Robot Cleaner

Abstract

A robot cleaner includes a main body forming an exterior of the robot cleaner, a driving unit configured to move the main body, a cleaning module coupled to the main body and configured to suction dust from a traveling surface, and a dust collector coupled to the main body and configured to collect the dust suctioned by the cleaning module. The cleaning module includes a cleaning module housing that defines an exterior of the cleaning module that is coupled to the main body. A mopping unit is rotatably coupled in the cleaning module housing. The mopping unit is configured to accommodate water therein and clean the traveling surface. A mop is detachably coupled to the mopping unit, and a pump is disposed in the mopping unit. The pump is configured to guide water to the mop as the main body moves.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0051421, filed on Apr. 28, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a robot cleaner.

Background

[0003] A person cleans a living space thereof for hygiene and cleanliness. There are many reasons for the cleaning. For example, the cleaning may be done to protect a body from disease or to prevent damage to a bronchus. Further, the cleaning may be done for a quality of life, such as, for using the space thereof in a clean state.

[0004] Dust or foreign substances settle on a floor by gravity. Thus, in order to perform the cleaning, people tend to bend their waists or sit down, so that it is easy to put a strain on the waists or joints.

[0005] To this end, in recent years, cleaners that help people clean have appeared. The cleaners may be roughly classified into a handy stick cleaner, a bar-type cleaner, a robot cleaner, and the like.

[0006] Among these, the robot cleaner cleans the space instead of a user in a specific space such as a home, an office, or the like. The robot cleaner generally performs the cleaning by suctioning dust in an area to be cleaned.

[0007] However, it may not be said that the cleaning is completed by just suctioning the dust. The reason is that there is dust that is not able to be removed only by a suction power of the robot cleaner. For example, a foreign substance attached to a floor surface or dust larger than a suction tube of the robot cleaner are difficult to be removed with only the suction power of the robot cleaner.

[0008] According to Chinese Patent No. 104545707, a robot cleaner in which a roller mop mops a floor surface is disclosed. However, even in the patent document, there is no specific disclosure about a method for increasing an area of contact with the floor.

SUMMARY

[0009] According to an embodiment, it is intended to provide a robot cleaner capable of performing cleaning of suctioning dust on a traveling surface and cleaning of mopping the traveling surface.

[0010] Specifically, it is intended to provide a robot cleaner with a structure of supplying water to a mop by driving a pump by a rotational movement of a mopping unit.

[0011] Further, it is intended to provide a robot cleaner with a structure capable of storing water by utilizing an existing structure.

[0012] Further, it is intended to provide a robot cleaner that may perform mopping only when the robot cleaner is traveling to prevent a traveling surface from getting unintentionally dirty.

[0013] As an example for solving the above-described example, a robot cleaner having a nozzle that automatically supplies water to a mop by driving a pump with a rotational motion without a motor is provided.

[0014] Further, provided is a robot cleaner in which a mop roller operates a gear pump or a diaphragm pump while rotating, thereby supplying water inside the roller to the outside.

[0015] Further, provided is a robot cleaner in which a mop roller is always maintained in a state of containing moisture during cleaning by automatically supplying water only when the mop roller rotates.

[0016] According to the present embodiment, the water may be supplied without the motor, so that energy required for the cleaning may be effectively used.

[0017] Further, because the water is supplied only during the cleaning, the traveling surface does not get dirty unnecessarily.

[0018] Further, when a rotational speed of the mopping unit is adjusted, a water supply amount is adjusted based on the adjustment of the rotation speed of the mopping unit, so that effective cleaning is possible.

[0019] Further, a cleaning performance is excellent because the mop does not dry during the cleaning.

[0020] Further, because there is a water bottle inside a rotating roller, there is no need for a space to place the water bottle separately in the robot cleaner.

[0021] Further, when the rotation speed is adjusted, the water supply amount may also be adjusted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure. In the drawings:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a robot cleaner according to an embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a robot cleaner according to an embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a side view of a robot cleaner according to an embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a view showing a coupling structure of a mopping unit according to an embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 5 is a view showing that a pump disposed in a mopping unit of a robot cleaner is formed as a gear pump;

[0028] FIGS. 6A-6D are views showing various embodiments of a mopping unit in which a pump is formed as a gear pump;

[0029] FIG. 7 is a view showing that a pump disposed in a mopping unit of a robot cleaner according to the present embodiment is provided with a diaphragm pump; and

[0030] FIGS. 8A-8D are views showing various embodiments of a mopping unit in which a pump is formed as a diaphragm pump.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. A following detailed description is provided to aid in a comprehensive understanding of a method, an apparatus, and/or a system described herein. However, this is only an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0032] In describing embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of a known technology related to the present disclosure may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present disclosure, which may vary depending on intention of a user or an operator, customs, or the like. Therefore, the definition thereof should be made based on the contents throughout the present specification. The terminology used in the detailed description is for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "an" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", and "including" when used in the description, specify the presence of the certain features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and portions or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and portions or combinations thereof.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a robot cleaner according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a robot cleaner according to an embodiment. Further, FIG. 3 is a side view of a robot cleaner according to an embodiment.

