Dust cup and cleaning apparatus

Abstract

The dust cup and the cleaning equipment provided by the present disclosure belong to the field of cleaning equipment. The dust cup comprises a cup body, a cup cover and a locking structure. The cup body has a receiving cavity and an opening communicating with the receiving cavity. The cup cover is used to open and close the opening, and the cup cover comprises a cover body and a flexible film arranged on the cover body. At least part of the flexible film constitutes a deformation zone capable of elastically deforming towards the receiving cavity. The locking structure is connected with the flexible film and is used to lock the cup body and the cup cover. When the air pressure in the receiving cavity is lower than the air pressure outside the dust cup, the deformation zone deforms towards the inner side of the receiving cavity and drives the locking structure to move, so as to increase the locking force between the cup body and the cup cover. The dust cup and the cleaning equipment provided by the present disclosure can adaptively enhance the sealing state between the cup body and the cup cover with the increase of the negative pressure in the dust cup, so that the dust cup can maintain a more reliable closed state and a more stable sealing effect under high suction working conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure belongs to the field of cleaning equipment technology, specifically relating to a dust cup and cleaning equipment. Background Technology

[0002] As a crucial component in vacuum cleaners used to collect dust and debris, the dust cup's sealing performance directly affects the overall suction power, dust collection efficiency, and cleaning reliability during use. In existing vacuum cleaner products, the dust cup typically consists of a cup body and a lid for opening and closing the cup body. The lid and cup body are generally closed and secured using a snap-fit, screw-on, or other mechanical locking mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0003] During vacuum cleaner operation, the suction airflow generated by the main unit will keep the inside of the dust cup in a low-pressure state. Especially in high suction conditions or fine dust cleaning scenarios, there is often a significant pressure difference between the inside of the dust cup and the external environment. Therefore, whether the cup lid and the cup body can maintain a stable and reliable seal under such conditions becomes an important factor affecting the performance of the vacuum cleaner.

[0004] Existing dust cup locking structures mostly rely on a pre-set mechanical locking force to maintain the closure between the lid and the body. For example, snap-on structures typically rely on the mechanical engagement of plastic hooks to lock, while screw-on structures rely on the pressure effect after rotation to achieve a seal. However, these solutions generally share a common problem: their locking force is usually a fixed value, and the structure itself lacks the ability to dynamically adjust the locking force according to changes in the vacuum cleaner's operating conditions. In other words, when the vacuum cleaner's suction power is low versus high, the degree of locking between the lid and the body usually does not change accordingly with changes in the pressure difference inside and outside the dust cup, resulting in a lack of matching between the locking requirements and actual operating conditions.

[0005] When a vacuum cleaner is operating at high suction power, the negative pressure inside the dust cup increases, thus increasing the sealing requirements between the lid and the body. However, existing locking mechanisms cannot adaptively enhance the locking effect according to this change in negative pressure, easily leading to small gaps or insufficient sealing at certain points where the lid and body meet. This problem is particularly pronounced when cleaning fine dust particles such as plaster powder, flour, and printer toner, which are small in size and highly mobile. Under a significant internal and external pressure difference, fine dust can easily leak through the gaps between the lid and body, affecting not only the vacuum cleaner's dust collection efficiency but also potentially causing secondary contamination of the cleaned area, thus reducing the user experience.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a dust cup and cleaning device that can improve the sealing performance of the dust cup during the operation of the cleaning device.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution provided in this disclosure is as follows:

[0008] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a dust cup, comprising a cup body, a cup lid, and a locking structure. The cup body has a receiving cavity and an opening communicating with the receiving cavity. The cup lid is used to open and close the opening, and the cup lid includes a lid body and a flexible membrane disposed on the lid body. At least a portion of the flexible membrane forms a deformation zone capable of elastic deformation toward the receiving cavity. The locking structure is connected to the flexible membrane and used to lock the cup body and the cup lid. When the air pressure inside the receiving cavity is lower than the air pressure outside the dust cup, the deformation zone deforms toward the inside of the receiving cavity and drives the locking structure to move, thereby increasing the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid. By providing a flexible membrane and a locking structure connected to the flexible membrane, the pressure difference inside and outside the receiving cavity can be converted into an enhanced locking force between the cup body and the cup lid, thereby enabling the dust cup to achieve higher closure reliability and sealing performance when the working negative pressure increases, which is beneficial for reducing air and dust leakage under high suction conditions.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the locking structure is configured to apply a clamping force along the cup lid's closing direction to the cup lid when the flexible membrane deforms. By having the locking structure apply a clamping force along the cup lid's closing direction to the cup lid when the flexible membrane deforms, the cup lid is pressed more stably against the cup body, which helps to improve the clamping effect and the tightness of the fit when the cup lid is closed.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the locking structure includes a connector and a locking member connected to each other. The connector is connected to the deformation zone, and the locking member is disposed on one of the cup body and the cup lid and locks into the other of the cup body and the cup lid. The deformation displacement of the deformation zone can be transmitted to the locking member through the connector, and then the locking member locks the cup body and the cup lid in place.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the connector includes a central connecting area and a plurality of connecting portions extending outward from the central connecting area. The locking member includes a plurality of locking portions, which are respectively connected to the outer ends of the plurality of connecting portions. The plurality of connecting portions are used to transmit the deformation displacement of the deformation area to the plurality of locking portions. By providing a central connecting area, a plurality of connecting portions, and a plurality of locking portions, the deformation displacement of the deformation area can be distributed and transmitted to multiple locking positions, thereby forming a multi-point linkage locking effect, which is beneficial to improving the coverage of the locking action.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the deformation zone is located in the middle of the cover, and the central connecting zone is located within the deformation zone. Positioning the deformation zone in the middle of the cover and placing the central connecting zone within it ensures that the main deformation area of ​​the flexible membrane corresponds to the core force transmission area of ​​the connector, which helps to shorten the force transmission path and improve the responsiveness of the locking structure.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the locking portion is provided on the cup lid and cooperates with the limiting portion provided on the cup body to increase the locking force of the cup lid relative to the cup body when the flexible membrane deforms toward the interior of the receiving cavity. By providing the locking portion on the cup lid and cooperating with the limiting portion on the cup body, the locking constraint between the cup lid and the cup body can be enhanced after the flexible membrane deforms.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the locking part is movable between a locked position and a released position. In the locked position, the locking part increases the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid; in the released position, the locking part decreases the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid. By enabling the locking part to move between the locked and released positions, the dust cup can be configured to exhibit a stronger or weaker locking state under different operating conditions, which is beneficial for simultaneously ensuring sealing performance during operation and ease of opening during non-operation.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the lid is hinged to the cup body, and the locking part is provided in a region spaced apart from the hinge position of the lid and the cup body, so as to form a locking effect on the free-opening side of the lid when the lid is closed. By hinged to the cup body and placing the locking part in a region away from the hinge position, the locking effect is mainly applied to the free-opening side of the lid, thereby more effectively preventing the lid from opening around the hinge position.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the flexible membrane has an elastic restoring capability. When the air pressure inside the receiving cavity approaches equal pressure with the air pressure outside the dust cup, the flexible membrane resets and drives the locking structure to move in a direction that reduces the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid. Utilizing the elastic restoring capability of the flexible membrane, the locking structure moves in a direction that reduces the locking force when the air pressure inside and outside the receiving cavity approaches equilibrium. This allows the dust cup to automatically weaken its locking effect after the machine stops or the negative pressure disappears, improving the user's experience when opening the lid and emptying the dust.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the cover is provided with a ventilated structure communicating with the external environment, so that the side of the flexible membrane facing away from the receiving cavity is in communication with the external environment. By providing a ventilated structure communicating with the external environment on the cover, the side of the flexible membrane facing away from the receiving cavity can be stably subjected to external environmental pressure conditions, thereby facilitating the establishment of pressure differential action conditions and improving the stability of the flexible membrane in response to pressure changes.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, a sealing element is provided between the cup body and the cup lid. When the locking structure increases the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid, the compression amount of the sealing element also increases. By providing a sealing element between the cup body and the cup lid, and increasing the compression amount of the sealing element when the locking structure increases the locking force, it is beneficial to further improve the sealing effect between the cup body and the cup lid.

[0019] Secondly, this disclosure provides a cleaning device including a main unit and the dust cup, wherein the main unit is used to create a negative pressure inside the dust cup relative to the outside of the dust cup when the cleaning device is in operation.

[0020] The dust cup and cleaning device disclosed herein utilize a flexible membrane on the cup lid. When the air pressure inside the receiving cavity is lower than the air pressure outside the dust cup, the deformable area of ​​the flexible membrane deforms towards the inside of the receiving cavity, thereby driving the locking structure to move. This increases the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid, directly converting the internal and external pressure difference generated during dust cup operation into a driving force that enhances the locking effect. Therefore, the locking state between the cup body and the cup lid is no longer fixed but adaptively strengthens as the negative pressure inside the dust cup increases. This allows the dust cup to maintain a more reliable closed state and a more stable sealing effect under high suction conditions, thus reducing air and dust leakage, and particularly improving sealing reliability in fine dust cleaning scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the dust cup in a closed state according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the dust cup in the open state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cup lid in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Explanation of key figure labels:

[0026] 10-Dust cup, 2-Cup body, 21-Receiving cavity, 22-Opening, 3-Cup lid, 31-Lid body, 32-Flexible membrane, 321-Deformation zone, 4-Locking structure, 41-Connector, 411-Central connection zone, 412-Connecting part, 42-Locking part, 421-Locking part. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this disclosure, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0028] Unless otherwise expressly stated, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprising" or its variations such as "including" or "comprises" shall be understood to include the stated elements or components without excluding other elements or other components.

[0029] It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly attached to the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. In the embodiments shown in this disclosure, directional representations such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are relative and are used to explain the relative structure and movement of different components in this disclosure. These representations are appropriate when the components are in the positions shown in the figures. However, if the description of the component positions changes, then these representations are considered to change accordingly.

[0030] During the use of vacuum cleaners, the dust cup serves both to collect dust and to maintain the airtightness of the entire machine. Therefore, the reliability of the dust cup's closure is not just a simple matter of ease of opening and closing, but directly affects suction power, dust control, and the overall user experience.

[0031] When analyzing existing dust cup structures, the inventors noticed that most existing solutions focus on the structural form of the closing mechanism itself, such as using different mechanical locking methods to close the cup lid. However, these solutions are generally based on a common premise, namely, that a basic constant closing constraint force is given to the dust cup in the product design stage, and it is hoped that this constraint force can be applied to various working states.

[0032] Further research revealed that while this approach can meet general opening and closing requirements, it fundamentally fails to address the dynamic operating conditions faced by the dust cup in actual operation, especially the deeper contradiction that sealing requirements change with varying working conditions. In other words, existing technologies typically use static structural constraints to cope with dynamically changing working conditions. Therefore, in scenarios involving high negative pressure, strong suction, and cleaning of fine particulate contaminants, a mismatch between sealing capacity and operational requirements is easily exposed.

[0033] For example, existing snap-on structures typically rely on the mechanical engagement between plastic hooks to achieve locking, while screw-on structures rely on the pressing action after rotation to achieve sealing. The sealing force of both types of structures is a fixed value, completely decoupled from the actual working suction power of the vacuum cleaner; that is, the greater the suction power, the more urgent the need for sealing, but the locking force cannot adaptively increase accordingly, creating a structural contradiction.

[0034] The dust cup is not in a constant stress environment during operation, but rather experiences significantly different internal and external pressure relationships depending on the overall operating state of the machine. The reason why existing technologies perform poorly in sealing under certain operating conditions is not entirely due to insufficient strength of the locking structure itself, but more importantly, because they fail to utilize the objective physical conditions existing during operation to enable the closure state to adaptively adjust according to actual needs.

[0035] Based on the above analysis, the technical implementation approach of this disclosure starts from the working mechanism level, transforming the environmental changes generated by the dust cup during operation into factors that enhance the closure state. This allows the dust cup's sealing capability to be dynamically adjusted according to changes in operating conditions, rather than being pre-fixed and constant. Through this approach, a correlation is established between the dust cup's closure performance and the overall machine's operating state. This means that under conditions with higher sealing requirements, the closure retention capability is correspondingly enhanced, thereby alleviating the inconsistency between static locking and dynamic operating conditions in existing technologies.

[0036] Furthermore, the overall concept of this disclosure is not limited to simply pursuing high sealing performance during operation, but also considers the user experience during non-operational periods. As a component that requires frequent opening and emptying, the dust cup's optimization cannot be solely driven by sealing considerations; otherwise, it can easily lead to the opposite problem: the more reliable the closure, the more difficult the opening becomes. Therefore, the overall approach of this disclosure is a closure mechanism that automatically changes with the state: during the operational phase where enhanced sealing is required, the dust cup's ability to maintain its closure is improved; during the phase after operation and when sealing requirements decrease, the closure state is adjusted accordingly, thus balancing sealing reliability and operational convenience.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3As shown, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the dust cup 10 includes a cup body 2, a cup lid 3, and a locking structure 4. The cup body 2 has a receiving cavity 21 and an opening 22 communicating with the receiving cavity 21. The cup lid 3 is used to open and close the opening 22. The cup lid 3 includes a lid body 31 and a flexible membrane 32 disposed on the lid body 31. At least a portion of the flexible membrane 32 constitutes a deformation area 321 that can elastically deform toward the receiving cavity 21. The locking structure 4 is connected to the flexible membrane 32 and is used to lock the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3. When the air pressure inside the receiving cavity 21 is lower than the air pressure outside the outer dust cup 2, the deformation area 321 deforms toward the inside of the receiving cavity 21 and drives the locking structure 4 to move, thereby increasing the locking force between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3.

[0038] The dust cup 10 can be configured as a dust collection component suitable for installation on the main unit of a vacuum cleaner, used to collect dust, particulate matter, and other debris carried by the suction airflow during vacuum cleaner operation. The cup body 2, as the main receiving component, primarily forms a receiving cavity 21 for airflow and dust to enter and reside in. The cup body 2 has an opening 22 communicating with the receiving cavity 21, which serves as an opening and closing interface between the receiving cavity 21 and the external environment. The cup lid 3 is located at the opening 22 and cooperates with the cup body 2 to cover and seal the opening 22 in the closed state, thereby maintaining a relatively stable internal pressure environment in the receiving cavity 21 during vacuum cleaner operation.

[0039] A flexible membrane 32 is further provided on the lid body 31 of the cup lid 3. The lid body 31 mainly serves to define the overall outline of the cup lid 3, support and install the flexible membrane 32, and provide structural support for the remaining areas of the cup lid 3. The flexible membrane 32 mainly serves to respond to pressure changes and output deformation. At least a portion of the flexible membrane 32 constitutes a deformation zone 321 that can elastically deform towards the receiving cavity 21. The deformation zone 321 can form a pressure relationship with the receiving cavity 21 and maintain a certain elastic response capability, so that the cup lid 3 can maintain its overall closed property while also having the ability to move locally with changes in pressure difference.

[0040] The flexible membrane 32, connected to the locking structure 4, can convert its own deformation into the action of the locking structure 4, which then applies a locking effect to the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3. That is, the flexible membrane 32 acts as a pressure-response component, and the locking structure 4 acts as a locking actuator; the connection between the two establishes a transmission path from pressure change to enhanced locking. The flexible membrane 32 can respond to pressure changes inside and outside the receiving cavity 21, while the locking structure 4 can further convert this response into an adjustment of the connection state between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3. This means that the closed state of the cup lid 3 is no longer simply maintained by a preset mechanical locking force, but can change accordingly with different operating conditions.

[0041] When the vacuum cleaner is in operation, the interior of the receiving cavity 21 is typically under suction, creating a negative pressure environment that is lower than the ambient air pressure (e.g., atmospheric pressure) outside the dust cup. Since at least a portion of the flexible membrane 32 constitutes the deformation region 321, and the deformation region 321 can elastically deform toward the receiving cavity 21, when the air pressure inside the receiving cavity 21 is lower than the external ambient air pressure, the pressure difference between the external ambient air pressure and the air pressure inside the receiving cavity 21 will act on the deformation region 321, causing the deformation region 321 to shift toward the inside of the receiving cavity 21.

[0042] The displacement of the deformation zone 321 can further drive the movement of the locking structure 4 connected to the flexible membrane 32. As the locking structure 4 moves, the locking force between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 increases, thereby making the closed state of the cup lid 3 relative to the cup body 2 more stable. In this way, the more obvious the negative pressure inside the receiving cavity 21, the more obvious the pressure difference effect on the deformation zone 321 is usually, the more likely the locking structure 4 can be driven to produce a locking action, and the more the closure retention ability between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 can be correspondingly enhanced.

[0043] Through the aforementioned synergistic relationship between the components, the dust cup 10 can automatically adjust the locking degree between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 according to the pressure state inside the receiving cavity 21 during operation, ensuring that the cup lid 3 maintains a more reliable closed state under high negative pressure conditions. Compared to conventional closing methods that rely solely on initial assembly force or fixed locking force, this scheme establishes a linkage between the locking state of the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 and the internal working conditions of the receiving cavity 21, which is beneficial for improving the closure reliability and sealing stability during the operation of the vacuum cleaner.

[0044] In one exemplary embodiment, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the locking structure 4 is configured to apply a clamping force to the cup lid 3 in the closing direction of the cup lid 3 when the flexible membrane 32 deforms.

[0045] Specifically, when the air pressure inside the receiving cavity 21 is lower than the external ambient air pressure, the flexible membrane 32 displaces towards the inside of the receiving cavity 21 under the action of the internal and external pressure difference. This displacement is further transmitted to the locking structure 4, causing the locking structure 4 to generate a force in the same direction as the closing of the cup lid 3. That is, the direction of deformation of the flexible membrane 32 under pressure, the direction of movement of the locking structure 4, and the direction of pressing of the cup lid 3 relative to the cup body 2 form a synergistic action path, so that the pressure difference change responded to by the flexible membrane 32 is ultimately transformed into an enhanced pressure of the cup lid 3 against the cup body 2.

[0046] The core external force on the flexible membrane 32 originates from the pressure difference inside and outside the receiving cavity 21. When the pressure inside the receiving cavity 21 decreases, the external ambient air pressure is relatively high. Under pressure, the flexible membrane 32 flexes inwards towards the receiving cavity 21. The elastic deformation force and displacement generated by the flexible membrane 32 are transmitted through the locking structure 4, causing the locking structure 4 to apply a clamping force to the cup lid 3 in the closing direction. This clamping force is essentially an additional force that continuously pushes the cup lid 3 towards the closed position, increasing the fit between the cup lid 3 and the cup body 2, and improving the tightness of contact between the two at the interface.

[0047] After the vacuum cleaner is started, a negative pressure environment gradually forms in the receiving cavity 21. The flexible membrane 32 begins to respond to the pressure change and deforms towards the inside of the receiving cavity 21. The locking structure 4 then activates, applying a clamping force to the cup lid 3 along the closing direction of the cup lid 3. As the negative pressure further increases, the deformation amplitude of the flexible membrane 32 can increase accordingly, and the clamping effect output by the locking structure 4 can also be enhanced synchronously, thereby enabling the cup lid 3 to maintain a high level of closing stability during operation.

[0048] The sealing requirement of the dust cup 10 increases with the increase of negative pressure during operation. Converting the pressure difference response of the flexible membrane 32 into a clamping force along the closing direction of the cup lid 3 allows the locking capability to match the actual working conditions. Therefore, the locking structure 4 not only acts as a lock but also converts the pressure response of the flexible membrane 32 into a directional clamping force. The flexible membrane 32 drives the locking structure 4 to enhance the closed state. The two work together to improve the sealing performance of the cup lid 3 when closed.

[0049] In one exemplary embodiment, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the locking structure 4 includes a connector 41 and a locking member 42 that are connected to each other. The connector 41 is connected to the deformation zone 321, and the locking member 42 is disposed on one of the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 and is locked in a locking fit with the other of the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3.

[0050] Specifically, after the connector 41 is connected to the deformation zone 321, it can output the displacement and force state corresponding to the deformation to the locking member 42 through the connector 41. Thus, the connector 41 is equivalent to an intermediate force transmission component set between the deformation zone 321 and the locking member 42. The connector 41 can move synchronously with the deformation zone 321 and can also transmit the deformation direction, displacement and force state generated by the deformation zone 321, so that the locking member 42 can obtain action input.

[0051] When the air pressure inside the receiving cavity 21 is lower than the external ambient air pressure, the deformation zone 321 first undergoes elastic deformation towards the inside of the receiving cavity 21 under the action of the pressure difference. This deformation manifests as a displacement change in the deformation zone 321 and also as the deformation zone 321 applying a driving force to the connecting member 41. After being driven by the deformation zone 321, the connecting member 41 continues to transmit the displacement and force from the deformation zone 321 to the locking member 42, causing the locking member 42 to move in a direction conducive to locking or to maintain a stronger locking state.

