U.S. patent application number 14/238085 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-10 for window cleaning device.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTELLECTUAL DISCOVERY CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Man-Hyun Ryu. Invention is credited to Man-Hyun Ryu.
Application Number | 20140189973 14/238085 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47669035 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140189973 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ryu; Man-Hyun |
July 10, 2014 |
WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE
Abstract
The present invention relates to a window cleaning device
including a first cleaner and a second cleaner which are
respectively attached on both sides of a window by magnetism. The
device includes a first magnetic module included in the first
cleaner; a second magnetic module included in the second cleaner;
and a wheel part which is provided to at least one among the first
and the second cleaner and moves the window cleaning device,
wherein the wheel part includes a wheel having a plurality of holes
at an external diameter part; a wheel cover made of an elastic
material which surrounds the external diameter part of the wheel
and generates frictional force by coming in contact with the
window; and a wheel bearing which is connected to the wheel and
delivers turning force, and a part of the wheel cover is inserted
into the holes formed at the external diameter part of the
wheel.
Inventors: |
Ryu; Man-Hyun; (Sungnam-si,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ryu; Man-Hyun |
Sungnam-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
INTELLECTUAL DISCOVERY CO.,
LTD.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
47669035 |
Appl. No.: |
14/238085 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
July 23, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2012/005845 |
371 Date: |
February 10, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/250.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 1/03 20130101; A47L
1/12 20130101; A47L 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/250.11 |
International
Class: |
A47L 1/02 20060101
A47L001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 11, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0080212 |
Claims
1. A window cleaning device including a first cleaner and a second
cleaner which are respectively attached on both sides of a window
by magnetism, the window cleaning device comprising: a first
magnetic module included in the first cleaner; a second magnetic
module included in the second cleaner; and a wheel part which is
provided to at least one among the first and the second cleaner and
moves the window cleaning device, wherein the wheel part includes:
a wheel having a plurality of holes at an external diameter part; a
wheel cover made of an elastic material which surrounds the
external diameter part of the wheel and generates frictional force
by coming in contact with the window; and a wheel bearing which is
connected to the wheel and delivers turning force, and a part of
the wheel cover is inserted into the holes formed at the external
diameter part of the wheel.
2. The window cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the external
diameter part comprises a plurality of supporting spokes for
forming the holes between an outer face and an inner face.
3. The window cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the wheel
comprises two outer faces spaced apart from each other to form a
groove therebetween.
4. The window cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the external
diameter part of the wheel has the inner face extending out of the
outer face.
5. The window cleaning device of claim 2, wherein a portion of the
wheel bearing is inserted into the inner face of the external
diameter part, such that the wheel bearing makes contact with the
inner face.
6. The window cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the first
cleaner, which is attached on an inner side of the window,
comprises at least two wheel parts.
7. The window cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the first cleaner
comprises a driver for rotating the wheel part, and the second
cleaner attached on an outer side of the window moves through
magnetic force along the first cleaner.
8. The window cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the wheel cover
comprises silicone.
9. The window cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the wheel
comprises aluminum.
10. The window cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the wheel is
formed through two structures by a double injection molding.
11. The window cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the wheel
bearing comprises polyoxymethilene (POM) resin.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a window cleaning
device.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, windows installed on the walls of a building are
easily polluted by external dust and pollutants, which may degrade
their appearance and lighting performance. Therefore, it is
preferable to frequently clean the windows installed on the walls
of a building.
[0003] However, the outer side of the window is more difficult to
clean than the inner side, and particularly, as higher buildings
are increasingly constructed, cleaning the outer side of the
windows may involve great risks.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0004] The technical problem of the present invention is for
providing a structure of a driving wheel which enables a window
cleaning device to move easily.
Technical Solution
[0005] A window cleaning device according to an exemplary
embodiment of the preset invention includes a first cleaner and a
second cleaner which are respectively attached on both sides of a
window by magnetism, and the window cleaning device includes a
first magnetic module included in the first cleaner; a second
magnetic module included in the second cleaner; and a wheel part
which is provided to at least one among the first and the second
cleaner; and moves the window cleaning device, wherein the wheel
part includes a wheel having a plurality of holes at an external
diameter part; a wheel cover made of an elastic material which
surrounds the external diameter part of the wheel and generates
frictional force by coming in contact with the window; and a wheel
bearing which is connected to the wheel and delivers turning force,
and a part of the wheel cover is inserted into the holes formed at
the external diameter part of the wheel.
