Patent Application
20250082159
The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0016868, filed in the Republic of Korea on Feb. 2, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0119851, filed in the Republic of Korea on Sep. 8, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.
The present disclosure relates to a robot cleaner station, and more specifically, to a robot cleaner system including a built-in station capable of collecting dust in a dust bin of a robot cleaner, washing a duster of the robot cleaner, and drying the duster when the robot cleaner is coupled.
Recently, with the development of an industrial technology, robot cleaners that clean while traveling in areas that need cleaning without user intervention are being developed.
These robot cleaners are provided with a sensor for recognizing a space to be cleaned, an agitator for sweeping and cleaning the floor, a duster for mopping the floor, etc. and may travel while suctioning dust on the floor of the space recognized by the sensor and mopping the floor using the duster, etc.
Among the robot cleaners, there are a dry robot cleaner capable of suctioning and removing a foreign substance scattered on the floor and a wet robot cleaner capable of mopping the floor using a moisture-containing duster to effectively remove a foreign substance attached to the floor. The dry robot cleaner is provided with a dust bin and suctions the foreign substance on the floor using a suction force of a suction motor. The wet robot cleaner is provided with a water container and is configured to effectively remove the foreign substance attached to the floor by mopping the floor in a state in which water stored in the water container is supplied to the duster and the duster contains moisture, which is then applied to the floor. In addition, there are robot cleaners in the form of having both an agitator and a duster.
A robot cleaner charging station is a device for docking a robot cleaner after the robot cleaner finishes cleaning. In addition, the robot cleaner charging station may charge a battery of the robot cleaner by supplying power to the battery installed in the robot cleaner. The charging station has a power supply module therein. The charging station has a charging terminal connected to the power supply module, and the robot cleaner has a corresponding terminal. When the charging terminal is in contact with the corresponding terminal, the battery is charged by receiving power.
Meanwhile, when the robot cleaner charging station is disposed inside a building, the charging station occupies a predetermined range of an indoor space. In this case, indoor space efficiency may be poor. In addition, a user or a pet may collide with the robot cleaner while passing by, thereby causing problems of injury to the user or the pet and damage to the robot cleaner.
In addition, a station with a dust collection function of the robot cleaner has a limitation in that it may damage an interior of the indoor as the space of the station increases.
In this regard, Chinese utility model registration CN219206761U discloses a device for washing a robot cleaner at the bottom of a washing machine.
The washing device may wash the robot cleaner using a lower space of the washing machine.
In addition, since the robot cleaner is washed using water supply and drain connected to the washing machine, separate water supply and drain structures are not required.
However, the washing device has a limitation in that it only washes the robot cleaner and does not have a function of charging the robot cleaner or collecting dust of the robot cleaner. Rather, there is a limitation that the risk of electric leakage may occur when the robot cleaner is washed while being charged.
Therefore, the washing device has limitations that it may be used only when washing the robot cleaner, may not provide a basic charging function, etc., and should have a separate charging station.
Meanwhile, Japanese Patent JP4916266B2 discloses a building that collects dust in a dust bin of a robot cleaner using a lower space of a wall.
The building has a dust collection device built into the lower space of the wall to collect the dust in the dust bin when the robot cleaner approaches.
However, since the building simply suctions air at a lower side of the wall, the dust is emptied in a state in which airtightness is not maintained between the building and the dust bin of the robot cleaner, and thus there is a limitation that dust may rather scatter indoors.
In addition, since the building may not supply power to the robot cleaner and should have a robot cleaner charging station, the effect of increasing indoor space efficiency is limited.
Meanwhile, Chinese utility model registration CN 2192708414 U discloses a cleaner station in which a robot cleaner is coupled to a lower side of a washing machine to charge the robot cleaner, collect dust, and wash a wet duster of the robot cleaner.
However, the cleaner station has an open space into which the robot cleaner may enter at a lower side of the washing machine, detergent and water supply devices for washing a wet duster are provided at a vertical upper side of the space into which the robot cleaner enters, and a dust bag is disposed on a side surface of the space into which the robot cleaner enters.
In the case of such arrangement, since an overall height of the cleaner station is high, there is a limitation that the station may not be mounted using a lower space of a cabinet including a kitchen sink.
In addition, since the cleaner station should be installed at the lower side of the washing machine, there are limitations that a space in which the washing machine is installed should be basically, necessarily provided and the installation space with a height exceeding a height of the washing machine and a height of the cleaner station should be provided in consideration of the height of the washing machine and the height of the cleaner station.
In addition, since the space of the cleaner station into which the robot cleaner enters is always open, dust may scatter in a process of collecting the dust in the dust bin of the robot cleaner, and wastewater may leak in a process of washing the duster of the robot cleaner.
Meanwhile, U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/610,073B1 discloses a drawer type robot station.
The robot station may be disposed under a housekeeping cart to accommodate the robot and drawn out through a drawer.
However, the robot station has a limitation that it cannot be installed in a space of a limited height, such as kitchen furniture, because a trash can is provided at an upper side of the robot station.
In addition, since only the robot cleaner is simply drawn out and other parts are installed on a separate cart, there is a limitation that a cart body should be disassembled to repair and manage the parts.
The present disclosure has been made in efforts to solve the problems of robot cleaner stations of the related art and is directed to providing a robot cleaner station, which may be built-in at a lower side of kitchen furniture without a separate installation space.
In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be directed to providing a robot cleaner station capable of accommodating a robot cleaner in a lower space of kitchen furniture with a predetermined height limit.
In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be directed to providing a robot cleaner station capable of automatically collecting dust in a dust bin of a robot cleaner when the robot cleaner is coupled.
Further, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be directed to providing a robot cleaner station capable of automatically washing a duster of a robot cleaner by a duster washer when the robot cleaner is coupled.
In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be directed to providing a robot cleaner station that does not require a user to separately inject water or discharge wastewater by washing a duster using a water supply pipe and a drain pipe of a kitchen.
Furthermore, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be directed to providing a robot cleaner station capable of automatically drying a duster by supplying hot air to a duster after washing the duster of a robot cleaner.
In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be directed to providing a robot cleaner station capable of preventing damage to an inner surface of kitchen furniture by exhausting high-temperature moist vapor generated while drying a washed duster to a drain pipe of kitchen furniture or an outer space of a housing.
Additionally, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be directed to providing a robot cleaner station capable of preventing damage to a baseboard vulnerable to moisture by exhausting high-temperature moist vapor generated while drying a washed duster in a direction opposite to the baseboard.
In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be directed to providing a robot cleaner station capable of preventing damage to an interior of kitchen furniture by suctioning heat discharged from a dust collection motor to a suction unit of a robot cleaner to prevent high-temperature air from filling the interior of the kitchen furniture.
To achieve the above-described objectives, a robot cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be installed in a lower space of kitchen furniture.
In addition, the robot cleaner station may collect dust in a dust bin of the robot cleaner and wash a duster of the robot cleaner by including a dust collector configured to empty dust of the robot cleaner, and a duster washer configured to wash a duster of the robot cleaner.
Further, the robot cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be connected to a water supply pipe and a drain pipe that are provided in the kitchen furniture to supply water to a water container and the duster of the robot cleaner and wash the duster of the robot cleaner.
Meanwhile, specific components of the robot cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed in a horizontal direction to use a limited space formed on a lower portion of the kitchen furniture.
Specifically, the robot cleaner station may include a housing disposed in the lower portion of the kitchen furniture, a seating assembly which is disposed in the housing and in which the robot cleaner is accommodated, an entrance into which the robot cleaner is drawn, and a dust collector configured to collect the dust in the dust bin of the robot cleaner, wherein the entrance is disposed on a front surface of the housing, and the dust collector is disposed on a side surface of the entrance.
In addition, the robot cleaner station may further include a duster washer configured to wash the duster of the robot cleaner, wherein the duster washer is disposed on the side surface of the entrance.
Further, the seating assembly may be disposed between the dust collector and the duster washer.
Additionally, a dust bag of the dust collector may be provided to be drawn out from the housing.
In addition, a detergent container of the duster washer may be provided to be drawn out from the housing.
Meanwhile, the robot cleaner station may further include a duster dryer configured to dry the duster of the robot cleaner, wherein the duster dryer is disposed behind the seating assembly.
Meanwhile, the robot cleaner station may further include a door provided in the housing to open and close the entrance, wherein the door is disposed on the front surface of the housing. Therefore, it is possible to minimize external exposure of the robot cleaner station.
With this arrangement, when the robot cleaner is coupled to the seating assembly, at least a portion of the dust collector may be disposed to be lower than an uppermost end of the robot cleaner.
In addition, when the robot cleaner is coupled to the seating assembly, at least a portion of the duster washer may be disposed to be lower than the uppermost end of the robot cleaner.
Further, when the robot cleaner is coupled to the seating assembly, at least a portion of the duster dryer may be disposed to be lower than the uppermost end of the robot cleaner.
Meanwhile, a robot cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing, a seating assembly which is disposed in the housing and to which at least a portion of a robot cleaner is coupled, a dust collector configured to collect dust inside a dust bin of the robot cleaner, a suction flow path connecting a dust through hole formed in the seating assembly to the dust collector, a dust collection motor configured to generate a suction force so that the dust inside the dust bin flows into the dust collector through the suction flow path, an exhaust port formed on the seating assembly, and an exhaust flow path configured to guide air discharged from the dust collection motor to the exhaust port.
In addition, the seating assembly may include abase having the exhaust flow path formed therein, and an agitator accommodation portion which is disposed on the base and in which at least a portion of an agitator of the robot cleaner is accommodated.
Furthermore, the agitator accommodation portion may include a recess recessed in the base and having the exhaust port formed at one side thereof, and a protrusion protruding from the base and guiding air discharged through the exhaust port to a suction unit of the robot cleaner.
In addition, in a state in which the robot cleaner is seated on the base, the protrusion may be disposed between a pair of wheels of the robot cleaner.
Additionally, the exhaust flow path may be bent at least once.
In addition, the robot cleaner station may further include a dust collection motor housing configured to accommodate the dust collection motor, and the dust collection motor housing includes a discharge hole disposed at the same height as the exhaust port and guiding air discharged from the dust collection motor to the exhaust flow path.
The robot cleaner may further include a suction motor configured to provide a suction force to a suction unit of the robot cleaner, and the suction motor is driven together when the dust collection motor is driven.
Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a robot cleaner system may include a robot cleaner station disposed in a lower space of kitchen furniture, and a robot cleaner docked to the robot cleaner station, wherein the robot cleaner includes a suction unit to which air containing dust is suctioned, and a dust bin in which the dust suctioned through the suction unit is stored, the robot cleaner station includes a housing including a seating assembly to which at least a portion of the robot cleaner is coupled, a dust collector configured to collect dust inside the dust bin, a suction flow path connecting a dust through hole formed in the seating assembly to the dust collector, a dust collection motor configured to generate a suction force so that the dust inside the dust bin flows into the dust collector through the suction flow path, and an exhaust flow path configured to guide air discharged from the dust collection motor to the suction unit of the robot cleaner.
In addition, an accommodation space in which the robot cleaner is configured to be accommodated may be disposed in the seating assembly, and the robot cleaner station may further include an exhaust port configured to guide the air discharged from the dust collection motor to the accommodation space.
In addition, the robot cleaner station may further include an agitator accommodation portion in which an agitator of the robot cleaner is accommodated and on which the exhaust port is formed.
In addition, the robot cleaner may further include a suction motor configured to provide a suction force to the suction unit, and the suction motor is driven together when the dust collection motor is driven.
The exhaust flow path may include a connection pipe having one end communicating with the suction unit and the other end communicating with the exhaust port.
Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a robot cleaner system may include a structure including at least any one of a water supply pipe and a drain pipe, arobot cleaner station disposed in a lower space of the structure, and a robot cleaner docked to the robot cleaner station, wherein the robot cleaner includes a suction unit to which air containing dust is suctioned, and a dust bin in which the dust suctioned through the suction unit is stored, the robot cleaner station includes a housing including a seating assembly to which at least a portion of the robot cleaner is coupled, a dust collector disposed inside the housing and collecting dust inside the dust bin, a suction flow path connecting a dust through hole formed in the seating assembly to the dust collector, a dust collection motor configured to generate a suction force so that the dust inside the dust bin flows into the dust collector through the suction flow path, and an exhaust flow path configured to guide air discharged from the dust collection motor to the suction unit of the robot cleaner.
In addition, an accommodation space in which the robot cleaner is configured to be accommodated may be disposed in the seating assembly, and the robot cleaner station may further include an exhaust port configured to guide the air discharged from the dust collection motor to the accommodation space.
In addition, the robot cleaner station may further include an agitator accommodation portion in which an agitator of the robot cleaner is accommodated and on which the exhaust port is formed.
Furthermore, the robot cleaner may further include a suction motor configured to provide a suction force to the suction unit, and the suction motor may be driven together when the dust collection motor is driven.
In addition, the exhaust flow path may include a connection pipe having one end communicating with the suction unit and the other end communicating with the exhaust port.
Further, the structure may be disposed to be spaced a predetermined distance from a floor surface, and the robot cleaner station may be disposed in a space between the structure and the bottom surface.
Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a robot cleaner station may include a housing, a seating assembly which is disposed in the housing and to which at least a portion of a robot cleaner is coupled, a washing board which is disposed on the seating assembly and on which at least a portion of a duster of the robot cleaner is seated, and a duster dryer configured to dry the duster, wherein the duster dryer includes a heat supply module configured to discharge heat to the washing board, and a heat discharge port through which air heated by the heat is discharged.
In addition, the duster dryer may further include a heat discharge flow path connecting the heat discharge port to a drain pipe of kitchen furniture, and an exhaust fan configured to generate a flow of air flowing from the heat discharge port to the drain pipe.
Further, the heat discharge flow path may be connected to a downstream with respect to a U-trap of the drain pipe.
In addition, the duster dryer may further include a check valve configured to prevent a fluid inside the drain pipe from flowing back to the heat discharge flow path.
In addition, the heat supply module may include an air inlet through which air outside the housing is introduced, an air outlet configured to discharge the air to the washing board, a connection flow path connecting the air inlet to the air outlet, a blowing fan disposed on the connection flow path and blowing the air using the washing board, and a heater configured to heat the air flowing through the connection flow path.
In addition, the air outlet may be opened in a direction facing the duster.
In addition, the duster dryer may further include a heat discharge flow path connecting the heat discharge port to an external space of the housing, and an exhaust fan configured to generate a flow of air flowing from the heat discharge port to the external space of the housing.
In addition, a guide member may be configured to guide the air in a direction away from an outer wall surface of the housing is disposed at an outlet of the heat discharge flow path.
In addition, the duster may be disposed between the heat supply module and the exhaust fan.
Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a robot cleaner system may include a housing disposed in a lower space of kitchen furniture, a seating assembly which is disposed in the housing and on which an accommodation space in which a robot cleaner is accommodated is formed, a dust collector configured to collect dust inside a dust bin of the robot cleaner, a suction flow path connecting a dust through hole formed in the seating assembly to the dust collector, a dust collection motor configured to generate a suction force so that the dust inside the dust bin flows into the dust collector through the suction flow path, a duster washer configured to wash a duster of the robot cleaner, and a duster dryer configured to dry the duster.
In addition, the duster dryer may include a heat supply module configured to supply heat to the accommodation space, a heat discharge flow path connecting the accommodation space to a drain pipe of the kitchen furniture, and an exhaust fan configured to discharge air in the accommodation space to the drain pipe through the heat discharge flow path.
In addition, the heat discharge flow path may be connected to a downstream with respect to a U-trap of the drain pipe.
In addition, the duster dryer may further include a check valve configured to prevent a fluid inside the drain pipe from flowing back to the heat discharge flow path.
Further, the heat supply module may include a connection flow path connecting the external space of the housing to the accommodation space, a blowing fan disposed on the connection flow path and blowing air toward the accommodation space, and a heater configured to heat the air flowing through the connection flow path.
In addition, an air outlet of the connection flow path may be opened in a direction facing the duster.
In addition, the duster dryer may include a heat supply module configured to supply heat to the accommodation space, a heat discharge flow path connecting the accommodation space to the external space of the housing, and an exhaust fan configured to discharge air in the accommodation space to the external space of the housing through the heat discharge flow path.
Furthermore, the heat supply module may include a connection flow path connecting the external space of the housing to the accommodation space, a blowing fan disposed on the connection flow path and blowing air introduced from the external space of the housing, and a heater configured to heat the air flowing through the connection flow path.
In addition, a guide member may be configured to guide the air in a direction away from an outer wall surface of the housing is disposed at an outlet of the discharge flow path.
In addition, the duster may be disposed between the heat supply module and the exhaust fan.
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Since the present disclosure may have various changes and various embodiments, specific embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings and specifically described in the detail descriptions. This is not intended to limit the present disclosure to specific embodiments and should be construed to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.
In the description of the present disclosure, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components may not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a second component may be referred to as a first component, and similarly, the first component may also be referred to as the second component without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
The term “and/of” includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of the plurality of related listed items.
When a first component is described as being “connected” or “coupled” to a second component, it can be understood that the first component may be directly connected or coupled to the second component, but a third component may be present therebetween. On the other hand, when the first component is described as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to the second component, it can be understood that the third component is not present therebetween.
The terms used in the present application are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
In the present application, it can be understood that terms “include” or “have” are intended to specify that a feature, a number, a step, an operation, a component, a part, or a combination thereof described in the specification is present, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.
Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The terms defined in a generally used dictionary can be construed as meanings that match with the meanings of the terms from the context of the related technology and are not construed as an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless clearly defined in the present application.
In addition, the following embodiments are provided to provide a more complete description to those skilled in the art, and the shapes, sizes, etc. of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer description.
A cleaner system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided at a lower side of kitchen furniture 2. Specifically, the kitchen furniture 2 may be disposed in kitchen to store dishes, plates, cups, etc. and provide a space in which food may be cooked or the dishes may be washed.
In addition, the kitchen furniture 2 may be provided with a top plate (worktop) that may function as a sink, a cooking table, or a worktop.
For example, the kitchen furniture 2 may include a kitchen sink, which provides the space in which the dishes may be washed, on the top plate. Alternatively, the kitchen furniture 2 may include a cooking table on which cooking operations are performed. In addition, the kitchen furniture 2 may include a gas range support on which a gas range, an induction, a highlight, an oven, etc. are installed.
In general, the kitchen furniture 2 may use a standard cabinet with a width of 600 mm in a front-rear direction.
The cleaner system 1 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided at a lower side of a structure including at least any one of a water supply pipe and a drain pipe. Specifically, the water supply pipe may be a flow path connected to an external water supply source for supplying a fluid to the structure, and the drain pipe may be a flow path through which fluid discharged from the structure is discharged to a sewer. In this embodiment, the structure may include a cabinet including plumbing. Further, the cabinet including plumbing may be disposed in a kitchen, a bathroom, or a washroom, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
A lower portion of the kitchen furniture 2 or the structure may be provided with a storage cabinet for storing dishes, kitchen tools, etc. That is, the kitchen furniture 2 or the structure may include a top plate 22 that provides a space in which cooking or dish-washing may be performed, a bottom plate 23 disposed to be spaced a predetermined height from the ground, and a storage space disposed between the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 23 to store dishes, kitchen tools, etc. In this case, when the kitchen furniture 2 is a kitchen sink, a sink 22a may be disposed on the top plate 22. However, in another embodiment, the cleaner system 1 may be disposed in any structure including a sink 22a.
In addition, the bottom plate 23 may be supported by a pedestal 21. The pedestal 21 may be disposed in a direction perpendicular to the floor of the kitchen to support a load of the kitchen furniture 2. In this case, a space may be formed between the floor and the bottom plate 23 depending on a height of the pedestal 21.
Alternatively, the kitchen furniture 2 may be fixed to a building wall without the pedestal 21. Even in this case, a space may be formed between the floor and the bottom plate 23.
The cleaner system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted in the space (hereinafter referred to as a mounting space 24) between the floor and the bottom plate 23 as described above.
Therefore, according to the present disclosure, since the cleaner system 1 is disposed in the lower space of the kitchen furniture 2, it is possible to minimize external exposure of the cleaner system 1.
In addition, compared to a robot cleaner charging station being disposed in a predetermined space of a living room, a room, or kitchen, the cleaner system 1 is disposed in an unused space under the kitchen furniture 2. Therefore, it is possible to maximize space efficiency, as the cleaner system 1 is disposed in a toe space under the structure.
Meanwhile, the kitchen furniture 2 or the structure is provided with a drain pipe 25 through which a liquid used for cooking or water used for dish-washing may drain. At least a portion of the drain pipe 25 may be disposed in the storage space disposed between the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 23. In general, the drain pipe 25 may be connected to a drain port formed in the sink 22a of the kitchen sink. The drain pipe 25 includes a U-trap 25a for preventing a backflow of contaminated gas or odor. The U-trap 25a may be disposed in the storage space of the kitchen furniture 2 or structure. A liquid introduced through the drain port flows downward due to gravity at an upstream side 25b of the U-trap, accumulates in the U-trap 25a, and when water rises a predetermined level or more set by the U-trap 25a, the water may flow downward along a downstream 25c of the U-trap and may be discharged to a sewer.
