KR102712603B1 - Cleaner station - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaner station that is coupled with a cleaner to collect dust inside a dust bin of the cleaner. According to the present invention, a user can combine and use either a first collecting unit in the form of a barrel having a fixed size of a dust receiving space or a second collecting unit in the form of an envelope having a variable size of the dust receiving space, to the cleaner station. Therefore, there is an advantage in that it can satisfy various preferences of users who prefer collecting units of different types.

Description

Cleaner station

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner station coupled with a vacuum cleaner to capture dust inside a vacuum cleaner dust bin.

Stick vacuum cleaners (hereinafter referred to as “vacuum cleaners”) have a small dustbin capacity that stores collected dust, which is inconvenient for users to have to empty the dustbin every time.

Accordingly, the use of vacuum cleaner stations configured to suck up and capture dust in a dust bin through the suction power of a dust collecting motor so that users do not have to manually remove dust from the dust bin is expanding.

These cleaner stations include a housing, a dust collecting motor arranged inside the housing, and a dust collecting part in the form of a dust bag for receiving the collected dust, and are configured to be combined with a cleaner or a dust bin of a cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner station is convenient in that it can automatically empty the vacuum cleaner's dust bin, and the dust bag included in the vacuum cleaner station is larger than the dust bin equipped with most vacuum cleaners, so it has the advantage of extending the cycle of having to deal with dust.

Meanwhile, the dust bag-shaped collection unit has a simple structure and can be thrown away in the trash can as a whole without having to remove the dust separately or clean the inside, so it has the advantage of being convenient for users.

However, since the dust bag cannot be washed on the inside, it must be purchased and replaced periodically, which may be a burden on some users due to the cost.

In this regard, US Patent Publication No. 10595692 is presented as a prior art patent document.

The above prior art patent document discloses an embodiment of a discharge station having a bin-shaped collecting portion as a discharge station that docks with a robot cleaner.

The 'tong' shaped collecting part has the advantage of being easy to clean internally, unlike a dust bag, so it can be used semi-permanently as long as the collected dust is removed.

However, some users may find dust removal and cleaning, which are separate tasks, cumbersome.

In this way, when the form of the capture unit is fixed to one type, it becomes difficult to satisfy the preferences of different users.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 10595692

The problem that the present invention seeks to solve is to provide a cleaning station configured to satisfy the diverse preferences of users who prefer different types of collecting units.

The tasks of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of specific contents for implementing the present invention below.

A cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a housing coupled to a dust bin of a cleaner; a dust collecting motor disposed inside the housing and generating a suction force to suck up dust inside the dust bin; a dust collecting unit having a dust receiving space for collecting dust sucked in from inside the dust bin by the dust collecting motor; and a chamber unit disposed in the housing and forming a dust receiving space so that the dust collecting unit can be detachably coupled.

The collecting unit coupled to the chamber unit may be a first collecting unit having a fixed dust receiving space in the form of a barrel and including a cyclone as a dust separation means, and a second collecting unit having a variable dust receiving space in the form of a barrel and including a dust bag made of breathable material as a dust separation means.

The above chamber portion may include a chamber body forming an outer appearance of the capturing portion receiving space.

The chamber portion may include a rail portion that is arranged on the upper portion of the chamber body and supports the second capturing portion by fitting at least a portion of the second capturing portion so that the lower surface of the chamber body and the second capturing portion are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

The above-mentioned capturing portion receiving space can be formed so that the cross-sectional area of the front end is wider than the cross-sectional area of the rear end.

The front of the chamber body can be opened or closed by a housing cover rotatably coupled to one side of the housing.

The above rail portion may include a rail body that forms a space in which the second capturing portion slides.

The rail portion may include an interference protrusion that is positioned at a first position that interferes with the housing cover at the front of the rail body and moves to a second position where interference with the housing cover is avoided by contact with the first capturing portion or the second capturing portion.

The above rail portion may include a projection guide that is coupled with the interference projection and guides the positional movement of the interference projection.

The chamber section may include a filter mounting section, which is disposed at the lower portion of the chamber body and to which a pre-filter module for filtering air passing through the capturing section is detachably coupled.

The above chamber portion may include a filter detection protrusion having one side pressed by the pre-filter module and moved in a direction to avoid interference with the first capturing portion.

The above prefilter module may include a filter case, a filter accommodated inside the filter case, and a pressing projection formed to protrude on one side of the filter case.

The above filter detection protrusion may include a protrusion body and a catch that is formed protruding on an outer surface of the protrusion body and comes into contact with the pressing protrusion when the prefilter module is coupled to the filter mounting portion.

The chamber portion may include a compression driving unit that is disposed at the lower portion of the chamber body and generates power to rotate a compression rotating unit that compresses dust collected in the first collecting unit.

The above first capturing unit may include a transmission gear coupled to the compression rotating unit to transmit power from the compression driving unit to the compression rotating unit.

The above compression driving unit may include a compression motor arranged outside the capturing unit receiving space.

The above compression drive unit may include a drive gear that is axially connected to the compression motor outside the capturing unit receiving space and is gear-meshed with the transmission gear.

A gear passage hole may be formed at the lower portion of the chamber body to expose at least a portion of the driving gear toward the inside of the collecting portion receiving space so as to enable gear meshing between the driving gear and the transmission gear.

The above compression drive unit may include a sealing member disposed between the drive gear and the chamber body to seal the gear passage hole.

A cleaning station according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a control unit that detects a change in the rotation direction of the compression motor.

The above control unit can determine the type of the capturing unit coupled to the chamber unit based on whether a change in the rotation direction of the compression motor is detected within a preset time.

The above chamber portion may include an air inlet provided at an upper portion of the chamber body and having an open cross-section having a rearward-downward slope.

The chamber section may include a sterilizing module mounting section, which is positioned spaced apart from the air inlet and is equipped with a sterilizing module configured to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the capturing section receiving space.

The above first capturing unit may include a capturing unit body forming an outer appearance of the dust receiving space.

The above first capturing unit may include a body cover covering the open upper side of the capturing unit body.

The above body cover may have a rib formed to protrude and be inserted into the rail portion.

The above body cover may have a rearward-facing slope formed in a portion of the upper surface.

On the above-mentioned slope, a dust inlet can be formed so as to be positioned opposite the air inlet based on the state in which the first capturing member is inserted into the chamber body.

The second collecting unit may include a dust bag made of a breathable material.

The second collecting unit may include an outer plate that is coupled to the upper outer side of the dust bag, is fitted into the rail portion and is slidably inserted into the collecting unit receiving space, and has a dust inlet formed therein.

The second capturing portion may include a support member that protrudes from the lower surface of the outer plate and has a lower end in contact with one surface of the rail portion to support the outer plate in a state where it is raised toward the air inlet.

According to the present invention, a user can combine either a first collecting unit in the form of a barrel having a fixed size of a dust-receiving space or a second collecting unit in the form of an envelope having a variable size of a dust-receiving space to a cleaner station and use it, so there is an advantage in that it can satisfy various preferences of users who prefer collecting units of different types.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of specific contents for practicing the present invention below.

FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a drawing of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 viewed from a different angle.
FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the lower surface of a dust bin of a vacuum cleaner in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a coupling part of a cleaner station in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a fixed unit of a cleaner station in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a drawing showing a state where the door closes the dust passage hole.
Figure 8 is a drawing showing a state where the door has its dust passage hole open.
FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining the relationship between a cleaner and a cover opening unit in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining the arrangement of the components of the cleaner station in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a chamber portion and a capturing portion that can be coupled to the chamber portion in an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a chamber section viewed from the side in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper side of the chamber portion in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 is a drawing of the chamber section viewed from the front in an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a chamber portion in an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a compression driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 17 is an enlarged view of portion “A” of Figure 15.
Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC' of Fig. 17.
FIG. 19 is a drawing for explaining the movement of an interference protrusion and the resulting positional relationship with the housing cover in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 20 is a drawing showing the pre-filter module divided into component units and developed in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 21 is an enlarged view of part “B” of Figure 15, and is a drawing for explaining the movement of the filter detection protrusion depending on whether a pre-filter module is mounted.
Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD' of Fig. 21.
Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the first capturing unit in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a drawing showing the related components of the first capturing unit separated and developed in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 25 is a drawing showing a dust separation process of a cyclone in an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX' of Fig. 23.
Figure 27 is an enlarged view of the drive gear and the transmission gear in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 28 is a perspective view of the driving gear as viewed from below in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first capturing portion is inserted into a chamber body in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 30 is a drawing showing the flow path of air related to dust collection when the first collecting unit is inserted into the chamber body in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 31 is a drawing showing the related components of the second capturing unit separated and developed in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view from the side of the second capturing unit in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 33 is a perspective view showing a state in which a second capturing unit is inserted into a chamber body in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 34 is a drawing showing the flow path of air related to dust collection when the second collecting unit is inserted into the chamber body in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 35 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a sealing member that seals a gear passage hole in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the cleaner of FIG. 1 from a different angle, FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the lower side of a dust bin of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a cleaner system (3) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a cleaner (200) and a cleaner station (300).

The cleaner system (3) may include a cleaner station (300). A cleaner (200) may be coupled to the cleaner station (300). A cleaner (200) may be coupled to a side of the cleaner station (300). The cleaner station (300) may remove dust from a dust bin (220) of the cleaner (200).

First, the structure of the vacuum cleaner (200) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 as follows.

The vacuum cleaner (200) may mean a vacuum cleaner that is manually operated by a user. For example, the vacuum cleaner (200) may mean a handheld vacuum cleaner or a stick vacuum cleaner.

The cleaner (200) can be mounted on the cleaner station (300). The cleaner (200) can be supported by the cleaner station (300). The cleaner (200) can be coupled to the cleaner station (300).

Meanwhile, in an embodiment of the present invention, the direction of the vacuum cleaner (200) can be defined based on the time when the bottom surface (lower surface) of the dust bin (220) and the battery housing (230) are placed on the ground.

At this time, the front may refer to the direction in which the suction unit (212) is arranged based on the suction motor (214), and the rear may refer to the direction in which the handle (216) is arranged based on the suction motor (214). In addition, when looking at the suction unit (212) from the suction motor (214), the direction in which it is arranged on the right may be referred to as the right, and the direction in which it is arranged on the left may be referred to as the left. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower sides may be defined along the direction perpendicular to the ground when the bottom surface (lower surface) of the dust bin (220) and the battery housing (230) are placed on the ground.

The vacuum cleaner (200) may include a main body (210). The main body (210) may include a main body housing (211), a suction unit (212), a dust separation unit (213), a suction motor (214), an air discharge cover (215), a handle (216), and an operating unit (218).

The main body housing (211) can form the exterior of the cleaner (200). The main body housing (211) can provide a space that can accommodate a suction motor (214) and a filter (not shown) inside. The main body housing (211) can be configured in a shape similar to a cylinder.

The suction part (212) may protrude outwardly from the main body housing (211). For example, the suction part (212) may be formed in a cylindrical shape with an open interior. The suction part (212) may be combined with an extension pipe (250). The suction part (212) may provide a path (hereinafter, referred to as a 'suction path') through which air containing dust may flow.

The dust separation unit (213) can be communicated with the suction unit (212). The dust separation unit (213) can separate dust sucked into the inside through the suction unit (212). The space inside the dust separation unit (213) can be communicated with the space inside the dust bin (220).

For example, the dust separation unit (213) may be provided with at least one cyclone unit capable of separating dust by cyclone flow. In addition, the space inside the dust separation unit (213) may be connected to the suction path. Accordingly, the air and dust sucked through the suction unit (212) flow spirally along the inner surface of the dust separation unit (213). Accordingly, a cyclone flow may occur in the inner space of the dust separation unit (213).

The dust separation unit (213) is connected to the suction unit (212) and is configured to apply the principle of a dust collector that utilizes centrifugal force to separate dust sucked into the interior of the main body (210) through the suction unit (212).

The dust separation unit (213) may further include a secondary cyclone that separates dust again from the air discharged from the cyclone. At this time, the secondary cyclone may be positioned inside the cyclone so that the size of the dust separation unit is minimized. The secondary cyclone may include a plurality of cyclone bodies arranged in parallel. The air discharged from the cyclone may be divided and passed through the plurality of cyclone bodies.

At this time, the axis of the cyclone flow of the secondary cyclone may also extend in the vertical direction, and the axis of the cyclone flow of the cyclone and the axis of the cyclone flow of the secondary cyclone may form a coaxial line in the vertical direction, which may be collectively referred to as the axis of the cyclone flow of the dust separation unit (213).

The suction motor (214) can generate a suction force to suck in air. The suction motor (214) can be accommodated in the main body housing (211). The suction motor (214) can generate a suction force by rotation. For example, the suction motor (214) can be provided in a similar cylindrical shape.

The air exhaust cover (215) may be placed on one axial side of the main body housing (211). The air exhaust cover (215) may accommodate a filter for filtering air. For example, the air exhaust cover (215) may accommodate a HEPA filter.

An air discharge port for discharging air sucked in by the suction force of the suction motor (214) may be formed in the air discharge cover (215).

A flow guide may be arranged in the air discharge cover (215). The flow guide may guide the flow of air discharged through the air discharge port.

The handle (216) can be gripped by the user. The handle (216) can be positioned at the rear of the suction motor (214). For example, the handle (216) can be formed in a shape similar to a cylinder. Alternatively, the handle (216) can be formed in a curved cylinder shape. The handle (216) can be positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the main body housing (211), the suction motor (214), or the dust separation unit (213).

The handle (216) may include a grip portion (216a) formed in a pillar shape so that the user can hold it, a first extension portion (216b) connected to one end in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the grip portion (216a) and formed to extend toward the suction motor (214), and a second extension portion (216c) connected to the other end in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the grip portion (216a) and formed to extend toward the dust bin (220).

The upper surface of the handle (216) may form a portion of the outer appearance of the upper surface of the cleaner (200). This may prevent a component of the cleaner (200) from coming into contact with the user's arm when the user holds the handle (216).

The first extension portion (216b) may extend from the grip portion (216a) toward the main body housing (211) or the suction motor (214). At least a portion of the first extension portion (216b) may extend in a horizontal direction.

The second extension portion (216c) may extend from the breaker portion toward the dust bin (220). At least a portion of the second extension portion (216c) may extend in a horizontal direction.

The operating unit (218) may be placed on the handle (216). The operating unit (218) may be placed on an inclined surface formed in the upper area of the handle (216). The user may input an operation or stop command for the cleaner (200) through the operating unit (218).

The vacuum cleaner (200) may include a dust bin (220). The dust bin (220) may be connected to a dust separation unit (213). The dust bin (220) may store dust separated from the dust separation unit (213).

The dustbin (220) may include a dustbin body (221), a discharge cover (222), a dustbin compression lever (223), and a compressor (not shown).

The dustbin body (221) can provide a space for storing dust separated from the dust separation unit (213). For example, the dustbin body (221) can be formed in a shape similar to a cylinder.