Advantageous Effects
[0006] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the
driving wheel of the window cleaning device is embodied by using
the wheel made of metal and the wheel cover made of elastic
material, which is inserted into holes formed at external diameter
part of the wheel to be fixed thereto, so that the window cleaning
device may easily move and durability may be enhanced.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view briefly illustrating the
configuration of a window cleaning device according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of a
first cleaner disposed on the inner side of a window, according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of a
second cleaner disposed on the outer side of a window, according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first cleaner according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a movement path of a window
cleaning device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a driving wheel installed in the window cleaning device,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a wheel cover in FIG. 6.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the
configuration of a wheel cover in FIG. 6.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a wheel in FIG. 6.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the
configuration of a wheel in FIG. 6.
MODE FOR INVENTION
[0017] Hereinafter, a window cleaning device according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be explained
referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 10. Hereinafter, embodiments may
be modified in various ways, and the scope of the present invention
is not limited by the embodiments. The embodiments are presented
for explanation to a person ordinary skilled in the art. Therefore,
shapes and sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for clear
explanation.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view briefly illustrating the
configuration of a window cleaning device according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. The window cleaning device may
include two cleaners 100 and 200 to be attached to both sides of a
window, respectively.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the first cleaner 100 may be attached
to an inner side of a window, and the second cleaner 200 may be
attached to an outer side of the window. Alternatively, the first
cleaner 100 may be attached to an outer side of a window and the
second cleaner 200 may be attached to an inner side of the widow,
when required.
[0020] The first cleaner 100 and the second cleaner 200 may be
attached to both sides of a window, respectively, by using magnetic
modules with magnetism, which are installed therein.
[0021] Further, when the first cleaner 100 is moved on the inner
side of the window by an external or internal power source, the
second cleaner 200 may be moved together with the first cleaner 100
by magnetic force between the magnetic modules of the first and
second cleaners 100 and 200.
[0022] The second cleaner 200 may be provided with an
attachment/detachment handle 250 to be easily attached/detached
to/from a window, for example a handle 250, as illustrated in FIG.
1, and the first cleaner 100 may also be provided with an
attachment/detachment handle (not shown) corresponding to the
attachment/detachment handle 250 to be easily
attached/detached.
[0023] Accordingly, a user can attach the window cleaning device to
a window, using the attachment/detachment handles of the first and
second cleaners 100 and 200, that is, the handles, and detach the
first and second cleaners 100 and 200 from the window, using the
handles after cleaning.
[0024] The window cleaning device according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention may further include a remote
controller (not shown) for a user to control the operations of the
first and second cleaners 100 and 200.
[0025] As described above, the second cleaner 200 is passively
moved by the magnetic force with the movement of the first cleaner
100 and a user can control the operation of a window cleaning
device composed of the first and second cleaners 100 and 200 by
controlling the movement of the first cleaner 100, using the remote
controller.
[0026] Although a wireless type remote controller is exemplified in
the exemplary embodiment for the convenience of a user, a wire type
remote controller may be used or the window cleaning device may be
manually controlled by a user.
[0027] On the other hand, the window cleaning device according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in detail, the
first cleaner 100 disposed on the inner side of a window may move
along a predetermined movement path or may be equipped with a
sensor (not shown), which detects dust, and move while determining
a movement path that can improve cleaning efficiency.
[0028] Hereinafter, the first and second cleaners 100 and 200 will
be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the
first cleaner 100, that is, the configuration of the top to be
brought in contact with a window, in both sides of the first
cleaner 100.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, the first cleaner 100 may include a
first frame 110, a plurality of first wheel parts 120, and a
plurality of first magnetic modules 130.
[0031] The first frame 110 constitutes the body of the first
cleaner 100, and the first wheel parts 120 and the first magnetic
modules 130 may be connected and fixed to the first frame 110.