[0052] During the operation of the vacuum cleaner, a low-pressure environment gradually forms inside the receiving cavity 21, causing the deformation zone 321 to deform accordingly. The connecting piece 41, connected to the deformation zone 321, is driven synchronously. Driven by the connecting piece 41, the locking piece 42 forms a more reliable locking engagement with either the cup body 2 or the cup lid 3, thereby strengthening the closed state between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3. While the deformation zone 321 is suitable for responding to pressure changes, it is not necessarily suitable for directly undertaking locking tasks. The locking piece 42, while suitable for forming a stable locking engagement, requires external drive to operate according to changing working conditions. Therefore, connecting the two through the connecting piece 41 balances pressure response capability and locking execution capability, making the locking structure 4 more rationally designed and improving the stability of the locking action between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3.

[0053] Specifically, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the connector 41 includes a central connecting area 411 and a plurality of connecting portions 412 extending outward from the central connecting area 411. The locking member 42 includes a plurality of locking portions 421, which are respectively connected to the outer ends of the plurality of connecting portions 412. The plurality of connecting portions 412 are used to transmit the deformation displacement of the deformation area 321 to the plurality of locking portions 421 respectively.

[0054] The connecting member 41 and the locking member 42 form a multi-point linkage structure with the central connecting area 411 as the displacement gathering point, multiple connecting parts 412 as the displacement distribution path, and multiple locking parts 421 as the end-acting points. This structural relationship allows the displacement input generated when the deformation zone 321 deforms to be concentrated on the central connecting area 411, and then distributed from the central connecting area 411 to multiple connecting parts 412 in different directions, and finally transmitted to multiple locking parts 421, so that multiple locking parts 421 can simultaneously perform locking action at different positions.

[0055] Specifically, the central connecting area 411 is located in the middle region of the connector 41, mainly used to receive the deformation displacement from the deformation area 321, and serves as the common connection basis for multiple connecting parts 412. After the multiple connecting parts 412 extend outward from the central connecting area 411, they can not only cover a larger area in space, but also transmit the displacement changes at the central connecting area 411 to multiple peripheral locations, so that multiple locking parts 421 can all obtain driving input from the deformation area 321.

[0056] Multiple locking parts 421 are disposed at the outer ends of multiple connecting parts 412, so that the locking effect is not concentrated at a single position, but can be distributed in multiple interval areas between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3. With this arrangement, the local deformation of the deformation area 321 no longer corresponds to the locking enhancement at a single point, but can be extended into multi-position coordinated locking through the central connecting area 411 and multiple connecting parts 412, thereby making the locking effect between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 more balanced.

[0057] When the dust cup 10 is closed, it typically needs to maintain a good fit and compression effect within a certain range. If only a single locking point is used to respond to the displacement of the deformation zone 321, it is easy to cause localized strong locking while other areas are not locked enough, thus affecting the overall closure stability. By adopting a layout of a central connecting area 411 combined with multiple connecting parts 412 and multiple locking parts 421, the deformation displacement generated by the deformation zone 321 can be diverted and transmitted to multiple locking parts 421, so that each locking position can be subjected to force synchronously, which helps to improve the coverage of the locking effect.

[0058] Further, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the deformation zone 321 is located in the middle of the cover 31, and the central connecting zone 411 is located within the deformation zone 321, so that the main deformation area of ​​the flexible membrane 32 corresponds to the core stress area of ​​the connector 41 in space, so that the deformation generated by the flexible membrane 32 under pressure difference can be transmitted to the connector 41 through a shorter and more direct path.

[0059] Specifically, arranging the deformation zone 321 in the middle of the cover 31 helps maintain a relatively balanced boundary constraint state between the deformation zone 321 and the periphery of the cover 31. This allows the deformation zone 321 to achieve a more concentrated displacement output when it undergoes elastic deformation towards the inside of the receiving cavity 21, and is less susceptible to excessive interference from local support differences in the edge region. Simultaneously, the central connecting area 411 is located within the deformation zone 321, placing the connecting member 41 directly within the effective range of the deformation zone 321, thereby enabling it to more fully withstand displacement and stress changes caused by compression.

[0060] The deformation zone 321 can be considered as the area on the flexible membrane 32 that is sensitive to pressure changes and actually undertakes the function of deformation output, while the central connecting zone 411 can be considered as the core area in the connector 41 that receives this deformation output. After the two correspond to each other in position, the displacement formed when the deformation zone 321 deforms can be preferentially transmitted to the central connecting zone 411, and then distributed outward from the central connecting zone 411 to other force transmission parts or locking parts 421.

[0061] This design reduces the detour path during deformation transmission, minimizing displacement loss caused by intermediate steps. It also allows the connector 41 to receive a more concentrated drive input, thereby improving the consistency and stability of the entire locking structure 4's operation. If the central connecting area 411 is offset from the deformation area 321, the deformation of the flexible membrane 32 often needs to be transferred through an additional area before reaching the connector 41, potentially leading to a longer force transmission path, delayed response, or uneven local stress.

[0062] In one exemplary embodiment, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the locking part 421 is provided on the cup lid 3 and cooperates with the limiting part provided on the cup body 2 to increase the locking force of the cup lid 3 relative to the cup body 2 when the flexible membrane 32 deforms toward the inside of the receiving cavity 21.

[0063] By arranging the locking part 421 on the side of the lid 3 and the limiting part on the side of the cup body 2, a locking action is established along the interface between the lid 3 and the cup body 2. The lid 3, as a movable part for opening and closing, serves to cover the opening 22 and also acts as the mounting base for the locking part 421, allowing the locking part 421 to move with the lid 3 as a whole. The cup body 2, as the main part forming the receiving cavity 21, provides the locking part 421 with corresponding force and limiting structure by setting the limiting part, thereby forming a locking action relationship with the locking part 421 when the lid 3 is closed.

[0064] The locking part 421 can change position relative to the cup body 2 as the cup lid 3 is opened and closed, and enters a locking state that cooperates with the limiting part when the cup lid 3 is closed to a predetermined position. The limiting part is provided on the cup body 2 and undertakes the functions of supporting the locking reaction force and positioning. When the locking part 421 moves under the drive of the flexible membrane 32, the locking part 421 can form a tighter engagement, abutment, latching, or other restrictive separation engagement state relative to the limiting part, thereby stronger suppressing the tendency of the cup lid 3 to open freely relative to the cup body 2.

[0065] The cup lid 3 is a component that needs to be opened frequently, so it is more suitable to place it on the side that provides active response and action output, while the cup body 2 is usually relatively stable and is more suitable as the side that provides limiting and reaction force bearing. By placing the locking part 421 on the cup lid 3 and the limiting part on the cup body 2, the deformation generated by the flexible membrane 32 can be directly applied to the closing interface of the cup lid 3, and the cup body 2 can provide reliable reverse support.

[0066] When the air pressure inside the receiving cavity 21 is lower than the external ambient air pressure, the flexible membrane 32 deforms towards the inside of the receiving cavity 21 under the action of the pressure difference. This deformation further drives the force transmission parts associated with the flexible membrane 32 to move, causing the locking part 421 to move in a direction that is conducive to enhanced cooperation with the limiting part. As the constraint between the locking part 421 and the limiting part is strengthened, the locking force of the cup lid 3 relative to the cup body 2 is increased, thereby making it less likely for the cup lid 3 to loosen, lift up, or partially open when closed.

[0067] In one exemplary embodiment, the locking part 421 is movable between a locked position and a released position. In the locked position, the locking part 421 increases the locking force between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3; in the released position, the locking part 421 decreases the locking force between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3.

[0068] The locking part 421 is configured as a movable component whose position can be switched relative to the mating interface between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3. In other words, the locking part 421 forms a variable locking relationship with the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 in terms of structure, and performs the task of switching between two different stages: locking enhancement and locking release.

[0069] When the locking part 421 is in the locked position, it is in a deeper fit, a tighter contact, or a stronger limiting state relative to the mating parts of the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3. This creates a greater locking force between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3, stronger suppression of the opening tendency of the cup lid 3 relative to the cup body 2, and a more stable closed state. When the locking part 421 moves to the released position, the degree of constraint between the locking part 421 and the corresponding mating parts weakens, and the locking force between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 decreases accordingly, making it easier for the cup lid 3 to release the closing constraint relative to the cup body 2.

[0070] The locking force requirement of the dust cup 10 varies in different stages of use. During the working stage, a higher locking force is required to maintain the reliability of the closure, while during the non-working stage, it is more suitable to reduce the locking force for opening operation. By moving the locking part 421 between the locking position and the releasing position, the locking state between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 can be made more in line with the actual use requirements.

[0071] In one exemplary embodiment, please refer to Figure 2As shown, the cup lid 3 is hinged to the cup body 2, and the locking part 421 is provided in a region spaced apart from the hinge position of the cup lid 3 and the cup body 2, so as to form a locking effect on the free opening side of the cup lid 3 when the cup lid 3 is closed.

[0072] The lid 3 is rotatably connected to the cup body 2 via a hinge structure, allowing the lid 3 to rotate around the hinge position between open and closed states. The hinge position constitutes the pivot point for the lid 3's opening and closing motion relative to the cup body 2, while the freely opening side constitutes the area of ​​the lid 3 that is more prone to tilting and opening away from the hinge position. The locking part 421 is positioned in a region spaced from the hinge position, essentially placing the locking action at a point where the lever arm of the lid 3 is larger during its opening and closing motion. This allows the locking part 421 to act on the freely opening side when the lid 3 is closed, thereby more effectively suppressing the lid 3 from rotating around the hinge position.

[0073] Since the cup lid 3 essentially rotates around the hinge position when opened, the free-opening side usually has a greater displacement tendency when subjected to external forces. Therefore, the free-opening side is often the part that requires more focused locking and constraint. Based on this, placing the locking part 421 in an area spaced apart from the hinge position allows the locking action to better conform to the actual force characteristics and opening pattern of the cup lid 3.

[0074] If the locking action is too close to the hinge position, although it can form a certain constraint, the effect of suppressing the overall opening tendency of the cup lid 3 is relatively limited because the point of action is close to the pivot point. However, by arranging the locking part 421 near the free opening side, the ability to resist the rotation of the cup lid 3 can be improved by using a longer lever arm, thereby obtaining a better closing retention effect under the same locking action.

[0075] In one exemplary embodiment, the flexible membrane 32 has an elastic restoring capability. When the air pressure inside the receiving cavity 21 is close to equal to the external ambient air pressure, the flexible membrane 32 resets and drives the locking structure 4 to move in the direction of reducing the locking force between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3.

