Methods for identifying stains in surface cleaning equipment and surface cleaning equipment

Abstract

This disclosure provides a method for identifying stains in a surface cleaning device and a surface cleaning device. The method includes performing a cleaning operation on a surface to be cleaned while moving the housing on the surface; detecting the capacitance of the stirring element using a capacitance sensor; detecting the signal of the capacitance sensor using a detection device and outputting it to a controller; receiving the capacitance signal detected by the detection device using the controller, determining whether the capacitance signal has a sudden change, and if a sudden change occurs, controlling the surface cleaning device to activate additional functions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for identifying stains for a surface cleaning device and a surface cleaning device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Wet surface cleaning devices are suitable for cleaning hard floor surfaces, such as ceramic tiles, hardwood floors and soft carpet surfaces, etc.

[0003] When the wet surface cleaning device cleans the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning liquid is first delivered to the cleaning module, and the cleaning liquid is applied to the surface to be cleaned by the cleaning module, and when the cleaning module moves relative to the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning of the surface to be cleaned is achieved.

[0004] The wet surface cleaning device can include a stain sensing system. The stain sensing system can be mounted on the base and include an ultraviolet light emitting element, and at least one light reader for detecting the intensity of light reflected from the surface to be cleaned by the visible light and ultraviolet light emitting element. After detecting the ground stains, the controller can simply remind the user or automatically adjust the cleaning parameters to remind the user or automatically handle the stains.

[0005] The surface cleaning device in the prior art usually has an additional visible light emitting element for the ultraviolet light emitting element, which undoubtedly increases the cost, and due to the diversification and complication of the components, the accuracy of light intensity collection will change over time as the light emitting element wears out, so that the ultraviolet light emitting and the reflected element cannot accurately detect the ground stains, thereby causing poor user experience. SUMMARY

[0006] To solve one of the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides a method for identifying stains for a surface cleaning device and a surface cleaning device.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for identifying a stain for a surface cleaning apparatus is provided, the surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a housing for moving along a surface to be cleaned; a suction nozzle associated with the housing, the suction nozzle having a nozzle opening directed toward the surface to be cleaned; an agitator disposed on the housing, the agitator being adjacent to the suction nozzle, configured to contact the surface to be cleaned when in operation, and configured to agitate the surface to be cleaned when in operation; a vacuum source associated with the housing and in fluid communication with the suction nozzle through an air flow conduit; a liquid dispenser configured to dispense a cleaning liquid to at least one of the agitator and the surface to be cleaned; a recovery chamber in fluid communication with the vacuum source and the air flow conduit, the material drawn into the suction nozzle by the vacuum source being deposited into the recovery chamber; a stain sensing system for the surface to be cleaned, comprising a capacitive sensor; a power supply device for applying an electrical signal to the capacitive sensor; and a detection device for detecting a change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor; a controller for receiving an electrical signal representative of the change in capacitance detected by the detection device from the surface to be cleaned; the method comprising: performing a cleaning operation on the surface to be cleaned while moving the housing along the surface; detecting a capacitance of the agitator with the capacitive sensor; detecting the signal of the capacitive sensor with the detection device and outputting to the controller; receiving the detected capacitance signal of the detection device with the controller, determining whether the capacitance signal has a sudden change, and controlling the surface cleaning apparatus to activate an additional function if the capacitance signal has a sudden change.

[0008] According to the method of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the additional function comprises a voice alarm or a screen alarm.

[0009] According to the method of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the additional function comprises an additional cleaning function.

[0010] According to the method of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the additional cleaning function comprises at least one of the following: a change in rotational speed of the agitator, a change in suction power of the vacuum source, a change in dispensing efficiency of the liquid dispenser, a temperature increase of the cleaning liquid, an alarm.

[0011] According to the method of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the stain sensing system is installed in a position close to the agitator so as to move along the surface to be cleaned, and is configured so that the capacitive sensor detects the liquid shed by the agitator.

[0012] According to the method of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an upper cover assembly is provided on the housing, wherein the housing and the upper cover assembly together form a cavity, at least a portion of the agitator is disposed in the cavity, and the capacitive sensor is configured to be isolated from the cavity by a partition.

[0013] A method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the capacitive sensor includes a frame portion including an outer surface exposed to an external environment for being adjacent to a surface of a beater;

[0014] and having a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart, the first electrode and the second electrode mounted to the frame portion and such that both the first electrode and the second electrode are spaced apart from the external environment.

