A cleaning robot and a cleaning system

Abstract

The utility model relates to a cleaning equipment technical field, propose a kind of cleaning robot and cleaning system. Including shell, rolling brush, walking mechanism, side brush and connecting mechanism. Rolling brush is rotatably connected in shell;Walking mechanism includes at least one walking wheel, and at least part of the side brush protrudes in the first direction on the outer side wall of the walking wheel;Connecting mechanism includes movable block, first elastic member and adapter assembly;Rolling brush has installation cavity, movable block is located in, can be telescopic in the first direction, and switch between the first position close to the outside of rolling brush and the second position close to interior;When side brush is stressed, movable block overcomes first elastic member and moves to second position, and reset to first position after external force is cancelled;Adapter assembly and movable block are detachably connected, and side brush is connected with adapter assembly. The utility model has the effect that side brush is convenient to assemble and disassemble and maintain, improves corner cleaning coverage and prolongs the life of side brush.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cleaning equipment technology, and in particular to a cleaning robot and a cleaning system. Background Technology

[0002] In cleaning environments, especially underwater environments such as swimming pools and landscape pools, cleaning corners and areas close to the walls has always been a challenge. The bottom and walls of swimming pools have complex structures such as right angles, steps, and rounded corners, making it easy for dirt and impurities to accumulate at the junction of the wall and floor and in corners, creating blind spots for cleaning.

[0003] Existing cleaning equipment that primarily uses roller brushes struggles to effectively reach corner areas, resulting in insufficient coverage.

[0004] Furthermore, because pool debris easily entangles the brushes, and prolonged underwater operation can cause brush fatigue, jamming, and increased energy consumption, resulting in decreased cleaning effectiveness and shortened battery life, the side brushes require frequent disassembly and reassembly. Existing brush holders are mostly fixed structures, making disassembly and reassembly inconvenient. Users need tools to clean or replace the brushes, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, impacting maintenance efficiency.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a cleaning robot that can reliably extend the side brush into the corners, buffer and give way during collisions, and facilitate quick disassembly and maintenance, so as to improve the corner cleaning coverage, reduce the risk of component damage, and extend service life. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the problems of difficulty in cleaning the corners of a swimming pool and the easy damage to the cleaning brushes when cleaning the corners of a swimming pool, and to provide a cleaning robot and cleaning system.

[0007] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cleaning robot is provided, the cleaning robot comprising a housing and at least one roller brush; at least one roller brush is rotatably connected to the housing; the cleaning robot further comprises side brushes, a connecting mechanism, and a walking mechanism; the walking mechanism comprises at least one walking wheel, the walking wheel being disposed at the bottom of the housing and used to drive the cleaning robot to move along a traveling direction; at least a portion of the side brushes protrudes from the outer side wall of the walking wheel in a first direction; the first direction is perpendicular to the traveling direction of the cleaning robot, and the side brushes are horizontally arranged relative to the horizontal plane containing the traveling direction;

[0009] The connecting mechanism includes a movable block, a first elastic element, and a mating component;

[0010] The roller brush has a mounting cavity, the movable block is disposed in the mounting cavity and can extend and retract relative to the roller brush in the first direction, and has a first position near the outside of the roller brush and a second position near the inside of the roller brush;

[0011] When the cleaning robot is subjected to a force along the first direction toward the roller brush, the movable block moves between the first position and the second position; when the force along the first direction toward the roller brush is removed, the first elastic element applies a restoring force to the movable block, causing the movable block to return from the second position to the first position;

[0012] The mating component is detachably connected to the movable block, and the side brush is connected to the mating component.

[0013] In this embodiment, when the user installs the side brush, the mating component is first inserted into the connecting position of the movable block. The movable block automatically springs back under the action of the first elastic element, locking the mating component and fixing the side brush in place. During the cleaning robot's operation, if the side brush encounters an obstacle (such as a pool wall, corner, or foreign object), the external force acts on the side brush and is transmitted to the movable block. The movable block slides along a first direction and compresses the first elastic element, creating a brief yielding motion to prevent the side brush and connecting mechanism from directly bearing the impact force. After the obstacle passes, the first elastic element releases its stored elastic potential energy, and the movable block is pushed back to its original position, automatically resetting the side brush position and ensuring that the subsequent cleaning process continues normally.