The lower surface (bottom surface) of the dustbin body (221) may be partially open. In addition, a lower extension portion (221a) may be formed on the lower surface (bottom surface) of the dustbin body (221). The lower extension portion (221a) may be formed to block a portion of the lower surface of the dustbin body (221).

The dustbin (220) may include a discharge cover (222). The discharge cover (222) may be placed on the lower surface of the dustbin (220).

The discharge cover (222) may be provided to open and close one end of the longitudinal direction of the dustbin body (221). Specifically, the discharge cover (222) may selectively open and close the lower part of the dustbin (220) that opens downward.

The discharge cover (222) may include a cover body (222a) and a hinge part (222b). The cover body (222a) may be formed to block a portion of the lower surface of the dustbin body (221). The cover body (222a) may rotate downward based on the hinge part (222b). The hinge part (222b) may be arranged adjacent to the battery housing (230). A torsion spring (222d) may be provided in the hinge part (222b). Therefore, when the discharge cover (222) is separated from the dustbin body (221), the cover body (222a) may be supported in a state in which it is rotated by a predetermined angle or more about the hinge part (222b) as an axis in the dustbin body (221) by the elastic force of the torsion spring (222d).

The discharge cover (222) can be coupled with the dust bin (220) through a hook connection. Meanwhile, the discharge cover (222) can be separated from the dust bin (220) through a coupling lever (222c). The coupling lever (222c) can be arranged at the front of the dust bin. Specifically, the coupling lever (222c) can be arranged on the outer surface of the front side of the dust bin (220). When an external force is applied, the coupling lever (222c) can elastically deform a hook extended from the cover body (222a) to release the hook connection between the cover body (222a) and the dust bin body (221).

When the discharge cover (222) is closed, the lower surface of the dust bin (220) can be blocked (sealed) by the discharge cover (222) and the lower extension (221a).

The dustbin (220) may include a dustbin compression lever (223) (see FIG. 2). The dustbin compression lever (223) may be arranged outside the dustbin (220) or the dust separation unit (211). The dustbin compression lever (223) may be arranged to move up and down outside the dustbin (220) or the dust separation unit (213). The dustbin compression lever (223) may be connected to a compressor (not shown). When the dustbin compression lever (223) moves downward by an external force, the compressor (not shown) may also move downward. Through this, convenience for the user may be provided. The compressor (not shown) and the dustbin compression lever (223) may return to their original positions by an elastic member (not shown). Specifically, when an external force applied to the dustbin compression lever (223) is removed, the elastic member may move the dustbin compression lever (223) and the compressor (not shown) upward.

A compressor (not shown) may be placed inside the dustbin body (221). The compressor may move in the internal space of the dustbin body (221). Specifically, the compressor may move up and down inside the dustbin body (221). Through this, the compressor may compress dust inside the dustbin body (221) downward. In addition, when the discharge cover (222) is separated from the dustbin body (221) and the lower part of the dustbin (220) is opened, the compressor may move from the upper part to the lower part of the dustbin (220) to remove foreign substances such as residual dust inside the dustbin (220). Through this, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner may be improved by preventing residual dust from remaining inside the dustbin (220). In addition, by preventing residual dust from remaining inside the dustbin (220), an unpleasant odor caused by residual substances may be eliminated.

The vacuum cleaner (200) may include a battery housing (230). The battery housing (230) may accommodate a battery (240). The battery housing (230) may be positioned at the lower side of the handle (216). For example, the battery housing (230) may have a hexahedral shape with an open bottom. The rear side of the battery housing (230) may be connected to the handle (216).

The battery housing (230) may include a receiving portion that opens downward. The battery (240) may be removed through the receiving portion of the battery housing (220).

The vacuum cleaner (200) may include a battery (240).

For example, the battery (240) may be detachably coupled to the cleaner (200). The battery (240) may be detachably coupled to the battery housing (230). For example, the battery (240) may be inserted into the interior of the battery housing (230) from the lower portion of the battery housing (230). With this configuration, the portability of the cleaner (200) may be improved.

Alternatively, the battery (240) may be integrally provided inside the battery housing (230). In this case, the lower surface of the battery (240) is not exposed to the outside.

The battery (240) can supply power to the suction motor (214) of the vacuum cleaner (200). The battery (240) can be placed at the bottom of the handle (216). The battery (240) can be placed at the rear of the dust bin (220).

According to an embodiment, when the battery (240) is coupled to the battery housing (230), the lower surface of the battery (240) may be exposed to the outside. Since the battery (240) may be placed on the floor when the vacuum cleaner (200) is placed on the floor, the battery (240) may be immediately separated from the battery housing (230). In addition, since the lower surface of the battery (240) is exposed to the outside and comes into direct contact with the external air of the battery (240), the cooling performance of the battery (240) may be improved.

Meanwhile, when the battery (240) is integrally fixed to the battery housing (230), the structure for attaching and detaching the battery (240) and the battery housing (230) can be reduced, so the overall size of the vacuum cleaner (200) can be reduced and its weight can be reduced.

The cleaner (200) may include an extension pipe (250). The extension pipe (250) may be communicated with a cleaning module (260). The extension pipe (250) may be communicated with a main body (210). The extension pipe (250) may be communicated with a suction portion (214) of the main body (210). The extension pipe (250) may be formed in a long cylindrical shape.

The main body (210) can be connected to an extension pipe (250). The main body (210) can be connected to a cleaning module (260) through the extension pipe (250). The main body (210) can generate suction force through a suction motor (214) and provide suction force to the cleaning module (260) through the extension pipe (250). External dust can be introduced into the main body (210) through the cleaning module (260) and the extension pipe (250).

The cleaner (200) may include a cleaning module (260). The cleaning module (260) may be connected to an extension pipe (250). Accordingly, external air may be drawn into the main body (210) of the cleaner (200) through the cleaning module (260) and the extension pipe (250) by the suction force generated in the main body (210) of the cleaner (200).

Dust in the dust bin (220) of the cleaner (200) can be collected by gravity into the collection unit (500) of the cleaner station (300). At the same time, dust in the dust bin (220) can be collected by the collection unit (500) of the cleaner station (300) by the suction force of the dust collecting motor (391) arranged inside the cleaner station (300). Through this, dust in the dust bin of the cleaner can be removed without a separate operation by the user, thereby providing user convenience. In addition, the inconvenience of the user having to empty the dust bin every time can be eliminated. In addition, dust can be prevented from flying when the dust bin is emptied.

The cleaner (200) can be coupled to the side of the housing (310). Specifically, the main body (210) of the cleaner (200) can be mounted on the coupling part (320). More specifically, the dustbin (220) and the battery housing (230) of the cleaner (200) can be coupled to the coupling surface (321) of the coupling part (320). The outer surface of the dustbin main body (221) can be coupled to the dustbin guide surface (322). The suction part (212) can be coupled to the suction part guide surface (326) of the coupling part (320). With this configuration, the central axis of the dustbin (220) can be arranged in a direction parallel to the ground, and the extension pipe (250) can be arranged along a direction perpendicular to the ground.

Below, the configuration of the cleaning station (300) of the embodiment of the present invention is described.

Referring to FIG. 4, a cleaner (200) may be coupled to a cleaner station (300). Specifically, a main body of a cleaner (200) may be coupled to a side of the cleaner station (300). More specifically, a dust bin (220) of the cleaner (200) may be coupled to a side of the cleaner station (300), and may be coupled through one side where a discharge cover (222) is disposed. Accordingly, when the discharge cover (222) is opened, dust in the dust bin (220) may be captured and removed inside the cleaner station (300).

The cleaner station (300) may include a housing (310). The housing (310) may form an exterior of the cleaner station (300). Specifically, the housing (310) may be formed in a pillar shape including at least one outer wall surface. As an example, the housing (310) may be formed in a shape similar to a square pillar.

The housing (310) may have a space formed therein that can accommodate a capture unit (500) and a dust suction module (390).

The housing (310) may include a bottom surface (311), an outer wall surface (312), and an upper surface (313).

The bottom surface (311) can support the lower side of the dust suction module (390) in the gravity direction. That is, the bottom surface (311) can support the lower side of the dust collection motor (391) of the dust suction module (390).

At this time, the bottom surface (311) can be placed toward the ground. The bottom surface (311) can be placed parallel to the ground, but can also be placed at a certain angle with the ground. With this configuration, the dust collection motor (391) can be stably supported, and even when the vacuum cleaner (200) is combined, there is an advantage in that the overall weight can be balanced.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment, the bottom surface (311) may further include a ground support member (311a) that increases the area in contact with the ground to prevent the cleaner station (300) from falling over and maintain balance. For example, the ground support member (311a) may be in the form of a plate extended from the bottom surface (311), and one or more frames may be formed to protrude and extend along the ground direction from the bottom surface (311).

The outer wall surface (312) may mean a surface formed along the direction of gravity, and may mean a surface connected to the floor surface (311). For example, the outer wall surface (312) may mean a surface vertically connected to the floor surface (311). In another embodiment, the outer wall surface (312) may be arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the floor surface (311).

The outer wall surface (312) may be configured to include at least one surface. For example, the outer wall surface (312) may include a first outer wall surface (312a), a second outer wall surface (312b), a third outer wall surface (312c), and a fourth outer wall surface (312d).

At this time, in the present embodiment, the first outer wall surface (312a) may be placed on the front side of the cleaner station (300). Here, the front side may mean the surface on which the cleaner (200) is exposed when the cleaner (200) is coupled to the cleaner station (300). Accordingly, the first outer wall surface (312a) may form the appearance of the front side of the cleaner station (300).

Meanwhile, in order to understand this embodiment, the direction is defined as follows. In this embodiment, the direction can be defined when the cleaner (200) is connected to the cleaner station (300).

When the cleaner (200) is coupled to the cleaner station (300), the direction in which the cleaner (200) is exposed to the outside of the cleaner station (300) can be called the front.

From another perspective, when the cleaner (200) is coupled to the cleaner station (300), the direction in which the suction motor (214) of the cleaner (200) is positioned can be called the front. And the direction opposite to the direction in which the suction motor (214) is positioned in the cleaner station (300) can be called the rear.

And, based on the internal space of the housing (310), the surface facing the front can be called the rear side of the cleaner station (300). Accordingly, the rear side can mean the direction in which the second outer wall surface (312b) is formed.

And, when looking at the front based on the internal space of the housing (310), the left side may be called the left side, and the right side may be called the right side. Accordingly, the left side may mean the direction in which the third outer wall surface (312c) is formed, and the right side may mean the direction in which the fourth outer wall surface (312d) is formed.

The first outer wall surface (312a) may be formed in a flat shape, or may be formed in an entirely curved shape, or may be formed to include a curved surface in a portion.

A coupling part (320) may be arranged on the first outer wall surface (312a). With this configuration, the cleaner (200) may be coupled to the cleaner station (300) and supported by the cleaner station (300). The specific configuration of the coupling part (320) will be described later.

Meanwhile, it is also possible to add a structure to the first outer wall surface (312a) to accommodate various types of cleaning modules (260) used in the vacuum cleaner (200).

In this embodiment, the second outer wall surface (312b) may be a surface facing the first outer wall surface (312a). That is, the second outer wall surface (312b) may be placed at the rear of the cleaner station (300). The second outer wall surface (312b) may form the exterior of the rear of the cleaner station (300).

In this embodiment, the third outer wall surface (312c) and the fourth outer wall surface (312d) may refer to surfaces connecting the first outer wall surface (312a) and the second outer wall surface (312b). At this time, the third outer wall surface (312c) may be arranged on the left side of the cleaner station (300), and the fourth outer wall surface (312d) may be arranged on the right side of the cleaner station (300). Alternatively, the third outer wall surface (312c) may be arranged on the right side of the cleaner station (300), and the fourth outer wall surface (312d) may be arranged on the left side of the cleaner station (300).

The third outer wall surface (312c) or the fourth outer wall surface (312d) may be formed in a flat shape, or may be formed in an entirely curved shape, or may be formed by including a curved surface in a portion.

Meanwhile, it is also possible to add a structure for mounting various types of cleaning modules (290) used in the cleaner (200) to the third outer wall surface (312c) or the fourth outer wall surface (312d).

The upper surface (313) may form the upper exterior of the cleaner station. That is, the upper surface (313) may mean a surface that is positioned at the uppermost side in the direction of gravity in the cleaner station and is exposed to the outside.

For reference, in this embodiment, the upper and lower sides may mean the upper and lower sides, respectively, along the direction of gravity (the direction perpendicular to the ground) when the cleaner station (300) is installed on the ground.

At this time, the upper surface (313) may be arranged parallel to the ground, but may also be arranged at a certain angle with the ground.

A display unit (530) may be placed on the upper surface (313). For example, the display unit (530) may display the status of the cleaner station (300) and the status of the cleaner (200), and may also display information such as the cleaning progress status and a map of the cleaning area.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment, the upper surface (313) may be provided to be detachable from the outer wall surface (312). At this time, when the upper surface (313) is detached, the internal space surrounded by the outer wall surface (312) may accommodate a battery detached from the cleaner (200), and a terminal (not shown) capable of charging the detached battery may be provided.

FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a coupling part of a cleaner station in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cleaner station (300) may include a coupling part (320) for coupling the cleaner (200). Specifically, the coupling part (320) is arranged on the first outer wall surface (312a), and the dust bin (220) of the cleaner (200) may be coupled thereto. The main body (210) and the battery housing (230) of the cleaner (200) may also be coupled to the coupling part (320) together with the dust bin (220).

The coupling portion (320) may include a coupling surface (321). The coupling surface (321) may be arranged on a side surface of the housing (310). For example, the coupling surface (321) may refer to a surface formed in a concave groove shape toward the inside of the cleaner station (300) on the first outer wall surface (312a). In other words, the coupling surface (321) may refer to a surface formed by forming a single unit with the first outer wall surface (312a).

A vacuum cleaner (200) may be coupled to the coupling surface (321). For example, the coupling surface (321) may be in contact with the lower surface of the dust bin (220) and the battery housing (230) of the vacuum cleaner (200). Here, the lower surface may mean a surface facing the ground when a user uses the vacuum cleaner (200) or places it on the ground.

For example, the angle formed by the joining surface (321) with the ground may be a right angle. Through this, the space of the cleaner station (300) can be minimized when the cleaner (200) is joined to the joining surface (321).

As another example, the joining surface (321) may be arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the ground. Through this, when the cleaner (200) is joined to the joining surface (321), the cleaner station (300) may be stably supported.

A dust passage hole (321a) may be formed in the coupling surface (321) to allow air from outside the housing (310) to flow into the inside. The dust passage hole (321a) may be formed in a hole shape corresponding to the shape of the dust bin (220) so that dust from the dust bin (220) may flow into the collection unit (500). The dust passage hole (321a) may be formed corresponding to the shape of the discharge cover (222) of the dust bin (220). The dust passage hole (321a) may be formed to communicate with a flow path (380) to be described later (see FIG. 8).

