Box body assembly, cleaning robot and cleaning robot system

Abstract

The present application provides a box assembly, a cleaning robot and a cleaning robot system. The box assembly comprises a box and a wind guide movably arranged in the box, the box has a receiving cavity formed therein, the box comprises a garbage inlet through which air flow enters the receiving cavity, the box comprises a garbage outlet through which air flow flows out of the receiving cavity, and the wind guide is arranged close to the garbage inlet relative to the garbage outlet. The wind guide is configured to move relative to the box to reduce the opening area of the garbage inlet, or to define a guide channel connecting the garbage inlet in the receiving cavity, and make the opening area of the guide outlet of the guide channel smaller than the opening area of the garbage inlet. The cleaning robot comprises the above-mentioned box assembly. The cleaning robot system comprises the above-mentioned cleaning robot.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a box assembly, a cleaning robot and a cleaning robot system, and belongs to the field of cleaning robots. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of the smart home industry, the technology of intelligent sweeping robots is constantly improving, and the market demand for the diversity of intelligent sweeping robots is also increasing. The capacity of the box assembly of traditional intelligent sweeping robots is small, and the box assembly often needs to be taken out to empty the garbage after working for a period of time. Therefore, it is often necessary to design a large-capacity charging base that can recycle garbage to solve the problem of frequent manual garbage emptying. However, in the related art, when the sweeping robot recycles the garbage in the box assembly through the charging base, it is easy to cause the garbage in the box assembly to remain due to the difficulty of generating a negative pressure difference in the box assembly that allows the garbage in the box assembly to smoothly enter the recycling station, thereby causing the garbage in the box assembly to not be successfully recycled to the recycling station. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application provides a box assembly, a cleaning robot and a cleaning robot system.

[0004] The box assembly of the present application embodiment includes a box body and an air guide member, the air guide member is movably arranged in the box body, the box body has a receiving cavity formed therein, the box body includes a garbage inlet through which air flow enters the receiving cavity, the box body includes a garbage outlet through which air flow flows out of the receiving cavity, and the air guide member is arranged close to the garbage inlet relative to the garbage outlet. The air guide member is configured to move relative to the box body to reduce the opening area of the garbage inlet, or to define a flow guide channel connected to the garbage inlet in the receiving cavity, and to make the opening area of the outlet of the flow guide channel smaller than the opening area of the garbage inlet.

[0005] The box assembly of the present application can be applied to a cleaning robot (e.g. a sweeping robot or a mopping robot or a sweeping-mopping integrated robot). When the cleaning robot is a sweeping robot or a mopping robot or a sweeping-mopping integrated robot, the cleaning robot walks on the ground to be cleaned. Under the action of suction force (which can be provided by a fan), airflow with garbage (including dust) can be sucked into the box through the garbage inlet of the box (into the containing cavity), and the filtered airflow (which can be achieved by a filter element, such as a Hepa) can be discharged through the air outlet. The filtered garbage can be stored in the containing cavity to achieve cleaning of the ground to be cleaned. When it is necessary to recycle the garbage in the box through a recycling station (charging base), the air guide member can be moved relative to the box to reduce the opening area of the garbage inlet, or the air guide member can be moved relative to the box to form a flow guide channel, so that a larger negative pressure difference can be generated between the containing cavity and the external environment. The larger negative pressure difference between the containing cavity and the external environment enables the garbage in the box assembly to smoothly enter the recycling station through the garbage outlet, ensuring that the garbage in the box assembly can be smoothly recycled to the recycling station.

[0006] In some embodiments, the air guide member is rotatably arranged in the containing cavity, and the air guide member is rotated relative to the garbage inlet to define the flow guide channel connecting the garbage inlet in the containing cavity.

[0007] In some embodiments, the air guide member is rotatably arranged inside the garbage inlet, the air guide member is provided with a guide inlet, and the air guide member can be rotated relative to the garbage inlet between a first position and a second position. When the air guide member is rotated to the first position, the position of the guide inlet corresponds to the position of the garbage inlet. When the air guide member is rotated to the second position, the air guide member and the side wall of the containing cavity jointly define the flow guide channel, and the guide inlet is in a closed state.

[0008] In some embodiments, the box assembly comprises a check member rotatably arranged on the air guide member. When the air guide member is rotated to the first position, the check member can be opened by the airflow entering the garbage inlet and can be closed by the gravity of the check member. When the air guide member is rotated to the second position, the check member can be closed by an external force; and / or,

[0009] The box assembly comprises a blocking member arranged in the containing cavity. When the air guide member is rotated to the second position, the air guide member abuts against the blocking member to stay at the second position, and the check member abuts between the air guide member and the blocking member; and / or,

[0010] The air guide component rotates relative to the waste inlet from the first position by a preset acute angle to reach the second position.