[0014] When the side brush needs to be disassembled for cleaning or replacement, the user only needs to unlock the mating component, and the side brush can be easily removed. After cleaning or replacement, it can be reassembled in the same way as described above.

[0015] The side brush protrudes from the outer wall of the wheels and is positioned horizontally relative to the direction of travel of the cleaning robot, allowing it to reach narrow areas such as the corners of the pool. When the roller brush rotates, it simultaneously drives the side brush to perform a cleaning action, enabling the cleaning robot to not only clean the bottom of the pool but also efficiently cover corners that are difficult to reach with conventional cleaning methods, significantly improving the overall cleaning coverage and completeness.

[0016] The connecting mechanism includes a movable block and a first elastic element, enabling the side brush to extend or retract relative to the roller brush in a first direction when subjected to external force, and to automatically reset after the external force is removed. This buffer design effectively reduces the impact force when the side brush collides with the pool wall or obstacles, preventing damage to the side brush and connecting components, while improving the device's adaptability to complex environments.

[0017] The side brush and roller brush are connected by a detachable assembly, which allows users to quickly disassemble the side brush and roller brush for cleaning and maintenance if hair, leaves, seaweed, or other impurities become entangled between them while the cleaning robot is operating underwater. This prevents the accumulation of impurities from reducing cleaning efficiency or causing the equipment to jam, thus improving the ease of use of the cleaning robot and the long-term operational stability of the equipment.

[0018] Through the above design, the cleaning robot achieves comprehensive cleaning while also ensuring ease of operation and maintenance and durability of the side brush components, further enhancing product reliability and user experience.

[0019] In some exemplary embodiments of this utility model, based on the aforementioned scheme, the rotation axes of both the side brush and the roller brush extend along the first direction; on the projection plane along the first direction, the radius of the side brush is larger than the radius of the roller brush.

[0020] In this embodiment, the rotation axes of both the side brush and the roller brush extend along the first direction, and the radius of the side brush is larger than that of the roller brush. The projection range in the first direction is significantly larger than the coverage range of the roller brush itself, which allows the cleaning robot to clean a wider area in one pass, effectively reducing missed areas and improving the cleaning efficiency per pass.

[0021] The side brush radius is larger than the roller brush radius, so that it contacts the cleaning object first when the cleaning robot approaches the wall, pool wall or corner, sweeping the impurities into the cleaning trajectory in advance and guiding them into the cleaning range of the roller brush, making the cleaning of corners and edges more thorough and avoiding cleaning dead corners.

[0022] During the cleaning process, the side brush (the outer surface of the outer wall of the side brush that extends out of the housing) can actively move impurities that are far away to the cleaning area of ​​the roller brush by rotating it.

[0023] The rotation axes of both the side brush and the roller brush extend along the first direction. Thus, the parallel arrangement of the rotation axes of the side brush and the roller brush helps to maintain the overall force balance of the cleaning components, reduce the deviation or shaking caused by uneven distribution of cleaning contact points, and improve the stability of the cleaning robot's trajectory.

[0024] In some exemplary embodiments of this utility model, based on the above-described solution,

[0025] The connecting mechanism also includes a base;

[0026] The base is disposed within the mounting cavity;

[0027] The base has a movable cavity, and the movable block is slidably assembled in the movable cavity; the first elastic element is assembled in the movable cavity, and the first elastic element is located between the inner wall of the base and the movable block.

