Surface cleaning apparatus and associated cleaning system and method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a surface cleaning apparatus and an associated cleaning system and cleaning method. The surface cleaning equipment (200) comprises a cleaning assembly (230), a clean water tank (210) and a sewage tank (220). The clean water tank (210) comprises a water filling nozzle (212), the base station (100) comprises a cleaning tank (110), and the cleaning tank (110) is configured to be located below the surface cleaning equipment (200) when the surface cleaning equipment (200) is located in the base station (100) and define a cleaning space used for cleaning the cleaning component (232). The surface cleaning equipment (200) further comprises a water flowing path communicated to the clean water tank (210), and the water flowing path is configured to enable clean water used for filling the cleaning tank (110) to flow from the clean water tank (210) to the cleaning tank (110) along the water flowing path when water is injected into the clean water tank (210) through the water injection port (212).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to surface cleaning equipment and, more particularly, to cleaning systems for surface cleaning equipment. Background Art

[0002] Surface cleaning robots, such as sweeping robots, mopping robots, sweeping and mopping robots, etc., are increasingly widely used to clean various surfaces, such as floors, walls, or other surfaces, due to their excellent cleaning performance. A wet surface cleaning robot with mopping function usually includes a clean water tank and a wet cleaning component. The clean water tank is used to wet the cleaning component during the cleaning process, so that the cleaning component performs wet mopping cleaning in a wet state. After a period of use, the cleaning component often needs to be returned to the base station for automatic cleaning.

[0003] Correspondingly, the robot base station is usually provided with a water source and a port suitable for receiving the cleaning robot. The port is provided with various interfaces for docking with the cleaning robot for maintenance work on the cleaning robot. The base station is also provided with a cleaning tank, which can be filled with clean water for cleaning the cleaning device of the cleaning robot itself.

[0004] The traditional base station is provided with a water supply system, which is used to replenish the amount of clean water in the robot's clean water tank on the one hand, and to supply water to the wet cleaning components on the other hand. This results in the traditional cleaning system requiring the use of complex water supply pipelines and more water pump components. For example, CN219229765U discloses a water supply system, including a clean water tank arranged on a base station and a water supply pump for controlling the supply of water to a cleaning tank, and the water supply to the cleaning tank is controlled by the water supply pump and a solenoid valve. The traditional water supply solution requires many components, resulting in a large size of the equipment and high cost. It is expected that the water supply system of the traditional surface cleaning equipment can be further improved. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a surface cleaning device, a cleaning system for the surface cleaning device, and a cleaning method for the surface cleaning device to solve one or more of the above problems and other potential technical problems.

[0006] The first aspect of the present disclosure provides a surface cleaning device. The surface cleaning device comprises: a cleaning assembly, comprising a cleaning part for cleaning a surface; a clean water tank, configured to supply clean water to the cleaning part to wet the cleaning part; wherein the clean water tank comprises a water injection port, and the water injection port is configured to: communicate with a water source of a base station that cooperates with the surface cleaning device when the surface cleaning device is located in the base station, wherein the base station comprises a cleaning tank for cleaning the cleaning part; wherein the surface cleaning device further comprises a water flow path connected to the clean water tank, wherein the water flow path is configured to enable clean water for filling the cleaning tank to flow from the clean water tank along the water flow path to the cleaning tank when the clean water tank is filled with water via the water injection port.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the clean water for filling the cleaning tank flows from the clean water tank to the cleaning tank along the water flow path, thereby simplifying the complexity of the water supply circuit of the clean water tank and reducing the number of parts, thereby reducing the cost of the equipment.

[0008] In some embodiments, the water flow path is further configured so that the water continuously supplied to the clean water tank can automatically overflow to the cleaning tank through the water flow path. In this case, automatic overflow filling of the clean water tank can be achieved.

[0009] In some embodiments, the clean water tank may include an overflow pipe as a part of the water flow path, the overflow pipe protruding upward from the bottom inner surface of the clean water tank by a predetermined water filling height. A pressure difference for liquid flow may be created through the overflow pipe.

[0010] In some embodiments, the overflow pipe may include a top water inlet and a bottom water outlet, wherein the top water inlet is configured to allow water to enter the overflow pipe through the top water inlet, and the bottom water outlet is formed as a through hole penetrating the bottom wall surface of the clean water tank. Thus, the structure of the overflow pipe can be simplified.

[0011] In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise: a one-way valve in the water flow path, the one-way valve being configured to allow the water in the clean water tank to automatically overflow from the clean water tank to the cleaning tank via the water flow path when the water in the clean water tank reaches the predetermined filling height.