[0034] Hereinafter, a structure of a robot cleaner will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0035] A robot cleaner 100 according to an embodiment may include a main body 10, a driver 30 (or driving unit), a cleaning module housing 41, and a mopping unit 50. Further, the robot cleaner 100 may further include a battery (not shown) for providing electric power such that the above-described driver and mopping unit may be electrically driven.

[0036] The battery may be provided as a secondary battery and may be repeatedly charged and discharged. Thus, a user may use the robot cleaner by repeatedly charging the battery when a battery power level is low without having to replace or add a battery.

[0037] When the battery is provided as the secondary battery, the robot cleaner may further include a charging device (not shown) that may charge the robot cleaner.

[0038] In another example, the battery may be provided as a dry battery rather than the secondary battery. In this case, the dry battery may be required to be replaced when the dry battery is dead.

[0039] That is, there is no restriction on how the robot cleaner is provided with the electric power.

[0040] The main body 10 may be disposed to form an exterior of the robot cleaner 100.

[0041] The main body 10 may include a first housing 101 and a second housing 102.

[0042] The first housing 101 may form a portion of the main body 10 and may provide a space in which electronic components required for the robot cleaner 100 or parts required for the robot cleaner are mounted.

[0043] For example, a controller (not shown) that controls an operation of the robot cleaner 100 may be mounted in the first housing 101.

[0044] The controller determines whether to operate the driver 30 and whether to guide water received in a water tank 12, which will be described later.

[0045] Further, the first housing 101 may be disposed to provide a flow path (not shown) through which air containing dust is guided to the dust collector 20 to be described later. That is, the air suctioned through the cleaning module 40 to be described later may be guided through an internal space of the first housing 101 to the dust collector 20.

[0046] The second housing 102 may be disposed in a form of a cover that covers the first housing 101. However, the second housing 102 is not limited thereto.

[0047] A display (not shown) may be disposed on one surface of the second housing 102. The display may be formed in a shape of a touch panel, so that the user may simply enter a command through the display.

[0048] It is sufficient that the second housing 102 is disposed to be coupled to the first housing 101. For example, the second housing 102 may be hinged or integrally formed with the first housing 101.

[0049] However, it is preferable that the second housing 102 is separately disposed in consideration of installation convenience of the parts mounted in the first housing 101. The second housing 102 may prevent the parts mounted in the first housing 101 from being contaminated or damaged by an outside factor.

[0050] That is, the robot cleaner according to the present embodiment may be disposed such that the parts mounted in the first housing 101 are covered by the second housing 102 and not exposed to the outside. Thus, when the parts are operating, a user's body may be injured due to user's carelessness, malfunction, or the like. Thus, the main body 10 may cover the internal parts to prevent a safety accident. Further, because the main body 10 is present, a complex interior is not exposed to the outside, thereby creating a sense of beauty. Thus, the main body 10 may be used as a design element.

[0051] The cleaning module 40 may be a portion that is coupled to the main body of the robot cleaner 100 to perform the cleaning.

[0052] The cleaning module 40 may include a cleaning module housing 41 and the mopping unit 50.

[0053] The cleaning module 40 may be disposed to clean a traveling surface. Specifically, the cleaning module 40 may be disposed to suction dust present on the traveling surface.

[0054] The traveling surface may be a floor surface. When a carpet or the like is disposed, the traveling surface may be a top surface of the carpet.

[0055] The dust may be suctioned into a space provided by the first housing 101 through the cleaning module housing 41. The suctioned dust may be collected in the dust collector 20 and air from which the dust has been removed may be discharged to the outside of the main body 10.

[0056] The cleaning module housing 41 may be disposed to be coupled to the main body 10 to provide a space for accommodating the mopping unit 50 to be described later therein.

[0057] Further, the cleaning module housing 41 may provide a flow path through which the air containing the dust may be suctioned such that the dust present on the traveling surface may be removed.

[0058] The cleaning module housing 41 may include a first cleaning module housing 41a and a second cleaning module housing 41b.

[0059] Specifically, the first cleaning module housing 41a may provide the space for accommodating the mopping unit 50 therein as described above or a space for cleaning the traveling surface.

[0060] The second cleaning module housing 41b may serve to securely connect the first cleaning module housing 41a to the main body 10.

[0061] Specifically, an external force may be applied to the robot cleaner 100 or an unexpected shock may occur on the robot cleaner 100 during the travel. In this connection, the first cleaning module housing 41a is firmly connected to the main body 10 by the second cleaning module housing 41b, so that a situation in which the first cleaning housing 41a deviates from an original position may be prevented.

[0062] In the drawing, the second cleaning module housing 41b is shown to be disposed at a lower side of the first housing 101, that is, a surface facing the surface to be cleaned, but is not limited thereto.

[0063] That is, there is no restriction on a connection relationship between the cleaning module housing 41 and the main body 10.

