KR20230022799A - Cleaner Station and cleaner system comprising thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaner station and a cleaner system including the same and, more specifically, to a cleaner station which includes a peripheral cleaning device disposed in a passage portion, driven by suction force of a dust collecting motor, and cleaning an area around a housing, wherein the peripheral cleaning device cleans the area around the housing, and a cleaner system including the same. Therefore, even if the cleaner coupled to the cleaner station is not separately driven, dust accumulated around the cleaner station can be easily cleaned.

Description

A cleaner station and a cleaner system including the same {Cleaner Station and cleaner system comprising thereof}

The present invention relates to a cleaner station and a cleaner system including the same, and more particularly, to a cleaner station that mounts a cleaner and sucks dust collected in the cleaner, and a cleaner system including the same.

BACKGROUND ART In general, a vacuum cleaner is a home appliance that sucks up small garbage or dust by sucking air using electricity and fills a dust bin in the product, and is commonly referred to as a vacuum cleaner.

Such cleaners may be classified into manual cleaners for cleaning while a user directly moves the cleaner, and automatic cleaners for performing cleaning while driving by itself. Manual cleaners may be classified into canister-type cleaners, upright cleaners, handheld cleaners, and stick-type cleaners according to the shape of the cleaner.

On the other hand, there is a cleaner station for mounting the cleaner. The cleaner station is a device for mounting a cleaner that has been cleaned.

The cleaner station mounts the cleaner and sucks the dust collected in the dust bin of the cleaner, so that the user can empty the dust bin of the cleaner without directly emptying the dust bin.

As a prior patent document, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0074001 is presented. Prior art discloses a cleaning device comprising a vacuum cleaner and a docking station.

The prior art document includes a vacuum cleaner including a dust collection container in which foreign substances are collected, and a docking station connected to the dust collection container to remove foreign substances collected in the dust collection container, and the dust collection container is provided to be docked to the docking station, and the docking station is provided. The station is configured to include a suction device for sucking foreign substances and internal air in the dust collection container docked at the docking station.

According to the prior literature, since the user does not need to separate the dust bin from the vacuum cleaner, disassemble the dust bin, and empty the dust collected inside the dust bin, it is effective to prevent dust from scattering when the dust inside the dust bin is emptied. However, even according to the prior literature, dust may accumulate around the docking station for the following reasons.

For example, when exchanging a dust bag disposed inside the docking station, dust may be scattered. In order to replace the dust bag, in the process of opening the cover of the docking station, taking out the dust bag, and sealing the dust bag, some dust may scatter or accumulate around the docking station.

Alternatively, dust may be scattered from the mounted cleaner. When the cleaning module or extension tube is separated from the cleaner and only the cleaner body is mounted on the docking station, dust may scatter during the process of separating the cleaning module or extension tube. Unlike this, when the cleaner itself is mounted on the docking station, dust buried in the cleaning module may fall off and accumulate on the floor.

Alternatively, dust may accumulate around the docking station due to various reasons not mentioned above.

As such, dust may accumulate around the docking station, but the docking station does not have a separate cleaning device. Therefore, in order to clean the dust around the docking station, it is inconvenient to separate the cleaner from the docking station and operate it to clean the dust.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0074001

The present invention was created to improve the problems of the cleaning apparatus including the conventional vacuum cleaner and the docking station as described above. That is, an object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cleaner station that can easily clean dust accumulated around the cleaner station without removing the cleaner, and a cleaner system including the same.

The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, a vacuum cleaner station according to the present invention forms an exterior and is disposed inside a housing to which a cleaner can be coupled and collects dust present in a dust bin disposed inside the housing and disposed in the cleaner. A dust collector disposed inside the housing, one end communicating with the dust collection unit and the other end communicating with the dust collection unit, and a flow path portion through which dust existing in the dust collection flows, and a dust collection motor disposed downstream of the flow passage portion and generating a suction force in the flow passage portion. , It includes a peripheral cleaning device disposed in the passage part, driven by the suction force of the dust collecting motor, and cleaning the area around the housing.

The peripheral cleaning device includes a cleaning hose. The cleaning hose is characterized in that it includes an expansion and contraction part having wrinkles formed on at least a part of its surface, and a support part having one end coupled to the flow path and the other end coupled to the expansion and contraction.

In this case, the support portion may be formed of a material that is stronger than the stretchable portion.

