Floor cleaning equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a floor cleaning device, comprising: a housing configured to be movable on a floor to be cleaned; a suction port located at the bottom of the housing and facing the floor to be cleaned; a suction motor; a dirt recovery container, wherein the suction port, the dirt recovery container, and the suction motor are sequentially fluidically connected; a pair of pad rotating assemblies, each comprising a pad holder and a cleaning pad capable of being attached to the pad holder, each cleaning pad having a bottom surface; a fluid supply system; and a pad cleaning module mounted to the bottom of the housing and configured to clean the contaminated pair of cleaning pads, the pad cleaning module comprising a box body and a scraping component mounted on the box body, the box body being located below the pair of cleaning pads and having an opening at the top, the scraping component being located at the opening and capable of contacting the bottom surfaces of the pair of cleaning pads. The cleaning pads of the floor cleaning device of this solution can be effectively kept in a relatively clean state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cleaning equipment, in particular to floor cleaning equipment. Background Art

[0002] Vacuum cleaners create negative air pressure to suck up dust and debris from the floor. Rotary mop-type floor cleaning devices, which utilize a rotating cleaning pad to wipe and clean the floor, are widely used. To achieve wet scrubbing, floor cleaning devices must continuously apply fluids such as water or steam to the cleaning pad or the floor being cleaned. As the floor cleaning device moves across the floor, the released fluid is absorbed by the cleaning pad and retained on the floor.

[0003] The above-mentioned rotary mop-type floor cleaning devices generally have the following usage defects: the cleaning pad will become dirty after being used for a period of time, and the user has to stop halfway to replace the cleaning pad before continuing to wipe the floor; the cleaning pad will become increasingly wet after being used for a period of time, and a lot of water stains will remain on the floor to be cleaned after being wiped by the cleaning pad, and the user needs to wait for a while before entering the cleaned floor area.

[0004] Due to the above defects, rotary mops generally have problems such as low cleaning efficiency or poor cleaning effect on the floor to be cleaned, thereby hindering the promotion and use of rotary mops on the floor to be cleaned. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a floor cleaning device that has both vacuuming and scrubbing cleaning functions and can continuously self-clean the cleaning pad during the cleaning process of the floor to be cleaned.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a floor cleaning device, comprising: a shell, which is configured to be able to move on the floor to be cleaned; a suction port, which is located at the bottom of the shell and is arranged facing the floor to be cleaned; a suction motor; a dirt recovery container, wherein the suction port, the dirt recovery container and the suction motor are fluidically connected in sequence; a pair of pad rotating assemblies, which are arranged side by side at the bottom of the shell, and the pair of pad rotating assemblies can rotate around their respective rotation axis under the drive of a driving device, each of the pad rotating assemblies includes a pad holder and a cleaning pad that can be attached to the pad holder, and each of the cleaning pads has a bottom surface; The invention relates to a body supply system for storing and supplying cleaning fluid, wherein the fluid supply system comprises a fluid supply container and a fluid dispenser arranged on the shell and configured to distribute the fluid in the fluid supply container to the cleaning pad and / or the floor to be cleaned; and a pad cleaning module, which is installed to the bottom of the shell and is constructed to clean the contaminated pair of cleaning pads, wherein the pad cleaning module comprises a box body and a scraping component installed on the box body, the box body is located at the lower side of the pair of cleaning pads and has an opening at the upper part, and the scraping component is located at the opening and can contact the bottom surface of the pair of cleaning pads.

[0007] The floor cleaning device of this solution can clean the cleaning pad while scrubbing the floor to be cleaned with the cleaning pad through the coordinated use of a pair of pad rotating assemblies and a pad cleaning module. It can effectively keep the cleaning pad in a relatively clean state, eliminating the tedious steps of manual disassembly and assembly and cleaning of the cleaning pad during operation, and the suction port simultaneously sucks garbage from the floor, making the floor cleaning device more convenient to use and helping to improve the user experience.

[0008] In the above technical solution, preferably, the pad cleaning module is detachably mounted on the bottom of the housing.

[0009] In the above technical solution, preferably, the pad cleaning module is located at the rear side of the suction port and at the front side of a line connecting the center points of a pair of cleaning pads.

[0010] In the above technical solution, preferably, the pad cleaning module and the suction port are respectively located at the front and rear sides of the rotation axis.

[0011] In the above technical solution, preferably, the fluid distributor includes two spray hole groups, and the two spray hole groups are both installed in the box body.

[0012] In the above technical solution, preferably, with respect to the rotation direction of each cleaning pad, each of the spray hole groups is located downstream of the corresponding scraping component.

[0013] In the above technical solution, preferably, the suction port is connected to the fluid of the dirt recovery container.

[0014] In the above technical solution, preferably, the pad holder is configured to be at least partially deformable, and the cleaning pad is attached to the deformable portion.

[0015] In the above technical solution, preferably, the scraping component includes a pair of scraping bars, and the pair of scraping bars are in contact with the bottom surfaces of the pair of cleaning pads respectively.