[0064] The robot cleaner 100 may include the driver 30.

[0065] The driver 30 may be disposed to move the main body 10.

[0066] The driver 30 may include a main wheel 31 and a driver motor 32.

[0067] The main wheel 31 may be disposed to be rotated by receiving electric power by the driver motor 32. Each main wheel 31 may be disposed on each of both sides of the main body 10.

[0068] The main wheel 31 disposed on one side and the main wheel 31 disposed on the other side may be controlled by different driver motors 32, respectively. That is, the main wheel 31 disposed on one side and the main wheel 31 disposed on the other side may be rotated at different rotational speeds.

[0069] Thus, the robot cleaner 100 may turn in a left or right direction. Further, the robot cleaner 100 may switch directions in combination with going straight or going backward.

[0070] That is, a travel speed of the robot cleaner 100 may be determined based on the rotational speed of the main wheel 31 and a travel direction may be determined by a difference in rotational speed of the main wheels 31.

[0071] For example, when the main wheel 31 on the left remains stationary and the main wheel 31 on the right is rotated, the robot cleaner 100 may turn to the left. When the main wheels 31 on the both sides are rotating, but when the main wheel 31 on the right rotates faster than the main wheel 31 on the left, the robot cleaner 100 may switch the direction to the left and continue moving straight.

[0072] The driver 30 may include auxiliary wheels 33 and 34. A first auxiliary wheel 33 may be disposed at or adjacent to a center of the robot cleaner 100. The first auxiliary wheel 33 is positioned adjacent to the center of the robot cleaner 100, thereby supporting a load of the robot cleaner 100 at the center of the robot cleaner 100 and simultaneously assisting the travel. Thus, shaking of the robot cleaner during the travel of the robot cleaner may be minimized.

[0073] The first auxiliary wheel 33 may be disposed to rotate as the travel direction of the robot cleaner 100 is switched.

[0074] Thus, the travel may be guided stably even when the robot cleaner 100 switches the direction while cleaning an area to be cleaned.

[0075] That is, the first auxiliary wheel 33 may assist the rotation of the main wheel 31 while supporting the robot cleaner 100.

[0076] A second auxiliary wheel 34 may be disposed in the cleaning module housing 41. The cleaning module housing 41 is coupled to the main body 10 to perform the cleaning. The cleaning module housing 41 may be supported by the main body 10 while being coupled to the main body 10. In another example, a portion of the cleaning module housing 41 in contact with the traveling surface (or a surface to be cleaned) may receive a supporting force by the traveling surface.

[0077] However, because the robot cleaner 100 performs the cleaning while essentially moving in a region to be cleaned, the cleaning module housing 41 may not move smoothly during the travel.

[0078] As the second auxiliary wheel 34 is disposed, the cleaning module housing 41 may be moved more smoothly during the travel of the robot cleaner 100.

[0079] Each second auxiliary wheel 34 may be disposed on each of both sides of the cleaning module housing 41 to perform a function of assisting balancing of the robot cleaner 100.

[0080] The dust collector 20 may be a portion where the dust is collected. The dust collector 20 may include a cyclone (not shown). The dust collector 20 may be in communication with the cleaning module 40.

[0081] The air may be introduced into the robot cleaner by the dust collector 20. When the air is suctioned by the dust collector 20 and the air from which the dust has been removed is discharged to the outside, a negative pressure is generated in the robot cleaner 100, so that the air containing the dust may be introduced through the cleaning module housing 41.

[0082] The dust collector 20 may be formed in a form in which relatively large dust is primarily separated and then relatively small dust is secondarily separated. However, the dust collector 20 is not limited thereto and is sufficient when being able to suction the dust present on the traveling surface.

[0083] The dust collector 20 may be disposed to be detachable from the main body 10. Thus, when the robot cleaner completes the cleaning or when excessive dust is accumulated in the dust collector 20, the user may easily separate the dust collector 20 to remove the dust, thereby ensuring convenience.

[0084] The sensor unit 11 may be disposed on the main body 10. The sensor unit 11 may provide image information such that the robot cleaner 100 may travel in the region to be cleaned.

[0085] That is, the sensor unit 11 may be a camera or a photographing sensor.

[0086] Specifically, the sensor unit 11 may collect information necessary for autonomous travel of the robot cleaner 100.

[0087] For example, the sensor unit 11 may include the photographing sensor that creates a travel map by photographing a periphery of the robot cleaner 100, an obstacle sensor that senses an obstacle, and the like. In another example, additional sensors may be further provided in addition to the above-described sensor.

[0088] For example, the sensor unit may include a wall sensor (not shown). Thus, information about the region to be cleaned may be input to the robot cleaner 100 through the wall sensor, the photographing sensor, and the like. The robot cleaner 100 may input a shape of a space during the traveling, and divide the region to be cleaned through the wall sensor into a plurality of cleaning areas.

[0089] However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described example, and the above-described example is only one embodiment. The photographing sensor and the obstacle sensor may simultaneously perform wall sensing.

