Patent Application
20140373304
The present invention relates to a base assembly for a floor cleaner configured to clean a floor through linear reciprocation movement of two rag attachment pads through which the rag attachment pads come close to and go away from each other, and more particularly a base assembly for a floor cleaner capable of simultaneously conducting cleaning and sterilization of a floor by injecting steam onto the rag attachment pads while the rag attachment pads are being reciprocally moved.
In the prior art, publications, for example, Patent Documents are presented that disclose floor cleaners configured to clean a floor by linearly reciprocating opposite rag attachment pads.
A floor cleaner body disclosed in the Patent Documents includes: a support member; a driving unit positioned on the support member; power conversion units configured to convert rotating movement provided from the driving unit into linear reciprocation movement; first and second moving members positioned below the support member, and configured to receive power from the power conversion units to conduct linear reciprocation movement; and a path providing module configured to provide a path guiding the linear reciprocation movement of the moving member.
The driving unit reduces the rotation speed of the driving motor through a belt, and then rotates opposite pulleys, thereby repeatedly making the first and second moving members come close to and go away from each other.
The path providing module includes: sliding members which are mounted on the moving members to be linearly reciprocated therewith, respectively; and a guide member fixed to the support member and configured to guide the linear reciprocation movement of the sliding members.
The guide member further includes a bearing in a hollow hole of the cylinder in order to allow the shaft to conduct the linear reciprocation movement smoothly. However, the conventional floor cleaner has problems as follows.
Because the power is transmitted using the pulleys and belt, the driving motor should be vertically installed. Due to this, the height of the body is increased. As a result, the floor cleaner has restrictions in introducing the floor cleaner into a gap below a sofa, furniture, a bed, etc.
In addition, because the construction of the belt and pulleys is complicated, and the power conversion units are arranged to be spaced away from each other to the opposite sides of the rotation axle of the driving motor, the width of the floor cleaner is also increased.
Meanwhile, because the first moving member and the second moving member are linearly reciprocated in a state where they are compressed against the floor, a bearing is employed to conduct this action smoothly.
The bearing may help the linear back and forth reciprocation movement to be conducted smoothly while supporting a weight. However, because a sliding structure should be added and assembled to the bearing, the construction of the floor cleaner becomes complicated, and the price of the bearing is very expensive.
Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 10-2009-0115573
Patent Document 2: Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 10-2009-0115574
Patent Document 3: Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 10-2009-0115575
Patent Document 4: Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 10-2009-0115576
Patent Document 5: Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 10-2009-0117545
The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a base assembly for a floor cleaner which enables steam to be injected to a reciprocating pad.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the inventive base assembly for a floor cleaner defined in claim 1 includes: a body case including a base and a cover configured to cover the base; one or more rag attachment pads disposed on the bottom surface; a driving member mounted on the base; one or more pad reciprocation members configured to receive power from the driving member and to linearly reciprocate the rag attachment pad; one or more pad guide members configured to guide the linear reciprocation movement of the rag attachment pads in relation to the base; a steam supply port formed in the base; and a distribution path formed on the bottom surface of the base and configured to distribute steam discharged from the steam supply port to the rag attachment pad. The rag attachment pads are formed with steam passage holes that allow the steam discharged from the distribution path to pass through the steam passage holes.
According to the inventive base assembly for a floor cleaner defined in claim 2, the distribution path is constituted by a distribution groove formed on the bottom surface of the base to be communicated with the steam supply port, and a steam injection cover formed with a plurality of steam injection holes for injecting steam to the rag attachment pads, and configured to cover the distribution groove. The steam injection holes are formed with steam injection protrusions protruding toward the steam passage holes, and each of the steam passage hole is formed by an elongated hole.
The base member assembly for a floor cleaner defined in claim 3 further includes one or more pad guide members configured to guide the linear reciprocation of the rag attachment pads in relation to the pad. The pad guide members are constituted by slope rails formed in the left and right sides of the base, and left and right slope wheels installed on the opposite sides of the rag attachment pad and rolling along the left and right slope rails. The left and right slope rails are constituted by left and right slope rail grooves formed on the left and right sides of the bottom surface of the base, and contacted with the top surfaces of the left and right slope rolls. The left and right roll abutment pieces configured to abut the left and right slope rolls are fastened to the bottom surface of the base.