[0016] In the above technical solution, preferably, the scraping component further includes two groups of convex column arrays and / or two groups of bristle cluster arrays.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the pad cleaning module provided by the present invention can simultaneously realize self-cleaning of the cleaning pad while the cleaning pad rotates and wipes the floor to be cleaned, so that the cleaning pad remains clean for a long time, and cooperates with the suction port to absorb debris from the floor, making the equipment more efficient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic diagram of an upright floor cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective schematic diagram of a cleaning base according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Disassembly diagram of the cleaning base Figure 1 , the observation perspective is a bird's-eye view;

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Disassembly diagram of the cleaning base Figure 2 , the observation perspective is looking up;

[0022] Figure 5 is a perspective schematic diagram of a pad cleaning module according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 is a perspective schematic diagram of a pad cleaning module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a pad rotating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; wherein a state in which a pad holder and a cleaning pad are separated is shown;

[0025] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Disassembly diagram of the pad rotating assembly Figure 1 ; Among them, the observation perspective is a bird's-eye view;

[0026] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 Disassembly diagram of the pad rotating assembly Figure 2 ; Among them, the observation perspective is an upward perspective;

[0027] Figure 10 yes Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of a pad rotating assembly;

[0028] Figure 11 yes Figure 7 Another cross-sectional view of a pad rotating assembly, wherein part of the disc and part of the cleaning pad are relative to Figure 10 The middle part of the disc body rotates a certain angle relative to the upper turntable;

[0029] Figure 12 is a disassembled schematic diagram of a pad rotation assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a fluid supply system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the principle of a vacuum recovery system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 15 yes Figure 2 A schematic side view of a cleaning base;

[0033] Figure 16 yes Figure 2 A partially exploded view of the cleaning base, wherein the observation perspective is a top-down perspective;

[0034] Figure 17 yes Figure 15 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cleaning base;

[0035] Figure 18 is a schematic side view of a cleaning base according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 19 yes Figure 18 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cleaning base;

[0037] Figure 20 yes Figure 18 An exploded view of the cleaning base, wherein the observation perspective is a top-down perspective;

[0038] Figure 21 is a perspective schematic diagram of a floor cleaning robot according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the observation perspective is a top-down perspective;

[0039] Figure 22yes Figure 21 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a floor cleaning robot viewed from above;

[0040] Figure 23 1 is a schematic side view of a handheld floor cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present invention relates to floor cleaning equipment (such as a self-rotating mop with only a mopping function, a rotating mop with a vacuum cleaning function, a floor cleaning robot with only a mopping function, or a floor cleaning robot capable of both vacuum cleaning and mopping) that utilizes a cleaning fluid (such as water, an aqueous solution with a detergent added, or steam) to clean a surface. More specifically, the present invention relates to a surface cleaning equipment that can deliver fluid to a cleaning pad and / or a floor to be cleaned and has at least one rotatable pad rotating assembly. As the equipment moves over the floor to be cleaned, the at least one pad rotating assembly, driven by a drive device connected thereto, scrubs and polishes the floor to be cleaned.

[0042] Refer to the diagram, Figure 1 1 is a front perspective view of an upright floor cleaning device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition to being configured as an upright structure, the upright floor cleaning device 10 can also be configured in any desired configuration, such as a tank-type device, a portable handheld device, or a robotic device.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the floor cleaning device 10 includes a vertical body 1, the lower part of which is rotatably connected to the rear part of a cleaning base 2 that can move along the ground to be cleaned (such as the floor surface, the tile surface) and clean the surface. The vertical body 1 is used to guide the movement of the cleaning base 2 on the ground to be cleaned. The floor cleaning device 10 may include a fluid supply system for storing cleaning fluid and delivering the cleaning fluid to the ground to be cleaned or a cleaning pad, and includes a pad wiping system for scrubbing the ground to be cleaned with the help of the cleaning fluid on the ground to be cleaned; a pad cleaning module that can clean the cleaning pad in the pad wiping system; and may include a vacuum recovery system for recovering the used cleaning fluid that has become dirty liquid from the ground to be cleaned and the cleaning pad, and removing debris from the ground to be cleaned. In other embodiments of the device 10, a steam supply system for generating steam and delivering steam to the ground to be cleaned or the cleaning pad may also be included.

[0044] For the purpose of description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the positional relationships such as "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "back," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," "inside," and "outside" mentioned below are defined from the perspective of a user standing behind the device 10. In other embodiments, the present invention may take various alternative orientations.

[0045] The upright body 1 includes a housing 11 that supports some components of the fluid supply system and vacuum recovery system. The upright body 1 also has a handle assembly 12 extending upward from the housing 11. This handle assembly 12 comprises a pole 121 whose lower portion is mounted on the housing 11, and a handle 122 at the top of the pole 121. The handle 122 is configured to be gripped by a user to operate the floor cleaning device 10 on the floor to be cleaned. In other embodiments, all components of the fluid supply system and vacuum recovery system may be supported entirely by the cleaning base 2.

[0046] See also Figure 2-4 According to one embodiment, the cleaning base 2 of the device may include a base housing 201 adapted to move over the floor to be cleaned, with a rotating connection tube 202 disposed at the rear of the base housing 201. The cleaning base 2 according to this embodiment can be connected to, for example, a portable handheld floor cleaning device or an upright floor cleaning device; for example, the lower portion of the housing 11 of the upright body 1 can be hingedly connected to the base housing 201 via a rotating connection tube 202. The cleaning base 2 may have its own battery to supply power to power-consuming components, or it may receive power from an attached cleaning device for operation.

