Surface cleaning device

Abstract

The invention discloses a surface cleaning device which comprises a fluid supply system comprising a water supply tank, a pump, a steam generator and a fluid output pipeline; the recovery system comprises a recovery pipeline, a sewage tank and a suction motor; the pipeline communication mechanism is constructed to be used for temporarily communicating the fluid output pipeline with the recovery pipeline through fluid, and the pipeline communication mechanism comprises a connecting pipeline arranged between the fluid output pipeline and the recovery pipeline and a valve arranged in the connecting pipeline; the control device is used for controlling the surface cleaning device to work in multiple different working modes, and the multiple different working modes comprise a steam mode, a steam cleaning mode and a normal-temperature water cleaning mode; and a mode selector; the control device is set to be capable of executing pipeline emptying operation aiming at the fluid output pipeline; when the pipeline emptying operation is performed, the valve is opened and the suction motor is started for a fixed period of time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of cleaning technology, and in particular to a surface cleaning device for cleaning areas such as the ground, the surface of an object, and the like. Background Art

[0002] Surface cleaning devices can use water to clean the surface to be cleaned and recycle the used water, for example: horizontal fabric cleaning machines. Surface cleaning devices can often provide multiple cleaning modes, such as steam mode, steam cleaning mode, normal temperature water cleaning mode, etc.; these different cleaning modes, whether it is normal temperature water or steam, are output to the outside through the same fluid delivery path. After the surface cleaning device is turned off after use, there is often steam or water that has not been output in the pipeline of the fluid delivery path. This water or water condensed from steam will be left in the pipeline; when the user uses the surface cleaning device again, this normal temperature water will first be output from the pipeline to the outside. If the mode currently selected by the user is the steam mode, the output normal temperature water will greatly affect the user experience. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on the above technical problems, the purpose of the present application is to provide a surface cleaning device in which no residual water is discharged from a fluid output pipe.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the present application provides a surface cleaning device, comprising: a fluid supply system, comprising a water supply tank, a pump, a steam generator and a fluid output pipeline which are sequentially fluidly connected; A recovery system, comprising a recovery pipe, a sewage tank and a suction motor in sequential fluid communication; a pipeline connecting mechanism, configured to temporarily connect the fluid output pipeline and the recovery pipeline, the pipeline connecting mechanism comprising a connecting pipeline arranged between the fluid output pipeline and the recovery pipeline and a valve arranged in the connecting pipeline; and a control device for controlling the surface cleaning device to operate in a plurality of different working modes, wherein the plurality of different working modes include a steam mode, a steam cleaning mode and a normal temperature water cleaning mode; in the steam mode, the pump and the steam generator are started and the suction motor is turned off; in the steam cleaning mode, the pump, the steam generator and the suction motor are started; in the normal temperature water cleaning mode, the pump and the suction motor are started and the steam generator is turned off; and a mode selector operably connected to the control device and configured to allow a user to select an operating mode for the control device from among the plurality of different operating modes; The control device is configured to be able to perform a pipe emptying operation on the fluid output pipe; when performing the pipe emptying operation, the valve is opened and the suction motor is started for a fixed time; the control device is configured to insertively perform the pipe emptying operation once when the user starts to start the surface cleaning device and selects the steam mode, or when the user chooses to switch from the normal temperature water cleaning mode to the steam mode during the use of the surface cleaning device.

[0005] In the above technical solution, preferably, the fixed time length is shorter than 10 seconds.

[0006] In the above technical solution, preferably, the multiple different working modes include a hot water cleaning mode; in the hot water cleaning mode, the pump, the steam generator and the suction motor start working; the control device is set to: when switching from the hot water cleaning mode to the steam mode during the use of the surface cleaning device, the pipe emptying operation is insertedly performed once.

[0007] In the above technical solution, preferably, the surface cleaning device further comprises: a body capable of being supported on a plane, and the water supply tank, pump, steam generator, sewage tank and suction motor are all arranged on the body.

[0008] In the above technical solution, preferably, the surface cleaning device also includes: a flexible tube assembly, having a first end and a second end that are far away from each other, the first end being engaged with the body, the second end being capable of attaching a cleaning head, the flexible tube assembly defining a first pipe and a second pipe, the first pipe and the second pipe both extending from the first end to the second end, the first pipe defining part of the fluid output pipe, and the second pipe defining part of the recovery pipe.