[0012] In some embodiments, the one-way valve may include a flexible diaphragm, which includes a plurality of sub-diaphragms having openings, and the plurality of sub-diaphragms are configured to: close the openings under the action of their own elastic force; and open the openings under the action of water pressure when the water in the clean water tank reaches the predetermined water filling height.

[0013] In some embodiments, the water flow path may include a pipe section communicating with the overflow pipe, the pipe section being fixed to the bottom side surface of the clean water tank, and the one-way valve and the pipe section being fixed to the bottom outer side surface of the clean water tank using fasteners.

[0014] In some embodiments, the water flow path may include at least two water flow paths that direct water to the cleaning tank at different locations around the cleaning member, and wherein the at least two water flow paths are arranged on different sides of the water injection port.

[0015] In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may further include a dirty water tank configured to recover dirty water from the cleaning component, and the water flow path may be configured to direct water from the clean water tank to a gap between the dirty water tank and the cleaning component and flow through the gap to the cleaning tank, wherein the dirty water tank is configured to recover dirty water from the cleaning component.

[0016] In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may further include a sewage tank configured to recover sewage from the cleaning component, and the water flow path may include a first section flow path and a second section flow path, wherein the first section flow path is configured to connect the clean water tank to the sewage tank and allow the water in the clean water tank to automatically overflow from the clean water tank to the sewage tank when the water in the clean water tank reaches the predetermined water filling height, and wherein the second section flow path is configured to allow the water in the sewage tank to automatically overflow from the sewage tank to the cleaning tank when the water in the sewage tank reaches its predetermined height.

[0017] In some embodiments, the sewage tank may include a sewage inlet disposed at the predetermined height, through which water from the clean water tank enters the sewage tank and automatically overflows from the sewage tank to the cleaning tank through the sewage inlet when the water entering the sewage tank reaches the predetermined height.

[0018] In some embodiments, the sewage tank may further include a valve disposed at the sewage inlet, the valve being configured to be opened during the period of filling the cleaning tank with water and closed during the period of not filling the cleaning tank with water.

[0019] The second aspect of the present disclosure provides a cleaning system for a surface cleaning device. The cleaning system includes: a water source, which is arranged at a base station; a cleaning tank, which is located at the bottom side of the port of the base station, and the cleaning tank defines a cleaning space for cleaning the cleaning parts of the surface cleaning device; a clean water tank, which is arranged at the surface cleaning device, and the clean water tank includes a water injection port, which is configured to communicate with the water source when the surface cleaning device is located in the port; and a water flow path, which is used to guide the water of the clean water tank to the cleaning tank, and the water flow path is configured so that when the clean water tank is filled with water via the water injection port, the clean water used to fill the cleaning tank can flow from the clean water tank along the water flow path to the cleaning tank.

[0020] The third aspect of the present disclosure provides a cleaning method for a surface cleaning device. The cleaning method includes: based on a cleaning instruction from the surface cleaning device, sending an instruction to a water source provided at a base station to open the water source, thereby supplying water to a clean water tank of the surface cleaning device, wherein the clean water tank includes a water injection port, the water injection port is configured to communicate with the water source when the surface cleaning device is located in the base station, and the surface cleaning device also includes a water flow path connected to the clean water tank, the water flow path is configured to enable clean water for filling the cleaning tank to flow from the clean water tank along the water flow path to the cleaning tank when the clean water tank is filled with water via the water injection port, so as to perform a self-cleaning process of the surface cleaning device.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method further includes: starting the self-cleaning process based on the water full signal; sending an instruction to the water source to stop supplying water to the clean water tank based on the water full signal from the water level sensor in the cleaning tank indicating that the water level in the cleaning tank has reached a predetermined height; and sending the water full signal to the surface cleaning device so that the surface cleaning device starts the self-cleaning process based on the water full signal.

[0022] The various aspects and advantages described above for the self-cleaning device are also applicable to the electrical equipment according to the present disclosure, so the present disclosure will not elaborate on them here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become readily understood by reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, several embodiments of the present disclosure are shown by way of example and not limitation.

[0024] Figure 1 An overall schematic diagram showing a surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure being located in a base station.

[0025] Figure 2 An overall schematic diagram of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein a surface cleaning device is separated from the base station and a cleaning tank is shown from a top view.

[0026] Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional structural schematic diagram is shown of a cleaning system for a surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure filling water from a base station into a clean water tank of the surface cleaning device.

[0027] Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional structural schematic diagram showing water overflowing from a clean water tank to a cleaning tank of a cleaning system for a surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0028] Figure 5 A perspective schematic diagram of a clean water tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the top side is shown.

[0029] Figure 6 A perspective schematic diagram showing a clean water tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the bottom side is shown.