[0047] In this example, because the apparatus 10 housing the cleaning base 2 is provided with a vacuum recovery system, the suction force generated by the suction motor of the vacuum recovery system can act on the cleaning base 2 to suck up debris from the floor to be cleaned. A pad wiping system 203 is provided at the bottom of the base housing 201. The pad wiping system 203 wipes the floor to be cleaned by driving the rotation of at least one pad rotating assembly 21.

[0048] The pad wiping system 203 includes at least one pad rotating assembly 21 adapted to rotate on the floor to be cleaned and a driving device 22 coupled to the at least one pad rotating assembly 21 for providing a rotational driving force to the pad rotating assembly 21. Figure 2-4In the illustrated embodiment, the pad wiping system 203 includes two pad rotating assemblies 21. The two pad rotating assemblies 21 are arranged horizontally side by side and spaced apart from each other at the bottom of the base housing 201. The drive device 22 includes a pair of drive motors 221, each equipped with a reduction gearbox 222. Each drive motor 221 is assigned to each pad rotating assembly 21, allowing each pad rotating assembly 21 to rotate independently. The two pad rotating assemblies 21 can rotate about their respective rotational axes Y under the control of the pair of drive motors 221. In other embodiments, the drive device may include only a single drive motor, which drives both pad rotating assemblies simultaneously, such as by using a dual-output shaft motor and simultaneously connecting the two pad rotating assemblies to the single drive motor via a transmission structure. The rotational axis Y can be oriented perpendicular to the floor to be cleaned or at an acute angle to the floor to be cleaned. The preferred orientation of the rotation axis Y is to maximize contact between the cleaning pad and the floor being cleaned while meeting the desired function. For example, the angle between the rotation axis Y and the floor being cleaned is within a range of 70-90°. The pad rotating assembly 21 can scrub the floor being cleaned, and the rotating cleaning pad facilitates the removal of stains from the floor being cleaned. To facilitate movement of the cleaning base 2 over the floor being cleaned, the two pad rotating assemblies 21 preferably rotate in opposite directions.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pad rotating assembly 21 includes a pad holder 211 and a cleaning pad 212 that can be attached to the pad holder 211 and removed from the pad holder 211. The pad holder 211 is fixedly connected to the output shaft 2221 of the reduction gearbox 222. Driven by a pair of drive motors 221, each pad holder 211 can drive its respective cleaning pad 212 to rotate about the rotation axis Y.

[0050] The base shell 201 may include an upper shell 2011 and a lower shell 2012 that define its appearance. A suction port 2013 facing the floor to be cleaned is arranged at the front of the lower shell 2012. A suction pipe 2014 that can provide a suction fluid to flow through is provided in the base shell 201. The suction pipe 2014 guides the debris and air sucked from the suction port 2013 toward the rotating connecting pipe 202 on the rear side. A pair of pad rotating assemblies 21 are both installed on the lower side of the lower shell 2012, and the drive device 22 is installed between the upper shell 2011 and the lower shell 2012. The base shell 201 also has a fluid pump 34 for conveying fluid in the fluid supply system and a suction nozzle 2015 provided on the lower shell 2012 and located at the rear side of the suction port 2013. The suction tube 2014 has a first interface 20141 connected to the suction port 2013 and a second interface 20142 connected to the suction nozzle 2015 , that is, the suction port 2013 and the suction nozzle 2015 are simultaneously connected to the suction tube 2014 for fluid communication.

[0051] The cleaning base 2 may also include a pad cleaning module 204. The pad cleaning module 204 is disposed at the bottom of the lower housing 2012 and is configured to clean contaminated cleaning pads 212. The pad cleaning module 204 will be positioned in the rotational path of the pair of pad rotating assemblies 21, so that the pair of pad rotating assemblies 21 can pass through the pad cleaning module 204 during rotation and clean each cleaning pad 212. The pad cleaning module 204 can be configured as a single, integral module that is detachable from the lower housing 2012, or it can be divided into multiple components and arranged separately. In this example, the pad cleaning module 204 is a one-piece component and is located between the suction port 2013 and a line X connecting the center points of the pair of cleaning pads 212. A portion of the pad cleaning module 204 will be located below the cleaning pads 212 of the pair of pad rotating assemblies 21, a portion will be in contact with each cleaning pad 212 of the pair of pad rotating assemblies 21, and a portion will be connected to the lower housing 2012. In other embodiments, the pad cleaning module may also be located behind the line connecting the center points of the pair of cleaning pads 212 , with the pad cleaning module and the suction port located at the front and rear sides of the rotation axis, respectively.

[0052] In this example, once the device 10 starts working, as the pair of pad rotating assemblies 21 continue to rotate, the cleaning pads 212 of the pair of pad rotating assemblies 20 will be in contact with the ground to be cleaned and will also be in continuous contact with the pad cleaning module 204. The cleaning pads 212 will be cleaned during the contact with the pad cleaning module 204. In other embodiments, the pad cleaning module 204 can also be set to be in intermittent contact with the cleaning pads 212 of the pair of pad rotating assemblies 21, such as setting the pad cleaning module to be able to move relative to the base shell under the drive of a power mechanism, so that the pad cleaning module has a working position in contact with the cleaning pads of the pair of pad rotating assemblies and a non-working position away from the cleaning pads of the pair of pad rotating assemblies, and the power mechanism switches between the two positions under the control of a control command; and arranging the pad cleaning module to be in intermittent contact with the pair of pad rotating assemblies can effectively improve the working efficiency of the cleaning pad and extend the service life of the cleaning pad.

