Sweeping robot

Abstract

A robot sweeper includes a main body, a dust sticking roller, at least one dust receiving module, and at least one dust scraping module. The main body is configured to move on a ground surface in a travel direction. The dust sticking roller is rollably connected to the main body and configured to abut the ground surface. The dust receiving module is disposed on the main body and at least partially in front of the dust sticking roller in the travel direction. The dust scraping module is disposed on the main body. The dust scraping module includes a plurality of blades, and the dust scraping module is configured to rotate the blades about an axis that intersects the travel direction to alternately scrape each of the blades toward the ground surface and the dust receiving module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a robotic vacuum cleaner. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology, robotic vacuum cleaners have become a common household appliance. Due to their convenient and time-saving cleaning capabilities, robotic vacuum cleaners are also increasingly being used in cleanrooms.

[0003] In order to meet the environmental requirements of a cleanroom, in addition to having good cleaning capabilities, whether a robot vacuum cleaner generates dust during operation is also an important factor for users to consider.

[0004] Therefore, how to effectively prevent dust from being stirred up during the operation of robotic vacuum cleaners is undoubtedly a topic of great importance to the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a robotic vacuum cleaner that can effectively improve cleaning efficiency and effectively avoid dust pollution.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a robotic vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a dust-adhesive roller, at least one scraping module, and at least one dust-scraping module. The main body is configured to move along a travel direction on the ground. The dust-adhesive roller is rotatably connected to the main body and configured to abut against the ground. The scraping module is disposed on the main body and is at least partially located in front of the dust-adhesive roller in the travel direction. The dust-scraping module is disposed on the main body. The dust-scraping module includes a plurality of scraper blades, and the dust-scraping module is configured to rotate the scraper blades about an axis such that each of the scraper blades alternately scrapes the ground and the scraping module, the axis intersecting the travel direction.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the dust scraping module described above includes a bracket and a drive device. Scraper blades are evenly disposed on the bracket around an axis. The drive device is connected to the main body and connected to the bracket along the axis, and configured to rotate the bracket about the axis. The bracket is located between the drive device and the scraper blades.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the aforementioned axis is perpendicular to the direction of travel.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the dust scraping module is at least partially located between the scraped module and the sticky roller in the direction of travel.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the scraping module is at least partially located between the dust scraping module and the sticky roller in the direction of travel.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the scraper blade described above rotates about an axis along a trajectory. The scraping module includes a scraping portion and a connecting portion. The scraping portion has opposing first and second edges, defining a scraping surface between the first and second edges. A first vertical distance from the first edge toward the body is greater than a second vertical distance from the second edge toward the body, and the first edge is at least partially located on the trajectory. The connecting portion connects the body and the scraping portion, with the first edge located away from the connecting portion relative to the second edge.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the scraped portion further has a collecting surface, a second edge is connected between the scraped surface and the collecting surface, the second edge is at least partially located on the trajectory, and the collecting surface is adhesive.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the scraping module described above further includes a protrusion. The protrusion is disposed on the scraping portion and protrudes toward the main body, the protrusion is adjacent to the receiving surface, and is configured to interfere with each of the scrapers after rotating and passing through the collecting surface.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the end of each of the above-described scrapers that is further away from the body than the first edge is further away from the body.

[0015] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the flexibility of each of the above-described scrapers is greater than the flexibility of the scraped portion.

[0016] The above-described embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

[0017] (1) Since the scraper blade of the dust scraper module is made of flexible material and the scraper blade is in contact with the ground except when scraping the scraped part, the scraper blade does not involve slapping action when scraping the dust on the ground and pushing it to the scraped part, thus effectively avoiding dust.