[0009] In the above technical solution, preferably, the pipeline connecting mechanism is arranged on the machine body or the flexible pipe assembly.

[0010] In the above technical solution, preferably, the surface cleaning device further comprises: a pipeline emptying operation trigger, which is operably connected to the control device and is configured to allow a user to manually select to perform the pipeline emptying operation once.

[0011] In the above technical solution, preferably, the surface cleaning device further comprises: a voice broadcast module, which is signal-connected to the control device, and the language broadcast module broadcasts a voice message to the outside when the control device performs the pipe emptying operation.

[0012] In the above technical solution, preferably, the surface cleaning device further comprises: a display screen module, which is signal-connected to the control device, and the display screen module displays a reminder message when the control device performs the pipe emptying operation.

[0013] In the above technical solution, preferably, the valve is a solenoid valve.

[0014] The surface cleaning device of the present application is capable of performing a pipe emptying operation on a fluid output pipe by configuring a control device; this enables the surface cleaning device to autonomously perform a fluid output pipe emptying operation under entry conditions, thereby preventing residual water in the fluid output pipe from being transported to the outside when the user selects the steam mode. This operation can improve the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a surface cleaning device provided in an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the principle of a fluid supply system, a recovery system and a pipeline connection mechanism of a surface cleaning device provided in an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 A control schematic diagram of a control device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Among them: 100, surface cleaning device; 1, horizontal main unit; 2, flexible pipe assembly; 3, cleaning head; 4, fluid supply system; 5, recovery system; 6, pipeline connecting mechanism; 7, control device; 8, mode selector; 9, pipeline emptying operation trigger; 10, language broadcast module; 11, machine body; 12, water supply tank; 13, steam generator; 14, sewage tank; 15, suction motor; 16, pump; 21, first end; 22, second end; 41, fluid output pipeline; 51, recovery pipeline; 61, connecting pipeline; 62, valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In order to explain in detail the technical content, structural features, objectives and effects of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments.

[0018] The present application relates to a surface cleaning device, which can use normal temperature water, hot water or steam to clean the surface to be cleaned, and can be in horizontal, vertical, self-moving and other structural forms. The surface cleaning device is equipped with a steam generator that can heat water and convert it into steam, a recovery system with a suction motor, etc.

[0019] See also Figure 1, which takes a horizontal surface cleaning device 100 as an example to describe the technical solution of the present application in detail. The surface cleaning device 100 includes a horizontal main unit 1, a flexible tube assembly 2 and a cleaning head 3. The flexible tube assembly 2 has a first end 21 and a second end 22 that are away from each other. The first end 21 is engaged with the body 1, and the cleaning head 3 is attached to the second end 22. In order to facilitate the user to clean the flexible tube assembly 2 and the cleaning head 3, the flexible tube assembly 2 and the cleaning head 3 are preferably configured to be detachable. As a movable and portable cleaning machine, the surface cleaning device 100 can be used to clean surfaces such as fabric sofas and carpets.

[0020] See also Figure 2 The horizontal main machine 1 includes a body 11 that can be supported on a plane, a water supply tank 12, a steam generator 13, a sewage tank 14, a suction motor 15 and a pump 16. The suction motor 15 is in fluid communication with the sewage tank 14. The water supply tank 12, the steam generator 13, the sewage tank 14, the suction motor 15 and the pump 16 are all arranged in the body 11.

[0021] The steam output port of the steam generator 13 is connected to a fluid output pipe 41. The water supply tank 12, the pump 16, the steam generator 13 and the fluid output pipe 41 are fluidly connected in sequence and constitute a fluid supply system 4 for supplying fluid to the cleaning head 3.

[0022] The fluid supply system 4 can deliver water supplied from the water supply tank 12 to the surface to be cleaned. The steam generator 13 is configured to be selectively turned on or off, so that the user can freely choose whether to use the steam function. With the fluid supply function of the fluid supply system 4, the water output from the water supply tank 12 can be directly or converted into steam through the flexible pipe assembly 2 and sent to the cleaning head 3. In this example, the flexible pipe assembly 2 will define a first pipe extending from the first end 21 to the second end 22, and the first pipe defines a portion of the fluid output pipe 41.