[0030] Figure 7 A partial cross-sectional structural schematic diagram is shown showing water overflowing from a clean water tank to a cleaning tank via a dirty water tank in a cleaning system for a surface cleaning device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 8 A flow chart showing a cleaning method for a surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] In the various drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals represent the same or corresponding parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The term "including" and its variations used in this document represent open inclusion, that is, "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise stated, the term "or" means "and / or". The term "based on" means "based at least in part on". The terms "an example embodiment" and "an embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one other embodiment". Terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", and "rear" indicating placement or positional relationships are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the principles of the present disclosure, and do not indicate or imply that the referred elements must have a specific orientation, be constructed or operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limitations on the present disclosure.

[0036] The cleaning system and the associated method for a surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] The surface cleaning device 200 is usually used in conjunction with the base station 100 . Figure 1 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the state of the surface cleaning device 200 after entering the port 140. Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the state of the surface cleaning device 200 after leaving the port 140. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the base station 100 may include a port 140 for receiving the surface cleaning device 200. The port 140 may be, for example, in the form of an opening and allow the surface cleaning device 200 to enter the port 140. The port 140 may be closed, for example, by a cover 130 that can be opened and closed. When the base station 100 is in a standby state (i.e., when the surface cleaning device 200 has not returned to the base station 100), the cover 130 may close the port. When the surface cleaning device 200 is ready to return to the base station 100, the cover 130 may be laid down to form a path that facilitates the surface cleaning device 200 to enter the port 140. However, it can be understood that the cover 130 may also be in a laid down state at all times, so that the port 140 may always be in the form of an opening.

[0038] The base station 100 includes a cleaning tank 110 in the form of an open tank and configured to be located below the part to be cleaned of the surface cleaning device 200 when the surface cleaning device 200 is located in the base station 100. The cleaning tank 110 can contain water for cleaning the part to be cleaned.

[0039] The cleaning robot usually includes cleaning parts such as a cleaning roller or a cleaning turntable. During the cleaning process of the cleaning robot, the cleaning parts such as the cleaning roller or the cleaning turntable need to be wetted with clean water. After the surface cleaning device 200 completes the floor cleaning operation or during the floor cleaning operation, it needs to periodically return to the base station 100 for maintenance operations. Various interfaces for docking with the cleaning robot can be set in the port station 140, such as an electrical interface, a clean water interface 120, a sewage interface, a dust collection interface, etc. When the cleaning robot enters the port station, the various interfaces of the base station are connected to the corresponding interfaces of the cleaning robot, so as to perform maintenance operations on the cleaning robot. For example, the cleaning robot can be charged using the electrical interface, the clean water interface 120 can be used to replenish the clean water required for cleaning the floor in the clean water tank of the cleaning robot, the sewage generated when cleaning the floor can be recovered from the sewage tank of the cleaning robot using the sewage interface, and the dirt collected by the cleaning robot during cleaning can be recovered using the dust collection interface. By maintaining the cleaning robot, the cleaning robot can resume the floor cleaning operation in a good state.

[0040] In order to clean the cleaning parts of the surface cleaning device 200, the conventional base station 100 is provided with at least two clean water supply circuits, one clean water supply circuit is used to fill water into the clean water tank of the cleaning robot 200, and the other clean water supply circuit is used to inject water into the cleaning tank 110. To this end, at least two pumps and / or solenoid valves for controlling the supply circuits need to be provided, which inevitably increases the cost of the base station 100 and makes the size of the base station bulky. According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, by utilizing the water filling circuit of the clean water tank of the surface cleaning device 200 to form the water filling circuit of the cleaning tank 110, the structure of the water filling circuit for the cleaning tank of the base station can be simplified or even omitted, thereby reducing the cost of the equipment and reducing the size of the equipment.

[0041] Combine the following Figure 3 and Figure 4 The structural details of the cleaning system for a surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown in detail. Figure 3-Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of a cleaning system for a surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure filling water from a base station into a clean water tank of the surface cleaning device and a partial cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of water overflowing from the clean water tank into a cleaning tank are respectively shown.

[0042] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the surface cleaning device 200 includes a cleaning assembly 230, a clean water tank 210, and a dirty water tank 220. The cleaning assembly 230 may include a cleaning component 232. The cleaning component 232 may be in various forms. In some embodiments, as Figure 3Shown, cleaning member 232 is in the form of a rotating drum, and the circumferential surface of the drum can abut against the ground to achieve floor cleaning. In some embodiments (not shown), cleaning member 232 can also be in the form of a rotating turntable, and the disk surface of the turntable can abut against the ground to achieve floor cleaning.

