Cleaning device and cleaning system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning device. The cleaning equipment comprises a shell, a dust box and an air duct structure. The housing has first and second housing openings on the sides. The dust box is arranged in the shell and provided with a dust box dust collection air outlet and a dust collection air suction opening. An air duct structure is disposed in the housing and partially defined by the dust box. The air duct structure comprises a first flowing path leading to the first shell opening from the dust box dust collection air outlet, and a second flowing path leading to the dust collection air suction opening from the first shell opening. The two flow paths partially overlap. The invention further relates to a cleaning system which comprises the cleaning equipment and a base station. The base station is provided with a base station air suction opening matched with the second shell opening and a base station air outlet matched with the first shell opening. According to the cleaning equipment, the first flowing path used for dust collection operation and the second flowing path used for dust collection operation are partially overlapped, the expected dust collection effect is guaranteed, meanwhile, the air duct structure is simplified, and the space utilization rate is increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to cleaning devices, and more particularly, to cleaning devices for cleaning surfaces and cleaning systems including the cleaning devices. Background Art

[0002] Existing cleaning devices for cleaning surfaces, such as sweepers, have a dust collection function in addition to the conventional dust collection function. When the cleaning device is operating in a dust collection mode, the cleaning device sucks dust or other contaminants on a surface (such as a floor or ground) into a dust box of the cleaning device. When the cleaning device is operating in a dust collection mode, the cleaning device returns to the base station, thereby cooperating with the base station so that the dust in the cleaning device is collected into a collection device of the base station, such as a dust bag.

[0003] In the existing cleaning device and base station, the cleaning device is provided with a main dust collection outlet air duct for collecting dust, and the base station is correspondingly provided with a base station dust collection inlet air duct, so that in the dust collection mode, the dust in the cleaning device is sucked into the base station dust collection inlet air duct via the main dust collection outlet air duct. In addition, the base station may also be provided with a base station dust collection outlet air duct leading to the cleaning device, and the cleaning device is correspondingly provided with a main dust collection inlet air duct for collecting dust, thereby achieving more effective dust collection.

[0004] Therefore, in order to realize different functions of the cleaning device and ensure the dust collection effect, the main body dust suction outlet duct and the main body dust collection outlet duct of the cleaning device are designed separately and independently, and the main body dust collection inlet duct is also designed separately and independently from other ducts. However, such a design will result in too many ducts in the cleaning device, making the internal structure of the cleaning device very complicated and occupying a large available internal space, which is very disadvantageous when the main body space of the existing cleaning device is very limited, and still affects the dust suction and dust collection effect of the cleaning device. Summary of the invention

[0005] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cleaning device and a cleaning system. Compared with existing cleaning devices, the cleaning device of the present disclosure has an optimized air duct structure, which makes the layout of various components inside it more reasonable, saves the space occupied by the air duct structure, and thus provides more available space for other important components such as dust boxes and water tanks. In addition, the cleaning device of the present disclosure can further improve the dust collection efficiency by using the air duct structure, improve the cleaning effect of the dust box while providing excellent surface cleaning effect, and can provide self-cleaning of the dust box and its internal devices.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device includes a shell, a dust box and an air duct structure. The shell has a first shell opening and a second shell opening located on the side of the shell. The dust box is arranged in the shell, and has a dust box dust suction outlet and a dust collection suction port. The air duct structure is arranged in the shell and is partially defined by the dust box. The air duct structure includes a first flow path from the dust box dust suction outlet to the first shell opening, which can be used as a main dust suction path of the cleaning device in the dust collection mode. The air duct structure also includes a second flow path from the first shell opening to the dust collection suction port, which can be used as a dust collection air inlet path of the cleaning device in the dust collection mode. The first flow path and the second flow path partially overlap.

[0007] By utilizing the arrangement disclosed in the present invention, a portion of the main machine dust suction path (i.e., the main machine dust suction outlet duct) during normal dust suction operation of the cleaning device and a portion of the dust collection air inlet path (i.e., the main machine dust collection air inlet duct) when returning to the base station to collect dust share the same channel, thereby making full use of the limited space inside the cleaning device, simplifying the structural design, allowing the fluid to flow more effectively in each flow path, and ensuring efficient dust suction efficiency and dust collection efficiency.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, the air duct structure also includes a third flow path leading from the first shell opening to the dust suction outlet of the dust box. Through this arrangement, the first flow path and the third flow path of the air duct structure are flow paths with opposite flow directions to each other. Thus, the third flow path can serve as an additional dust collection air inlet path outside the second flow path. In this way, in the dust collection mode, when the main unit of the cleaning device is not working (i.e., when the fan stops), the dust collection air intake from the base station can drive the impeller of the main unit to reverse, and then enter the dust box through the dust suction outlet to further sweep the inside of the dust box, thereby achieving more comprehensive cleaning of the dust box and more sufficient dust collection.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments, the dust box also has a dust collection outlet. The air duct structure also includes a fourth flow path leading from the dust collection outlet to the second housing opening. Thus, the fourth flow path can be used as a dust collection return path when returning from the cleaning device to the base station for dust collection. Accordingly, the second flow path and the third flow path of the air duct structure can both lead to the fourth flow path, so that the dust accumulated in the dust box is more concentratedly and effectively collected into the dust bag of the base station.