[0032] Shock-absorbers 140 to 143 may be disposed at the edge of
the first frame 110 to minimize a shock when the window cleaning
device collides with a protruding structure such as the frame of a
window while moving. Sensors (not shown) are connected to the
buffers 140 to 143, respectively, and when the sensors sense a
shock, the first cleaner 100 can change the movement path.
[0033] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the shock-absorbers
140 to 143 may be disposed at four corners of the first cleaner
100, respectively, and the connected sensors (not shown) can
recognize that the first cleaner 100 has collided with the frame of
a window by sensing a shock.
[0034] In detail, while the window cleaning device moves, when two
shock-absorbers 140 and 141 at one side of the first cleaner 100
sense a shock, it is recognized that the side with the
shock-absorbers 140 and 141 in the sides of the first cleaner 100
has collided with the frame of a window.
[0035] Although the first frame 110 of the first cleaner 100 has a
rectangular cross-section in the exemplary embodiment, it does not
limit the present invention, as an example, and may be implemented
in various shapes such as a circular or polygonal
cross-section.
[0036] The first cleaner 100 may include the first magnetic modules
130, which generate magnetic force such that the first and second
cleaners 100 and 200 can be attached to both sides of a window,
respectively.
[0037] For example, the first magnetic modules 130 may include a
permanent magnet such as a neodium magnet, such that the first
magnetic modules 130 can generate magnetic force together with
second magnetic modules 233 of the second cleaner 200.
[0038] In more detail, the first magnetic modules 130 of the first
cleaner 100 may include a magnet having a pole opposite to that of
a magnet of the second magnetic modules 233 provided to the second
cleaner 200, so that the first and second cleaners 100 and 200
disposed on both surfaces of a window can attract each other with
magnetic force. Accordingly, the first and second cleaners 100 and
200 can be attached to the window, and be moved together.
[0039] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the magnetic modules 130 and 233 may include
electromagnets, not the permanent magnets, or may include permanent
magnets and electromagnets, as another exemplary embodiment.
[0040] The window cleaning device according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the
configuration including the first and second magnetic modules 130
and 233, and may include any configuration, provided that the first
and second cleaners 100 and 200 can be attached and moved on a
window therebetween.
[0041] For example, one of the first and second cleaners 100 and
200 may include a magnetic body such as a permanent magnet or an
electromagnet and the other may include a metal body that can be
attracted by magnetic force of the magnetic body.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first magnetic modules 130 may
be implemented by four discs and may be disposed on the top, which
is to be attached to a window, of the first cleaner 100.
[0043] The first magnetic modules 130 may be exposed toward the
window, or may be disposed close to the top of the first cleaner
100 by specific covers.
[0044] Further, two or more first wheel parts 120 may be provided
at the left and right sides of the first cleaner 100 to be
partially exposed above the first frame 110, for example, as
illustrated in FIG. 2, two wheel parts may be disposed at the left
and right sides of the first cleaner 100, respectively, or four
wheel parts may be disposed at the corners, respectively.
[0045] For example, the first wheel parts 120 may be rotated by a
driver (not shown) such as a motor disposed inside the first frame
110. The first cleaner 100 can be moved in a predetermined
direction on a window by the rotation of the first wheel parts
120.
[0046] The first cleaner 100 may not only move straight, but move
along a curve, that is, may change the movement direction. For
example, it is possible to change the movement direction of the
first cleaner 100 by changing the rotational axes of the first
wheel parts 120 or rotating the two first wheel parts 120 at the
left and right sides, respectively, at different speeds.
[0047] The surfaces of the first wheel parts 120 may include, for
example, fabric or rubber to generate predetermined frictional
force against a window in rotating, and accordingly, the first
cleaner 100 can easily move on the inner side of a window without
idling. Further, the surfaces of the first wheel parts 120 may be
made of a material that does not scratch a window in rotating.
[0048] When the first cleaner 100 is attached to a of a window by
magnetic force of the first magnetic modules 130, reaction force
perpendicular to the window may be applied to the first wheel parts
120. Therefore, as the first wheel parts 120 are rotated by the
driver such as a motor, the first cleaner 100 can be moved on the
inner side of a window by frictional force.
[0049] Further, as the first cleaner 100 is moved by the rotation
of the first wheel parts 120, the second cleaner 200 attached to
the opposite side, that is, the outer side of the window, can clean
the window while moved together with the first cleaner 100 by the
magnetic force.