[0011] In some embodiments, the air guide is configured to move relative to the housing to define a flow channel within the receiving cavity, the flow channel including a tapering section connecting to the outlet, the gas flow cross-sectional area of ​​the tapering section gradually decreasing towards the outlet; and / or,

[0012] The box body includes a first shell and a second shell connected together. The first shell forms the receiving cavity and has the garbage inlet and the garbage outlet. The second shell has a filter cavity that communicates with the receiving cavity. The air guide is rotatably disposed in the first shell to define the flow channel that connects to the garbage inlet in the receiving cavity.

[0013] In some embodiments, the air guide is configured to move relative to the housing to define the flow channel within the receiving cavity, the waste inlet being positioned higher than the outlet, and the flow channel forming a first flow surface inclined toward the bottom surface of the receiving cavity, the first flow surface being connected to the outlet of the flow channel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the air guide forms the first guide surface, and the outlet is formed between the first guide surface and the bottom surface of the receiving cavity. The bottom surface of the receiving cavity has a waste outlet penetrating the bottom surface, and the outlet is located between the waste inlet and the waste outlet; and / or,

[0015] The box assembly includes a cover plate rotatably disposed on the box to open or close the waste outlet. When the cover plate opens the waste outlet, a downwardly inclined second guide surface is formed on the side of the cover plate facing the waste outlet.

[0016] In some embodiments, the housing assembly includes a slider connected to the air guide, the slider being able to slide relative to the housing under the action of an external force to drive the air guide to move relative to the housing.

[0017] In some embodiments, the housing assembly includes an elastic element, one end of which is fixed to the housing, and the other end of which is connected to a sliding element. The sliding element is capable of sliding relative to the housing between a third position and a fourth position under the action of an external force, thereby driving the air guide to move relative to the housing. When the sliding element slides from the third position to the fourth position, the elastic element contracts under the action of the sliding element. The contracted elastic element can drive the sliding element to slide from the fourth position to the third position.

[0018] The cleaning robot of this embodiment includes a body and a box assembly as described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the box assembly is mounted on the body.

[0019] In the cleaning robot of this invention, when the cleaning robot is a sweeping robot, a mopping robot, or a combined sweeping and mopping robot, the cleaning robot walks on the floor to be cleaned. Under the action of suction (which can be provided by a fan), it can draw airflow containing garbage (including dust) into the box body (accommodating cavity) through the garbage inlet of the box body, and can discharge the filtered airflow (which can be achieved through a filter element, such as HEPA) through the air outlet. The filtered garbage can be stored in the accommodation cavity to achieve the cleaning of the floor to be cleaned. When it is necessary to collect the garbage in the box body through the recycling station (charging base), the air guide can be moved relative to the box body to reduce the opening area of ​​the garbage inlet, or the air guide can be moved relative to the box body to form a guide channel. This can create a large negative pressure difference between the accommodation cavity and the external environment. The large negative pressure difference between the accommodation cavity and the external environment allows the garbage in the box body to smoothly enter the recycling station through the garbage outlet, ensuring that the garbage in the box body can be successfully recycled to the recycling station.

[0020] The cleaning robot system of this embodiment includes a recycling station and a cleaning robot as described in any of the above embodiments. The recycling station has a recycling chamber for recycling waste. The recycling station is equipped with a driving component, and the container is equipped with a driven component. When the robot moves toward the recycling station, the driving component can drive the driven component to move, thereby driving the air guide component to move relative to the container.

[0021] In the cleaning robot system of this invention, when the cleaning robot is a sweeping robot, a mopping robot, or a combined sweeping and mopping robot, the cleaning robot walks on the surface to be cleaned. Under the action of suction (which can be provided by a fan), it can draw airflow containing garbage (including dust) into the container (accommodation cavity) through the garbage inlet of the container, and can discharge the filtered airflow (which can be achieved through a filter element, such as HEPA) through the air outlet. The filtered garbage can be stored in the accommodation cavity to achieve cleaning of the surface to be cleaned. When it is necessary to collect the garbage in the container through the recycling station (charging base), the air guide can be moved relative to the container to reduce the opening area of ​​the garbage inlet, or the air guide can be moved relative to the container to form a guide channel, which can create a large negative pressure difference between the accommodation cavity and the external environment. The large negative pressure difference between the accommodation cavity and the external environment allows the garbage in the container to smoothly enter the recycling station through the garbage outlet, ensuring that the garbage in the container can be successfully recycled to the recycling station.