[0023] The liquid inlet of the sewage tank 14 is connected to a recovery pipe 51. The recovery pipe 51, the sewage tank 14 and the suction motor 15 are sequentially fluidly connected and constitute a recovery system 5.

[0024] The recovery system 5 is configured to deliver the dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned into the dirty water tank 14; the recovery pipe 51 is arranged in sections at the cleaning head 3, the cleaning head 3 and the housing 11. With the fluid communication function of the recovery pipe 51, the dirty liquid on the surface to be cleaned can be sucked from the cleaning head 3 under the suction force of the suction motor 15 and delivered to the dirty water tank 14 through the flexible pipe assembly 2. In this example, the flexible pipe assembly 2 defines a second pipe extending from the first end 21 to the second end 22, and the second pipe defines a part of the recovery pipe 51.

[0025] The surface cleaning device 100 of the present application is also provided with a pipeline connecting mechanism 6. The pipeline connecting mechanism 6 is constructed to temporarily connect the fluid output pipeline 41 and the recovery pipeline 51. The pipeline connecting mechanism 6 includes a connecting pipeline 61 arranged between the fluid output pipeline 41 and the recovery pipeline 51 and a valve 62 arranged in the connecting pipeline 61. The valve 62 can be arranged in the body 1, in the flexible pipe assembly 2, or in the cleaning head 3. The valve 62 is preferably a single-channel valve. The valve 62 is preferably a controllable solenoid valve. When the valve 62 is opened, the fluid output pipeline 41 and the recovery pipeline 51 are fluidically connected; when the valve 62 is closed, the fluid output pipeline 41 and the recovery pipeline 51 are not connected to each other.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, the surface cleaning device 100 is provided with a control device 7. The control device 7 is used to control the surface cleaning device 100 to work in a plurality of different working modes.

[0027] A variety of different working modes may include steam mode, steam cleaning mode, normal temperature water cleaning mode and hot water cleaning mode; in steam mode, the pump 16 and the steam generator 13 start working and the suction motor 15 is turned off. In this mode, the cleaning head 3 plays the function of outputting steam to the outside. This mode can be used, for example, when ironing clothes with steam or when steam sterilizing the ground or the surface of an object with steam. In steam cleaning mode, the pump 16, the steam generator 13 and the suction motor 15 start working. In this mode, the cleaning head 3 simultaneously plays the function of outputting steam to the outside and recovering fluid. This mode can be used, for example, when cleaning the surface to be cleaned with steam. In normal temperature water cleaning mode, the pump 16 and the suction motor 15 start working and the steam generator 13 is turned off. In this mode, the cleaning head 3 simultaneously plays the function of outputting normal temperature water to the outside and recovering fluid. This mode can be used, for example, when cleaning the surface to be cleaned with cold water. In hot water cleaning mode, the pump 16, the steam generator 13 and the suction motor 15 start working. In this mode, relative to the steam cleaning mode, the steam generator 13 can work at a lower power or the flow rate of the pump 16 can be increased.

[0028] The surface cleaning device 100 is also provided with a mode selector 8. The mode selector 8 is operably connected to the control device 7 and is configured to allow a user to select a working mode from a plurality of different working modes for the control device 7. The mode selector 8 can be set to a knob type, a slide button type, or a plurality of button types. The mode selector 8 can facilitate the user to select a suitable working mode for the surface cleaning device 100.

[0029] The control device 7 of the surface cleaning device 100 is configured to also be able to perform a pipe emptying operation for the fluid output pipe 41. When performing the pipe emptying operation, the valve 62 is opened and the suction motor 15 is activated for a fixed time period T. After this operation, the residual water in the fluid output pipe 41 can be emptied and sent to the sewage tank 14. The fixed time period T is preferably shorter than 10 seconds.

[0030] The control device 7 of the surface cleaning device 100 is set to insertively perform a pipe emptying operation when the user starts the surface cleaning device 100 and selects the steam mode, or when the user chooses to switch from the normal temperature water cleaning mode to the steam mode during the use of the surface cleaning device 100, or when the user chooses to switch from the hot water cleaning mode to the steam mode during the use of the surface cleaning device 100.

[0031] The above-mentioned control device 7 performs the pipeline emptying operation automatically based on the current operating state of the surface cleaning device 100 .