[0053] See also Figure 5 , which shows a pad cleaning module 204 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The pad cleaning module 204 includes a housing 2041, a pair of scraping bars 2042, two groups of boss arrays 2043, and two groups of lint combing brushes 2044. In this example, a scraping bar 2042, a group of boss arrays 2043, and a group of lint combing brushes 2044 constitute a set of scraping components for contacting the cleaning pad 212; in other embodiments, a set of scraping components may also be composed of only one scraping element, such as only one scraping bar. The pad cleaning module 204 is preferably configured to be detachably mounted on the bottom of the lower housing 2022; the pad cleaning module 204 can also be configured to be reversibly arranged on the bottom of the lower housing 2012 to facilitate the user to clean garbage or stains from the pad cleaning module 204 without removing the pad cleaning module 204. The upper portion of the box body 2041 is open, and a chamber 2045 is formed inside. The chamber 2045 is located below the pair of cleaning pads 212 and is configured to store liquid and debris.

[0054] A pair of scraping bars 2042 are fixedly disposed, one on the left and one on the right, within the chamber 2045 of the housing 2041 and are each capable of contacting the bottom surface of a cleaning pad 212. During rotation of the cleaning pad 212, the scraping bars 2042 are capable of scraping excess liquid and debris from the corresponding cleaning pad 212, with the scraped liquid and debris falling into the chamber 2045. The scraping bars 2042 can be made of polyvinyl chloride, rubber, metal, or any other material known in the art that is sufficiently rigid to remain substantially unchanged during contact with the cleaning pad 212. Each scraping bar 2042 extends parallel to the radius of the corresponding cleaning pad 212, and its length can be the same as or slightly longer than the radius of the cleaning pad 212, preferably to ensure contact with all portions of the continuously rotating cleaning pad 212. Thus, when the cleaning base 2 moves over the floor to be cleaned, the pair of pad rotating assemblies 21 rotate about their respective axis Y. During the rotation process, the pair of scraping bars 2042 contact various parts of the corresponding cleaning pad 212, thereby scraping excess liquid and debris off the cleaning pad 212, and the scraped liquid and debris will fall into the chamber 2045. In other embodiments, the pair of scraping bars 2042 can be integrated into a single component or can be separated into two components.

[0055] Two groups of boss arrays 2043 are also provided on the box body 2041; in this example, the two groups of boss arrays 2043 are respectively provided in the chamber 2045, one on the left and one on the right. The upper ends of the two groups of boss arrays 2043 will respectively abut against the bottom surface of the corresponding cleaning pad 212; the two groups of boss arrays 2043 are configured to be constructed as scrapers to scrape the fluff on the lower bottom surface of the corresponding cleaning pad 212. The boss arrays 2043 are made of polyvinyl chloride, rubber or other materials known in the art. In other embodiments, the boss arrays 2043 can also be replaced by a bristle cluster array, which can also clean the cleaning pad. In other embodiments, the two groups of boss arrays 2043 can be integrated into one component arrangement, or can be dispersed into two components.

[0056] Two sets of lint combing brushes 2044 are fixedly arranged on the box body 2041 and located outside the chamber 2045. These lint combing brushes 2044 can loosen the lint on the bottom surface of the cleaning pad after the scraping strips 2042 have scraped away liquid and debris, and can also brush out fine particles trapped between the lint, allowing the cleaning pad to better scrub the floor. In other embodiments, the two sets of lint combing brushes 2044 can be integrated into a single component or separated into two components.

[0057] In this example, the box body 2041 is also integrated with a fluid distributor 32 for discharging fluid from the fluid supply system. The fluid distributor 32 includes two nozzle groups, one on the left and one on the right, located within the chamber 2045. Each nozzle group includes multiple nozzles 321. The multiple nozzles 321 of each nozzle group are arranged along the radius of the corresponding cleaning pad 212 to achieve uniform fluid spraying onto the cleaning pad 212. The box body 2041 is also provided with a pair of liquid inlets 2046, with each group of liquid inlets 2046 corresponding to a nozzle group. In other embodiments, the nozzles 321 can also be distributed outside the box body 2041 or arranged away from the box body 2041; for example, they can be arranged above the cleaning pad so that the nozzles can spray fluid onto the cleaning pad from the upper side in a top-down direction.

[0058] In the pad cleaning module 204, with respect to the rotation direction of the pad rotating assembly 21, the multiple nozzles 321 of a nozzle group, the convex column array 2043, the scraping bar 2042, and the fluff combing brush 2044 are arranged in sequence along the rotation direction of the corresponding cleaning pad 212, that is, during the rotation of the cleaning pad 212, various parts of the cleaning pad 212 pass over the pad cleaning module 204, and respectively pass through the nozzle 321, then the scraping bar 2042, and finally the fluff combing brush 2044, and finally leave the pad cleaning module 204; after the corresponding parts of the cleaning pad 212 pass through the pad cleaning module 204, the cleaning fluid is applied to the cleaning pad 212, the pollutants attached therein are removed, and the excess liquid is also scraped off, so that the cleaning pad 212 can become moist but not wet and clean and tidy, so that it can better wipe the floor to be cleaned.