[0010] According to one or more embodiments, the dust box is provided with a blocking member at the dust collection air intake port. The blocking member is configured to close the dust collection air intake port when the fluid pressure at the dust collection air intake port is less than or equal to a threshold value, and to open the dust collection air intake port when the fluid pressure at the dust collection air intake port is greater than the threshold value. By providing the blocking member at the dust collection air intake port, in the dust collection mode, the blocking member can selectively open or close the dust collection air intake port according to a pre-set fluid pressure threshold value, thereby selecting the best dust collection air intake path in coordination with the fan operation state of the cleaning device in the dust collection mode to achieve the best dust collection effect.

[0011] According to one or more embodiments, the blocking member is provided with an elastic adjustment device to adjust the closure or opening of the dust collection suction port according to the above threshold value. In this way, the fluid pressure threshold value can be flexibly set by the elastic force of the elastic adjustment device, so that the dust collection suction port is reliably sealed by the blocking member when the fluid pressure is not greater than the threshold value.

[0012] According to one or more embodiments, the dust box further has a dust box dust suction inlet. The dust box dust suction inlet and the dust box dust suction outlet are respectively arranged on the front surface of the dust box, and the dust box dust suction outlet is located above the dust box dust suction inlet. Through this arrangement, a reasonable layout of the opening of the dust box can be achieved, so that the dust box and various fluid flow paths associated with it are compactly arranged in the cleaning device, saving the occupied space in the cleaning device. Moreover, this also provides a guarantee for efficient dust collection.

[0013] According to one or more embodiments, the dust collection air inlet and the dust collection air outlet are respectively arranged on the first and second opposite sides of the dust box. Through this arrangement, the layout optimization of the opening of the dust box is further achieved, so that the dust box and the various fluid flow paths associated with it are arranged more compactly in the cleaning device, further saving the occupied space in the cleaning device. Moreover, this also provides a guarantee for efficient dust collection.

[0014] According to one or more embodiments, the first shell opening and the second shell opening are respectively arranged on the side of the shell corresponding to the dust collection air intake port and the dust collection air outlet. Through this arrangement, a reasonable layout of the cleaning equipment at its side opening is achieved, and matching with the opening of the base station is also achieved.

[0015] According to one or more embodiments, the cleaning device further comprises a filter. The filter is mounted on the top of the dust box. With this arrangement, the filter can be configured to capture solid matter such as dust sucked in during the dust suction mode of the cleaning device, and can also capture liquid matter such as water droplets and oil droplets, and can also capture harmful gaseous matter such as formaldehyde or benzene, thereby achieving a better dust suction effect.

[0016] According to one or more embodiments, the filter is a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This enables more effective dust collection.

[0017] According to one or more embodiments, the cleaning device further includes a fan. The fan can be controlled by a host, a controller or a processor in the cleaning device. The fan is disposed in the housing and is located on the first flow path, and is configured to operate in the dust collection mode to generate a suction fluid, such as an air flow. In addition, the cleaning device further includes a fifth flow path leading from the dust box dust suction outlet to the dust collection suction port. With this arrangement, the cleaning device is configured to enable the fluid from the first flow path to converge along the fifth flow path and the fluid from the second flow path to the dust collection suction port and flow to the second housing opening through the dust collection suction port during operation in the dust collection mode when the fan is working. As a result, the converged fluid generates a stronger and more concentrated fluid pressure, thereby obtaining a better dust collection effect.

[0018] According to one or more embodiments, the cleaning device is configured to enable the fluid from the third flow path to drive the impeller of the fan to reverse and enter the dust box through the dust box suction outlet when the fan is not working, and flow through the filter in the dust box. Therefore, in an arrangement where a filter is installed in the dust box, this can achieve effective self-cleaning of a filter such as a HEPA filter.

[0019] According to one or more embodiments, the dust box is provided with a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect the amount of dust in the dust box. Thus, the power of the fan of the cleaning device can be appropriately adjusted according to the amount of dust sensed by the sensor, thereby improving the dust collection effect.

[0020] The cleaning device disclosed in the present invention allows a first flow path used in a dust suction operation and a second flow path used in a dust collection operation to partially overlap, thereby simplifying the air duct structure and improving space utilization while ensuring the expected dust collection effect.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning system is provided. The cleaning system comprises a cleaning device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and a base station. The base station is provided with a base station suction port that matches the second shell opening of the cleaning device. The base station suction port is used to draw air from the dust collecting outlet of the dust box via the second shell opening. Thus, the cleaning system can collect dust from the cleaning device that returns to the base station after the cleaning device completes the dust collection operation, and collect the dust accumulated in the dust box into the dust bag of the base station via the second shell opening of the cleaning device and the base station suction port. This operation can be automatically implemented by pre-programmed operating instructions configured by the cleaning system, thereby achieving efficient dust collection and dust collection operations.

[0022] According to one or more embodiments, the base station is further provided with a base station air outlet that matches the first shell opening of the cleaning device. The base station air outlet is used to blow air to the dust collection suction port of the dust box via the first shell opening. As described above, this arrangement enables the additional blowing of the base station to the dust box of the cleaning device to obtain a more efficient dust collection effect when the cleaning device returns to the base station for dust collection.

[0023] The various aspects and advantages described above for the cleaning device are also applicable to the cleaning system according to the present disclosure, and will not be elaborated here.