Alternatively, the cleaner station may further include a cleaning nozzle coupled to an end of the stretchable portion and sucking dust around the housing. In this case, the support portion and the cleaning nozzle may be positioned in opposite directions along the stretchable portion.

The flow path unit may be disposed above the dust collection unit, and the dust collection motor may be disposed below the dust collection unit.

To achieve the above object, a cleaner system according to the present invention includes a cleaner and a cleaner station to which the cleaner is coupled. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction part having a suction passage through which air can flow, a dust separator having at least one cyclone part and separating dust from air, and a dust container storing dust separated through the dust separator. The cleaner station includes a dust collection unit for collecting dust inside the dust bin, a dust collecting motor generating a suction force to suck dust inside the dust bin into the dust collection unit, and a housing having the dust collection unit and the dust collection motor therein along a longitudinal direction. When the body of the cleaner is coupled to the cleaner station, a longitudinal axis of the dust bin and a longitudinal axis of the cleaner station intersect each other. The vacuum cleaner station is disposed inside the housing, has one end in communication with the dust bin and the other end in communication with the dust collection unit, and is disposed in a flow path portion through which dust existing in the dust bin flows, and is driven by a suction force of a dust collecting motor. It further includes a perimeter cleaning device that cleans the area around the housing.

The peripheral cleaning device may include a cleaning hose. The cleaning hose may include an elastic part having wrinkles formed on at least a part of its surface, and a support part having one end coupled to the flow path part and the other end coupled to the elastic part.

In this case, the support portion may be formed of a material that is stronger than the stretchable portion.

Alternatively, the cleaner station may further include a cleaning nozzle coupled to an end of the stretchable portion and sucking dust around the housing.

The flow path unit may be disposed above the dust collection unit, and the dust collection motor may be disposed below the dust collection unit.

As described above, according to the cleaner station and the cleaner system including the cleaner station according to the present invention, one or more of the following effects are provided.

Since the peripheral cleaning device communicates with the flow path to clean the area around the cleaner station, dust accumulated around the cleaner station can be easily cleaned without separately driving the cleaner.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a front perspective view of a cleaner system including a cleaner station and a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a rear perspective view of a cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a cleaner system in which a part of the housing is omitted and a peripheral cleaning device is installed;
5 is a schematic view of the cleaner system in a state in which the cover of the surrounding cleaning device is opened in FIG. 4;
6 is a cross-sectional view of part A in FIG. 5;
7 is a schematic view of the cleaner system in a state in which the cleaning hose is separated from the flow path portion in FIG. 5;
8 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged portion of the cleaning nozzle in FIG. 4 .

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Since the present invention can make various changes and have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. This is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and should be construed as including all changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

Terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries may be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in the present application, interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning. It may not be.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaner system including a cleaner station and a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of the cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a cleaner system 10 according to an embodiment of the present specification may include a cleaner station 100 and cleaners 200 and 300 . On the other hand, in this embodiment, it may be implemented except for some of these configurations, and other additional configurations are not excluded.

The cleaner system 10 may include a cleaner station 100 . The cleaners 200 and 300 may be coupled to the cleaner station 100 . The cleaner may include a first cleaner 200 and a second cleaner 300 . Specifically, the cleaner 200 may be coupled to the side of the cleaner station 100 . The cleaner station 100 may remove dust from the dust bin 220 of the cleaner 200 .

First, the structure of the first cleaner 200 will be described.

The first cleaner 200 may refer to a cleaner manually operated by a user. For example, the first cleaner 200 may mean a handheld cleaner or a stick cleaner.

The first cleaner 200 may be mounted on the cleaner station 100 . The first cleaner 200 may be supported by the cleaner station 100 . The first cleaner 200 may be coupled to the cleaner station 100 .

Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, the direction may be defined based on when the dust bin 220 is placed on the ground.

The first cleaner 200 may include a main body 210 . The first cleaner body 210 may include a main body housing (not shown), a suction part (not shown), a dust separator (not shown), a suction motor (not shown), a handle, and a control part.

The main body housing forms the exterior of the first cleaner 200 . The body housing may provide a space capable of accommodating a suction motor and a filter (not shown) therein. The body housing may be configured in a shape similar to a cylinder.

The suction part protrudes outward from the body housing. The suction unit may be coupled to the extension pipe 250 . The suction unit may provide a passage through which air containing dust may flow (hereinafter, may be referred to as a 'suction passage').