[0015] A method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a shield is disposed within the frame portion and spaced apart from the first electrode and the second electrode, and the shield is configured to be grounded and to be distanced from a surface of a target object relative to the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0016] A method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an insulating sheet is disposed between the shield and the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus, comprising: a housing for moving along a surface to be cleaned; a suction nozzle associated with the housing, the suction nozzle having a nozzle opening directed toward the surface to be cleaned; a beater disposed on the housing, the beater being adjacent to the suction nozzle and being contactable with the surface to be cleaned, the beater being configured to agitate the surface to be cleaned; a liquid dispenser configured to dispense cleaning liquid to at least one of the beater and the surface to be cleaned; a stain sensing system for the surface to be cleaned, the stain sensing system being configured to contact liquid dislodged by the beater during operation of the beater along the surface to be cleaned, comprising: a capacitive sensor proximate to the beater and being liquid isolated from the beater; a power supply device for applying an electrical signal to the capacitive sensor; and a detection device for detecting a change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor; a controller for receiving an electrical signal representative of the change in capacitance detected by the detection device from the liquid recovered from the surface to be cleaned, and determining whether a stain is present on the surface to be cleaned based on a sudden change in the electrical signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a method of identifying a stain according to a surface cleaning apparatus of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a surface cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 3 is a sectional structure schematic diagram of a floor brush assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a humidity sensor arranged on the floor brush assembly housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 5 is a sectional schematic diagram of a humidity sensor arranged on the floor brush assembly housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of a humidity sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the humidity sensor of the embodiment is arranged in close contact with the stirrer.

[0025] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the working principle of a humidity sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 8 is a capacitance change trend chart of a humidity sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure under different working scenarios. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present disclosure will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the related content, and not to limit the present disclosure. In addition, it should be noted that, for the sake of description, only parts related to the present disclosure are shown in the drawings.

[0028] It should be noted that the embodiments in the present disclosure and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict. The technical solutions of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0029] Unless otherwise specified, the exemplary embodiments / instances shown will be understood as providing exemplary features of various details that can implement the technical concepts of the present disclosure in practice. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features of various embodiments / instances can be additionally combined, separated, interchanged and / or rearranged without departing from the technical concepts of the present disclosure.

[0030] The use of cross-hatching and / or shading in the drawings is generally used to illustrate the boundaries and / or transitions from one portion of a part to another portion of the part. As such, unless specified, the presence of cross-hatching or shading in no way supercedes, or otherwise clarifies, any aspect of the parts described as being clear, transparent, opaque, solid, formed, unformed, etc. Moreover, in the drawings, the size and relative sizes of parts can be exaggerated for clarity. When exemplary embodiments can be carried out in different ways, the specific sequential order described can be performed in a different order. For example, two sequentially described processes can be performed at about the same time or in the reverse order than described. Additionally, like reference numerals can denote like parts throughout the description.

[0031] When a part is referred to as being "on" or "over" another part, "connected to" or "coupled to" another part, it can be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other part, or intervening parts can be present. In contrast, when an part is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another part, there are no intervening parts present. For example, the term "connected" can refer to physical or electrical connection, whether direct or through intervening parts.

[0032] For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial or directional terms, such as "below," "lower," "down," "upright," "above," "upper," "over," "higher," and "side" (e.g., as in "sidewall") are used with reference to the orientation of the device as illustrated in the drawings. The spatial or directional terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture, depending on the particular spatial or directional term used. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, then the part described as "below" or "under" other parts or features would then be oriented "above" the other parts or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Moreover, the device can be oriented in different ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and, as such, the spatial or directional terms are interpreted accordingly.

[0033] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," and / or "having" and variations thereof are used herein, such terms are intended to be inclusive, in an aspect, it is noted that the terms "substantial," "approximately," and other similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, unless otherwise indicated herein, as such, they are used to account for inherent deviations in measurements, calculations, and / or provided values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the surface cleaning apparatus can include a handle portion 100, a main body portion 200, a first liquid reservoir 300, a second liquid reservoir 400, a connecting portion 500, and a floor brush assembly 600, etc. Figure 2 Figure 3 The handle portion 100 is disposed on the main body portion 200, and a user can operate the surface cleaning apparatus by operating the handle portion 100, and the main body portion 200 can be in an upright state (non-working mode) and an inclined state (working mode).

[0035] When the surface cleaning apparatus is working, the floor brush assembly 600 can move on the surface to be cleaned, so that the surface to be cleaned is cleaned by the floor brush assembly 600.

[0036] When the surface cleaning apparatus is working, the floor brush assembly 600 can move on the surface to be cleaned, so that the surface to be cleaned is cleaned by the floor brush assembly 600.

[0037] In an embodiment, the floor brush assembly 600 can be formed as a roller cleaning device; accordingly, the stirring member 610 of the floor brush assembly 600 is a roller cleaning member; those skilled in the art should know that the floor brush assembly 600 can also be formed as a track cleaning device, etc., at this time, the stirring member 610 of the floor brush assembly 600 is a track cleaning member, etc. In the present disclosure, the roller cleaning device is taken as an example for description.

[0038] In an embodiment, the main body portion 200 is formed as the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus; the main body portion 200 is pivotally connected to the floor brush assembly 600 through the connecting portion 500; and the main body portion 200 can also accommodate the first liquid reservoir 300 and the second liquid reservoir 400, etc.

[0039] In an embodiment, the connecting portion 500 can include a universal joint so that the main body portion 200 can rotate in two directions relative to the floor brush assembly 600. ​

[0040] In another embodiment, the connection portion 500 can include a multi-axis joint that can couple the main body portion 200 with the floor brush assembly 600 to allow the main body portion 200 to rotate with respect to the floor brush assembly 600 in the first direction and the second direction.