[0024] These and other matters will become readily understood and elucidated through reference to the drawings and description of several embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The above and other purposes, features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein will become more easily understood through the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, several exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are shown by way of example and not limitation, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional top view showing a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a rear half of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view showing a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 5A and Figure 5B are three-dimensional views showing different angles of a dust box of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 5C is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a dust box of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional top view showing a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which schematically shows an air duct structure and various fluid flow paths in the cleaning device;

[0033] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view showing a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which schematically shows an air duct structure and various fluid flow paths in the cleaning device;

[0034] Fig. 8A is a cross-sectional top view showing a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which schematically shows a fluid flow path when the cleaning device is working in a dust collection mode;

[0035] Figure 8B and Figure 8C is a cross-sectional top view showing a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which schematically shows a fluid flow path when the cleaning device operates in a first dust collection mode;

[0036] Fig.8D is a cross-sectional front view showing a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which schematically shows a fluid flow path when the cleaning device operates in a first dust collection mode;

[0037] Fig. 8E is a cross-sectional top view showing a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which schematically shows a fluid flow path when the cleaning device operates in a second dust collection mode;

[0038] Fig.8F is a front cross-sectional view showing a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which schematically shows a fluid flow path when the cleaning device operates in a second dust collection mode;

[0039] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a base station of a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0040] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional top view showing a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Throughout the drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals designate the same or corresponding parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Unless otherwise indicated, corresponding numbers and symbols in different figures generally refer to corresponding regions. The accompanying drawings are drawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the embodiments and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The edges of features drawn in the drawings do not necessarily represent the end of the feature range.

[0043] In the following description, various specific details are shown to provide a deeper understanding of various examples of embodiments according to the description. Embodiments may be obtained without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail so as not to obscure aspects of the embodiments.

[0044] References to "one embodiment" or "an implementation" in the framework of this specification are intended to indicate that a particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described with respect to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, phrases such as "in an embodiment," "in one embodiment," etc., which may appear in various aspects of this specification, do not necessarily refer to exactly the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular configurations, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any appropriate manner in one or more embodiments.

[0045] Unless otherwise stated, when referring to two elements being connected together, it means there is no direct connection without any intermediate elements, and when referring to two elements being coupled together, it means the two elements may be connected or they may be coupled via one or more other elements.

[0046] The titles / reference numerals used herein are provided only for ease of reading and therefore do not limit the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments. The same or similar elements are identified using the same reference numerals.

[0047] In a cleaning device for cleaning surfaces such as the floor, in order to facilitate the cleaning of the dust box and reduce the operation of the user when the dust box of the cleaning device is full of dust or needs to be cleaned according to preprogrammed working conditions, the cleaning device usually has a dust collection working mode. In this design, the cleaning device cooperates with a matching base station to complete the collection of dust in the dust box. A dust bag for collecting dust from the dust box of the cleaning device is provided in the base station. After the cleaning device completes the conventional cleaning operation, the cleaning device returns to the base station to work in the dust collection mode, so that the dust in the dust box is collected in the dust bag of the base station. To this end, the cleaning device is provided with a main dust collection outlet duct for dust collection, and the base station is correspondingly provided with a base station dust collection inlet duct. In the dust collection mode, the base station sucks the dust in the dust box of the cleaning device into the dust bag of the base station via the main dust collection outlet duct via the base station dust collection inlet duct.

[0048] In addition, the base station may also be provided with a base station dust collection outlet air duct leading to the cleaning device, and the cleaning device is correspondingly provided with a host dust collection inlet air duct for dust collection. By additionally blowing airflow from the base station to the inside of the cleaning device, more effective dust collection can be achieved.

[0049] In existing cleaning equipment, in order to realize the dust suction function and dust collection function of the cleaning equipment and ensure the dust suction effect and dust collection effect in the corresponding working mode, the main dust suction air outlet duct of the cleaning equipment used for dust suction and the main dust collection air outlet duct of the cleaning equipment used for dust collection are designed separately and independently. In addition, the main dust collection air inlet duct of the cleaning equipment is also designed separately and independently from other air ducts. However, such a design will result in the existence of multiple air ducts in the cleaning equipment, making the internal structure of the cleaning equipment very complicated and occupying a large internal space, which is very disadvantageous when the main space of the existing cleaning equipment is very limited, and it will still affect the dust suction and dust collection effects of the cleaning equipment.

[0050] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a new structural design of a cleaning device to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned cleaning devices. The cleaning device of the present disclosure includes a shell, a dust box and an air duct structure. The shell has two shell openings located on its side, namely, a main body air outlet and a dust collection air outlet, which correspond to the air outlet and the air suction port of the base station respectively. The dust box is arranged in the shell and the dust box partially defines the air duct structure. The air duct structure includes a main body dust suction path and a dust collection air inlet path. The main body dust suction path leads from the dust box dust suction air outlet of the dust box to the main body air outlet, and the dust collection air inlet path leads from the main body air outlet to the dust collection air suction port of the dust box. Therefore, in the air duct structure of the cleaning device of the present disclosure, the main body air outlet can be used as an air outlet in the dust suction mode and as an air suction port in the dust collection mode, so that the main body dust suction path and the dust collection air inlet path of the cleaning device partially overlap, that is, share the same section of the channel.