[0022] Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings required in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other embodiment drawings obtained without creative effort should be included in the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a cleaning robot system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the cleaning robot system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the box assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the box assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a partially exploded schematic diagram of the box assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the box assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 This is another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the box assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 This is another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the box assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 This is another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the box assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the second housing of the box assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding member driving the air guide member of the box assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Cleaning robot system 300;

[0036] 100 cleaning robots;

[0037] Box assembly 10, box body 11, receiving cavity 111, garbage inlet 112, garbage outlet 113, receiving sub-cavity 114, top surface 115, bottom surface 116, side surface 117, air guide 12, flow channel 121, tapering channel section 1211, outlet 122, inlet 123, first flow guide surface 124, rotating shaft 125, driven end 126, torsion spring 127, sliding member 13, first sliding member 131, second sliding member 132, slide groove 133, driving end 134, stop 14, anti-reverse member 140, cover plate 15, second flow guide surface 151, limiting member 16, first shell 17, second shell 18, filter cavity 181, elastic member 19;

[0038] Body 20;

[0039] Recycling station 200, drive unit 210, positioning post 211, lower surface 220. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] Please combine Figures 1-2The housing assembly 10 of this embodiment is used for a cleaning robot 100. The cleaning robot 100 can be a sweeping robot, a mopping robot, or a combined sweeping and mopping robot. When the cleaning robot 100 is a sweeping robot, a mopping robot, or a combined sweeping and mopping robot, the cleaning robot 100 walks on the surface to be cleaned and can clean the surface. The aforementioned cleaning robot 100 can be used in the cleaning robot system 300 of this embodiment. The cleaning robot system 300 includes a recycling bin 200.

[0042] It should be noted that the cleaning robot 100 moves across the surface to be cleaned via a wheel assembly. The wheel assembly can be installed on the bottom of the body 20. The specific structure of the wheel assembly can refer to existing related technologies; for example, it can have two drive wheels and one omnidirectional wheel. The two drive wheels can be respectively positioned on both sides of the center of the body. The omnidirectional wheel can be mounted on the body. When the cleaning robot is on a level surface, the omnidirectional wheel and the two drive wheels contact the ground, propelling the robot to move across the surface to be cleaned. Further details are omitted here.

[0043] Please combine them together Figures 3-11 The housing assembly 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 11 and an air guide 12. The air guide 12 is movably disposed in the housing 11. A receiving cavity 111 is formed inside the housing 11. The housing 11 includes a waste inlet 112 that allows airflow to enter the receiving cavity 111. The housing 11 includes a waste outlet 113 that allows airflow to exit the receiving cavity 111. The air guide 12 is disposed close to the waste inlet 112 relative to the waste outlet 113. The air guide 12 is configured to move relative to the housing 11. It should be noted that the airflow described above can carry waste (including dust and particulate impurities, etc.). It is understood that airflow carrying or not carrying waste can enter the receiving cavity 111 through the waste inlet 112, and airflow carrying or not carrying waste can exit the receiving cavity 111 through the waste outlet 113.

[0044] It should be noted that the movement of the air guide 12 relative to the box 11 can be configured according to specific circumstances. The air guide can slide relative to the box. Of course, it can also be understood that the air guide can rotate relative to the box. In addition, the structure of the air guide 12 can be configured according to specific circumstances. For example, the air guide 12 can be configured as a plate-like structure. Furthermore, the air guide 12 can be moved relative to the box 11 by external force.

[0045] In some embodiments, the air guide is configured to move relative to the housing to change the opening area of ​​the waste inlet. For example, the air guide can be positioned at the waste inlet and moved relative to the waste inlet to increase or decrease the opening area of ​​the waste inlet. It is understood that the air guide can reduce the opening area of ​​the waste inlet by moving to cover part of the opening. When the opening area of ​​the waste inlet decreases, a larger negative pressure difference can be generated between the housing and the external environment. For example, when the opening area of ​​the waste inlet decreases, and a fan continuously draws air from the waste outlet (which helps reduce the pressure near the waste outlet), a larger negative pressure difference can be generated between the housing and the external environment.

[0046] In some embodiments, the air guide 12 is configured to move relative to the housing 11 to define a flow channel 121 within the receiving cavity 111 that connects to the waste inlet 112 (see Figure 8 Furthermore, the opening area of ​​the outlet 122 of the guide channel 121 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the waste inlet 112. Thus, the airflow enters the guide channel 121 through the waste inlet 112 and is guided out of the guide channel 121 through the outlet 122. This creates a larger negative pressure difference between the receiving cavity and the external environment. It can be understood that the outlet 122 can be configured as a slit to increase the velocity of the airflow exiting the outlet 122 (the airflow can be ejected from the outlet) and effectively increase the negative pressure difference between the receiving cavity and the external environment.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the air guide 12 moves relative to the housing 11 and defines a flow channel 121 connecting the waste inlet 112 within the receiving cavity 111, a receiving sub-cavity 114 is formed within the receiving cavity 111. The receiving sub-cavity 114 connects to the outlet 122 and the waste outlet 113. At this time, the airflow can guide the waste in the flow channel 121 through the outlet 122 to the receiving sub-cavity 114. Thus, when the fan continuously draws air from the waste outlet to the outside of the receiving cavity, a large negative pressure difference can be generated between the receiving sub-cavity 114 and the external environment. In this way, the airflow can smoothly guide the waste in the receiving sub-cavity 114 out through the waste outlet 113 (recycle).