The cleaner system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may wash and dry a duster 242 of a robot cleaner 200. After the duster 242 is cleaned, the by-products of the cleaning process can be removed from the cleaner system 1 using the drain pipe 25.
In addition, the kitchen furniture 2 may be provided with a water supply pipe. Fresh water (or purified water) may be supplied to the cleaner system 1 through the water supply pipe.
Hereinafter, a specific structure of the cleaner system 1 will be described.
Meanwhile,
The cleaner system 1 according to the embodiment of the present specification may include a robot cleaner station 100 and the robot cleaner 200.
The cleaner system 1 includes the robot cleaner station 100. The robot cleaner 200 may be coupled to the robot cleaner station 100. Specifically, the robot cleaner 200 may enter a front entrance of the robot cleaner station 100, and the robot cleaner 200 may be accommodated inside the robot cleaner station 100. The robot cleaner station 100 may remove dust in a dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200. Further, the robot cleaner station 100 may wash a rotational cleaning unit 240 of the robot cleaner 200. The robot cleaner station 100 may dry the rotational cleaning unit 240 of the robot cleaner 200. The robot cleaner station 100 may supply power to the robot cleaner 200.
Meanwhile,
A structure of the robot cleaner 200 will be described with reference to
The robot cleaner 200 may automatically clean an area to be cleaned by suctioning a foreign substance, such as dust, from the floor while autonomously traveling in the area to be cleaned.
The robot cleaner 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is disposed on the floor to clean the floor while moving along a floor surface. Therefore, the following description will be made by setting a vertical direction based on a state in which the robot cleaner 200 is disposed on the floor.
In addition, description will be made by setting a side at which an auxiliary wheel 270 to be described below is located as a front side and setting a side at which the rotational cleaning unit 240 to be described below is located as a rear side based on a pair of wheels 260. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, other configurations of the auxiliary wheel 270 and the pair of wheels 260 in relation to a front side of the robot cleaner 200 may also be used.
A “lowest portion” of each component described in embodiments of the present disclosure may be a lowest portion of each component when the robot cleaner 200 may be a portion closest to the floor.
The robot cleaner 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a body 210, a dust bin 220, a water container 230, the rotational cleaning unit 240, an agitator 250, the wheel 260, the auxiliary wheel 270, and a charging terminal 280.
The body 210 may form the overall appearance of the robot cleaner 200. Components of the robot cleaner 200 may be coupled to the body 210, and some components of the robot cleaner 200 may be accommodated inside the body 210.
Specifically, the body 210 may be provided with the components of the robot cleaner 200 in its internal space. As an example, the body 210 may accommodate a battery and at least one motor in the internal space.
In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the body 210 may have a shape in which a width (or a diameter) in a horizontal direction (direction parallel to X and Y) is greater than a height in a vertical direction (direction parallel to Z). The body 210 may support the robot cleaner 200 to have a stable structure and provide an advantageous structure for avoiding obstacles when the robot cleaner 200 moves (travels).
When viewed from top or bottom, the body 210 may have various shapes, such as a circular, elliptical, or quadrangular shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
The body 210 may be divided into a lower body and an upper body, and the lower body and the upper body may be coupled to form an internal space. The lower body may be coupled to the upper body to form a space in which a battery, at least one sensor, and at least one motor may be accommodated.
A hole for accommodating a suction unit 211 through which air is introduced and the pair of wheels 260 may be disposed in the lower body. The suction unit 211 may be a passage through which dust on the floor is introduced into the robot cleaner 200. In addition, the suction unit 211 may communicate with a suction flow path disposed inside the body 210, and the suction flow path may communicate with an internal space of the dust bin 220.
Meanwhile, an exhaust flow path may be further provided in the lower body. The exhaust flow path may have one side communicating with the internal space of the dust bin 220 and the other side communicating with an exhaust port. In this case, a filter may be disposed on the exhaust port. With this configuration, air introduced through the suction unit 211 may flow into the dust bin 220 through the suction flow path and may be discharged to the exhaust port through the exhaust flow path.
Next, the agitator 250 to be described below may be rotatably accommodated in the suction unit 211. With this configuration, dust around the suction unit 211 may be guided into the suction unit 211 by the rotation of the agitator 250, and the efficiency of sucking the dust can be increased.
The upper body may form an upper appearance of the robot cleaner 200. Furthermore, a display may be provided on the upper body.
Additionally, the robot cleaner 200 according to the present disclosure may include a bumper. The bumper is coupled along an edge of the body 210 and is configured to move relatively with respect to the body 210.
The bumper may be coupled along a portion of the edge of the body 210 or coupled along the entire edge of the body 210. At least one elastic member may be provided between the bumper and the body 210. With this configuration, when the bumper is in contact with an obstacle, etc. to move relatively toward the center of the body 210, the bumper may be returned to an original location by a restoring force of the elastic member and can prevent and reduce the transmission of an impact to the body 210 by absorbing or dispersing the impact applied to the bumper.
The dust bin 220 may be provided to suction external dust and air and store the dust. The dust bin 220 may store dust introduced through the suction flow path. The dust bin 220 may have a dust inlet that communicates with the suction flow path, an internal space in which dust may be stored, and an air outlet through which air may be discharged.
Further, the dust bin 220 may be provided inside the body 210. In this case, the dust bin 220 may be not only fixedly coupled to the body 210 but also may be detachably provided according to an embodiment.
Meanwhile, in the present disclosure, a dust discharge flow path may be formed in the dust bin 220. The dust discharge flow path may allow the internal space of the dust bin 220 to communicate with an external space of the robot cleaner 200. With this configuration, when dust is collected through the robot cleaner station 100, the dust inside the dust bin 220 may be removed.
Meanwhile, a dust outlet 221 communicating with the dust discharge flow path may be disposed in the dust bin 220 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. As an example, the dust outlet 221 may be formed at one side of a rear outer surface (or an outer circumferential surface) of the body 210. As another example, the dust outlet 221 may be disposed on an outer surface of the dust bin 220.
In addition, the robot cleaner 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided with a dust bin door 222 capable of selectively opening and closing the dust outlet 221. Specifically, the dust bin door 222 may be coupled to the body 210 and disposed at a location at which the dust outlet 221 may be blocked. As an example, the dust bin door 222 may be made of a rubber or resin material and provided in a flippable manner so that one side may be fixedly coupled to the body 210.
With this configuration, when a dust collection motor 152 of the robot cleaner station 100, which will be described below, is operated, the dust bin door 222 may be elastically deformed by a driving force of the dust collection motor 152, and as the dust outlet 221 is opened, the dust in the dust bin 220 may be collected in a dust collector 140 of the robot cleaner station 100.
The water container 230 is formed in the form of a container having an internal space so that a liquid such as water is stored therein. The water container 230 may be disposed inside the body 210 and may be fixedly coupled to the body 210 or detachably coupled to the body 210.
The water container 230 includes a supply unit 231 and a nozzle. The supply unit 231 may be provided to supply an external liquid such as water. For example, the supply unit 231 may have an injection port formed at the other side of the rear outer surface (or the outer circumferential surface) of the body 210 and may be connected to a storage space inside the water container 230 through a water supply hose.
In this case, the supply unit 231 may be disposed at opposite sides in a left-right direction of the robot cleaner 200 in the relationship with the dust outlet 221. For example, when the dust outlet 221 is disposed at a rear left side of the body 210, the supply unit 231 may be disposed at a rear right side of the body 210.
With this configuration, the robot cleaner station 100 may simultaneously collect dust and inject water in a state in which the robot cleaner 200 is coupled to the robot cleaner station 100.
Meanwhile, the nozzle is formed in the form of a tube or a pipe and is connected to the water container 230 so that a liquid inside the water container 230 may flow through an inside of the nozzle. The nozzle may have one side connected to the water container 230 and the other end portion disposed to be located above a pair of rotational plates 241, and thus the liquid inside the water container 230 may be supplied to each of the pair of dusters 242.
That is, the nozzle may be formed in the form of one pipe branched into two, and in this case, an end portion of any one branched may be located above the left rotational plate, and an end portion of the other branched may be located above the right rotational plate.
Meanwhile, although not shown, the water container 230 may be provided with a pump to flow the water inside the water container 230 to the nozzle. Therefore, when the pump of the water container 230 is operated, the liquid stored in the water container 230 may be discharged to the rotational cleaning unit 240 through the nozzle.
The rotational cleaning unit 240 includes the rotational plate 241 and the duster 242. The rotational plate 241 may be provided as a pair of the left rotational plate and the right rotational plate, and the duster 242 may be provided as a pair of a left duster and a right duster. Additionally, the rotational plate 241 may be rotatably disposed on a bottom surface of the body 210, and the duster 242 may be coupled to a lower side thereof.
The rotational plate 241 is configured to have a predetermined area and is configured in the form of a flat plate, a flat frame, etc. The rotational plate 241 is generally laid horizontally, and thus has a shape in which a width (or a diameter) in a horizontal direction is sufficiently greater than a height in a vertical direction. The rotational plate 241 coupled to the body 210 may be parallel to a floor surface B or may be inclined to the floor surface B. The rotational plate 241 may be formed in a circular plate shape, a bottom surface of the rotational plate 241 may be generally circular, and the rotational plate 241 may be entirely symmetrical rotationally. The pair of rotational plates 241 may be symmetrical.
The duster 242 may be coupled to the lower side of the rotational plate 241 to face the floor surface B. The duster 242 is disposed so that the bottom surface facing the floor has a predetermined area, and the duster 242 is disposed in a flat shape. The duster 242 is disposed in a shape in which a width (or a diameter) in a horizontal direction is sufficiently greater than a height in a vertical direction. When the duster 242 is coupled to the body 210 side, the bottom surface of the duster 242 may be parallel to the floor surface B or inclined to the floor surface B.
The bottom surface of the duster 242 may be generally circular, and the duster 242 may be entirely symmetrical rotationally. In addition, the duster 242 may be detachably attached to the bottom surface of the rotational plate 241 and coupled to the rotational plate 241 to rotate together with the rotational plate 241.
Meanwhile, the rotational cleaning unit 240 may be provided with a driving unit for applying a rotational force to the rotational plate 241. For example, the driving unit may include a motor and at least one gear. Therefore, when the driving unit is operated, the rotational plate 241 and the duster 242 rotate to mop and clean the floor.
The agitator 250 may be rotatably provided with a plurality of brushes to guide external dust and air to the dust bin 220. In this case, the agitator 250 may be provided with at least one gear.
Meanwhile, the agitator 250 according to the present embodiment may be provided with a separate agitator motor to receive rotational power and according to an embodiment, may receive rotational power from a driving motor and receive rotational power from the driving unit of the rotational cleaning unit 240.
