial center
line L of the driving wheel 120.
[0048] The dust separator 130 can be prepared in the form of a
brush having a length corresponding to an axial length of the
ground contact section 121. The brush 130 includes a brush bar 30a
coupled with the body case 110, and brush bristle 130b connected
with a lower portion of the brush bar 130a to separate the dust or
impurities from the ground contact section 121 and to induce the
dust or impurities to a dust transfer section 140.
[0049] The brush bar 130a is disposed on the bottom surface of the
body case 110 and has a plate shape. The brush bar 130a may include
deformable material such that it can be prevented from being broken
when it collides with an obstacle. Preferably, the brush bar 130a
includes elastic rubber.
[0050] The brush bristles 130b include a plurality of bristle units
coupled to a bottom of the brush bar 130a while being spaced apart
from each other by a predetermined interval in perpendicular to the
extension direction of the brush bar 130a. Each bristle unit
includes a plurality of thin bristles. Typically, the bristles are
used for a broomstick. In an exemplary embodiment, the bristles
include flexible material capable of easily separating the dust or
impurities from the ground contact section 121 while making contact
with the ground contact section 121.
[0051] In this regard, the brush bristles 130b include rubber or
sponge provided at one side of the body case 110 to separate the
dust or impurities from the ground contact section 121 while
closely making contact with the ground contact section 121.
[0052] The dust transfer section 140 is provided between each
seating groove 123 of the driving wheel 120 and the body case 110
to transfer the dust separated by the dust separator 130 to a dust
collection section 150 which will be described later.
[0053] The dust transfer section 140 is coupled to both inner sides
of the body case 110 to receive the dust or impurities separated
from the ground contact section 121 by the dust separator 130. The
dust transfer section 140 includes a first dust transfer section
140L coupled with one side of the body case 110, and a second dust
transfer section 140R coupled with the other side of the body case
110 while interposing the driving wheel 120 therebetween.
[0054] If the driving wheel 120 rotates in a first direction
D.sub.1, the first dust transfer section 140L transfers the
separated dust to a first dust collection section 150L. The first
dust transfer section 140L can be inclined upward to transfer the
dust or impurities, which are dropped from the top of the driving
wheel 120, in the downward direction.
[0055] If the driving wheel 120 rotates in a second direction
D.sub.2, the second dust transfer section 140R transfers the
separated dust to a second dust collection section 150R. Similarly
to the first dust transfer section 140L, the second dust transfer
section 140R can be inclined downward to transfer the dust or
impurities, which are dropped from the top of the driving wheel
120, in the downward direction.
[0056] The body case 110 is provided with the dust collection
section 150 to collect the dust transferred from the dust transfer
section 140. The dust collection section 150 stores the dust
transferred from the dust transfer section 140, and has openings at
both end thereof such that the dust transfer section 140
communicates with a dust discharge section 160. In detail, one end
of the dust collection section 150 communicates with the dust
transfer section 140 and the other end of the dust collection
section 150 communicates with the dust discharge section 160.
[0057] The dust collection section 150 includes the first dust
collection section 150L coupled with the first dust transfer
section 140L to store the dust, and the second dust collection
section 150R coupled with the second dust transfer section 140R to
store the dust.
[0058] The body case 110 is provided with the dust discharge
section 160 to discharge the dust stored in the dust collection
sections 150. The dust discharge section 160 includes a first dust
discharge section 160L to discharge the dust stored in the first
dust collection section 150L, and a second dust discharge section
160R to discharge the dust stored in the second dust collection
section 150R.
[0059] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the wheel assembly
rotating in the first direction according to an exemplary
embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the wheel
assembly rotating in the second direction according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the driving wheel 120 of the
wheel assembly 100 rotates in the first direction D.sub.1, dust is
accumulated at one side of the dust separator 130, that is, a front
end portion 130c thereof. Then, the accumulated dust is directed in
the direction A due to the inclination angle .theta. of the dust
separator 130. Then, the dust drops down from the ground contact
section 121 and is stored in the first dust collection section 150L
via the first dust transfer section 140L. Thus, a user can remove
the dust stored in the first dust collection section 150L using the
first dust discharge section 160L.
[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the driving wheel 120 of the
wheel assembly 100 rotates in the second direction D.sub.2, dust is
accumulated at the other side of the dust separator 130, that is, a
rear end portion 130d thereof. The accumulated dust is directed in
a direction B due to the inclination angle .theta. of the dust
separator 130. Then, the dust drops down from the ground contact
section 121 and is stored in the second dust collection section
150R via the second dust transfer section 140R. Thus, a user can
remove the dust stored in the second dust collection section 150R
using the second dust discharge section 160R.
[0062] Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment will be described
with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The same reference numerals are
used to designate elements identical to those of a previous
exemplary embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be
omitted. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a wheel assembly
according to another exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a plan
view illustrating the wheel assembly according to another exemplary
embodiment.