[0090] The photographing sensor may be disposed not only to sense the region to be cleaned, but also to specify a position of the main body 10 in the region to be cleaned that is previously input. Thus, a position of the space where the robot cleaner 100 performs the cleaning may be specified and the position of the robot cleaner 100 is specified, so that movement to a next cleaning area may be guided.

[0091] A type and the number of sensor units II are not limited. That is, a plurality of photographing sensors may be arranged, and when the plurality of photographing sensors are arranged, the plurality of photographing sensors may be photographing sensors of the same type or different types.

[0092] The robot cleaner 100 may vary a suction strength of the dust collector 20 based on a material of the floor. This is because when the dust collector 20 always suctions the dust at the same strength, it may be difficult to completely perform the cleaning on an unusual floor surface such as the carpet and the like.

[0093] The robot cleaner 100 may include a floor sensor (not shown) to sense the material of the floor. The floor sensor may be a sensor that senses the material of the floor. The floor sensor may be disposed in the sensor unit 11 described above, or may be disposed at a position different from the sensor unit 11.

[0094] The region to be cleaned in which the robot cleaner 100 is used may vary depending on a case. For example, a floor material of the region to be cleaned may be marble or a floor paper. Further, the region to be cleaned may be made of a material other than the above example.

[0095] Depending on the material of the floor, an intensity at which the dust collector 20 is driven to effectively suction the dust may vary.

[0096] Specifically, the dust collector 20 must be driven more strongly in a carpeted region than on a general floor paper to effectively perform cleaning. The controller of the robot cleaner 100 may adjust the driving intensity of the dust collector 20 based on the type of floor material.

[0097] The obstacle sensor may determine whether an obstacle exists in the region to be cleaned. The obstacle sensor may be disposed integrally with the sensor unit 11 described above, or may be disposed separately. That is, the photographing sensor may also serve as the obstacle sensor.

[0098] As the obstacle sensor senses the obstacle, a travel path of the robot cleaner 100 may be changed. As a moving line becomes complicated, battery consumption may vary. Specifically, when the obstacle is present, the robot cleaner 100 is moved to bypass the obstacle. At this time, the moving line may be lengthened. As the moving line lengthens, a battery consumption for cleaning the corresponding area may increase.

[0099] FIG. 4 is a view showing a coupling structure of a mopping unit according to an embodiment.

[0100] The mopping unit 50 may be accommodated in the cleaning module housing 41. Specifically, a mopping unit receiving portion 42 may be accommodated in the cleaning module housing 41, and the mopping unit 50 may be accommodated in the mopping unit receiving portion 42.

[0101] The mopping unit 50 may be seated on the mopping unit receiving portion 42. The mopping unit receiving portion 42 may be formed as a portion of the cleaning module housing 41 or may be mounted inside the cleaning module housing.

[0102] The mopping unit receiving portion 42 may include a mopping unit receiving portion housing 420 that determines an exterior of the mopping unit receiving portion 42. The mopping unit receiving portion housing 420 may provide a receiving space 421 therein to accommodate the mopping unit 50 therein.

[0103] The mopping unit receiving portion 42 may include a mop sensing portion 422 that determines whether the mop 52 surrounds the body 51. When the mop sensing portion 422 determines whether the mop 52 is mounted, whether to supply water toward the mop 52 may be determined.

[0104] A climbing preventing portion 423 may be disposed on the mopping unit receiving portion 42. The climbing preventing portion 423 may extend forwardly of the cleaning module housing 41. The climbing preventing portion 423 is disposed to prevent a movement to a stepped terrain.

[0105] The climbing preventing portion 423 may extend forwardly of the robot cleaner 100 at a portion where the mopping unit receiving portion 42 and the traveling surface are in contact with each other.

[0106] In other words, the climbing preventing portion 423 may extend in the travel direction of the robot cleaner 100 from a surface of the mopping unit receiving portion 42 facing the traveling surface.

[0107] The climbing preventing portion 423 may protrude outwardly of the cleaning module housing 41. Specifically, the climbing preventing portion 423 may protrude forwardly of the cleaning module housing 41. More specifically, the climbing preventing portion 423 may protrude forwardly of a portion of the cleaning module housing 41 adjacent to the traveling surface.

[0108] The climbing preventing portion 423 prevents the robot cleaner 100 from entering an area that is not the same height as the traveling surface such as a carpet and the like during the traveling.

[0109] In general, the robot cleaner is used in a space where a height of the traveling surface is constant except in unusual cases in a home, a company, and the like. Even when the robot cleaner is used in the space where the height of the traveling surface is constant, there may be cases where the carpet is laid or a threshold or the like is formed depending on a user's preference.

[0110] Because the robot cleaner 100 according to the present embodiment is capable of traveling while mopping, it is not desirable that the mop 52 is operated while the robot cleaner 100 travels on a top surface of the carpet or the like.

[0111] A plurality of climbing preventing portions 423 may be arranged on the mopping unit receiving portion 42. Thus, climbing may be prevented not only when the robot cleaner 100 encounters a portion having a different height of the traveling surface while moving straight, but also when the robot cleaner 100 encounters a portion having a different height of the traveling surface while moving in a certain direction. Thus, the operation of the mop 52 may not be disturbed by the traveling surface. A pump 60 may be coupled to the mopping unit 50. The pump 60 may include a rotation preventing member 62 that prevents the pump 60 from rotating despite a rotation of the body 51.

[0112] The robot cleaner 100 according to the present embodiment may guide, through the pump 60, water to the mop 52 without a separate component such as a motor and the like. When the robot cleaner 100 travels, the rotation of the body 51 is inevitable. Thus, the water may be guided to the mop 52 in response to the rotation of the body 51 when the pump 60 is fixed.

[0113] Thus, the robot cleaner 100 may be prevented from becoming excessively large, and the mopping may be performed with only the travel of the robot cleaner without additional energy consumption.

[0114] A detailed description of the pump 60 will be described later.

[0115] The mopping unit 50 may include the body 51 and the mop 52.

[0116] The mopping unit 50 is accommodated in the cleaning module housing 41 to clean the traveling surface traveled by the robot cleaner 100.

[0117] Specifically, the mopping unit 50 may remove the dust and foreign substances while mopping the traveling surface, aside from the dust being suctioned into the robot cleaner 100 by the dust collector 20.

[0118] That is, the mopping unit 50 may play a role of introducing the dust into the dust collector 20 by scattering the dust on the traveling surface when the mop 52 is removed. Further, the mopping unit 50 may remove the dust and the foreign substances by mopping the floor together with the mop 52 when the mop 52 is mounted.

[0119] The dust present on the traveling surface may not be completely removed by the suction of the dust collector 20. Thus, the mopping unit 50 is disposed to remove the dust remaining on the traveling surface.

[0120] The mopping unit 50 may be accommodated in the space provided by the cleaning module housing 41 and may be combined with the cleaning module housing 41. Thus, the mopping unit 50 may be prevented from being displaced from the original position while mopping the floor.

[0121] The mopping unit 50 may include the body 51 disposed in the cleaning module housing 41. Specifically, the body 51 may be coupled to the cleaning module housing 41 to support the mopping unit 50.

[0122] The body 51 may be formed in a circular shape. The body 51 may rotate naturally as the robot cleaner 100 travels and scatter the dust on the traveling surface to assist the dust collector 20 to collect the dust or to perform the cleaning by mopping the traveling surface.

[0123] The body 51 may be hollowed. As described later, this is to dispose a water tank 53 in the body 51 and accommodate water in the water tank 53 or to accommodate the water in the body 51.

[0124] The body 51 may be a portion that determines an exterior of the mopping unit 50. Because the mop 52 is disposed to surround the body 51, the mop 52 may be combined to the body 51 based on a shape of the body 51.

[0125] The mop 52 may be made of a material that may contain moisture. This is to maximize an effect of the cleaning by receiving the moisture by a water supply passage 54 to be described later.

[0126] The mop 52 may be disposed to be detachable from the body 51. The user may or may not wish to mop when using the robot cleaner. Thus, it is preferable that the mop 52 is able to be detached from the robot cleaner 100 based on selection of the user.

[0127] Further, when the mop 52 is formed integrally with the robot cleaner 100, after the cleaning, the mop 52 in a contaminated state has to be reused. Further, even when the mop 52 is cleaned, there may be difficulties in the cleaning due to a structure of the robot cleaner 100. Thus, the mop 52 is preferably detachable.

[0128] There is no restriction on how the mop 52 surrounds the body 51.

[0129] For example, both ends of the mop 52 may be repeatedly attached to or detached from each other, or a component for mounting the mop 52 on the body 51 may be additionally disposed.

[0130] FIG. 5 is a view showing that a pump disposed in a mopping unit of a robot cleaner is formed as a gear pump.

[0131] The pump 60 may be coupled to the mopping unit 50. The pump 60 may include a pump housing 61 that forms an exterior of the pump 60 and is coupled to the body 51.

[0132] Shapes and the number of covers are not limited to shapes and the number of covers shown in the drawing.

[0133] A water supply 63 may be disposed in the pump housing 61. The water supply 63 may not be operated with electrical power such as a separate motor, but may be provided to guide water toward the mop 52 in response to the rotation of the mopping unit 50.

[0134] According to an embodiment in which the pump 60 is formed as a gear pump, a communication hole 633 in communication with the body 51 or the water tank 53 may be defined in the pump housing 61. That is, the communication hole 633 may be defined to allow water to flow into the pump 60.

[0135] The communication hole 633 may be defined in the pump housing 61 closer to a circumference than a rotation center of the mopping unit 50. This is because as the body 51 is rotated, the water accommodated in the body 51 or the water tank 53 is positioned at an inner surface of the body 51 by a centrifugal force.

[0136] Specifically, when an amount of water accommodated is large, the position of the communication hole 633 is not a problem. However, when the amount of water decreases as the cleaning progresses to some extent or when a small amount of water is initially injected, the water accommodated in the water tank 53 or the body 51 is biased toward the traveling surface by gravity.

[0137] However, even when the amount of water accommodated in the body 51 or the water tank 53 is small, the water is biased toward the inner surface of the body 51 or the water tank 53 as the body 51 rotates, so that it is preferable that the communication hole 633 is defined adjacent to the inner surface of the body 51.

[0138] The water supply 63 may include a first gear 631 and a second gear 632.

[0139] The first gear 631 is a gear that rotates as the body 51 rotates. The first gear may rotate about a rotation center of the body 51.

[0140] The second gear 632 may be a gear that meshes with the first gear 631 and guides the water introduced into the communication hole 633 toward the mop.

[0141] The second gear 632 may be disposed such that at least some of teeth thereof overlap the communication hole 633. Thus, the water introduced into the communication hole 633 may be guided to the mop 52 through the pump 60.

[0142] The pump housing 61 may include a guide member 634 for assisting the flow of water.

[0143] When the water flows into the pump housing 61 through the communication hole 633, the water is guided by the water supply 63. However, in order to stably guide the water to the water supply passage 54 to be described later, it is advantageous to have the guide member 634 protruding inwardly of the pump housing 61.

[0144] That is, the guide member 634 may guide the water introduced into the communication hole 633 to the water supply passage 54, thereby smoothly supplying the water.

[0145] The water supply passage 54 may include a first water supply passage 541 and a second water supply passage 542.

[0146] The first water supply passage 541 is a passage in communication with the pump housing 61 and through which the water guided by the first gear 631 and the second gear 632 is discharged out of the pump housing 61.

[0147] The first water supply passage 541 may be in communication with the pump housing 61.

[0148] The second water supply passage 542 may be a portion in communication with the first water supply passage 541 and in communication with the mop 52.

[0149] Specifically, the second water supply passage 542 may branch in a longitudinal direction of the body 51 to guide the water discharged from the first water supply passage 541 to the mop 52.

[0150] The number of branched passages may vary. That is, two second water supply passages 542 are shown in the drawing, but the number of second water supply passages is not limited thereto.

[0151] It is preferable that the second water supply passage 542 is branched to both sides of the body 51 to be in communication with the mop 52. Because the body 51 is preferably formed in a cylindrical shape, in order to guide the water evenly over the mop 52, it is advantageous that the number of branched passages is large and that the passages are evenly branched.

[0152] FIGS. 6A-6D are views showing various embodiments of a mopping unit in which a pump is formed as a gear pump.

[0153] Specifically, FIG. 6A is a view showing a shape in which the water is accommodated in the body 51, FIG. 6B is a view showing a shape in which the water tank 53 is accommodated in the body 51. Further, FIG. 6C is a view showing a shape in which a water inlet 55 is defined in the body 51, and FIG. 6D is a view showing a shape in which the water inlet and the water tank are respectively defined and disposed in the body 51.

[0154] In FIGS. 6A-6D, the body is shown in an opened shape for clear understanding.

[0155] Referring to FIG. 6A, the pump 60 is formed as a gear pump and a shape in which the water is accommodated in the body 51 is shown. The pump 60 may be disposed on one side of the body 51 and a cap 56 may be disposed on the other side of the body 51.

[0156] The cap 56 may be formed as a twist cap. Thus, the body 51 may be opened or closed by rotating the cap 56.

[0157] Further, when the cap 56 is formed as the twist cap, a fastening force becomes stronger as the number of rotations of the cap 56 increases, and thus a shielding performance may become excellent.

[0158] Further, as the cap 56 is disposed, it is convenient to simply supply the water into the body 51 or keep the supplied water in a state of being accommodated in the body 51.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 6B, the pump 60 is formed as the gear pump and a case in which the water tank 53 is separately formed in the body 51 is shown.

[0160] Hereinafter, a description of a portion overlapping with FIG. 6A will be omitted. However, it is clear that the portion described in FIG. 6A is not excluded.

[0161] Referring to FIG. 6B, the water tank 53 may be formed separately from the body 51.

[0162] When the water tank 53 is formed separately from the body 51, a size of the water tank 53 may be smaller than a size of the body 51. However, because the water is not directly accommodated in the body 51, a shape of the water tank 53 may be changed, so that a structure of the pump 60 may be designed optimally.

[0163] In another example, even when the water tank 53 is disposed, the cap 56 may be disposed.

[0164] Referring to FIG. 6C, it is shown that the pump 60 is formed as the gear pump and a water inlet 55 is defined in the body 51 instead of the cap 56 being disposed on the other side.

[0165] When the water inlet 55 is defined in the body 51, the water may be easily injected into the body 51 even when the mopping unit 50 is not removed from the cleaning module housing 41. Because the mopping unit 50 is coupled to the cleaning module housing 41 or the mopping unit receiving portion 42, when the mopping unit 50 is formed such that the water is injected through an end thereof, the mopping unit 50 must be removed from the robot cleaner 100 to supply the water to the mopping unit 50.