[0032] In some specific embodiments of the surface cleaning device 100 , a pipe emptying operation trigger 9 may be further provided on the surface cleaning device 100 , and the pipe emptying operation trigger 9 is operably connected to the control device 7 and is configured to allow a user to manually select to perform a pipe emptying operation.

[0033] In some specific embodiments of the surface cleaning device 100, the surface cleaning device 100 further includes a voice broadcast module 10. The voice broadcast module 10 is signal-connected to the control device 7. When the control device 7 performs the pipe emptying operation, the voice broadcast module 10 broadcasts a voice message to the outside to remind the user that the surface cleaning device 100 is about to perform the pipe emptying operation.

[0034] In some specific embodiments of the surface cleaning device, the surface cleaning device further comprises a display screen module. The display screen module is connected to the control device by signal. The display screen module displays a reminder message when the control device performs the pipeline emptying operation.

[0035] The surface cleaning device of the present application can effectively clean the residual water in the fluid output pipe 41, thereby avoiding the output of the residual water to the outside when the user selects the steam mode.

[0036] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the present application. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present application is not limited by the above embodiments, and the above embodiments and descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the present application. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, the present application may have various changes and improvements, and the scope of protection required by the present application is defined by the attached claims, description and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning device comprising: a fluid supply system, comprising a water supply tank, a pump, a steam generator and a fluid output pipeline which are sequentially fluidly connected; A recovery system, comprising a recovery pipe, a sewage tank and a suction motor in sequential fluid communication; A pipeline connecting mechanism is configured to temporarily connect the fluid output pipeline and the recovery pipeline, the pipeline connecting mechanism comprising a connecting pipeline arranged between the fluid output pipeline and the recovery pipeline and a valve arranged in the connecting pipeline; as well as a control device for controlling the surface cleaning device to operate in a plurality of different working modes, wherein the plurality of different working modes include a steam mode, a steam cleaning mode and a normal temperature water cleaning mode; in the steam mode, the pump and the steam generator are started and the suction motor is turned off; in the steam cleaning mode, the pump, the steam generator and the suction motor are started; in the normal temperature water cleaning mode, the pump and the suction motor are started and the steam generator is turned off; and A mode selector, operably connected to the control device and configured to allow a user to select an operating mode for the control device from the plurality of different operating modes; characterized in that: The control device is configured to be able to perform a pipe emptying operation on the fluid output pipe; when performing the pipe emptying operation, the valve is opened and the suction motor is started for a fixed time; the control device is configured to insertively perform the pipe emptying operation once when the user starts to start the surface cleaning device and selects the steam mode, or when the user chooses to switch from the normal temperature water cleaning mode to the steam mode during the use of the surface cleaning device.

2. The surface cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that The fixed time length is shorter than 10 seconds.

3. The surface cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that The multiple different working modes include a hot water cleaning mode; in the hot water cleaning mode, the pump, the steam generator and the suction motor start working; the control device is set to: when switching from the hot water cleaning mode to the steam mode during the use of the surface cleaning device, the pipe emptying operation is insertedly performed once.

4. The surface cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: The machine body can be supported on a plane, and the water supply tank, pump, steam generator, sewage tank and suction motor are all arranged on the machine body.

5. The surface cleaning device according to claim 4, characterized in that Also includes: A flexible tube assembly has a first end and a second end that are far away from each other, wherein the first end is engaged with the body and the second end is capable of attaching a cleaning head, wherein the flexible tube assembly defines a first conduit and a second conduit, wherein both the first conduit and the second conduit extend from the first end to the second end, wherein the first conduit defines a portion of the fluid output conduit and the second conduit defines a portion of the recovery conduit.

6. The surface cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized in that The pipeline connecting mechanism is arranged on the machine body or the flexible pipe assembly.

7. The surface cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: The pipeline emptying operation trigger is operably connected to the control device and is configured to allow a user to manually select to perform the pipeline emptying operation once.

8. The surface cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: The voice broadcast module is connected to the control device signal, and the language broadcast module broadcasts a voice message to the outside when the control device performs the pipeline clearing operation.

9. The surface cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: The display screen module is connected to the control device signal, and the display screen module displays a reminder message when the control device performs the pipeline emptying operation.

10. The surface cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that The valve is a solenoid valve.

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