The base member assembly for a floor cleaner defined in claim 4 further includes one or more pad reciprocation members configured to receive power from the driving member and to linearly reciprocate the rag attachment pad. The rag attachment pads are constituted by first and second rag attachment pads disposed on the front and rear sides of the bottom surface of the base, and the pad reciprocation members are constituted by first and second pad reciprocation members which are configured to receive the power of the driving member and to make the first and second rag attachment pads come close to and go away from each other. The pad guide members are constituted by first and second pad guide members configured to guide the linear reciprocation movements of the first and second rag attachment pads, and the base is formed with a through-hole, and the driving member is a driving motor. The first and second pad reciprocation members include: first and second pad reciprocation eccentric cams, to each of which a rotation axle of the driving motor is eccentrically joined; and first and second pad reciprocation rods, one end of each of the first and second pad reciprocation rods being installed on one of hinge brackets of the first and second rag attachment pads, and the other end of each of the first and second pad reciprocation rods being installed on one of the first and second pad reciprocation eccentric cams. The driving member is horizontally arranged on the base.
Due to the configuration of the slope rails and slope wheels, it is possible to obtain a driving force to allow a pair of rag attachment pads to move oppositely to come close and go away from each other using a single driving member.
In addition, because the driving member is constituted by a driving motor, a planetary reduction gear configured to reduce the rotating speed of the driving motor, and a rotation axle configured to receive the power of the planetary reduction gear, the rotation axle of the driving motor can be positioned at the rotation center rather than being positioned eccentrically. Accordingly, the first and second pad reciprocation members may be commonly coupled to the single rotation axle, and with this arrangement, the driving motor may be horizontally arranged, thereby substantially reducing the height of the body case.
According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to achieve various effects as follows.
Because the steam distribution path is laid directly above the reciprocating pads, not only a floor wiping effect but also sterilization of floor can be achieved.
Especially, because the steam injection protrusions are formed in the distribution path, thereby being arranged above the steam passage holes, steam can be injected to rags and pads at a position very close to the rags or pads to such an extent that the steam can sufficiently permeate into the rags or pads.
As the slope rails are constituted by the slope rail grooves formed on the bottom surface of the base, it is possible to avoid the slope wheels from being mounted in the inside of the body case, and hence to suppress steam from flowing backward into the inside of the body case.
Due to the configuration of the slope rails and slope wheels, it is possible to obtain a driving force to allow a pair of rag attachment pads to move oppositely to come close and go away from each other using a single driving member.
In addition, because the driving member is constituted by a driving motor, a planetary reduction gear configured to reduce the rotating speed of the driving motor, and a rotation axle configured to receive the power of the planetary reduction gear, the rotation axle of the driving motor can be positioned at the rotation center rather than being positioned eccentrically. Accordingly, the first pad reciprocation member and the second pad reciprocation member may be commonly coupled to the single rotation axle, and with this arrangement, the driving motor may be horizontally arranged, thereby substantially reducing the height of the body case.
Hereinbelow, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The body case 110 is configured by a base 111, and a cover 113 configured to cover the top of the base 111.
In the central area of the base 111, a front through-hole 111a and a rear through-hole 111b are provided so as to allow the rag attachment pad 130 and the pad reciprocation members 170 to be interconnected with each other.
As hinge brackets 173a and 173b to be described later extend upward through the front through-hole 111a and the rear through-hole 111b, a stroke distance is provided which enables back and forth reciprocation movement.
For this reciprocation movement, it is preferable that the front through-hole 111a and the rear through-hole 111b are implemented in an elongated bore type extending in the forward-backward longitudinal direction as large as possible.
In addition, the front through-hole 111a and the rear through-hole 111b may be formed as a single opening. However, in order to suppress the infiltration of foreign matter from the outside and to reduce the backward flowing amount of steam to be described later to the utmost while securing an opening in as large a size as required, it is desirable to divide the opening into two.
At the central portion of the cover 113, a communication hole 115 is formed that allows the neck assembly 500 to be communicated with the pushrod assembly 300. The neck assembly 500 will be described later in detail.
The rag attachment pad 130 is formed by two pads, i.e. a front rag attachment pad 130a at the front side and a rag attachment pad 130b at the rear side.
In addition, the first rag attachment pad 130a and the second rag attachment pad 130b are disposed below the bottom surface of the base 111 to be capable of linearly reciprocating in such a manner that they can be moved close to and away from each other.