[0051] The structural design of the cleaning device disclosed in the present invention takes into account that the dust suction mode and the dust collection mode are independent of each other, which makes it possible that the main unit dust suction path originally used for the dust suction mode may also be used as the dust collection air inlet path of the dust collection mode. Therefore, the present invention realizes that the air outlet of the cleaning device in the dust suction mode is also used as the air suction port in the dust collection mode through the optimization and testing of the air duct structure, and fully utilizes at least a part of the main unit dust suction path as the dust collection air inlet path, at least eliminating the channel structure related to the separately designed dust collection air inlet path, thereby simplifying the air duct structure, saving space inside the cleaning device, and making the layout of components more reasonable. Accordingly, the saved internal space can be used to provide additional space for other components, such as increasing the storage space of the dust box or increasing the space of the liquid container in the case of a wet cleaning function.

[0052] In addition, the cleaning device with optimized air duct structure according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can further provide improved dust collection efficiency. As described above, since the air duct structure of the cleaning device is simplified, unnecessary fluid flow paths are reduced, thereby reducing fluid flow resistance, allowing the fluid to flow more efficiently in each flow path, and achieving higher dust collection efficiency in the dust collection mode.

[0053] Moreover, the cleaning device of the embodiment of the present disclosure can control the operation of the fan of the cleaning device in the dust collection mode according to a pre-set operation mode, so as to cooperate with the base station to achieve a specific dust collection and cleaning effect. When the cleaning device returns to the base station to work in the dust collection mode, the fan of the cleaning device can be enabled or disabled according to the fluid flow required for dust collection. Specifically, when the fan of the cleaning device is disabled, the fluid (e.g., air flow) generated by the fan of the base station can flow into the cleaning device along the dust collection air inlet path (i.e., the dust suction path), thereby driving the impeller of the fan of the cleaning device to reverse, so that the fluid flows into the dust box at the dust box of the cleaning device in the opposite direction to the dust suction mode, thereby blowing the inside of the dust box in the opposite direction, and achieving the internal self-cleaning effect of the dust box. When the fan of the cleaning device is enabled, the airflow from the host dust suction path and the airflow from the dust collection air inlet path will converge at the dust collection suction port of the dust box, thereby increasing the air volume of the dust collection air inlet, achieving a more complete cleaning of the inside of the dust box, and obtaining a better dust collection effect.

[0054] The principles of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cleaning device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning device 10 is, for example, a floor sweeper for sweeping the floor. It should be understood that the cleaning device 10 may also be a device suitable for sweeping other types of surfaces. The cleaning device 10 has a housing 20, a dust box 30, and an air duct structure 40. The housing 20 may have a structure with a cross-section that is generally circular, elliptical, or other suitable shapes. The housing 20 may be a detachable structure, for example, including a front half (such as a detachable portion) along the direction of movement of the cleaning device. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The upper part of the structure shown) and the lower part (as shown Figure 1 and Figure 2 The dust box 30 is disposed in the housing 20, for example, in the rear half of the dust box 20, for storing pollutants such as dust. The air duct structure 40 is disposed in the housing 20 and is partially defined by the dust box 30.

[0056] In some embodiments, the housing 20 has a first housing opening 22 and a second housing opening 24 located on its side. The two openings can be arranged, for example, on the side of the rear half of the housing, and are arranged approximately symmetrically on both sides at a certain interval. It should be understood that the position and size of the housing opening can be flexibly set as needed, and are not limited to the illustrated examples. The air duct structure 40 is generally arranged around the dust box 30, as described in detail below, and includes multiple fluid flow paths suitable for different working modes of the cleaning device.

[0057] Figure 35 shows a dust box 30 and a partially defined air duct structure 40. The dust box 30 has a dust box dust suction inlet 32 ​​and a dust box dust suction outlet 34, as well as a dust collection air suction port 36 and a dust collection air outlet 38.

[0058] In some embodiments, the dust box dust suction inlet 32 ​​and the dust box dust suction outlet 34 are respectively arranged on the front surface 302 of the dust box 30, and the dust box dust suction outlet 34 is located above the dust box dust suction inlet 32. The dust box dust suction inlet 32 ​​is open to the bottom of the cleaning device, so that dust and other pollutants on the surface to be cleaned are sucked into the dust box 30 through the dust box dust suction inlet 32. Considering the limited internal space of the cleaning device, the dust box dust suction outlet 34 is arranged above the dust box dust suction inlet 32. In this way, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in the dust suction mode, the fan 60 disposed near the dust suction outlet 34 of the dust box generates a suction fluid 31, such as an air flow, which flows upward from the bottom of the dust box 30 through the dust suction inlet 32 ​​of the dust box along the inside of the dust box 30, and flows out of the dust box 30 through the dust suction outlet 34 of the dust box. Accordingly, dust on the surface (such as the ground) will be brought into the dust box 30 along with the suction fluid 31, and when the suction fluid 31 flows upward along the inside of the dust box, it can be retained in the dust box 30 due to its own gravity, or further captured by the filter in the dust box 30. Through this arrangement, a reasonable layout of the opening of the dust box 30 can be achieved, so that the dust box 30 and the various fluid flow paths associated with it are compactly arranged in the cleaning device 10, saving the occupied space in the cleaning device. Moreover, this also provides a guarantee for efficient dust collection.