[0063] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the wheel assembly 100
according to another exemplary embodiment includes two dust
separators 130 disposed above the driving wheel 120 inclined
against each other about the axial center line L of the driving
wheel 120 and have predetermined inclination angles .theta..sub.1
and .theta..sub.2 with respect to the axial center line L of the
driving wheel 120.
[0064] The dust separators 130 include a first dust separator 131
having the predetermined inclination angle .theta..sub.1 with
respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120, and a
second dust separator 132 having the predetermined inclination
angle .theta..sub.2 with respect to the axial center line L of the
driving wheel 120, separately from the first dust separator
131.
[0065] The first dust separator 131 prevents impurities scattered
on a floor in front of the driving wheel 120 from adhering to the
ground contact section 121, thereby preventing contamination of the
floor. That is, the first dust separator 131 is installed on the
body case 110 such that the first dust separator 131 has the
predetermined inclination angle .theta..sub.1 with respect to the
axial center line L of the driving wheel 120, thereby primarily
separating the dust or impurities adhering to the ground contact
section 121.
[0066] The second dust separator 132 separates dust of the ground
contact section 121, from which the dust or impurities has been
separated by the first dust separator 131, thereby preventing
contamination of the floor. That is, the second dust separator 132
is installed on the body case 110 to have the predetermined
inclination angle .theta..sub.2 with respect to the axial center
line L of the driving wheel 120, thereby secondarily separating the
dust or impurities adhering to the ground contact section 121.
[0067] The inclination angle .theta..sub.1 of the first dust
separator 131 with respect to the axial center line L of the
driving wheel 120 can be identical to the inclination angle
.theta..sub.2 of the second dust separator 132 with respect to the
axial center line L of the driving wheel 120. The first and second
dust separators 131 and 132 are inclined against each other about
the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120. That is, as
illustrated in FIG. 8, one end 131a of the first dust separator 131
is connected to one end 132a of the second dust separator 132, and
the other end 131b of the first dust separator 131 is spaced apart
from the other end 132b of the second dust separator 132, so that
the first and second dust separators 131 and 132 are configured in
a substantially triangular shape.
[0068] Thus, when the driving wheel 120 rotates in the first
direction D.sub.1, dust separated by the first dust separator 131
is transferred to the first dust transfer section 140L and
simultaneously dust separated by the second dust separator 132 is
transferred to the second dust transfer section 140R. Further, when
the driving wheel 120 rotates in the second direction D.sub.2, dust
separated by the second dust separator 132 is transferred to the
first dust transfer section 140L and simultaneously dust separated
by the first dust separator 131 is transferred to the second dust
transfer section 140R.
[0069] The dust transferred to the first and second dust transfer
sections 140L and 140R is stored in the first and second dust
collection sections 150L and 150R. Thus, a user can remove the dust
stored in the first and second dust collection sections 150L and
150R using the first and second dust discharge sections (not
shown).
[0070] Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment will be described
with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The same reference numerals are
used to designate elements identical to those of a previous
embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG.
9 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a robot cleaner
according to further another exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a
plan view illustrating a wheel assembly of the robot cleaner shown
in FIG. 9.
[0071] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the robot cleaner 10
according to an exemplary embodiment includes the fan motor 200
installed in the body case 110 to generate suction force, the
filter 300 that collects dust sucked by the fan motor 200, the
suction head 400 provided at the lower side of the body case 110,
the driving wheel 120 provided at the lower side of the body case
110, and at least one dust separator 130 having a predetermined
inclination angle .theta. with respect to the axial center line L
of the driving wheel 120 to separate dust from the driving wheel
120.
[0072] The body case 110 is provided with a connection duct 900
that transfers the dust separated by the dust separator 130 to the
filter 300. The connection duct 900 includes a first connection
duct 900L, which transfers the dust separated by the dust separator
130 to the filter 300 if the driving wheel 120 rotates in a forward
direction, and a second connection duct 900R that transfers the
dust separated by the dust separator 130 to the filter 300 if the
driving wheel 120 rotates in a backward direction. Further, the
first dust transfer section 140L is provided between the dust
separator 130 and the first connection duct 900L, and the second
dust transfer section 140R is provided between the dust separator
130 and the first connection duct 900R.
[0073] Thus, dust scattered on a floor in front of the driving
wheel 120 can be collected in the filter 300 via the dust transfer
sections 140L and 140R and the connection ducts 900L and 900R
without adhering to the floor or adhering to the ground contact
section 121, so that the floor can be prevented from being
contaminated by the driving wheel 120.
[0074] Further, since the dust separator 130 of the driving wheel
120 is added to the filter 300 connected with the suction head 400,
dust adhering to the wheel assembly 100 can be efficiently removed
without using power dedicated for collecting the dust separated by
the dust separator 130.
[0075] According to exemplary embodiments, a wheel assembly may
include a dust separator having a predetermined inclination angle
with respect to the axial center line of the driving wheel to
separate dust from the driving wheel, thereby preventing a floor
from being contaminated due to the driving wheel.
[0076] Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and
described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *