Surface cleaning device
By using a float and multi-sensor system in a vertical floor scrubber, accurate monitoring of the wastewater tank level under different postures is achieved, solving the problem of inaccurate level monitoring and improving the reliability and volume utilization of the equipment.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing upright floor scrubbers have problems with inaccurate wastewater tank level monitoring under different postures, resulting in false full water signals or low effective volume utilization.
Two sensing elements and a float system are used to monitor different liquid levels in the wastewater tank under tilted and upright postures. The movement of the float in the recovery chamber triggers the sensing elements to output an early warning signal, ensuring accurate monitoring of the liquid level under different postures.
It improves the reliability of sewage tank overflow prevention and the effective volume utilization rate, reduces false alarms, and enhances the user experience.
Smart Images
Figure CN223979771U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of floor cleaning equipment technology, and in particular to a vertical surface cleaning device that can use fluid to clean the floor and recycle used liquid. Background Technology
[0002] Surface cleaning devices, such as upright floor scrubbers, are widely used in household cleaning as integrated cleaning equipment that combines sweeping, mopping, and wastewater recovery. The core functional modules of a surface cleaning device include a clean water supply system, a roller brush cleaning assembly, and a wastewater recovery system. The wastewater recovery system includes a wastewater tank that stores the recovered liquid and a suction motor that is fluidly connected to the wastewater tank. The wastewater tank level monitoring technology is directly related to the device's spill prevention performance.
[0003] In existing technologies, methods for monitoring the liquid level in wastewater tanks include installing liquid level monitoring probes or single-point liquid level sensors inside the tank to monitor the wastewater volume. These sensors are fixedly installed at a preset height on the inner wall of the tank. When the liquid level reaches the preset height, a stop or alarm signal is triggered to prevent wastewater from overflowing and entering the suction motor.
[0004] Currently, most upright floor scrubbers maintain a backward tilt relative to the ground during operation, while remaining upright when in self-cleaning mode on the self-cleaning seat. Both of these states are common for upright floor scrubbers. However, since the wastewater tank is usually fixed to the upright machine, its posture changes synchronously with the machine, causing a mismatch between the preset height for monitoring the wastewater tank and the actual amount of wastewater inside. For example, in the tilted state, the angle between the liquid surface and the probe detection point or sensor can cause the liquid level to trigger the detection point prematurely, creating a "false full" signal and forcing the machine to stop working prematurely. Conversely, in the upright state, the height design of the fixed detection point needs to allow for excessive safety margin, resulting in a reduced effective volume utilization rate of the wastewater tank.
[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a wastewater tank level monitoring solution that can adapt to the various working conditions of floor scrubbers. Utility Model Content
[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides a surface cleaning device with a wastewater tank level monitoring scheme that can adapt to different body postures.
[0007] Therefore, this utility model provides a surface cleaning device, comprising: a cleaning base movable along the ground; and an upright body pivotally connected to the cleaning base at its lower part. The upright body is rotatable relative to the cleaning base between a first rearward tilting position and a second upright position. The upright body includes a housing, a wastewater tank with a recovery chamber inside, and a suction motor in fluid communication with the recovery chamber. A float capable of moving upward as the liquid level in the recovery chamber rises is provided inside the recovery chamber. A triggering element is fixedly installed inside the float. A first sensing element and a second sensing element are provided on the housing. The first sensing element is configured to sense the movement of the float within a first height range. The triggering element outputs a first warning signal when the float rises to leave the first height range; the second sensing element is configured to sense the triggering element within the float located in the second height range and output a second warning signal when the float rises to leave the second height range; the first height range defines a first maximum height, which is adapted to a first warning liquid level position established for the upright fuselage in the first position; the second height range defines a second maximum height, which is higher than the first maximum height, and the second maximum height is adapted to a second warning liquid level position established for the upright fuselage in the second position.
[0008] In some embodiments, the surface cleaning device further includes a control device, which is signal-connected to the first sensing element and the second sensing element.