The dust separating unit communicates with the suction unit and separates dust from air sucked into the inside through the suction unit. A space inside the dust separator may communicate with a space inside the dust container 220 .

The dust separation unit may include a cyclone unit capable of separating dust by cyclone flow.

The suction motor generates a suction force that sucks in air. Air containing dust is introduced into the dust container 220 by the suction force.

The handle 216 can be grasped by a user. A handle 216 may be disposed behind the suction motor 214 . For example, the handle 216 may be formed to resemble a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the handle 216 may be formed in a bent cylindrical shape. The handle 216 may be disposed at a predetermined angle with the body housing 211 or the suction motor 214 or the dust separator 213 .

The handle is shaped so that a user can hold it.

The operating unit may be disposed on the handle.

The first cleaner 200 may include a dust container 220 . The dust container 220 may communicate with the dust separator. The dust container 220 may store the dust separated by the dust separator.

A longitudinal axis of the dust bin 220 is an axis disposed along the middle tens axis of the cylindrical dust bin 220 . Referring to FIG. 2 , the longitudinal axis of the dust bin 220 is disposed in the front-back direction when the first cleaner 200 is coupled to the cleaner station 100 .

When the main body 210 of the cleaner is coupled to the cleaner station 100, the longitudinal axis of the dust bin 220 and the longitudinal axis of the cleaner station 100 cross each other.

The first cleaner 200 may include a battery (not shown). The battery may supply power to the first cleaner 200 .

The first cleaner 200 may include an extension tube 250 . The extension pipe 250 may communicate with the cleaning module 260 . The extension pipe 250 may communicate with the main body 210 . The extension pipe 250 may communicate with the suction part of the main body 210 . The extension pipe 250 may be formed in a long cylindrical shape.

The first cleaner 200 may include a cleaning module 260 . The cleaning module 260 may communicate with the extension pipe 250 . Accordingly, external air may be introduced into the main body 210 of the cleaner 200 via the cleaning module 260 and the extension tube 250 by the suction force generated by the main body 210 of the first cleaner 200 .

Dust in the dust bin 220 of the first cleaner 200 may be collected by the dust collecting unit 170 of the cleaner station 100 by gravity and the suction force of the dust collecting motor 190 . Through this, since dust in the dust bin 220 can be removed without a user's separate manipulation, user convenience can be provided. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of the user having to empty the dust bin 220 every time. In addition, when the dust container 220 is emptied, it is possible to prevent dust from scattering.

The first cleaner 200 may be coupled to a side surface of the housing 110 . Specifically, the central axis of the dust bin 220 may be disposed in a direction parallel to the ground, and the extension pipe 250 may be disposed along a direction perpendicular to the ground.

The second cleaner 300 may mean a robot cleaner. The second cleaner 300 can automatically clean the area to be cleaned by sucking in foreign substances such as dust from the floor while traveling on its own in the area to be cleaned. The second cleaner 300 may include a distance sensor for detecting a distance to an obstacle such as furniture, office supplies, or a wall installed in the cleaning area, and left and right wheels for moving the robot cleaner. The second cleaner 300 may be coupled to the cleaner station. Dust in the second cleaner 300 may be collected by the dust collector 170 through the second passage 182 .

Although not shown, like the first cleaner 200, the second cleaner 300 may also include a suction part, a suction motor, and a dust bin.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cleaner station 100 of the present invention will be described.

A first cleaner 200 and a second cleaner 300 may be disposed in the cleaner station 100 . Specifically, the first cleaner 200 may be coupled to the side of the cleaner station 100 . Accordingly, the cleaner station 100 may remove dust from the dust bin 220 of the first cleaner 200 . A second cleaner 300 may be coupled to a lower portion of the cleaner station 100 . Accordingly, the cleaner station 100 may remove dust from a dust bin (not shown) of the second cleaner 300 .

The cleaner station 100 may include a housing 110 . The housing 110 may form the appearance of the cleaner station 100 . Specifically, the housing 110 may be formed in a columnar shape including at least one outer wall surface. For example, the housing 110 may be formed in a shape similar to a square pillar.

The housing 110 forms a space for receiving various components therein.

The housing 110 may have an internal space capable of accommodating the dust collecting unit 170 for storing dust therein and the dust collecting motor 190 generating a flow force for collecting dust with the dust collecting unit 130 . A flow path part 180 may be provided in the inner space.

