FR2857847A1 - DUST RECEPTACLE FOR A CLEANING ROBOT AND METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dust receptacle. It relates to a dust receptacle which comprises a receptacle body (53) having an air inlet and an air outlet (56) and intended to be removably mounted in a dust collecting chamber of a cleaning robot, a cover (55) fitted on the receptacle body (53) so that it opens and closes the air outlet (56), and a dust outlet (67) formed in the receptacle body (53). The cover (55) fitted to the body has a filter (91) for preventing the escape of dust by the air outlet (56). The body (53) further includes an air inlet tube unit (63) which projects inwardly of the air inlet, and a handle unit (71) adjacent to the outlet (67) dust.Application to cleaning robots.

Description

The present invention relates to a robot dust receptacle of

  cleaning. More specifically, the invention relates to a removable dust receptacle mounted in a dust collection chamber of a cleaning robot that automatically moves and removes dust, as well as a method of removing dust collected in the

receptacle.

  In general, dust and air are sucked together in a cleaning robot. The dust is then collected in a dust collection chamber and only the air is exhausted to the outside. In order for the dust collected in the dust collection chamber to be removed, a user must open an exposed door outside the cleaning robot or must remove a separately mounted dust receptacle in the dust collection chamber.

  However, this conventional method of extracting collected dust is inconvenient because all operations are performed manually by the user. If the cleaning robot does not have a dust receptacle, the user must return the robot to drive away the dust collected inside and, if the robot has a dust receptacle, the user must attach the receptacle to the receptacle. dust and separate it. Both of these possibilities are troublesome.

  In addition, for the cleaning robot to be lightweight and space-saving, the robot's dust container is smaller than the paper bag or dust bin of a conventional vacuum cleaner. As a result, the user must frequently empty the robot's dust receptacle.

  The general conventional vacuum cleaner in particular has a very narrow dust outlet, compared to the size of the dust collecting space. As a result, it is difficult to remove the dust, and the dust often remains in the dust collecting space, even when the receptacle has been emptied. This remaining dust can gradually adhere to the interior and its extraction can become more and more difficult. As a result, the suction efficiency decreases. The user must then shake the cleaning robot or dust receptacle to effectively chase the dust, although it is not completely removed in this way.

  The subject of the invention is the solution of the aforementioned problems and has the advantages indicated hereinafter.

  Thus, the invention relates to a cleaning robot dust receptacle that can be easily emptied, as well as a method of extracting the dust collected therein.

  To this end, the invention relates to a dust receptacle which comprises a receptacle body having an air inlet and an air outlet and removably mounted in a dust collecting chamber of a cleaning robot, a lid fitted to the receptacle body to open and close the air outlet, and a dust outlet formed in the receptacle body.

  The lid fitted to the container body includes a filter to prevent collected dust from exiting the air outlet. Thanks to the filter, the suction efficiency can be increased and, moreover, the dust does not flow into a suction motor placed behind a discharge orifice.

  The receptacle body further includes an air inlet tube unit which protrudes inwardly from the air inlet, and a handle unit adjacent to the dust outlet.

  A shutter member is formed at the opening of the air inlet tube unit so that the opening is covered by the shutter member's own weight, the shutter member being opened by the pressure of the shutter member. air entering through the air inlet. A user can conveniently mount the dust receptacle or separate it with the handle unit. In addition, due to the projection towards the inside of the air inlet tube unit and the presence of the shutter member, the air sucked in and containing the dust can not go back.

  A sealing member is associated with the dust outlet.

  The sealing member is formed of an elastic material for fitting closely into the dust outlet.

  The sealing member has a handle provided with a flange for easy separation of the dust outlet.