The wheel 260 may be provided on the bottom surface of the body 210 and connected to the driving unit. In this case, the driving unit may be coupled to the body 210.
The wheel 260 may be provided on the body 210 and may roll on the floor surface.
The wheel 260 may be composed of a first driving wheel and a second driving wheel. In this case, the first driving wheel may be configured identically to or symmetrically to the second driving wheel. As an example, when the first driving wheel is located at the left side of the robot cleaner 200, the second driving wheel may be located at the right side of the robot cleaner 200, and in this case, the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel may be symmetrical in a left-right direction.
The driving unit may include a driving motor and a gear. In this case, the driving motor may be accommodated inside the body 210 and may provide power to the wheel 260. The driving motor may include a first driving motor and a second driving motor.
The driving motor may be configured as an electric motor. A plurality of gears are configured by being engaged to rotate, connect the driving motor to the wheel 260, and transmit the rotational power of the driving motor to the wheel 260. Therefore, the wheel 260 may rotate when a rotation shaft of the driving motor rotates.
With this configuration, when the driving motor is operated, the wheel 260 may rotate, and the body 210 may travel at a predetermined traveling speed on the floor surface.
The auxiliary wheel 270 may be provided on a lower surface of the body 210 and may roll on the floor surface (surface to be cleaned). The auxiliary wheel 270 may support the body 210 on the floor surface together with the pair of wheels 260. With this configuration, the auxiliary wheel 270 can minimize friction between the robot cleaner 200 and the floor surface and at the same time, guide the movement of the robot cleaner 200.
The suction motor may generate a suction force capable of suctioning external dust and air through the suction unit 211. As an example, the suction motor may be an electric motor. External dust and air may flow into the suction unit 211 by the suction force generated by the suction motor and reach the dust bin 220 after passing through the suction flow path.
Although not shown, the battery is coupled to the body 210 to supply power to other components of the robot cleaner 200. The battery may supply power to at least one motor provided in the robot cleaner 200. For example, the battery may supply power to motors provided in the rotational cleaning unit 240, the agitator 250, the wheel 260, and the suction motor.
In addition, the battery may supply power to a sensor unit and a control unit.
The battery may be charged by an external power source, and to this end, the charging terminal 280 for charging may be provided at one side of the body 210. For example, the charging terminal 280 may be disposed on the rear outer surface of the body 210. When the robot cleaner 200 is coupled to the robot cleaner station 100, the charging terminal 280 may receive power by being in contact with a power supply terminal 123b of the robot cleaner station 100.
The robot cleaner station 100 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to
The robot cleaner 200 may be accommodated in the robot cleaner station 100. The robot cleaner 200 may be coupled to a seating assembly 120 of the robot cleaner station 100. Further, the seating assembly 120 may also be known as a seat unit.
The robot cleaner station 100 may include a housing 110.
The housing 110 may form the appearance of the robot cleaner station 100. As an example, the housing 110 may be formed in a shape similar to a hexahedron including at least one outer wall surface.
The housing 110 may have a space in which the seating assembly 120, a dust collection flow path 130, the dust collector 140, the dust collection motor 152, a duster washer 160, a duster dryer 170, and an exhaust flow path 125a may be accommodated formed therein. Further, the dust collector 140 may also be known as a dust collection unit.
The housing 110 may be mounted at the lower side of the kitchen furniture 2. Specifically, the housing 110 may be installed in the mounting space 24 formed between the bottom plate 23 of the kitchen furniture 2 and the floor of the kitchen.
The housing 110 includes a pair of outer wall surfaces 111 facing each other. The outer wall surface 111 may be a surface formed in a direction of gravity.
As an example, the pair of outer wall surfaces may be installed at the lower side of the kitchen furniture 2 at a predetermined interval. As another example, the housing 110 may further include a bottom surface facing the kitchen floor, and the pair of outer wall surfaces may be connected through the bottom surface. As still another example, the housing 110 may further include a bottom surface facing the floor of the kitchen and a top surface facing the lower plate 23 of the kitchen furniture 2, and both upper and lower end portions of the pair of outer wall surfaces may be connected through the bottom surface and the top surface. As still another example, the housing 110 may further include the bottom surface, the top surface, and a rear surface facing a building wall.
With this configuration, the components of the robot cleaner station 100 may be accommodated inside the housing 110 (between the pair of outer wall surfaces).
Meanwhile, the housing 110 may be formed in a form in which the upper and lower surfaces of the pair of outer wall surfaces 111 are closed by a housing cover. With this configuration, even when foreign substances fall downward from the kitchen furniture 2 or the structure, the components of the robot cleaner 200 and the robot cleaner station 100 can be prevented from being contaminated.
In addition, the robot cleaner 200 may be accommodated inside the housing 110. The housing 110 may be disposed so that the pair of outer wall surfaces have a gap greater than a maximum width of the robot cleaner 200 in a horizontal direction. With this configuration, the robot cleaner 200 may enter and exit the housing 110.
In this case, in the present embodiment, the robot cleaner 200 may enter and exit the front of the robot cleaner station 100. Here, the front may be a direction in which a door 126 is provided with respect to the inside of the robot cleaner station 100.
In addition, the rear may be a direction opposite to the front with respect to the inside of the robot cleaner station 100. For example, a building wall may be disposed at the rear of the robot cleaner station 100. Additionally, a rear of the kitchen furniture 2 or the structure may correspond to the rear of the robot cleaner station 100.
In addition, a left side may be referred to as a left room, and a right side may be referred to as a right room with respect to when viewing the front from the inside of the robot cleaner station 100.
That is, the outer wall surface of the robot cleaner station 100 may be disposed in each of the left room and the right room.
Therefore, the top side of the housing 110 may be covered by the kitchen furniture 2 or the structure, and the bottom side of the housing 110 may be covered by the floor. In addition, left and right surfaces of the housing 110 are present in a state of being covered with the outer wall, but are disposed in the lower portion of the kitchen furniture 2 or the structure. In this case, since a portion excluding the robot cleaner station 100 of the lower portion of the kitchen furniture 2 is finished by a baseboard 26, as a result, only a front surface of the housing 110 may be exposed to the outside of the kitchen furniture 2 or the structure. Therefore, it is possible to minimize external exposure of the robot cleaner station 100 and the robot cleaner 200.
With this configuration, the robot cleaner station 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can provide an aesthetic sense to a user in terms of an interior design.
Meanwhile, a space through which a water supply hose connected to the water supply pipe passes and a space through which a drain hose through which wastewater generated after cleaning the duster 242 is discharged passes may be disposed in the housing 110, and a space through which a hose through which moisture generated in the drying process for the duster 242 is discharged passes may be disposed therein. For example, a space through which the hoses may pass may be formed in at least one of the outer wall surface, rear surface, and top surface of the housing 110.
In addition, the robot cleaner station 100 may include the seating assembly 120.
The robot cleaner 200 and the robot cleaner station 100 may be connected through the seating assembly 120 in a physical, electrical, and/or flow path manner.
The seating assembly 120 may be disposed inside the housing 110. In this case, according to an embodiment, the seating assembly 120 may be provided to be drawn out from the housing 110 through a drawer 190.
With this configuration, when the seating assembly 120 needs to be washed or repaired or some components thereof need to be replaced, the user may easily draw out and manage the seating assembly 120.
An entrance 127 through which the robot cleaner 200 is drawn in may be formed in the seating assembly 120. The entrance 127 may be a space formed in the front surface of the robot cleaner station 100.
The entrance 127 may be formed in a size that may allow the robot cleaner 200 to pass therethrough. That is, a height of the entrance 127 is formed to be greater than a height of the robot cleaner 200. In this case, the entrance 127 may be a space formed upward in the vertical direction from a front end portion of a base 121 to be described below, and an upper end of the entrance may be a bottom surface of the bottom plate 23 or an upper end of the housing 110 of the kitchen furniture 2 or the structure.
In addition, the entrance 127 is disposed to have a width in a left-right direction greater than the maximum width of the robot cleaner 200. In this case, at least one of the dust collector 140 and the duster washer 160 may be disposed at left and right sides of the entrance 127. Therefore, left and right end portions of the entrance 127 may form a boundary with the dust collector 140 and the duster washer 160. When any one of the dust collector 140 and the duster washer 160 is not present, an outer wall surface of the housing 110 may become a boundary. Further, the duster washer 160 may also be known as a duster washing unit.
In this case, the entrance 127 may be opened and closed by the door 126. The door 126 may be disposed at the upper end of the entrance 127 and provided with a rotational shaft in a direction parallel to the base 121. The door 126 may be hinge-coupled to the housing 110. Alternatively, the door 126 may be hinge-coupled to a side wall 124 of the seating assembly 120. The door 126 may be rotated by a door driving unit 126a. As an example, the door driving unit 126a may be a motor.
For example, the door 126 may be disposed as a rectangular flat plate and may have the upper end provided with a hinge unit 126b, and the door driving unit 126a may be connected to one end portion of the hinge unit 126b in an axial direction. In this case, the hinge unit 126b of the door 126 may be directly connected to a shaft of the door driving unit 126a and connected to transmit power through at least one gear.
The door 126 may maintain a closed state of the entrance 127 in a state in which the robot cleaner 200 is accommodated in the seating assembly 120. In addition, when the robot cleaner 200 starts traveling from the seating assembly 120, the robot cleaner 200 may be rotated to open the entrance 127. Further, the door 126 may be rotated to close the entrance 127 after the robot cleaner 200 passes through the entrance 127. In addition, the door 126 may be rotated to open the entrance 127 when the robot cleaner 200 approaches the cleaner station 100 from the outside.
The seating assembly 120 may include an accommodation space S, the base 121, a coupling wall 123, and the side wall 124.
The robot cleaner 200 may be accommodated in the accommodation space S of the seating assembly 120. As an example, the accommodation space S may be a space surrounded by the base 121, the coupling wall 123, and the side wall 124. As another example, the accommodation space S may be a space surrounded by the base 121, a washing board 122, the coupling wall 123, and the side wall 124. As still another example, the accommodation space S may be a space in which the robot cleaner 200 is located in a state in which the robot cleaner 200 is coupled to the power supply terminal 123b or a space in which the robot cleaner 200 is located in a state in which the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200 communicates with a dust through hole 123a.
The base 121 is a component that may be disposed so that the robot cleaner station 100 is in contact with the floor surface B and may support the robot cleaner 200 when the robot cleaner 200 is coupled to the robot cleaner station 100. The base 121 may include a base body 121a, an inclined portion 121b, a wheel seating portion 121c, an agitator accommodation portion 121d, and a washing board seating portion 121e.