[0050] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the
second cleaner 200 according to an exemplary embodiment, that is,
the configuration of the bottom to be brought in contact with a
window, in both sides of the second cleaner 200.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 3, the second cleaner 200 may include a
second frame 210, a plurality of second wheel parts 220, and a
plurality of cleaning modules 230.
[0052] The second frame 210 may constitute a body of the second
cleaner 200 and may be implemented in a plate structure having a
shape corresponding to that of the first frame 110 described above,
for example, a rectangular cross-section.
[0053] Further, the second wheel parts 220 are disposed on the
bottom of the second frame 210 such that the second cleaner 200 can
be moved by magnetic force with the movement of the first cleaner
100.
[0054] According to an exemplary embodiment, unlike the first wheel
parts 120, the second wheel parts 220 may be connected not to a
driver such as a motor, but to the second frame 210 by shafts to
smoothly rotate with the movement of the second cleaner 200.
[0055] Accordingly, when the second cleaner 200 is moved together
with the first cleaner 100 by magnetic force, the second wheel
parts 220 may perform function similar to that of a bearing, by
rotating.
[0056] Although the second wheel parts 220 are formed a cylindrical
shape in FIG. 3, the present invention is not limited thereto, and
for example, the second wheel parts 220 may be implemented by a
spherical part such as a ball bearing.
[0057] The cleaning modules 230 are disposed on the bottom of the
second frame 210 to be exposed to the outside, such that they can
clean a side of a window, for example, the outer side where the
second cleaner 200 is attached.
[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the cleaning modules 230
may include a plurality of modules, for example, a cleaning pad
231, a second magnetic module 233, and a detergent ejection port
232, and may be implemented by four discs corresponding to the
first magnetic modules 130 of the first cleaner 100.
[0059] Each of the four discs of the cleaning modules 230 may be
rotated by a driver (not shown) such as a motor (not shown).
Further, the cleaning modules 230 may protrude from a bottom
surface of the second frame 210, at a predetermined distance, such
that when attached to a window, the second cleaner 200 can clean
the outer side of the window, using frictional force due to
rotation of the cleaning modules 230.
[0060] The pad 231 made of fabric or rubber may be attached to the
exposed surface of the cleaning module 230 such that foreign
materials can be easily removed from the window by the frictional
force in rotating. In this case, the pad 231 may be made of a
material having a micro tip structure or porous structure to
improve cleaning performance of the window cleaning device.
[0061] Further, the cleaning module 230 may have the detergent
ejection port 232 for ejecting a detergent, and for example, the
detergent ejection port 232 may be connected with a detergent
container (not shown) and a pump (not shown) in the second cleaner
200, through a specific channel to be supplied with a detergent.
Therefore, when cleaning a window, the cleaning module 230 can
clean the window while ejecting a detergent onto the window through
the detergent ejection port 232.
[0062] The second magnetic module 233 may be disposed the inside of
the cleaning module 230, that is, under the bottom of the pad 231.
The second magnetic module 233 has a shape corresponding to that of
the first magnetic module 233 of the first cleaner 100 and
generates magnetic force such that the first and second cleaners
100 and 200 can be attached to both sides of a window.
[0063] The second magnetic module 233 may be implemented by a
magnetic body or metal body such as a permanent magnet or an
electromagnet, and accordingly, the first and second cleaners 100
and 200 respectively on both sides of a window can be attached and
moved on the window by being attracted to each other by the
magnetic force.
[0064] For example, the cleaning module 230 may be disposed to
correspond to the first magnetic module 130, and the second
magnetic module 233 implemented by a neodium magnet having a
polarity opposite to that of the first magnetic module 130 may be
disposed inside the cleaning module 230.
[0065] Therefore, not only the first and second cleaners 100 and
200 can be attached to both sides of the window by the magnetic
force between the first magnetic module 130 and the second magnetic
module 233 of the cleaning module 230, but the first and second
cleaners 100 and 200 can be integrally moved.