[0043] The clean water tank 210 and the dirty water tank 220 are formed in the form of a closed cavity and are suitable for holding water therein. During the cleaning operation of the surface cleaning device 200, the clean water tank 210 is configured to supply clean water to the cleaning component 232 to wet the cleaning component 232 to improve the cleaning performance of the cleaning component; the dirty water tank 220 is configured to recover dirty water from the cleaning component 232 to prevent the dirty water on the cleaning component 232 from causing secondary pollution to the ground. In some embodiments, the clean water tank 210 and the dirty water tank 220 can be formed by injection molding. In some embodiments, the clean water tank 210 and the dirty water tank 220 can be discrete components and can be assembled on the surface cleaning device 200. In some embodiments, the clean water tank 210 and the dirty water tank 220 can be integrally formed.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, the clean water tank 210 includes a water injection port 212. When the surface cleaning device 200 is located in the base station 100, the water injection port 212 is connected to the clean water interface 120 (also referred to as the water source 120) of the base station 100. Thus, water can be delivered to the water injection port 212 by the water source 120 of the base station 100 to fill the clean water tank 210. In some embodiments, the water source 120 can be a water tank. A pump or a valve can be provided on the pipeline from the water source, and for example, the pipeline can be cut off or closed by its operation.

[0045] Surface cleaning device 200 further includes a water flow path connected to clean water tank 210. Before the surface cleaning device performs self-cleaning, water may be filled into clean water tank 210 through water filling port 212, and water flows from clean water tank 210 to clean water tank 110 along the water flow path.

[0046] In some embodiments, the water supply control of the cleaning tank 110 can be achieved by controlling the on and off of the water flow path. As an example, an active control component such as a solenoid valve can be set in the water flow path. When it is necessary to supply water to the cleaning tank, the solenoid valve can be controlled to open to supply water to the cleaning tank. In some embodiments, no active control component such as a solenoid valve can be set in the water flow path, and the automatic control of the water supply of the cleaning tank can be achieved through an overflow pipe. For example, when the water in the clean water tank reaches a predetermined height, the water automatically flows into the cleaning tank through overflow. In this case, the automatic water supply of the cleaning tank can be achieved without any additional control. According to the present disclosure, due to the process of filling the clean water tank with water using the base station, the water used to fill the clean water tank 210 is further used to fill the clean water tank. Compared with the traditional method of using the water in the clean water tank 210 itself to fill the clean water tank, the filling speed of the clean water tank 110 can be significantly improved under the drive of the water injection power, and the filling of the clean water tank can be achieved in a short time.

[0047] Figure 4 The water flow path is shown without any active control elements. In particular, Figure 4 The overflow path of water flowing from the clean water tank 210 to the clean water tank 110 is shown by a dotted line with an arrow. The water flow path is configured to overflow to the cleaning tank 110 via the water flow path when the water in the clean water tank 210 reaches a predetermined water filling height. Since the water from the base station 100 overflows to the cleaning tank 110 via the clean water tank 210 in the surface cleaning device 200 and then via the water flow path connected to the clean water tank 210, that is, the water filling path for the cleaning tank is at least partially realized by the clean water tank 210 of the surface cleaning device 200, the base station 100 does not need to be provided with any additional water supply device for the cleaning tank 110. The number of parts required for the water supply facility of the base station 100 is reduced and the cost of the device can be reduced. In addition, considering that the water supply facility does not need to be provided with an additional water supply device for the cleaning tank 110, the layout of the base station 100 can be further optimized, and the size of the base station 100 can be further reduced, which has a technical advantage for household equipment.

[0048] In some embodiments, the water supply from the clean water tank 210 to the washing tank 110 depends on the excess water supply from the water source. On the water flow path from the clean water tank 210 to the clean water tank 210, no active control components for controlling the water flow from the clean water tank 210 to the washing space are provided, for example, no electromagnetic valve or pump components are required. When the water in the clean water tank 210 reaches a predetermined filling height, the water that continues to be supplied to the clean water tank 210 will automatically overflow to the washing tank 110 through the water flow path.

[0049] In some embodiments, Figure 4As shown, the clean water tank 210 includes an overflow pipe 214 as part of the water flow path, which protrudes upward from the inner surface of the bottom of the clean water tank 210 to a predetermined water filling height. The overflow pipe 214 includes a water flow inlet at the top and a water flow outlet at the bottom. In some embodiments, the water flow outlet at the bottom can be set as a hole that passes through the bottom of the clean water tank 210. This has an advantage in the case where the overflow pipe and the clean water tank are integrally injection molded, and the film drawing of the integrally molded clean water tank can be easily realized. It should be understood that this is merely exemplary, and in other embodiments, the overflow pipe 214 can be formed in other forms.