[0059] In some embodiments, the dust collection air intake port 36 and the dust collection air outlet 38 of the dust box 30 are respectively arranged on two opposite first and second sides 304, 306 of the dust box 30, that is, respectively arranged on both sides of the dust box dust collection inlet 32 ​​and the dust box dust collection air outlet 34. A limiting member 37 can be provided inside the dust box 30 to isolate the dust collection path and the dust collection path from each other, such as Figures 5A to 5C As shown, the fluid in different working modes can flow effectively along the predetermined flow direction. Figure 5C As shown, in the dust box 30, in addition to generating the suction airflow 31 in the dust collection mode, it is also possible to generate the dust collection airflow 33 flowing from the dust collection air intake port 36 to the dust collection air outlet 38, or the dust collection airflow 35 flowing from the dust box dust collection air outlet 34 to the dust collection air outlet 38 in the dust collection mode. Through this arrangement, the present disclosure further optimizes the layout of the opening of the dust box, so that the dust box and the various fluid flow paths associated with it are more compactly arranged in the cleaning device, further saving the occupied space in the cleaning device. Moreover, this also provides a guarantee for efficient dust collection.

[0060] In some embodiments, the first shell opening 22 and the second shell opening 24 of the shell are respectively arranged to correspond to the dust collection air intake port 36 and the dust collection air outlet 38 of the dust box 30. Figure 4 As shown, the first housing opening 22 and the dust collection air inlet 36 are arranged on one side of the dust box 30, while the second housing opening 24 and the dust collection air outlet 38 are arranged on the other side of the dust box 30. With this roughly symmetrical arrangement, the present disclosure further realizes the reasonable layout of the side openings of the cleaning device, and also realizes reasonable matching with the opening of the base station.

[0061] In some embodiments, the dust box 30 may be provided with a blocking member 50, such as a baffle or a baffle, at the dust collection air intake port 36. The blocking member 50 is configured to close the dust collection air intake port 36 when the fluid pressure at the dust collection air intake port 36 is less than or equal to a threshold value, and to open the dust collection air intake port 36 when the fluid pressure at the dust collection air intake port 36 is greater than the threshold value. This arrangement can be coordinated with the dust collection air intake from the base station, so that in the dust collection mode, the dust collection air intake port 36 is selectively opened or closed according to a pre-set fluid pressure threshold value. Moreover, this arrangement can further cooperate with the fan operation state of the cleaning device in the dust collection mode to select the best dust collection air intake path to achieve the best dust collection effect.

[0062] In some embodiments, the blocking member 50 is further provided with an elastic adjustment device to adjust the closure or opening of the dust collection suction port 36 according to the above threshold. The elastic adjustment device is implemented, for example, by means of a spring. In this way, the fluid pressure threshold can be flexibly set by the elastic force of the elastic adjustment device, so that the dust collection suction port 36 is reliably sealed by the blocking member 50 when the fluid pressure is not greater than the threshold.

[0063] Therefore, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the various sides of the dust box of the cleaning device are reasonably designed to provide openings for various fluid flow paths, which can improve the dust collection efficiency while ensuring that the dust suction efficiency is not affected.

[0064] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The air duct structure 40 and various fluid flow paths of the cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure are respectively shown. The air duct structure 40 generally surrounds the dust box 30 to achieve the shortest possible fluid flow path.

[0065] In some embodiments, the air duct structure 40 includes a first flow path 42 from the dust box dust suction outlet 34 to the first shell opening 22, which can be used as the host dust suction path of the cleaning device in the dust suction mode. The air duct structure 40 also includes a second flow path 44 from the first shell opening 22 to the dust collection suction port 36 of the dust box 30, which can be used as the dust collection air inlet path of the cleaning device in the dust collection mode. The first flow path 42 and the second flow path 44 overlap each other on a portion of the channel extending from the first shell opening 22 into the interior of the shell, that is, share the portion of the channel. With this arrangement of the present disclosure, unnecessary channel structures, such as separately designed dust collection channels and their associated structural components, are omitted. This achieves full utilization of the limited space inside the cleaning device, thereby simplifying the structural design, allowing the fluid to flow more effectively in each flow path, and ensuring efficient dust collection efficiency and dust collection efficiency.

[0066] In some embodiments, the air duct structure 40 also includes a third flow path 46 leading from the first housing opening 22 to the dust box dust suction outlet 34 of the dust box 30. It can be understood that this arrangement makes the first flow path 42 and the third flow path 46 flow paths in opposite directions to each other. This is beneficial for different applications in the dust collection mode. The third flow path 46 can serve as an additional dust collection air inlet path outside the second flow path 44. In this way, in the dust collection mode, when the main unit of the cleaning device is not working (i.e., when the fan stops), the dust collection air intake from the base station can drive the impeller of the main unit to reverse, and then enter the dust box 30 through the dust box dust suction outlet 34 to further sweep the inside of the dust box, thereby achieving a more comprehensive cleaning of the dust box and more sufficient dust collection.

[0067] In some embodiments, the air duct structure 40 further includes a fourth flow path 48 leading from the dust collection outlet 38 of the dust box 30 to the second housing opening 24, which can be used as a dust collection return path when the cleaning device returns to the base station for dust collection. Accordingly, the second flow path 44 and the third flow path 46 of the air duct structure can both lead to the fourth flow path 48, for example, along the flow path 54 inside the dust box 30 via the dust collection outlet 38 of the dust box 30 to the fourth flow path 48, so that the dust accumulated in the dust box 30 is more concentratedly and effectively collected into the dust bag of the base station in the corresponding working mode. The flow path 54 inside the dust box 30 includes, for example, reference Figure 5C The flow paths of the dust collecting airflow 33 and the dust collecting airflow 35.

