Lifting device, caster device, cleaning device

Abstract

The application provides a lifting device, a universal wheel device and a cleaning device. The lifting device comprises a driving assembly, a transmission assembly and a connecting assembly. The driving assembly and the transmission assembly are engaged so that the driving assembly drives the transmission assembly to move when the driving assembly moves. The transmission assembly is fixedly connected with the connecting assembly so that the transmission assembly can drive the support to move when the transmission assembly moves. The arrangement direction of the driving assembly is a first direction, the arrangement direction of the transmission assembly is a second direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The application improves the utilization rate of the height space of the lifting device. The lifting device is applied to the universal wheel device, the movement chain of the lifting device is prolonged, the length required by the mechanism arrangement of the cleaning device in the height direction is reduced, the mechanism arrangement in the height space is optimized, and a new scheme is provided for the flat design of the cleaning device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of cleaning device technology, and in particular to a lifting device and a caster wheel device. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, the lifting mechanism of cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners is directly sleeved onto the output shaft of the drive motor via a lead screw. This results in low utilization of the overall module's height space, and the internal height of cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners designed using existing technologies is relatively large. However, current cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners require a flatter design to meet the demand for thinner and lighter designs. Utility Model Content

[0003] This utility model aims to solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this utility model proposes a lifting device that fully considers the increasingly flat design of cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners, which can effectively improve the utilization rate of the height space of cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners and better reduce the height of the cleaning devices.

[0004] To achieve the objectives of this utility model, the following technical solution is provided: A first aspect of this application provides a lifting device that can be used with a caster wheel device. The lifting device designed according to this application includes: a drive assembly, a transmission assembly, and a connecting assembly; the drive assembly and the transmission assembly are engaged such that the drive assembly moves to drive the transmission assembly, and the transmission assembly is fixedly connected to the connecting assembly to drive the connecting assembly; the drive assembly is arranged in a first direction, and the transmission assembly is arranged in a second direction, with the first direction perpendicular to the second direction.

[0005] According to the lifting device of this application embodiment, the drive component rotates after receiving a user command, and the drive component and the transmission component mesh to drive each other, thereby causing the drive component to move and drive the transmission component to move; the transmission component is fixedly connected to the connecting component to drive the connecting component to move; the drive component is arranged in a first direction, and the transmission component is arranged in a second direction, with the first direction perpendicular to the second direction. Through the above design, the motion chain of the lifting device is extended, reducing the space required for the lifting device in the height direction to a certain extent, and further improving the utilization rate of height space through the vertical arrangement of the drive component and the transmission component. This provides new possibilities for the arrangement of the cleaning device's mechanisms in height space, offering a new solution for the flattened design of cleaning devices.

[0006] In some embodiments of this utility model, the connecting assembly includes a retaining ring and a bracket.

[0007] In some embodiments of this utility model, the driving assembly includes a drive motor and a worm gear, wherein the drive motor drives the worm gear to rotate about a first direction.

[0008] In some embodiments of this utility model, the output shaft of the drive motor is connected to the worm gear via a keyway.

[0009] In some embodiments of this utility model, a retaining ring is provided on the worm gear, the retaining ring is disposed at one end of the worm gear away from the drive motor, and the retaining ring is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor; the retaining ring is used to restrict the axial movement of the worm gear.

[0010] In some embodiments of this utility model, the transmission assembly includes a gear, a lead screw, and a sleeve, the sleeve being connected to the gear via the lead screw, and the transmission assembly rotating about a second direction.

[0011] In some embodiments of this invention, the worm gear meshes with the gear to drive the lead screw to rotate about a second direction.

[0012] In some embodiments of this utility model, the gear is fixedly connected to the lead screw.

[0013] In some embodiments of this utility model, the sleeve is provided with a circular groove, and the lead screw is connected to the sleeve through the circular groove.

[0014] In some embodiments of this utility model, the surface of the circular groove is provided with an internal thread, which engages with the lead screw.

[0015] In some embodiments of this utility model, the fixing ring is provided with a screw hole, and the sleeve is connected to the fixing ring through the screw hole.

[0016] In some embodiments of this utility model, the bracket is provided with an annular groove, and the bracket is engaged with the fixing ring through the annular groove so that the bracket is connected to the sleeve.

[0017] A second aspect of this application provides a caster wheel device, including rollers and the aforementioned lifting device.

[0018] In some embodiments of this utility model, the roller is a universal wheel, and the universal wheel is connected to the bracket.

[0019] A third aspect of the embodiments of this application provides a cleaning device, including the above-described lifting device or caster wheel device; and a middle frame; the lifting device or caster wheel device is connected to the middle frame.

[0020] In some embodiments of this utility model, a limiting strip is protruding from the surface of the sleeve, and the sleeve is connected to the middle frame through the limiting strip.

[0021] In some embodiments of this utility model, the cleaning device is a sweeping robot. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application 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 application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals in the following description denote the same parts.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the omnidirectional wheel device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the caster wheel device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixing ring provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sleeve structure provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the combination of the bracket and rollers provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 11. Drive motor; 111. Output shaft; 12. Worm gear; 13. Retaining ring; 21. Gear; 22. Lead screw; 23. Sleeve; 231. Circular groove; 232. Limiting strip; 30. Fixing ring; 31. Screw hole; 40. Bracket; 41. Annular groove; 50. Roller. Detailed Implementation

[0026] As described in the background section, in related technologies, the lifting mechanism of cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners is directly sleeved onto the output shaft of the drive motor via a lead screw. This results in low utilization of the overall module's height space, leading to a relatively large internal height for the robotic vacuum cleaner or similar devices. However, current cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners require a flatter design to meet the demand for thinner and lighter designs.

[0027] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model proposes a lifting device that fully considers the increasingly flattened trend of cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners. This device can effectively improve the utilization rate of the height space of cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners and better reduce the height of the cleaning devices.

[0028] The following will refer to the appendices in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 -Appendix Figure 5 The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are clearly and completely described. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the protection scope of this application.

[0029] According to the first aspect of this application, referring to Figures 1-5 A lifting device is provided, which can be used in a caster wheel device, including: a drive component, a transmission component, and a connecting component; the drive component and the transmission component are engaged so that the drive component moves and drives the transmission component to move, and the transmission component is fixedly connected to the connecting component to drive the connecting component to move; the drive component is arranged in a first direction, the transmission component is arranged in a second direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0030] In this embodiment, the drive component rotates after receiving a user command, and the drive component and transmission component mesh to drive each other, thereby causing the drive component to move and driving the transmission component to move. The transmission component is fixedly connected to the connecting component to drive the connecting component to move. The drive component is arranged in a first direction, and the transmission component is arranged in a second direction, with the first direction perpendicular to the second direction. More specifically, the drive component is arranged along the first direction (which can be horizontal), while the transmission component is arranged along the second direction (which can be vertical); the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, meaning the drive component and transmission component are arranged perpendicularly. When the drive component rotates along the first direction, the transmission component rotates in the second direction due to the meshing and transmission between the drive component and the transmission component. The perpendicular arrangement of the drive component and transmission component makes the arrangement of various components in the height direction of the lifting device more compact, further improving the utilization rate of the height space of the lifting device. It is understandable that the first direction is not limited to the horizontal, and the second direction is not limited to the vertical. Components can be arranged in appropriate directions as needed, as long as the first and second directions remain perpendicular. A certain degree of error is allowed for this perpendicularity; it does not necessarily have to be 90°. For example, 86°, 88°, 93°, and 95° can also be considered perpendicular arrangements. Through this design, the motion chain of the lifting device is extended, reducing the space required for its vertical arrangement to some extent. Furthermore, the vertical arrangement of the drive and transmission components further improves the utilization of vertical space. This opens up new possibilities for the arrangement of cleaning devices in vertical space, providing a new solution for the flattened design of cleaning devices.

[0031] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figures 1-2 The connecting assembly includes a retaining ring 30 and a bracket 40. Specifically, the connecting assembly may include a retaining ring 30 and a bracket 40, and the connecting assembly is adapted to be fixedly connected to the drive assembly. More specifically, the connecting assembly and the drive assembly are arranged coaxially.

[0032] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figures 1-2 The drive assembly includes a drive motor 11 and a worm gear 12. The drive motor 11 drives the worm gear 12 to rotate around a first direction. The output shaft 111 of the drive motor 11 is connected to the worm gear 12 via a keyway. Specifically, the drive motor 11 includes a drive motor 11 and a worm gear 12, and the drive motor 11 provides the initial power for the operation of the lifting device. The output shaft 111 of the drive motor 11 is connected to the worm gear 12 via a keyway. When the drive motor 11 receives a control signal and starts, the output shaft 111 of the drive motor 11 drives the worm gear 12 to rotate around the first direction.