[0059] See also Figure 6 , which shows a pad cleaning module 205 according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pad cleaning module 205 comprises a box body 2051, a pair of scraping strips 2052, and two sets of convex column arrays 2053. Figure 5 The pad cleaning module 2054 in this embodiment has a different shape of its box body 2051 and slightly different installation positions of the pair of scrapers 2052. The multiple spray holes 3021 and the liquid inlet 2056 of the fluid distributor 302 are also integrated into the chamber 2055 of the box body 2051.

[0060] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the box bodies 2041 and 2051 are both integral components; in other embodiments, the box-shaped components may be dispersed and arranged into multiple independent parts, such as one for each cleaning pad.

[0061] The number of nozzle groups, column arrays, and scraping strips on the pad cleaning module should be consistent with the number of pad rotating assemblies 21 provided on the base housing 201. That is, for each cleaning pad 212, one nozzle group, one column array, and one scraping strip are required. Of course, the scraping components are not limited to column arrays, scraping strips, and lint brushes, and can be selected based on the material of the cleaning pad. Since the primary function of the pad cleaning module is to clean contaminated pads, any cleaning element that can meet this function can be used; for example, a UV sterilizer, a blower nozzle, and a liquid suction nozzle may also be provided.

[0062] The pad holder of this example can keep the bottom surface of the cleaning pad at least partially in contact with the floor to be cleaned and at least partially in contact with the corresponding scraper bar 2042, the boss array 2043 and the lint combing brush 2044 during the operation of the floor cleaning device 10.

[0063] refer to Figure 7-9 , which shows a pad rotating assembly 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pad rotating assembly 21 includes a pad holder 211 and a cleaning pad 212. The pad holder 211 includes an upper turntable 2111, a lower turntable 2112, an end cover 2113 and a plurality of elastic gaskets 2114. The plurality of elastic gaskets 2114 are located between the upper turntable 2111 and the lower turntable 2112. The cleaning pad 212 will be supported (such as by Velcro adhesion or sleeve connection) on the lower turntable 2112. The cleaning pad 212 and each cleaning pad mentioned below are all flexible components, which can be made of textile fabrics or non-woven fabrics by quilting, gluing, etc. The upper turntable 2111 is an integrated circular turntable. The upper turntable 2111 has opposing upper and lower surfaces 2115 and 2116, and a centrally located protrusion 2117. The protrusion 2117 defines an assembly hole 2118 extending through both the upper and lower surfaces 2115 and 2116. The upper surface 2115 is flat, while the lower surface 2116 has a downwardly projecting annular boss 2119 in the middle. The lower surface 2116 also has a plurality of protrusions 2120 extending radially along the upper turntable 2111. These protrusions 2120 surround the outer periphery of the annular boss 2119 and have a bottom surface 2121 that slopes gradually upward from the center of the upper turntable 2111 toward the outer edges. In one embodiment, the protrusions 2120 are evenly spaced along the circumference. In other embodiments, the structure of the upper turntable is not limited to the integrated circular turntable structure of this example. The main function of the upper turntable is to movably install the various disk bodies of the lower disk and support one end of the elastic gasket. Various types of structures that can meet this requirement can be used on the upper turntable; such as a mounting seat of common shape.

[0064] The lower turntable 2112 is composed of a plurality of fan-shaped disc bodies 2122 arranged in a circumferential direction. Each fan-shaped disc body 2122 has an inner end 21221 and an outer end 21222 and gradually becomes thinner from the inside to the outside. A gap 2123 is provided between two adjacent fan-shaped disc bodies 2122. The inner end 21221 of each fan-shaped disc body 2122 is spherical and rotatably connected to the annular boss 2119 of the upper turntable 2111. A plurality of elastic gaskets 2114 are respectively located in the middle of each fan-shaped disc body 2122 and face the lower surface 2116. After the upper turntable 2111 and the lower turntable 2112 are assembled together, the plurality of protrusions 2120 and the plurality of gaps 2123 are opposite each other one by one, and each elastic gasket 2114 abuts against the portion of the lower surface 2116 located between two adjacent protrusions 2120. End cap 2113, in conjunction with threaded fasteners (not shown), securely retains output shaft 2221 within shaft mounting hole 2118. End cap 2113 may be omitted in other embodiments. Each elastic gasket 2114 forms an integral component with the corresponding sector-shaped disc 2122. Each elastic gasket 2114 is a plastic or metal sheet with inherent elastic deformation capabilities. In other embodiments, the elastic gaskets may be assembled onto each sector-shaped disc, or integrated into the lower portion of the upper turntable.

[0065] refer to Figure 10-11 In pad holder 211, any sector-shaped disc 2122 in lower turntable 2112 can move up and down axially relative to upper turntable 2111 under the action of an external force F (such as a squeezing force). This causes the elastic gasket 2114 on that sector-shaped disc 2122 to deform under pressure. Because cleaning pad 212 is supported on lower turntable 2112, it can deform with the up and down movement of a portion of the sector-shaped disc 2122. Thus, during the rotation of cleaning pad 212, if a portion of the cleaning pad 212 encounters interference from an external component, that portion of the cleaning pad 212 can move up and down with the sector-shaped disc 2122 it is attached to, allowing the rotation of cleaning pad 212 to continue. In this example, the up and down movement of any sector-shaped disc 2122 is virtually untransmitted to the remaining sectors 2122. In other words, the up and down movement of each sector-shaped disc 2122 is completely independent.

