Self-locking device capable of being operated by one hand and water tank structure

Abstract

The self-locking device comprises a self-locking shell, a button and a spring bolt are arranged in the self-locking shell, one end of the button extends out of the self-locking shell and is in sliding fit with the self-locking shell, a holding part is arranged on the side, close to the button, of the self-locking shell, one end of the spring bolt extends out of the self-locking shell, and the other end of the spring bolt is in sliding fit with the self-locking shell. The sliding block is in sliding fit with the self-locking shell; a first inclined plane is arranged on the button, a second inclined plane is arranged on the spring bolt, the first inclined plane and the second inclined plane are in sliding abutting fit, the button can drive the spring bolt to stretch into the self-locking shell, a reset device is arranged in the self-locking shell, and the reset device can drive the spring bolt to stretch out of the self-locking shell. Unlocking can be completed only through one-hand operation, two-hand operation is not needed, and user operation is friendly; and the structure is simple, and the manufacturing cost and the assembling difficulty can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sweeping robot technology, specifically to a self-locking device and water tank structure that can be operated with one hand. Background Technology

[0002] A robotic vacuum cleaner, also known as a lazy person's vacuum cleaner, is a smart home appliance that can automatically clean floors. Because it can detect factors such as room size, furniture placement, and floor cleanliness, and use its built-in programs to plan a reasonable cleaning route, it possesses a certain degree of intelligence, hence the name "robot."

[0003] With technological advancements, robotic vacuum cleaners have become increasingly versatile, with the most common type capable of both sweeping and mopping. These all-in-one vacuums inevitably require a water tank to hold clean and dirty water. During use, the water tank needs to be removed to add clean water or empty the dirty water. Current robotic vacuum cleaners have relatively complex water tank locking mechanisms; when installing or removing the tank, the user needs one hand to unlock the mechanism while simultaneously using the other to pull out the tank.

[0004] In summary, the existing water tank structure of robotic vacuum cleaners requires both hands for installation and removal, making one-handed operation impossible and inconvenient for users. Therefore, the water tank structure of existing robotic vacuum cleaners needs to be improved. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address some or all of the problems existing in the prior art, this utility model provides a self-locking device that can be operated with one hand, including a self-locking housing. The self-locking housing contains a button and a latch. One end of the button extends out of the self-locking housing and slides within it. A gripping portion is provided on the side of the self-locking housing near the button. One end of the latch extends out of the self-locking housing and slides within it. The button has a first inclined surface, and the latch has a second inclined surface. The first and second inclined surfaces slide against each other. The button can drive the latch to extend into the self-locking housing. A reset device is provided inside the self-locking housing, which can drive the latch to extend out of the self-locking housing.

[0006] As a further improvement of this utility model, the self-locking housing is provided with a horizontal limiting groove and a vertical limiting groove, the button is slidably limited to the horizontal limiting groove, and the lock tongue is slidably limited to the vertical limiting groove.

[0007] As a further improvement of this utility model, the reset device includes a first reset spring, the two ends of which abut against the inner sidewall of the latch and the self-locking housing, respectively.

[0008] As a further improvement of this utility model, the button is provided with a mounting groove, and a second return spring is provided in the mounting groove. One end of the second return spring extends out of the mounting groove and abuts against the inner side wall of the self-locking housing. The second return spring is used to drive the button to extend out of the self-locking housing.

[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, the end of the button that extends into the self-locking housing is provided with a push block, the first inclined surface is provided on the push block, the end of the latch that extends into the self-locking housing is provided with a snap-fit ​​hole, the second inclined surface is provided on the side wall of the snap-fit ​​hole, the push block extends into the snap-fit ​​hole and slides and snaps into the snap-fit ​​hole.

[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model, there are two of each of the push blocks and the locking tongue, and they are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0011] On the other hand, this utility model also provides a water tank structure including the above-mentioned self-locking device that can be operated with one hand, and further includes a mounting frame and a tank body. The self-locking outer shell is fixedly connected to the tank body, the tank body can extend into the mounting frame body, the mounting frame body is provided with a locking hole, and the locking tongue is detachably engaged with the locking hole.

[0012] As a further improvement of this utility model, an anti-cavity groove is provided on the outer side wall of the box at the position corresponding to the grip part.

[0013] As a further improvement of this utility model, a guide protrusion is provided on the inner side wall of the mounting frame, and a guide groove is provided on the outer side wall of the box, wherein the guide protrusion and the guide groove are slidably engaged.

[0014] As a further improvement of this utility model, there are two boxes, and the two boxes are symmetrically distributed along the center line of the mounting frame. Each box is provided with a self-locking device that can be operated with one hand.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0016] This invention allows for unlocking by pressing a button, requiring only one hand and eliminating the need for two, making it user-friendly. Furthermore, its simple structure reduces manufacturing costs and assembly difficulty. The locking tongue engages securely with the locking hole on the tank body, preventing the water tank from loosening or falling off during use. In practical use, when disassembling the water tank, the user simply holds the grip on the self-locking housing while pressing the button. This causes the button to extend into the self-locking housing. The first bevel on the button presses against the second bevel on the locking tongue, pushing the tongue into the self-locking housing and disengaging it from the tank body, thus unlocking the tank. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the solutions in this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram from another perspective of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the self-locking device in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the self-locking device in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-locking outer shell in an embodiment of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains; the terminology used in the specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention; the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, or accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a particular order.

[0025] In this invention, the reference to "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this invention. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment to other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described in this invention can be combined with other embodiments.

[0026] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] like Figure 1-6 As shown, a water tank structure for a robotic vacuum cleaner includes a mounting frame 1 and a housing 2. The mounting frame 1 is fixedly connected to the outer shell of the robotic vacuum cleaner. The housing 2 is used to hold clean water or wastewater and can extend into the mounting frame 1. A self-locking device is fixedly installed inside the housing 2, which can be unlocked and locked with one hand. The self-locking device is detachably connected to the mounting frame 1, and the housing 2 can be locked onto the mounting frame 1 by the cooperation of the self-locking device and the mounting frame 1.

[0028] Specifically, the self-locking device includes a self-locking housing 3, which is fixedly connected to the housing 2. A button 4 and a locking tongue 5 are installed inside the self-locking housing 3. One end of the button 4 extends out of the self-locking housing 3 and slides within it. A grip 31 is provided on the side of the self-locking housing 3 near the button 4, facilitating gripping of the self-locking housing 3 for unlocking and locking the housing 2. One end of the locking tongue 5 extends out of the self-locking housing 3 and slides within it. A locking hole 11 is provided on the mounting frame 1 at a position corresponding to the locking tongue 5, and the locking tongue 5 is detachably engaged with the locking hole 11. When the locking tongue 5 engages with the locking hole 11, the entire self-locking device and the housing 2 are fixedly positioned within the mounting frame 1, thus locking the water tank. When the locking tongue 5 separates from the locking hole 11, the user can use the grip 31 to pull the housing 2 and the self-locking device out of the mounting frame 1, thus disassembling the water tank.

[0029] To achieve self-locking and unlocking, a first inclined surface 41 is provided at one end of the button 4 that extends into the self-locking housing 3, and a second inclined surface 51 is provided at one end of the latch 5 that extends into the self-locking housing 3. The first inclined surface 41 and the second inclined surface 51 slide and abut against each other. The button 4 can drive the latch 5 to extend into the self-locking housing 3. A reset device is provided inside the self-locking housing 3. The reset device can drive the latch 5 to extend out of the self-locking housing 3.

[0030] When the water tank is locked, the locking tongue 5 extends out of the self-locking housing 3 and engages with the locking hole 11, thereby limiting and fixing the tank body 2 to the mounting frame 1. When it is necessary to disassemble the water tank, the user can hold the grip part 31 on the self-locking housing 3 and press the button 4 with their finger, causing the button 4 to move in the direction of extending into the self-locking housing 3. The first inclined surface 41 on the button 4 will press the second inclined surface 51 on the locking tongue 5, thereby pushing the locking tongue 5 into the self-locking housing 3, causing the locking tongue 5 to disengage from the tank body 2, thus unlocking the tank. Afterwards, the user can hold the grip part 31 to pull the tank body 2 out of the mounting frame 1, thus realizing the disassembly function of the water tank. When installing the water tank, hold the grip part 31 and align the tank body 2 with the mounting frame 1, then push the tank body 2 into the mounting frame 1. The side wall of the mounting frame 1 will press the locking tongue 5, causing the locking tongue 5 to extend into the self-locking outer shell 3. As the tank body 2 is pushed into the mounting frame 1, when the locking tongue 5 is aligned with the locking hole 11, the resetting device will push the locking tongue 5 out of the self-locking outer shell 3, thereby allowing the locking tongue 5 to extend into the locking hole 11, thus realizing the function of locking the water tank.

[0031] The water tank structure can be unlocked via operation button 4 and self-locked via a reset device. Users can unlock and lock with one hand by holding the grip part 31, eliminating the need for two hands and making it user-friendly. Furthermore, its simple structure reduces manufacturing costs and assembly difficulty. The locking tongue 5, in conjunction with the locking hole 11, ensures a stable lock, preventing the water tank from loosening or falling off during use.

[0032] In this embodiment, in order to facilitate the user to grasp the grip part 31, a clearance groove 21 is provided on the outer side wall of the tank 2 at the corresponding position of the grip part 31; by providing the clearance groove 21, the user's hand can be inserted under the self-locking outer shell 3, thereby facilitating the overall grasp of the grip part 31, making it convenient to disassemble and assemble the water tank, and improving its practicality.

[0033] To limit and guide the position of the housing 2 as it extends into the mounting frame 1, a guide protrusion 12 is provided on the inner side wall of the mounting frame 1, and a guide groove 22 is provided on the outer side wall of the housing 2. The guide protrusion 12 and the guide groove 22 are slidably engaged. When the housing 2 extends into or out of the mounting frame 1, the guide protrusion 12 slides within the guide groove 22. The engagement between the guide protrusion 12 and the guide groove 22 limits and guides the sliding direction of the housing 2. The engagement between the guide protrusion 12 and the guide groove 22 ensures that the housing 2 is fixed within the mounting frame 1, thus improving the stability of the structure.

[0034] The self-locking housing 3 has a horizontal limiting groove 32 and a vertical limiting groove 33. The button 4 is slidably limited by the horizontal limiting groove 32, which limits the movement direction of the button 4, allowing it to slide left and right only along the opening direction of the horizontal limiting groove 32, thus improving operational stability. The locking tongue 5 is slidably limited by the vertical limiting groove 33, which limits the movement direction of the locking tongue 5, allowing it to slide up and down only along the opening direction of the vertical limiting groove 33, further improving operational stability.

[0035] In this embodiment, the reset device includes a first reset spring 6, the two ends of which abut against the locking tongue 5 and the inner sidewall of the self-locking housing 3, respectively. When the water tank is locked, the locking tongue 5 extends out of the self-locking housing 3 under the elastic force of the first return spring 6, locking the locking tongue 5 into the mounting frame 1. When the user presses the button 4, the first inclined surface 41 pushes the second inclined surface 51, causing the locking tongue 5 to slide downward in the vertical limiting groove 33 and extend into the self-locking housing 3. At the same time, the locking tongue 5 will squeeze the first return spring 6. During the process of installing the tank 2 into the mounting frame 1, the tank 2 is pushed into the mounting frame 1, and the inner wall of the mounting frame 1 will squeeze the locking tongue 5, causing the locking tongue 5 to extend into the self-locking housing 3. At this time, the locking tongue 5 will compress the first return spring 6. When the locking tongue 5 is aligned with the locking hole 11, under the elastic force of the first return spring 6, the locking tongue 5 will be pushed out of the self-locking housing 3, and one end of the locking tongue 5 will extend into the locking hole 11 to achieve locking, thereby completing the task of locking the tank 2.

[0036] To achieve automatic reset of button 4, two mounting slots 42 are provided on button 4. Each mounting slot 42 contains a second reset spring 7. One end of the second reset spring 7 extending out of the mounting slot 42 abuts against the inner wall of the self-locking housing 3. The second reset spring 7 is used to drive button 4 to extend out of the self-locking housing 3. When the user presses button 4, button 4 extends into the self-locking housing 3, compressing the second reset spring 7. When the user releases button 4, the elastic force of the second reset spring 7 pushes button 4 to slide within the transverse limiting slot 32, causing button 4 to extend out of the self-locking housing 3 and reset to its initial position.