[0041] The main body portion 200 can be pivoted to an upright position (also referred to as a storage position) by the connection portion 500, in which the angle between the main body portion 200 and the surface (or the ground) on which the floor brush assembly 600 is placed is 80° to 90°, preferably about 80°. In this position, the surface cleaning device is in a self-supporting attitude (also referred to as an upright attitude), that is, the main body portion 200 and the like can be supported by the floor brush assembly 600 without the aid of other objects to achieve the upright attitude.

[0042] In the present disclosure, when the surface cleaning device is in the inclined use position (for example, when the angle with the surface to be cleaned is greater than or equal to 30°), the rotation angle in the Y direction can be limited to prevent the rotation angle in the Y direction from being too large.

[0043] The main body portion 200 can include a frame body 220 for supporting the first liquid reservoir 300 and the second liquid reservoir 400, and can also support other components. The first liquid reservoir 300 and the second liquid reservoir 400 can be disposed on the frame body 220, thereby being located on both sides of the main body portion 200. In the present disclosure, the first liquid reservoir 300 and the second liquid reservoir 400 are optionally located on the front and rear sides of the main body portion 200 (with respect to the travel direction, cleaning path of the surface cleaning device). It should be noted that, although the first liquid reservoir 300 and the second liquid reservoir 400 are mainly described as being located on the left and right sides of the main body portion 200 in the present disclosure, the first liquid reservoir 300 and the second liquid reservoir 400 can also be preferably disposed on the left and right sides (front and rear sides along the cleaning direction) of the main body portion 200 in the present disclosure, and the respective disposition relationships of the various components described herein are the same or similar when disposed on the left and right sides.

[0044] When the first liquid reservoir 300 and the second liquid reservoir 400 are located on the front and rear sides of the main body portion 200, the main body portion 200 includes a front side and a rear side opposite the front side, and the second liquid reservoir 400 forms part of the rear side of the main body portion 200, preferably the second liquid reservoir 400 forms part of the surface of the rear side of the main body portion 200.

[0045] On the other hand, when the first liquid reservoir 300 is installed to the main body 200, the first liquid reservoir 300 forms a part of the front side of the main body 200; preferably, the first liquid reservoir 300 forms a part of the surface of the front side of the main body 200.

[0046] Correspondingly, the main body 200 comprises a first recess accommodating the first liquid reservoir 300, and a second recess accommodating the second liquid reservoir 400; wherein the first liquid reservoir 300 is arranged in the first recess, and the second liquid reservoir 400 is arranged in the second recess; preferably, at least a part of the first recess and the second recess are communicated, so that when the first liquid reservoir 300 is installed in the first recess and the second liquid reservoir 400 is installed in the second recess, the first liquid reservoir 300 can be connected or embraced with the second liquid reservoir 400.

[0047] In the present disclosure, the first liquid reservoir 300 and the second liquid reservoir 400 can be detachably installed to the side of the frame body 220, and the installed sides can be opposite sides of the frame body 220.

[0048] In one embodiment, the thickness of the first liquid reservoir 300 and the second liquid reservoir 400 is set to be smaller than the width, so as to ensure sufficient capacity and to make the height of the main body 200 after lying down less than a predetermined height, for example, 120mm.

[0049] The first liquid reservoir 300 has a flat shape, and comprises a cavity formed by a plurality of wall surfaces to accommodate the cleaning liquid, and the capacity of the first liquid reservoir 300 can be set to 500mL or the like. The first liquid reservoir 300 can comprise a handle through which the user can install or remove the first liquid reservoir 300.

[0050] The first liquid reservoir 300 is used to store the cleaning liquid to be dispensed, and is provided to the brush assembly 600 through a pipe. In this context, the cleaning liquid can be one or more of any suitable liquid, including but not limited to cleaning water, concentrated detergent, dilute detergent, or a mixture thereof, etc. In addition, the cleaning liquid can be a normal temperature cleaning liquid or a high temperature cleaning liquid.

[0051] The first liquid reservoir 300 further comprises an inlet and an outlet for adding or providing the cleaning liquid, and more preferably, the inlet and the outlet can be implemented through the same channel. The structure of the inlet and the outlet will not be described again.

[0052] The second liquid reservoir 400 is used to store the recovered liquid; in one embodiment, a solid-liquid separator can be arranged in the second liquid reservoir 400 to separate the mixture of solid and liquid recovered by the surface cleaning apparatus after cleaning the surface to be cleaned, so that the separated solid is kept in the solid-liquid separator and the separated liquid is stored in the second liquid reservoir 400.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The brush assembly 600 is operatively connected with the main body 200; for example, the brush assembly 600 comprises a housing 620, a portion of the housing 620 is formed as a nozzle assembly, and the nozzle assembly has a vacuum suction port 660; that is, in one case, the housing 620 can form the vacuum suction port 660 described above, and in another case, the nozzle assembly can be independently formed and mounted to the housing 620.