[0066] refer to Figure 12, which shows a pad rotating assembly 71 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the pad rotating assembly 71 includes a pad holder 711 and a cleaning pad 712, and the pad holder 711 has only a turntable 7111. The turntable 7111 has a protrusion 7115 with a mounting hole in the middle, which can be used for the output shaft of the reduction gearbox to be installed therein and locked by a threaded fastener (not shown in the figure). The turntable 7111 in this example is a disc-shaped integral component, which is made of a deformable flexible material (such as plastic material, rubber, non-rigid metal material). A plurality of ribs 7114 are provided on the upper surface 7113 of the turntable 7111. The cleaning pad 712 will be supported (such as Velcro adhesion, sleeve connection) on the turntable 7111, and the cleaning pad 712 will be able to deform with the deformation of part of the turntable 7111.

[0067] See also Figure 13 , which shows that a fluid supply system 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a fluid supply container 31 for storing fluid, a fluid distributor 32 (as described above, disposed at the pad cleaning module 204) for delivering fluid to the floor to be cleaned and / or the various cleaning pads in the pad wiping system, and a fluid delivery path 33 through which the fluid flows from the fluid supply container 31 to the fluid distributor 32. A controllable fluid pump 34 (as described above, disposed at the base housing 201) is provided in the fluid delivery path 33. The cleaning fluid may include one or more of any suitable cleaning fluids, including but not limited to water, an aqueous solution mixed with a detergent or disinfectant, steam, and the like.

[0068] The fluid supply container 31 can be arranged on the cleaning base 2 or on the upright body 1; the fluid supply container 31 can be configured to be detachable from the cleaning base 2 or the upright body 1, so that the user can remove the fluid supply container 3 from the device 10 to fill it with new cleaning fluid, or the fluid supply container 31 can be configured to have an openable lid structure, so that the user can replenish the cleaning fluid into the interior of the fluid supply container 31 with the help of an external water filling component.

[0069] As described above, the fluid distributor 32 may include a pair of nozzle groups, each containing a plurality of nozzles 321, for dispensing fluid. In other embodiments, the fluid distributor may be positioned to deliver fluid directly to the floor to be cleaned, or to deliver fluid to individual cleaning pads. As shown in the figure, the plurality of nozzles 321 in each nozzle group are located below the corresponding cleaning pad 212 and arranged along the radius of the corresponding cleaning pad 212. The nozzles 321 spray upward; thus, as the cleaning pad 212 rotates, various portions of the cleaning pad 212 can sequentially pass through these nozzles 321 and be wetted by the upwardly sprayed cleaning fluid.

[0070] As the cleaning base 2 moves across the floor to be cleaned, the wetted cleaning pads 212 come into direct contact with the floor to be cleaned, becoming very dirty. A dirty cleaning pad will have difficulty cleaning the floor. To ensure that the cleaning pads 212 maintain a certain level of cleanliness while scrubbing the floor, the pad cleaning module 204 on the cleaning base 2 is configured to clean the cleaning pads. Furthermore, the pad cleaning module 204 performs cleaning of the cleaning pads without user intervention, effectively extending the life of the cleaning pads.

[0071] See also Figure 14 , which shows a vacuum recovery system 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention. It includes a dirt recovery container 51 for storing dirt and liquid waste, a suction motor 52 for providing suction power, a suction port 2013 disposed at the bottom of a base housing 201, and a suction channel 53 through which liquid waste and debris are drawn from the suction port 2013 to the dirt recovery container 51 (the aforementioned suction pipe 2014 defines a portion of the suction channel 53). In other embodiments, two or more suction ports may be provided.

[0072] The dirt recovery container 51 can be arranged on the cleaning base 2 or on the upright body 1; the dirt recovery container 51 can be configured to be detachable from the cleaning base 2 or the upright body 1 so that the user can empty the dirty liquid and debris in the dirt recovery container 51.

[0073] In this example, the suction port 2013 is located on the front side of the pair of pad rotating assemblies 21. The chamber 2045 on the pad cleaning module 204 is connected to the suction nozzle 2015, so that the dirty liquid in the chamber 2045 can be transferred to the suction pipe 2014 via the suction nozzle 2015 and finally sent to the dirt recovery container 51 for storage. In addition to recovering the used fluid that has become dirty liquid from the floor to be cleaned and removing debris from the floor to be cleaned, the vacuum recovery system 5 of this example can also recover the used cleaning fluid that has become dirty liquid from the cleaning pad 212 and the debris together. This can effectively ensure that there is enough space in the chamber 2045 for the dirty liquid and debris on the cleaning pad 212 to fall into.

[0074] In other embodiments, a vacuum recovery system may not be provided, that is, the dirty liquid in the chamber is transferred to a larger dirty recovery container by a pump; or the pump is also omitted, and the box body in the pad cleaning module is configured as a chamber with sufficient space to store the dirty liquid.