[0050] When the water level of the clean water tank 210 reaches a predetermined water filling height, the water that continues to be supplied to the clean water tank 210 can enter the overflow pipe 214 through the water inlet at the top of the overflow pipe 214 and flow out of the overflow pipe 214 through the water outlet at the bottom of the overflow pipe 214. The water that flows out of the overflow pipe 214 through the water outlet at the bottom of the overflow pipe 214 is then guided to the cleaning tank 110. In some embodiments, the overflow pipe 214 may be integrally formed with the clean water tank 210. The overflow pipe 214 may have a size that gradually increases from the water inlet at the top to the water outlet at the bottom, which facilitates the film removal of the overflow pipe 214.

[0051] In some embodiments, Figure 4 As shown, the surface cleaning device 200 further includes a one-way valve 216 disposed in the water flow path. The one-way valve 216 is configured to allow the water in the clean water tank 210 to automatically overflow from the clean water tank 210 to the vicinity of the cleaning space via the water flow path when the water in the clean water tank 210 reaches a predetermined water filling height. In addition, the one-way valve can prevent the water in the clean water tank 210 from accidentally leaking via the water flow path.

[0052] In some embodiments, Figure 4 As shown, the one-way valve is formed in the form of a flexible diaphragm. This has a cost advantage. In some embodiments, the diaphragm may include a plurality of sub-diaphragms formed with openings. In some embodiments, the openings may be formed in the form of a straight line, a cross, or other shaped slits. In some embodiments, the plurality of sub-diaphragms are configured to close the openings under the action of their own elastic force in a natural state and to open the openings under the action of water pressure when the water in the clean water tank 210 reaches a predetermined water filling height.

[0053] In some embodiments, the water flow path from the clean water tank 210 to the cleaning tank 110 may be formed by connecting two or more sections. Figure 4 As shown, the water flow path may include a pipe section 218 configured to be fluidly connected to the overflow pipe 214. The inlet end of the pipe section 218 is connected to the water flow outlet of the overflow pipe 214, and the outlet end 219 of the pipe section 218 can be disposed at an appropriate position adjacent to the cleaning tank 110.

[0054] Figure 5 and Figure 6 One embodiment of a conduit segment 218 is further shown. Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the pipe section 218 is formed in the form of a frame attached to the bottom of the clean water tank 210. The frame may be open on one side connected to the clean water tank 210 and closed circumferentially and at the bottom. The outlet end 219 may be formed by providing an opening on the circumferential wall or the bottom wall of the frame. The pipe section 218 may be fixed to the clean water tank 210 together with a flexible diaphragm as a one-way valve using fasteners such as threads. Thus, not only can the installation of the one-way valve be conveniently achieved, but water can also be directed to any desired location. Figure 6 In the embodiment of the present invention, the outlet end 219 is arranged on the circumferential wall of the pipe section 218. The clean water from the clean water tank 210 can flow out through the outlet end 219. It should be understood that the embodiment of the pipe section 218 shown in the figure is only exemplary. In other embodiments, the outlet end can extend to the vicinity of the cleaning assembly 230, and the water can be guided to the space near the cleaning assembly 230 through the outlet end, and then enter the cleaning tank 110. In some embodiments, the outlet end can be arranged adjacent to the sewage tank 220. As an example, the water from the outlet end can flow into the cleaning tank 110 along the outer wall of the sewage tank 220. In some embodiments, the second end can be arranged in the space on one side of the sewage tank 220 and the cleaning assembly 230, and fall into the cleaning tank 110 under the action of gravity through the gap between the two. It should be understood that the above embodiment is only exemplary, and the pipe section can adopt any other appropriate arrangement as long as the pipe section can introduce water into the cleaning tank 110.

[0055] In addition, although in the illustrated embodiment, the water flow path formed from the clean water tank 210 to the cleaning tank 110 includes the overflow pipe 214 and the pipe section 218, it should be understood that this is merely exemplary; in other embodiments, the overflow pipe 214 and the pipe section 218 may be formed as one component and may be mounted to the clean water tank 210. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the water flow path formed from the clean water tank 210 to the cleaning tank 110 may include a plurality of sections.