[0009] In some embodiments, the surface cleaning device further includes a self-cleaning switch disposed on the cleaning base or the upright body; the self-cleaning switch is configured to be triggered when the upright body is in the second position.
[0010] In some embodiments, the triggering element is a magnetic element, and the first sensing element and the second sensing element are Hall effect sensing elements.
[0011] In some embodiments, the wastewater tank is detachably mounted on the upright body and includes a tank body and a removable top cover covering the top of the tank body, a bracket is mounted on the top cover, the bracket extends into the recovery chamber, and the float is constrained on the bracket.
[0012] In some embodiments, the wastewater tank is detachably mounted at the front of the upright body.
[0013] In some embodiments, the tank includes a circumferential sidewall having a rear portion that engages with the housing, and the wastewater tank further includes a vertical inlet pipe located in the middle of the recovery chamber, with the support and the float located between the rear portion and the vertical inlet pipe.
[0014] In some embodiments, the support defines a docking cavity into which the upper portion of the vertical inlet tube extends.
[0015] In some embodiments, the float is located near the inner wall surface of the rear portion.
[0016] In some embodiments, the support is provided with a movable cavity, the float is configured to move up and down only within the movable cavity, and the housing is provided with a third sensing element, which is configured to sense the triggering element inside the float located at any position within the movable cavity.
[0017] In some embodiments, the support is provided with a filter wall having filter holes, and at least a portion of the cavity wall of the movable cavity is defined by the filter wall.
[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: By arranging two sensors, the floor scrubber can monitor the different liquid levels of the wastewater tank in both tilted and upright positions, ensuring the reliability of the wastewater tank in preventing overflow in both positions. At the same time, this solution can maximize the utilization of the effective volume of the wastewater tank, improve the utilization rate of the wastewater tank, reduce false alarms, and enhance the user experience. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application when the upright body is in the first position;
[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the surface cleaning device shown, with its upright body switched to a second position and supported on a self-cleaning base;
[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A longitudinal sectional view of the surface cleaning device and self-cleaning base shown in the figure;
[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged view at point A;
[0023] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the disassembled upright body of the surface cleaning device shown;
[0024] Figure 6 This is an anatomical diagram of a sewage tank according to an embodiment of this application;
[0025] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 An enlarged view at point B;
[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the liquid level sensing plate, the control device, and the float according to an embodiment of this application;
[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the sensing range of the first and second sensing elements in a liquid level sensing plate according to an embodiment of this application;
[0028] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the float and the liquid level sensing plate when the upright body of the surface cleaning device is in the first position and the sewage tank is not full, according to an embodiment of this application.
[0029] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the float and the liquid level sensing plate when the surface cleaning device is in the first position and the sewage tank is full of sewage, according to an embodiment of this application.
[0030] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the float and the liquid level sensing plate when the upright body of the surface cleaning device is in the second position and the sewage tank is not full, according to an embodiment of this application.
[0031] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the float and the liquid level sensing plate when the surface cleaning device is in the second position and the sewage tank is full of sewage, according to an embodiment of this application.
[0032] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the liquid level sensing plate, the control device, and the float according to another embodiment of this application;
[0033] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the sensing range of the first, second, and third sensing elements in the liquid level sensing plate;
[0034] Figure 16 yes Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the third sensing element sensing the float as it rises and falls in the moving cavity. Detailed Implementation
[0035] It is readily understood that, based on the technical solution of this utility model, those skilled in the art can propose various interchangeable structural methods and implementations without altering the essential spirit of this utility model. Therefore, the following detailed embodiments and accompanying drawings are merely illustrative descriptions of the technical solution of this utility model and should not be considered as the entirety of this utility model or as limitations or restrictions on the technical solution of this utility model.