The first rag attachment pad 130a and the second rag attachment pad 130b are preferably formed with (not shown) pad attachment protrusions of a Velcro strip type to attach a pad, or clips (not shown) to grip a rag.
Preferably, the driving member 150 is implemented by a driving motor 151.
More preferably, the driving member 150 is implemented by a driving unit 152 in which a reduction gear is additionally provided to reduce the rotating speed of the driving motor 151.
Such a reduction gear increases starting torque to provide smooth linear reciprocation movement. In the present embodiment, a planetary reduction gear 153 is used which is joined to the output spindle of the driving gear 151.
A rotation axle 153a of the planetary reduction gear 153 is installed on the central rotation axis non-eccentrically.
As illustrated in
That is, the motor mounting case 155 is provided with a cylindrical motor mounting tube 156, and a closure plate 157 that blocks one side of the motor mounting tube 156.
The motor mounting tube 156 is provided with a plurality of cooling through-holes 156a for allowing contact with the ambient air.
In addition, in the left and right sides of the motor mounting tube 156, flanges 156b and vertical fastening holes 157c are formed.
The closure plate 157 is formed with a draw-out hole 157a, through which the rotation axle 153a is drawn out, and horizontal fastening holes 157b, to which the planetary reduction gear 153 is fastened.
The vertical fastening holes 157c of the motor mounting case 155 are fastened with and supported by the fastening ribs 112 formed on the top side of the base 111.
The pad reciprocation members 170 are constituted by a first pad reciprocation member 170a and a second pad reciprocation member 170b.
The first pad reciprocation member 170a is constituted by a first pad reciprocation eccentric cam 171a to which the rotation axle 153a is eccentrically joined, and a first pad reciprocation rod 175a, one end of which is installed on a first hinge bracket 173a of the first rag attachment pad 130a inserted through a through-hole 111a, and the other end of which is installed on a first pad reciprocation eccentric cam 171a.
Like the first pad reciprocation member 170a, the second pad reciprocation member 170b is constituted by a second reciprocation eccentric cam 171b, to which the rotation axle 153a is eccentrically joined, and a second pad reciprocation rod 175b, one end of which is installed on the second hinge bracket 173b of the second rag attachment pad 130b inserted through the through-hole 111b, and the other end of which is installed on a second pad reciprocation eccentric cam 171b.
The hinge brackets 173a and 173b and the other ends of the pad reciprocation rods 175a and 175b are joined by hinge axles 177a and 177b.
The one end of each of the pad reciprocation rods 175a and 175b are fixed by insert-molding each of the pad reciprocation eccentric cams 171a and 171b.
Each of the pad reciprocation eccentric cams 171a and 171b have a circular shape, and the rotation axle 153a is joined at a position off-centered in relation to the center of each of the pad reciprocation eccentric cams 171a and 171b (i.e. the centers are positioned outward in relation to the rotation axle). Accordingly, when the rotation axle 153a is rotated so that the centers of the pad reciprocation eccentric cams 171a and 171b are moved inward in relation to the rotation axle 153a, the rag attachment pads 130a and 130b come close (approach) to each other, and when the centers are moved outward, the rag attachment pads 130a and 130b go away (retreat) from each other. Consequently, the rag attachment pads 130a and 130b wipe the floor by linear reciprocation movements.
Pad guide members 190 are constituted by a first pad guide member 190a configured to guide the first rag attachment pad 130a and a second pad guide member 190b configured to guide the second rag attachment pad 130b.
As illustrated in
In addition, the left and right first slope wheels 195aL and 195aR are implemented by left and right first slope rolls.
The lower ends of the left and right first slope rolls are slantingly installed at the upper ends of first roll support brackets 197a, respectively, in which the lower ends of the first roll support brackets 197a are fixed to the first rag attachment pad 130a. At the upper ends of the first roll support brackets 197a, the rotation axles of the left and right first slope rolls are slantingly installed, respectively.
That is, when only one first left roll support bracket 197aL is described, as illustrated in
In addition, at the center of the inclined bracket 197″′, a female screw 198a, to which a piece is fastened as illustrated in
The left and right first slope rails 191aL and 191aR, which respectively correspond to left and right first slope wheels 195aL and 195aR, are constituted by left and right first slope rail grooves 192aL and 192aR formed in the left and right sides of the bottom surface of the base 111, and left and right first slope roll abutment pieces 194aL and 194aR configured to abut the left and right first slope rolls, respectively.
