Casing and robot vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The application relates to a casing and a sweeping robot, which comprises a fixed casing, a floating casing provided with a rolling brush cavity, the floating casing being further provided with a first opening communicated with the rolling brush cavity, a buffer provided with a first airflow cavity, one end of the buffer being connected with one end of the floating casing provided with the first opening, the first airflow cavity being communicated with the rolling brush cavity, the other end of the buffer extending to the fixed casing, and a fixed assembly, the other end of the buffer being tightly fixed between the fixed assembly and the fixed casing, the floating casing being capable of floating relative to the fixed casing under the action of the buffer. The buffer is connected with the fixed casing in the mode of being tightly fixed between the fixed assembly and the fixed casing, so that the hot-joining process in the prior art for connecting the buffer with the fixed casing is avoided, time and labor are saved. The fixed assembly tightly presses the buffer, so that the fixed assembly, the buffer and the fixed casing are kept fixed, and the reliability of the connection is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of intelligent electrical appliance technology, and in particular to a casing and a sweeping robot. Background Technology

[0002] With economic development and social progress, people have increasingly higher demands for quality of life, leading to the emergence of smart appliances that can free up human hands. Among these, robotic vacuum cleaners, as a type of smart home appliance, are playing an increasingly important role in people's daily lives.

[0003] A robotic vacuum cleaner includes a housing and a roller brush assembly, a walking assembly, and a power supply assembly mounted on the housing. The roller brush assembly collects dust from the floor, the walking assembly propels the robot, and the power supply assembly provides energy for the roller brush assembly and the walking assembly. Generally, the housing includes a fixed shell, a floating shell, and a roller brush cover. The roller brush assembly is housed within the floating shell, which is mounted relatively buoyantly on the fixed shell. The roller brush cover is located on the floating shell and has a suction port on it that allows the roller brush assembly to contact the floor.

[0004] The floating shell and the fixed shell are connected by a buffer component. Traditionally, the buffer component and the fixed shell are connected by a hot-stamping process, which is complex and makes the connection between the floating shell and the fixed shell time-consuming and labor-intensive. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a time-saving and labor-saving housing and sweeping robot to address the problem of time-consuming and labor-intensive connection between the buffer and the fixed shell through hot-stamping process.

[0006] A housing, the housing comprising:

[0007] Fixed shell;

[0008] A floating shell, wherein the floating shell is provided with a brush cavity, and the floating shell is also provided with a first opening communicating with the brush cavity;

[0009] A buffer element, wherein a first airflow cavity is provided through the buffer element, one end of the buffer element is connected to the end of the floating shell having the first opening, the first airflow cavity is in communication with the brush cavity, and the other end of the buffer element extends toward the fixed shell; and

[0010] The fixed component has its other end pressed and fixed between the fixed component and the fixed shell, and the floating shell can float relative to the fixed shell under the action of the buffer component.

[0011] In one embodiment, the buffer includes a body connected to the floating shell and a flange connected to the body, the flange being pressed and fixed between the fixing component and the fixing shell.

[0012] In one embodiment, an embedding groove facing away from the fixing component is formed on the flange or the flange and the body, and a portion of the fixing shell is embedded in the embedding groove.

[0013] In one embodiment, the fixing component includes a fixing member and a fastener, the buffer member is pressed between the fixing member and the fixing shell, and the fastener passes through the fixing member and the fixing shell to fix the fixing member, the buffer member and the fixing shell together.

[0014] In one embodiment, one of the fixing shell and the fixing member has a through hole, and the other has a through portion, the through portion passing through the through hole, and the fastener fixing the fixing member, the buffer member and the fixing shell.

[0015] In one embodiment, the buffer element and the floating shell are integrally injection molded; or

[0016] The housing also includes a connector, which is integrally injection molded with the buffer and connected to the floating shell.

[0017] In one embodiment, the fixing component is provided with a second airflow cavity, which is connected to the brush cavity through the first airflow cavity.

[0018] In one embodiment, the fixed shell has an assembly cavity, and the fixed shell also has a second opening communicating with the assembly cavity. The floating shell is disposed in the assembly cavity, and the other end of the buffer extends out from the second opening and is pressed and fixed between the fixed component and the fixed shell.