[0056] In some embodiments, the water flow path from the clean water tank 210 to the cleaning tank 110 may include at least two water flow paths. At least two water flow paths guide water to the cleaning tank 110 at different positions around the cleaning member 232. Through multiple water flow paths, there is a benefit for uniform filling of the cleaning tank 110. Considering that the cleaning member 232 generally has good water absorption, when water is guided from the clean water tank 210 to the cleaning tank 110 through one water flow path, the water has an uneven distribution in the cleaning tank 110. This may cause inaccurate or false alarms in the water level detection of the cleaning tank 110. By providing multiple water flow paths, it is convenient to eliminate the local difference in the water level of the cleaning tank 110 caused by the water absorption of the cleaning member 232.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, the clean water tank 210 may include two overflow pipes 214 protruding upward from the bottom of the clean water tank 210 to a predetermined water filling height as part of the water flow path. As an example, in the case where the cleaning component 232 is a cleaning roller, the two overflow pipes 214 can be arranged at a certain distance along the axial direction of the cleaning roller, thereby preventing local differences in the water level of the cleaning tank 110 due to the water absorption of the cleaning component 232. As an example, in the case where the cleaning component 232 is a cleaning turntable, the two overflow pipes 214 can be arranged at a certain distance along the radial direction of the cleaning turntable, thereby preventing local differences in the water level of the cleaning tank 110 due to the water absorption of the cleaning component 232. For further reference Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 Also shown are two sensors 115 for detecting the water level of the cleaning tank 110. Since the cleaning member 232 has good water absorption, there is a risk of false alarm of the water level of the cleaning tank 110 when water flows into the cleaning tank 110 through one water flow path. In the illustrated embodiment, by providing two or more overflow pipes as water flow paths, the water flow can fill the cleaning tank evenly, preventing false alarm of the water level of the cleaning tank.

[0058] In some embodiments, the water supply path for supplying clean water from the clean water tank 210 to the cleaning tank 110 can also pass through other cavities (such as a dirty water tank). In some cases, this is advantageous, especially when the structural configuration of the surface cleaning equipment is not suitable for setting a direct path from the clean water tank 210 to the cleaning tank 110.

[0059] Figure 7 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional structure showing a cleaning system for a surface cleaning device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which water overflows from the clean water tank 210 to the cleaning tank 110 via the dirty water tank 220. Figure 7As shown, the water flow path from the clean water tank 210 to the cleaning tank 110 includes a first section flow path and a second section flow path. The first section flow path is configured to connect the clean water tank 210 to the sewage tank 220 and allow the water in the clean water tank 210 to automatically overflow from the clean water tank 210 to the sewage tank 220 via the first section flow path when the water in the clean water tank 210 reaches a predetermined water filling height. In some embodiments, the sewage tank 220 may be provided with a water collecting portion, and the water flowing out of the first section flow path may fall into the water collecting portion. The water collecting portion may be formed in the form of a guide groove or a guide slope to facilitate guiding the water to the sewage tank. In some embodiments, as Figure 7 As shown, the first section flow path can be in the form of an overflow pipe integrally formed and arranged in the clean water tank, for example Figure 4 The overflow tube shown is similar.

[0060] The second section flow path is configured to allow the water in the sewage tank 220 to automatically overflow from the sewage tank 220 to the cleaning tank 110 via the second section flow path when the water in the sewage tank 220 reaches a predetermined height. In some embodiments, the sewage tank 220 may include a sewage inlet 227 disposed at a predetermined height, and the water from the clean water tank 210 enters the sewage inlet 227 via a sewage channel and automatically overflows from the sewage tank 220 to the cleaning tank 110 via the sewage inlet 227 when the water entering the sewage tank 220 reaches a predetermined height. In some embodiments, the scraper 225 of the cleaning assembly 230 may play a role in guiding the water from the first section flow path. The scraper 225 may be formed with a guide path, such as a slope form, to guide the water to the sewage inlet 227. Thus, the water from the clean water tank is conveniently guided to the cleaning tank 110 without any complicated modification to the sewage tank 220.

[0061] In some embodiments, the sewage tank 220 further includes a valve (not shown) disposed at the sewage inlet 227, and the valve is configured to be opened during the period of filling water into the cleaning tank 110 and closed during the period of not filling water into the cleaning tank 110. Thus, it can be ensured that the sewage tank is opened only when the cleaning robot needs to be cleaned, and leakage caused by opening at other times can be avoided.

[0062] According to the present disclosure, there is also provided a cleaning system for a surface cleaning device 200. The cleaning system includes: a water source 120, which is arranged at a base station 100; a cleaning tank 110, which is located at the bottom side of a port 140 of the base station 100 suitable for receiving the surface cleaning device 200, and the cleaning tank 110 includes a cleaning space for cleaning a cleaning component 232 of the surface cleaning device 200; a clean water tank 210, which is arranged at the surface cleaning device 200, and the clean water tank 210 includes a water injection port 212, which is configured to communicate with the water source 120 when the surface cleaning device 200 is located in the port 140; and a water flow path, which is used to guide the water of the clean water tank 210 to the cleaning tank 110, and is configured so that when the water in the clean water tank 210 reaches a predetermined water injection height, the water continuously supplied from the water source 120 to the clean water tank 210 will automatically overflow to the cleaning tank 110 through the water flow path. According to the present disclosure, the water filling path for cleaning the cleaning tank 110 of the surface cleaning device 200 is realized by means of the water filling system of the clean water tank of the surface cleaning device 200, so the cleaning system has fewer components and lower costs.