The coupling portion (320) may include a dustbin guide surface (322). The dustbin guide surface (322) may be arranged on the first outer wall surface (312a). The dustbin guide surface (322) may be connected to the first outer wall surface (312a). In addition, the dustbin guide surface (322) may be connected to the coupling surface (321).

The dustbin guide surface (322) can be formed in a shape corresponding to the outer surface of the dustbin (220). The front outer surface of the dustbin (220) can be coupled to the dustbin guide surface (322). Through this, the convenience of coupling the vacuum cleaner (200) to the coupling surface (321) can be provided.

Meanwhile, a projection moving hole (322a) may be formed in the dustbin guide surface (322), and a push projection (351), which will be described later, may be linearly moved along the projection moving hole (322a) (see FIG. 9). In addition, a gear box (355) that accommodates a gear of a cover opening unit (350), which will be described later, may be provided on the lower side of the dustbin guide surface (322) in the gravity direction. At this time, a guide space (322b), in which the push projection (351) may be moved, may be formed between the dustbin guide surface (322), the lower side, and the upper side of the gear box (355). In addition, the guide space (322b) may be communicated with the first flow path (381) through the bypass hole (322c). That is, the protrusion movement hole (322a), the guide space (322b), the bypass hole (322c), and the first flow path (381) can form one flow path. With this configuration, when the dust collector motor (391) is operated while the dust bin (220) is connected to the connecting portion (320), there is an advantage in that dust remaining in the dust bin (220) and the dust bin guide surface (322) can be sucked in through the flow path.

The coupling portion (320) may include a guide protrusion (323). The guide protrusion (323) may be arranged on the coupling surface (321). The guide protrusion (323) may protrude upward from the coupling surface (321). The guide protrusions (323) may be arranged two at a distance from each other. The distance between the two guide protrusions (323) that are spaced apart from each other may correspond to the width of the battery housing (230) of the cleaner (200). Through this, the convenience of coupling the cleaner (200) to the coupling surface (321) may be provided.

The coupling part (320) may include a coupling part side wall (324). The coupling part side wall (324) may refer to a wall surface arranged on both sides of the coupling surface (321) and may be vertically connected to the coupling surface (321). The coupling part side wall (324) may be connected to the first outer wall surface (312a). In addition, the coupling part side wall (324) may form a surface connected to the dustbin guide surface (322). Through this, the vacuum cleaner (200) may be stably accommodated.

The coupling unit (320) may include a coupling sensor. The coupling sensor may detect whether the cleaner (200) is coupled to the coupling unit (320).

The coupling sensor may also include a contact sensor. For example, the coupling sensor may include a micro switch. In this case, the coupling sensor may be placed on the guide protrusion (323). Accordingly, when the battery housing (230) or the battery (240) of the cleaner (200) is coupled between a pair of guide protrusions (323), the coupling sensor comes into contact, and the coupling sensor can detect that the cleaner (200) is coupled.

Meanwhile, the coupling sensor may also include a non-contact sensor. For example, the coupling sensor may include an infrared sensor (IR sensor). In this case, the coupling sensor may be placed on the coupling side wall (324). Accordingly, when the dust bin (220) or the main body (210) of the cleaner (200) passes the coupling side wall (324) and reaches the coupling surface (321), the coupling sensor may detect the presence of the dust bin (220) or the main body (210).

When the cleaner (200) is coupled to the cleaner station (300), the coupling sensor may face the dust bin (220) or battery housing (230) of the cleaner (200).

The coupling sensor can be a means for determining whether the vacuum cleaner (200) is coupled along with power being supplied to the battery (240) of the vacuum cleaner (200).

The coupling portion (320) may include a suction portion guide surface (326). The suction portion guide surface (326) may be arranged on the first outer wall surface (312a). The suction portion guide surface (326) may be connected to the dustbin guide surface (322). The suction portion (212) may be coupled to the suction portion guide surface (326). The shape of the suction portion guide surface (326) may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the suction portion (212).

The joint (320) may further include a fixed member entry/exit hole (327). The fixed member entry/exit hole (327) may be formed in the shape of a long hole along the side wall (324) of the joint so that the fixed member (331) can enter/exit.

With this configuration, when a user attaches the cleaner (200) to the attachment portion (320) of the cleaner station (300), the main body (210) of the cleaner (200) can be stably placed on the attachment portion (320) by the dustbin guide surface (322), the guide protrusion (323), and the suction portion guide surface (326). Through this, the convenience of attaching the dustbin (220) and the battery housing (230) of the cleaner (200) to the attachment portion (321) can be provided.

Meanwhile, the cleaner station (300) may further include a charging terminal (328). The charging terminal (328) may be placed in the coupling portion (320). The charging terminal (328) may be electrically connected to the cleaner (200) coupled to the coupling portion (320). The charging terminal (328) may supply power to the battery of the cleaner (200) coupled to the coupling portion (320).

Additionally, the cleaner station (300) may further include a side door. The side door may be positioned in the housing (310). The side door may selectively expose the capture unit (500) to the outside. This allows the user to easily remove the capture unit (500) from the cleaner station (300).

FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a fixed unit of a cleaner station in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the cleaner station (300) of the present invention may include a fixing unit (330). The fixing unit (330) may be disposed on a side wall (324) of a coupling portion. In addition, the fixing unit (330) may be disposed on the back surface of a coupling surface (321). The fixing unit (330) may fix a cleaner (200) coupled to the coupling surface (321). Specifically, the fixing unit (330) may fix a dust bin (220) and a battery housing (230) of the cleaner (200) coupled to the coupling surface (321).

The fixed unit (330) may include a fixed member (331) that fixes the dust bin (220) and the battery housing (230) of the vacuum cleaner (200), and a fixed member motor (580) that drives the fixed member (331). In addition, the fixed unit (330) may further include a fixed member link (335) that transmits the power of the fixed member motor (580) to the fixed member (331).

The fixed member (331) is arranged on the side wall (324) of the joint portion and may be provided to reciprocate on the side wall (324) of the joint portion to fix the dust bin (220). Specifically, the fixed member (331) may be accommodated inside the fixed member access hole (327).

The fixed members (331) can be arranged on each side of the joint (320). For example, two fixed members (331) can be arranged symmetrically in pairs around the joint surface (321).

The fixed member motor (580) can provide power to move the fixed member (331).

The fixed part link (335) can convert the rotational power of the fixed part motor (580) into reciprocating movement of the fixed part (331).

The fixed sealer (336) can be placed on the dustbin guide surface (322) to seal the dustbin (220) when the cleaner (200) is combined. With this configuration, when the dustbin (220) of the cleaner (200) is combined, the fixed sealer (336) can be pressurized by the weight of the cleaner (200), and the dustbin (220) and the dustbin guide surface (322) can be sealed.

The fixed sealer (336) can be placed on an imaginary extension of the fixed member (331). With this configuration, when the fixed member motor (580) is operated and the fixed member (331) pressurizes the dust bin (220), the circumference of the dust bin (220) at the same height can be sealed.

According to an embodiment, the fixed sealer (336) may be placed on the dustbin guide surface (322) in a bent line shape corresponding to the arrangement of the cover opening unit (350) described later.

Accordingly, when the main body (210) of the cleaner (200) is placed in the coupling portion (320), the fixing unit (330) can fix the main body (210) of the cleaner (200). Specifically, when the coupling sensor (325) detects that the main body (210) of the cleaner (200) is coupled with the coupling portion (320) of the cleaner station (300), the fixing portion motor (580) can move the fixing member (331) to fix the main body (210) of the cleaner (200).

This can improve the suction power of the vacuum cleaner by preventing residual dust from remaining in the dust bin. In addition, it can eliminate the unpleasant odor caused by residual dust by preventing residual dust from remaining in the dust bin.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are drawings for explaining the relationship between a cleaner and a door unit in a cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a door closes a dust passage hole, and FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a door opens a dust passage hole.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the cleaner station (300) of the present invention may include a door unit (340). The door unit (340) may be configured to open and close a dust passage hole (321a).

The door unit (340) may include a door (341), a door motor (342), and a door arm (343).

The door (341) is hingedly connected to the joining surface (321) and can open and close the dust passage hole (321a). The door (341) may include a door body (341a).

The door body (341a) may be formed in a shape capable of blocking the dust passage hole (321a). For example, the door body (341a) may be formed in a shape similar to a circular plate.

Based on the state in which the door body (341a) blocks the dust passage hole (321a), a hinge part may be arranged on the upper side of the door body (341a), and a female coupling part (341b) may be arranged on the lower side of the door body (341a).

The door body (341a) may be formed in a shape that can seal the dust passage hole (321a). For example, the outer surface of the door body (341a) exposed to the outside of the cleaner station (300) is formed to have a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the dust passage hole (321a), and the inner surface disposed inside the cleaner station (300) is formed to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the dust passage hole (321a). In addition, a step may be generated between the outer surface and the inner surface. Meanwhile, at least one reinforcing rib may be formed protrudingly on the inner surface to connect the hinge portion and the arm joint portion (341b) and to strengthen the supporting force of the door body (341a).

The hinge portion may be a means for hinge-connecting the door (341) to the joining surface (321). The hinge portion may be arranged at the upper end of the door body (341a) and may be connected to the joining surface (321).

The arm coupling part (341b) may be a means by which the door arm (343) is rotatably coupled. The arm coupling part (341b) is arranged on the lower side of the door body (341a), is rotatably coupled with the door body (341a), and the door arm (343) may be rotatably coupled.

With this configuration, when the door arm (343) pulls the door body (341a) while the door (341) is closing the dust passage hole (321a), the door body (341a) rotates about the hinge part to move toward the inside of the cleaner station (300), and the dust passage hole (321a) can be opened. On the other hand, when the door arm (343) pushes the door body (341a) while the dust passage hole (321a) is open, the door body (341a) rotates about the hinge part (341b) to move toward the outside of the cleaner station (300), and the dust passage hole (321a) can be blocked.

Meanwhile, when the cleaner (200) is coupled to the cleaner station (300) and the discharge cover (220) is separated from the dustbin body (210), the door (341) can come into contact with the discharge cover (220). And, as the door (341) rotates, the discharge cover (220) can rotate in conjunction with the door (341).

The door motor (342) can provide power to rotate the door (341). Specifically, the door motor (342) can rotate the door arm (343) in a forward or reverse direction. Here, the forward direction may mean a direction in which the door arm (343) pulls the door (341). Accordingly, when the door arm (343) rotates in a forward direction, the dust passage hole (321a) can be opened. In addition, the reverse direction may mean a direction in which the door arm (343) pushes the door (341). Accordingly, when the door arm (343) rotates in a reverse direction, the dust passage hole (321a) can be at least partially closed. The forward direction may be a direction opposite to the reverse direction.

The door arm (343) connects the door (341) and the door motor (342), and can open and close the door (341) using power generated from the door motor (342).

For example, the door arm (343) may include a first door arm (343a) and a second door arm (343b). One end of the first door arm (343a) may be coupled with a door motor (342). The first door arm (343a) may be rotated by the power of the door motor (342). The other end of the first door arm (343a) may be rotatably coupled with a second door arm (343b). The first door arm (343a) may transmit power transmitted from the door motor (342) to the second door arm (343b). One end of the second door arm (343b) may be coupled with the first door arm (343a). The other end of the second door arm (343b) may be coupled with the door (341). The second door arm (343b) can open or close the dust passage hole (321a) by pushing or pulling the door (341).

The door unit (340) can be opened together with the discharge cover (222) of the cleaner (200) when it is opened. Additionally, when the door unit (340) is closed, the discharge cover (222) of the cleaner (200) can be closed together with it.

When the dust in the dust bin (220) of the vacuum cleaner (200) is removed, the door motor (342) can connect the discharge cover (222) to the dust bin body (221) by rotating the door (341). Specifically, the door motor (342) rotates the door (341) by rotating the door (341) relative to the hinge part (341b), and the door (141) that rotates relative to the hinge part (341b) can push the discharge cover (222) toward the dust bin body (221).

FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining the relationship between a cleaner and a cover opening unit in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the cleaner station (300) of the present invention may include a cover opening unit (350). The cover opening unit (350) is disposed at the coupling portion (320) and may open the discharge cover (222) of the cleaner (200).

The cover opening unit (350) may include a push projection (351), a cover opening motor (352), a cover opening gear (353), and a gear box (355).

The push lug (351) can be moved to pressurize the coupling lever (222c) when the vacuum cleaner (200) is coupled.

The push projection (351) can be placed on the dustbin guide surface (322). Specifically, a projection moving hole can be formed on the dustbin guide surface (322), and the push projection (351) can pass through the projection moving hole and be exposed to the outside.

The push projection (351) can be positioned at a position where the coupling lever (222c) can be pressed when the cleaner (200) is coupled. That is, the coupling lever (222c) can be positioned on the projection moving hole. In addition, the coupling lever (222c) can be positioned on the moving area of the push projection (351).

The push projection (351) can move linearly back and forth to pressurize the coupling lever (222c). Specifically, the push projection (351) can be coupled to a gear box (355) so that the linear movement can be guided. The push projection (351) can be coupled to a cover opening gear (353) so that it can move together with the movement of the cover opening gear (353).

The cover opening motor (352) can provide power to move the push projection (351). Specifically, the cover opening motor (352) can rotate the motor shaft in a forward or reverse direction. Here, the forward direction may mean the direction in which the push projection (351) presses the engaging lever (222c). In addition, the reverse direction may mean the direction in which the push projection (351) that has pressed the engaging lever (222c) returns to its original position. The forward direction may be the opposite direction to the reverse direction.

The cover opening gear (353) is coupled with the cover opening motor (352) and can move the push projection (351) using the power of the cover opening motor (352). Specifically, the cover opening gear (353) can be accommodated inside the gear box (355). The driving gear (353a) of the cover opening gear (353) can be coupled with the motor shaft of the cover opening motor (352) to receive power. The driven gear (353b) of the cover opening gear (353) can be coupled with the push projection (351) to move the push projection (351). For example, the driven gear (353b) is provided in the form of a rack gear to mesh with the driving gear (353a) and can receive power from the driving gear (353a).

At this time, the discharge cover (222) may be equipped with a torsion spring (222d). The discharge cover (222) may be rotated by a predetermined angle or more by the elastic force of the torsion spring (222d), and may be supported at the rotated position. Accordingly, the discharge cover (222) may be opened, and may communicate the dust passage hole (321a) and the inside of the dust bin (220).

The gear box (355) is provided inside the housing (310) and is positioned below the gravity direction of the coupling part (320), and the cover opening gear (353) can be accommodated inside.

According to the present invention, the user can open the dust bin (220) without separately opening the discharge cover (222) of the vacuum cleaner by using the cover opening unit (350), thereby improving convenience.