The base body 121a may form the overall appearance of the base 121. The inclined portion 121b, the wheel seating portion 121c, the agitator accommodation portion 121d, and the washing board seating portion 121e may be disposed on the base body 121a.
The base body 121a may have a shape in which a width (or a diameter) in a horizontal direction (direction parallel to X and Y) is greater than a height in a vertical direction (direction parallel to Z). With this structure, the robot cleaner station 100 can be stably supported on the floor surface.
An exhaust flow path 125a may be provided inside the base body 121a. Therefore, the air discharged from the dust collection motor 152 may flow through the exhaust flow path 125a formed inside the base body 121a and may be exhausted through an exhaust port 125b. The inclined portion 121b may be disposed at an inlet of the base body 121a, the inclined portion 121b being a portion where the robot cleaner 200 moves upward.
The inclined portion 121b may have upward inclination forward in a direction in which the robot cleaner 200 enters. More specifically, the inclined portion 121b may be connected so that a front end portion of the inlet side has no difference in height from the ground and may have upward inclination forward in the direction in which the robot cleaner 200 enters. Therefore, the robot cleaner 200 may easily move upward from the ground to the robot cleaner station 100.
The inclined portion 121b may be provided with a wheel guide portion 121ba. The wheel guide portion 121ba may be disposed in the form of a groove to guide the movement of the wheels 260 of the robot cleaner 200. A surface of the wheel guide portion 121ba may be disposed to correspond to a surface of the wheel 260 so that the robot cleaner 200 may travel stably. In addition, the wheel guide portion 121ba may be disposed to have a width of the groove greater than a width of the wheel 260 at the inlet at which the robot cleaner 200 moves upward and disposed to have the smaller width of the groove compared to the inlet forward from an upward movement path of the robot cleaner 200. Therefore, the wheel 260 of the robot cleaner 200 may easily enter the robot cleaner station 100, and due to the restriction to the left and right movement by the groove with a gradually decreasing width, the wheel 260 may be guided to a correct location.
The inclined portion 121b may be provided with an auxiliary wheel guide portion 121bb. The auxiliary wheel guide portion 121bb may be disposed as a groove to guide the movement of the auxiliary wheel 270 of the robot cleaner 200. In addition, the auxiliary wheel guide portion 121bb may be disposed to protrude to be in contact with the auxiliary wheel 270 when the wheels 260 of the robot cleaner 200 is seated on the wheel guide portion 121ba. Therefore, when the robot cleaner 200 travels on the inclined portion 121b, the robot cleaner 200 may travel while being stably supported by both the wheels 260 and the auxiliary wheel 270.
The wheels 260 of the robot cleaner 200, which move upward along the wheel guide portion 121ba, may be seated on the wheel seating portions 121c. When the wheels 260 of the robot cleaner 200 are seated on the wheel seating portions 121c, the robot cleaner 200 and the robot cleaner station 100 may be physically coupled. A surface of the wheel seating portion 121c may be disposed to correspond to a surface of the wheel 260 so that the robot cleaner 200 may stop stably. The wheel seating portion 121c may extend from an upper end of the wheel guide portion 121ba. The wheel seating portion 121c may be connected to the wheel guide portion 121ba without any step. Therefore, the robot cleaner 200 may easily move to the wheel seating portion 121c through the inclined portion 121b.
The wheel seating portion 121c may be disposed at stop locations of the left and right wheels 260 of the robot cleaner 200 so that the robot cleaner 200 stops at a correct location. Here, the stop locations of the wheels 260 are locations determined so that the robot cleaner 200 stops so as to be coupled to the power supply terminal 123b and/or locations determined so that the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200 stops so as to communicate with the dust through hole 123a.
A shape of the wheel seating portion 121c may be disposed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the wheel 260 of the robot cleaner 200, that is, an arch shape. With this configuration, the robot cleaner 200 may move along the wheel guide portion 121ba and then stop at the same time as the wheels 260 are inserted into the wheel seating portions 121c, and the wheels 260 may be stably seated on the arch-shaped wheel seating portions 121c.
The agitator 250 of the robot cleaner 200 may be accommodated in the agitator accommodation portion 121d. Specifically, the agitator accommodation portion 121d may provide a space in which the agitator 250 of the robot cleaner 200 is accommodated in a state in which the wheels 260 of the robot cleaner 200 are seated on the wheel seating portions 121c.
The agitator accommodation portion 121d may include a recess 121da and a protrusion 121db. The recess 121da may be disposed to be recessed in the base 121. The recess 121da may form an accommodation space 121dc in which at least a portion of the agitator 250 is accommodated. Therefore, in a state in which the wheels 260 of the robot cleaner 200 are seated on the wheel seating portions 121c, at least a portion of the agitator 250 may be accommodated in the accommodation space 121dc of the recess 121da.
The accommodation space 121dc of the recess 121da may communicate with the accommodation space S of the seating assembly 120.
The exhaust port 125b may be disposed at one side of the recess 121da. Specifically, the exhaust port 125b may be disposed on a side surface of the recess 121da. Therefore, the air discharged from the dust collection motor 152 and passing through the exhaust flow path 125a may be exhausted to the accommodation space 121dc of the recess 121da through the exhaust port 125b.
Further, the protrusion 121db may be disposed to protrude from the base 121. The protrusion 121db may be disposed along an edge of the recess 121da. In addition, in a state in which the agitator 250 is accommodated in the accommodation space 121dc of the recess 121da, the protrusion 121db may be disposed to be spaced a predetermined distance from the body 210 of the robot cleaner 200.
The protrusion 121db may guide the air discharged through the exhaust port 125b to the suction unit 211 of the robot cleaner 200. Therefore, the air discharged to the accommodation space 121dc of the recess 121da may be guided to the suction unit 211 of the robot cleaner 200 by the protrusion 121db.
In addition, the agitator accommodation portion 121d may be disposed between the wheel seating portions 121c. The agitator accommodation portion 121d may be disposed in a shape corresponding to the agitator 250 of the robot cleaner 200. The agitator accommodation portion 121d may be disposed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top, however the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A lower surface of the agitator accommodation portion 121d may be sealed by the bottom surface of the base body 121a or the bottom surface of the housing 110. Therefore, the agitator 250 of the robot cleaner 200, which moves upward along the inclined portion 121b, may be seated in the recess 121da through the open upper surface of the agitator accommodation portion 121d. In this case, a depth of the recess 121da may be formed to be smaller than a depth of the wheel seating portion 121c.
The exhaust port 125b may be disposed in the agitator accommodation portion 121d. The exhaust port 125b may be disposed on a side surface of the agitator accommodation portion 121d. The exhaust port 125b may connect the recess 121da of the agitator accommodation portion 121d to the dust collection motor 152 through the exhaust flow path 125a. The recess 121da of the agitator accommodation portion 121d may communicate with the exhaust flow path 125a through the exhaust port 125b. Therefore, the air discharged from the dust collection motor 152 may pass through the exhaust port 125b and may be discharged to the recess 121da of the agitator accommodation portion 121d.
Next, the coupling wall 123 is a component on which the dust through hole 123a, the power supply terminal 123b, and a water supply nozzle 123c of the robot cleaner station 100 are disposed. The coupling wall 123 may spatially separate the accommodation space S from the components of the robot cleaner station 100. The coupling wall 123 may extend from the rear side of the base 121 in a direction intersecting the base 121. Further, the coupling wall 123 may extend from the rear side of the base 121 in a vertical direction. The coupling wall 123 may be disposed to correspond to the shape of the robot cleaner 200. For example, the coupling wall 123 may be disposed in an arc shape having a predetermined radius. With this configuration, the outside of the robot cleaner 200 can be surrounded, and an area capable of facing the outer surface of the robot cleaner 200 can be increased. In addition, the robot cleaner 200 can be stably supported.
The dust through hole 123a may be disposed in the seating assembly 120 so that external air of the housing 110 may flow therein. Specifically, the dust through hole 123a may be disposed in the coupling wall 123 of the seating assembly 120 so that external air of the housing 110 may flow therein. The dust through hole 123a may communicate with the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200. The dust through hole 123a may communicate with the dust outlet 141b of the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200. Further, the dust through hole 123a may be disposed in a hole shape corresponding to the shape of the dust bin 220 so that the dust in the dust bin 220 flows into the dust collector 140. The dust through hole 123a may be disposed to correspond to the shape of the dust outlet 141b of the dust bin 220. In addition, the dust through hole 123a may be disposed to communicate with the dust collection flow path 130. The air suctioned into the dust through hole 123a may flow through the dust collection flow path 130 and then may be exhausted through an exhaust unit 125.
The power supply terminal 123b may supply power to the robot cleaner 200 coupled to the seating assembly 120. The power supply terminal 123b may be electrically connected by being in contact with the charging terminal 280 of the robot cleaner 200. The power supply terminal 123b may be disposed in the seating assembly 120. Specifically, the power supply terminal 123b may be disposed on the coupling wall 123.
The robot cleaner station 100 may further include a water supply nozzle 123c. The water supply nozzle 123c may be connected to the supply unit 231 of the water container 230 of the robot cleaner 200. Specifically, the water supply nozzle 123c may be connected to the injection port of the water container 230. The injection port is a component connected to the water container 230 of the robot cleaner 200. The water supply nozzle 123c may supply water supplied from the water supply pipe of the kitchen furniture 2 or the structure to the storage space inside the water container 230 of the robot cleaner 200.
Next, the side wall 124 is a component for spatially separating the accommodation space S of the seating assembly 120 from the components of the robot cleaner station 100. A pair of side walls 124 may be disposed at the left and right sides of the base 121. The side wall 124 may be connected to both ends of the coupling wall 123. The side wall 124 may extend from the left and right sides of the base 121 in a direction intersecting the base 121. Specifically, the side wall 124 may extend from the left and right sides of the base 121 in a vertical direction. A height of the side wall 124 may be disposed to correspond to the height of the pedestal 21. Specifically, the height of the side wall 124 may be formed to be the same as the height of the pedestal 21.
Meanwhile, various components such as the dust collection flow path 130, the dust collector 140, the dust collection motor 152, a detergent container 163, and a wastewater container 164 may be disposed outside the side wall 124. Specifically, the dust collector 140, the detergent container 163, and the wastewater container 164 may be accommodated in a space between the side wall 124 and the outer wall surface of the housing 110.
The dust collector 140 and the detergent container 163 may be separated from the space between the side wall 124 and the outer wall surface of the housing 110 in a sliding manner (see
The washing board seating portion 121e is a component in which the washing board 122 to be described below is seated. The washing board seating portion 121e may be disposed at a rear side of the base body 121a. The washing board seating portion 121e may be formed to correspond to the washing board 122 so that the washing board 122 may be inserted.