[0063] According to the present disclosure, a cleaning method 300 for a surface cleaning device 200 is also provided. At block 302, based on a cleaning instruction from the surface cleaning device 200, an instruction is sent to a water source 120 provided at the base station 100 to turn on the water source 120. Thus, water is supplied to the clean water tank 210 of the surface cleaning device 200. The clean water tank 210 includes a water filling port 212, which is configured to communicate with the water source 120 when the surface cleaning device 200 is located in the base station 100. When the water in the clean water tank 210 reaches a predetermined water filling height, the water continuously supplied from the water source 120 to the clean water tank 210 will automatically overflow into the cleaning tank 110 of the base station 100 through the water flow path.

[0064] In some embodiments, at block 304, based on a water full signal from a water level sensor in wash tank 110 indicating that the water level in wash tank 110 has reached a predetermined height, an instruction is sent to water source 120 to stop supplying water to clean water tank 210. At block 305, the water full signal is sent to surface cleaning apparatus 200 so that surface cleaning apparatus 200 starts a cleaning process based on the water full signal.

[0065] For example, in some embodiments, method 300 may be implemented as a computer software program, which is tangibly contained in a machine-readable medium, such as a storage unit. In some embodiments, part or all of the computer program may be loaded and / or installed on the device via a ROM and / or a communication unit. When the computer program is loaded into RAM and executed by the CPU, one or more steps of method 300 described above may be performed. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the CPU may be configured to perform method 300 in any other appropriate manner (e.g., by means of firmware).

[0066] The functions described above herein may be performed at least in part by one or more hardware logic components. For example, without limitation, exemplary types of hardware logic components that may be used include: field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application specific standard products (ASSPs), systems on chip systems (SOCs), load programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and the like.

[0067] The program code for implementing the method of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, so that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, enables the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine as a stand-alone software package, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0068] In the context of the present disclosure, a machine-readable medium may be a tangible medium that may contain or store a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, device, or equipment. A machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device, or equipment, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A more specific example of a machine-readable storage medium may include an electrical connection based on one or more lines, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0069] In addition, although each operation is described in a specific order, this should be understood as requiring such operation to be performed in the specific order shown or in a sequential order, or requiring that all illustrated operations should be performed to obtain desired results. Under certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although some specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Some features described in the context of a separate embodiment can also be implemented in a single implementation in combination. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations individually or in any suitable sub-combination mode.

[0070] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological logical actions, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. On the contrary, the specific features and actions described above are merely example forms of implementing the claims.

[0071] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, and the above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The selection of terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or technical improvements in the market, or to enable other persons of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning device (200), It is characterized in that include: a cleaning assembly (230) comprising a cleaning member (232) for cleaning a surface; a clean water tank (210) configured to supply clean water to the cleaning member (232) to wet the cleaning member (232); The clean water tank (210) comprises a water inlet (212), and the water inlet (212) is configured to communicate with a water source (120) of the base station (100) when the surface cleaning device (200) is located in a base station (100) that cooperates with the surface cleaning device (200), wherein the base station (100) comprises a cleaning tank (110) for cleaning the cleaning component (232); The surface cleaning device (200) further comprises a water flow path connected to the clean water tank (210), wherein the water flow path is configured such that when the clean water tank (210) is filled with water via the water filling port (212), clean water for filling the cleaning tank (110) can flow from the clean water tank (210) along the water flow path to the cleaning tank (110).

2. The surface cleaning device (200) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The water flow path is further configured such that when the water in the clean water tank (210) reaches a predetermined water filling height, the water continuously supplied to the clean water tank (210) will overflow into the cleaning tank (110) through the water flow path.

3. The surface cleaning device (200) according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The clean water tank (210) includes an overflow pipe (214) as a part of the water flow path, the overflow pipe protruding upward from the bottom inner surface of the clean water tank (210) to a predetermined water filling height.

4. The surface cleaning device (200) according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The overflow pipe (214) comprises a top water inlet and a bottom water outlet, wherein the top water inlet is configured to allow water to enter the overflow pipe (214) through the top water inlet when the water in the clean water tank (210) reaches the predetermined water filling height, and the bottom water outlet is formed as a through hole penetrating the bottom wall surface of the clean water tank.