[0048] The housing assembly 10 of the present invention can be applied to a cleaning robot 100 (e.g., a sweeping robot, a mopping robot, or a combined sweeping and mopping robot). When the cleaning robot 100 is a sweeping robot, a mopping robot, or a combined sweeping and mopping robot, the cleaning robot 100 walks on the floor to be cleaned. Under the action of suction (which can be provided by a fan), it can draw airflow carrying debris (including dust) into the housing 11 (the receiving cavity 111) through the debris inlet 112 of the housing 11, and can discharge the filtered airflow (which can be achieved through a filter element, such as HEPA) through the air outlet. The filtered debris can be stored in the receiving cavity 111 to achieve cleaning of the floor to be cleaned. When it is necessary to collect the debris in the housing 11 through the recycling station (charging base) of the cleaning robot system, the air guide 12 can be moved relative to the housing 11 to reduce the opening area of ​​the debris inlet 112, or the air guide 12 can be moved relative to the housing 11 to form a guide channel 121, which can generate a large negative pressure difference between the receiving cavity 111 and the external environment. The large negative pressure difference between the receiving cavity 111 and the external environment allows the waste inside the box assembly 10 to smoothly enter the recycling station through the waste outlet 113, ensuring that the waste inside the box assembly 10 can be successfully recycled to the recycling station.

[0049] Please combine Figures 1-2 The cleaning robot system 300 of this invention includes a recycling station 200 and a cleaning robot 100. The recycling station 200 has a recycling chamber (not shown) for recycling waste (including dust). In some embodiments, the recycling station 200 is provided with a drive member 210. The housing 11 is provided with a driven member. When the robot body 20 moves toward the recycling station 200, the drive member 210 can drive the driven member to move, thereby driving the air guide 12 to move relative to the waste inlet 112. When it is necessary to recycle waste from the housing 111 into the recycling chamber, the robot body 20 can be moved toward the recycling station 200. In this way, the drive member 210 can drive the driven member to move, thereby driving the air guide 12 to move relative to the housing 11, thereby reducing the opening area of ​​the waste inlet, or causing the air guide 12 to move relative to the waste inlet 112 to form a flow channel 121.

[0050] In this embodiment of the cleaning robot system, the recycling station 200 is a base structure. The recycling station 200 also has a charging function. The driving member 210 is a column structure protruding from the lower surface 220 of the base structure. The driven member is a slider 13 that can slide relative to the box 11. The driving member 210 can drive the driven member to slide relative to the box 11, thereby driving the air guide 12 to move relative to the waste inlet 112. This allows the movement of the air guide to be achieved through a simpler driving method, and the overall structure of the cleaning robot is relatively simple while ensuring the movement of the air guide. It should be noted that the cooperation method between the slider and the driving member will be further described in subsequent embodiments. The following embodiments will focus on the structure of the box assembly.

[0051] In some embodiments, the air guide 12 is rotatably disposed within the receiving cavity 111. The air guide 12 rotates relative to the waste inlet 112 to define a flow channel 121 connecting to the waste inlet 112 within the receiving cavity 111. This facilitates the formation of the flow channel 121.

[0052] Please combine Figures 6-9 In some embodiments, the air guide 12 is rotatably disposed inside the waste inlet 112. The air guide 12 has an inlet 123. The air guide 12 is rotatable relative to the waste inlet 112 between a first position a and a second position b. When the air guide 12 is rotated to the first position a, the position of the inlet 123 corresponds to the position of the waste inlet 112. When the air guide 12 is rotated to the second position b, the air guide 12 and the side wall of the receiving cavity 111 together define the flow channel 121, and the inlet 123 is in a closed state.

[0053] It should be noted that when the air guide 12 rotates to the first position a, with the inlet 123 in the open state, the airflow can sequentially enter the receiving cavity 111 through the waste inlet 112 and the inlet 123; when the inlet 123 is in the closed state, it can prevent the waste (including dust) in the receiving cavity 111 from flowing out of the waste inlet 112 through the inlet 123. When the air guide 12 rotates to the second position b, the airflow can sequentially enter the guide channel 121 through the waste inlet 112 and the inlet 123, and exit the receiving cavity 111 through the outlet 122. Since the inlet 123 is in the closed state at this time, this ensures that the airflow entering the guide channel 121 is exited through the outlet 122.