[0054] The brush assembly 600 further comprises an upper cover assembly 690, which cooperates with the nozzle assembly to form a cavity, and at least a portion of the agitator 610 is arranged in the cavity.

[0055] For example, as shown in Figure 3 With the direction of movement of the surface cleaning apparatus during cleaning of the surface to be cleaned as the front, the front end of the agitator 610 is located outside the cavity. Most of the agitator 610 is located in the cavity, and the bottom surface of the agitator 610 is in contact with the surface to be cleaned, so that the surface to be cleaned can be cleaned when the agitator 610 moves, and considering that the front end of the agitator 610 is exposed, it is also convenient to clean the surface to be cleaned at locations such as corners.

[0056] Those skilled in the art should know that the vacuum suction port is located behind the agitator 610 to collect the mixture of solid and liquid after the agitator 610 cleans the surface to be cleaned, and the mixture of solid and liquid is further sucked and transported into the second liquid reservoir 400.

[0057] In one embodiment, to achieve the recovery of the solid-liquid and liquid mixture, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a vacuum source (not shown in the figure); the vacuum source can generate a working air flow (which can also be referred to as negative pressure or vacuum); the working air flow passes through the vacuum suction port 660, the second fluid passage and the second liquid reservoir 400, and at least the liquid after cleaning the surface to be cleaned is recovered to the second liquid reservoir 400.

[0058] That is, the working airflow can be applied to the second liquid reservoir 400, at this time, the second liquid reservoir 400 is connected with the vacuum suction port 660 through a second fluid passage (may also be referred to as a recovery pipe), and the vacuum suction port 660 is formed as an inlet of the second fluid passage, that is, the second fluid passage extends at least between the second liquid reservoir 400 and the vacuum suction port 660; so that the mixture of solid and liquid collected by the vacuum suction port 660 is transported to the inside of the second liquid reservoir 400 through the second fluid passage.

[0059] The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a liquid distributor connected with the first liquid reservoir 300 for at least distributing cleaning liquid to the agitator 610; in an embodiment, the liquid distributor can be arranged above the side of the agitator 610, for example, above the back of the agitator 610, so as to be able to distribute cleaning liquid to the agitator 610.

[0060] In a wet surface cleaning scenario, a conventional ground dirt detection is based on an infrared pair tube sensor, when the surface cleaning apparatus cleans the surface to be cleaned in an intelligent mode, the dirt detection sensor of the surface cleaning apparatus is started to obtain the dirt degree of the surface to be cleaned; when the dirt degree of the surface to be cleaned is greater than a preset value, the flow of the cleaning water pump and / or the rotation speed of the fan are increased; when the dirt degree of the surface to be cleaned is less than the preset value, the flow of the cleaning water pump and / or the rotation speed of the fan are decreased; when the dirt degree of the surface to be cleaned is equal to the preset value, the flow of the cleaning water pump and / or the rotation speed of the fan are maintained.

[0061] This conventional detection method can only judge the dirt degree according to the light transmittance of the recovered liquid of the cleaning surface at the moment, and needs to identify when the dirt degree is large, which has certain limitations. For example, it cannot be judged whether the ground has stains, and can only indicate that the dirt degree of the ground being processed is high at the moment, so the defect of the above simple logical judgment is that when the dirt degree of the ground returns to below the set threshold value, the surface cleaning apparatus returns to the conventional cleaning mode again, but there is a possibility that the ground still has stubborn stains (such as dry urine stains and other biological stains) that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

[0062] In the prior art, it is proposed to use ultraviolet light emitted to the surface to be cleaned to detect carbon-based stains by causing the stains to reflect corresponding light spectrum. Light in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum includes wavelengths from about 400 nanometers to about 320 nanometers, which can effectively illuminate carbon-based stains, including food stains and pet stains, such as urine stains. Ultraviolet light causes carbon-based stains to fluoresce, thereby making otherwise invisible stains visible.

[0063] However, the use of ultraviolet light technology is expensive, and ultraviolet light has potential hazards for infants and the weak, and is not suitable for long-term use in a family. In addition, the installation of ultraviolet light emitting elements and identification elements will inevitably cause component aging or degradation over time, leading to the aging failure of the elements.

[0064] The present disclosure employs an innovative and low-cost way to determine whether there are explicit or implicit stains on the ground, and can be manually activated by the user or the surface cleaning device automatically activates the additional cleaning function to remove the stains at these specific locations.

[0065] As Figures 2-5 To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the surface cleaning device of the present disclosure comprises a humidity sensor 700, more specifically, the humidity sensor 700 is arranged on the floor brush assembly 600, that is, the floor brush assembly 600 comprises the humidity sensor 700. Specifically, when the floor brush assembly 600 comprises the humidity sensor 700, the humidity sensor 700 is arranged to abut the agitator 610.

[0066] As Figure 4 As shown, the inner surface of the housing 620 near the agitator is formed with a water outlet 630, and the water outlet 630 is arranged on a continuous smooth surface. The agitator 700 can be formed in the form of a roller brush, and preferably, the outer surface of the agitator 700 has fluff, the agitator 700 is arranged in the accommodation cavity, and is located in the fluid distribution system and the fluid recovery system, and the rotation axis of the agitator 700 is arranged transversely close to the vacuum suction port 660.