[0019] In one embodiment, a rotating arm is provided on one side of the floating shell, and the buffer is connected to the other side of the floating shell. The floating shell is pivotally connected to the fixed shell through the rotating arm. When subjected to external force, the floating shell rotates relative to the fixed shell through the rotating arm, and the buffer elastically deforms and floats.

[0020] A robotic vacuum cleaner includes a brush assembly and a housing as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the brush assembly is assembled within the brush cavity.

[0021] In one embodiment, the robotic vacuum cleaner further includes a dust collection box, and the fixing component is provided with a second airflow chamber. The second airflow chamber is connected to the roller brush chamber through the first airflow chamber, and the end of the second airflow chamber away from the first airflow chamber is connected to the air inlet of the dust collection box.

[0022] The aforementioned housing and robotic vacuum cleaner feature a buffer component that is connected to the fixed housing by pressing and fixing it to the fixed component and the fixed housing. This avoids the need for the heat-bonding process used in existing technologies, saving time and effort. Furthermore, during connection, the fixed component presses against the buffer component, ensuring that the fixed component, buffer component, and fixed housing remain fixed and guaranteeing the reliability of the connection. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of a sweeping robot provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The assembly diagram of the robotic vacuum cleaner shown is shown.

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The front view of the robotic vacuum cleaner shown;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the AA side of the robotic vacuum cleaner.

[0027] 100. Robotic vacuum cleaner; 10. Housing; 11. Fixed housing; 111. Assembly cavity; 112. Second opening; 12. Floating housing; 121. Brush cavity; 122. First opening; 123. Rotating arm; 13. Buffer; 131. Body; 132. Flanged edge; 133. Embedded groove; 134. First airflow cavity; 14. Fixing component; 141. Fixing component; 142. Second airflow cavity; 16. Through hole; 17. Through part; 18. Protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0029] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0031] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0032] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0033] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0034] As described in the background section, traditional buffer components are connected to the fixed shell via a heat-sealing process. This involves the fixed shell having multiple small protrusions, and the buffer component having multiple small recesses that mate with these protrusions. Each protrusion is inserted into a recess, and the components are then fixed together using a heat-sealing process, thus securing the buffer component to the fixed shell. However, this method requires first forming the protrusions and recesses, and then heat-sealing them, making the connection between the buffer component and the fixed shell time-consuming and labor-intensive, consequently making the connection between the floating shell and the fixed shell also time-consuming and labor-intensive.

[0035] Figure 1 An exploded view of a sweeping robot according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The diagram shows the assembly of the robotic vacuum cleaner.

[0036] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of the present invention provides a robotic vacuum cleaner 100, including a roller brush assembly (not shown) and a housing 10. The roller brush assembly is disposed inside the housing 10 and is used to collect dust on the floor. The housing 10 includes a fixed shell 11, a floating shell 12, and a buffer member 13. The floating shell 12 has a roller brush cavity 121, and the roller brush assembly is assembled inside the roller brush cavity 121. The floating shell 12 also has a first opening 122 communicating with the roller brush cavity 121. One end of the buffer member 13 is connected to the end of the floating shell 12 with the first opening 122, and the other end of the buffer member 13 extends toward the fixed shell 11 and is fixedly connected to the fixed shell 11. With the above configuration, when the robotic vacuum cleaner 100 is working, if the roller brush assembly encounters an obstacle, the floating shell 12 can compress the buffer member 13 to drive the roller brush assembly to float upward to overcome the obstacle.

[0037] In one specific embodiment, the buffer 13 is a flexible tube, specifically a silicone tube. Of course, in other embodiments, the specific structure and material of the buffer 13 are not specifically limited, as long as the buffering effect can be achieved and the airflow can be facilitated.

[0038] Furthermore, a rotating arm 123 is provided on one side of the floating shell 12, and the buffer member 13 is connected to the other side of the floating shell 12. The floating shell 12 is pivotally connected to the fixed shell 11 through the rotating arm 123. When subjected to external force, the floating shell 12 rotates relative to the fixed shell 11 through the rotating arm 123, and the buffer member 13 elastically deforms and floats. Thus, when the floating shell 12 drives the roller brush assembly to float upward by compressing the buffer member 13, the other side of the floating shell 12 rotates relative to the fixed shell 11 through the rotating arm 123, thereby achieving the purpose of the floating shell 12 and the roller brush assembly floating upward as a whole.