[0054] Additionally, it should be noted that the sidewall of the receiving cavity 111, as mentioned above, which states that "the air guide 12 and the sidewall of the receiving cavity 111 together define the flow channel 121," may include one or more of the top wall, side wall, and bottom wall of the receiving cavity. In this embodiment, the sidewall of the receiving cavity 111 includes the side wall and the bottom wall.

[0055] It is understood that the angle at which the air guide 12 rotates relative to the waste inlet 112 between the first position a and the second position b can be set according to specific circumstances. For example, the air guide 12 can rotate relative to the waste inlet 112 from the first position a by a preset acute angle to reach the second position b. In this way, the range of rotation of the air guide 12 relative to the waste inlet 112 is small and easy to implement. The preset acute angle can be set according to specific circumstances, such as 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, or 45 degrees.

[0056] In some examples, the waste inlet 112 is located on the side wall of the receiving cavity 111 (the waste inlet 112 in the figure penetrates the side wall 117 of the side wall). One end of the air guide 12 is rotatably disposed on the side wall of the receiving cavity 111 (the side wall can be the side wall or the top wall of the receiving cavity) and located at the upper end inside the waste inlet 112, and the other end of the air guide 12 extends downward. During the process of the air guide 12 rotating relative to the waste inlet 112 from the first position a to the second position b, the other end of the air guide 12 rotates away from the waste inlet 112.

[0057] In some embodiments, the housing assembly 10 includes a backflow preventer 140. The backflow preventer 140 is rotatably mounted on the air guide 12. When the air guide 12 is rotated to a first position a, the backflow preventer 140 can open the inlet 123 under the action of airflow entering the waste inlet 112, and can close the inlet 123 under the action of gravity. When the air guide 12 is rotated to a second position b, the backflow preventer 140 can close the inlet 123 under the action of external force. Thus, when the air guide 12 is rotated to the first position a, the backflow preventer 140 can effectively prevent waste (including dust) in the receiving cavity 111 from flowing out of the waste inlet 112 through the inlet 123. When the air guide 12 is rotated to the second position b, the backflow preventer 140 can effectively prevent airflow in the flow channel 121 from flowing out of the inlet 123.

[0058] It is understood that the structure of the anti-reverse component 140 can be configured according to specific circumstances. In this embodiment, the anti-reverse component 140 is a plate-shaped structure. The air guide 12 is a plate-shaped structure. The weight of the air guide 12 is greater than the weight of the air guide 12. When the air guide 12 is in the first position a, the air guide 12 can, under its own gravity, make one side of the air guide 12 adhere to the side wall of the receiving cavity 111. The air guide 12 can be basically vertical under its own gravity. The position of the inlet 123 corresponds to the position of the waste inlet 112. The anti-reverse component 140 can be basically vertical under its own gravity and close the inlet 123. After the airflow enters the waste inlet 112, the airflow can push the anti-reverse component 140 to rotate relative to the inlet 123 to open the inlet 123. During the process of the air guide 12 rotating from the first position a to the second position b relative to the garbage inlet 112, the air guide 12 and the anti-reverse component 140 can rotate relative to the garbage inlet 112 toward the inside of the receiving cavity 111 to define a flow channel 121 connecting the garbage inlet 112 within the receiving cavity 111.

[0059] Additionally, it should be noted that the external force mentioned above, "the anti-reverse component 140 can close the inlet 123 under the action of external force," can be achieved by components provided on the housing 11. For example, a baffle or stop bar can be provided in the receiving cavity, and the anti-reverse component can be held against by the baffle or stop bar so that the anti-reverse component can close the inlet when the air guide component rotates to the second position.

[0060] In some embodiments, the housing assembly 10 includes a baffle 14 disposed within the receiving cavity 111. When the air guide 12 rotates to the second position b, the air guide 12 abuts against the baffle 14 to remain in the second position b. A check valve 140 abuts between the air guide 12 and the baffle 14. Thus, when the air guide 12 rotates to the second position b, the check valve 140 abutting between the air guide 12 and the baffle 14 is forced to close the inlet 123. The air guide 12 and the check valve 140 can form an integral structure (similar to a sloping baffle). This integral structure, together with the bottom wall of the receiving cavity, defines the aforementioned flow channel.