In addition, it is preferred that the left and right first slope rail grooves 192aL and 192aR are further formed with left and right first catch steps 193aL and 193aR, respectively, to which the top surfaces of the left and right first slope rolls are caught.
The first catch steps 193aL and 193aR function as anti-pushing steps for suppressing the first rag attachment pad 130a from being additionally lifted even if it is pushed.
The left and right first slope roll abutment pieces 194aL and 194aR are fixed by inserting them into the left and right first slope rail grooves 192aL and 192aR in the directions as indicated by arrows in
As illustrated in
Likewise, the second pad guide member 190b is also constituted by second slope rails 191bL and 191R formed in the left and right sides of the base 111, and left and right second slope wheel 195bL and 195bR configured to roll along the left and right second slope rails 191bL and 191bR, respectively.
The left and right second slope wheels 195bL and 195bR are installed at the opposite sides of the second rag attachment pad 130b, respectively.
In addition, the left and right second slope wheels 195aL are 195aR are implemented by left and right second slope rolls.
The left and right second slope rolls are slantingly installed at the second roll support brackets 197b, the lower ends of which are fixed to the second rag attachment pad 130b, respectively. That is, the rotation axles of the left and right second slope rolls are slantingly installed at the upper ends of the second roll support brackets 197b, respectively.
The left and right second slope rails 191bL and 191bR, which respectively correspond to left and right second slope wheels 195bL and 195bR, are constituted by left and right second slope rail grooves 192bL and 192bR formed in the left and right sides of the bottom surface of the base 111, and left and right second slope roll abutment pieces 194bL and 194bR configured to abut the left and right second slope rolls, respectively.
In addition, it is preferred that the left and right second slope rail grooves 192bL and 192bR are further formed with left and right second catch steps 193bL and 193bR, respectively, to which the top surfaces of the left and right second slope rolls are caught.
The second catch steps 193bL and 193bR function as anti-pushing steps for suppressing the second rag attachment pad 130b from being additionally lifted even if it is pushed.
The left and right second slope roll abutment pieces 194bL and 194bR are fixed by inserting them into the left and right second slope rail grooves 192aL and 192aR in the directions as indicated by arrows in
As illustrated in
The left slope wheels 195aL and 195bL as described above are implemented by left slope rolls arranged with a minus (−) slope, and the right slope wheels 195aR and 195bR are implemented by right slope rolls arranged with a plus (+) slope.
Accordingly, when viewed from the front side or rear side, the slope wheels are inclined in a funnel shape.
Due to these slopes, when the rag attachment pads 130a and 130b are to wander leftward or rightward while being linearly reciprocated back and forth, the slope wheels instantly align the rag attachment pads 130a and 130b back and forth. Accordingly, it would be sufficient even if the rolls are employed instead of bearings which are expensive and complicated to assemble.
In addition, because the linear guidance back and forth is automatically aligned and hence a great load is applied, two pad reciprocation members 170a and 170b can be driven by a single driving member 150. For this reason, the driving member 150 may be mounted on the base 111 to be laid horizontally. Accordingly, the height of body case 110 may be substantially lowered, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency of a gap.
Furthermore, due to the inclination in the funnel shape, the first and second slope rail grooves 192aL; 192aR and 192bL; 192bR may be formed on the bottom surface of the base 111. Accordingly, the first and second slope wheels 195aL; 195aR and 195bL; 195bR may not be exposed to the top side of the base 111, and hence, no hole for extracting the first and second slope wheels 195aL; 195aR and 195bL; 195bR is formed. As a result, as described below, steam is originally prevented from flowing backward into the inside of the body case 110 through such a hole.
Meanwhile, the floor cleaner according to the present exemplary embodiment may further include a steam mechanism configured to inject steam.
In the base 111, a steam supply port 200 is formed.
Specifically, a tube is connected to the steam supply port 200 through the neck assembly 500, so that steam generated from a steam generation apparatus within the pushrod assembly 300 is transmitted to the steam supply port 200.
In addition, as illustrated in
The distribution paths are constituted by a distribution groove 210 formed on the bottom surface of the base 111 to be communicated with the steam supply port 200, and a steam injection cover 230 which is formed with a plurality of steam injection holes 231 configured to inject steam to the rag attachment pads 130 and covers the distribution groove 210.