The housing 110 may include a bottom surface 111 , an outer wall surface 112 , and an upper surface 113 .

The bottom surface 111 may support the lower side of the cleaner station 100 in the direction of gravity.

At this time, the bottom surface 111 may be disposed toward the ground. The bottom surface 111 may be disposed parallel to the ground or inclined at a predetermined angle with the ground. With this configuration, the cleaner station 100 can be stably supported, and the overall weight can be balanced even when the first cleaner 200 is coupled.

The outer wall surface 112 may mean a surface formed along the direction of gravity, and may mean a surface connected to the bottom surface 111 . For example, the outer wall surface 112 may refer to a surface vertically connected to the bottom surface 111 . In another embodiment, the outer wall surface 112 may also be disposed inclined at a predetermined angle with the bottom surface 111 .

A communication hole 112a may be formed on the outer wall surface. The communication hole 112a communicates an external space and an internal space of the cleaner station 100 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the communication hole 112a may be formed on the rear surface of the outer wall surface 112 . This is because the outer wall surface 112 adjacent to the second flow path portion 182 is the rear surface, and may be formed on the left side, right side, or other side depending on the location where the second flow path portion 182 is installed.

A peripheral cleaning device cover 1841 is disposed in the communication hole 112a.

Meanwhile, for understanding of the present embodiment, directions are defined as follows. In this embodiment, a direction may be defined while the first cleaner 200 is mounted on the cleaner station 100 .

When the first cleaner 200 or the second cleaner 300 is mounted on the cleaner station 100, the direction in which the first cleaner 200 or the second cleaner 300 is exposed to the outside of the cleaner station 100 is determined. You can call it the front. The face placed in the front may be referred to as the front.

Also, a surface facing the front of the housing 110 based on the inner space may be referred to as a rear surface of the cleaner station 100 .

In addition, when looking at the front with respect to the inner space of the housing 110, the left side may be referred to as a left side, and the right side may be referred to as a right side.

The upper surface may form the upper façade of the cleaner station. That is, the upper surface may refer to a surface exposed to the outside by being disposed on the uppermost side of the cleaner station in the direction of gravity.

For reference, in this embodiment, the upper and lower sides may respectively mean upper and lower sides along a direction of gravity (a direction perpendicular to the ground) in a state where the cleaner station 100 is installed on the ground. The vertical direction may be referred to as the longitudinal direction of the cleaner station 100 .

Components disposed inside the housing 110 may be disposed in the longitudinal direction of the cleaner station 100 . Referring to FIG. 2 , a dust collection unit 170, a flow path unit 180, and a dust collection motor 190 are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the cleaner station 100.

At this time, the upper surface may be disposed parallel to the ground or inclined at a predetermined angle with the ground.

A display unit (not shown) may be disposed on the upper surface. For example, the display unit may display the status of the cleaner station 100 and the vacuum cleaners 200 and 300, and other information such as a cleaning progress status and a map of a cleaning area.

The cleaner station 100 may include a dust collecting unit 170 . The dust collection unit 170 may be disposed inside the housing 110 . The dust collecting unit 170 may be disposed below the location where the first cleaner 200 is coupled in the direction of gravity.

The dust collector 170 is accommodated inside the housing 110 and collects dust inside the dust bin 220 of the first cleaner 200 .

For example, the dust collecting unit 170 may refer to a dust bag that collects dust sucked from the inside of the dust bin 220 of the first cleaner 200 by the dust collecting motor 190 .

The dust collecting unit 170 may be detachably coupled to the housing 110 .

Accordingly, the dust collection unit 170 may be separated from the housing 110 and discarded, and a new dust collection unit 170 may be coupled to the housing 110 . That is, the dust collector 170 may be defined as a consumable part.

The cleaner station 100 may include a flow path part 180 . The passage part 180 may connect the cleaners 200 and 300 and the dust collecting part 170 .

The passage part 180 is formed to allow dust in the dust bin 220 to flow and is accommodated in the inner space of the housing 110 .

One end of the flow path part 180 communicates with dust bins disposed in the vacuum cleaners 200 and 300 . Specifically, one end of the first cleaner flow passage 181 communicates with the dust bin 220 of the first cleaner 200, and the second cleaner flow passage 182 has one end communicating with the dust bin 220 of the second cleaner 300. is connected to

The other end of the passage part 180 communicates with the dust collection part 170 . Accordingly, dust flows through the passage part 180 and then is collected in the dust collecting part 170 .