[0018] (2) Since the scraping part of the scraping module is at least partially located in front of the dust-sticking roller in the direction of travel, the dust left on the ground when the scraper contacts the scraping part and the dust that falls on the ground when the scraper scrapes the scraping part are all located in front of the dust-sticking roller. This is beneficial for the dust-sticking roller to thoroughly pick up the dust after moving forward in the direction of travel, thus effectively improving the cleaning efficiency of the robot vacuum cleaner. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a side view of a sweeping robot according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial bottom view of a robotic vacuum cleaner;

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A top-down view of the dust scraper module in operation;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A side view of the dust scraper module in operation;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a partial bottom view of a sweeping robot according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a partial bottom view of a sweeping robot according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a partial bottom view of a sweeping robot according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a partial perspective view of the scraping module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Symbol Explanation

[0028] 100: Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

[0029] 110: Main Body

[0030] 120: Dust-collecting roller

[0031] 130: Scratched Module

[0032] 131: Scraped area

[0033] 132: First Edge

[0034] 133: Second Edge

[0035] 135: Connecting part

[0036] 138: Protrusion

[0037] 140: Dust scraper module

[0038] 141: Scraper

[0039] 141a: terminal

[0040] 142: Bracket

[0041] 143: Drive unit

[0042] 200: Ground

[0043] D1: First vertical distance

[0044] D2: Second vertical distance

[0045] DE: Extension direction

[0046] DT: Direction of travel

[0047] DU: Dust

[0048] G: Gap

[0049] LC: Track

[0050] SC: Collection Surface

[0051] SS: Scraped surface

[0052] XL: Axis

[0053] θ: angle Detailed Implementation

[0054] The following describes several embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity, many practical details will be described in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details are not intended to limit the invention. That is, in some embodiments of the invention, these practical details are not essential. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, some conventional structures and elements will be shown in the drawings in a simple schematic manner, and in all drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar elements. And, where feasible, features of different embodiments can be interchanged.

[0055] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have their ordinary meanings, which are understandable to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the definitions of the foregoing terms in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted in the context of this specification as having the meaning consistent with the relevant field of this invention. Unless specifically defined, these terms will not be construed as having idealized or overly formal meanings.

[0056] Please refer to Figures 1-2 . Figure 1 A side view of a sweeping robot 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 For illustration Figure 1 A partial bottom view of the robotic vacuum cleaner 100. In this embodiment, as... Figures 1-2 As shown, a robotic vacuum cleaner 100 includes a main body 110, a dust-adhesive roller 120, at least one scraping module 130, and at least one dust-scraping module 140. The main body 110 is configured to move on a surface 200 along a traveling direction DT. The dust-adhesive roller 120 is rotatably connected to the main body 110 and configured to abut against the surface 200. Specifically, the surface of the dust-adhesive roller 120 is adhesive, so the surface of the dust-adhesive roller 120 can remove dust DU (dust DU see [reference]) from the surface 200. Figure 4The adhesive roller 120 is used to clean the surface 200. The receiving module 130 is disposed on the main body 110 and is at least partially located in front of the adhesive roller 120 in the travel direction DT. The scraping module 140 is disposed on the main body 110. Furthermore, the scraping module 140 includes a plurality of scraper blades 141, and the scraping module 140 is configured to rotate the scraper blades 141 about an axis XL, such that each of the scraper blades 141 alternately scrapes the surface 200 and the receiving module 130. In practice, the scraper blades 141 abut against the surface 200 except when scraping the receiving portion 131. Moreover, in this embodiment, the axis XL intersects with the travel direction DT. In practical applications, the axis XL is perpendicular to the travel direction DT and also substantially perpendicular to the surface 200.

[0057] More specifically, such as Figures 1-2 As shown, the dust scraping module 140 includes a bracket 142 and a drive unit 143, while the scraper blades 141 are evenly distributed around the axis XL on the bracket 142. For example, as Figure 2 As shown, each of the brackets 142 has two scraper blades 141, which are evenly distributed around the axis XL. In other embodiments, the number of scraper blades 141 in each of the brackets 142 may be three or more, but the invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the drive device 143 is connected to the main body 110, and the drive device 143 is connected to the bracket 142 along the axis XL and configured to rotate the bracket 142 about the axis XL, so that each of the scraper blades 141 alternately scrapes the ground 200 and the scraped module 130. Structurally, the bracket 142 is located between the drive device 143 and the scraper blades 141. In this embodiment, since the drive device 143 is located inside the main body 110, the drive device 143... Figure 2 It is drawn with a dotted line in the middle.