[0066] Further, a force is continuously applied, toward the window,
to the cleaning module 230 by the magnetic force between the first
and second magnetic modules 130 and 233 and the frictional force on
the window correspondingly increases, when the cleaning module 230
rotates, such that the cleaning performance can be improved.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of sub-cleaning modules 240
may be disposed at the corners of the second cleaner 200. Since the
cleaning module 230 is disposed inside the second frame 210 and may
be difficult to clean the edge of a window, the second cleaner 200
is provided with the sub-cleaning modules 240 to more easily clean
the edge of the window.
[0068] The sub-cleaning modules 240 each include a roller (not
shown) which is rotatably installed and a brush may be disposed
around the surface of the roller. Therefore, the sub-cleaning
modules 240 can remove foreign materials around the window frame
while rotated by the frictional force against the window frame,
when the second cleaner 200 moves along the window frame.
[0069] Further, the sub-cleaning modules 240 may perform the same
function as that of the shock-absorbers 140 of the first cleaner
100. That is, the sub-cleaning modules 240 may minimize a shock and
senses the shock, using a sensor provided therein, when the window
cleaning device collides with a protruding structure such as a
window frame.
[0070] Although the configuration of the window cleaning device
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention was
described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, by exemplifying the
window cleaning device cleaning only one side of a window, for
example, the outer side of a window, this is only an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention and the present invention is
not limited thereto.
[0071] For example, the first cleaner 100 may also be provided with
the cleaning modules 230 of the second cleaner 200, and
accordingly, the window cleaning device may simultaneously clean
both sides of a window.
[0072] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first cleaner 100
according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates an inner
structure of a first cleaner 100. Hereinafter, descriptions of the
same elements as those of FIGS. 1 to 3 in the first cleaner 100
illustrated in FIG. 4 will be omitted.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 4, a first frame 110 of the first cleaner
100 may include a first upper frame (not shown) and a first lower
frame 111. A first magnetic module 130 may be disposed within the
first upper frame (not shown) and the first lower frame 111.
[0074] Also, an attachment/detachment handle 150 for allowing a
user to easily attach or detach the first cleaner 100 to or from a
window, e.g., a handle may be connected to the first upper frame
(not shown). Also, first wheel parts 120 and wheel driving parts
121 including motors for rotating the first wheel parts 120 may be
fixed to the first lower frame 111.
[0075] A magnetic force control part 300 of the first cleaner 100
may include a rotation handle 311 and a rotation shaft 312 coupled
to the rotation handle 311 and having a screw thread ascending in
one direction on an outer surface thereof.
[0076] The first magnetic module 130 may have a through hole 135
formed at a center portion thereof, through which the rotation
shaft 312 of the magnetic force control part 300 passes to be
combined. The inner surface of the through hole 135 may have a
screw threads corresponding to the screw thread of the rotation
shaft 312.
[0077] The first frame 110 of the first cleaner 100 may include the
first lower frame 111, and the first magnetic module 130 may be
disposed inside of a guide 112 connected to the first lower frame
111.
[0078] When the rotation shaft 312 is rotated along one direction,
the first magnetic module 130 is guided by the guide 112 to ascend
or to descend through the combination of the screw thread of the
rotation shaft 312 and the screw thread of the through hole
135.
[0079] When the first magnetic module 130 ascends, the distance
between the first and second magnetic modules 130 and 233 decreases
to increase magnetic force between the first and second magnetic
modules 130 and 233. On the contrary, when the first magnetic
module 130 descends, the distance between the first and second
magnetic modules 130 and 233 increases to decrease magnetic force
between the first and second magnetic modules 130 and 233.
[0080] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a user can rotate the rotation handle 311 in a first
direction (for example counter clockwise direction) to ascend the
first magnetic module 130, so that the distance between the first
and second magnetic modules 130 and 233 is decreased to increase
magnetic force.
[0081] On the contrary, a user can rotate the rotation handle 311
in a second direction (for example clockwise direction) to descend
the first magnetic module 130, so that the distance between the
first and second magnetic modules 130 and 233 is increased to
decrease magnetic force.
[0082] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the magnetic force control part 310 may include a
driving part such as a motor to rotate the rotation shaft 312, so
that the first magnetic module 130 may ascend or descend
automatically.