In addition, since the discharge cover (222) is opened while the cleaner (200) is connected to the cleaner station (300), there is an effect of preventing dust from flying.

FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining the arrangement of the components of the cleaner station in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the cover opening unit (350) described above is positioned on the lower side of the coupling part (320), and the flow path part (380) is positioned on the rear side of the coupling part (320) and the cover opening unit (350).

Hereinafter, the path extending from the coupling part (320) to the collecting part (500) is referred to as the first path (381). The collecting part (500) where dust is collected is connected and placed at the lower end of the first path (381).

The cleaner station (300) may further include a chamber section (360).

The chamber part (360) is placed in the housing (310), and a capturing part receiving space (360a) is formed to receive the capturing part (500).

At this time, the capturing unit (500) may be detachably provided in the chamber unit (360). The chamber unit (360) may be configured to be detachably provided in the housing (310), or may be configured to be formed integrally with the housing (310). The detailed structure of the chamber unit (360) is described in FIG. 11 and below.

The cleaner station (300) may include a euro section (380).

The flow path (380) is defined as a passage through which air and foreign substances that have exited the dust bin (220) of the vacuum cleaner (200) flow. The flow path (380) may include a first flow path (381) connecting the dust bin (220) and the collecting unit (500) and a second flow path (382) connecting the collecting unit (500) and the dust collecting motor (391).

The first flow path (381) may be arranged at the rear side of the coupling surface (321). The first flow path (381) may refer to a space formed between the dust bin (220) of the cleaner (200) and the collecting unit (500) to allow air to flow. For example, the first flow path (381) may be a space formed by being surrounded by a structure. For example, the first flow path (381) may be an internal space of a hollow tube.

The first euro (381) may include a first region (381a) that communicates with the internal space of the dust bin (220) when the cleaner (200) is coupled to the cleaner station (300) and the dust passage hole (321a) is opened, and a second region (381b) that communicates the first region (381a) and the collecting unit (500). (See FIG. 8)

Therefore, when the dust collecting motor (391) is operated, dust in the dust bin (220) of the cleaner (200) can flow to the collecting unit (500) through the first duct (381).

The second flow path (382) can connect the collection unit (500) and the dust suction module (390). That is, the air from which dust is separated while passing through the collection unit (500) can be guided to the dust collection motor (391) through the second flow path (382).

The second passage (382) may refer to a space formed between the capture unit (500) and the dust suction module (390) to allow air to flow. The second passage (382) may be formed surrounded by a structure.

In an embodiment where the capturing unit (500) is the first capturing unit (510), a portion of the second flow path (382) may be formed inside the first capturing unit (510). The portion may be referred to as a discharge flow path (518). The discharge flow path (518) may be arranged on the front side of the capturing unit body (511). (See FIGS. 24 and 26)

The vacuum station (300) may include a dust suction module (390).

Referring back to FIG. 10, the dust suction module (390) may include a dust collecting motor (391). The dust collecting motor (391) may be positioned at the bottom of the collecting unit (500). The dust collecting motor (391) may generate a suction force in the duct unit (380). Through this, a suction force capable of sucking dust into the dust bin (220) of the cleaner (200) is provided.

The dust suction module (390) may further include a HEPA filter (not shown). The HEPA filter may be placed at the rear end (based on the air flow path) of the dust collection motor (391). As a result, clean air is discharged to the outside of the housing (310).

Meanwhile, although not shown in Fig. 10, the fixed unit (330) and the door unit (340) are positioned adjacent to the joint (320), as already described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8.

The cleaner station (300) may further include a capturing unit (500).

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a chamber portion (360) and a capturing portion (500) that can be coupled to the chamber portion (360) in an embodiment of the present invention.

The collection unit (500) can be detachably connected to the chamber unit (360). A dust receiving space is provided in the collection unit (500) so as to collect dust sucked in from inside the dust bin (220) by the dust collecting motor (391).

Meanwhile, the collecting unit (500) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a first collecting unit (510) in the shape of a barrel with a fixed size of a dust receiving space.

The first collecting unit (510) has a 'barrel' shape, so it is easy to clean the inside, and has the advantage of being able to be used semi-permanently by simply removing the dust contained therein. However, removing and cleaning the dust, which are separate tasks, may be considered cumbersome to the user.

Alternatively, the collecting unit (500) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a second collecting unit (520) in the form of an envelope in which the size of the dust receiving space is variable.

The second collecting unit (520) is usually made of a breathable material that allows air to escape but not dust to escape. The second collecting unit (520) has the problem that it must be purchased and replaced periodically because the inside cannot be cleaned even if the dust contained in it is removed. However, the structure is simple and the entire second collecting unit (520) can be thrown into a trash can without having to remove the dust separately or clean the inside, so it has the advantage of user convenience.

The cleaner station (300) according to an embodiment of the present invention can be operated regardless of which of the two types of collecting units (510, 520) is accommodated in the collecting unit accommodation space (360a) of the chamber unit (360). That is, the two types of collecting units (510, 520) are compatible.

The user can select the capturing unit (510, 520) to be used by considering the advantages and disadvantages of each capturing unit (510, 520) described above and his/her own preference.

The benefits of compatibility are not limited to the user's preference area. For example, there is also an advantage in that a user who prefers the first capturing unit (510) can temporarily use the second capturing unit (520) as an alternative during the process of washing and drying the first capturing unit (510).

Below, various features provided in the chamber part (360) to enable different types of capturing parts (510, 520) to be compatible are described.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a chamber portion (360) viewed from the side in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an enlarged upper side of a chamber portion (360) in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 14 is a view of a chamber portion (360) viewed from the front in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a chamber portion (360) in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a compression drive portion (362) in an embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring again to FIG. 11, the chamber portion (360) may include a chamber body (361).

The chamber body (361) forms the outer appearance of the capturing portion receiving space (360a). The capturing portion receiving space (360a) may have an approximately hexahedral shape.

One side of the chamber body (361) may be open. The open side of the chamber body (361) may be forward. The open side of the chamber body (361) may be closed by a housing cover (370).

One side of the housing cover (370) can be rotatably coupled to one side of the housing (300). When the other side of the housing cover (370) rotates in a direction away from the housing (300), one side of the chamber body (361) is opened. Conversely, when the other side of the housing cover (370) rotates in a direction closer to the housing (300), one side of the chamber body (361) can be closed.

The capturing portion receiving space (360a) formed by the chamber body (361) can be formed so that the cross-sectional area of the front end is wider than the cross-sectional area of the rear end.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 12, a virtual plane (p1) connecting the front upper end and the rear upper end of the chamber body (361) may have a rearward-downward slope.

A virtual plane (p2) connecting the front lower end and the rear lower end of the chamber body (361) may have a rearward-upward slope.

The upper side of the chamber body (361) has a downward slope as it goes toward the rear, and the lower side has an upward slope as it goes toward the rear, so that the front end of the collecting portion receiving space (360a) has a wider cross-sectional area than the rear end.

Through this structure, there is an advantage in that the fixed-type first capturing unit (510) can be easily inserted into the capturing unit receiving space (360a).

An air inlet (3621) may be provided in the chamber body (361).

The air inlet (3621) passes air introduced through the first duct (381). The air inlet (3621) may be provided on the upper surface of the chamber body (361). Alternatively, the air inlet (3621) may be provided at an end of a hollow tube integrally connected to the chamber body (361).

The air inlet (3621) is arranged to overlap vertically with the dust inlet of the collection unit (500) described later. That is, the air and dust passing through the first flow path (381) pass through the air inlet (3621) and the dust inlet in sequence and are introduced into the dust receiving space of the collection unit (500).

An inlet sealing member (367) may be placed between the air inlet (3621) and the first flow path (381). The inlet sealing member (367) seals between the air inlet (3621) and the first flow path (381) to prevent air and dust from leaking out to a space other than the chamber body (361). The inlet sealing member (367) may be placed in a form that surrounds the perimeter of the air inlet (3621).

The chamber body (361) has a generally downward slope from the front upper end to the rear upper end as described above, and a portion of the upper surface of the chamber body (361) may include an inclined surface formed with a rearward downward slope at a predetermined angle.

The air inlet (3621) formed at the upper portion of the chamber body (361) may also be formed so that its open cross-section slopes downward from the front to the rear.

An air outlet (3622) may be provided in the chamber body (361).

The air outlet (3622) allows air that has been filtered of dust to pass through the collection unit (500). The air outlet (3622) may be provided at the bottom of the chamber body (361). The air outlet (3622) may be provided at the bottom of the mounting wall of the filter mounting unit (365) described later. (See FIG. 20)

The air outlet (3622) is connected to the dust suction module (390). That is, air passing through the air outlet (3622) can be finally discharged to the outside of the housing through the dust suction module (390).

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 15, the chamber portion (360) may include a compression drive portion (362).

The compression drive unit (362) is configured to generate power to rotate the compression rotation unit (515) that compresses the dust collected in the first collecting unit (510). The compression rotation unit (515) will be described later.

The compression driving unit (362) may be placed at the lower portion of the chamber body (361). More specifically, the compression driving unit (362) may be placed at the outer lower portion of the chamber body (361).

Referring further to Fig. 16, the detailed configuration of the compression drive unit (362) is described as follows.

The compression drive unit (362) may include a compression motor (3622). The compression motor (3622) may be placed outside the capturing unit receiving space (360a). That is, the compression motor (3622) may be placed outside the chamber body (361).

The compression motor (3622) generates power to rotate the compression rotation part (515). The compression motor (3622) is equipped with a motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. In other words, the compression motor (3622) is a motor capable of bidirectional rotation.

In this way, in order to enable the forward and reverse rotation of the compression motor (3622), a synchronous motor may be used as the compression motor (3622). This synchronous motor is configured to enable the forward and reverse rotation by the motor itself, and when the force applied to the compression motor (3622) when the compression motor (3622) rotates in one direction exceeds a set value, the rotation of the compression motor (3622) is converted to the other direction.

At this time, the force applied to the compression motor (3622) is a resistance force (torque) generated as the rotary plate (5153) described later pressurizes the dust, and when the resistance force reaches a set value, the rotation direction of the compression motor (3622) is configured to be changed.

Since the technology for other synchronous motors is generally known in the field of motor technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The compression drive unit (362) may further include a drive gear (3621).

The drive gear (3621) is rotated by the power of the compression motor (3622). To this end, the drive gear (3621) may be connected to the motor shaft of the compression motor (3622). The drive gear (3621) may be coupled to the upper side of the compression motor (3622).

The driving gear (3621) may be placed outside the capturing portion receiving space (360a). That is, the driving gear (3621) may be placed outside the chamber body (361).

At this time, a portion of the lower surface of the chamber body (361) may protrude upward to form a driving gear receiving portion (3623). (See FIG. 15)

At the lower part of the chamber body (361), a gear passage hole (3623a) is formed to expose at least a part of the driving gear (3621) toward the inside of the collecting portion receiving space (360a). More specifically, the gear passage hole (3623a) may be formed by penetrating the side surface of the driving gear receiving portion (3623). The gear teeth (3621c) of the driving gear (3621) may be exposed through the gear passage hole (3623a). (See FIG. 15)

Meanwhile, since the driving gear (3621) and the compression motor (3622) are arranged on the outside of the capturing unit receiving space (360a), considering that the capturing unit receiving space (360a) is a space that is periodically opened, there is an effect of preventing the driving gear (3621) and the compression motor (3622) from being exposed to contamination.

The drive gear (3621) can transmit rotational power to the compression rotation part (515).

The compression rotation unit (515) is a concept including one or more components that rotate to compress dust collected in the dust receiving space of the first collecting unit (510).

The detailed structure will be described later, but the rotary plate (5153) included in the compression rotary part (515) rotates to collect dust. The rotary plate (5153) rotates to get closer to the fixed plate (5152) fixedly positioned on one side of the first collecting part (510), thereby pressurizing and compressing the dust collected between it and the fixed plate (5152).

The first capturing unit (510) may include a transmission gear (514).

The transmission gear (514) is configured to be combined with the compression rotation unit (515) and is arranged between the compression driving unit (362) and the compression rotation unit (515) to transmit rotational power.

More specifically, the transmission gear (514) may be arranged on the lower outer side of the first capturing portion (510). When the first capturing portion (510) is inserted into the capturing portion receiving space (360a), the gear teeth (5142) of the transmission gear (514) may mesh with the gear teeth (3621c) of the driving gear (3621) exposed by the gear passage hole (3623a).

Accordingly, the rotational power generated by the compression motor (3622) can be transmitted to the compression rotation part (515) through the drive gear (3621) and the transmission gear (514).

Meanwhile, since the drive gear (3621) is accommodated in the drive gear receiving portion (3623), and the drive gear receiving portion (3623) is formed with a structure that protrudes upward from the lowest end surface of the capturing portion receiving space (360a), the user can easily engage the transmission gear (514) and the drive gear (3621) by simply pushing the first capturing portion (510) horizontally.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the chamber portion (360) may include a rail portion (363).

The rail part (363) may be placed on the upper part of the chamber body (361). More specifically, the rail part (363) may be placed on the inner upper part of the chamber body (361).

The rail portion (363) is configured such that at least a part of the second capturing portion (520) is fitted and connected, and the second capturing portion (520) can slide along the rail portion (363). The second capturing portion (520) can be supported in a state spaced apart from the lower surface of the chamber body (361) and in a state suspended from the rail portion (363).

As described above, the second collecting unit (520) is an envelope-type collecting unit (500) in which the shape of the dust receiving space is variable.

At this time, the dust bag (521) included in the second collecting unit (520) is expanded by the suction drive of the dust collecting motor (391), and dust can be drawn into the interior of the dust bag (521) from the first flow path (381) by the negative pressure formed as the dust bag (521) is expanded.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the dust bag (521), which is a component of the second collecting unit (520), is made of a breathable material. That is, it is made of a material that prevents dust larger than a certain size from escaping, but allows air to escape. Accordingly, as long as the suction operation of the dust collecting motor (391) continues, the suction of dust into the interior of the dust bag (521) also continues.

If there is no distance between the lowest end of the dust bag (521) and the inner lower surface of the chamber body (361) when the dust bag (521) is inflated to its maximum, the power to suck up dust is reduced. Therefore, in order to evenly transmit the suction power to the dust bag (521), it is preferable that the dust bag (521) be inflated to its maximum and be spaced apart from the lower surface of the chamber body (361) by a predetermined distance.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a rail part (363) having a structure that supports the second capturing part (520) by separating it from the lower surface of the chamber body (361) is provided, thereby enabling compatibility between the first capturing part (510) and the second capturing part (520).

The rail section (363) may include a rail body (3631).

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the rail body (3631) can form a space in which the second capturing unit (520) slides. The rail body (3631) can be formed in a shape extending from the front to the rear of the chamber body (361). The rail body (3631) can be arranged on the left and right sides, respectively. The rail body (3631) can be formed in a left-right symmetrical structure.