[0036] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 This application illustrates a preferred embodiment of a surface cleaning device 100. The surface cleaning device 100 is configured as a vertical device, comprising an upright body 1 and a cleaning base 2. The upright body 1 is capable of being in a first rearward tilted position relative to the cleaning base 2 (…). Figure 1 (Location) and the second upright position ( Figure 2 It is rotatably connected to the cleaning base 2 between the location of the cleaning base 2 and the location of the cleaning base 2. Figure 1 The first position is usually the position where the upright body 1 is located or maintained when the surface cleaning device 100 is performing cleaning work on the ground. Figure 2 The second position is typically where the surface cleaning device 100 rests on the self-cleaning base 300 for self-cleaning or when using external attachments. The cleaning base 2 is movable along the ground, and the lower part of the upright body 1 is pivotally connected to the cleaning base 2. This surface cleaning device 100 can be used for cleaning surfaces such as short-pile carpets and hard floors.
[0037] The positional relationships of "up," "down," "front," and "back" described above and below are defined from the perspective of the operator standing behind the upright machine and pushing the cleaning base forward.
[0038] The upright unit 1 includes a housing 11, a handle 12 located on the upper side of the housing 11, a clean water tank 13 and a wastewater tank 14 mounted on the front of the housing 11, a suction motor 15 in fluid communication with the wastewater tank 14, and a battery module 16. The cleaning agent supplied to the clean water tank 13 can be either clean water or a disinfectant solution prepared to an appropriate concentration, etc., and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.
[0039] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the cleaning base 2 includes a housing 21, a roller brush 22, a spray nozzle 27, and a suction pipe 23. The housing 21 defines a roller brush cavity 24 with a bottom opening. The roller brush 22 is placed in the roller brush cavity 24 and can be driven to rotate about its own axis by a roller brush motor (not shown). The roller brush cavity 24 is in fluid communication with a wastewater tank 14 on the upright body 1 via the suction pipe 23. A rotating joint 26 is provided at the rear of the housing 21. The lower part of the housing 11 is connected to the rotating joint 26. The spray nozzle 27 passes through the rotating joint 26 and is in fluid communication with a clean water tank 13, and the suction pipe 23 passes through the rotating joint 26 and is in fluid communication with a wastewater tank 14.
[0040] like Figure 5 As shown, the housing 11 is assembled from multiple housings, and the lower front part of the assembled housing 11 forms a receiving cavity 18, in which the wastewater tank 14 is detachably disposed. A liquid level sensing plate 17 is provided on the inner side of the portion of the housing 11 that defines the receiving cavity 18.
[0041] like Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the wastewater tank 14 includes a tank body 141 and a top cover 142 that is removably covered on top of the tank body 141. The tank body 141 and the top cover 142 define a recovery chamber 140 in which wastewater can be stored.
[0042] A bracket 143 is mounted on the top cover 142, and the bracket 143 extends into the recovery chamber 140. A float 144 is supported on the bracket 143. The float 144 can move upward as the liquid level in the recovery chamber 140 rises.
[0043] The support 143 is provided with a filter wall 145 with filter holes. The support 143 is provided with a moving cavity 146 that constrains the float 143 and a docking cavity 147 that is opposite to the moving cavity 146. Part of the cavity wall of the moving cavity 146 is defined by the filter wall 145. When the float 144 moves upward as the liquid level in the recovery cavity 140 rises, the float 144 moves only within the moving cavity 146.
[0044] The housing 141 includes a bottom wall 1411, a peripheral side wall 1411, and a vertical inlet pipe 1413 extending upward from the middle of the bottom wall 1411. The vertical inlet pipe 1413 is located in the middle of the recovery chamber 140 and its upper end extends into the docking chamber 147. The peripheral side wall 1411 has a rear portion 14111 that engages with the housing 11. A bracket 143 and a float 144 are located between the rear portion 14111 and the vertical inlet pipe 1413. The float 144 is positioned as close as possible to the inner wall surface of the rear portion 14111 without affecting movement. The float 144 has a trigger element 1441 inside, which is preferably a magnetic element. When the wastewater tank 14 is installed in the receiving chamber 18, the liquid level sensing plate 17 is located near the rear portion 14111 of the housing 141.
[0045] like Figure 7 As shown, the liquid level sensing plate 17 is provided with a first sensing element 171 and a second sensing element 172. When the trigger element 1441 is selected as a magnetic element, the first sensing element 171 and the second sensing element 172 are selected as Hall effect sensing elements.
[0046] Combination Figure 8 , Figure 9 As shown, the first sensing element 171 is configured to sense the trigger element 1441 within the float 144 that has moved into the first height range H1 and output a first warning signal when the float 144 rises to leave the first height range H1. The second sensing element 172 is configured to sense the float 144 that has moved into the second height range H2 and output a second warning signal when the float 144 rises to leave the second height range H2. In this example, the first height range H1 and the second height range H2 partially overlap.
[0047] The first altitude range H1 is limited to a first maximum altitude h. max1 The second height interval H2 defines a second maximum height h. max2 The second height interval H2 defines a second maximum height h. max2 Second maximum height h max2 Higher than the first maximum height h max1 First maximum height h max1 Adapted to the first warning liquid level position established for the upright fuselage 1 in the first position. First maximum height h max1 This is adapted to a second warning liquid level position established for the upright fuselage 1 in the second position. In a typical embodiment, the height of the second warning liquid level position from the first warning liquid level position can be selected as 3-5 cm, i.e., the second maximum height h. max2 Higher than the first maximum height h max1 3-5cm.
[0048] Continue as Figure 7As shown, the liquid level sensing plate 17 is signal-connected to the control device 3 on the surface cleaning device 100. The control device 3 can accurately know or determine whether the upright body 1 is currently in the first position or the second position. To facilitate the control device 3 in determining the position of the upright body 1, the surface cleaning device 100 can also have built-in detection sensors (such as angle sensors, proximity sensors, etc.), which can help the control device 3 determine whether the upright body 1 is in a tilted state (i.e., the first position) or an upright state (i.e., the second position). When the upright body 1 is in the first position, the control device 3 determines whether the wastewater tank 14 is full based on the first warning signal output by the first sensing element 171. When the upright body 1 is in the first position, the control device 3 determines whether the wastewater tank 14 is full based on the second warning signal output by the second sensing element 172.
[0049] The surface cleaning device 100 is also equipped with a self-cleaning switch 31 (see Figure 2 In this example, the self-cleaning switch 31 is located on the upright unit 1. The self-cleaning switch 31 is configured to be triggered when the upright unit 1 is in the second position. In this example, if the self-cleaning switch 31 is triggered, the control device 3 will subsequently determine the detection result of whether the wastewater tank 14 is full based on the second warning signal output by the second sensing element 172.
[0050] like Figure 10 As shown, this state indicates that when the upright fuselage 1 is in the first position, the float 144 has not risen to the first maximum height h. max1 At the designated location, i.e., when the liquid level in the wastewater tank 14 has not reached the first warning level, the surface cleaning device can operate normally.
[0051] like Figure 11 As shown, this state indicates that when the upright fuselage 1 is in the first position, the float 144 rises to the first maximum height h. max1 When the liquid level in the sewage tank 14 reaches the first warning level, the first sensing element 171 will output a first warning signal to the control device 3, that is, to inform the sewage tank 14 that it is full, so that the operator can proceed with the next step.
[0052] like Figure 12 As shown, this state indicates that when the upright fuselage 1 is in the second position, the float 144 has not risen to the second maximum height h. max2 At the designated location, i.e., when the liquid level in the sewage tank 14 has not reached the second warning level, the surface cleaning device can still operate normally.
[0053] like Figure 13 As shown, this state indicates that when the upright fuselage 1 is in the second position, the float 144 rises to the second maximum height h.max2 At the location, the second sensing element 172 will output a second warning signal to the control device 3 to inform that the sewage tank 14 is full, and the operator can choose to proceed with the next step.
[0054] See Figure 14 As shown, another embodiment of a liquid level sensing plate 170 is illustrated, which has three sensing elements disposed thereon. The three sensing elements are arranged sequentially from bottom to top and are all signal-connected to the control device 3. The first sensing element 171 and the second sensing element 172 are the same as described above. Figure 8 , Figure 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second sensing elements have the same function, but a third sensing element 173 is added.