[0058] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the scraping module 130 does not contact the ground 200. More specifically, when the robotic vacuum cleaner 100 moves on the ground 200 along the direction of travel DT, there is a gap G between the scraping module 130 and the ground 200. In practical applications, the gap G ranges from 0.3 cm to 0.5 cm, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figures 1-2 As shown, the dust scraping module 140 is at least partially located between the scraped module 130 and the sticky roller 120 in the direction of travel DT, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In actual operation, considering the area of ​​the ground 200 covered by the scraper blade 141 when rotating, the user can adjust the relative relationship between the rotation speed of the scraper blade 141 and the moving speed of the sweeping robot 100.

[0060] Please refer to Figures 3-4 . Figure 3 For illustration Figure 1 Top view of the dust scraper module 140 in operation. Figure 4 For illustration Figure 3 A side view of the dust scraper module 140 during operation. In this embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown, scraper 141 rotates along trajectory LC about axis XL. Additionally, as... Figures 3-4 As shown, the scraping module 130 includes a scraping portion 131 and a connecting portion 135, with the connecting portion 135 connecting the main body 110 and the scraping portion 131. The scraping portion 131 has opposing first edges 132 and second edges 133. The first edge 132 is farther away from the connecting portion 135 relative to the second edge 133, and the arrangement direction of the second edge 133 and the first edge 132, i.e., the extension direction DE of the scraping portion 131, is substantially parallel to the travel direction DT. Specifically, a scraping surface SS is defined between the first edge 132 and the second edge 133, and each of the scraping blades 141 is configured to scrape towards the scraping surface SS. Furthermore, the first vertical distance D1 of the first edge 132 towards the main body 110 is greater than the second vertical distance D2 of the second edge 133 towards the main body 110. Therefore, the scraping surface SS of the scraping portion 131 is inclined relative to the main body 110, which is beneficial for each of the scraping blades 141 to scrape towards the scraping surface SS. It is worth noting that the first edge 132 of the scraped portion 131 is at least partially located on the trajectory LC of the rotating blade 141, so that each of the blades 141 can scrape toward the scraped surface SS adjacent to the first edge 132.

[0061] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, when the scraper blades 141 of the scraper module 140 are not scraping the scraped module 130, the end 141a of each scraper blade 141 that is farther away from the main body 110 is further away from the first edge 132 of the scraped portion 131 than the main body 110. In this way, when the sweeping robot 100 moves on the ground 200 along the traveling direction DT and the scraper blades 141 scrape the ground 200, the gap G mentioned above can be maintained between the first edge 132 of the scraped portion 131 and the ground 200, that is, the first edge 132 of the scraped portion 131 and the ground 200 are separated by 0.3 cm to 0.5 cm, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0062] When the robotic vacuum cleaner 100 operates and the scraping module 140 rotates the scraper blades 141 around axis XL, as described above, each of the scraper blades 141 alternately scrapes the ground 200 and the scraped module 130. Specifically, each of the scraper blades 141 scrapes dust DU from the ground 200 and pushes this dust DU towards the scraped part 131 of the scraped module 130. As described above, since there is a gap G between the first edge 132 of the scraped part 131 and the ground 200, when the scraper blade 141 scrapes towards and contacts the scraped part 131 of the scraped module 130, the scraper blade 141 will gradually deform elastically and at least partially leave the ground 200. At this time, some of the dust DU pushed by the scraper blade 141 will remain on the ground 200, while the remaining dust DU pushed by the scraper blade 141 may be scraped towards the scraped part 131 of the scraped module 130 due to static electricity or its own stickiness. When these dust DU touch the first edge 132 of the scraped part 131 or the scraped surface SS, they will detach from the scraper blade 141 and fall onto the ground 200 along the first edge 132 of the scraped part 131. As described above, since the scraping module 130 is at least partially located in front of the sticky roller 120 in the direction of travel DT, when the robot vacuum cleaner 100 moves on the ground 200 in the direction of travel DT, the dust DU left on the ground 200 and the dust that has fallen on the ground 200 will be picked up by the surface of the sticky roller 120, and the cleaning of the ground 200 will be completed.