The passage part 180 may include a first cleaner passage part 181 , a second cleaner passage part 182 , and a passage conversion valve 183 .

The first cleaner passage part 181 may connect the dust bin 220 of the first cleaner 200 and the dust collecting part 170 .

The dust bin 220 of the first vacuum cleaner is disposed above the dust collecting part 170, and the first vacuum cleaner passage part 181 communicates with the dust bin 220 of the first vacuum cleaner. That is, the first cleaner passage part 181 has a downward flow direction as a whole.

The first cleaner passage part 181 may refer to a space between the dust bin 220 of the first cleaner 200 and the dust collecting part 170 . The first cleaner passage part 181 may extend rearward from the dust container 220 of the first cleaner 200 and be bent downward.

The second cleaner passage part 182 may connect the second cleaner 300 and the dust collecting part 170 . Dust in the second cleaner 300 may move to the dust collection unit 170 through the second cleaner passage 182 .

A dust bin (not shown) of the second vacuum cleaner is disposed below the dust collecting unit 170, and the second vacuum cleaner passage part 182 communicates with the dust bin of the second vacuum cleaner. That is, the second cleaner passage part 182 has an upward flow direction as a whole.

The second cleaner passage part 182 may be divided into an upper passage part 182a and a lower passage part 182b.

The upper flow path portion 182a is disposed above the lower flow path portion 182b and is spaced apart from the lower flow path portion 182b. One end of the upper passage part 182a is connected to the dust collecting part 170 or the passage switching valve 183, and the other end is disposed close to the lower passage part 182b.

The lower passage part 182b is disposed below the upper passage part 182a and is spaced apart from the upper passage part 182a. One end of the lower passage part 182b is connected to the dust bin of the second cleaner 300, and the other end is disposed close to the upper passage part 182a.

The end of the upper flow path portion 182a and the end of the lower flow path portion 182b are spaced apart from each other. The peripheral window cleaning device 184 is disposed at the above interval, and the upper passage part 182a, the cleaning hose 1842, and the lower passage part 182b communicate with each other, thereby forming the second cleaner passage part 182.

The flow path switching valve 183 may be disposed between the dust collecting part 170 and the first cleaner flow path part 181 and the second cleaner flow path part 182 . The flow path switching valve 183 may selectively open and close the first cleaner flow path portion 181 and the second cleaner flow path portion 182 connected to the dust collection unit 170 . Through this, it is possible to prevent a decrease in suction power caused by the opening of the plurality of passages 181 and 182 .

For example, when only the first cleaner 200 is coupled to the cleaner station 100, the flow path switching valve 183 connects the first cleaner flow path 181 and the dust collecting portion 170, and connects the second cleaner flow path. A connection between the unit 182 and the dust collection unit 170 may be separated. Conversely, when only the second cleaner 300 is coupled to the cleaner station 100, the flow path switching valve 183 connects the second cleaner flow path 182 and the dust collecting portion 170, and connects the first cleaner flow path ( 181) and the dust collecting unit 170 may be separated. In addition, when the surrounding cleaning device 184 is operated, the flow path switching valve 183 connects the second cleaner flow path portion 182 and the dust collection portion 170, and connects the first cleaner flow path portion 181 and the dust collection portion ( 170) can be disconnected.

The dust collecting motor 190 may be disposed below the dust collecting part 170 . The dust collecting motor 190 may generate a suction force to the flow path part 180 . Through this, the dust collecting motor 190 may provide a suction force capable of sucking dust in the dust bin 220 of the cleaner 200 .

The dust collecting motor 190 is disposed downstream of the passage part and provides a suction force to the dust bin through the passage part. The dust collecting motor 190 is disposed below the flow path part 180, and the direction of flow in the flow path part 180 is from top to bottom, and the dust collecting motor 190 is disposed downstream of the flow path part 180. can The dust collecting motor 190 generates a suction force in the flow path part 180, and the flow path part 180 communicates with the dust bin 220. suction power can be provided.

The surrounding cleaning device 184 is a component that cleans an area around the cleaner station 100 . The surrounding cleaning device 184 is disposed in the flow path part 180 .

The surrounding cleaning device 184 constitutes a part of the flow path unit 180 when not in use, and when in use, one end is separated from the flow path unit 180 to clean the surrounding area.