[0033] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figures 1-3A retaining ring 13 is provided on the worm gear 12, located at the end of the worm gear 12 away from the drive motor 11. The retaining ring 13 is used to restrict the axial movement of the worm gear 12. Specifically, the retaining ring 13 is located at the end of the worm gear 12 away from the drive motor 11, and the inner diameter of the retaining ring 13 is slightly smaller than or equal to the outer diameter of the output shaft 111, so as to form an interference fit and fix it to the output shaft 111. When the drive motor 11 is working, the worm gear 12 may have a tendency to move axially. By providing a retaining ring 13 at the end of the worm gear 12 away from the drive motor 11, the axial movement of the worm gear 12 can be restricted, enhancing the stability of the lifting device. In addition, by reasonably designing the size and material of the retaining ring 13, its performance under different working conditions can be further optimized. For example, in high-load or high-speed applications, the retaining ring 13 can be made of high-strength, wear-resistant materials to ensure that it can withstand larger axial forces and frictional forces, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the entire lifting device.

[0034] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figures 1-3 The transmission assembly also includes a gear 21, a lead screw 22, and a sleeve 23. The sleeve 23 is connected to the gear 21 via the lead screw 22, and the transmission assembly rotates around a second direction. Specifically, the transmission assembly includes a gear 21, a lead screw 22, and a sleeve 23. One end of the lead screw 22 is designed as a key, and the gear 21 is fixedly connected to one end of the lead screw 22 via this key structure. The sleeve 23 is connected to the gear 21 via the lead screw 22; driven by the drive assembly, the transmission assembly rotates around a second direction. It can be understood that the gear 21 can be a helical gear 21.

[0035] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figures 1-3 The worm 12 meshes with the gear 21 to drive the lead screw 22 to rotate in a second direction. Specifically, the outer surface of the worm 12 has threads, and the gear 21 can be a helical gear 21. The threads on the outer surface of the worm 12 match the tooth profile of the gear 21, allowing them to mesh and transmit power. When the worm 12 rotates in a first direction (usually horizontal), torque is transmitted to the lead screw 22 through the gear 21 due to the meshing, causing the lead screw 22 to rotate in the second direction. It is understood that the irreversible nature of the transmission between the worm 12 and the helical gear 21 can maintain the lead screw 22 stationary in a certain position, thereby locking the lifting position.

[0036] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 2 Gear 21 is fixedly connected to lead screw 22. Specifically, gear 21 is fixedly connected to the top end of lead screw 22 via a flat key to prevent relative axial movement between gear 21 and lead screw 22 during rotation.

[0037] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 2 , Figure 4The sleeve 23 has a circular groove 231, and the lead screw 22 is connected to the sleeve 23 through the circular groove 231. More specifically, the surface of the circular groove 231 has an internal thread, which mates with the lead screw 22. Specifically, the upper part of the sleeve 23 is machined with a circular groove 231 that matches the outer diameter of the lead screw 22, and the surface of the circular groove 231 is machined with an internal thread. The thread on the outer surface of the lead screw 22 mates with the internal thread of the circular groove 231, so that the sleeve 23 and the lead screw 22 are tightly connected and cooperate in rotational movement, allowing the sleeve 23 to rise or fall.

[0038] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 2 , Figure 4 The fixed ring 30 is provided with screw holes 31, and the sleeve 23 is connected to the fixed ring 30 through the screw holes 31. Specifically, the surface of the fixed ring 30 is machined with multiple screw holes 31, and the fixed ring 30 is fixedly connected to the sleeve 23 by screws and screw holes 31, so as to prevent relative movement between the fixed ring 30 and the sleeve 23 when the lifting device is working.

[0039] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 The bracket 40 is provided with an annular groove 41, which engages with the fixing ring 30 to connect the bracket 40 to the sleeve 23. Specifically, the annular groove 41 is machined on the surface of the bracket 40 near the sleeve 23, and the bracket 40 is connected to the sleeve 23 through the engagement of the annular groove 41 with the inner ring of the fixing ring 30. The shape and size of the annular groove 41 are precisely designed to ensure a tight fit between the annular groove 41 and the inner ring of the fixing ring 30, thereby enabling the bracket 40 and the sleeve 23 to rise or fall synchronously.