[0061] In this embodiment, the baffle 14 extends from the top surface 115 of the receiving cavity 111 to the bottom surface 116 of the receiving cavity 111 (it is understood that the top wall of the receiving cavity may include the top surface 115, and the bottom wall of the receiving cavity may include the bottom surface 116). The baffle 14 has a plate-like structure. The baffle 14 is located between the waste inlet 112 and the waste outlet 113. A gap is left between the baffle 14 and the bottom surface 116 of the receiving cavity 111. The air guide 12 is located between the baffle 14 and the waste inlet 112. When the air guide 12 is rotated to the second position b, one end of the air guide 12 extends downward at an angle into the gap and abuts against the baffle 14. One end of the air guide 12 and the bottom surface 116 of the receiving cavity 111 together define the outlet 122.

[0062] In some embodiments, the air guide 12 is configured to move relative to the housing 11 to define a flow channel 121 within the receiving cavity 111, connecting to the waste inlet 112. The flow channel 121 includes a tapering channel section 1211 connecting to the outlet 122. The gas flow cross-sectional area of ​​the tapering channel section 1211 gradually decreases in the direction of the outlet 122. The tapering channel section 1211 facilitates increasing the velocity of the airflow ejected from the outlet 122 and facilitates reducing the pressure near the outlet 122. This facilitates increasing the negative pressure difference between the receiving cavity 111 and the external environment.

[0063] It is understandable that when the waste collected in the containment cavity 111 needs to be discharged (to the recycling station) and the air is drawn out of the containment cavity by the air extraction device (fan or exhaust fan) (through the waste outlet), the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow in the narrow channel section 1211 can be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow in the duct where the air extraction device is located. This is conducive to forming a larger negative pressure difference between the containment cavity and the external environment.

[0064] In some embodiments, the housing 11 includes a first housing 17 and a second housing 18 connected together. The first housing 17 forms a receiving cavity 111. The first housing 17 has a waste inlet 112 and a waste outlet 113. The second housing 18 has a filter cavity 181 communicating with the receiving cavity 111. An air guide 12 is rotatably disposed on the first housing 17 to define a flow channel 121 communicating with the waste inlet 112 within the receiving cavity 111.

[0065] It is understood that a filter element (such as a HEPA filter) for filtration can be installed inside the filter chamber 181. The second housing 18 can also have an air outlet communicating with the filter chamber 181. Thus, the airflow carrying debris enters the receiving chamber 111 through the debris inlet 112, is filtered by the filter element inside the filter chamber 181, and is then discharged through the air outlet. Furthermore, the rotatable arrangement of the air guide 12 on the first housing 17 facilitates the definition of the aforementioned flow channel 121 within the receiving chamber 111. In this embodiment, the air guide 12 is rotatably mounted on the first housing 17 via a pivot 125.

[0066] In some embodiments, the air guide 12 is configured to move relative to the housing 11 to define a flow channel 121 within the receiving cavity 111, connecting to the waste inlet 112. The waste inlet 112 is positioned higher than the outlet 122. The flow channel 121 has a first guide surface 124 inclined toward the bottom surface 116 of the receiving cavity 111. The first guide surface 124 connects to the outlet 122 of the flow channel 121. Thus, when waste needs to be collected from the housing via a recycling station (charging station), the waste inlet 112 can be opened, allowing airflow to enter the flow channel 121 from the waste inlet 112. The first guide surface 124 can cause the airflow to change direction and can cause the airflow exiting the outlet 122 to flow along the bottom of the receiving cavity 111 and generate vortices within the receiving cavity 111 (the airflow flow is as follows). Figure 8 (As shown by the dashed arrow), which can effectively reduce the resistance of the airflow carrying garbage out of the garbage outlet 113, ensuring that the garbage in the box assembly 10 can be smoothly recycled to the recycling station.

[0067] It should be noted that the aforementioned "the position of the waste inlet 112 is higher than the position of the outlet 122" refers to the fact that the elevation of the waste inlet 112 is higher than the elevation of the outlet 122 when the cleaning robot is working normally. It can be understood that at least a portion of the aforementioned first guide surface can constitute the inner surface of the aforementioned tapering channel section.

[0068] In some embodiments, the air guide 12 forms a first guide surface 124. An outlet 122 is formed between the first guide surface 124 and the bottom surface 116 of the receiving cavity 111. A waste outlet 113 penetrating the bottom surface 116 is provided on the bottom surface 116 of the receiving cavity 111. The outlet 122 is located between the waste inlet 112 and the waste outlet 113. This facilitates the generation of vortices within the receiving cavity. Thus, the airflow entering the receiving cavity 111 from the waste inlet 112 can more smoothly carry the waste out of the receiving cavity 111 through the waste outlet 113.

[0069] It is understandable that the position of the waste outlet 113 can also be set lower than the position of the waste inlet 112. (See the illustrated example.) Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the process, the opening area of ​​outlet 122 is smaller than the opening area of ​​waste outlet 113.