[0039] Specifically, the rotating arms 123 include two spaced apart from each other along the extending direction of the floating shell 12. When subjected to external force, the floating shell 12 rotates relative to the fixed shell 11 via the two rotating arms 123, and the buffer member 13 elastically deforms and floats. Thus, when the floating shell 12 drives the roller brush assembly to float upward by compressing the buffer member 13, the other side of the floating shell 12 rotates relative to the fixed shell 11 via the two rotating arms 123, thereby achieving the purpose of the floating shell 12 and the roller brush assembly floating upward as a whole. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the number of rotating arms 123 is not limited, as long as it can achieve the purpose of the floating shell 12 rotating relative to the fixed shell 11 via the rotating arms 123 when subjected to external force.

[0040] In one embodiment, the housing 10 further includes a roller brush cover (not shown in the figure), which is disposed on the floating housing 12 and has a dust inlet (not shown in the figure). When the roller brush assembly is working, it draws in external dust through the dust inlet. Furthermore, when subjected to external force, the roller brush cover can float relative to the fixed housing 11 along with the floating housing 12.

[0041] In one embodiment, the buffer 13 and the floating shell 12 are integrally injection molded, and the buffer 13 is fitted inside the floating shell 12. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the buffer 13 and the floating shell 12 may not be integrally injection molded. For example, in another embodiment, the housing 10 also includes a connector (not shown in the figure), which is integrally injection molded with the buffer 13 and connected to the floating shell 12. In one specific embodiment, the connector is connected to the floating shell 12 by screws. In another specific embodiment, the connector can also be connected to the floating shell 12 by a snap-fit ​​mechanism; this is not limited here. Therefore, the connection method between the buffer 13 and the floating shell 12 is not limited here, as long as the sealing effect at the connection between the buffer 13 and the floating shell 12 can be guaranteed, all such connection methods are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0042] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 The front view of the robotic vacuum cleaner shown; Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the AA side of the robotic vacuum cleaner.

[0043] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the housing 10 further includes a fixing component 14. One end of the buffer member 13, which is connected to the fixed housing 11, is pressed and fixed between the fixing component 14 and the fixed housing 11. The floating housing 12 floats relative to the fixed housing 11 under the action of the buffer member 13. In this embodiment, the buffer member 13 is connected to the fixed housing 11 by pressing and fixing it to the fixing component 14 and the fixed housing 11, thereby avoiding the use of the hot-welding process in the prior art, saving time and effort. Furthermore, during connection, the fixing component 14 presses against the buffer member 13 to keep the fixing component 14, the buffer member 13, and the fixed housing 11 fixed, ensuring the reliability of the connection.

[0044] Continue reading Figure 1 and Figure 4 The fixed shell 11 has an assembly cavity 111 and a second opening 112 communicating with the assembly cavity 111. The floating shell 12 is disposed in the assembly cavity 111. The other end of the buffer member 13 extends from the second opening 112 and is pressed and fixed between the fixed component 14 and the fixed shell 11. With this configuration, when the sweeping robot 100 is working, if the roller brush assembly encounters an obstacle, the floating shell 12 compresses the buffer member 13 to drive the roller brush assembly to float upward in the assembly cavity 111. The other side of the floating shell 12 rotates relative to the fixed shell 11 through the rotating arm 123, thereby achieving the purpose of the floating shell 12 and the roller brush assembly floating upward as a whole.

[0045] Of course, in some other embodiments, the mounting cavity 111 may be omitted from the fixed shell 11, and the specific structure of the fixed shell 11 is not limited here.

[0046] Continue reading Figure 4 Furthermore, the buffer 13 includes a body 131 and a flange 132. The body 131 is connected to the floating shell 12, and the flange 132 is connected to the body 131 and extends through the second opening 112. The flange 132 is pressed and fixed between the fixing component 14 and the fixing shell 11. By providing the buffer 13 with a flange 132, it is easier to press and fix the buffer 13.