[0068] Combine the following Figures 8A to 8F The fluid flow of the cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure in different working modes is further described.

[0069] Fig. 8AThe fluid flow path of the cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when working in the dust collection mode is shown. When the cleaning device 10 (also referred to as the host in this article) cleans a surface such as the ground, the fan 60 in the cleaning device 10 is arranged on the first flow path and can be controlled by the host, controller or processor in the cleaning device. The fan 60 operates in a normal operation mode, for example, generating a negative pressure of 1 to 2 kPa, specifically 1.2 kPa, thereby generating a suction fluid (for example, a suction airflow), which flows from the dust box dust suction inlet 32 ​​to the dust box dust suction outlet 34, and after bringing dust and other pollutants into the dust box 30, flows along the first flow path 42 to the first shell opening 22.

[0070] Figures 8B to 8D The figure shows the fluid flow path when the cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure works in the first dust collection mode. When the cleaning device returns to the base station to work in the dust collection mode, the fan of the cleaning device can be enabled or disabled according to the fluid flow required for dust collection. Specifically, when the fan 60 of the cleaning device is disabled, the cleaning device 10 will work in the first dust collection mode. At this time, the fluid (e.g., air flow) generated by the fan of the base station can flow along the second flow path 44 or the third flow path 46 (e.g., Figure 8B shown).

[0071] In some embodiments, the air volume from the fan of the base station can be pre-set by the control device, so that the fan of the base station operates in a pre-programmed mode, such as collecting dust at a fixed wind speed. With this configuration, the dust collection air intake can flow along the second flow path 44 or the third flow path 46 according to actual application.

[0072] In some embodiments, the dust collection air intake from the base station flows only along the third flow path 46. In this case, the dust collection air intake 36 of the dust box 30 is, for example, closed by the blocking member 50, that is, the air volume of the dust collection air intake is less than or equal to the fluid pressure threshold preset for the blocking member 50. Therefore, the dust collection air intake drives the impeller of the fan 60 of the cleaning device 10 to reverse, so that the dust collection airflow 35 flows into the dust box 30 (such as the dust collection air outlet 34) in the opposite direction to the dust collection mode. Fig.8D As shown), the inside of the dust box is blown in the reverse direction from top to bottom, thereby achieving a self-cleaning effect on the inside of the dust box 30.

[0073] In other embodiments, the dust collection air intake from the base station flows along the third flow path 46 and the second flow path 44 at the same time. In this case, the dust collection air intake 36 of the dust box 30 is opened by the blocking member 50, for example, that is, the air volume of the dust collection air intake is greater than the fluid pressure threshold preset for the blocking member 50. Therefore, the dust collection air intake not only drives the impeller of the fan 60 of the cleaning device 10 to reversely blow air to the inside of the dust box as described above, but also blows air from the bottom of the dust box 30 at the same time, such as Figure 5C As shown in the dust collecting airflows 33 and 35 , the dust box 30 is further fully cleaned.

[0074] In addition, in the above-mentioned various embodiments, since the first flow path 42 in the dust collection mode has a relatively large channel cross-sectional area, a part of it is shared as the air inlet path in the dust collection mode (for example, a part of the second flow path 44 or the third flow path 46), which also makes the dust collection air inlet path have a relatively large channel cross-sectional area, thereby avoiding the generation of large noise. Moreover, by arranging the blocking member 50, the dust collection air inlet 36 of the dust box 30 can also be reliably sealed, thereby avoiding air leakage in the dust collection mode.

[0075] Fig. 8E and Fig.8F The figure shows the fluid flow path when the cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure works in the second dust collection mode. As described above, when the cleaning device returns to the base station to work in the dust collection mode, the fan of the cleaning device can be enabled or disabled according to the fluid flow required for dust collection. Specifically, when the fan 60 of the cleaning device is enabled, the fan 60 generates a suction airflow, which will converge with the airflow from the dust collection air inlet path at the dust collection air inlet 36 of the dust box 30. Fig. 8E As shown, the suction airflow generated by the fan 60 of the cleaning device 10, that is, the airflow from the first flow path 42, will flow along the fifth flow path 52 from the dust box dust suction outlet 34 to the dust collection suction port 36. In addition, the dust collection air intake from the base station will flow along the second flow path 44. As a result, the two airflows can converge at the dust collection suction port 36 and flow into the dust box 30 through the dust collection suction port 36 to form a dust collection airflow 35, thereby cleaning the dust inside the dust box 30 and then flowing to the second housing opening 24. With this arrangement, the converged fluid can generate a stronger and more concentrated fluid pressure, thereby obtaining a better dust collection effect.

[0076] In addition, in some embodiments, the fan 60 of the cleaning device 10 can be preprogrammed to operate in a fixed gear mode, such as gradually increasing the wind speed from an initial gear (e.g., 1 to 2 kPa negative pressure) to a maximum gear (e.g., 7 to 8 kPa negative pressure), so that the cleaning device can adaptively adjust the fan power according to the amount of dust in the dust box to obtain the best dust collection effect.