[0070] In some embodiments, the housing assembly 10 includes a cover 15. The cover 15 is rotatably disposed on the housing 11 to open or close the waste outlet 113. When the cover 15 opens the waste outlet 113, a downwardly inclined second guide surface 151 is formed on the side of the cover 15 facing the waste outlet 113.

[0071] When it is necessary to collect waste through the receiving cavity 111, the cover plate 15 can be closed to close the waste outlet 113, and the waste inlet 112 can be opened to allow airflow carrying waste into the receiving cavity 111 through the waste inlet 112. When it is necessary to discharge the waste collected in the receiving cavity 111, the cover plate 15 can be rotated to open, and air can be drawn out by a blower or exhaust fan. In this way, the airflow enters the receiving cavity 111 through the guide channel 121 and can smoothly carry the waste in the receiving cavity 111 out through the waste outlet 113 (which can be recycled to the recycling station). The second guide surface 151 has the function of guiding the airflow and can reduce the resistance of the airflow carrying waste out of the waste outlet 113.

[0072] In some embodiments, the housing assembly 10 includes a slider 13. The slider 13 is connected to the air guide 12. The slider 13 is capable of sliding relative to the housing 11 under the action of an external force, thereby driving the air guide 12 to move relative to the housing 11.

[0073] In this embodiment, the slider 13 can slide relative to the housing 11 under the action of an external force to drive the air guide 12 to rotate relative to the housing 11. The slider simplifies the way the air guide is driven. In the illustrated example, the slider 1 is slidably disposed on the first housing 17 and located outside the receiving cavity 111.

[0074] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example shown, the cleaning robot system 300 includes a recycling station 200. The recycling station 200 is a seated structure. The recycling station has a main structure (refer to the embodiment described above). The column structure includes two spaced-apart positioning columns 211. The sliding members include a first sliding member 131 and a second sliding member 132 spaced-apart. The two positioning columns 211 can respectively cooperate with the first sliding member 131 and the second sliding member 132 to drive the air guide member 12 to rotate relative to the waste inlet 112. When the robot body 20 moves toward the recycling station 200, the two positioning columns 211 can simultaneously drive the first sliding member 131 and the second sliding member 132 to slide, thereby driving the air guide member 12 to move relative to the waste inlet 112. This improves the stability of the rotation of the air guide member 12 driven by the sliding members.

[0075] Please combine Figure 7 and Figure 9In some embodiments, the housing assembly 10 includes an elastic element 19. One end of the elastic element 19 is fixed to the housing 11. The other end of the elastic element 19 is connected to a slider 13. The slider 13 is capable of sliding relative to the housing 11 between a third position c and a fourth position d under the action of an external force, thereby driving the air guide 12 to move relative to the housing 11. When the slider 13 slides from the third position c to the fourth position d, the elastic element 19 contracts under the force of the slider 13. The contracted elastic element 19 can drive the slider 13 to slide from the fourth position d back to the third position c. The provision of the elastic element 19 can improve the stability of the rotation of the air guide 12 driven by the sliding slider.

[0076] It is understandable that the slider can be limited to slide between the third position c and the fourth position d by the limiting member 16.

[0077] In this embodiment, the elastic element 19 includes a first elastic element and a second elastic element. One end of the first elastic element is fixed to the housing 11. The other end of the first elastic element is connected to the first sliding element 131. One end of the second elastic element is fixed to the housing 11. The other end of the second elastic element is connected to the second sliding element 132. Each sliding element is limited to sliding between a third position c and a fourth position d by two spaced limiting elements. Both elastic elements can be springs.

[0078] In the illustrated example, two limiting members 16 are spaced apart in the grooves 133 of each slider. Each slider also has a driving end 134. The air guide 12 is rotatably connected to the first housing 17 via a rotating shaft 125. The end of the rotating shaft 125 is also provided with a driven end 126. A torsion spring 127 is also sleeved on the end of the rotating shaft 125. The sliding slider can drive the driven end 126 to rotate via the driving end 134. According to the lever principle, the torque of the torsion spring 127 can drive the air guide 12 to rotate relative to the waste inlet 112 into the receiving cavity.