[0047] In one embodiment, an embedding groove 133 is formed on the side of the flange 132 facing away from the fixing component 14. A portion of the fixing shell 11 is embedded in the embedding groove 133, and the fixing component 14 presses the flange 132 tightly against the fixing shell 11, thus ensuring the sealing of the connection between the buffer member 13 and the fixing shell 11. In another embodiment, the embedding groove 133 may also be defined by the body 131 and the flange 132.

[0048] In one embodiment, the fixing component 14 includes a fixing member 141 and a fastener (not shown in the figure), a buffer member 13 is pressed between the fixing member 141 and the fixing shell 11, and the fastener passes through the fixing member 141 and the fixing shell 11 to fix the fixing member 141, the buffer member 13 and the fixing shell 11 together. Specifically, the fastener is a fastening screw.

[0049] It should be understood that in some other embodiments, the fixing component 14 may also include a fixing member 141 and a first buckle (not shown in the figure) provided on the fixing member 141, the buffer member 13 is pressed between the fixing member 141 and the fixing shell 11, and the first buckle connected to the fixing member 141 is engaged with the second buckle (not shown in the figure) provided on the fixing shell 11, thereby fixing the buffer member 13 and the fixing shell 11.

[0050] Continue reading Figure 1 In one specific embodiment, the fixing shell 11 and the fixing member 141 have a through hole 16 on one and a through part 17 on the other. The through part 17 passes through the through hole 16, and the fastener fixes the fixing member 141, the buffer member 13 and the fixing shell 11.

[0051] Specifically, the surface of the fixing shell 11 is provided with a protrusion 18, and a through hole 16 is formed on the protrusion 18. One end of the fixing member 141 has the aforementioned through portion 17, and the other end of the fixing member 141 is provided with a screw hole. When it is necessary to fix the buffer member 13 and the fixing shell 11, the through portion 17 is first inserted into the through hole 16, and then the fastening screw is inserted into the screw hole to fix the fixing member 141, the buffer member 13 and the fixing shell 11 together.

[0052] Furthermore, the robotic vacuum cleaner 100 also includes a dust collection box (not shown in the figure). A fixing member 141 has a second airflow chamber 142 extending through it. The end of the fixing member 141 away from the buffer member 13 is connected to the dust collection box. The second airflow chamber 142 is connected to the roller brush chamber 121 through the first airflow chamber 134. When the robotic vacuum cleaner 100 is working, the roller brush assembly collects dust on the ground. The dust enters the roller brush chamber 121 through the dust inlet and flows sequentially from the roller brush chamber 121 through the first airflow chamber 134 and the second airflow chamber 142, finally entering the dust collection box for collection.

[0053] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a housing 10 included in the above-mentioned sweeping robot 100. The housing 10 includes a fixed housing 11, a floating housing 12, a buffer member 13, and a fixing assembly 14. The floating housing 12 is provided with a brush cavity 121, and the brush assembly is assembled in the brush cavity 121. The floating cavity is also provided with a first opening 122 communicating with the brush cavity 121. One end of the buffer member 13 is connected to the end of the floating housing 12 with the first opening 122, and the other end of the buffer member 13 extends toward the fixed housing 11 and is fixedly connected to the fixed housing 11. The end of the buffer member 13 connected to the fixed housing 11 is pressed and fixed between the fixing assembly 14 and the fixed housing 11. The floating housing 12 floats relative to the fixed housing 11 under the action of the buffer member 13.

[0054] The housing 10 provided in this embodiment of the invention has a buffer member 13 connected to the fixed shell 11 by pressing and fixing it to the fixing component 14 and the fixed shell 11, thereby avoiding the use of the hot-welding process in the prior art, saving time and effort. Furthermore, during connection, the fixing component 14 presses the buffer member 13 to keep the fixing component 14, the buffer member 13, and the fixed shell 11 fixed, ensuring the reliability of the connection.

[0055] The housing 10 and the robotic vacuum cleaner 100 provided in this embodiment of the invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0056] 1. The fixing component 14 presses the buffer 13 between itself and the fixing shell 11, thereby realizing the connection between the buffer 13 and the fixing shell 11, thus avoiding the use of the hot-welding process in the prior art to connect with the fixing shell 11, saving time and effort.