The rail body (3631) may be provided in a shape similar to a 'U' that is open toward the center of the chamber body (361) and rotated 90 degrees. From another perspective, the rail body (3631) may be provided in a shape similar to the Korean consonant 'ㄷ' with the rail body (3631) positioned on the left as the standard.

However, the shape of the rail body (3631) described above is an example, and the shape of the rail body (3631) may be changed to an appropriate structure capable of supporting the second capturing portion (520) on the upper side of the chamber body (361).

The upper surface of the rail body (3631) placed on the upper surface of the chamber body (361) may be configured as an inclined surface, similar to the upper surface of the chamber body (361). In contrast, the lower surface of the rail body (3631) may be formed to be parallel to the ground. (See FIG. 13)

Below, the detailed configuration of the rail section (363) is further described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

Figure 17 is an enlarged view of section “A” of Figure 15, and Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C’ of Figure 17.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18 along with FIG. 15, the rail portion (363) may further include an interference protrusion (3632).

The interference protrusion (3632) can be placed at a first position (Position 1) that interferes with the housing cover (370) at the front of the rail body (3631).

More specifically, the first position may mean a position where the housing cover (370) prevents the open side of the chamber body (361) from being closed.

From another perspective, the first position may mean a position that shields the insertion progression path of some components included in the first capturing unit (510) and the second capturing unit (520) when the first capturing unit (510) or the second capturing unit (520) is inserted into the capturing unit receiving space (360a).

Here, some of the components that shield the insertion path may be, in the case of the first capturing unit (510), an external plate (522) to be described later. (See FIG. 31) In the case of the second capturing unit (520), some of the components may be ribs (5161c) protruding from the body cover (516). (See FIG. 23)

The interference protrusion (3632) can be moved to a second position (Position 2) where interference with the housing cover (370) is avoided by contact with the first capturing portion (510) (specifically, the outer plate (522)) or the second capturing portion (520) (specifically, the rib (5161c)).

Meanwhile, a cover protrusion (371) may be formed protrudingly on the housing cover (370).

The cover protrusion (371) can be positioned at a position where it comes into contact with the aforementioned interference protrusion (3632) when the housing cover (370) rotates to close the open side of the chamber body (361). (See FIG. 15) That is, the meaning that the interference protrusion (3632) interferes with the housing cover (370) means that the interference protrusion (3632) and the cover protrusion (371) come into contact with each other.

The rail section (363) may further include a projection guide (3633).

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the protrusion guide (3633) can be combined with the interference protrusion (3632). The protrusion guide (3633) can guide the movement of the interference protrusion (3632).

More specifically, the projection guide (3633) has a space formed therein in which an interference projection (3632) is received, and a hook (3662) that engages with a hook (3632a) formed at an end of the interference projection (3632) can be formed inside the space.

The interference projection (3632) can be placed in the first position while the hook (3632a) and the catch (3662) are in contact with each other. As the interference projection (3632) moves from the first position to the second position, the contact between the hook (3632a) and the catch (3662) can be released. (See FIG. 19)

The rail section (363) may further include a restoration member (3634).

Referring to FIG. 18, the restoring member (3634) can be coupled to a space formed inside the interference protrusion (3632). Let us define the direction in which the interference protrusion (3632) moves from the first position to the second position as the first moving direction (md1), and the direction opposite to the first moving direction as the second moving direction (md2). The restoring member (3634) can provide elastic force to the interference protrusion (3632) toward the second moving direction, and the interference protrusion (3632) can be moved in the second moving direction until the hook (3632a) and the catch (3662) come into contact with each other by the restoring member (3634).

Referring to FIG. 19, the operation of the interference protrusion (3632) in the case where the capturing unit (500) is inserted and not inserted into the capturing unit receiving space (360a) is described.

FIG. 19 is a drawing for explaining the movement of the interference protrusion (3632) and the resulting positional relationship with the housing cover (370) in an embodiment of the present invention.

The left drawing of Fig. 19 shows a situation in which the cover protrusion (371) and the interference protrusion (3632) are in contact with each other when the interference protrusion (3632) is in the first position. At this time, the direction in which force is applied to the interference protrusion (3632) as the cover protrusion (371) comes into contact with the interference protrusion (3632) and the direction in which the interference protrusion (3632) moves from the first position to the second position can form a predetermined angle.

The above force does not have a component in the direction of moving the interference protrusion (3632) from the first position to the second position. Therefore, the movement of the interference protrusion (3632) cannot be achieved by the force pressing the cover protrusion (371), and the interference protrusion (3632) prevents the housing cover (370) from rotating any further, so that the chamber body (361) cannot be closed.

The right drawing of Fig. 19 shows a case where the interference protrusion (3632) is in the second position and the cover protrusion (371) does not come into contact with the interference protrusion (3632). The housing cover (370) can rotate until it completely closes the open side of the chamber body (361).

At this time, the first capturing part (510) or the second capturing part (520) moves the interference protrusion (3632) from the first position to the second position. When the first capturing part (510) or the second capturing part (520) is inserted into the capturing part receiving space (360a), a part of the configuration (5162a) of the first capturing part (510) or the second capturing part (520) can push the interference protrusion (3632) to the second position.

The interference projection (3632) may be provided with an inclined portion (3632c) that comes into contact with a part of the capturing portion (500).

Referring to FIG. 15, the chamber portion (360) may further include a filter mounting portion (365).

The filter mounting portion (365) may be placed at the bottom of the chamber body (361). The filter mounting portion (365) may mean a filter mounting space in which a pre-filter module (470) for filtering air passing through the capturing portion (500) is detachably coupled, and a mounting wall surrounding the filter mounting space.

At this time, the air outlet (3622) described above is formed at the bottom of the mounting wall. From another perspective, the air outlet (3622) is formed at the bottom of the filter mounting space.

If the pre-filter module (470) is combined with the filter mounting part (365), the air that exits the collection part (500) and heads toward the air outlet (3622) passes through the pre-filter module (470) and then through the air outlet (3622) to the dust suction module (390).

If the pre-filter module (470) is not attached to the filter mounting portion (365), the air that has exited the collection portion (500) passes through the air outlet (3622) and moves to the dust suction module (390).

Figure 20 is a drawing showing the pre-filter module (470) divided into component units and developed in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 20, the prefilter module (470) may include a filter case (471, 472) and a filter (473, 474).

The filter case (471, 472) may be composed of a case upper part (471) and a case lower part (472), and the case upper part (471) and the case lower part (472) may be connected via a hinge. When the hinge is rotated about an axis, the space inside the case may be opened and closed.

An air inlet (4711) is formed in the upper part of the case (471).

The air inlet (4711) may be formed on the upper surface of the upper portion of the case (471) in a shape corresponding to the shape of the discharge path (518) of the first collecting unit (510) to be described later. Air that has exited the discharge path (518) of the first collecting unit (510) may be introduced into the interior of the filter case (471, 472) through the air inlet (4711). Air that has exited the dust bag (521) of the second collecting unit (520) may be introduced into the interior of the filter case (471, 472) through the air inlet (4711).

An air outlet (4721) is formed at the bottom of the case (472).

The air outlet (4721) may be formed by a plurality of holes penetrating the lower surface of the case lower surface (472). The air outlets (4721) may be arranged to be distributed over the entire lower surface area of the case lower surface (472) so that air can evenly pass through the filter.

At least one filter (473, 474) can be accommodated in the internal space formed by the case upper portion (471) and the case lower portion (472). The filter (473, 474) can include a first filter (473) made of sponge material. The filter (473, 474) can include a second filter (474) made of non-woven material.

A pressing projection (4712) may be formed protruding on one side of the filter case (471, 472).

The pressing projection (4712) is configured to press the filter detection projection (366) described later when the prefilter module (470) is mounted on the filter mounting portion (365). The pressing projection (4712) may be formed in the form of a rib protruding from one surface of the upper part of the case (471) or the lower part of the case (472). (See FIG. 22)

Referring to FIG. 15, the chamber portion (360) may further include a filter detection protrusion (366).

The filter detection protrusion (366) may be positioned at the bottom of the chamber body (361). More specifically, the filter detection protrusion (366) may be positioned adjacent to the mounting wall of the filter mounting portion (365).

One side of the filter detection protrusion (366) can be maintained in a state of protruding toward the capture unit receiving space (360a) when the pre-filter module (470) is not coupled to the filter mounting portion (365).

For this purpose, although not shown, a pressurizing means for applying force in the direction of protruding the one side may be combined with the filter sensing protrusion (366). For example, the pressurizing means may be an elastic body such as a spring.

In this way, when one side of the filter detection protrusion (366) protrudes toward the capturing unit receiving space (360a), the rear side of the first capturing unit (510) and the filter detection protrusion (366) interfere with each other, making it impossible to completely insert the first capturing unit (510) into the capturing unit receiving space (360a).

In contrast, since the second collecting unit (520) is maintained spaced from the bottom of the chamber body (361) even when the dust bag (521) is fully inflated, the insertion of the second collecting unit (520) is not hindered by the filter detection protrusion (366).

With this configuration, the user cannot use the first collecting unit (510) without mounting the pre-filter module (470) on the filter mounting portion (365). If the user forgets to remove the pre-filter module (470) and then inserts the first collecting unit (510) into the chamber body (361), it will not be fully inserted because it will be caught on the filter detection protrusion (366). After mounting the pre-filter module (470) on the filter mounting portion (365), the user can re-insert the first collecting unit (510) into the chamber body (361).

Meanwhile, when the pre-filter module (470) is coupled to the filter mounting portion (365), one side of the filter detection protrusion (366) can be pressed by the pre-filter module (470). At this time, the filter detection protrusion (366) can be moved in a direction to avoid interference with the first capturing portion (510).

FIG. 21 is a drawing showing an enlarged view of part “B” of FIG. 15 to explain the movement of the filter detection protrusion (366) depending on whether the pre-filter module (470) is mounted, and FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D’ of FIG. 21.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the filter detection protrusion (366) may include a protrusion body (3661) and a catch (3662) protrudingly formed on the outer surface of the protrusion body (3661). At this time, a space in which the pressurizing means (not shown) described above is arranged may be formed inside the protrusion body (3661).

Referring to the left drawing of Fig. 21 and the left drawing of Fig. 22, a state in which a pre-filter module (470) is not mounted on the filter mounting portion (365) is shown. The filter detection protrusion (366) maintains a state in which one side protrudes toward the capturing portion receiving space (360a).

The right drawing of Fig. 21 shows a state in which a pre-filter module (470) is mounted on a filter mounting portion (365). Referring to the right drawing of Fig. 22, the filter detection protrusion (366) is pressed against the catch (3662) by the pressing protrusion (4712).

At this time, as in the embodiment of Fig. 22, the pressing projection (4712) may be formed to protrude from one surface of the upper part of the case (471). As the pre-filter module (470) is mounted on the filter mounting portion (365), the pressing projection (4712) may come into contact with the catch (3662) and press downward one side of the filter detection projection (366) that is in a protruding state by encroaching on the collecting portion receiving space (360a).

Thereby, the first capturing portion (510) can be completely inserted into the chamber body (361) without interference.

Meanwhile, the necessity of the filter detection protrusion (366) described above is related to the fact that the dust separation means between the first collecting unit (510) and the second collecting unit (520) are different.

The dust separation means of the first collection unit (510) may include a mesh net (5121) and a cyclone (513).

The second collection unit (520) may include a dust bag (521) made of breathable material as a dust separation means.

In the case of the second collecting unit (520), dust larger than a certain size structurally cannot pass through the dust bag (521). Since the dust bag (521) can perform the function of a pre-filter by itself, installation of a pre-filter module (470) is optional and not required by the user.

However, in the case of the first collecting unit (510), although it is possible to largely separate even fine dust through the dust collecting action of the cyclone (513), it is structurally impossible to completely filter fine dust like the dust bag (521) of the first collecting unit (510).

Therefore, in order to prevent fine dust from entering the dust collecting motor (391), a pre-filter module (470) must be placed in the path through which air passing through the first collecting unit (510) enters the dust collecting motor (391).

An embodiment of the present invention has the effect of drawing the user's attention to the non-installation of the pre-filter module (470) when using the first capturing unit (510).

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention enables the use of the second collecting unit (520) regardless of whether the pre-filter module (470) is mounted, thereby reducing the cost of purchasing a filter depending on the user's choice.

Referring to FIG. 13, the chamber portion (360) may further include a sterilization module mounting portion (364).

The sterilization module mounting portion (364) may be placed on the upper portion of the chamber body (361). The sterilization module mounting portion (364) may be placed apart from the air inlet (3621). The sterilization module mounting portion (364) may include a sterilization module mounting space formed by bending a portion of the upper surface of the chamber body (361) upward and a mounting wall surrounding the mounting space.

A sterilizing module (450) equipped to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the capturing unit receiving space (360a) can be mounted on the sterilizing module mounting portion (364).

The sterilizing module (450) is a configuration provided to sterilize dust captured in the capturing unit (500). The sterilizing module (450) may include a light source that emits sterilizing light and a protective panel positioned below the light source to protect the light source.

In a possible embodiment, the light source and the protection panel may be mounted on the sterilization module mounting portion (364) in a form accommodated in a separately provided housing. Alternatively, in a possible embodiment, the light source and the protection panel may be mounted on the sterilization module mounting space in a form accommodated directly in the sterilization module mounting space.

In this way, the combination form of the sterilizing module (450) and the sterilizing module mounting portion (364) is not limited to any one embodiment as long as the light source of the sterilizing module (450) is arranged to emit sterilizing light toward the collecting portion receiving space (360a).

Here, the light source may include at least one light emitting diode (LED) capable of emitting germicidal light having germicidal power capable of killing bacteria. The germicidal light emitted by the light source may have a wavelength that varies depending on the type of the light emitting diode.

For example, the light source may be a light-emitting diode that emits ultraviolet rays having a UV-C wavelength range. Ultraviolet rays are divided into UV-A (315 nm to 400 nm), UV-B (280 nm to 315 nm), and UV-C (200 nm to 280 nm) depending on their wavelength, and among these, ultraviolet light in the UV-C range can damage the double helix of the DNA of microorganisms and inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

Or, as another example, the light source may be a light emitting diode that emits visible light having a wavelength of 405 nm. Blue light having a wavelength of 405 nm has a wavelength in the boundary region between visible light and ultraviolet light and has been proven to have germicidal properties.

The above protective panel may be positioned at a predetermined distance from the light source to prevent damage to the light source. At this time, the protective panel may be provided with a material that maximizes the light source's transmittance. For example, the protective panel may be made of quartz. Quartz is known to not interfere with the transmission of ultraviolet light in the UV-C region.

In an embodiment of the present invention, by providing a sterilization module (450) and a sterilization module mounting portion (364), there is an advantage in that the cleaner station (300) can be hygienically managed even when dust sucked from the dust bin (220) of the cleaner (200) is stored in the collection portion (500) for a long period of time.