[0079] In this embodiment, as the machine moves toward the recycling station, the thrust applied by the positioning column 211 to the sliding member overcomes the elastic force of the elastic member on the sliding member, causing each sliding member to slide. Simultaneously, the sliding member pushes the air guide 12, causing it to rotate around the pivot 125 (achieved through a lever principle). When the sliding member stops moving (achieved by a limiting member), the anti-reverse member 140 abuts against the air guide 12 and the stop member 14, closing the inlet 123. The air guide 12 and the anti-reverse member 140 can form an integral structure (similar to a sloping baffle). A slit-like channel (which can be the aforementioned tapered channel section) exists between the bottom of this integral structure and the bottom surface of the receiving cavity. This channel constitutes part of the flow channel. The outlet of this channel is the outlet 122. Airflow enters the guide channel 121 from the waste inlet 112. Guided by the inclined baffle wall, it flows along the bottom of the receiving cavity through the channel. Because the cross-sectional area of ​​this channel is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the air duct where the exhaust device is located, as the exhaust device continuously operates, a large negative pressure difference is generated between the receiving cavity 111 and the outside atmosphere, allowing the waste in the box 11 to smoothly enter the recycling station (the airflow is as follows). Figure 8 (As shown by the dashed arrow). When the machine leaves the recycling station, the air guide 12 can return to its original position (as described in the first position above) under the elastic force of the torsion spring, while the sliding member can return to its original position (as described in the third position c above) under the elastic force of the elastic member.

[0080] The disclosed embodiments are merely specific examples of the present invention, intended to clearly illustrate the present invention, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present invention. Of course, they should not be used to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, equivalent changes, modifications, variations, etc., made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention and should be included within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A box assembly, characterized in that, The device includes a housing and an air guide, the air guide being movably disposed in the housing, a receiving cavity being formed inside the housing, the housing including a waste inlet for allowing airflow to enter the receiving cavity, and a waste outlet for allowing airflow to exit the receiving cavity, the air guide being disposed close to the waste inlet relative to the waste outlet; The air guide is configured to move relative to the housing to reduce the opening area of ​​the waste inlet, or to define a flow channel connecting the waste inlet within the receiving cavity, such that the opening area of ​​the outlet of the flow channel is smaller than the opening area of ​​the waste inlet. The air guide is rotatably disposed within the receiving cavity, and the air guide rotates relative to the waste inlet to define the flow channel connecting the waste inlet within the receiving cavity; The air guide is rotatably disposed inside the garbage inlet, the air guide has an inlet, and the air guide can rotate relative to the garbage inlet between a first position and a second position; When the air guide is rotated to the first position, the position of the inlet corresponds to the position of the waste inlet. When the air guide is rotated to the second position, the air guide and the side wall of the receiving cavity together define the flow channel, and the inlet is in a closed state. The box assembly includes a slider connected to the air guide. The slider can slide relative to the box under the action of an external force to drive the air guide to move relative to the box.

2. The housing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box assembly includes a backflow preventer, which is rotatably mounted on the air guide. When the air guide rotates to the first position, the backflow preventer can open the inlet under the action of the airflow entering the waste inlet and close the inlet under the action of gravity. When the air guide rotates to the second position, the backflow preventer can close the inlet under the action of external force. And / or, The housing assembly includes a baffle disposed within the receiving cavity. When the air guide rotates to the second position, the air guide abuts against the baffle to remain in the second position. The anti-reverse component abuts between the air guide and the baffle; and / or, The air guide component rotates relative to the waste inlet from the first position by a preset acute angle to reach the second position.

3. The housing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air guide is configured to move relative to the housing to define a flow channel within the receiving cavity. The flow channel includes a tapering section connecting to the outlet, the gas flow cross-sectional area of ​​the tapering section gradually decreasing towards the outlet; and / or, The box body includes a first shell and a second shell connected together. The first shell forms the receiving cavity and has the garbage inlet and the garbage outlet. The second shell has a filter cavity that communicates with the receiving cavity. The air guide is rotatably disposed in the first shell to define the flow channel that connects to the garbage inlet in the receiving cavity.

4. The housing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air guide is configured to move relative to the housing to define the flow channel within the receiving cavity, wherein the waste inlet is positioned higher than the outlet, and the flow channel forms a first flow surface inclined toward the bottom surface of the receiving cavity, the first flow surface being connected to the outlet of the flow channel.

5. The housing assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The air guide forms the first guide surface, and the outlet is formed between the first guide surface and the bottom surface of the receiving cavity. The bottom surface of the receiving cavity is provided with a waste outlet that penetrates the bottom surface, and the outlet is located between the waste inlet and the waste outlet. And / or, The box assembly includes a cover plate rotatably disposed on the box to open or close the waste outlet. When the cover plate opens the waste outlet, a downwardly inclined second guide surface is formed on the side of the cover plate facing the waste outlet.

6. A cleaning robot, characterized in that, It includes a body and a housing assembly as described in any one of claims 1-5, the housing assembly being mounted on the body.

7. A cleaning robot system, characterized in that, The system includes a recycling station and the cleaning robot as described in claim 6, wherein the recycling station has a recycling chamber for recycling waste, the recycling station is equipped with a driving component, and the box body is equipped with a driven component; When the machine body moves toward the recycling station, the driving component can drive the driven component to move, thereby driving the air guide component to move relative to the box body.

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