Floor cleaning device
By setting a position detection component on the steam roller brush and optimizing the spray angle, the problems of steam loss and inaccurate spraying are solved, achieving efficient utilization of steam and improved cleaning effect.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SUZHOU CHENGHE CLEANING EQUIP
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
Smart Images
Figure CN224461629U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of cleaning equipment technology, and in particular to a floor cleaning device capable of cleaning floors using steam. Background Technology
[0002] Steam cleaning technology is widely used in the cleaning of hard surfaces in households due to its highly effective sterilization, lack of chemical residue, and deep cleaning capabilities. Among them, the steam roller brush, as a core contact cleaning component, can effectively remove stubborn stains from hard surfaces through the dual action of high-temperature steam and mechanical rolling.
[0003] However, existing steam rollers have some shortcomings in actual use. For example, during the cleaning process, some steam may be lost directly into the air as the roller rotates, resulting in a large portion of the steam not being able to fully act on the surface of the stains, thus reducing the steam utilization rate and causing insufficient cleaning ability. Alternatively, the steam jet control may be inaccurate, with some devices lacking effective control over the steam jet angle, resulting in uneven distribution of steam during the jet process, and some steam failing to directly act on the cleaning surface, causing low steam utilization. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the purpose of this application is to provide a floor cleaning device that can effectively improve steam utilization.
[0005] Therefore, this application provides a floor cleaning device, including a cleaning base movable on the floor to be cleaned. The cleaning base includes: a housing defining a roller brush cavity; a roller brush assembly removably disposed in the roller brush cavity and including a roller brush that can be driven to rotate about its own axis, the roller brush having a plurality of steam nozzles distributed axially, the orifices of each steam nozzle facing radially outward of the roller brush; a roller brush motor drivenly disposed with the roller brush to drive the roller brush to rotate about its own axis; and a position detection component configured to detect whether the plurality of steam nozzles of the roller brush have been rotated to a specified position; at the specified position, the orifices of each steam nozzle are vertically downward; the position detection component includes a sensing element disposed on the housing and a sensed element disposed on the roller brush assembly, the sensed element being sensed by the sensing element when it enters the sensing area of the sensing element.
[0006] In some preferred embodiments, the sensing element and the sensed element are respectively non-contact sensing elements and non-contact sensed elements.
[0007] In some preferred embodiments, the sensing element is a Hall sensor, and the sensed element is a magnet.
[0008] In some preferred embodiments, the roller brush motor is located at the rear of the roller brush assembly, and the roller brush assembly further includes a first end cap and a second end cap installed on both sides of the roller brush. A connector capable of rotating about the axis relative to the second end cap is installed on the second end cap. When the roller brush assembly is installed in the roller brush cavity, the first end cap is drivenly connected to the roller brush motor, and the connector is fixedly engaged with the housing. The magnet is arranged at the first end cap.
[0009] In some preferred embodiments, the roller brush motor is configured to drive the roller brush to rotate reciprocally in both directions within a set angular range.
[0010] In some preferred embodiments, the roller brush includes a roller brush body and bristle material, the bristle material being bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush body and the bristle material being disposed away from the plurality of steam nozzles.
[0011] In some preferred embodiments, the plurality of steam nozzles discharge in a row along a straight line parallel to the axis.
[0012] In some preferred embodiments, the floor cleaning device further includes a plurality of liquid nozzles located around the roller brush and configured to dispense water from a water supply source to the roller brush.
[0013] In some preferred embodiments, the cleaning base is equipped with a ground dirt detection sensor.
[0014] In some preferred embodiments, the floor cleaning device is a vertical floor cleaning device or a floor cleaning robot.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows: by using a position detection component to detect the position of multiple steam nozzles on the roller brush, the device can know whether the multiple steam nozzles are in a vertically downward position at the opening, which can achieve precise positioning of steam injection, optimize the injection angle and distance, and reduce ineffective injection, thereby significantly improving the effective utilization rate of steam, reducing energy consumption, and improving the cleaning effect. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a floor cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application;
[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram of the floor cleaning device shown;
[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 1A longitudinal sectional view of the cleaning base in the floor cleaning device shown;
[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the cleaning base in the floor cleaning device shown;
[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of a partial cross-section of the cleaning base at the roller brush in the floor cleaning device shown illustrates the position detection component at the junction of the roller brush and the housing.
[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a roller brush assembly according to an embodiment of this application;
[0022] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A side view of the roller brush assembly shown;
[0023] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating the control principle of a floor cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The floor cleaning device of this application is configured to selectively use water or steam for floor cleaning; particularly when cleaning stubborn stains on the floor, it can selectively use high-temperature steam to soften the stains and use a roller brush to rub them off the floor. This floor cleaning device is particularly suitable for cordless cleaning devices that utilize rechargeable battery packs as power sources. The floor cleaning device of this application can be a floor scrubber, floor mop, or other cleaning device; typically, a floor scrubber may also have a functional unit for recovering used water or steam condensed from used steam; the floor cleaning device of this application can also be a floor cleaning robot.
[0025] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustration shows an example of a floor cleaning device. The floor cleaning device 100 is a manually operated floor scrubber, specifically a vertical floor scrubber; in use, the user holds the floor cleaning device 100 by hand and pushes it across the surface to be cleaned, causing the floor cleaning device 100 to clean the area.
[0026] The floor cleaning device 100 includes a vertical body 1 and a cleaning base 2. The user moves the cleaning base 2 across the surface to be cleaned by holding the handle 11 on the top of the vertical body 1. The cleaning base 2 cleans the area it passes over. The floor cleaning device 100 also includes components such as a roller brush assembly 3, a fluid supply unit 4, and a recovery assembly 5.
[0027] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the cleaning base 2 includes a housing 21 with a brush chamber 210 at the front. A brush assembly 3 is installed in the brush chamber 210. A brush motor 22, capable of driving the brush 31 of the brush assembly 3 to rotate about its own axis X, is also installed inside the housing 21. In this example, the brush assembly 3 can be removably installed inside the housing 21. The brush motor 22 is located at the rear of the brush assembly 3, and the two are connected by a transmission component such as a transmission belt or gear set. In other embodiments, a built-in brush motor can also be provided inside the brush 31.
[0028] Combination Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the roller brush assembly 3 includes a roller brush 31, a first end cap 32 and a second end cap 33 mounted on both sides of the roller brush 31. A connector 34, rotatable relative to the second end cap about an axis X, is mounted on the second end cap 33. After the roller brush assembly 3 is installed in the roller brush cavity 210, the first end cap 32 is connected to the roller brush motor 22, and the connector 34 on the second end cap 33 is fixedly engaged with the housing 21.
[0029] The roller brush 31 is cylindrical in shape and includes a brush body 311 and bristle material 312. The brush body 311 is hollow. A steam distribution chamber 313 and multiple steam nozzles 314 are provided on the brush body 311. The opening of each steam nozzle 314 faces radially outwards from the brush 31. Steam supplied by the steam supply unit 4 can be delivered into the steam distribution chamber 313 and output externally through the multiple steam nozzles 314. In this example, the multiple steam nozzles 314 are distributed along the axial direction of the brush 21; these steam nozzles 314 are arranged in a row along a straight line L parallel to the axis X.
[0030] Multiple openings 3120 are cut into the bristle material 312, and these openings 3120 are aligned with the positions of the steam nozzles 314. By arranging these openings 3121, the bristle material 312 can be positioned to avoid the multiple steam nozzles 314. These openings 3120 can be constructed by "drilling holes" in the bristle material 312, or by pre-cutting notches or holes corresponding to the openings 3120 in the bristle material 312 before it is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush body 311. Since the steam escaping from each steam nozzle 314 is not directly sprayed onto the bristles of the bristle material 312, the problem of reduced roller brush bristle life caused by steam spraying can be avoided. For example, the fact that the steam is not directly sprayed onto the bristle material 312 will effectively prevent the adhesive from failing and causing the bristle material 312 to peel off from the roller brush body 311, or the bristle material 312 to accelerate fiber aging due to long-term exposure to high steam temperatures.
[0031] Continue as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the cleaning base 2 also includes multiple liquid nozzles 23 and a scraper 24. The liquid nozzles 23 are disposed adjacent to the roller brush 31 and configured to dispense water onto the bristle material 312 of the roller brush 31. The scraper 24 is capable of contacting the bristle material 312 of the roller brush 31. During the rotation of the roller brush 31, the scraper 24 is capable of continuously scraping off excess liquid from the bristle material 312 and collecting it by the recycling unit 5.