[0063] In fact, the scraper blade 141 of the dust scraper module 140 is made of flexible material, and the scraper blade 141 is in contact with the ground 200 except when it is scraping the scraped part 131. Therefore, the scraper blade 141 does not involve a slapping action when it scrapes the dust DU on the ground 200 and pushes it toward the scraped part 131, thus effectively avoiding dust pollution.

[0064] Furthermore, since the scraping part 131 of the scraping module 130 is at least partially located in front of the sticky roller 120 in the direction of travel DT, the dust DU left on the ground 200 when the scraper 141 contacts the scraping part 131 and the dust DU falling on the ground 200 when the scraper 141 scrapes the scraping part 131 are both located in front of the sticky roller 120. This is beneficial for the sticky roller 120 to thoroughly pick up these dust DU after moving forward in the direction of travel DT, thus effectively improving the cleaning efficiency of the robot vacuum cleaner 100.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flexibility of each of the scraper blades 141 is greater than that of the scraped portion 131. Therefore, when the scraper blade 141 scrapes against the scraped portion 131 of the scraped module 130, the scraper blade 141 can elastically deform as described above and at least partially leave the ground 200.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 5 . Figure 5 A partial bottom view of a robotic vacuum cleaner 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, as... Figure 5 As shown, depending on the actual situation, the scraping module 130 can be at least partially located between the dust scraping module 140 and the sticky roller 120 in the direction of travel DT. Similarly...

[0067] In actual operation, considering the area of ​​the ground 200 covered by the scraper blade 141 when it rotates, the user can adjust the relationship between the rotation speed of the scraper blade 141 and the moving speed of the robot vacuum cleaner 100.

[0068] Relationship.

[0069] Please refer to Figure 6 . Figure 6 A partial bottom view is provided to illustrate a robotic vacuum cleaner 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as... Figure 6 As shown, based on the actual situation, the scraped module 130

[0070] The number of dust scraping modules 140 is two sets, and one set of scraping modules 130 is at least partially located between the dust scraping module 140 and the sticky roller 120 in the traveling direction ODT, while the other set of dust scraping modules 140...

[0071] It is located at least partially between the scraping module 130 and the sticky roller 120 in the direction of travel DT. Similarly, in actual operation, considering the area of ​​the ground 200 covered by the scraper 141 when it rotates, the user can adjust the relative relationship between the rotation speed of the scraper 141 and the moving speed of the robot vacuum cleaner 100.

[0072] 5. Please refer to Figure 7 . Figure 7 A partial bottom view is provided to illustrate a robotic vacuum cleaner 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as... Figure 7 As shown, the second edge 133 (see the image for the second edge 133) Figures 3-4 The arrangement direction of the first edge 132, that is, the extension direction DE of the scraped part 131, can be tilted at an angle θ to the direction of travel DT according to the actual situation, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0073] Please refer to Figure 8 . Figure 8 This is a partial perspective view illustrating a scraping module 130 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as... Figure 8 As shown, the scraping section 131 of the scraping module 130

[0074] It further has a collecting surface SC, and a second edge 133 connects the scraping surface SS and the collecting surface SC, that is, the scraping surface SS and the collecting surface SC are adjacent to each other, the second edge 133 is at least partially located on the trajectory LC of the rotating blade 141, and the collecting surface SC is adhesive. Specifically, when each of the blades 141

[0075] When the scraper blade 141 scrapes the receiving surface SS, it will then scrape towards the collecting surface SC. Since the collecting surface SC is sticky, as mentioned earlier, dust DU (see Dust DU for details) scraped towards the receiving surface 131 by the scraper blade 141 for various reasons... Figure 4 It will adhere to and collect on the collection surface SC, thus further improving the cleaning efficiency of the robot vacuum cleaner 100.