[0055] like Figure 15 As shown, the first sensing element 171 is configured to sense a float 144 moving to a first height range H1 and output a first warning signal when the float 144 rises and leaves the first height range H1. The second sensing element 172 is configured to sense a float 144 moving to a second height range H2 and output a second warning signal when the float 144 rises and leaves the second height range H2. The third sensing element 1730 is configured to sense a trigger element 1441 within a float 144 moving to a third height range H3. In this example, the first height range H1, the second height range H2, and the third height range H3 partially overlap; the first height range H1 is completely covered by the second height range H2, and the second height range H2 is completely covered by the third height range H3.
[0056] like Figure 16 As shown, the third height range H3 covers the lifting and lowering stroke provided by the moving cavity 146 to the float 141. That is, the trigger element 1441 in the float 144 can be sensed by the third sensing element 1730 at any position where the float 141 rises or falls in the moving cavity 146. Therefore, the control device 3 can use the sensing result of the third sensing element 173 to determine whether the sewage tank 14 is installed in the receiving cavity 18 of the housing 11, thereby preventing the device from being accidentally activated.
[0057] The technical solution of this application allows the surface cleaning device to determine whether the sewage tank has reached the warning position by using different warning liquid level positions when the upright body is in different working positions. This allows the device to achieve a high volume utilization rate while avoiding sewage overflow from the sewage tank to the suction motor, thus improving the performance parameters of the surface cleaning device.
[0058] The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the above description. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the above embodiments without departing from the technical concept of this utility model, and all such modifications and variations should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a cleaning base movable along a floor surface; and an upright body pivotally coupled to the cleaning base, the upright body being rotatable relative to the cleaning base between a first position in which the upright body is rearwardly inclined and a second position in which the upright body is upright, the upright body including a housing, a sump having a recovery chamber therein, and a suction motor in fluid communication with the recovery chamber; wherein the recovery chamber has a float disposed therein that is movable upwardly in response to a liquid level within the recovery chamber, the float has a trigger element fixedly disposed therein, the housing has a first sensing element and a second sensing element disposed thereon, the first sensing element is configured to sense the trigger element within the float when the float is at a first height interval and to output a first warning signal when the float rises out of the first height interval, the second sensing element is configured to sense the trigger element within the float when the float is at a second height interval and to output a second warning signal when the float rises out of the second height interval, the first height interval defines a first maximum height that is adapted to a first warning liquid level position established for the upright body in the first position, the second height interval defines a second maximum height that is higher than the first maximum height, the second maximum height being adapted to a second warning liquid level position established for the upright body in the second position. further comprising:
2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, a control device in signal communication with the first and second sensing elements. further comprising:
3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, a self-cleaning switch disposed on the cleaning base or the upright body; the self-cleaning switch is configured to be triggered when the upright body is in the second position. the trigger element is a magnetic element, and the first and second sensing elements are Hall effect sensing elements.
4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein, the sump is removably disposed on the upright body and includes a sump body and an upper cover removably disposed on a top portion of the sump body, the upper cover has a bracket mounted thereon, the bracket extends into the recovery chamber, and the float is constrained on the bracket.
5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein, the sump is removably disposed on a front portion of the upright body.
6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein, the sump body includes a peripheral sidewall having a rear portion that is engaged with the housing, the sump further includes a vertical liquid inlet tube disposed in a middle portion of the recovery chamber, the bracket and the float are disposed between the rear portion and the vertical liquid inlet tube.
7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6, wherein, the bracket defines a docking cavity, and an upper portion of the vertical liquid inlet tube extends into the docking cavity.
8. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7, wherein, the float is proximate to an inner wall surface of the rear portion.
9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7, wherein, the bracket has a movement cavity defined therein, the float is configured to move only up and down within the movement cavity, and the housing has a third sensing element disposed thereon, the third sensing element is configured to sense the trigger element within the float when the float is at any position within the movement cavity.
10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein, 11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10, wherein, The support is provided with a filtering wall having filtering holes, at least part of the cavity wall of the mobile cavity being defined by the filtering wall.