[0067] Due to the presence of the fluff of the agitator 700, when the fluff is wetted by the cleaning liquid distributed by the liquid distributor, the agitator 700 rotates in the first direction, and the dirt on the surface to be cleaned is adhered, so that the substances on the surface to be cleaned are brought to the stain sensing area 640 by the rotation of the agitator 700. In the stain sensing area 640, the dirty liquid will be sensed by the humidity sensor 700 of the present disclosure to measure the corresponding sensing value. The first direction is the rotation direction of the agitator 700 of the surface cleaning device during cleaning operation.

[0068] That is, when the agitator 610 passes through the arrangement position of the humidity sensor 700, there is fluid interference between the agitator 610 and the stain sensing area 640, so that the humidity sensor 700 can detect the instantaneous humidity of the agitator 610.

[0069] In one embodiment, as Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, in the present disclosure, the humidity sensor 700 comprises a frame portion 710, a sensing capacitor 720, a power supply device (not shown in the figure) and a detection device (not shown in the figure).

[0070] The frame portion 710 comprises an outer surface exposed to the external environment for contacting the surface of the target object to be measured; wherein the target object to be measured can be the stirring member 610 described above; those skilled in the art should know that when the humidity sensor 700 of the present disclosure is applied to other environments, the target object to be measured can also be other objects.

[0071] Correspondingly, the frame portion 710 comprises an inner surface shielding the influence of the external environment, which is located on the opposite side of the outer surface, as shown in the specific implementation form. Figure 6 In the specific implementation form shown, the lower surface of the frame portion 710 (i.e. the lower surface of the lower protective cover) is the outer surface, and correspondingly, the upper surface of the lower protective cover of the frame portion 710 is the inner surface.

[0072] In one embodiment, the frame portion 710 can comprise an upper protective cover 711 and a lower protective cover 712, which can be connected to each other through other components and formed in the form of a box, thereby forming the above-mentioned frame portion 710; of course, the upper protective cover 711 and the lower protective cover 712 can also not be directly connected, but connected together through the components of the humidity sensor 700, thereby forming a whole of the humidity sensor 700.

[0073] The sensing capacitor 720 has a first electrode 721 and a second electrode 722 spaced apart, which are installed on the frame portion 710 and make the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 both spaced apart from the external environment. In one specific embodiment, the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 are arranged on the inner surface, so that the distance between the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 and the stirring member 610 is minimized.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 are metal sheets (metallic thin sheets); for example, copper sheets, etc. In particular, the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 are formed in the shape of a long strip, at this time, the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 are spaced apart in the manner of parallel and side-by-side arrangement.

[0075] In the present disclosure, the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 can be fixed to the lower protective cover 712 in the manner of gluing, so that the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 are located inside the frame portion 710.

[0076] The power supply device is used to apply an electric signal to the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722, wherein the electric signal can be an alternating electric signal (for example, an alternating voltage signal), and the frequency thereof can be designed according to the sampling frequency, for example, 1Khz, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the power supply device is used to provide a positive power supply (i.e., connected to the positive pole of the power supply device) to one of the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722, and is used to provide a negative power supply (i.e., connected to the negative pole of the power supply device) to the other of the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722.

[0077] When the humidity sensor of the present disclosure is used, the lower protective cover 712 can prevent the stirring member 610 from contacting the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722, thereby avoiding the short circuit of the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722. Thus, the lower protective cover 712 is made of an insulating material.

[0078] Moreover, the lower protective cover can protect the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 from being electrolytically corroded.

[0079] The first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 of the present disclosure are formed as detection electrodes of the humidity sensor of the present disclosure.

[0080] The detection device is used to detect the capacitance change between the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722, and obtain the humidity of the object to be detected according to the capacitance change.

[0081] That is to say, when the humidity sensor of the present disclosure is used, the dielectric constant between the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 changes due to different humidity, and thus the capacitance between the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 changes, so that the humidity of the stirring member 610 can be obtained according to the capacitance change between the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722.

[0082] In other words, when the humidity sensor detects the humidity of the stirring member 610, the dielectric constant between the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 changes due to the different water content (i.e., different humidity) of the stirring member 610, and thus the capacitance between the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 changes, and the humidity of the stirring member 610 is deduced through the capacitance change.

[0083] In addition, since the stirring member 610 is in close contact with the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722, the humidity sensor will not be affected by the water vapor or dirt, and the final detection result will not be affected.

[0084] The humidity sensor of the present disclosure is in the form of a sheet, and is in close contact with the object to be detected, and the total thickness can be controlled to be less than 1.2mm, and the area can be 4cm2 Therefore, the humidity sensor has the characteristics of small volume and easy installation.

[0085] In one embodiment, the detection device is responsive to an electrical signal applied to the first and second electrodes for determining a humidity indicative of the analyte bridging the first and second electrodes.