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention has an advantage in that the sterilization module mounting portion (364) is placed in the chamber portion (360), so that the user can use the sterilization function regardless of which type of capturing portion (500) is selected.

Below, the detailed structure of the first capturing unit (510) is described.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a first collecting unit (510) in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 24 is a drawing showing related components of the first collecting unit (510) in an embodiment of the present invention separated and developed, FIG. 25 is a drawing showing a dust separation process of a cyclone (513) in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X' of FIG. 23.

Referring to FIGS. 23 to 26, the first capturing unit (510) may include a capturing unit body (511), a capturing unit inner wall (512), and a cyclone (513).

The capture body (511) forms the outer appearance of the dust receiving space. In a possible embodiment, the capture body (511) may have a generally hexahedral shape. In another possible embodiment, the capture body (511) may have a generally cylindrical shape.

The first capturing unit (510) may further include a body cover (516) provided to cover the open upper side of the body of the first capturing unit (510).

The shape of the body cover (516) can be formed corresponding to the shape of the rail portion (363).

More specifically, the body cover (516) may include a first cover portion (5161) and a second cover portion (5162).

The upper surface of the first cover portion (5161) can be formed as a slope having a rearward-downward slope. Accordingly, the rear of the first capturing portion (510) can be formed to have a lower height to the top and the front can be formed to have a higher height to the top.

Meanwhile, as previously explained, the capturing portion receiving space (360a) formed by the chamber body (361) can be formed so that the cross-sectional area of the front end is wider than the cross-sectional area of the rear end.

That is, the rear end of the first capturing unit (510) where insertion into the capturing unit receiving space (360a) begins has a low height, and the front end of the capturing unit receiving space (360a), which is the entrance into which the first capturing unit (510) is inserted, has a high height, so that the first capturing unit (510) can be easily inserted into the capturing unit receiving space (360a).

The second cover part (5162) can be connected to both left and right sides of the first cover part (5161). The second cover part (5162) can be formed in a form extending horizontally from the lower side of the first cover part (5161). That is, the upper surface of the first cover part (5161) and the upper surface of the second cover part (5162) can form a step so that the upper surface of the first cover part (5161) is at a higher position.

In a state where the first capturing portion (510) is inserted into the chamber body (361), the side of the first cover portion (5161) is positioned opposite the side of the rail body (3631). More specifically, the left and right sides of the first cover portion (5161) are positioned opposite the side of the left and right rail bodies (3631). From another perspective, the first cover portion (5161) is positioned between the left and right rail bodies (3631). (See FIG. 29)

With the first capturing part (510) inserted into the chamber body (361), the upper surface of the second cover part (5162) is positioned opposite the lower surface of the rail body (3631).

A transparent panel (5161b) may be placed on the upper surface of the first cover portion (5161).

The penetration panel (5161b) is positioned at a position corresponding to the position where the sterilizing module (450) is positioned when the first capturing unit (510) is inserted into the chamber body (361). That is, when the first capturing unit (510) is inserted into the chamber body (361), the sterilizing module (450) and the penetration panel (5161b) are positioned to face each other.

The transparent panel (5161b) is made of a material that allows the sterilizing light emitted from the sterilizing module (450) to be transmitted toward the inside of the collecting body (511). For example, the transparent panel (5161b) may be made of PMMA (Poly methyl methacrylate) material.

A dust inlet (5161a) may be formed on the upper surface of the first cover part (5161) through which dust is introduced together with air from the first flow path (381). For example, the dust inlet (5161a) may be circular. The first flow path (381) is connected to the upper side of the dust inlet (5161a). Accordingly, air sucked in by the suction force of the dust collecting motor (391) may be introduced into the collecting body (511). The dust inlet (5161a) may be arranged on the upper side of the first dust receiving space (S1) described later.

Based on the state in which the first capturing unit (510) is inserted into the chamber body (361), the dust inlet (5161a) and the air inlet (3621) of the chamber body (361) can be positioned to face each other.

At this time, since the dust inlet (5161a) is formed on the upper surface of the first cover part (5161) having a rearward-downward slope, the cross-section of the dust inlet (5161a) also has a rearward-downward slope. As described above, the cross-section of the air inlet (3621) also has a rearward-downward slope. Since the air inlet (3621) and the dust inlet (5161a) have slopes in the same direction, they can be sealed without being separated from each other.

An inlet cover (5163) for opening and closing a dust inlet (5161a) can be coupled to the inner upper surface of the first cover part (5161). The inlet cover (5163) is configured to close or open the dust inlet (5161a) and is provided in a shape corresponding to the shape of the dust inlet (5161a) and can be coupled to one side of the dust inlet (5161a).

The inlet cover (5163) can be opened by the suction force of the dust collecting motor (391). That is, the inlet cover (5163) can be opened toward the internal space of the collecting body (511) (specifically, the first dust receiving space (S1)).

The inlet cover (5163) keeps the dust inlet (5161a) closed when the dust collecting motor (391) is not operating, and can open the dust inlet (5161a) when the dust collecting motor (391) starts operating.

To this end, the inlet cover (5163) may be provided with a means for applying a restoring force in the direction of closing the dust inlet (5161a). The restoring force applying means may be an elastic member such as a spring, for example.

Through this configuration, when no suction force is applied, the inlet cover (5163) always keeps the dust inlet (5161a) closed, thereby preventing any foul odor, contamination, bacteria, etc. that may occur inside the first collection unit (510) from spreading to the first flow path (381).

A rib (5161c) may be formed protrudingly on the outer surface of the first cover portion (5161).

Here, the outer surface may mean a surface connecting the upper surface of the first cover part (5161) and the upper surface of the second cover part (5162).

The rib (5161c) may be formed on the front side of the outer surface of the first cover portion (5161). The rib may protrude in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the second cover portion (5162). The rib (5161c) may be inserted into the sliding space of the rail portion (363) (specifically, the rail body (3631)) as the first capturing portion (510) is inserted into the chamber body (361).

As the first capturing portion (510) is inserted into the chamber body (361), the rib (5161c) can push the interference protrusion (3632) that was positioned at the first position to the second position. (See FIG. 19)

The first capturing unit (510) may further include a lower cover (517) provided to cover the open lower side of the first capturing unit (510) body.

A capture hinge (519) may be placed on one side of a corner of the lower cover (517). When the lower cover (517) rotates around the capture hinge (519), the interior of the capture body (511) may be opened. As a result, the user may remove dust collected in the capture body (511) by discharging it to the outside.

A handle (5111b) may be arranged on the front (or front side) of the capturing body (511). The handle (5111b) is configured to be held by a user so that the first capturing unit (510) can be withdrawn to the outside of the chamber body (361). The user can easily withdraw the first capturing unit (510) from the chamber body (361) by holding the handle (5111b) and pulling the first capturing unit (510) forward.

A finger groove (5111a) may be provided in the capturing body (511) so that the user can easily hold the handle (5111b). The finger groove (5111a) is formed as a groove that can fit the user's finger. The finger groove (5111a) is formed in a shape in which the capturing body (511) is recessed toward the inner space of the first capturing body (510).

Through this configuration, the handle (5111b) is not excessively formed to protrude outside the capturing body (511). That is, through this configuration, it is possible to contribute to miniaturization of the cleaning station (300).

The inner wall (512) of the collecting unit can be placed inside the dust receiving space of the collecting unit body (511). The inner wall (512) of the collecting unit can divide the dust receiving space of the collecting unit body (511) into two separate spaces. The inner wall (512) of the collecting unit can be placed in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

The inner wall (512) of the collecting unit may be provided with a mesh net (5121). For example, the mesh net (5121) may form a part of the inner wall (512) of the collecting unit. That is, when air flows from one side of the separated dust receiving space to the other side, it may pass through the mesh net (5121).

Meanwhile, the accommodation space inside the first collecting unit (510) is divided into a first dust accommodation space (S1) and a second dust accommodation space (S2) by the inner wall (512) of the collecting unit.

A compression rotation unit (515) may be arranged in the first dust receiving space (S1). A cyclone (513) may be arranged in the second dust receiving space (S2). Air sucked in from the outside through the first flow path (381) first flows into the first dust receiving space (S1) and then passes through the mesh net (5121) to flow into the second dust receiving space (S2).

Through this, relatively large dust can be filtered out in the mesh net (5121). The filtered large dust is collected and stored in the lower part of the first dust receiving space (S1).

A plurality of cyclones (513) may be provided. For example, at least two cyclone bodies having a conical shape or a cylindrical shape may be provided.

Referring to FIG. 25, each cyclone body includes an inlet body (5131) arranged to admit air passing through a mesh net (5121). Each cyclone body further includes an outlet body (5132) connected to an exhaust path (518).

The exhaust path (518) is a path connected to the dust collection motor (391) side and is a path that constitutes part of the second path (382) as described above.

Air is sucked from the outlet body (5132) by the suction force applied to the discharge path (518), and a cyclone flow is generated in the inlet body (5131). By this cyclone flow, fine dust can be filtered from the air passing through the mesh net (5121).

The first capturing unit (510) may include a compression rotating unit (515).

The compression rotation unit (515) is configured to compress the dust collected in the first collection unit (510).

Referring to FIG. 24 and FIG. 26, the compression rotation unit (515) is positioned inside the dust receiving space of the collecting body (511). More specifically, the compression rotation unit (515) is positioned inside the first receiving space (S1) of the collecting body (511).

The compression rotation unit (515) is arranged movably within the collecting unit body (511). The compression rotation unit (515) can move in a direction that compresses the dust collected within the first dust receiving space (S1). In an embodiment of the present invention, the compression rotation unit (515) can be arranged rotatably within the first dust receiving space (S1).

The compression rotation part (515) can rotate around an axis arranged in the longitudinal direction inside the collecting body (511) (the first dust receiving space (S1)). More specifically, the compression rotation part (515) can include a rotation shaft member (5151), a fixed plate (5152), and a rotating plate (5153).

The rotation shaft member (5151) can be arranged in the vertical direction inside the collecting body (511), i.e., in the first dust receiving space (S1). The rotation shaft member (5151) can be rotated by receiving power from the compression motor (3622) described above. The central axis of the rotation shaft member (5151) can form the same axis as the central axis of the first dust receiving space (S1).

The lower part of the rotation shaft member (5151) can be supported by being connected to the bottom surface of the first dust receiving space (S1). The upper part of the rotation shaft member (5151) can be spaced apart from the dust inlet (5161a) by a predetermined distance so as not to obstruct the opening of the inlet cover (5163). (See FIG. 30)

The fixed plate (5152) may be fixedly arranged on one side inside the first collecting unit (510). More specifically, the fixed plate (5152) may be arranged in a vertical direction in the first dust receiving space (S1) and may be fixedly coupled to one side of the inner surface of the collecting unit body (511) forming the first dust receiving space (S1). The fixed plate (5152) may have a square flat plate shape. The fixed plate (5152) may be arranged on the opposite side of the mesh net (5121).

The fixed plate (5152) can completely or partially shield the first dust receiving space (S1) so as to compress dust pushed by the rotation of the rotary plate (5153) together with the rotary plate (5153).

The rotary plate (5153) is connected to and arranged on the outer surface of the rotary shaft member (5151) and can rotate together with the rotary shaft member (5151). More specifically, the rotary plate (5153) is arranged between the inner surface of the collecting body (511) forming the first dust receiving space (S1) and the outer surface of the rotary shaft member (5151) and can rotate.

The shape of the turntable (5153) is basically a square plate shape, but can be modified to avoid interference with other configurations arranged in the first dust receiving space (S1). For example, a cut portion can be formed at the upper end of the turntable (5153) so as not to interfere with the rotation radius of the inlet cover (5163) when the inlet cover (5163) opens the dust inlet (5161a). (See FIG. 30)

The turntable (5153) can rotate in both the forward and reverse directions. Clockwise rotation can be defined as forward rotation and counterclockwise rotation can be defined as reverse rotation based on a state in which the first dust receiving space (S1) is viewed from above (i.e., a state in which the first collecting unit (510) is viewed from above).

When the turntable (5153) rotates in the forward direction, one side of the turntable (5153) and one side of the fixed plate (5152) meet to compress the dust. Similarly, when the turntable (5153) rotates in the reverse direction, the other side of the turntable (5153) and the other side of the fixed plate (5152) meet to compress the dust. In other words, some of the compressed dust exists near one side of the fixed plate (5152), and the rest exists near the other side of the fixed plate (5152).

The compression rotation part (515) may further include a cleaning member (5154).

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 26, the cleaning member (5154) is coupled to an end of the rotary plate (5153) on the opposite side where the rotary shaft member (5151) is arranged. That is, one end of the rotary plate (5153) is coupled to the rotary shaft member (5151) and the other end is coupled to the cleaning member (5154).

The cleaning member (5154) may be arranged to rotate together with the turntable (5153) while in contact with the mesh net (5121). More specifically, one edge of the cleaning member (5154) may be arranged to touch one surface of the mesh net (5121).

Through this, the cleaning member (5154) can rotate while scraping the mesh net (5121) when rotating together with the turntable (5153), and foreign substances stuck to the mesh net (5121) can be removed. The cleaning member (5154) can be, for example, a scrubber made of rubber.

Meanwhile, as described above, the first capturing unit (510) may include a transmission gear (514).

The transmission gear (514) can be coupled to the lower cover (517) of the first capturing unit (510). When the first capturing unit (510) is inserted into the capturing unit receiving space (360a), the transmission gear (514) and the driving gear (3621) can be meshed with each other, and the rotational power of the compression motor (3622) can be transmitted to the compression rotation unit (515) via the driving gear (3621) and the transmission gear (514).

The transmission gear (514) and the drive gear (3621) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28, together with FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of a drive gear (3621) and a transmission gear (514) in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a drive gear (3621) viewed from below in an embodiment of the present invention.

The transmission gear (514) can be connected to the rotation shaft member (5151) of the compression rotation part (515). A gear tooth (5142) that is engaged with the drive gear (3621) is arranged on the lower outer circumference of the transmission gear (514). A gear shaft (5141) that is coaxially connected to the rotation shaft member (5151) is arranged on the upper center of the transmission gear (514).

The gear shaft (5141) can be inserted into the receiving space of the capture body (511) through a hole formed in the lower cover (517). The gear shaft (5141) can be configured to be inserted into a hollow formed in the rotation shaft member (5151). That is, the size of the outer circumferential diameter of the gear shaft (5141) can be formed to be smaller than the size of the outer circumferential diameter of the rotation shaft member (5151).

A mechanical structure may be formed on the gear shaft (5141) and the rotary shaft member (5151) to mesh with each other so that they can rotate at the same angular velocity. For example, the mechanical structure may be a projection and groove structure.

The driving gear (3621) may include a gear body (3621a), a shaft connecting portion (3621b), and gear teeth (3621c).