The surrounding cleaning device 184 constitutes a part of the passage part 180 when not in use. As described above, the cleaning hose 1842 is connected to the upper flow path portion 182a and the lower flow path portion 182b to form the second cleaner flow path portion 182 . In addition, the surrounding cleaning device 184 may be separated from the flow path 180 to clean the surrounding area during use.

The surrounding cleaning device 184 constitutes a part of the flow path 180, sucks dust by the suction force of the dust collecting motor 190, and does not require a separate driving element, so it can clean the area around the cleaner with a simple configuration. There is an effect that the volume of the station 100 does not increase.

For example, the user takes out the dust collection unit 170 of the cleaner station 100 and empty the collected dust, and then removes the dust remaining around the dust collection unit 170 or around the cleaner station 100 through the cleaning device 184. ), and there is no need to separate the vacuum cleaner to clean the remaining dust.

Hereinafter, the detailed structure and shape of the surrounding cleaning device 184 will be described.

The surrounding cleaning device 184 may include a cover 1841, a cleaning hose 1842, a connection member 1843, and a nozzle 1844.

The surrounding cleaning device cover 1841 is a component that covers the communication hole 112a to shield the cleaning hose 1842 when not in use, and opens the communication hole 112a when in use to allow the cleaning hose 1842 to be withdrawn. That is, the surrounding cleaning device cover 1841 selectively covers the communication hole 112a.

The surrounding cleaning device cover 1841 may be divided into a horizontal portion and a vertical portion.

The horizontal part of the surrounding cleaning device cover 1841 is rotatably disposed on the flow path part 180 . Specifically, the horizontal portion is fixedly coupled to the upper support portion 1842a of the cleaning hose 1842, and rotates simultaneously with the upper support portion 1842a as the upper support portion 1842a rotates.

The horizontal portion extends outward from the passage portion 180 or the upper support portion 1842a.

The vertical portion of the surrounding cleaning device cover 1841 extends upward or downward from the outer end of the horizontal portion. Specifically, the surrounding cleaning device cover 1841 is formed in a plate shape.

The vertical portion covers the communication hole 112a when not in use to shield the cleaning hose 1842. The vertical portion is disposed on the same plane as the outer wall surface 112 of the housing.

When the surrounding cleaning device 184 is used, the surrounding cleaning device cover 1841 rotates in one direction, and when the surrounding cleaning device cover 1841 rotates in one direction, the cleaning hose 1842 is exposed to the outside.

The surrounding cleaning device 184 is disposed on the second cleaner passage part 182 . The passage part 180 may be divided into a first cleaner passage part 181 connected to the first cleaner and a second cleaner passage part 182 connected to the second cleaner. Among them, since the surrounding cleaning device 184 is disposed on the second cleaner passage 182, the user can clean the area around the cleaner station 100 with the surrounding cleaning device 184 while emptying the dust bin of the first cleaner. . Unlike this, the first cleaner flow path 181 and the second cleaner flow path 182 are selectively opened and closed by the flow path switching valve 183, so that the dust bin of the first vacuum cleaner is emptied or the surrounding cleaning device 184 is selected. may work adversely.

The cleaning hose 1842 constitutes a part of the flow path unit 180 when not in use, and is a component that is separated from the flow path unit 180 and cleans the area around the cleaner station 100 when in use. Specifically, the passage part 180 to which the cleaning hose 1842 is connected may be the second cleaner passage part 182 .

An upper end of the cleaning hose 1842 may be fixedly coupled to the flow path unit 180 and a lower end thereof may be detachably coupled to the flow path unit 180 . When not in use, the cleaning hose 1842 constitutes the second cleaner passage part 182, through which dust sucked from the second cleaner flows. When in use, the lower end of the cleaning hose 1842 is separated from the flow path 180, so that the area around the cleaner station 100 can be cleaned.

The cleaning hose 1842 may include support parts 1842a and b and an expansion and contraction part 1842c.

One end of the support portion 1842a,b is coupled to the flow path portion 180 and the other end is coupled to the expansion/contraction portion 1842c.

The support portions 1842a and b are made of a solid material. The solid material means that it is relatively solid compared to the material of the stretchable portion 1842c.

The support portions 1842a and b are formed in a cylindrical shape, and air flows along with dust therein.

The support portions 1842a and b may include an upper support portion 1842a and a lower support portion 1842b.

The upper support part 1842a is coupled to the lower end of the upper passage part 182a.