[0086] In one preferred embodiment, a shield 730 is arranged in the frame 710 and spaced apart from the first and second electrodes 721 and 722. Specifically, the shield 730 can be a piece of metal conductor and can be arranged to be grounded, that is, the shield 730 can be connected to a ground wire or a negative pole of a power supply, etc. Thus, the shield 730 grounded can amplify the capacitance value, making the capacitance value change larger and easier to distinguish, and also has a certain shielding protection effect.

[0087] In terms of position, the shield 730 is arranged away from the surface of the analyte relative to the first and second electrodes 721 and 722. Considering that the shield 730 is made of metal material, it cannot be directly in contact with the first and second electrodes 721 and 722, and therefore, an insulating sheet 740 is arranged between the shield 730 and the first and second electrodes 721 and 722.

[0088] Correspondingly, the first and second electrodes 721 and 722 can be glued to one surface of the insulating sheet 740, and the shield 730 is glued to the other surface of the insulating sheet 740. Through the arrangement of the insulating sheet 740, on the one hand, the first and second electrodes 721 and 722 can be protected to prevent short circuit, and on the other hand, the shield 730 can be isolated from the first and second electrodes 721 and 722.

[0089] In one embodiment, the upper protective cover 711 can be bonded to the shield 730, and thus the humidity sensor is formed as a whole.

[0090] Considering that long-term use will cause wear and tear and affect the detection accuracy, and more importantly, if the humidity sensor 700 is arranged to be directly in contact with the stirring body after long-term use, there will be a problem of residual stains on the detection area, which will cause the detection accuracy to decrease.

[0091] Therefore, in one preferred embodiment, as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the humidity sensor 700 is configured to be integrated on the back of the stain sensing area 640. The back is isolated from the agitator accommodating cavity in terms of structure design, thus avoiding abrasion and corrosion. For example, the back of the stain sensing area 640 is provided with a groove, and the humidity sensor 700 is fixed in the groove. The humidity sensor 700 can detect the change of the liquid capacitance value of the agitator 610 through capacitive sensing. In the embodiment, the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722 can be fixed to the back of the stain sensing area 640 by means of adhesion. In this way, the problem of abrasion of the humidity sensor 700 caused by long-term use is reduced, and the detection device can still detect the change of the capacitance between the first electrode 721 and the second electrode 722, and obtain the humidity of the target to be measured according to the change of the capacitance.

[0092] In order to reduce the accumulation of solid stains in the stain sensing area 640, the downward agitator stain removing member 800 is arranged at the edge below the water outlet hole 630. The size or mounting position of the stain removing member 800 is arranged to always interfere with the agitator 610. In this way, when the agitator 610 rotates in the first direction, the solid stains adhering to the fluff are removed to the maximum extent before reaching the water outlet hole 630 and the stain sensing area 640, and are sucked into the vacuum suction port 660 with the operation of the vacuum device.

[0093] In order to ensure that the fluff is uniformly wetted, in a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a water pressing structure 650 is arranged between the water outlet hole 630 and the stain sensing area 640. The water pressing structure 650 interferes with both dry fluff and wet fluff but is not tight. When the agitator 610 rotates in the first direction, the fluff can pass through the water pressing structure 650, but the water pressing structure 650 applies appropriate pressure to the fluff. After the cleaning liquid of the water outlet hole 630 is brought to the water pressing structure 650 by the fluff, the cleaning liquid is uniformly distributed along the rotation axis direction of the agitator 610.

[0094] When the humidity sensor of the present disclosure is applied to the surface cleaning device, it can detect the humidity of the agitator 610. When the surface cleaning device is started to work, the special substance to which the fluff of the agitator adheres is determined by the capacitance value of the stain sensing area 640 detected by the humidity sensor.

[0095] In order to more clearly understand the working logic of the present disclosure, the working state of the surface cleaning device is divided as follows:

[0096] Stationary state S0: the surface cleaning device is not started, and the agitator is not rotated;

[0097] Initial state S1: the surface cleaning device is started, the agitator is rotated, but the fluff is not wetted;

[0098] Wetting state S2: the surface cleaning device is started, the agitator rotates, and the agitator bristles begin to be wetted, i.e. the water outlet hole 630 begins to output cleaning liquid to wet the agitator bristles;

[0099] Stable state S3: the agitator rotating bristles have been wetted and reach a saturated state, i.e. the water outlet hole 630 outputs cleaning liquid that has completely wetted the agitator bristles;

[0100] Cleaning state S4: the surface cleaning device cleans the surface to be cleaned in a wet cleaning mode.

[0101] Next, the change trend of the capacitance in each state is specifically described as shown in the following table: Figure 8

[0102] In the static state S0, the capacitance value remains basically stable unless the humidity of the environment where the surface cleaning device is located changes significantly. The static state corresponds to the user waking up the surface cleaning device, but has not yet operated the surface cleaning device to perform surface cleaning work.