[0166] However, when the water inlet 55 is defined in the body 51, the water may be supplied without removing the mopping unit 50 from the robot cleaner 100.

[0167] Referring to FIG. 6D, even when the water inlet 55 is defined, the water tank 53 may be included. In this case, the water inlet 55 may be defined to be in communication with the water tank 53.

[0168] FIG. 7 is a view showing that a pump disposed in a mopping unit of a robot cleaner according to the present embodiment is provided with a diaphragm pump.

[0169] Hereinafter, a portion different from that in FIG. 5 will be described. A description of a portion the same as that in FIG. 5 will be omitted.

[0170] A diaphragm pump is a membrane pump, which may be operated as the body 51 rotates. The water supply 63 may be formed as the diaphragm pump. Thus, the water may be guided to the mop 52 as the body 51 rotates.

[0171] When the body 51 is rotated and the pump 60 is not rotated, the water supply 63 may be operated.

[0172] Specifically, as the body 51 rotates, a diaphragm of the diaphragm pump contracts and relaxes. As the contraction and the relaxation repeats, the water contained in the body 51 may flow into the pump 60 and then may be guided to the mop 52.

[0173] When the pump 60 is formed as the diaphragm pump, the pump 60 may include an inlet tube 64 and an outlet tube 65.

[0174] The inlet tube 64 may be a portion where the water is guided from the water tank 53 or the body 51 to the water supply 63. In this case, as the body 51 rotates, a negative pressure is generated inside the water supply 63 and the water is suctioned. Further, as the body 51 rotates, a pressure is applied to the water supply 63, so that the water may be discharged to the mop 52.

[0175] The inlet tube 64 may be disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the body 51. That is, the inlet tube 64 may be positioned closer to an inner circumferential surface than the rotation center of the body 51.

[0176] The inlet tube 64 is disposed adjacent to the inner surface because the water is biased toward the inner surface by a centrifugal force as the body 51 rotates, so that even when a small amount of water is accommodated, the water may be supplied smoothly to the mop 52.

[0177] When the inlet tube 64 is in communication with the water supply 63 and is in communication with the water tank 53 when the water tank 53 is disposed, and when the water is accommodated in the body 51, the inlet tube 64 may be in communication with the body 51.

[0178] The outlet tube 65 may be in communication with the water supply 63 and in communication with the mop 52. The outlet tube 65 guides the water discharged from the water supply 63 to the mop 52. In the drawing, the outlet tube 65 is illustrated as being branched in two tubes, but is not limited thereto.

[0179] In order to supply the water evenly to the mop 52, it is preferable that the outlet tube 65 is branched into several tubes. However, in consideration of a flow resistance, the outlet tube 65 may be disposed to be branched in an appropriate number of tubes.

[0180] FIGS. 8A-8D are views showing various embodiments of a mopping unit in which a pump is formed as a diaphragm pump.

[0181] Specifically, FIG. 8A is a view showing a shape in which the water is accommodated in the body 51, and FIG. 8B is a view showing a shape in which the water tank 53 is accommodated in the body 51. FIG. 8C is a view showing a shape in which the water inlet 55 is defined in the body 51, and FIG. 8D is a view showing a shape in which the water inlet and the water tank are respectively defined and disposed in the body 51.

[0182] In FIGS. 8A-8D, the body is shown in the opened shape for clear understanding.

[0183] Referring to FIG. 8A, the pump 60 is formed as the diaphragm pump and a shape in which the water is accommodated in the body 51 is shown. The pump 60 may be disposed on one side of the body 51 and the cap 56 may be disposed on the other side of the body 51.

[0184] The cap 56 may be formed as the twist cap. Thus, the body 51 may be opened or closed by rotating the cap 56.

[0185] Further, when the cap 56 is formed as the twist cap, the fastening force becomes stronger as the number of rotations of the cap 56 increases, and thus the shielding performance may become excellent.

[0186] Further, as the cap 56 is disposed, it is convenient to simply supply the water into the body 51 or keep the supplied water in the state of being accommodated in the body 51.

[0187] Referring to FIG. 8B, the pump 60 is formed as the gear pump and a case in which the water tank 53 is separately formed in the body 51 is shown.

[0188] Hereinafter, a description of a portion overlapping with FIG. 8A will be omitted. However, it is clear that the portion described in FIG. 8A is not excluded.

[0189] Referring to FIG. 8B, the water tank 53 may be formed separately from the body 51.

[0190] When the water tank 53 is formed separately from the body 51, the size of the water tank 53 may be smaller than the size of the body 51. However, because the water is not directly accommodated in the body 51, the shape of the water tank 53 may be changed, so that the structure of the pump 60 may be designed optimally.

[0191] In another example, even when the water tank 53 is disposed, the cap 56 may be disposed.

[0192] Referring to FIG. 8C, it is shown that the pump 60 is formed as the gear pump and the water inlet 55 is defined in the body 51 instead of the cap 56 being disposed on the other side.