[0032] Combination Figure 2 As shown, the fluid supply unit 4 is used to selectively supply steam or water. The fluid supply unit 4 includes a supply tank 41 for containing water, a steam generator 42 capable of converting water into steam, a first pump 43 for conveying water from the supply tank 41 to the steam generator 42, a steam line (not shown) connecting the steam outlet of the steam generator 42 to the steam distribution chamber 313, a water output line (not shown) fluidly connecting the supply tank 41 to the liquid nozzle 23, and a second pump 46 arranged on the water output line. When the first pump 43 and the steam generator 42 are activated and the second pump 44 is deactivated, the fluid supply unit 4 can output steam to multiple steam nozzles 314. When the second pump 46 is activated and the first pump 43 is deactivated, the fluid supply unit 4 can output steam to multiple liquid nozzles 23.
[0033] The recycling assembly 5 includes a suction motor 51, a recycling bin 52, and a recycling pipe 53. One end of the recycling pipe 53 is connected to the roller brush chamber 210. Fluid or debris entering the roller brush chamber 210 can be sucked into the recycling bin 52. In other embodiments, the recycling assembly can be replaced by a solution similar to a sweeping assembly, which can roll up dirt from the surface to be cleaned without using suction; this sweeping assembly may not include a suction motor.
[0034] Continue as Figure 5 As shown, a position detection component 6 is also provided on the cleaning base 2. The position detection component 6 is used to detect whether the multiple steam nozzles 314 on the roller brush 31 have rotated to a designated position relative to the housing 21. In this designated position, the openings of the multiple steam nozzles 314 are vertically downward. Through this position detection component 6, the position of the openings of the multiple steam nozzles 314 can be indirectly determined, thereby controlling the floor cleaning device 100 to start operating the steam cleaning mode mentioned below.
[0035] The position detection assembly 6 includes a sensing element 61 disposed on the housing 21 and a sensed element 62 disposed on the brush assembly 3. The sensed element 62 can be sensed by the sensing element 61 within the sensing area of the sensing element 61. The sensing element 61 and the sensed element 62 are preferably non-contact sensing elements and non-contact sensed elements, respectively; for example, the sensing element 61 is a Hall sensor, and the sensed element 62 is a magnet. Specifically, the sensed element 62 is disposed at the first end cap 32. In other embodiments, the position detection assembly may also employ an infrared transmitter-receiver sensor equivalent position detection scheme.
[0036] Continue as Figure 2 As shown, the floor cleaning device 100 also includes a rechargeable battery pack 7. The battery pack 7 is electrically connected to the power-consuming components of the device 100 to power these components. The battery pack 7 is mounted on the upright body 1. In other embodiments, the battery pack is omitted, and the floor cleaning device instead obtains power from an external power source.
[0037] like Figure 8 As shown, the floor cleaning device 100 also includes a control unit 8. In one embodiment, the control unit 8 may include a main control board. The main control board includes, for example, a microprocessor, a memory, etc. The microprocessor is connected to the memory and is capable of executing program instructions stored in the memory. The control unit 8 is controllably connected to the roller brush motor 22, the suction motor 51, the steam generator 42, the first pump 43, and the second pump 44. The control unit 8 is configured to operate the roller brush motor 22, the steam generator 42, and the first pump 43 in a steam cleaning mode and to operate the roller brush motor 22, the suction motor 51, and the second pump 44 in a water cleaning mode.