  The invention also relates to a method for extracting dust collected in a cleaning robot, which method comprises collecting dust from the air drawn in by an air inlet, into the dust receptacle of the dust collecting chamber. , evacuating the air through the discharge port, and removing the dust collected in the dust receptacle by intimately contacting an air inlet of a separate evacuation unit with the dust outlet of the dust receptacle.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the following description of embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a robot cleaning system which may comprise a dust receptacle according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective exploded view of the main elements of Fig. 1, showing more specifically the structure of the dust receptacle which can be removed from a dust collection chamber; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the cleaning robot with the dust receptacle of Figure 2 housed in the dust collection chamber; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dust receptacle; Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the method of extracting dust collected in the cleaning robot, in one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 and an exploded perspective view of a dust receptacle in another embodiment of the invention.

  Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning robot having a dust receptacle according to the invention. The cleaning robot 20 has an upper housing 41. In the center of the upper housing 41, an image capture unit exposure hole 42 (FIG. 2) is formed and, on one side of the upper housing 41, a window 43 of display 10 and several holes 45 of exposure of control lamps are formed.

  Fig. 2 is an exploded and enlarged perspective view of the main parts of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the elements of Fig. 2 in the assembled state and more specifically represents the structure of the cleaning robot. In Figs. 2 and 3, the cleaning robot 20 includes a dust suction unit 21 for drawing in the outside air with dust, and a drive and cleaning unit 31. The cleaning robot 20 includes an image capturing unit 35 and a transceiver unit (not shown) so that it can verify its positions and obstacles during training.

  The dust suction unit 21 has a dust collecting chamber 23 which opens upwards, a door 25 for covering the opening of the collecting chamber 23, and a dust receptacle 51, according to an embodiment of the invention. of the invention, which is removably mounted in the dust collection chamber 23. On one side of this chamber 23 is mounted a suction motor 27 for creating a suction force. The air suction unit 21 also has a suction mop unit (not shown) for drawing air containing dust to the dust collection chamber 23.

  The dust collection chamber 23 has an air suction port 22 at a lower portion and an air discharge port 24 in a side wall. The air suction port 22 includes an orifice rib 22 'protruding upwardly into the dust collecting chamber 23. A hole (not shown) of a hook may be formed in the opening of the upper portion The door 25 has a hook for cooperating with a latching groove formed in the dust collecting chamber 23 so that the door 25 is fixed in the open position in the upper opening of the chamber. the dust collecting chamber 23. The suction mop unit is mounted on a lower part of the dust collecting chamber 23.

  Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dust receptacle of Figure 2. The dust receptacle 51 includes a receptacle body 53 for forming a space for dust collection, and a releasably attached cover 55. to the receptacle body 53. A first side wall of the receptacle body 53 is formed by an opening 54 which corresponds to a wall of the dust collecting chamber 23 at the location where the air discharge port 24 is formed. The cover 55 is assembled on the opening 54, and an air outlet 56 is formed on one side of the cover 55 which corresponds to the air discharge port 24. A filter 91 is connected to the lid air outlet 55.

  The receptacle body 53 has an air inlet 61 (FIG. 3) at a bottom portion. The air inlet 61 opens at a location corresponding to the air intake port 22 of the dust collection chamber 23, and is of sufficient size to accommodate the rib 22 'of the orifice 22. suction of air. Thus, the dust-laden air flows to the dust receptacle 53 through the air suction port 22. Inside the air inlet 61 of the receptacle body 53, an air inlet tube 63 protrudes upwardly. A shutter member 65 (FIG. 3) is mounted to open at an open end of the air inlet tube 63. The shutter member 65 covers the open end of the tube 63 by pivoting downward under its own weight, and opens under the action of the air pressure flowing inwardly of the body 53 the receptacle from the outside.

  The receptacle body 53 also has a dust outlet 67 which opens on one side of the upper plate. The dust outlet 67 is exposed when the door 25 of the dust collection chamber 23 is opened. In this state, the user intimately contacts a suction unit of a conventional vacuum cleaner (not shown) or a small manual vacuum cleaner (not shown) with the dust outlet 67 so that the collected dust inside can be evacuated. It is therefore advantageous for the portable vacuum cleaner or vacuum cleaner to have a suction inlet at the suction unit in a position corresponding to the dust outlet 67 of the dust receptacle 51 according to the invention.