[0057] 2. The fixing component 14 presses the buffer component 13 to fix the fixing component 14, the buffer component 13 and the fixing shell 11 in a fixed connection manner. Compared with the transmission method, the connection is made by hot-stamping, which ensures the reliability of the connection.

[0058] 3. The fixing component 14 includes a fixing member 141 and fasteners. The buffer member 13 is pressed between the fixing member 141 and the fixing shell 11. The fasteners pass through the fixing member 141 and the fixing shell 11 to fix the fixing member 141, the buffer member 13 and the fixing shell 11 to securely connect the three, further ensuring the reliability of the connection between the buffer member 13 and the fixing shell 11.

[0059] 4. The through part 17 is inserted into the through hole 16 and then the fastening screw is inserted into the screw hole to fix the fastener 141, the buffer 13 and the fixed shell 11. This facilitates the assembly of the fastener 141 and the fixation between the buffer 13 and the fixed shell 11.

[0060] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0061] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A housing, characterized in that, The housing includes: Fixed shell (11); A floating shell (12) is provided with a brush cavity (121) and a first opening (122) communicating with the brush cavity (121). A buffer member (13) is provided with a first airflow cavity (134) extending through it. One end of the buffer member (13) is connected to one end of the floating shell (12) with the first opening (122). The first airflow cavity (134) communicates with the roller brush cavity (121). The other end of the buffer member (13) extends toward the fixed shell (11). The fixed component (14) is pressed and fixed at the other end of the buffer (13) between the fixed component (14) and the fixed shell (11), and the floating shell (12) can float relative to the fixed shell (11) under the action of the buffer (13); The buffer (13) includes a body (131) connected to the floating shell (12) and a flange (132) connected to the body (131), the flange (132) being pressed and fixed between the fixing component (14) and the fixing shell (11); The fixing component (14) is provided with a second airflow cavity (142), which is connected to the roller brush cavity (121) through the first airflow cavity (134).

2. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, An embedding groove (133) is formed on the flange (132) or defined by the flange (132) and the body (131) facing away from the fixing component (14), and part of the fixing shell (11) is embedded in the embedding groove (133).

3. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing component (14) includes a fixing member (141) and a fastener. The buffer member (13) is pressed between the fixing member (141) and the fixing shell (11). The fastener passes through the fixing member (141) and the fixing shell (11) to fix the fixing member (141), the buffer member (13) and the fixing shell (11) together.

4. The housing according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fixed shell (11) and the fixed member (141) have a through hole (16) on one and a through part (17) on the other. The through part (17) passes through the through hole (16). The fastener fixes the fixed member (141), the buffer member (13) and the fixed shell (11).

5. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer (13) and the floating shell (12) are integrally injection molded; or The housing also includes a connector, which is integrally injection molded with the buffer (13) and connected to the floating shell (12).

6. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed shell (11) is provided with an assembly cavity (111), and the fixed shell (11) also has a second opening (112) communicating with the assembly cavity (111). The floating shell (12) is located in the assembly cavity (111), and the other end of the buffer (13) extends out from the second opening (112) and is pressed and fixed between the fixed component (14) and the fixed shell (11).

7. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The floating shell (12) has a rotating arm (123) on one side, and the buffer (13) is connected to the other side of the floating shell (12). The floating shell (12) is pivotally connected to the fixed shell (11) through the rotating arm (123). When subjected to external force, the floating shell (12) rotates relative to the fixed shell (11) through the rotating arm (123), and the buffer (13) elastically deforms and floats.

8. A robotic vacuum cleaner, characterized in that, The sweeping robot includes a roller brush assembly and a housing as described in any one of claims 1-7, wherein the roller brush assembly is assembled inside the roller brush cavity (121).

9. The sweeping robot according to claim 8, characterized in that, The sweeping robot also includes a dust collection box. The fixing component (14) is provided with a second airflow chamber (142). The second airflow chamber (142) is connected to the roller brush chamber (121) through the first airflow chamber (134). The end of the second airflow chamber (142) away from the first airflow chamber (134) is connected to the air inlet of the dust collection box.

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