[0040] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a caster wheel device is provided, including a roller 50 and the aforementioned lifting device. This caster wheel device has all the structure and all the beneficial effects of the aforementioned lifting device, which will not be repeated here.

[0041] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 2 , Figure 5 The roller 50 can be a caster wheel, which is connected to the bracket 40. Specifically, the roller 50 can be a caster wheel. The roller 50 is rotatably mounted on the end of the bracket 40 via bearings. When the caster wheel device receives a command to lift, the drive motor 11 drives the worm gear 12 to rotate, which in turn drives the lead screw 22 to rotate via the gear 21, forcing the sleeve 23 to descend axially. The height is then adjusted by linking the bracket 40 and the roller 50 through the fixing ring 30.

[0042] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a cleaning device is provided, including the above-described lifting device or universal wheel device; and a middle frame; the lifting device or universal wheel device is connected to the middle frame.

[0043] It is understood that the cleaning device may include a robotic vacuum cleaner. This cleaning device possesses all the structure and all the beneficial effects of the aforementioned lifting device or omnidirectional wheel device, which will not be elaborated upon herein.

[0044] In some embodiments of this utility model, a limiting strip 232 is protruding from the surface of the sleeve 23, and the sleeve 23 is connected to the middle frame through the limiting strip 232. Specifically, multiple limiting strips 232 are protruding from the surface of the sleeve 23, and the limiting strips 232 cooperate with the guide groove on the middle frame to form a sliding constraint on the lifting device or the universal wheel device, ensuring that during operation, the device only moves linearly in the axial direction of the transmission component and does not rotate in the radial direction, thus achieving decoupling between rotation and lifting.

[0045] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "height," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "horizontal," "vertical," "axial," and "radial," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more. In the description of this utility model, "above" or "below" a second feature may include direct contact between the first and second features, or it may include contact between the first and second features not being in direct contact but through another feature between them.

[0046] In the description of this utility model, the terms "above", "over" and "on top" for the first feature and the second feature include the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature.

[0047] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0048] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0049] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A lifting device, characterized in that, Includes drive components, transmission components, and connection components; The drive assembly and the transmission assembly are engaged so that the drive assembly moves to drive the transmission assembly; the transmission assembly is fixedly connected to the connecting assembly to drive the connecting assembly to move; the drive assembly is arranged in a first direction, the transmission assembly is arranged in a second direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

2. The lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting assembly includes a retaining ring and a bracket.

3. The lifting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a drive motor and a worm gear, wherein the drive motor can drive the worm gear to rotate about a first direction.

4. The lifting device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The output shaft of the drive motor is connected to the worm gear via a keyway.

5. The lifting device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The worm gear is provided with a retaining ring, which is located at the end of the worm gear away from the drive motor and is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor; the retaining ring is used to restrict the axial movement of the worm gear.

6. The lifting device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmission assembly includes a gear, a lead screw, and a sleeve. The sleeve is connected to the gear via the lead screw, and the transmission assembly rotates about a second direction.

7. The lifting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The worm gear meshes with the gear to drive the lead screw to rotate in a second direction.

8. The lifting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The gear is fixedly connected to the lead screw.

9. The lifting device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The sleeve has a circular groove, and the lead screw is connected to the sleeve through the circular groove.

10. The lifting device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The circular groove surface is provided with an internal thread, which engages with the lead screw.

11. The lifting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fixing ring is provided with a screw hole, and the sleeve is connected to the fixing ring through the screw hole.

12. The lifting device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The bracket is provided with an annular groove, and the bracket is engaged with the fixing ring through the annular groove so that the bracket is connected to the sleeve.

13. A universal wheel device, characterized in that, Includes rollers; and the lifting device according to any one of claims 1-12.

14. The universal wheel device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The roller is a swivel caster, and the swivel caster is connected to the bracket.

15. A cleaning device, characterized in that... It includes a lifting device according to any one of claims 1-12, or a caster wheel device according to any one of claims 13-14; and a middle frame; wherein the lifting device or the caster wheel device is connected to the middle frame.

16. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that, The sleeve has a protruding limiting strip on its surface, and the sleeve is connected to the middle frame through the limiting strip.

17. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The cleaning device is a robotic vacuum cleaner.

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