[0076] Furthermore, such as Figure 8 As shown, the scraping module 130 also includes a protrusion 138. Protrusion 138

[0077] Located on the scraped portion 131 and facing the main body 110 (see main body 110) Figures 1-2 and Figures 4-7 The 0-shaped protrusion, and the protrusion 138 adjacent to the receiving surface SC, are configured to rotate with each of the scrapers 141.

[0078] Interference occurs after passing through the collection surface SC. That is, the dust DU that is still attached to the scraper 141 after passing through the collection surface SC will be scraped towards the protrusion 138 by the scraper 141, thus increasing the chance that the dust DU will fall off the scraper 141 and fall onto the collection surface SC.

[0079] In summary, the technical solutions disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

[0080] (1) Since the scraper blade of the dust scraper module is made of flexible material and the scraper blade is in contact with the ground except when scraping the scraped part, the scraper blade does not involve slapping action when scraping the dust on the ground and pushing it to the scraped part, thus effectively avoiding dust.

[0081] (2) Since the scraping part of the scraping module is at least partially located in front of the dust-sticking roller in the direction of travel, the dust left on the ground when the scraper contacts the scraping part and the dust that falls on the ground when the scraper scrapes the scraping part are all located in front of the dust-sticking roller. This is beneficial for the dust-sticking roller to thoroughly pick up the dust after moving forward in the direction of travel, thus effectively improving the cleaning efficiency of the robot vacuum cleaner.

[0082] Although the present invention has been disclosed in conjunction with the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A robotic vacuum cleaner, comprising: The main body is configured to move along the direction of travel on the ground. A dust-adhesive roller is rotatably connected to the body and configured to abut against the ground; At least one scraping module is disposed on the main body and is at least partially located in front of the sticky roller in the direction of travel; and At least one dust scraping module is disposed on the main body. The dust scraping module includes a plurality of scraper blades. The dust scraping module is configured to rotate the scraper blades about an axis so that each of the scraper blades alternately scrapes the ground and the scraped module. The axis intersects the direction of travel. When the scraper blades scrape towards and contact the scraped module, the scraper blades gradually elastically deform and at least partially leave the ground.

2. The sweeping robot as described in claim 1, wherein the dust scraping module comprises: The bracket, wherein the scrapers are evenly distributed around the axis on the bracket; and A drive unit is connected to the main body and connected to the bracket along the axis and configured to rotate the bracket about the axis, the bracket being located between the drive unit and the scrapers.

3. The sweeping robot of claim 1, wherein the axis is perpendicular to the direction of travel.

4. The sweeping robot of claim 1, wherein the dust scraping module is at least partially located between the scraped module and the sticky roller in the direction of travel.

5. The sweeping robot of claim 1, wherein the scraping module is at least partially located between the scraping module and the sticky roller in the direction of travel.

6. The robotic vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the scraping blades rotate about the axis along a trajectory, and the scraping module comprises: The scraped portion has opposing first and second edges, defining a scraped surface between the first and second edges, a first vertical distance of the first edge toward the body being greater than a second vertical distance of the second edge toward the body, and the first edge being at least partially located on the trajectory; and A connecting portion is provided between the main body and the scraped portion, and the first edge is located away from the connecting portion relative to the second edge.

7. The sweeping robot of claim 6, wherein the scraping portion further has a collecting surface, the second edge is connected between the scraping surface and the collecting surface, the second edge is at least partially located on the trajectory, and the collecting surface is adhesive.

8. The sweeping robot of claim 7, wherein the scraping module further comprises: A protrusion is provided on the scraped portion and protrudes toward the body. The protrusion is adjacent to the collecting surface and is configured to interfere with each of the scrapers after it rotates and passes through the collecting surface.

9. The robotic vacuum cleaner of claim 6, wherein the end of each of the blades furthest from the body is further from the body relative to the first edge.

10. The robotic vacuum cleaner of claim 6, wherein the flexibility of each of the blades is greater than the flexibility of the part being scraped.

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