The steam injection cover 230 is fastened to the distribution groove 210 by screws.
Meanwhile, the rag attachment pads 130 are formed with steam passage holes 135 to allow the steam discharged from the steam injection holes 231 to be directed toward the rags or pads.
However, because the rag attachment pads 130 reciprocate back and forth, the gaps between the steam injection holes 231 and the steam passage holes 135 are too large. Therefore, the steam may spread out laterally without arriving at the steam passage holes 135.
In order to prevent this, it is preferred that the steam injection holes 231 are respectively formed with steam injection protrusions 233 which extend toward the steam passage holes 135 as illustrated in
In addition, each of the steam passage holes 135 is preferably formed as an elongated bore such that the steam injection protrusions 233 are not interrupted when the rag attachment pads 130 are reciprocated.
The steam injected from the steam injection protrusions 233 may permeate into the rags or the pads. However, the steam, which does not permeate into the rags or the pads, may permeate into the through-hole 111a and 111b of the base 111 and may cause the loss of the steam and the electrical short of the driving member 150.
In order to prevent this, it is preferred to provide a sealing member 250 around the through-holes 111a and 111b of the base 111 to sealingly wrap the pad reciprocation members 170a and 170b.
As illustrated in
It is preferred that a seal formed from a rubber material is interposed between the surrounding wall 251 and the top cover 253.
The top cover 253 is fastened and fixed to the fastening ribs 114 of the base 111.
One side 252 of the surrounding wall 251 and one side 254 of the top cover 253 are formed with semi-circular grooves, respectively, to seal and support the front end of the motor mounting tube 156.
Meanwhile, as illustrated in
On the neck seating unit 270, a hinge seating abutment recess 271 in a semi-circular shape is formed in which the bottom surface of the neck hinge 510, and a hinge seating support recess 273 is formed around the communication hole 115 to catch the top surface of the neck hinge 510 to be seated.
It is preferred that the neck seating unit 270 is also fastened and fixed to the fastening ribs 116 of the base 111.
Although the preferred embodiments of the inventive base assembly for a floor cleaner have been presented for illustrative purposes for describing the technical idea of the present invention, they do not limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be construed on the basis of the accompanying claims rather than the detailed description above in such a manner that all the changes and modifications drawn from the meanings, scopes and equivalent concepts of the claims belong to the scope of the present invention.
10: floor cleaner
100: base assembly
110: body case
111: base
111
a,
111
b: through-hole
112, 114, 116: fastening rib
113: cover 115: communication hole
130, 130a, 130b: rag attachment pad
135: steam passage hole
150: driving member
151: driving motor
152: driving motor unit
153: planetary reduction gear
153
a: rotation axle
155: motor mounting case
156: motor mounting tube
156
a: cooling through-hole
156
b: flange
156
c: vertical fastening hole
157: closed tube
157
a: draw-out hole
157
b: horizontal fastening hole
170: pad reciprocation member
171
a,
171
b: pad reciprocation eccentric cam
173
a,
173
b: hinge bracket
175
a,
175
b: pad reciprocation rod
177
a,
177
b: hinge axle
190, 190a, 190b: pad guide member
191
aL, 191aR: first slope rail
191
bL, 191bR: second slope rail
192
aL, 192aR: first slope rail groove
192
bL, 192bR: second slope rail groove
193
aL, 193aR: first catch step
193
bL, 193bR: second catch step
194
aL, 194aR: first slope roll abutment piece
194
bL, 194bR: second slope roll abutment piece
195
aL, 195aR: first slope wheel (roll)
195
bL, 195bR: second slope wheel (roll)
197
a,
197
b: roll support bracket
194′: screw fastening abutment
194″: slope roll abutment
197′: base plate
197″: vertical bracket
197″′: inclined bracket
198
a: female screw
198
b: catch step
200: steam supply port
210: distribution groove
230: steam injection cover
231: steam injection hole
233: steam injection protrusion
250: sealing member
251: surrounding wall
253: top cover
270: neck seating unit
271: hinge seating abutment recess
273: hinge seating support recess
300: pushrod assembly
500: neck assembly
510: neck hinge
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2011-0147030 | Dec 2011 | KR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2012/010689 | 12/10/2012 | WO | 00 | 6/25/2014 |