The gear body (3621a) forms the outer appearance of the driving gear (3621). The gear teeth (5142) of the transmission gear (514) and the gear teeth (3621c) that mesh with each other are formed and arranged on the upper part of the gear body (3621a). A pattern (3621d) in which projections and grooves alternate and are continuous can be formed on the lower periphery of the gear body (3621a).

The upper diameter of the gear body (3621a) on which the gear teeth (3621c) are arranged and the lower diameter of the gear body (3621a) on which the pattern (3621d) is formed may have different sizes.

A shaft connection part (3621b) connected to the motor shaft of the compression motor (3622) is formed at the center of the gear body (3621a). The shaft connection part (3621b) may be formed and arranged in a cylindrical shape inside the gear body (3621a). The shaft connection part (3621b) may have a hole formed in a shape corresponding to the motor shaft so that the motor shaft can be inserted.

Accordingly, when the compression motor (3622) rotates, the drive gear (3621) rotates along with it.

A plurality of ribs (3621e) may be radially arranged on the outer surface of the shaft connecting portion (3621b) to support the shape of the shaft connecting portion (3621b).

The pattern (3621d) formed on the driving gear (3621) can be formed so that the widths of adjacent projections and grooves are different from each other. The projections and grooves formed on the pattern (3621d) can be defined as phases that are distinguished according to the size of the formed width.

At this time, the order in which the phases of the pattern (3621d) are arranged can be formed to be different from each other in the first direction (d1) with respect to the circumference of the gear body (3621a) and in the second direction (d2) opposite to the first direction (d1).

The pattern (3621d) can be composed of a set of four phases. Here, the first and third phases can be formed in a protrusion shape, and the second and fourth phases can be formed in a groove shape. In other words, the protrusions and grooves can be formed alternately.

Here, the widths of the first to fourth phases can all be formed to be different, and each phase can be distinguished through the size of the width. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 28, a protrusion having a width of pt_d1 (mm) can be defined as the first phase, a groove having a width of pt_d2 (mm) can be defined as the second phase, a protrusion having a width of pt_d3 (mm) can be defined as the third phase, and a groove having a width of pt_d4 (mm) can be defined as the fourth phase.

The arrangement order of each phase can be repeated in the order of 1-2-3-4 when looking at the gear body (3621a) of the driving gear (3621) while moving in the first rotation direction (rd1). Accordingly, when looking at the gear body (3621a) of the driving gear (3621) while moving in the second rotation direction (rd2) opposite to the first rotation direction (rd1), each phase is repeated in the order of 4-3-2-1.

In this way, through the arrangement of the directional pattern (3621d) formed on the driving gear (3621), the control unit (700) described later can detect whether the driving gear (3621) is currently rotating in the first rotation direction (rd1) or the second rotation direction (rd2).

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first collecting unit (510) is inserted into a chamber body (361) in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 30 is a drawing showing a flow path of air related to dust collection in a state in which a first collecting unit (510) is inserted into a chamber body (361) in an embodiment of the present invention.

Air that is introduced into the first dust receiving space (S1) of the collecting body (511) through the first euro (381) passes through the mesh net (5121) and large dusts are separated, and the air from which large dusts are separated is introduced into the second dust receiving space (S2).

Thereafter, air flowing into the second dust collection space (S2) passes through a cyclone (513) and is separated into even fine dust, and the air separated into even fine dust flows into the discharge path (518) provided in the collection body (511).

Air exiting the exhaust pipe (518) flows through the pre-filter module (470) to the dust collection motor (391).

Below, the detailed structure of the second capturing unit (520) is described.

FIG. 31 is a drawing showing the related components of the second capturing unit (520) separated and developed in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the second capturing unit (520) viewed from the side in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, the second collecting unit (520) may include a dust bag (521), an outer plate (522), and an inner plate (523).

The dust bag (521) is configured to receive dust sucked from the vacuum cleaner (200) and store it inside.

The dust bag (521) may be provided so that the volume increases and dust is accommodated inside when suction force is generated by the dust collecting motor (391). To this end, the dust bag (521) may be made of a breathable material. More specifically, the dust bag (521) may be made of a material that allows air to pass through but does not allow foreign substances such as dust to pass through. For example, the dust bag (521) may be made of a non-woven material, and may have a hexahedral shape when the volume increases.

A dust inlet (5212) is formed in the dust bag (521). The dust inlet (5212) is formed by penetrating the dust bag (521) on the upper side of the dust bag (521) and serves as a passage that guides air and dust flowing in from the air inlet (3621) of the chamber body (361) into the interior of the dust bag (521).

The dust bag (521) may include a light transmitting hole (5211). The light transmitting hole (5211) may be formed by penetrating the dust bag (521). The light transmitting hole (5211) may be formed at a position facing one side of a transparent panel (524) to be described later. That is, the light transmitting hole (5211) may be arranged in front of the dust inlet (5212). When the second collecting unit (520) is fully inserted into the collecting unit receiving space (360a), the sterilizing module (450) may be arranged above the light transmitting hole (5211). As a result, sterilizing light may be irradiated into the interior of the dust bag (521) through the transparent panel (524).

The outer plate (522) can be attached to the upper outer side of the dust bag (521).

The outer plate (522) may include a plate body (5221) in the shape of a square plate.

Part of the left and right ends of the plate body (5221) can be inserted into the sliding space of the rail body (3631). From another perspective, the left and right ends of the plate body (5221) are fitted into the rail body (3631), and one side of the plate body (5221) can be supported by the inner lower surface of the rail body (3631). Through this configuration, the plate body (5221) can be inserted into the rail body (3631) in a sliding manner.

A dust inlet (5222) is formed in the plate body (5221). The dust inlet (5222) serves as a passage that guides air and dust flowing in from the air inlet (3621) of the chamber body (361) into the interior of the dust bag (521).

The outer plate (522) may include a handle (5223).

The handle (5223) can be coupled to the front end of the plate body (5221). The handle (5223) can be formed integrally with the plate body (5221). The handle (5223) can be formed by being vertically connected from the plate body (5221).

The user can push the outer plate (522) into the rail body (3631) by grasping the handle (5223). The user can take the outer plate (522) out of the rail body (3631) by grasping the handle (5223).

The outer plate (522) may include a connecting member (5224).

The connecting member (5224) may be positioned at the rear of the dust inlet (5222). The connecting member (5224) may be formed in a shape that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the outer plate (522) by a predetermined length. The connecting member (5224) may pass through the dust bag (521) and be coupled to the inner plate (523) described later.

The outer plate (522) may include a support member (5225).

The support member (5225) may be placed in front of the outer plate (522). The support member (5225) may be formed in a shape that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the outer plate (522) by a predetermined length.

The support member (5225) is formed in a rib shape on each of the left and right sides of the outer plate (522), and when the outer plate (522) is inserted into the rail body (3631), its lower end can come into contact with the lower inner surface of the rail body (3631).

The second capturing unit (520) is lifted forward by the support member (5225) as it is inserted into the capturing unit receiving space (360a). That is, when the second capturing unit (520) is completely inserted into the capturing unit receiving space (360a), the second capturing unit (520) is tilted to have a rearward-downward slope. (See FIG. 34)

Through this configuration, the outer plate (522) can be supported in an elevated state toward the air inlet (3621) of the chamber body (361).

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the open cross-section of the air inlet (3621) has a backward-downward slope. At this time, the second collecting member (520) is also inserted into the rail member (363) in a tilted state so as to have a backward-downward slope, so that the air inlet (3621) and the dust inlet (5222) have slopes in the same direction, so that they can be sealed without being separated from each other.

The outer plate (522) may include a light transmitting hole (5226).

The light transmitting hole (5226) may be formed by penetrating the plate body (5221). The light transmitting hole (5226) may be formed at a position facing one side of the transparent panel (524) to be described later. That is, the light transmitting hole (5226) may be arranged in front of the dust inlet (5222).

With the second capturing unit (520) fully inserted into the capturing unit receiving space (360a), the sterilizing module (450) can be placed above the light transmitting hole (5226). As a result, sterilizing light can be irradiated into the interior of the dust bag (521) through the transmitting panel (524).

The inner plate (523) can be joined to the upper inner side of the dust bag (521).

The inner plate (523) may include a plate body (5231) in the shape of a square plate.

A dust inlet (5232) is formed in the plate body (5231). The dust inlet (5232) serves as a passage that guides air and dust flowing in from the air inlet (3621) of the chamber body (361) into the interior of the dust bag (521).

The inner plate (523) may include a side wall (5233).

The side wall (5233) is configured to limit and guide the direction of air flow introduced into the interior of the dust bag (521). The side wall (5233) may be arranged adjacent to the dust inlet (5232). The side wall (5233) may be formed to protrude downward from the inner surface of the plate body (5231). That is, the side wall (5233) may be arranged to extend toward the inner space of the dust bag (521).

The side walls (5233) can be symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the dust inlet (5232). Accordingly, the side walls (5233) can block air drawn into the dust inlet (5232) from flowing to the left or right.

Meanwhile, when the inlet cover (525) described later is open, the rearward flow of air can also be blocked.

As a result, air drawn into the dust inlet (5232) flows downwardly forward.

Through this configuration, the incoming dust can be effectively exposed to the germicidal light irradiated in front of the dust inlet (5232).

The inner plate (523) may include a connecting member insertion groove (5234).

The connecting member insertion groove (5234) may be positioned at the rear of the dust inlet (5232). The connecting member insertion groove (5234) may be formed in a form in which the plate body (5231) penetrates. The connecting member (5224) of the outer plate (522) may be inserted into the connecting member insertion groove (5234).

The inner plate (523) may include an inlet tube (5235).

The inlet pipe (5235) may be coupled to the lower surface of the plate body (5231). The inlet pipe (5235) may be arranged to surround the dust inlet (5232). The inlet pipe (5235) may be formed integrally with the plate body (5231). The open cross section of the inlet pipe (5235) may have a rearward-downward slope.

The lower end of the inlet pipe (5235) can be closed by an inlet cover (525) to be described later. As a result, the dust inlet (5232) can also be closed.

The inner plate (523) may include an inlet cover fixing member (5236).

The inlet cover fixing member (5236) may be positioned at the rear of the dust inlet (5232). The inlet cover fixing member (5236) may be coupled to the lower surface of the plate body (5231) in a form surrounding the connecting member insertion groove (5234). The inlet cover fixing member (5236) may be formed integrally with the plate body (5231).

An inflow cover fixing member (5236) may be formed with an inflow cover insertion groove (5236a). At least a portion of the inflow cover (525) may be inserted into and fixed in the inflow cover insertion groove (5236a). The inflow cover insertion groove (5236a) may have a rearward downward slope and may extend in the left-right direction. Accordingly, the inflow cover (525) may be inserted from the front upper portion to the rear downward portion.

A transparent panel (524) can be combined with the inner plate (523).

The penetration panel (524) is positioned at a position corresponding to the position where the sterilizing module (450) is positioned when the second capturing unit (520) is inserted into the chamber body (361). That is, when the second capturing unit (520) is inserted into the chamber body (361), the sterilizing module (450) and the penetration panel (524) are positioned opposite each other.

The transparent panel (524) is made of a material that allows the sterilizing light emitted from the sterilizing module (450) to be transmitted toward the inside of the collecting body (511). For example, the transparent panel (524) may be made of PMMA (Poly methyl methacrylate) material.

An inlet cover (525) that opens and closes a dust inlet (5232) may be coupled to the inner side of the inner plate (523). The inlet cover (525) may be placed at the end of the inlet pipe (5235).

The inlet cover (525) may be made of an elastic material. For example, the inlet cover (525) may be made of a rubber material.

The inlet cover (525) can open one side of the inlet pipe (5235) by the suction force of the dust collecting motor (391). That is, the inlet cover (525) can be opened toward the internal space of the dust bag (521).

One side of the inlet cover (525) can be inserted and connected into the inlet cover insertion groove (5236a).

The inlet cover insertion groove (5236a) has a large rearward-downward slope, while the open cross section of the inlet pipe (5235) has a smaller rearward-downward slope. Therefore, when the inlet cover (525) is inserted into the inlet cover insertion groove (5236a), its shape is deformed into a shape that is bent at one point.

At this time, a restoring force is applied to the inlet cover (525) toward the direction in which it is to unfold again based on the bent point.

Through this configuration, the inlet cover (525) can be closely attached to the inlet pipe (5235) while the inlet cover (525) is inserted into the inlet cover insertion groove (5236a). That is, the inlet cover (525) does not sag due to its own weight when the dust collection motor (391) is not driven.

The inlet cover (525) keeps the dust inlet (5232) closed when the dust collection motor (391) is not operating, and can open the dust inlet (5232) when the dust collection motor (391) starts operating.

When the dust collecting motor (391) operates, the inlet cover (525) is deformed toward the inner space of the dust bag (521) to open the inlet pipe (5235), and when the dust collecting motor (391) stops, it is restored by elasticity to close the inlet pipe (5235).

Accordingly, when the second collecting unit (520) is separated from the vacuum cleaner station, there is an effect of preventing dust from flying outside, flies from escaping, or bad smells from spreading.

In addition, since the inlet pipe (5235) is closed when the dust collecting motor (391) is not running even when the second collecting unit (520) is connected to the cleaner station, there is an effect of preventing dust or odor from flowing back through the first flow path (381).

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing a state in which a second collecting unit (520) is inserted into a chamber body (361) in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 34 is a drawing showing a flow path of air related to dust collection in a state in which a second collecting unit (520) is inserted into a chamber body (361) in an embodiment of the present invention.

When an air current is formed by the suction power of the dust collecting motor (391), air containing foreign substances flowing from inside the dust bin (220) of the vacuum cleaner (200) moves to the dust bag (521) through the first flow path (381) and exits the dust bag (521) leaving only the foreign substances in the dust bag (521).

At this time, the dust flowing in through the first urea (381) is blocked from flowing in the left and right directions by the side wall (5233) and from flowing in the rear direction by the inlet cover (525), so that it flows downwardly forward toward the sterilizing light irradiated by the sterilizing module (450) as shown in the arrow direction in Fig. 34.

In addition, air that has escaped the dust bag (521) flows through the pre-filter module (470) to the dust collection motor (391).

Meanwhile, when the dust collecting motor (391) is driven and an air flow is formed in the second collecting section (520), the gear passage hole (3623a) is exposed without blockage, so suction force is also applied to the gear passage hole (3623a). (Refer to the direction of the dotted arrow in Fig. 33)

In this way, if suction force is directly applied to the compression motor (3622) through the gear passage hole (3623a), a failure of the compression motor (3622) may occur.

Figure 35 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a sealing member (3623) sealing a gear passage hole (3623a) in an embodiment of the present invention.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the compression drive unit (362) may further include a sealing member (3623) disposed between the drive gear (3621) and the chamber body (361).