[0193] When the water inlet 55 is defined in the body 51, the water may be easily injected into the body 51 even when the mopping unit 50 is not removed from the cleaning module housing 41. Because the mopping unit 50 is coupled to the cleaning module housing 41 or the mopping unit receiving portion 42, when the mopping unit 50 is formed such that the water is injected through the end thereof, the mopping unit 50 must be removed from the robot cleaner 100 to supply the water to the mopping unit 50.

[0194] However, when the water inlet 55 is defined in the body 51, the water may be supplied without removing the mopping unit 50 from the robot cleaner 100.

[0195] Referring to FIG. 8D, even when the water inlet 55 is defined, the water tank 53 may be included. In this case, the water inlet 55 may be defined to be in communication with the water tank 53.

[0196] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will appreciate that various modifications are possible within the limits without departing from the scope of the present disclosure for the above-described embodiments. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the described embodiments, and should be determined not only by the claims to be described later, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

Claims

1. A robot cleaner comprising: a main body forming an exterior of the robot cleaner; a driving unit configured to move the main body; a cleaning module coupled to the main body and configured to suction dust from a traveling surface; and a dust collector coupled to the main body and configured to collect the dust suctioned by the cleaning module, wherein the cleaning module includes: a cleaning module housing defining an exterior of the cleaning module, wherein the cleaning module is coupled to the main body; a mopping unit rotatably coupled in the cleaning module housing, wherein the mopping unit is configured to accommodate water therein and configured to clean the traveling surface; a mop detachably coupled to the mopping unit; and a pump disposed in the mopping unit, wherein the pump is configured to guide water to the mop as the main body moves.

2. The robot cleaner of claim 1, further comprising: a mopping unit receiving portion for receiving the mopping unit therein, wherein the pump includes: a pump housing disposed on one side of the mopping unit and connected to the mopping unit receiving portion; a rotation preventing member configured to prevent a rotation of the pump housing; and a water supply configured to supply water to the mop.

3. The robot cleaner of claim 2, wherein the mopping unit receiving portion includes a climbing preventing portion extending forwardly from the cleaning module housing and configured to prevent the robot cleaner from moving to a stepped terrain.

4. The robot cleaner of claim 2, wherein the water supply includes a diaphragm pump.

5. The robot cleaner of claim 4, further comprising: a body forming an exterior of the mopping unit; and a water tank, configured to accommodate water therein, disposed in the body, wherein the water supply includes: an inlet tube extending in a longitudinal direction of the body from an interior of the water tank, wherein water is configured to flow into the water supply through the inlet tube; and an outlet tube connected to the water supply and the mop, the outlet tube being configured to guide water discharged from the water supply to the mop.

6. The robot cleaner of claim 5, wherein the pump is disposed on a first side of the body and the water tank, wherein a detachable cap is disposed on a second side of the body and the water tank, and wherein the water tank is configured to be opened using the cap.

7. The robot cleaner of claim 6, wherein the cap is formed as a twist cap.

8. The robot cleaner of claim 5, further comprising: a water inlet defined on an outer circumferential surface of the body, the water inlet being configured to allow water to be introduced into the body.

9. The robot cleaner of claim 4, further comprising: a body forming an exterior of the mopping unit and configured to accommodate water therein, wherein the water supply includes: an inlet tube extending in a longitudinal direction of the body from an interior of the body, wherein water is configured to flow into the water supply through the inlet tube; and an outlet tube connected to the water supply and the mop, the outlet tube being configured to guide water discharged from the water supply to the mop.

10. The robot cleaner of claim 4, wherein the pump includes a gear pump.

11. The robot cleaner of claim 10, further comprising: a body forming an exterior of the mopping unit and configured to accommodate water therein, wherein the pump includes: a pump housing forming an exterior of the pump, wherein the pump housing is coupled to the body; a communication hole defined in the pump housing and in fluid communication with the body; a first gear configured to be rotated as the body rotates; and a second gear meshing with the first gear, wherein the second gear is configured to guide water introduced into the communication hole to the mop.

12. The robot cleaner of claim 11, wherein the body includes a water supply passage in fluid communication with the pump housing and the mop.

13. The robot cleaner of claim 12, wherein the water supply passage includes: a first water supply passage in fluid communication with the pump housing; and a second water supply passage in fluid communication with the first water supply passage and branched to two sides of the body to be in fluid communication with the mop.

14. The robot cleaner of claim 12, wherein a guide member, configured to guide water introduced into the communication hole to the water supply passage, is disposed in the pump housing.

15. The robot cleaner of claim 10, further comprising: a body forming an exterior of the mopping unit; and a water tank disposed in the body, wherein the water tank is configured to accommodate water therein, wherein the pump includes: a pump housing forming an exterior of the pump, wherein the pump housing is coupled to the body; a communication hole defined in the pump housing and in fluid communication with the water tank; a first gear configured to be rotated as the body rotates; and a second gear meshing with the first gear, wherein the second gear is configured to guide water introduced into the communication hole to the mop.