[0083] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a movement path of a window
cleaning device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 5, the window cleaning device 10 may clean
a window 400 repeating a first moving section in which the window
cleaning device 10 moves from a side to an opposite side, and a
second moving section in which the window cleaning device moves
from the opposite side to the side.
[0085] For example, the movement path of the window cleaning device
10 includes a right-descending section 510 in which the window
cleaning device 10 moves from a left end to a right end, and a left
descending section 520 in which the window cleaning device 10 moves
from the right end to the left end, and the right-descending
section 510 and the left descending section 520 alternately
repeats.
[0086] On the other hand, a descending angle may be determined
according to an interval d of the movement path, which corresponds
to adjacent two end position among movement path of the window
cleaning device.
[0087] For example, in order to increase the interval d of the
movement path, the descending angle of the window cleaning device
10 may be set to increase. As a result, the window may be more
minutely cleaned but cleaning time increases.
[0088] On the contrary, in order to decrease the interval d of the
movement path, the descending angle of the window cleaning device
10 may be set to decrease. As a result, the window may be more
loosely cleaned but cleaning time decreases.
[0089] Further, the interval d of the movement path may be set to
be a half of the size s of the window cleaning device 10, and a
user may increase or decrease the interval d according to a
requirement of cleaning time and cleaning elaborateness.
[0090] On the other hand, when the window cleaning device 10 moves
along a right direction or a left direction, the window cleaning
device 10 may slip downwardly due to gravitational force, so that
the window cleaning device 10 may move with a descending angle that
is greater than previously set descending angle.
[0091] The movement of the window cleaning device 10 may be
unstable according to wheel parts 120 and 220 for moving the window
cleaning device 10, for example the first wheel parts 120 of the
first cleaner 100.
[0092] For example, when slip amount of the window cleaning device
10 exceeds expectation or the movement of the window cleaning
device 10 is unstable due to damage such as an abrasion, the window
cleaning device 10 may not move according to the movement path that
is previously set, so that cleaning quality of the window cleaning
device may be deteriorated.
[0093] In detail, as described referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4,
as the first and second cleaning modules 100 and 200 move together
with a window interposed therebetween through a magnetic force of a
magnet such as permanent magnet, pressure is applied to the wheel
parts 120 and 220 of the first and second cleaning modules 100 and
200, so that the wheel part parts 120 and 220 may be deformed or
damaged or the outer surface of the wheel parts 120 and 220 may be
worn away to leave a stain of elastic material such as a rubber on
the window.
[0094] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the wheel parts 120 and 220 of the window cleaning
device 10, or in detail, the first wheel parts 120 of the first
cleaner 100, which moves the window cleaning device 10, includes a
wheel made of metal, and a wheel cover inserted into holes formed
at an external diameter part of the wheel and made of elastic
material to easily move the window cleaning device and to enhance
durability.
[0095] Hereinafter, the structure of the driving wheel of the
window cleaning device according to the present invention will be
explained referring to FIG. 6 through FIG. 10.
[0096] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a driving wheel installed in the window cleaning device,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The
driving wheel may include a wheel cover 600, a wheel 610 and a
wheel bearing 620.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 6, the wheel 610 is made of metal and
forms a body of the driving wheel, and the wheel cover 600 is made
of elastic material for generating frictional force and surrounds
the external diameter part of the wheel 610.
[0098] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the wheel 610 is formed through a cast molding by using
aluminum or aluminum based alloy, and the wheel 610 has a plurality
of holes formed at the external diameter part thereof.
[0099] The wheel 610 may be formed through two structures by a
double injection molding.
[0100] The wheel cover 600 may be made of silicone, and a portion
of the wheel cover 600 may be inserted into the holes formed at the
external diameter part of the wheel 610.
[0101] As described above, when the wheel 610 is formed through
cast molding using aluminum, durability of the driving wheel is
enhanced. Especially, when the first and second cleaning modules
100 and 200 move together with a window interposed therebetween
through a high magnetic force induced by magnet such as a permanent
magnet, the deformation of the driving wheel, which may be induced
by high pressure applied to the driving wheel, may be
prevented.
[0102] Additionally, when the wheel cover 600 is made of silicone,
the frictional force between a window and the driving wheel and the
adhesive strength between the wheel cover 600 and the wheel 610 are
enhanced to reduce slip of the window cleaning device 10 in a lower
direction and running idle of the driving wheel. Further, leaving a
stain of elastic material such as a rubber, which is induced by
abrasion, is prevented.