The washing board 122 is a component for washing the duster of the robot cleaner 200, and the washing board 122 may be seated on the washing board seating portion 121e of the base 121.
A protrusion 122a and a drain hole 122b may be disposed in the washing board 122. When the driving unit of the rotational cleaning unit 240 is driven in a state in which the duster 242 of the robot cleaner 200 is seated on the washing board 122, the duster 242 rotates. In this case, when the duster 242 rotates in a state in which washing water is supplied to the washing board, the duster 242 may be washed while rubbing against the protrusion 122a, which stays in a stationary state.
In addition, the washing board 122 may be disposed to be inclined downward toward the center thereof. Therefore, the washing water flowing along the inclined washing board 122 may wash the duster 242 and then may be discharged to a space formed between the washing board 122 and the washing board seating portion 121e through the drain hole 122b.
The dust collector 140 may collect dust from the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200. The dust collector 140 may be disposed inside the housing 110. The dust collector 140 may be disposed outside the seating assembly 120. In this case, the accommodation space S may be disposed inside the seating assembly 120.
The dust collector 140 may include a dust collector housing 141, a dust bag 142, and a filter.
The dust collector housing 141 may form a space in which the dust bag 142 may be accommodated. For example, the dust collector housing 141 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top. The dust collector housing 141 may be drawn out from the housing 110.
The dust collector housing 141 may have one side communicating with a first flow path 131 and the other side communicating with a second flow path 132. In addition, when the dust bag 142 is coupled to the dust collector housing 141, the dust bag 142 may communicate with the first flow path 131 inside the dust collector housing 141.
The dust collector housing 141 may communicate with the first flow path 131 through an inlet 141a formed on an upper side surface thereof. The inlet 141a may be a component for guiding air flowing through the first flow path 131 into the dust bag 142. The inlet 141a may allow the first flow path 131 to communicate with the dust bag 142. Therefore, dust suctioned from the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200 may move into the dust bag 142 through the first flow path 131 and the inlet 141a.
The dust collector housing 141 may communicate with the second flow path 132 through an outlet 141b formed on a lower side surface thereof. The outlet 141b may be a component for guiding the air passing through the dust collector housing 141 to the second flow path 132. The outlet 141b may be disposed at a different height from the inlet 141a. The outlet 141b may be disposed to be lower than the inlet 141a. The outlet 141b may allow an internal space of the dust collector housing 141 to communicate with the second flow path 132. Therefore, the air in which dust has been filtered while passing through the dust bag 142 may move to the second flow path 132 through the outlet 141b.
The dust bag 142 may be a dust bag for collecting dust suctioned from the inside of the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200 by the dust collection motor 152. The dust bag 142 may be detachably coupled to the dust collector housing 141. Therefore, the dust bag 142 may be separated from the dust collector housing 141 and discarded, and the new dust bag 142 may be coupled to the dust collector housing 141. That is, the dust bag 142 can be defined as a disposable component.
Further, the dust bag 142 may be provided so that dust is accommodated therein as a volume is increased when a suction force is generated by the dust collection motor 152.
To this end, the dust bag 142 may be made of a material that allows air to permeate but does not allow a foreign substance such as dust to permeate. For example, the dust bag 142 may be made of a non-woven material and may have a hexahedral shape corresponding to a shape of the dust collector housing 141 based on when the volume is increased, however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
Alternatively, the dust bag 142 may be made of a non-permeable material. For example, the dust bag 142 may include roll vinyl, however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. With this configuration, when the dust bag 142 is sealed or bonded, dust or odor collected inside the dust bag 142 can be prevented from leaking from the dust bag 142. In this case, the dust bag 142 may be mounted on the dust collector housing 141 through a dust bag cartridge. If necessary, the dust bag 142 may be replaced through the dust bag cartridge.
The filter may be disposed between the dust collector housing 141 and the second flow path 132. The filter may be disposed at the outlet 141b. The filter may be a pre filter or a HEPA filter. The air passing through the dust bag 142 may flow into the second flow path 132 through the filter.
A dust collection flow path 130 will be described with reference to
The robot cleaner station 100 may include the dust collection flow path 130. The dust collection flow path 130 may be a flow path through which the air suctioned through the dust through hole 123a flows to the dust collection motor 152 through the dust collector 140.
Specifically, the dust collection flow path 130 may include the first flow path 131 that allows the dust bin 220 to communicate with the dust collector 140 and the second flow path 132 that allows the dust collector 140 to communicate with the dust collection motor 152 when the robot cleaner 200 is coupled to the robot cleaner station 100 to allow the dust through hole 123a to communicate with the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200.
Meanwhile, in the present specification, the first flow path 131 may be referred to as the suction flow path 131. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, both the first flow path 131 and the suction flow path 131 are referred to as the first flow path 131.
The first flow path 131 may connect the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200 to the dust collector 140. The first flow path 131 may allow the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200 to communicate with the dust collector 140. The first flow path 131 may connect the dust through hole 123a of the seating assembly 120 to the dust collector 140. The first flow path 131 may be a space between the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200 and the dust collector 140. The first flow path 131 may be formed close to a horizontal direction. The first flow path 131 may be a space formed rearward from the dust through hole 123a and may be a flow path formed to be bent from the dust through hole 123a toward the side surfaces to allow dust and air to flow therethrough. The dust in the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200 may move to the dust collector 140 through the first flow path 131.
The second flow path 132 may connect the dust collector 140 to the dust collection motor 152. The second flow path 132 may be formed close to the horizontal direction. In this case, the first flow path 132 and the second flow path 131 may be formed at different heights. The first flow path 131 and the second flow path 132 may be formed in a stack structure. The second flow path 132 may be disposed to be lower than the first flow path 131. With this configuration, it is possible to minimize the width in the left-right direction and the overall volume of the robot cleaner station 100.
The dust collection module 150 may provide a suction airflow to the dust collection flow path 130. Specifically, the dust collection module 150 may include a dust collection motor housing 151 and the dust collection motor 152.
The dust collection motor housing 151 may be disposed inside the housing 110. The dust collection motor housing 151 may accommodate the dust collection motor 152 therein.
An introduction hole 151a and a discharge hole 151b may be disposed in the dust collection motor housing 151. An internal space of the dust collection motor housing 151 may communicate with the second flow path 132 through the introduction hole 151a. Therefore, the introduction hole 151a may guide the air flowing through the second flow path 132 to the dust collection motor 152.
The internal space of the dust collection motor housing 151 may communicate with the exhaust flow path 125a through the discharge hole 151b. Therefore, the discharge hole 151b may guide the air passing through the dust collection motor 152 to the exhaust flow path 125a.
The dust collection motor 152 may generate a suction force in the dust collection flow path 130. The dust collection motor 152 may be disposed inside the dust collection motor housing 151.
The dust collection motor 152 may be disposed at the rear of the dust collector 140. Therefore, the dust collection motor 152 may provide a suction force capable of suctioning the dust in the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200.
The dust collection motor 152 may generate the suction force by rotation. As an example, the dust collection motor 152 may be disposed in a shape similar to a cylinder, however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
The dust collection motor 152 may have one side connected to the second flow path 132 and the other side connected to the exhaust flow path 125a. When the dust collection motor 152 is driven, air flowing through the second flow path 132 may flow into the dust collection motor housing 151 through the introduction hole 151a. In addition, the air flowing into the dust collection motor housing 151 may be discharged through the discharge hole 151b after passing through the dust collection motor 152. Further, the air discharged through the discharge hole 151b may flow through the exhaust flow path 125a and may be exhausted through the exhaust port 125b.
Meanwhile, a rotational shaft of the dust collection motor 152 may be disposed close to the horizontal direction. In addition, the introduction hole 151a and the discharge hole 151b of the dust collection motor housing 151 may also be open in the horizontal direction. Further, the discharge hole 151b may be located at the same height as the exhaust port 125b. With this configuration, it is possible to minimize the overall volume of the robot cleaner station 100 disposed in the kitchen furniture 2 or the mounting space 21a of the structure.
The exhaust unit 125 may guide the air discharged from the dust collection motor 152 to the outside of the housing 110. The exhaust unit 125 may allow the internal space to communicate with an external space of the housing 110.
The exhaust unit 125 may include the exhaust flow path 125a and the exhaust port 125b.
The exhaust flow path 125a may provide a flow path through which the air discharged from the dust collection motor 152 flows. The exhaust flow path 125a may be disposed inside the base body 121a. The exhaust flow path 125a may be connected to the dust collection motor 152 to create a flow path. The exhaust flow path 125a may be a flow path connecting the discharge hole 151b to the exhaust port 125b. One end of the exhaust flow path 125a may communicate with the internal space of the dust collection motor housing 151, and the other end of the exhaust flow path 125a may communicate with the accommodation space 121de of the recess 121da. Specifically, one end of the exhaust flow path 125a may be connected to the discharge hole 151b, and the other end of the exhaust flow path 125a may be connected to the exhaust port 125b.
The exhaust flow path 125a may be a flow path formed in the horizontal direction inside the housing 110. The exhaust flow path 125a may be connected to the dust collection motor 152 to create a flow path. Specifically, one end portion of the exhaust flow path 125a may communicate with the dust collector 140, and the other end portion of the exhaust flow path 125a may communicate with the exhaust port 125b.
The exhaust port 125b may function as an outlet that guides the air discharged from the dust collection motor 152 to the accommodation space 121dc of the recess 121da. Therefore, the air discharged from the dust collection motor 152 and flowing through the exhaust flow path 125a may be discharged to the outside of the housing 110 through the exhaust port 125b.
The exhaust port 125b may be formed on the base 121. The exhaust port 125b may be formed in the agitator accommodation portion 121d. Further, the exhaust port 125b may be disposed in the recess 121da of the agitator accommodation portion 121d. Additionally, the exhaust port 125b may be formed on side surfaces of the recess 121da.
The exhaust flow path of the robot cleaner station according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to
The exhaust flow path 125a according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may guide the air discharged from the dust collection motor 152 to the suction unit 211 of the robot cleaner 200.
The exhaust flow path 125a may form a structure in which air continuously flows between the robot cleaner 200 and the robot cleaner station 100 by guiding the air discharged from the dust collection motor 152 to the suction unit 211 of the robot cleaner 200 without being discharged to the outside. Therefore, since hot air discharged from the dust collection motor 152re-flows into the robot cleaner 200 without being discharged to the mounting space 24 of the kitchen furniture 2 to form an exhaust flow path, it is possible to prevent damage to the inside of the kitchen furniture 2.