[0076] The flexible membrane 32 not only undertakes the pressure response and driving role in the entire dust cup 10 structure during operation, but also undertakes the active retraction and state restoration role during non-operational operation. That is to say, the flexible membrane 32 does not only undergo unidirectional deformation when the pressure difference exists, but after the pressure difference weakens or disappears, it can rely on its own material elasticity, structural pre-tightening state, or initial installation form to restore itself to its original position or close to its original position, thereby causing the locking structure 4 connected to the flexible membrane 32 to move in the opposite direction synchronously.

[0077] With this configuration, a two-way linkage is formed between the flexible membrane 32 and the locking structure 4. When a negative pressure is formed in the receiving cavity 21, the flexible membrane 32 deforms towards the inside of the receiving cavity 21 and drives the locking structure 4 to enhance the locking effect. When the air pressure inside and outside the receiving cavity 21 tends to be balanced, the flexible membrane 32 drives the locking structure 4 to move in the direction of reducing the locking force through the reset action, thereby weakening the closing constraint between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3, making it easier for the user to open the cup lid 3.

[0078] When the flexible membrane 32 resets, the locking structure 4 no longer maintains the enhanced locking state previously formed by negative pressure drive, but gradually returns to a state with weaker locking effect, thereby reducing the opening resistance of the cup lid 3 relative to the cup body 2. The locking force requirements of the dust cup 10 are different during the vacuum cleaner's working and stopping phases. During the working phase, a higher locking force is required to maintain sealing reliability, while maintaining a strong lock during the stopping phase would increase the burden of emptying dust and opening the lid. By giving the flexible membrane 32 elastic reset capability, the locking structure 4 can automatically switch to a working state more suitable for the current use phase according to the pressure state changes in the receiving cavity 21.

[0079] In one exemplary embodiment, the cover 31 is provided with a ventilation structure that communicates with the external environment, so that the side of the flexible membrane 32 facing away from the receiving cavity 21 is connected to the external environment. By providing a ventilation structure on the cover 31, the side of the flexible membrane 32 facing away from the receiving cavity 21 can be stably connected to the external environment, thereby ensuring that the flexible membrane 32 can reliably sense the pressure difference inside and outside the receiving cavity 21 when the vacuum cleaner is working, and convert the pressure difference into deformation displacement.

[0080] Specifically, the side of the flexible membrane 32 facing the receiving cavity 21 is subject to pressure changes within the receiving cavity 21, while the side of the flexible membrane 32 facing away from the receiving cavity 21 is connected to the external environment through a venting structure, thus maintaining a pressure state close to that of the external environment. Therefore, the two sides of the flexible membrane 32 correspond to the pressure environments within the receiving cavity 21 and the external environment, respectively, causing the flexible membrane 32 to undergo elastic deformation under the pressure difference between the two environments.

[0081] The venting structure provides a gas communication path between the flexible membrane 32 (facing away from the receiving cavity 21) and the external environment without affecting the overall sealing function of the cup lid 3. In this way, the flexible membrane 32 is not sandwiched between two closed spaces, but its side facing away from the receiving cavity 21 can always sense changes in external environmental pressure. Without the venting structure, the side of the flexible membrane 32 facing away from the receiving cavity 21 may form a closed chamber or trap gas, resulting in unclear pressure states on both sides of the flexible membrane 32 and affecting its sensitivity to pressure changes in the receiving cavity 21.

[0082] In one exemplary embodiment, a sealing element is provided between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3. When the locking structure 4 increases the locking force between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3, the compression amount of the sealing element also increases.

[0083] A sealing element with elastic compression capability is introduced between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 to form a more stable sealing interface when the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 are closed. The sealing element is disposed between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3, and can be located at the relative contact area or the closing boundary between the two. When the cup lid 3 is closed, it is sandwiched between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3. Thus, the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 constitute the relative compression boundary of the sealing element, and the sealing element constitutes an intermediate sealing component between the two for filling the mating gap, buffering assembly tolerances, and improving sealing reliability.

[0084] A sealing element is positioned at the mating interface between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 to establish an elastic contact relationship when they are closed. The locking structure 4 works in conjunction with the locking relationship between the cup lid 3 and the cup body 2. When the locking structure 4 is activated and increases the locking force between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3, the pressure of the cup lid 3 relative to the cup body 2 increases, resulting in greater compression of the sealing element and thus increasing the amount of compression. In this way, the locking structure 4 indirectly changes the pressure state of the sealing element by adjusting the locking state between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3; the sealing element changes its degree of compression accordingly with the change in the locking force output by the locking structure 4.

[0085] During actual assembly and use, manufacturing tolerances, assembly deviations, and uneven local contact are often unavoidable between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3. If only the rigid surfaces are directly bonded, tiny gaps can easily form in local areas, thus affecting the sealing stability of the receiving cavity 21. Especially when the vacuum cleaner is working, the receiving cavity 21 is usually in a state of lower air pressure than the external environment. If the sealing of the mating interface between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3 is insufficient, external air or fine particles may leak through local gaps.

[0086] Based on this, a sealing element is provided between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3. The elastic compression characteristics of the sealing element can compensate for the interface gap, and when the locking force of the locking structure 4 increases, the tightness of the interface fit is further improved by increasing the compression of the sealing element. In other words, the sealing element can not only adapt to the relative tolerance between the cup body 2 and the cup lid 3, but also dynamically improve the sealing effect as the locking force output by the locking structure 4 changes.