  A longitudinal groove extends annularly around the dust outlet 67 of the receptacle body 53. The size of the groove corresponds to the size of the suction inlet of the vacuum cleaner or small manual vacuum cleaner. A liner 69 may be mounted between the throat and the suction inlet of the vacuum cleaner or small hand vacuum to provide airtightness.

  The upper plate of the receptacle body 53 also has a handle unit 71 at its center. The handle unit 71 is also exposed when the door 25 of the dust collection chamber 23 is open. By grasping the handle unit 71, the user can attach the dust receptacle 51 and separate it. The handle unit 71 is recessed on the top plate and can be integrally formed with the receptacle body 53 simply by injection molding. The receptacle body 53 may be formed of a transparent material so that the user can observe the amount of dust collected therein.

  The cover 55 may be formed in various ways so that the cover 55 can be easily mounted and separated from the receptacle body 53. For example, a connecting projection may be formed at the circumference of the cover 55 while a connecting groove 52 is formed in the receptacle body 53. In addition, a separation protrusion 57 is formed on an upper portion of the cover 55 to separate it from the receptacle body 53. A liner 93 may be formed within the receptacle body 53 at its circumference to provide a seal between the receptacle body 53.

  The filter 91, removably mounted at the air outlet 56 of the cover 55, has a plurality of filter windows at its circumferential surface. At the surface of the filter windows, a porous filter member is attached. Thanks to this structure, the fine dust contained in the air evacuated by the air outlet 56 can be filtered.

  A method of extracting dust collected in the cleaning robot is now described in one embodiment of the invention, described in detail with reference to the functional diagram of FIG. 5.

  When a cleaning command is transmitted, the cleaning robot 20 begins to move for its cleaning job (S1). The robot 20 moves into the cleaning region by communicating with a control unit (not shown). As it moves, the robot 20 moves away from the obstacles that come in front of it unexpectedly, according to a general movement diagram suggested by the plaintiff. During the movement, the cleaning robot 20 drives the vacuum generator mounted therein to perform the cleaning work (S2).

  When the vacuum generator is driven, outside air is first drawn in through the air suction port 22. The sucked air moves along the air intake tube 63 of the dust receptacle 51, then flows into this receptacle 51 by pushing the shutter member 65 which locks in the direction of air flow. . The air is then vented to the outside through the air outlet 24. At this time, the dust contained in the exhaust air is filtered by the filter 91, so that the dust is collected in the dust receptacle 51.

  Over time, the amount of dust gradually increases in the dust receptacle 51. The cleaning job is interrupted when the cleaning robot 20 or the vacuum generator stops driving. At this time, the shutter member 65 of the dust receptacle 51 covers the open end of the air inlet tube 63 by pivoting downward under its own weight.

  Thus, the filtered dust can not return to the air suction port 22. The user can check the amount of dust collected in the dust receptacle 51 by opening the door 25 of the dust collection chamber 23. In addition, the door 25 may be formed of a transparent material so that the user can easily check the amount of dust collected without having to open the door 25.

  The invention suggests two methods of extracting the dust collected in the dust receptacle 51 (S3).

  One of them is the extraction of the dust receptacle 51, and the other the use of the vacuum cleaner or small portable aspirator without extraction of the dust receptacle 51. One of these methods is selected ( S4). When the dust is removed by the small manual vacuum cleaner (S6), the door 25 of the dust collection chamber 23 must be opened. Then, the small manual vacuum cleaner is operated, in a state such that the suction port 11 of the small portable vacuum cleaner is aligned with the dust outlet 67 of the dust receptacle 51. The dust of the receptacle 51 can therefore be easily removed in a short time.