The exhaust flow path 125a may be a space between the exhaust port 125b of the robot cleaner station 100 and the suction unit 211 of the robot cleaner 200. The exhaust flow path 125a may be the recess 121da of the agitator accommodation portion 121d. Additionally, the exhaust flow path 125a may be a connection pipe that has the one end communicating with the suction unit 211 of the robot cleaner 200 and has the other end communicating with the exhaust port 125b of the robot cleaner station 100.
The air passing through the dust collection motor 152 may be discharged to the accommodation space S through the exhaust port 125b, and the air discharged to the accommodation space S may re-flow into the suction unit 211 due to the suction force of the dust collection motor 152. Therefore, the air suctioned from the dust bin 220 by the suction force of the dust collection motor 152 may be discharged to the accommodation space S after sequentially flowing through the dust through hole 123a, the first flow path 131, the dust collector 140, the second flow path 132, the dust collection motor 152, the exhaust flow path 125a, and the exhaust port 125b.
When the dust collection motor 152 is driven in a state in which the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200 communicates with the suction unit 211 of the robot cleaner station 100, air may be suctioned to the suction unit 211 of the robot cleaner 200. In addition, since the agitator 250 is accommodated inside the suction unit 211, the air discharged from the dust collection motor 152 and exhausted through the exhaust port 125b may be suctioned to the suction unit 211 of the robot cleaner 200 by the suction force of the dust collection motor 152.
In this case, the dust collection motor 152 may be driven together when the suction motor of the robot cleaner 200 is driven. Since the air exhausted through the exhaust port 125b is suctioned to the suction unit 211 by the suction force of a suction motor in addition to the dust collection motor 152, it is possible to increase dust collection efficiency.
The duster washer 160 of the robot cleaner station 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to
The robot cleaner station 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the duster washer 160. The duster washer 160 may wash the duster 242 of the robot cleaner 200 coupled to the seating assembly 120.
The duster washer 160 may include a washing water discharge unit 161 for discharging washing water to the washing board 122, the detergent container 163 in which a liquid containing detergent is stored, and the wastewater container 164 in which washing water used to wash the duster 242 is stored.
In the washing water discharge unit 161, purified water and detergent are mixed to generate washing water for washing the duster 242.
A pair of washing water discharge units 161 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other at the rear side of the coupling wall 123. The washing water discharge unit 161 may discharge washing water from both upper ends of the washing board 122 toward the washing board 122. In this case, the purified water supplied from the water supply pipe of the kitchen furniture 2 which passes through a regulator 162 may be branched to both sides through a branch flow path 161a and connected to each of the washing water discharge units 161 disposed to be spaced apart from each other. That is, the branch flow path 161a may be disposed in the form of one pipe branched into two, and in this case, an end portion of any one branched may be connected to any one of the pair of washing water discharge units 161, and an end portion of the other branched may be connected to the other of the pair of washing water discharge units 161.
The washing water discharge unit 161 may be disposed integrally with the coupling wall 123 at the rear side of the coupling wall 123 or separably coupled to the coupling wall 123.
A purified water inlet 161b, a detergent inlet 161c, and a washing water outlet may be disposed on the washing water discharge unit 161. The purified water inlet 161b is a component for guiding purified water supplied from the water supply pipe of the kitchen furniture 2 to the washing water discharge unit 161. Specifically, the water supply pipe of the kitchen furniture 2 may be connected to the regulator 162 to adjust a flow rate supplied from the water supply pipe. In addition, some of the purified water passing through the regulator 162 may be supplied to the water container 230 of the robot cleaner 200 through the water supply nozzle 123c, and the remainder may flow into the pair of washing water discharge units 161 disposed to be spaced apart from each other through the purified water inlet 161b.
The detergent inlet 161c is a component for guiding a liquid including detergent supplied from the detergent container 163 to the washing water discharge unit 161. Specifically, the liquid including the detergent stored in the detergent container 163 may be supplied to the washing water discharge unit 161 through a pump. However, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, other types of detergent (i.e. a powder detergent) may be used.
In addition, the detergent and purified water flowing into the washing water discharge unit 161 may be used as washing water by being mixed. The washing water discharge unit 161 may discharge the washing water to the upper surface of the washing board 122 through the washing water outlet. The washing water outlet may be formed on a lower surface of the washing water discharge unit 161. The washing water outlet may be open in a direction facing an upper surface of the duster 242 seated on the washing board 122.
The wastewater container 164 may provide a space in which the washing water used to wash the duster 242 is stored. After the washing of the duster 242 is finished, the washing water discharged to the upper surface of the washing board 122 may be drained into the drain hole 122b while moving downward along the inclination of the washing board 122. The washing water passing through the drain hole 122b accumulates between the washing board seating portion 121e and the washing board 122. In addition, the washing water accumulating between the washing board seating portion 121e and the washing board 122 may flow into the wastewater container 164 through the pump flow path 164b.
The washing water stored in the wastewater container 164 may be drained into the drain pipe 25 of the kitchen furniture 2 through the drain flow path 164a. The drain flow path 164a has one end connected to the wastewater container 164 and the other end connected to the drain pipe 25. In this case, the washing water stored in the wastewater container 164 may flow through the drain flow path 164a by a centrifugal pump and may be drained into the drain pipe.
The drain flow path 164a connected to the wastewater container 164 may be connected to the upstream 25b based on the U-trap 25a of the drain pipe 25 of the kitchen furniture 2. This is because, when the drain flow path 164a is connected to the downstream 25c based on the U-trap 25a of the drain pipe 25, odor or fluid inside the drain pipe 25 may flow back into the drain flow path 164a.
In addition, the duster washer 160 may include a check valve. The check valve can prevent the fluid inside the drain pipe 25 from flowing back into the drain flow path 164a. The check valve may be provided at the other end of the drain flow path 164a connected to the drain pipe 25.
Meanwhile, the detergent container 163 and the wastewater container 164 may be accommodated in a space formed between the side wall 124 and the housing outer wall surface 111. The detergent container 163 may be disposed at a lower side of the space between the side wall 124 and the outer wall surface 111 of the housing, and the wastewater container 164 may be disposed at an upper side of the detergent container 163 of the space between the side wall 124 and the outer wall surface 111 of the housing.
Referring to
The duster dryer 170 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may include a hot air supply module 171, a steam discharge flow path 172, an exhaust fan 173, and a check valve.
The hot air supply module 171 may supply hot air to the accommodation space S and include a connection flow path 171a, a blowing fan, and a heater 171d.
The connection flow path 171a may connect the external space of the housing 110 to the accommodation space S. An air inlet 171b of the connection flow path 171a may communicate with the external space, and an air outlet 171c of the connection flow path 171a may communicate with the accommodation space S.
The air inlet 171b of the connection flow path 171a may be formed on the rear surface of the housing 110. The air outlet 171c of the connection flow path 171a may be disposed at the upper side of the washing board 122. The air outlet 171c may be open in a direction facing the washing board 122. A pair of air outlets 171c may be provided in a downward open state.
The air outlet 171c may be opened toward the upper surface of the duster 242 in a state in which the duster 242 is seated on the washing board 122. The air outlet 171c may be located adjacent to the duster 242 in a state in which the duster 242 is seated on the washing board 122 and may be opened downward so that the discharged air may flow toward the duster 242. The air outlet 171c may be opened in a direction facing the duster 242 in a state in which the robot cleaner 200 is coupled to the seating assembly 120.
The blowing fan may be disposed on the connection flow path 171a and may blow air toward the accommodation space S. When the blowing fan is driven, the air introduced through the air inlet 171b may be heated by the heater 171d and discharged into the accommodation space S through the air outlet 171c.
The heater 17d may be disposed on the connection flow path 171a and may heat the air flowing through the connection flow path 171a. The heater 171d may heat the air discharged through the air outlet 171c. The heater 171d may be disposed on the connection flow path 171a but alternatively, may be disposed at the air outlet 171c. That is, as long as the air discharged into the accommodation space S may be heated, there are no restrictions to a specific form or arrangement.
The heater 171d may include a heater housing 171da and a heating element. The heater housing 110 may be disposed on the connection flow path 171a, and a space in which the heater 171d may be accommodated may be provided therein. The heating element may heat external air flowing into the heater housing 110. Therefore, the air heated by the heating element may be discharged into the accommodation space S through the air outlet 171c to dry the wet duster 242.
The steam discharge flow path 172 may discharge hot and humid air in the accommodation space S, which has been generated while drying the duster 242, to the drain pipe 25. The steam discharge flow path 172 may connect the accommodation space S to the drain pipe 25 of the kitchen furniture 2.
The steam discharge flow path 172 may have one end connected to the accommodation space S and the other end connected to the drain pipe 25. Specifically, the air inlet 172a that is one end of the steam discharge flow path 172 may be connected to the accommodation space S, and the air outlet that is the other end may be connected to the drain pipe 25.
The steam discharge flow path 172 may be connected downstream 25c based on the U-trap 25a of the drain pipe 25 of the kitchen furniture 2. This is because, when the steam discharge flow path 172 is connected to the upstream 25b based on the U-trap 25a of the drain pipe 25, the heat exhausted through the steam discharge flow path 172 due to the water accumulating in the U-trap 25a may not pass through the drain pipe 25.
Meanwhile, the steam discharge flow path 172 may have one pipe branched into two inside the housing 110 to pass through both sides of the housing 110. In this case, any one branched may pass through a left outer wall surface of the housing 110, and the other branched may pass through a right outer wall surface of the housing 110. The steam discharge flow path 172 passing through the outer wall surfaces 111 of both sides of the housing 110 may be connected to the drain pipe 25. Therefore, steam in the accommodation space S suctioned from the steam discharge flow path 172 may flow through the steam discharge flow path 172 branched on both sides and may be exhausted to the downstream 25c based on the U-trap 25a of the drain pipe 25.
The exhaust fan 173 may exhaust the air in the accommodation space S to the drain pipe 25 through the steam discharge flow path 172. The exhaust fan 173 may cause a flow of air along the steam discharge flow path 172. The exhaust fan 173 may be disposed on the steam discharge flow path 172.
When the exhaust fan 173 is driven, air in the accommodation space S may flow into the air inlet 172a. The air flowing into the air inlet 172a may flow through the steam discharge flow path 172 and may be drained to the drain pipe 25. Specifically, the air flowing through the steam discharge flow path 172 by the driving of the exhaust fan 173 may be exhausted to the downstream 25c based on the U-trap 25a of the drain pipe 25.
The duster dryer 170 may include the check valve. The check valve can prevent a fluid inside the drain pipe 25 from flowing back into the steam discharge flow path 172. The check valve may be provided at the other end of the steam discharge flow path 172 connected to the drain pipe 25.
The duster dryer 170 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may include a hot air supply module, a steam discharge flow path, an exhaust fan, and a check valve.