[0077] Return reference Figure 5CIn some embodiments, the cleaning device 10 further includes a filter 70. The filter 70 can be detachably mounted on the top of the dust box 30. With this arrangement, when the cleaning device 10 is operating in a dust suction mode, the filter 70 can further capture tiny particles of dust entering the dust box 30 via the dust box dust suction inlet 32, thereby obtaining a better dust suction effect. In addition, the filter 70 can also be configured to capture liquid substances such as inhaled water droplets and oil droplets. The filter 70 can also be configured to capture harmful gas substances such as formaldehyde or benzene. In one example, the filter 70 can be, for example, a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA), so as to more effectively capture even smaller particles of dust.

[0078] In other embodiments, reference Figures 8B to 8D As described above, during the period when the cleaning device 10 returns to the base station to work in the first dust collection mode, when the fan 60 of the cleaning device is not working, the dust collection air intake from the base station can cause the airflow from the third flow path 46 to drive the impeller of the fan 60 to reverse and enter the dust box 30 through the dust box dust suction outlet 34, and flow through the filter 70 in the dust box 30. In this way, when the filter 70 is installed on the top of the dust box 30, the dust collection airflow 35 entering the dust box 30 from the dust box dust suction outlet 34 through the third flow path 46 will be blown back through the filter 70. Fig.8D As shown, the back-blown dust collecting airflow 35 flows downward from the top of the dust box 30 through the dust box suction outlet 34 through the filter 70, such as a HEPA filter, so that the dust particles captured in the filter 70 are blown down to the bottom of the dust box, and then flow along the flow path 54 inside the dust box 30 to the dust collecting outlet 38. By using the back-blowing of the airflow in this dust collecting mode, a significant filter self-cleaning effect can be achieved.

[0079] In some embodiments, the dust box 30 may also be provided with a sensor (not shown). The sensor is configured to detect the amount of dust stored in the dust box 30. Thus, the cleaning device 10 can appropriately adjust the power of the fan 60 of the cleaning device 10 according to the amount of dust sensed by the sensor, thereby improving the dust collection effect in the corresponding dust collection mode. For example, when the cleaning device 10 is operating in the second dust collection mode, the cleaning device 10 can adjust the power of the fan 60 according to the signal indicating the amount of dust sensed by the sensor, thereby matching the dust collection air intake volume generated by the fan of the base station to produce the best dust collection effect. It should be understood that other types of sensors, such as flow sensors or pressure sensors, can also be set at appropriate positions on various flow paths of the cleaning device to monitor fluid flow or pressure.

[0080] Fig. 9 shows a base station of a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.10 A cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0081] In some embodiments, the cleaning system 100 includes a cleaning device 10 and a base station 80 according to the present disclosure. The base station 80 is provided with a base station suction port 84 that matches the second housing opening 24 of the cleaning device 10. The base station suction port 84 is used to suck airflow from the dust collection outlet 38 of the dust box 30 via the second housing opening 24. Thus, the cleaning system 100 can collect dust from the cleaning device 10 that returns to the base station 80 after the cleaning device 10 completes the dust collection operation. A base station fan is provided in the base station 10, which generates a negative pressure generally in the range of 20 to 30 kPa, for example, a negative pressure of about 28 kPa, thereby achieving effective dust collection of the cleaning device 10. As described above, the cleaning device 10 can operate in a first dust collection mode and a second dust collection mode. Thus, the base station 80 collects the dust accumulated in the dust box 30 into the dust bag of the base station 80 via the second housing opening 24 of the cleaning device and the base station suction port 84. This operation can be automatically implemented by a pre-programmed operation instruction configured by the cleaning system, thereby achieving efficient dust collection and dust collection operations.

[0082] In some embodiments, the base station 80 is further provided with a base station air outlet 82 that matches the first housing opening 22 of the cleaning device 10. The base station air outlet 82 is used to blow air to the dust collection suction port 36 of the dust box 30 via the first housing opening 22. As described above, this arrangement enables the base station 80 to provide additional dust collection air intake to the dust box 30 of the cleaning device 10 when the cleaning device 10 returns to the base station 80 for dust collection, thereby achieving a more efficient dust collection effect.

[0083] In some embodiments, the dust collection process can be further optimized. For example, according to the pre-set dust collection scheme of the base station, the first dust collection mode can be performed in sequence or alternately with the second dust collection mode. The dust collection scheme can be a code or program instruction pre-programmed in a controller or processor of the control device. The code or program instruction is used to enable the cleaning device and the base station to implement the pre-set dust collection scheme when executed by the controller or processor.