  However, when the small manual vacuum has its battery discharged or failed, for example, the dust can be removed by separating the dust receptacle 51 (S5). This receptacle 51 is removed from the dust collection chamber 23 by simply grasping the handle unit 71 formed on the top cover. By opening the cover 55 of the dust receptacle 51, the dust of the receptacle 51 can be easily emptied (S7). When the cover 55 has been raised since the receptacle 51 has been put back into place in the dust collecting chamber 23 (S8), the cleaning work can be carried out again by the method already described.

  Figure 6 is a perspective view of a dust receptacle in another embodiment of the invention.

  The dust receptacle 51 includes a member 100 for sealingly closing or opening the dust outlet 67 formed on the receptacle body 53.

  The sealing member 100 has a handle provided with a flange for convenient use of the sealing member 100. This member 100 is mounted in a form fitted to the outer circumference of the dust outlet 76 so that this outlet 67 is sealed. For this purpose, the sealing member is preferably made of an elastic material, for example a rubber.

  While the cleaning robot 20 is operating, the sealing member 100 tightly closes the dust outlet 67. The dust collected in the dust receptacle 51 therefore can not contaminate the interior of the dust collection chamber 23 (Figure 2) flowing through the outlet 67 of dust. In addition, the loss of suction force due to the dust outlet 67 is avoided. When the dust collected in the receptacle 51 is to be removed, the user opens the sealing member 100 with the handle 110 and connects a suction port of a vacuum cleaner (not shown) or a small manual vacuum cleaner. so that the collected dust is sucked up and the dust receptacle 51 is cleaned.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the sealing member 100 may be fitted to the outer circumference of the dust outlet 67 to cause said outlet 67 to be sealed. However, the sealing member 100 can also be mounted at the inner circumference of the dust outlet 67.

  In the embodiments described above, the dust collected in the cleaning robot can conveniently be removed.

  In addition, the dust receptacle 51 can be cleaned with an ordinary vacuum cleaner already present in homes or at the office, instead of separating the dust receptacle 51 from the small-capacity cleaning robot, whenever it has to be cleaned. to be cleaned.

  In addition, in the dust extraction method 10 collected according to the invention, the user must not stain himself directly with dust or dirt. The dust container 51 of the cleaning robot is cleaned by the normal vacuum cleaner, and the user can empty or unload the paper bag of the normal vacuum cleaner when the paper bag is full.

  Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the receptacles and processes that have just been described by way of non-limiting example without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

  A dust receptacle, characterized in that it comprises: a receptacle body (53) having an air inlet (61) and an air outlet (56) for removably mounted in a dust collector chamber (23) of a cleaning robot, a cover (55) fitted to the receptacle body (53) to open and close the air outlet (56i, and an outlet (67) of dust formed in the container body (53).   A dust receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (55) fitted to the receptacle body comprises a filter (91) for preventing the removal of dust collected by the air outlet (56). .   A dust receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle body (53) further comprises an air inlet tube unit (63) which projects inwardly of the air inlet (61), and a handle unit (71) adjacent to the dust outlet (67).   A dust receptacle according to claim 2, characterized in that the receptacle body (53) further comprises an air intake tube unit (63) which projects inwardly of the air inlet. (61), and a handle unit (71) adjacent to the dust outlet.   5. Dust receptacle according to claim 4, characterized in that a shutter member (65) is formed at an opening of the air intake tube unit (63) so that it covers the opening under the action of its own weight, the shutter member (65) being open by the pressure of the air entering through the air inlet (61).   6. Dust receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that a member (100) for sealing is associated with the outlet (67) of dust.   7. Dust receptacle according to claim 6, characterized in that the member (100) for sealing is formed of an elastic material to be adjusted intimately on the dust outlet.   8. Dust receptacle according to claim 6, characterized in that the member (100) for sealing has a handle (110) having a flange for easy separation of the dust outlet.   9. A method of extracting dust collected in a cleaning robot, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: collecting dust from the air sucked by the air inlet (61) into the dust receptacle the dust collector chamber (23), and exhausting the air through the exhaust port (56), and removing the dust collected in the dust receptacle by intimate contact with an outlet of a separate discharge unit with the dust outlet (67) of the dust receptacle.