[0075] like Figure 15-17 As shown, it shows a side view and a disassembly diagram of a cleaning base 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention; the cleaning base 2 has a base shell 201, as shown Figure 7-9 The pad rotation assembly 21 shown in Figure 5The middle pad cleaning module 204 is located at the bottom of the base housing 201. The pad cleaning module 204 is mounted behind the suction port 2013. The rotation axis Y of the pair of pad rotating assemblies 21 forms an 80° angle α with the floor surface 200 to be cleaned. Each of the pair of cleaning pads 212 has a portion in contact with the floor surface to be cleaned. The pad cleaning module 204 is located in the rotation path of the pair of pad rotating assemblies 21. As the pair of pad rotating assemblies 21 rotate about the rotation axis Y, they pass through the pad cleaning module 204, allowing the pad cleaning module 204 to clean the pair of cleaning pads 212 and apply fluid thereto. As the cleaning base 2 moves along the floor surface 200 to perform cleaning operations, the pair of cleaning pads 212 come into interference contact with the floor surface 200. This causes the portion of the lower rotating disc 2112 located behind the pad cleaning module 204 and the portion of the cleaning pad 212 attached thereto to deform, thereby scrubbing the floor surface 200 during rotational contact. Combine Figure 5 The lower rotating disk 2112 located on the upper side of the pad cleaning module 204 and the cleaning pad 212 attached thereto will be applied with cleaning fluid through the spray hole 321 in sequence, and then pass through the boss array 2043, the scraper bar 2042 and the fluff combing brush 2044. When passing through the boss array 2043 and the scraper bar 2042, the dirt and excess liquid on the cleaning pad 212 will be scraped off and fall into the chamber 2045 in the box body 2041. The liquid falling into the chamber 2045 will be sucked into the suction tube 2014 in time by the suction nozzle 2015.

[0076] like Figure 18-20 FIG. 1 shows a cleaning base 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a pair of pad rotating components 71 and 72 are configured at the bottom of the cleaning base 6. Figure 6-7 The pad cleaning module 205 in the pair of pad rotating components 71 are both provided with Figure 12The pad holder 711 shown. In this example, the rotation axis Y1 of the pair of pad rotating assemblies 71 is perpendicular to the floor to be cleaned 200, and the pair of cleaning pads 712 is roughly parallel to the floor to be cleaned 200. The bottom of the base shell 601 has a pair of pad blocks 606. When the pair of cleaning pads 712 are installed on the bottom of the base shell 601, the pair of pad blocks 606 are located above the pair of pad holders 711 and contact the pad holders 711, so that each part of the pair of cleaning pads 712 is firmly in contact with the floor to be cleaned. The pad cleaning module 205 is installed on the rear side of the suction port 7013. A bearing 713 is installed at the bottom center of each pad holder 711, and the bearing 713 is installed in a hemispherical end cover 714. The box body 2051 of the pad cleaning module 205 has a concave cavity 2056 that supports the pair of hemispherical end covers 714. The pad cleaning module 205 is located on the rotation path of a pair of pad rotating assemblies 71. When the pair of pad rotating assemblies 71 rotate around the rotation axis Y1, they will inevitably pass through the pad cleaning module 205. Therefore, the pad cleaning module 205 can be used to clean the pair of cleaning pads 712 thereon and apply fluid.

[0077] like Figure 20 , which shows the working state of a pad rotating assembly 71 in the cleaning base 6. As the cleaning pad 212 contacts the floor 200 to be cleaned, the rotating disc 7111 located at the rear side of the pad cleaning module 205 and the cleaning pad 712 attached thereto are squeezed by the raising block 606 when passing under the raising block 606, resulting in flexible deformation. As a result, when in rotational contact with the floor 200 to be cleaned, the floor 200 to be cleaned is scrubbed. Figure 6-7 The part of the rotating disk 7111 located on the upper side of the pad cleaning module 205 and the part of the cleaning pad 712 attached thereto will be applied with cleaning fluid through the nozzle 3021 in sequence, and then pass through the boss array 2053, the scraper 2052 and the fluff combing brush 2054. When passing through the boss array 2053 and the scraper 2052, the dirt and excess liquid on the cleaning pad 712 will be scraped off and fall into the chamber 2055 in the box body 2051. The liquid falling into the chamber 2055 will be sucked away in time by the suction nozzle (not shown in the figure).

[0078] Therefore, the cleaning base of this case can use the cleaning pad to scrub the floor to be cleaned, and can also realize self-cleaning while scrubbing during the scrubbing process, so that the cleaning pad is always kept in a relatively clean state, and the liquid content of the cleaning pad can also be controlled to be moist but not wet.

[0079] refer to Figure 21-22, which shows a perspective view of a floor cleaning robot 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The floor cleaning robot 100 comprises a base housing 1002 capable of autonomously moving on a floor to be cleaned. The base housing 1002 is provided with a navigation drive device (not shown in the figure) configured to drive the floor cleaning robot 100 to autonomously move on the floor to be cleaned.

[0080] The base housing 1002 is also provided with a fluid supply system for storing cleaning fluid and delivering the cleaning fluid to the floor to be cleaned or the cleaning pad, and includes a pad wiping system for scrubbing the floor to be cleaned with the help of the cleaning fluid; a pad cleaning module that can clean the cleaning pad in the pad wiping system; and a vacuum recovery system that may include for removing debris from the floor to be cleaned.