The lower support part 1842b is coupled to the upper end of the lower passage part 182b.

One end of the stretchable portion 1842c is coupled to the other end of the support portions 1842a and b. The other end of the stretchable portion 1842c is detachably coupled to the channel portion 180 or detachably coupled to the lower support portion 1842b. Specifically, the elastic part 1842c is fixedly coupled to the lower end of the upper support part 1842a, and the elastic part 1842c is detachably coupled to the upper end of the lower support part 1842b.

At least a portion of the stretchable portion 1842c is wrinkled, and a plurality of wrinkles are formed in the longitudinal direction of the stretchable portion 1842c. Since wrinkles are formed in the stretchable portion 1842c, the length may be increased or decreased.

Wrinkles are composed of peaks and valleys. Peaks and valleys are formed in the circumferential direction of the stretchable and contractible portion 1842c. The radius at the peak may be larger than the radius at the valley.

The peaks and valleys are alternately arranged, and a plurality of them are formed along the longitudinal direction of the stretchable and contractible portion 1842c.

The connecting member 1843 is a component connecting the cleaning hose 1842 and the flow path 180. The connecting member 1843 rotatably couples the cleaning hose 1842 to the flow path 180 . The connecting member 1843 prevents twisting when the cleaning hose 1842 rotates.

The connecting member 1843 may be divided into an upper connecting member 1843a and a lower connecting member 1843b. The upper connection member 1843a is disposed between the upper flow passage portion 182a and the upper support portion 1842a, and freely rotates the upper support portion 1842a from the fixed upper flow passage portion 182a. The lower connection member 1843b is disposed between the lower passage part 182b and the lower support part 1842b, and freely rotates the lower support part 1842b from the fixed lower passage part 182b.

The connecting member 1843 may include a ball bearing. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent friction from occurring when the upper support part 1842a or the lower support part 1842b rotates.

The cleaning nozzle 1844 is a component that sucks dust into the cleaning hose 1842. The cleaning nozzle 1844 is disposed at the other end of the expansion and contraction portion 1842c, and at least a portion thereof is formed to be inserted into the passage portion 180.

When the surrounding cleaning device 184 is not in use, the cleaning nozzle 1844 is inserted into the passage part 180 or the lower support part 1842b. Conversely, when the surrounding cleaning device 184 is in use, the cleaning nozzle 1844 is separated from the passage part 180 or the lower support part 1842b and sucks up dust remaining in the surroundings.

The cleaning nozzle 1844 has a cross-sectional area of one end inserted into the passage part 180 smaller than that of the other end not inserted into the passage part 180 .

The cross-sectional area of the outer end of the cleaning nozzle 1844 in the longitudinal direction is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inner end. Accordingly, the negative pressure is maximized at the outer end of the cleaning nozzle 1844 in the longitudinal direction, so that dust can be effectively sucked.

The cleaning nozzle 1844 may be formed in a truncated cone shape. At this time, the outer circumferential surface of the truncated cone is caught on the passage part 180 or the lower support part 1842b.

Referring to FIG. 8 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning nozzle 1844 may be inserted into a lower support 1842b.

Unlike this, although not shown, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the lower support portion 1842b and the lower connection member 1843b may not exist. At this time, the cleaning nozzle 1844 may be inserted into the lower passage part 182b.

The support portion 1842a and the cleaning nozzle 1844 are located in opposite directions along the stretchable and contractible portion 1842c. Referring to FIG. 4 , the support portion 1842a may be positioned at an upper end of the stretchable portion 1842c, and the cleaning nozzle 1844 may be positioned at a lower end of the stretchable portion 1842c. Alternatively, the support part 1842a may be positioned at the lower end of the stretchable part 1842a, and the cleaning nozzle 1842c may be positioned at the upper end of the stretchable part 1842c.

Hereinafter, a method of operating the surrounding cleaning device 184 according to the present invention will be described.

The surrounding cleaning device 184 according to the present invention is driven by the dust collecting motor 190 of the cleaner station 100 .

The surrounding cleaning device 184 according to the present invention is disposed inside the housing 110 and is shielded from the outside when not in use.

A user who wants to clean the area around the cleaner station 100 rotates the area cleaning device cover 1841 in one direction. When one side of the surrounding cleaning device cover 1841 is pressed, the surrounding cleaning device cover 1841 and the cleaning hose 1842 are rotated in one direction, and the cleaning hose 1842 is not twisted by the connecting member 1843. When the surrounding cleaning device cover 1841 is rotated in one direction, the cleaning hose 1842 is exposed to the outside.