5. The surface cleaning device (200) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, It is characterized in that Also includes: A one-way valve (216) in the water flow path is configured to allow water in the clean water tank (210) to flow from the clean water tank (210) to the cleaning tank (110) via the water flow path.

6. The surface cleaning device (200) according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The one-way valve includes a flexible diaphragm, the flexible diaphragm includes a plurality of sub-diaphragms having openings, the plurality of sub-diaphragms are configured as closing the opening under the action of its own elastic force; as well as When the water in the clean water tank (210) reaches the predetermined water filling height, the opening is opened under the action of water pressure.

7. The surface cleaning device (200) according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The water flow path includes a pipe section (218) communicating with the overflow pipe (214), the pipe section is fixed to the bottom side surface of the clean water tank (210), and the one-way valve and the pipe section (218) are fixed to the bottom outer side surface of the clean water tank using fasteners.

8. A surface cleaning device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 and 7, It is characterized in that The water flow path includes at least two water flow paths that guide water to the washing tank (110) at different positions around the cleaning member (232), and wherein the at least two water flow paths are arranged on different sides of the water injection port (212).

9. The surface cleaning device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 and 7, It is characterized in that Also included is a sewage tank (220) configured to recover sewage from the cleaning component (232), wherein the water flow path is configured to guide water from the clean water tank (210) to a gap between the sewage tank (220) and the cleaning component (232) and to flow through the gap to the cleaning tank (110).

10. The surface cleaning device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 and 7, It is characterized in that It also includes a sewage tank (220) configured to recover sewage from the cleaning component (232), wherein the water flow path includes a first section flow path and a second section flow path, The first section flow path is configured to connect the clean water tank (210) to the dirty water tank (220) to allow water in the clean water tank (210) to flow from the clean water tank (210) to the dirty water tank (220). The second section flow path is configured to allow the water in the sewage tank (220) to automatically overflow from the sewage tank (220) to the cleaning tank (110) when the water in the sewage tank (220) reaches a predetermined height.

11. The surface cleaning device (200) according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The sewage tank (220) comprises a sewage inlet (227) arranged at the predetermined height, water from the clean water tank (210) enters the sewage tank (220) via the sewage inlet (227), and when the water entering the sewage tank (220) reaches the predetermined height, the sewage tank (220) automatically overflows into the cleaning tank (110) via the sewage inlet (227).

12. The surface cleaning device (200) according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The sewage tank (220) further comprises a valve disposed at the sewage inlet (227), the valve being configured to be opened during water filling into the cleaning tank (110) and closed during water not filling into the cleaning tank (110).

13. A cleaning system for a surface cleaning device (200), It is characterized in that include: A water source (120) is provided at the base station (100); A cleaning tank (110) located at the bottom side of the port (140) of the base station (100), the cleaning tank (110) defining a cleaning space for cleaning a cleaning component (232) of the surface cleaning device (200); a clean water tank (210) disposed at the surface cleaning device (200), the clean water tank (210) comprising a water inlet (212), the water inlet (212) being configured to communicate with the water source (120) when the surface cleaning device (200) is located in the dock (140); and A water flow path is used to guide the water in the clean water tank (210) to the cleaning tank (110), and the water flow path is configured so that when the clean water tank (210) is filled with water via the water filling port (212), the clean water used to fill the cleaning tank (110) can flow from the clean water tank (210) to the cleaning tank (110) along the water flow path.

14. A cleaning method for a surface cleaning device (200), It is characterized in that include: Based on a cleaning instruction from the surface cleaning device (200), an instruction is sent to a water source (120) provided at a base station (100) to open the water source (120), thereby supplying water to a clean water tank (210) of the surface cleaning device (200), wherein the clean water tank (210) comprises a water injection port (212), the water injection port (212) being configured to communicate with the water source (120) when the surface cleaning device (200) is located in the base station (100), and the surface cleaning device (200) further comprises a water flow path connected to the clean water tank (210), the water flow path being configured so that when the clean water tank (210) is injected with water via the water injection port (212), clean water for filling the cleaning tank (110) can flow from the clean water tank (210) along the water flow path to the cleaning tank (110), so as to perform a self-cleaning process of the surface cleaning device.

15. The cleaning method according to claim 14, It is characterized in that Also includes: Based on a water full signal from a water level sensor in the cleaning tank (110) indicating that the water level in the cleaning tank (110) has reached a predetermined height, sending an instruction to the water source (120) to stop supplying water to the clean water tank (210); and The water full signal is sent to the surface cleaning device (200) so that the surface cleaning device (200) initiates the self-cleaning process based on the water full signal.

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