[0087] This disclosure also provides a cleaning device including a main unit and the aforementioned dust cup, wherein the main unit is used to create an air pressure in the dust cup that is lower than the external ambient pressure when the cleaning device is in operation.

[0088] The main unit primarily functions to generate suction, establish airflow pathways, and drive air and particulate matter into the dust cup. The dust cup, on the other hand, primarily functions to collect dust, hold debris, and maintain the dust collection space. When the main unit and dust cup work together, the cleaning equipment can create a pressure environment inside the dust cup that is lower than the ambient air pressure during operation. This causes air to flow along a predetermined path under the influence of the internal and external pressure difference, carrying dust and impurities from the external area to be cleaned into the dust cup.

[0089] The main unit serves as the power output component of the cleaning equipment. It can be equipped with a power unit or airflow generator to create suction, thus creating a suction effect on the dust cup during operation. The dust cup is connected to the main unit, allowing the suction generated by the main unit to act on the internal space of the dust cup. Therefore, the low-pressure environment inside the dust cup is actively established by the main unit during operation. In other words, the main unit is responsible for generating negative pressure conditions, and the dust cup is responsible for using these negative pressure conditions to collect dust and manage the state changes of its corresponding functional components. Together, they constitute the negative pressure system during the operation of the cleaning equipment.

[0090] When the aforementioned dust cup is applied to cleaning equipment, the main unit creates a state of lower air pressure inside the dust cup than the external environment during operation. This provides working conditions for the various response structures inside the dust cup, ensuring that the dust cup's closed, sealed, and locked states are based on the overall operating state of the machine.

[0091] In summary, the dust cup and cleaning device provided in this disclosure, by incorporating a flexible membrane on the cup lid and allowing the deformation zone of the flexible membrane to deform inwards towards the inside of the receiving cavity when the air pressure inside the receiving cavity is lower than the air pressure outside the dust cup, thereby driving the locking structure to move and increasing the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid. This directly converts the internal and external pressure difference generated during the dust cup's operation into a driving force that enhances the locking effect. Therefore, the locking state between the cup body and the cup lid is no longer fixed but adaptively strengthens as the negative pressure inside the dust cup increases. This allows the dust cup to maintain a more reliable closed state and a more stable sealing effect under high suction conditions, thus helping to reduce air and dust leakage, and is particularly beneficial for improving the sealing reliability in fine dust cleaning scenarios.

[0092] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this disclosure is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that this disclosure can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within this disclosure. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0093] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A dust cup, characterized in that, include: The cup body has a receiving cavity and an opening communicating with the receiving cavity; A cup lid for opening and closing the opening, the cup lid including a lid body and a flexible membrane disposed on the lid body, at least a portion of the flexible membrane forming a deformable area capable of elastic deformation toward the receiving cavity; A locking structure is connected to the flexible membrane and used to lock the cup body and the cup lid; When the air pressure inside the receiving cavity is lower than the air pressure outside the dust cup, the deformation zone deforms toward the inside of the receiving cavity and drives the locking structure to move, thereby increasing the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid.

2. The dust cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking structure is configured to apply a clamping force to the cup lid in the cup lid closing direction when the flexible membrane deforms.

3. The dust cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking structure includes a connector and a locking member that are connected to each other. The connector is connected to the deformation area, and the locking member is disposed on one of the cup body and the cup lid and locks into the other of the cup body and the cup lid.

4. The dust cup according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connector includes a central connecting area and a plurality of connecting portions extending outward from the central connecting area. The locking member includes a plurality of locking portions, which are respectively connected to the outer ends of the plurality of connecting portions. The plurality of connecting portions are used to transmit the deformation displacement of the deformation area to the plurality of locking portions respectively.

5. The dust cup according to claim 4, characterized in that, The deformation zone is located in the middle of the cover, and the central connecting zone is located within the deformation zone.

6. The dust cup according to claim 4, characterized in that, The locking part is provided on the cup lid and cooperates with the limiting part provided on the cup body to increase the locking force of the cup lid relative to the cup body when the flexible membrane deforms toward the inside of the receiving cavity.

7. The dust cup according to claim 4, characterized in that, The locking part can move between a locked position and a released position. In the locked position, the locking part increases the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid; in the released position, the locking part decreases the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid.

8. The dust cup according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cup lid is hinged to the cup body, and the locking part is provided in a region spaced apart from the hinge position of the cup lid and the cup body, so as to form a locking effect on the free opening side of the cup lid when the cup lid is closed.

9. The dust cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible membrane has an elastic restoring capability. When the air pressure inside the receiving cavity is close to equal to the air pressure outside the dust cup, the flexible membrane resets and drives the locking structure to move in the direction of reducing the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid.

10. The dust cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover is provided with a ventilation structure that communicates with the external environment, so that the side of the flexible membrane facing away from the receiving cavity is in communication with the external environment.

11. The dust cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealing element is provided between the cup body and the cup lid. When the locking structure increases the locking force between the cup body and the cup lid, the compression amount of the sealing element also increases.

12. A cleaning device, characterized in that, The device includes a main unit and a dust cup according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the main unit is used to create a negative pressure inside the dust cup relative to the outside of the dust cup when the cleaning device is in operation.

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