The user separates the cleaning hose 1842 to clean the surroundings. A cleaning nozzle 1844 is disposed at the lower end of the cleaning hose 1842, the cleaning nozzle 1844 is drawn out from the lower support 1842b, and remaining dust may be sucked through the cleaning nozzle 1844. At this time, since the cleaning hose 1842 includes the expansion and contraction part 1842c, the length of the cleaning hose 1842 can be increased or shortened as needed.

Although the present invention has been described in detail through specific examples, this is for explaining the present invention in detail, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is within the technical spirit of the present invention. It is clear that modification or improvement is possible by the person.

All simple modifications or changes of the present invention fall within the scope of the present invention, and the specific protection scope of the present invention will be clarified by the appended claims.

10: cleaner system 100: cleaner station
110: housing 112a: communication hole
170: dust collector
180: flow path part 181: first cleaner flow path part
182: second cleaner flow path part 183: flow path conversion valve
184: Peripheral cleaning device 1841: Peripheral cleaning device cover
1842: cleaning hose 1843: connecting member
1844: Nozzle
190: dust collection motor
200: first cleaner 210: main body
220: dust bin 240: battery
250: extension pipe 260: cleaning module
300: second cleaner

Claims (11)

A housing forming an exterior and to which a cleaner may be coupled;
a dust collecting unit disposed inside the housing and collecting dust present in a dust bin disposed in the cleaner;
a passage part disposed inside the housing, one end communicating with the dust bin and the other end communicating with the dust collecting part, through which dust existing in the dust bin flows;
a dust collecting motor disposed downstream of the flow path unit and generating a suction force on the flow path unit;
Disposed in the flow path part, driven by the suction force of the dust collecting motor,
A cleaner station comprising: a surrounding cleaning device that cleans an area around the housing. According to claim 1,
The peripheral cleaning device includes a cleaning hose;
The cleaning hose,
An elastic part in which wrinkles are formed on at least a part of the surface; and
and a support part having one end coupled to the flow path part and the other end coupled to the stretchable part. According to claim 2,
The vacuum cleaner station of claim 1 , wherein the support portion is formed of a material that is stronger than the stretchable portion. According to claim 2,
coupled to the end of the stretchable part,
The cleaner station further includes a cleaning nozzle that sucks up dust around the housing. According to claim 4,
The support part and the cleaning nozzle,
cleaner stations characterized in that they are located in opposite directions along the stretchable part; According to claim 1,
The flow path part is disposed above the dust collection part,
The dust collecting motor is disposed below the dust collecting part. It includes a cleaner and a cleaner station to which the cleaner is coupled;
the vacuum cleaner,
a suction part formed with a suction passage through which air can flow;
a dust separation unit having at least one cyclone unit and separating dust from the air;
A dust container for storing the dust separated through the dust separation unit;
The vacuum station,
a dust collector for collecting dust inside the dust bin;
a dust-collecting motor generating a suction force for sucking dust inside the dust bin into the dust-collecting part;
Including; a housing having the dust collecting part and the dust collecting motor therein along a longitudinal direction,
When the main body of the cleaner is coupled to the cleaner station, a longitudinal axis of the dust bin and a longitudinal axis of the cleaner station intersect each other;
The vacuum station,
a passage part disposed inside the housing, one end communicating with the dust bin and the other end communicating with the dust collecting part, through which dust existing in the dust bin flows;
Disposed in the flow path part, driven by the suction force of the dust collecting motor,
The cleaner system of claim 1, further comprising a peripheral cleaning device for cleaning an area around the housing. According to claim 7,
The peripheral cleaning device includes a cleaning hose;
The cleaning hose,
An elastic part in which wrinkles are formed on at least a part of the surface; and
A vacuum cleaner system comprising: a support part having one end coupled to the flow path part and the other end coupled to the stretchable part. According to claim 8,
The vacuum cleaner system of claim 1 , wherein the support portion is formed of a material that is stronger than the stretchable portion. According to claim 8,
The vacuum station,
The cleaner system further includes a cleaning nozzle coupled to an end of the stretchable part and sucking dust around the housing. According to claim 7,
The flow path part is disposed above the dust collection part,
The dust collecting motor is disposed under the dust collecting part.

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