[0084] In some embodiments, the dust collection process can be implemented in different dust collection modes in stages, wherein in the first stage (i.e., the initial stage), the cleaning device 10 is in the first dust collection mode, i.e., the fan 60 is deactivated. The dust collection air intake can blow through the dust box 30 and the filter 70 installed therein in the reverse direction along the third flow path 46, thereby realizing the self-cleaning of the filter 70. Moreover, the dust collection air intake 36 of the dust box 30 can be closed by the blocking member 50, for example, so as to prevent dust from being blown out from the dust box dust suction dust intake 32, thereby ensuring the dust collection efficiency. The first stage can be pre-set to a duration in the range of, for example, 1 to 10 seconds, more specifically, for example, 5 seconds. Subsequently, in the second stage, the cleaning device 10 is in the second dust collection mode, i.e., the fan 60 is activated. At this time, the dust collection air intake can flow along the second flow path 44, the suction airflow generated by the fan 60 flows along the fifth flow path 52, and the blocking member 50 opens the dust collection air intake 36. As a result, the two airflows converge at the dust collection air suction port 36 and flow through the interior of the dust box 30 via the dust collection air suction port 36, thereby improving the overall dust collection performance. According to the amount of dust in the dust box, the second duration can be flexibly adjusted, for example, within a time period ranging from 10 to 20 seconds. Moreover, as mentioned above, the fan 60 of the cleaning device 10 can gradually increase the wind force to the highest gear according to the fixed gear position to obtain the matching best dust collection effect.

[0085] It should be understood that, in addition to the dust collection function, the base station 80 can also perform other auxiliary tasks for the cleaning device 10. For example, charging the cleaning device 10 or refilling the water tank of the cleaning device 10 with water when the mopping function is provided. These functions can be implemented according to a pre-set cleaning scheme. For example, the base station 80 first collects dust from the dust box of the cleaning device, then refills the water tank of the cleaning device, and finally charges the battery of the cleaning device.

[0086] Through the teachings given in the above description and the related drawings, many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure given here will be recognized by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included in the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, although the above description and the related drawings describe the example embodiments in the context of some example combinations of parts and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of parts and / or functions can be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In this regard, for example, other combinations of parts and / or functions that are different from those clearly described above are also expected to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Although specific terms are used here, they are only used in a general and descriptive sense and are not intended to be limited.

Claims

1. A cleaning device (10), comprising: A housing (20) having a first housing opening (22) and a second housing opening (24) located on a side of the housing; A dust box (30) is arranged in the shell, and the dust box has a dust box dust suction outlet (34) and a dust collection suction outlet (36); as well as an air duct structure (40), arranged in the housing and partially defined by the dust box; The air duct structure (40) includes a first flow path (42) leading from the dust box dust suction outlet (34) to the first shell opening (22), and the air duct structure (40) includes a second flow path (44) leading from the first shell opening (22) to the dust collection suction port (36), and the first flow path (42) and the second flow path (44) partially overlap.

2. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the air duct structure (40) further includes a third flow path (46) leading from the first shell opening (22) to the dust box suction outlet (34), and wherein the first flow path (42) and the third flow path (46) are flow paths with opposite flow directions to each other.

3. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the dust box further comprises a dust collecting air outlet (38); and The air duct structure (40) also includes a fourth flow path (48) leading from the dust collection air outlet (38) to the second shell opening (24).

4. A cleaning device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dust box (30) is provided with a blocking member (50) at the dust suction port (36), and the blocking member is configured to close the dust suction port when the fluid pressure at the dust suction port is less than or equal to a threshold value, and to open the dust suction port when the fluid pressure at the dust suction port is greater than the threshold value.

5. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the blocking member (50) is provided with an elastic adjustment device to adjust the closing or opening of the dust collection suction port according to the threshold value.

6. A cleaning device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dust box (30) also has a dust box dust suction inlet (32), the dust box dust suction inlet (32) and the dust box dust suction outlet (34) are respectively arranged on the front surface (302) of the dust box (30), and the dust box dust suction outlet (34) is located above the dust box dust suction inlet (32).

7. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the dust collection air intake port (36) and the dust collection air outlet (38) are respectively arranged on the opposite first side surface (304) and second side surface (306) of the dust box (30).

8. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the first shell opening (22) and the second shell opening (24) are respectively arranged on the side of the shell corresponding to the dust collection suction port (36) and the dust collection outlet (38).

9. The cleaning device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a filter (70), wherein the filter is installed on the top of the dust box (30).

10. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 9, wherein the filter (70) is a high efficiency particulate air filter.

11. The cleaning device (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, further comprising: a fan (60) disposed in the housing and located on the first flow path (42); as well as a fifth flow path (52) leading from the dust box dust suction outlet (34) to the dust collection suction port (36); The cleaning device is configured such that, when operating in a dust collection mode, when the fan (60) is operating, the fluid from the first flow path (42) converges along the fifth flow path (52) and the fluid from the second flow path (44) at the dust collection suction port (36) and flows through the dust collection suction port (36) to the second shell opening (24).

12. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 11, wherein when the fan (60) is not working, the fluid from the third flow path (46) can drive the impeller of the fan (60) to reverse and enter the dust box (30) through the dust box suction outlet (34), and flow through the filter (70) in the dust box (30) to make the filter (70) self-cleaning.

13. The cleaning device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dust box (30) is provided with a sensor, and the sensor is configured to detect the amount of dust in the dust box.

14. A cleaning system (100), comprising: The cleaning device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; as well as A base station (80), wherein the base station is provided with a base station air suction port (84) that matches with the second shell opening (24) of the cleaning device (10), and the base station air suction port (84) is used to suck fluid from the dust collection outlet (38) of the dust box (30) via the second shell opening (24).

15. The cleaning system (100) according to claim 14, wherein the base station (80) is also provided with a base station air outlet (82) that cooperates with the first shell opening (22) of the cleaning device (10), and the base station air outlet (82) is used to blow fluid to the dust collection suction port (36) of the dust box (30) via the first shell opening (22).

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