To avoid overlapping description, the contents of the duster dryer 170 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may be used for other configurations, except for those specifically stated in the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
The steam discharge flow path of the duster dryer according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may discharge hot and humid air in the accommodation space S generated while drying the duster 242 to the outside of the housing 110.
The steam discharge flow path of the duster dryer according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed in a space formed between the side wall 124 and the outer wall surface 111 of the housing 110. Specifically, in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the steam discharge flow path may be disposed at the upper side of the wastewater container 164, between the wastewater container 164 and the detergent container 163, or at the lower side of the detergent container 163. In the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the air inlet of the steam discharge flow path may be disposed on the side wall 124, and the air outlet of the steam discharge flow path may be disposed on the front surface of the housing 110. In the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the air outlet may be disposed at the upper side of the wastewater container 164, between the wastewater container 164 and the detergent container 163, or at the lower side of the detergent container 163. Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, one end of the steam discharge flow path may communicate with the accommodation space S, and the other end may communicate with the external space of the housing 110.
The exhaust fan of the duster dryer according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may discharge the air in the accommodation space S to the external space of the housing 110 through the steam discharge flow path. In addition, in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the duster 242 of the robot cleaner 200 may be disposed between the hot air supply module and the exhaust fan. That is, since the hot air supply module is disposed in a rear space of the coupling wall 123 and the exhaust fan is disposed on the side wall 124, the duster of the robot cleaner 200 may be disposed on a straight line connecting the hot air supply module to the exhaust fan.
Meanwhile, in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, a guide member for guiding air in a direction away from the outer wall surface 111 of the housing 110 may be disposed at the outlet of the steam discharge flow path. The direction away from the outer wall surface 111 of the housing 110 may be a direction toward the center of the front surface of the housing 110. For example, the guide member may guide the hot air discharged through the outlet of the steam discharge flow path in a direction toward the base 121.
When the robot cleaner station 100 according to the present disclosure is disposedin the mounting space 24 of the kitchen furniture 2, the outer wall surface 111 of the housing 110 may be in contact with the baseboard 26 of the kitchen furniture 2. In this case, since the baseboard 26 has characteristics of being vulnerable to moisture, the baseboard 26 may be damaged when the hot air discharged from the steam discharge flow path flows toward the outer wall surface of the housing 110. Therefore, when the guide member for guiding the hot air discharged in the direction away from the outer wall surface 111 of the housing 110 is installed at the outlet of the steam discharge flow path according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent damage to the baseboard 26.
In the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide member may be a vane or louver for guiding the hot air discharged through the outlet of the steam discharge flow path in one direction. The guide member may guide the hot air discharged to the outlet of the steam discharge flow path inward from the housing 110. The hot air discharged to the outside of the housing 110 through the outlet of the steam discharge flow path may flow in a direction away from the inner wall surface of the kitchen furniture 2 by the guide member.
The hot air discharged to the outside of the housing 110 through the outlet of the steam discharge flow path may flow in the direction away from the outer wall surface of the housing 110 by the guide member. For example, the hot air discharged to the outside of the housing 110 through the outlet of the steam discharge flow path may flow in a direction toward the base 121.
The arrangement of the robot cleaner station 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to
The robot cleaner station 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is installed in the lower space of the kitchen furniture 2.
To this end, the robot cleaner station 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is disposed in the horizontal direction according to a space formed between the bottom plate 23 of the kitchen furniture 2 and the floor of the kitchen.
Specifically, the robot cleaner station 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may have the dust collector 140 and/or the duster washer 160 that are disposed on side surfaces of the entrance 127.
In this case, when both the dust collector 140 and the duster washer 160 are provided, the seating assembly 120 may be disposed between the dust collector 140 and the duster washer 160.
For example, the entrance 127 and the door 126 may be disposed at the front of the robot cleaner station 100. In addition, the seating assembly 120 to which the robot cleaner 200 is coupled may be disposed rearward from the entrance 127. In this case, the dust collector 140 may be disposed rearward by a predetermined length from a front end of the robot cleaner station 100. In addition, the duster washer 160 may also be disposed rearward by a predetermined length from the front end of the robot cleaner station 100.
Therefore, when viewing the robot cleaner station 100 from a front outside of the robot cleaner station 100, a front end of the dust collector 140 and/or a front end of the duster washer 160 may be disposed at the left and right sides of the entrance 127.
In this case, the dust bag 142 of the dust collector 140 may be provided to be drawn out from the housing 110. In addition, the detergent container 163 of the duster washer 160 may be provided to be drawn out from the housing.
That is, the front end of the dust collector 140 may be provided with the handle 141c that allows the user to grip the dust collector housing 141. In addition, a handle 163a may be provided at the front end of the duster washer 160 to pull the detergent container 163.
With this configuration, when the user intends to draw the dust bag 142 or the detergent container 163 out, the user may immediately recognize the drawn-out location, and the convenience capable of drawing the dust bag 142 or the detergent container 163 out with a simple action of pulling the handle can be provided.
Meanwhile, rear ends of the dust collector 140 and the duster washer 160 may be disposed to be spaced a predetermined distance from the rear end of the housing 110. In addition, the dust collection motor 152 may be disposed between the rear end of the housing 110 and the rear end of the dust collector 140. With this configuration, an electric wire through which power is supplied to the dust collection motor 152 may be easily connected. In addition, it is possible to minimize the total space of the seating assembly 120, the dust collector 140, and the dust collection motor 152 in a limited space.
In addition, at least portions of a flow path through which washing water for washing the duster 242 may flow and a pump for providing a flow force of the washing water may be disposed between the rear end of the housing 110 and the rear end of the duster washer 160. With this configuration, it is possible to minimize the path through which washing water flows from the water supply pipe. In addition, it is possible to minimize the total space of the seating assembly 120, the duster washer 160, and the flow path through which the washing water flows in the limited space.
Meanwhile, the robot cleaner station 100 may have the duster dryer 170 disposed behind the seating assembly 120. In this case, the duster dryer 170 may be disposed between a rear end of the seating assembly 120 and the rear end of the housing 110.
Therefore, in the robot cleaner station 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the dust collector 140 and the duster washer 160 may be disposed on the left and right side surfaces with respect to the seating assembly 120, and the duster dryer 170 may be disposed at the rear side of the robot cleaner station 100.
That is, in the robot cleaner station 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the dust collector 140, the duster washer 160, and the duster dryer 170 may all be disposed within a predetermined distance range from an outer edge of the seating assembly 120.
With this arrangement, the seating assembly 120, the dust collector 140, the duster washer 160, and the duster dryer 170 may all be disposed in the narrowest space on a horizontal plane. Accordingly, a vertical height for the robot cleaner station 100 can be minimized.
Since this shortens a distance between the dust bin 220 of the robot cleaner 200 and the dust collector 140, it is possible to minimize flow path loss. In addition, it is possible to restrict a range in which washing water and wastewater finishing washing are present by minimizing a distance between the duster 242 of the robot cleaner 200 and the duster washer 160 and a distance between the duster 242 of the robot cleaner 200 and the duster dryer 170.
In addition, with this arrangement, the components of the robot cleaner station 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may all be disposed within a limited height.
Specifically, based on a state in which the robot cleaner 200 is coupled to the seating assembly 120, at least a portion of the dust collector 140 may be disposed to be lower than the uppermost end of the robot cleaner 200. In addition, at least a portion of the duster washer 160 may be disposed to be lower than the uppermost end of the robot cleaner 200. In addition, at least a portion of the duster dryer 170 may be disposed to be lower than the uppermost end of the robot cleaner 200.
From another perspective, when a virtual plane H parallel to the floor of the kitchen is drawn based on the floor of the kitchen in a state in which the robot cleaner 200 is coupled to the seating assembly 120, the plane H may pass through the robot cleaner 200, the dust collector 140, the duster washer 160, and the duster dryer 170. This means that all components may be disposed within a predetermined height range.
As a result, in the robot cleaner station 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the dust collector 140, the duster washer 160, and the duster dryer 170 may be disposed on three surfaces surrounding the seating assembly 120, except for the front surface into which the robot cleaner 200 enters. With this arrangement, even in a situation in which the vertical height is limited, the robot cleaner 200 may be charged using the minimum horizontal space, the dust of the robot cleaner 200 may be collected, the duster 242 may be washed, and the duster 242 may be dried.
As described above, according to the robot cleaner station according to the present disclosure, a lower space of the kitchen furniture can be used by arranging the module capable of charging the robot cleaner, collecting dust, and washing the duster in the direction parallel to the robot cleaner.
In addition, the charging terminal, the dust collector, the duster washer, and the duster dryer may be disposed in the form of surrounding the robot cleaner to simultaneously perform various functions on the robot cleaner.
Further, since other surfaces excluding the front surface are covered by the kitchen furniture, it is possible to provide the user with the aesthetic sense in terms of an interior design.
In addition, since the dust in the dust bin of the robot cleaner is automatically collected when the robot cleaner is coupled, the user draws only the dust bag out at a regular cycle, and thus it is possible to reduce the user's labor.
Additionally, since the duster of the robot cleaner may be automatically washed when the robot cleaner is coupled, it is possible to reduce the inconvenience of separating and separately washing the duster.
In addition, since detergent may be added as needed, it is possible to increase the washing effect of the duster.
Furthermore, since the duster is washed using the water supply pipe and the drain pipe of kitchen, it is possible to reduce the user's inconvenience of injecting water or discharging wastewater separately.
In addition, since the duster may be automatically dried by supplying hot air to the duster after the duster of the robot cleaner is washed, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of odor due to the wet duster.
Further, it is possible to prevent the backflow of the odor by discharging the wastewater generated in the process of washing the duster to the upstream of the U-trap.
In addition, it is possible to prevent the backflow of the odor by discharging the air after drying to the downstream of the U-trap.
Additionally, it is possible to prevent damage to the inner surface of the kitchen furniture by discharging the high-temperature moist vapor generated in the process of drying the duster to the drain pipe of the kitchen furniture or to the outside of the housing.
In addition, it is possible to prevent damage to the baseboard vulnerable to moisture by exhausting the high-temperature moist vapor generated in the process of drying the duster in the direction opposite to the baseboard.
In addition, it is possible to prevent damage to the interior of the kitchen furniture by suctioning the heat discharged from the dust collection motor to the suction unit of the robot cleaner to prevent high-temperature air from filling the interior of the kitchen furniture.
Although the present disclosure has been described in detail through specific embodiments, this is intended to specifically describe the present disclosure, and it is apparent that the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the present disclosure can be modified or improved by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure.
All simple modifications or changes of the present disclosure fall within the scope of the present disclosure, and the specific scope of the present disclosure will be made clear by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0119851 | Sep 2023 | KR | national |
| 10-2024-0016868 | Feb 2024 | KR | national |