[0037] To improve structural stability, a push block 43 is provided at the end of button 4 that extends into the self-locking housing 3. A first inclined surface 41 is provided on the push block 43, and the push block 43 is integrally formed with button 4. A locking hole 52 is provided at the end of the latch 5 that extends into the self-locking housing 3. A second inclined surface 51 is provided on the side wall of the locking hole 52. The push block 43 extends into the locking hole 52 and slides and engages with the locking hole 52. During the pressing of button 4, the push block 43 slides in the locking hole 52, and the engagement of the first inclined surface 41 and the second inclined surface 51 drives the latch 5 to extend into the self-locking housing 3, thereby unlocking. The engagement of the push block 43 and the locking hole 52 allows the latch 5 and button 4 to be locked and fixed, preventing displacement during use and improving structural stability and control accuracy.

[0038] In this embodiment, there are two push blocks 43 and two locking tongues 5. The two push blocks 43 are respectively located at the two ends of the button 4 extending into the self-locking housing 3. The locking tongues 5 are correspondingly arranged one-to-one with the push blocks 43. By setting two push blocks 43 and two locking tongues 5, the water tank can be engaged with two positions of the mounting frame 1, which improves the stability of the locking and prevents the water tank from becoming loose or detached during the use of the sweeping robot.

[0039] In this embodiment, there are two boxes 2, which are symmetrically distributed along the center line of the mounting frame 1. Each box 2 is equipped with a self-locking device. In actual use, one box 2 can be used to hold clean water, and the other box 2 can be used to hold wastewater, thus meeting the working needs of the sweeping robot.

[0040] The above-described specific embodiments are preferred embodiments of this utility model, and are not intended to limit the specific scope of this utility model. The scope of this utility model includes but is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. All equivalent changes made in accordance with this utility model are within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A self-locking device operable with one hand, characterized in that: The device includes a self-locking housing, inside which are a button and a latch. One end of the button extends out of the self-locking housing and slides with it. A gripping part is provided on the side of the self-locking housing near the button. One end of the latch extends out of the self-locking housing and slides with it. The button has a first inclined surface, and the latch has a second inclined surface. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface slide and abut against each other. The button can drive the latch to extend into the self-locking housing. The self-locking housing is provided with a reset device, which can drive the latch to extend out of the self-locking housing.

2. The self-locking device operable with one hand according to claim 1, characterized in that: The self-locking housing has a horizontal limiting groove and a vertical limiting groove. The button is slidably limited to the horizontal limiting groove, and the lock tongue is slidably limited to the vertical limiting groove.

3. The self-locking device operable with one hand according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reset device includes a first reset spring, the two ends of which abut against the inner wall of the latch and the self-locking housing, respectively.

4. The self-locking device operable with one hand according to claim 3, characterized in that: The button is provided with a mounting groove, and a second return spring is provided in the mounting groove. One end of the second return spring extends out of the mounting groove and abuts against the inner side wall of the self-locking housing. The second return spring is used to drive the button to extend out of the self-locking housing.

5. The self-locking device operable with one hand according to claim 1, characterized in that: The button has a push block at one end that extends into the self-locking housing. The first inclined surface is provided on the push block. The latch has a snap-fit ​​hole at one end that extends into the self-locking housing. The second inclined surface is provided on the side wall of the snap-fit ​​hole. The push block extends into the snap-fit ​​hole and slides and snaps into the snap-fit ​​hole.

6. The self-locking device operable with one hand according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are two of each of the push blocks and the locking tongue, and they are set in a one-to-one correspondence.

7. A water tank structure comprising a self-locking device operable with one hand as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: It also includes a mounting frame and a housing, the self-locking outer shell is fixedly connected to the housing, the housing can extend into the mounting frame, the mounting frame is provided with a locking hole, and the locking tongue is detachably engaged with the locking hole.

8. The water tank structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: An anti-cavity groove is provided on the outer wall of the box at the position corresponding to the grip part.

9. The water tank structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inner sidewall of the mounting frame is provided with a guide protrusion, and the outer sidewall of the box is provided with a guide groove. The guide protrusion and the guide groove are slidably engaged.

10. The water tank structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: There are two boxes, and the two boxes are symmetrically distributed along the center line of the mounting frame. Each box is equipped with a self-locking device that can be operated with one hand.

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