[0103] Further, when a portion of the wheel cover 600 made of
silicone is inserted into the hole formed at the external diameter
part of the wheel 610, running idle between the wheel cover 600 and
the wheel 610 is reduced.
[0104] On the other hand, the first wheel parts 120 of the first
cleaning module 110 may be rotated by a driver (not shown)
including for example a motor to move the first cleaner 100 along
an inner surface of a window by a frictional force, the second
cleaner 200 may move along the first cleaner 100 by a magnetic
force, and the second wheel parts 220 may not be rotated by another
driver but be freely rotated when the second cleaner 200 moves.
[0105] As a result, movement of the window cleaning device 10 is
not affected by the rotation of the second wheel parts 220 of the
second cleaner 200, but is directly affected by the rotation and
the durability of the first wheel parts 120 of the first cleaner
100, and by the friction al force between the first wheel parts 120
and the window.
[0106] Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, the first wheel parts 120 of the first cleaner
100 among the wheel parts 120 and 220 of the window cleaning device
10 may have the structure above mentioned referring to FIG. 6.
[0107] The wheel bearing 620 is connected to the wheel 610 to
deliver turning force. For example, a side of the wheel bearing 620
may be inserted into the wheel 610 to be fixed thereto, making
contact with the wheel 610, and an opposite side of the wheel
bearing 620 may be connected to the wheel driving part 121 for
rotating the first wheel parts 120 as shown in FIG. 4.
[0108] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the wheel bearing 620 may be made of polyoximethilene
(POM) resin or POM based compound.
[0109] Hereinafter, the case in which the first wheel parts 120 of
the first cleaning module 100 has the structure of the driving
wheel according to embodiments of the present invention will be
explained for example. However, the present invention is not
limited as above. That is, the second wheel parts 220 of the second
cleaner 200 may have the following structure. Further other wheel
parts of the window cleaning device 10 may have the following
structure.
[0110] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a wheel cover 600 in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional
view illustrating the configuration of a wheel cover 600 in FIG.
6.
[0111] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the wheel cover 600 may be
processed to be formed by silicone, and may include an outer part
601 surrounding the outer surface of the wheel 610 to generate
frictional force between a window and the first wheel parts 120 and
to generated adhesive strength between the wheel cover 600 and the
wheel cover 600, and a plurality of inner parts 602 connected to
the outer parts 602 and inserted into the plurality of holes,
respectively.
[0112] That is, the outer part 601 of the wheel cover 600 surrounds
the wheel 610 to generate the adhesive strength between the wheel
cover 600 and the wheel 610 by elasticity, and the plurality of
inner parts connected to the outer part 602 is inserted into the
plurality of holes formed at the wheel 610 to be fixed thereto.
[0113] As a result, even when the strong pressure is applied to the
first wheels 120 due to the magnetic force, running idle between
the wheel cover 600 and the wheel 610 is prevented and the turning
force of the wheel 610 is applied to the wheel cover 600.
[0114] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a wheel in FIG. 6, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view
illustrating the configuration of a wheel in FIG. 6.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the wheel 610 may be formed
through cast molding by using aluminum, and may have a plurality of
holes 612 into which the inner parts 602 of the wheel cover 600 are
inserted.
[0116] For example, the external diameter part 611 include an outer
face 613, an inner face 614 spaced apart from the outer face 613,
and a plurality of supporting spokes 616 connecting the outer face
613 and the inner face 614 to define a plurality of holes 612.
[0117] Further, the wheel 610 may include two (or more than two)
outer faces 613 spaced apart from each other to define a groove
615.
[0118] The groove 615 between the outer faces 613 enhances adhesive
strength between the wheel 610 and the wheel cover 600.
[0119] The inner face 614 of the wheel 610 may be longer than the
outer face 613 in length, so that the inner face 614 may be
extended out of the outer face 613.
[0120] Hereinbefore, the present invention is explained through
exemplary embodiments, but those are only examples and not limit
the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that various modifications and variation may be made in the
present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover
the modifications and variations of this invention provided they
come within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
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