[0081] The vacuum recovery system includes a suction port 1003 located in the center of the bottom of the base housing 1002, with a roller brush 1004 disposed thereat. Also located at the bottom of the base housing 1002 are a pair of pad rotating assemblies 1005 and a pad cleaning module 1006. The pad rotating assembly 1005 can employ any of the aforementioned pad rotating assembly structures, and similarly, the pad cleaning module 1006 can employ any of the aforementioned pad cleaning module structures. In other embodiments of the robot, such as a mopping robot with only a mopping function, the vacuum recovery system may be omitted.

[0082] The floor cleaning robot can use a cleaning pad to scrub the floor to be cleaned, and can simultaneously clean itself during the scrubbing process, so that the cleaning pad is always kept in a relatively clean state. Moreover, the liquid content of the cleaning pad can also be controlled to be moist but not wet, which can prevent the floor to be cleaned from getting wet, and is more conducive to the autonomous movement of the robot.

[0083] refer to Figure 23 , which shows a perspective view of a handheld floor cleaning device 800 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In addition to a cleaning base 8002 that can be moved about the floor to be cleaned, the handheld floor cleaning device 800 also includes a handheld vacuum cleaner 8001 and a wand assembly 8003. The handheld vacuum cleaner 8001 can be used as an independent vacuuming device after being separated from the wand assembly 8003. The wand assembly 8003 is used to fluidically connect the handheld vacuum cleaner 8001 and the cleaning base 8002 and to transmit the operating force applied to the handheld vacuum cleaner 8001 to the cleaning base 8002.

[0084] The handheld floor cleaning device 800 also includes a fluid supply system for storing cleaning fluid and delivering the cleaning fluid to the floor to be cleaned or to a cleaning pad, a pad wiping system for scrubbing the floor to be cleaned with the cleaning fluid, a pad cleaning module for cleaning the cleaning pad in the pad wiping system, and a vacuum recovery system for removing debris from the floor to be cleaned. The fluid supply container 8005 in the fluid supply system and the dirt recovery container 8006 of the vacuum recovery system are both supported by a rod assembly 8003.

[0085] The cleaning base 8002 includes a base housing 8010, a rotating connecting tube 8011 mounted at the rear of the base housing 8010, a pair of pad rotating assemblies 8007 disposed at the bottom of the base housing 8008, and a pad cleaning module 8008. The upper portion of the rod assembly 8003 is docked with the handheld vacuum cleaner 8001, and the lower portion is hinged to the base housing 8010 via the rotating connecting tube 8011. The structure of the pad rotating assembly 8007 can adopt any of the pad rotating assembly structures mentioned above, and similarly, the structure of the pad cleaning module 8008 can adopt any of the pad cleaning module structures mentioned above. In other embodiments of the handheld floor cleaning device, such as a mopping robot with only a mopping function, the fluid supply container and / or the dirt recovery container can also be supported on the cleaning base.

[0086] The basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention are shown and described above. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and improvements may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed in the present invention is defined by the appended claims, the description and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning device, characterized in that: include: a housing configured to be movable on a floor to be cleaned; A suction port is located at the bottom of the housing and faces the floor to be cleaned; Suction motor; The dirt recovery container, the suction port, the dirt recovery container and the suction motor are sequentially fluidically connected; a pair of pad rotating assemblies arranged side by side on the bottom of the housing, the pair of pad rotating assemblies being rotatable about their respective rotational axes when driven by a driving device, each of the pad rotating assemblies comprising a pad holder and a cleaning pad attachable to the pad holder, the cleaning pad having a bottom surface; a fluid supply system for storing and supplying cleaning fluid, the fluid supply system comprising a fluid supply container and a fluid dispenser disposed on the housing and configured to dispense fluid from the fluid supply container to a pair of the cleaning pads; as well as A pad cleaning module is mounted to the bottom of the housing and is configured to clean the contaminated pair of cleaning pads. The pad cleaning module comprises a box body and a scraping component mounted on the box body. The box body is located under the pair of cleaning pads and has an opening at the top. A chamber is formed inside the box body, the chamber is located under the pair of cleaning pads, and the chamber is configured to store liquid and debris. The scraping component is located at the opening and can contact the bottom surface of the pair of cleaning pads. The device includes two spray hole groups arranged on the left and right of the chamber, each of the spray hole groups includes multiple spray holes, and the multiple spray holes of each spray hole group are arranged along the radial direction of the corresponding cleaning pad. The box body is also provided with a pair of liquid inlets, and each liquid inlet corresponds to one of the spray hole groups; with respect to the rotation direction of each cleaning pad, each of the spray hole groups is located downstream of the corresponding scraping component, so that each cleaning pad passes through the spray hole group first and then the scraping component when rotating over the pad cleaning module.

2. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pad cleaning module is detachably mounted on the bottom of the housing.

3. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pad cleaning module is located at the rear side of the suction port and at the front side of a line connecting the center points of a pair of cleaning pads.

4. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pad cleaning module and the suction port are respectively located at the front and rear sides of a pair of rotation axis lines.

5. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The suction port is in fluid communication with the dirt recovery container.

6. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pad holder is configured to be at least partially deformable, and the cleaning pad is attached to the deformable portion.

7. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The scraping component includes a pair of scraping bars, and the pair of scraping bars are in contact with the bottom surfaces of the pair of cleaning pads respectively.

8. The floor cleaning device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The scraping component further includes two groups of protrusion arrays and / or two groups of bristle tuft arrays.

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