[0038] The floor cleaning device 100 also includes a human-machine interface 9, with the control unit 8 operatively coupled to the human-machine interface to receive input from the user. A switch component 9 is also included. The control unit 8 is also operatively coupled to the user interface on the floor cleaning device 100 to receive input from the user. The user interface can be used to control the operation of the floor cleaning device 100. The human-machine interface 9 may include a switch component 91, an on / off switch 92, a steam cleaning mode switch 93, etc. The switch component 91 is configured to be operable by the user. In steam cleaning mode and when the switch component 9 is open, the first pump 43 starts operating; in steam cleaning mode and when the switch component 9 is closed, the first pump 43 stops operating. The switch component 91 is preferably a normally open switch, such as a trigger. The switch component 9 is preferably located near the handle 11. Preferably configuring the switch component as a normally open switch allows steam to be output under safe conditions. The on / off switch 92 can "turn on" and "turn off" the floor cleaning device 100, and can be configured to control the power supply to one or more electrical components of the floor cleaning device 100. The steam cleaning mode switch 93 can be configured to enable the floor cleaning device 100 to operate in steam cleaning mode, such as starting or stopping the steam generator 42, the first pump 43, the roller brush motor 22, etc., according to the program settings corresponding to this mode.
[0039] When the control unit 8 operates the roller brush motor 22, suction motor 51, and second pump 44 in water cleaning mode, the suction motor 51, roller brush motor 22, and second pump 44 are simultaneously activated. The second pump 44 delivers water from the supply tank 41 to the liquid nozzle 23 via the water output pipe 45 and distributes it onto the bristle material 312 of the roller brush 31. The roller brush motor 22 drives the roller brush 31 to continuously rotate around its own axis X in the positive direction (the counterclockwise direction shown in the figure is the positive direction). The bristle material 312 of the roller brush 31 continuously rubs the ground to be cleaned, and the squeegee 24 removes the dirt adsorbed on the bristle material 312 of the roller brush 31. The dirt and debris on the ground are sucked into the collection tank 52 by the suction motor 51. Normally, after the floor cleaning device 100 is turned on (i.e., the on / off switch 92 is turned on), the floor cleaning device 100 defaults to this water cleaning mode. In water cleaning mode, since there is no need to heat the water, it is an energy-saving cleaning mode compared to steam cleaning mode.
[0040] When the control unit 8 operates the roller brush motor 22, steam generator 42, and first pump 43 in steam cleaning mode, the roller brush motor 22, steam generator 42, and first pump 43 will be activated in stages, and the operation of the entire steam cleaning mode is divided into multiple steps. The specific steps of operation in steam cleaning mode are shown below.
[0041] Step S1: After receiving the instruction to operate in steam cleaning mode, the control unit first enters the preparation stage; in this preparation stage: the roller brush motor 22 drives the roller brush 31 to continuously rotate in the positive direction around its own axis X ( Figure 3 (The counterclockwise direction indicated by the middle arrow F is the forward direction). At this time, the second pump 44 is turned off, and the steam generator 42 starts preheating for tens of seconds (such as 30 seconds or 40 seconds). In the few seconds before the preheating ends, the roller brush motor 22 is controlled to rotate the multiple steam nozzles 314 of the roller brush 31 relative to the housing 21 to the designated position. When the position detection component 6 detects that the multiple steam nozzles 314 of the roller brush 31 have been rotated to the designated position, the openings of the multiple steam nozzles 314 remain vertically downward, and the preparation stage is completed.
[0042] It should be noted that the command to operate in steam cleaning mode received by control unit 8 may come from the triggering of steam cleaning mode switch 93, or it may come from control unit 8 automatically issuing the command after self-judgment conditions are met. For example, in some embodiments, the floor cleaning device 100 is equipped with a floor dirt detection sensor, which is signal-connected to the control unit; the control unit can automatically operate the roller brush motor, steam generator, and first pump in steam cleaning mode based on the detection results of the dirt detection sensor; this is more common when the floor cleaning device is a cleaning robot.
[0043] Step S2: After the preparation stage is completed, the roller brush motor 22 drives the roller brush 31 to rotate reciprocally (i.e., alternately rotate clockwise and counterclockwise) while keeping the orifices of the multiple steam nozzles 314 facing downwards. To maintain the downward-facing state of the multiple steam nozzles 314, the roller brush motor 22 drives the roller brush 31 at a preset angle β (see...). Figure 3 The preset angle range is less than 180 degrees, preferably less than or equal to 150 degrees, and more preferably 60-120 degrees, such as 90 degrees, that is, rotating back and forth within a range of ±45 degrees. During this process, the user turns on the switch component 91, and the first pump 43 will start to deliver water into the steam generator 42. The steam generated by the steam generator 42 will be sprayed onto the ground to be cleaned through multiple steam nozzles 314. At this time, the openings of the multiple steam nozzles 314 are kept in a downward state, and almost all of the steam sprayed from the multiple steam nozzles 314 is applied to the ground to be cleaned.