[0103] In the initial state S1, the capacitance value basically reflects the air agitation humidity and the residual water vapor humidity of the roller brush. Generally, due to the fact that the bristles themselves can easily adsorb water vapor in the air, or the bristles are not completely dried after the end of the cleaning action in the last cycle, there will be residual water vapor, so the measured capacitance value will be slightly higher than that in the static state, but the overall also presents a stable state. However, it is worth noting that if there is a water stain on the surface to be cleaned, it will turn to the wetting state or the cleaning stain state, which is determined by the amount of water stain: if the water stain is less, at least part of it will enter the wetting state; if the water stain is larger, after entering the wetting state, at least part of it will enter the stable state or the cleaning state. Correspondingly, the change of the capacitance value also corresponds to the capacitance trend in each state.

[0104] In the wetting state S2, the water outlet hole begins to continuously output water, and the capacitance value detection value gradually increases. The capacitance value trend reflects that the liquid on the bristles gradually increases with a large slope, from the unsaturated state to the saturated state. The wetting state corresponds to the user starting the wet cleaning mode of the surface cleaning device, and the water outlet hole begins to output water to wet the bristles of the agitator.

[0105] In the stable state S3, the capacitance value reflects the saturated state of the liquid on the bristles. At this time, the agitator is completely and thoroughly immersed in the liquid. During this process, if the surface to be cleaned does not have substances that can significantly affect the capacitance change of the recovered liquid, the capacitance in this state will remain basically stable.

[0106] ​The cleaning state S4 corresponds to the process in which the user employs the surface cleaning device to perform wet cleaning of the surface to be cleaned. In the absence of a material on the surface to be cleaned that significantly affects the capacitance value, the detected capacitance value fluctuates in a small range due to the influence of dust and dirt, but is basically maintained in a relatively smooth curve.

[0107] If a stain, such as a dry urine stain, is present on the floor, the dry urine stain will be dissolved and rotated back to the stain detection portion by the bristles saturated with the agitator liquid as the surface cleaning device operates. At this time, the detected capacitance value will suddenly change significantly, i.e., the capacitance value will suddenly change in the cleaning state.

[0108] The present disclosure utilizes the above-mentioned sudden change rule to determine that a stain (e.g., a dry urine stain) is present on the floor when the controller detects the sudden change in the capacitance value. Here, the sudden change refers to a sudden peak or a sudden valley in the capacitance value. Generally, the capacitance value of the mixture of the stain on the floor and the cleaning liquid is larger than that of the cleaning liquid, and thus a peak will occur in most cases. The peak can be one or discontinuous multiple. The disappearance of the peak means that the surface cleaning device has left the area where the stain is located or the stain has been cleaned.

[0109] Therefore, in the present disclosure, the humidity sensor 700 is configured to detect stains, such as food or pet stains. In normal operation, when the surface cleaning device does not pass through a stain, the capacitance value will basically remain stable. Even if the surface cleaning device passes through a surface to be cleaned with particles or dust, the capacitance value will slightly increase (or decrease) relative to the previous capacitance value measurement, but will basically be within a stable change range. Therefore, although the capacitance value fluctuates, it will not trigger false stain detection. Therefore, by comparing whether the capacitance value changes significantly and suddenly during operation, the humidity sensor 700 can accurately distinguish between a stain and a change in the particle state of the cleaning surface (e.g., dust). In operation, if the floor brush assembly passes through a floor stain, the humidity sensor 700 identifies at least one mutation point T of the capacitance value from the capacitance value and transmits them to the controller.

[0110] When a stain is detected, the controller identifies at least one mutation point, and automatically initiates a pre-programmed response, which can include adjusting one or more cleaning parameters of the surface cleaning device. These parameters can include, but are not limited to, the power of the vacuum motor, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid, the application of a cleaning agent supplement, the change of the agitator speed, the change of the temperature of the cleaning liquid, etc.

[0111] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, upon detection of a stain, the controller controls the surface cleaning apparatus to simply alert the user, for example by activating a loudspeaker or display screen, rather than initiating a pre-programmed response to automatically adjust cleaning parameters. The user can then determine how to proceed with the stain, for example by stopping to manually remove the stain.

[0112] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a method performed by a surface cleaning apparatus for initiating an additional function. The order of steps discussed is for illustrative purposes only and is not meant to limit the method in any way as it is understood that the steps can be performed in a different logical order, can include additional or intervening steps, or the steps can be divided into multiple steps without detracting from the application.

[0113] The surface cleaning apparatus is cleaning

[0114] The surface cleaning apparatus checks whether a capacitance value is detected in a stain sensing region of the surface cleaning apparatus, which is a prerequisite for initiating an additional function. The humidity can be detected in a location within the surface cleaning apparatus that is generally proximate to the agitator 610, for example a location within the housing of the surface cleaning apparatus but outside of the containment cavity of the agitator 610. Detecting humidity at such a location can ensure that the stain sensing system is not worn or corroded from long periods of use. In one embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus uses a capacitance sensor 700 to detect a capacitance value of moisture in the fluff on the agitator 610. If no capacitance is detected, the user is prompted to clean the stain sensing region.