The sealing member (3623) may be arranged along the outer circumference of the gear body (3621a) of the driving gear (3621). The sealing member (3623) may be arranged between the outer surface of the gear body (3621a) of the driving gear (3621) and the lower outer surface of the chamber body (361).

In this way, the sealing member (3623) can seal between the gear passage hole (3623a) and the compression motor (3622) to block the air flow between the compression motor (3622) and the collecting portion receiving space (360a).

The sealing member (3623) may include a first sealing portion that contacts the chamber body (361) and a second sealing portion that contacts the gear body (3621a). The first sealing portion and the second sealing portion may be configured to be connected to each other at one end and spaced apart at the other end.

Through this configuration, as suction force is applied by the dust collecting motor (391), the other side of the first sealing portion and the other side of the second sealing portion are compressed in a direction that brings them closer to each other. Accordingly, the sealing force is further strengthened by driving the dust collecting motor (391), and suction force is prevented from being directly applied to the compression motor (3622).

Meanwhile, the cleaner station may further include a control unit (700).

The control unit (700) is a component that controls the operation of each component of the cleaner station. The control unit (700) can be mounted on a printed circuit board.

The control unit (700) may include all types of devices capable of processing data, such as a processor. Here, the 'processor' may mean a data processing device built into hardware, which has a physically structured circuit to perform a function expressed by a code or command included in a program, for example. As an example of a data processing device built into hardware, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the like may be included, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (700) can detect a change in the rotational direction of the compression motor (3622).

As described above, when the force applied to the compression motor (3622) when rotating in one direction exceeds a set value, the rotation of the compression motor (3622) is changed to the other direction. At this time, the force applied to the compression motor (3622) is a resistance force (torque) generated as the rotating plate (5153) pressurizes the dust, and when the resistance force reaches the set value, the rotation of the compression motor (3622) is configured to change direction.

That is, the compression motor (3622) is connected to the turntable (5153) and the rotation direction is changed only when the turntable (5153) pressurizes dust.

The control unit (700) can control the operation of the compression motor (3622) at any stage of the dust emptying process.

In a possible embodiment, the driving of the compression motor (3622) may be performed simultaneously with the connection of the cleaner (200) to the coupling portion (320). Information related to the connection of the cleaner (200) may be detected by a coupling sensor (325) arranged on one side of the coupling portion (320) and transmitted to the control portion (700).

In another possible embodiment, the driving of the compression motor (3622) may be performed after the driving of the dust collection motor (391) is terminated.

In another possible embodiment, the driving of the compression motor (3622) may be performed before and after the driving of the dust collection motor (391).

The control unit (700) can detect whether the rotation direction of the compression motor (3622) is changed within a preset time from the time when the compression motor (3622) starts to operate. The time should be set to be sufficiently longer than the time at which the rotation plate (5153) is expected to come into contact with one surface of the fixed plate (5152) when the rotation plate (5153) starts to rotate from the initial position.

Detection of rotation direction change can be accomplished by detecting the arrangement order of patterns (3621d) formed on the driving gear (3621). To this end, the compression driving unit (362) may further be provided with a photo interrupter (not shown) arranged adjacent to the driving gear (3621).

If the phase of the pattern (3621d) detected by the above photo interrupter has a layout order of 1-2-3-4, the compression motor (3622) is rotating in the first direction. If the phase of the pattern (3621d) detected by the above photo interrupter has a layout order of 4-3-2-1, the compression motor (3622) is rotating in the second direction. (See FIG. 28)

The control unit (700) can drive the compression motor (3622) regardless of the type of capturing unit (500) currently coupled to the cleaner station.

If the first capturing unit (510) is inserted into the chamber body (361), the rotation direction of the compression motor (3622) must be changed within the preset time.

If the second capturing unit (520) is inserted into the chamber body (361), no load is applied to the compression motor (3622) even after the preset time has elapsed, so the compression motor (3622) only rotates in the same direction and the rotation direction does not change.

That is, the control unit (700) can determine the type of the capturing unit (500) currently coupled to the cleaning station (300) based on whether the rotation direction of the compression motor (3622) is changed within a preset time by rotating the compression motor (3622).

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Furthermore, such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.

3: Vacuum cleaner system
200: Vacuum cleaner
220: Dustbin
300: Vacuum cleaner station
310: Housing
360: Chamber
360a: Capturing compartment accommodating space 361: Chamber body
3621: Air inlet 3622: Air outlet
3623: Drive gear receiving portion 3623a: Gear passage hole
362: Compression drive unit 3621: Drive gear
3622: Compression motor 3623: Sealing member
363: Rail section 3631: Rail body
3632: Interference protrusion 3633: Protrusion guide
364: Sterilization module mounting part 365: Filter mounting part
366: Filter detection protrusion 3661: Protrusion body
3662: stumbling block
370: Housing Cover
371: Cover bump
391: Dust collector motor
450: Sterilization module
470: Prefilter module
471, 472: Filter case 4712: Push button
473, 474: Filter
500: Capture Unit
510: 1st capture unit
511: Capture body 515: Compression rotating part
516: Body cover 5161: First cover part
5161c: Rib 5162: Second cover
520: Second Capture Unit
521: Dust bag 522: Outer plate
5225: Support member 523: Inner plate
700: Control Unit

Claims (24)

A housing that combines with the dust bin of a vacuum cleaner;
A dust collecting motor disposed inside the housing and generating a suction force to suck up dust inside the dust bin;
A dust collecting unit having a dust receiving space for collecting dust sucked in from inside the dust bin by the dust collecting motor; and
A chamber part is disposed in the housing and forms a space for receiving the capturing part so that the capturing part can be detachably combined;
The capturing part coupled to the above chamber part,
The first collecting unit, which has a fixed dust receiving space in the form of a barrel and includes a cyclone as a dust separation means, and the second collecting unit, which has a variable dust receiving space in the size and includes a dust bag made of breathable material as a dust separation means, are compatible.
The above chamber part,
A chamber body forming the exterior of the above-mentioned capturing portion receiving space; and
It comprises a compression driving unit which is disposed at the lower part of the chamber body and generates power to rotate the compression rotating unit that compresses the dust collected in the first collecting unit;
A cleaner station characterized in that the type of the capturing unit coupled to the chamber unit is determined based on whether a change in the rotational direction of the compression drive unit is detected within a preset time.
In paragraph 1,
The above capture unit accommodation space is,
A cleaner station characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the front end is formed wider than the cross-sectional area of the rear end.
In paragraph 1,
The front of the chamber body is opened or closed by a housing cover rotatably coupled to one side of the housing,
The above chamber part,
It further includes a rail part which is arranged on the upper part of the chamber body and supports the lower surface of the chamber body and the second capturing part by fitting at least a part of the second capturing part so that the second capturing part is spaced apart from the lower surface of the chamber body by a predetermined distance;
The above rail section,
A rail body forming a space in which the second capturing section slides;
An interference projection positioned at a first position that interferes with the housing cover at the front of the rail body and moved to a second position where interference with the housing cover is avoided by contact with the first capturing portion or the second capturing portion; and
A cleaner station characterized by including a projection guide coupled with the above interference projection and guiding the positional movement of the interference projection.
In paragraph 1,
The above chamber part,
A filter mounting portion, which is disposed at the lower portion of the chamber body and to which a pre-filter module for filtering air passing through the capturing portion is detachably coupled; and
A cleaner station further comprising a filter detection protrusion, one side of which is pressed by the pre-filter module and moves in a direction to avoid interference with the first capturing unit.
In paragraph 4,
The above prefilter module,
filter case;
A filter accommodated inside the above filter case; and
A cleaner station characterized by including a pressing projection formed protruding on one side of the filter case.
In paragraph 5,
The above filter detection protrusion is,
protruding body; and
A cleaner station characterized by including a catch that is formed protrudingly on the outer surface of the protrusion body and comes into contact with the pressing projection when the pre-filter module is coupled to the filter mounting portion.
In paragraph 1,
The above first capturing unit,
A transmission gear coupled to the compression rotating part and transmitting power from the compression driving part to the compression rotating part;
The above compression drive unit,
A compression motor arranged outside the above-mentioned collecting compartment receiving space; and
A drive gear is connected to the compression motor on the outside of the above-mentioned capturing portion receiving space and is gear-meshed with the above-mentioned transmission gear;
At the bottom of the above chamber body,
A cleaner station characterized in that a gear passage hole is formed to expose at least a portion of the driving gear toward the inside of the collecting portion receiving space so as to enable gear meshing between the driving gear and the transmission gear.
In Article 7,
The above compression drive unit,
A cleaner station further comprising a sealing member disposed between the driving gear and the chamber body to seal the gear passage hole.
A housing that combines with the dust bin of a vacuum cleaner;
A dust collecting motor disposed inside the housing and generating a suction force to suck up dust inside the dust bin;
A dust collecting unit having a dust receiving space for collecting dust sucked in from inside the dust bin by the dust collecting motor; and
A chamber part is disposed in the housing and forms a space for receiving the capturing part so that the capturing part can be detachably combined;
The capturing part coupled to the above chamber part,
The first collecting unit, which has a fixed dust receiving space in the form of a barrel and includes a cyclone as a dust separation means, and the second collecting unit, which has a variable dust receiving space in the size and includes a dust bag made of breathable material as a dust separation means, are compatible.
The above chamber part,
A chamber body forming the exterior of the above-mentioned capturing portion receiving space; and
A rail part is disposed on the upper part of the chamber body and supports the second capturing part by fitting at least a part of the second capturing part so that the lower surface of the chamber body and the second capturing part are spaced apart by a predetermined distance;
The above first capturing unit,
A collecting body forming the appearance of the above dust receiving space; and
Including a body cover covering the open upper side of the above capturing body;
The above body cover,
A vacuum cleaner station characterized in that a rib inserted into the above rail section is formed protrudingly.
A housing that combines with the dust bin of a vacuum cleaner;
A dust collecting motor disposed inside the housing and generating a suction force to suck up dust inside the dust bin;
A dust collecting unit having a dust receiving space for collecting dust sucked in from inside the dust bin by the dust collecting motor; and
A chamber part is disposed in the housing and forms a space for receiving the capturing part so that the capturing part can be detachably combined;
The capturing part coupled to the above chamber part,
The first collecting unit, which has a fixed dust receiving space in the form of a barrel and includes a cyclone as a dust separation means, and the second collecting unit, which has a variable dust receiving space in the size and includes a dust bag made of breathable material as a dust separation means, are compatible.
The above chamber part,
A chamber body forming the exterior of the above-mentioned capturing portion receiving space;
A rail part disposed on the upper part of the chamber body and supporting the second capturing part by fitting at least a part of the second capturing part so that the lower surface of the chamber body and the second capturing part are spaced apart by a predetermined distance; and
An air inlet provided at the upper portion of the chamber body and having an open cross-section having a rearward-downward slope;
The above second capturing unit,
An outer plate coupled to the upper outer side of the dust bag, fitted into the rail portion and slidably inserted into the interior of the collecting portion receiving space, and having a dust inlet formed therein; and
A cleaner station characterized by including a support member that protrudes from the lower surface of the outer plate and has a lower end in contact with one surface of the rail portion to support the outer plate in a state where the outer plate is raised toward the air inlet.
In clause 9 or 10,
The above capture unit accommodation space is,
A cleaner station characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the front end is formed wider than the cross-sectional area of the rear end.
In clause 9 or 10,
The front of the chamber body is opened or closed by a housing cover rotatably coupled to one side of the housing,
The above rail section,
A rail body forming a space in which the second capturing section slides;
An interference projection positioned at a first position that interferes with the housing cover at the front of the rail body and moved to a second position where interference with the housing cover is avoided by contact with the first capturing portion or the second capturing portion; and
A cleaner station characterized by including a projection guide coupled with the above interference projection and guiding the positional movement of the above interference projection.
In clause 9 or 10,
The above chamber part,
A filter mounting portion, which is disposed at the lower portion of the chamber body and to which a pre-filter module for filtering air passing through the capturing portion is detachably coupled; and
A cleaner station further comprising a filter detection protrusion, one side of which is pressed by the pre-filter module and moves in a direction to avoid interference with the first capturing unit.
In Article 13,
The above prefilter module,
filter case;
A filter accommodated inside the above filter case; and
A cleaner station characterized by including a pressing projection formed protruding on one side of the filter case.
In Article 14,
The above filter detection protrusion is,
protruding body; and
A cleaner station characterized by including a catch that is formed protrudingly on the outer surface of the protrusion body and comes into contact with the pressing projection when the pre-filter module is coupled to the filter mounting portion.
In clause 9 or 10,
The above chamber part,
A cleaner station further comprising a compression driving unit disposed at the lower portion of the chamber body and generating power to rotate a compression rotating unit that compresses dust collected in the first collecting unit.
In Article 16,
The above first capturing unit,
A transmission gear coupled to the compression rotating part and transmitting power from the compression driving part to the compression rotating part;
The above compression drive unit,
A compression motor arranged outside the above-mentioned collecting compartment receiving space; and
A drive gear is connected to the compression motor on the outside of the above-mentioned capturing portion receiving space and is gear-meshed with the above-mentioned transmission gear;
At the bottom of the above chamber body,
A cleaner station characterized in that a gear passage hole is formed to expose at least a portion of the driving gear toward the inside of the collecting portion receiving space so as to enable gear meshing between the driving gear and the transmission gear.
In Article 17,
The above compression drive unit,
A cleaner station further comprising a sealing member disposed between the driving gear and the chamber body to seal the gear passage hole.
In Article 17,
A cleaner station further comprising a control unit for detecting a change in the rotation direction of the compression motor.
In Article 19,
The above control unit,
A cleaning station characterized in that the type of the capturing unit coupled to the chamber unit is determined based on whether a change in the rotation direction of the compression motor is detected within a preset time.
In Article 9,
The above chamber part,
An air inlet provided at the upper portion of the chamber body and having an open cross-section having a rearward-downward slope; and
A cleaner station characterized by further comprising a sterilizing module mounting portion, which is positioned spaced apart from the air inlet and is equipped with a sterilizing module configured to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the collecting unit receiving space.
In Article 21,
The above chamber part,
It further includes a compression driving unit which is disposed at the lower part of the chamber body and generates power to rotate the compression rotating unit that compresses the dust collected in the first collecting unit;
The above first capturing unit,
A cleaner station further comprising a transmission gear disposed on the lower outer side of the capturing body and coupled to the compression rotating unit to transmit power from the compression driving unit to the compression rotating unit.
In Article 22,
The above body cover,
A backward-facing slope is formed in some areas of the upper surface,
On the above slope,
A cleaner station characterized in that a dust inlet is formed so as to be positioned opposite the air inlet based on a state in which the first collecting part is inserted into the chamber body.
In Article 10,
The above chamber part,
A cleaner station characterized by further comprising a sterilizing module mounting portion, which is positioned spaced apart from the air inlet and is equipped with a sterilizing module configured to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the collecting unit receiving space.