[0044] It should be noted that in step S2, if the user closes the switch component 9, the roller brush motor 22 will still drive the roller brush 31 to rotate back and forth within the preset angle range. At this time, no water will be delivered to the steam generator 42 to be converted into steam output, and the multiple steam nozzles 314 will stop spraying steam onto the ground. However, when the user opens the switch component 91 again, water will be delivered to the steam generator 42 and converted into steam output.
[0045] Step S3: After the control unit receives the instruction to end the steam cleaning mode, the steam cleaning mode operation ends. At this time, the floor cleaning device 100 will switch back to the water cleaning mode.
[0046] It should be noted that the instruction in step S3 may come from the re-triggering of the steam cleaning mode switch 93, or it may come from the control unit 8 automatically issuing the end instruction after it judges that the end condition is met. The self-judgment of whether the end condition is met may be based on the detection result of the ground dirt detection sensor, or it may be based on whether the running time has reached the set duration.
[0047] During the operation of the floor cleaning device 100 in steam cleaning mode, the control unit 8 can control the suction motor 51 to start and participate in the work, or it can turn off the suction motor 51. If the suction motor 51 is selected to start, it is preferable to operate under low power and low suction parameters. In particular, during step S2, in order to reduce steam loss, it is preferable to turn off the suction motor 51.
[0048] In this case, the floor cleaning device operates in steam cleaning mode. The roller brush rotates back and forth within a preset angle range, ensuring that multiple steam nozzles remain downward. The steam repeatedly impacts the floor as the nozzles rotate, effectively cleaning stubborn stains and disinfecting. After the steam cleaning mode ends, the device can be switched to steam-off mode. The water pump, roller brush, and suction motor all return to normal operation, and the water and dirt on the floor are sucked into the wastewater tank by the suction motor.
[0049] While exemplary embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made, and equivalent forms can substitute for their elements without departing from the actual scope of this application. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt to specific situations and the teachings of the invention without departing from its central scope. Therefore, all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this application are within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A floor cleaning device, comprising a cleaning base movable on the floor to be cleaned, characterized in that, The cleaning base includes: The housing defines a brush chamber; A roller brush assembly is removably disposed in the roller brush cavity and includes a roller brush that can be driven to rotate about its own axis. The roller brush is provided with a plurality of steam jet holes distributed axially, and the orifice of each steam jet hole faces the outside of the roller brush in a radial direction. A roller brush motor, configured with the roller brush drive, drives the roller brush to rotate about its own axis; and A position detection component is configured to detect whether the plurality of steam nozzles of the roller brush have been rotated to a specified position; in this specified position, the opening of each steam nozzle is vertically downward; the position detection component includes a sensing element arranged on the housing and a sensed element arranged on the roller brush assembly, wherein the sensed element can be sensed by the sensing element when it enters the sensing area of the sensing element.
2. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensing element and the sensed element are respectively a non-contact sensing element and a non-contact sensed element.
3. The floor cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sensing element is a Hall sensor, and the sensed element is a magnet.
4. The floor cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The roller brush motor is located at the rear of the roller brush assembly. The roller brush assembly also includes a first end cap and a second end cap installed on both sides of the roller brush. A connector that can rotate about the axis relative to the second end cap is installed on the second end cap. When the roller brush assembly is installed in the roller brush cavity, the first end cap is drivenly connected to the roller brush motor, and the connector is fixedly engaged with the housing. The magnet is arranged at the first end cap.
5. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The roller brush motor is configured to drive the roller brush to rotate back and forth within a set angle range.
6. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The roller brush includes a roller brush body and bristle material, the bristle material being bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush body and disposed away from the plurality of steam nozzles.
7. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of steam nozzles are discharged in a row along a straight line parallel to the axis.
8. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple liquid nozzles are located on the periphery of the roller brush and are configured to distribute water from a water supply source to the roller brush.
9. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning base is equipped with a ground dirt detection sensor.
10. The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned floor cleaning device is either a vertical floor cleaning device or a floor cleaning robot.