[0115] If a capacitance is detected, indicating that the stain sensing system is functioning properly, the method proceeds to the following steps:

[0116] performing a cleaning operation on a surface to be cleaned while moving the housing over the surface;

[0117] continuously detecting a capacitance of the agitator with a capacitance sensor;

[0118] detecting the signal of the capacitance sensor with a detection device and outputting to a controller;

[0119] receiving the detected capacitance signal of the detection device with the controller and determining whether the capacitance signal has changed, and if so, controlling the surface cleaning apparatus to initiate an additional function.

[0120] In the description of the specification, the description of the terms "one embodiment / way", "some embodiments / ways", "an example", "a specific example", or "some examples" and the like means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment / way or example are included in at least one embodiment / way or example of the present application. In the present specification, the illustrative description of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment / way or example. Also, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments / ways or examples. In addition, the person skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments / ways or examples described in the specification and the features of the different embodiments / ways or examples, without contradiction.

[0121] In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically limited.

[0122] The person skilled in the art should understand that the above-mentioned embodiments are only for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Based on the above disclosure, other changes or modifications can also be made by those skilled in the art, and these changes or modifications are still within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method of identifying stains for a surface cleaning device, characterized by, The surface cleaning apparatus comprises: a housing for moving along a surface to be cleaned; a suction nozzle associated with the housing, the suction nozzle having a nozzle opening aimed at the surface to be cleaned; an agitator disposed on the housing, the agitator being adjacent to the suction nozzle, configured to contact the surface to be cleaned, and configured to agitate the surface to be cleaned when cleaning; a vacuum source associated with the housing and in fluid communication with the suction nozzle through an airflow conduit; a liquid dispenser configured to dispense cleaning liquid to at least one of the agitator and the surface to be cleaned; and a recovery chamber in fluid communication with the vacuum source and the working air conduit, into which material suctioned into the suction nozzle by the vacuum source is deposited; The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a stain sensing system for the surface to be cleaned, the stain sensing system comprising: a capacitive sensor; a power supply device for applying an electrical signal to the capacitive sensor; and a detection device for detecting a change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor; and a controller for receiving a capacitive signal representative of the liquid recovered from the surface to be cleaned as detected by the detection device; wherein the stain sensing system is mounted in a position proximate to the agitator so as to move along the surface to be cleaned, and is configured so that the capacitive sensor detects liquid shed by the agitator; the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises an upper cover assembly disposed on the housing, wherein the housing and the upper cover assembly together form a cavity, at least a portion of the agitator is disposed in the cavity, and the capacitive sensor is configured to be isolated from the cavity by a partition; wherein the capacitive sensor comprises a frame portion comprising an outer surface exposed to an external environment for being adjacent to a surface of the agitator; and the capacitive sensor comprises a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart, the first electrode and the second electrode are mounted on the frame portion and are both spaced apart from the external environment; a shield is disposed in the frame portion and spaced apart from the first electrode and the second electrode, and the shield is configured to be grounded and to be distanced from a target surface relative to the first electrode and the second electrode; an insulating sheet is disposed between the shield and the first electrode and the second electrode; The method for identifying a stain for a surface cleaning apparatus comprises: performing a cleaning operation on a surface to be cleaned while moving the housing along the surface; detecting a capacitance of the agitator with a capacitive sensor; detecting a signal of the capacitive sensor with a detection device and outputting to a controller; and receiving the detected capacitive signal of the detection device with the controller and determining whether the capacitive signal has a sudden change, and if so, controlling the surface cleaning apparatus to activate an additional function, wherein the sudden change refers to a sudden peak or a sudden valley in the capacitance value.

2. The method of identifying a stain for a surface cleaning device of claim 1, wherein, The additional function comprises a voice alarm or a screen alarm.

3. The method of identifying a stain for a surface cleaning device of claim 2, wherein, The additional function comprises an additional cleaning function.

4. The method of identifying a stain for a surface cleaning device of claim 1, wherein, The additional cleaning function comprises at least one of the following: a change in the rotational speed of the agitator, a change in the suction power of the vacuum source, a change in the dispensing efficiency of the liquid dispenser, a temperature increase of the cleaning liquid, an alarm.

5. A surface cleaning apparatus characterized by, The surface cleaning apparatus comprises: a housing for moving along a surface to be cleaned; a nozzle associated with the housing, the nozzle having a nozzle opening aimed at the surface to be cleaned; an agitator disposed on the housing, the agitator being adjacent to the nozzle and being contactable with the surface to be cleaned, the agitator being configured to agitate the surface to be cleaned; a liquid dispenser configured to dispense cleaning liquid to at least one of the agitator and the surface to be cleaned; a stain sensing system for the surface to be cleaned, the stain sensing system being configured to contact liquid dislodged from the agitator during operation of the floor brush assembly along the surface to be cleaned, comprising: a capacitive sensor proximate to the agitator and isolated from liquid dislodged from the agitator; a power supply device for applying an electrical signal to the capacitive sensor; and a detection device for detecting a change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor; a controller for receiving a capacitive signal representative of liquid recovered from the surface to be cleaned as detected by the detection device and determining whether a stain is present on the surface to be cleaned based on a change in the capacitive signal; wherein the controller is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-4 for identifying a stain for a surface cleaning device.

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