[0028] In this embodiment, during the operation of the cleaning robot, when the side brush moves close to the pool wall, corner, or obstacle, it is often subjected to external force from the first direction. Because a base is provided in the connecting mechanism, and a movable cavity is formed inside the base, the movable block can slide within the movable cavity. When an external force is applied to the side brush, this force is transmitted to the first elastic element through the movable block. The first elastic element deforms under pressure, thereby allowing the movable block to undergo buffered displacement along the direction of the movable cavity. When the external force disappears, the elastic restoring force of the first elastic element pushes the movable block back to its original position, allowing the side brush to return to its normal cleaning posture. The base limits the sliding range of the movable block, enabling it to move smoothly in a predetermined direction, avoiding swaying or tilting during operation, and ensuring the working stability of the side brush during movement. In some example embodiments of this utility model, based on the aforementioned solution, the inner wall of the mounting cavity has a protrusion arranged along its length direction;

[0029] The outer wall of the base has a mounting groove that matches the boss.

[0030] Alternatively, the inner wall of the mounting cavity has a mounting groove arranged along its length; the outer wall of the base has a boss that matches the mounting groove.

[0031] In this embodiment, the boss and mounting groove extend along the length direction to form an anti-rotation fit, preventing the base from rotating around its own axis within the mounting cavity and avoiding directional deviation. Simultaneously, the rotation axes of both the roller brush and the side brush extend along the first direction. This anti-rotation design ensures a constant assembly orientation of the base, preventing deviation of the side brush cleaning trajectory or obstruction of impurity guidance due to base rotational misalignment, thus guaranteeing a stable and reliable cleaning path and impurity collection effect.

[0032] The first direction is not only limited to the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the cleaning robot, but can also be determined by the axis position of the side brush. Specifically, the axis of the side brush can be on the same straight line as the axis of rotation of the roller brush, thus forming a coaxial arrangement to cooperate with the roller brush and ensure complete coverage of the cleaning path by the side brush and the roller brush; or it can be set slightly off from the axis of rotation of the roller brush, so that the side brush has more room to extend when the cleaning robot runs to corners or near walls, increasing the contact area with walls or corners, thereby significantly improving the cleaning coverage of corner areas.

[0033] Through the above-mentioned improved design, the limitation of the first direction not only covers the arrangement with the axis aligned, but also includes the case of deviation from the arrangement. The cooperation between the boss and the mounting groove improves the installation rigidity of the base and prevents the base from loosening or shifting due to vibration, water flow impact, or high-speed operation of the roller brush, thereby improving the vibration resistance and overall durability of the connection mechanism.

[0034] The guiding effect of the boss and mounting groove allows the base and roller brush to automatically align when reassembled, simplifying the assembly process, shortening maintenance time, and improving the user experience.

[0035] In some exemplary embodiments of this utility model, based on the foregoing scheme, the movable cavity has a first sidewall and a second sidewall;

[0036] The first sidewall is arc-shaped; the second sidewall is straight; and the sidewalls of the movable block are adapted to the first sidewall and the second sidewall respectively.

[0037] In this embodiment, one side wall of the movable cavity adopts an arc-shaped design, and the corresponding side wall of the movable block is also a matching arc surface. This allows the movable block to fit evenly along the arc surface when sliding within the movable cavity, providing reliable guidance and preventing the movable block from wobbling or deflecting due to excessive lateral clearance. This ensures that the side brush always moves along the correct trajectory. The arc-shaped side wall can disperse contact pressure during sliding, reducing local stress concentration on the contact area, making the frictional resistance more uniform, and reducing the risk of the movable block getting stuck or shaking. This ensures the smoothness and response speed of the movable block's movement, and improves the reliability of buffering and resetting actions.

[0038] Meanwhile, the matching of the curved wall and the movable block can form a self-positioning effect. During the assembly process, the movable block automatically fits into the curved surface, thereby reducing assembly errors, improving production consistency, and ensuring consistent motion performance between different products.

[0039] The curved design of the first sidewall, combined with the straight design of the second sidewall, forms a structure with flexible guidance on one side and rigid constraint on the other. This allows the moving block to obtain stable linear guidance while being restricted from lateral swaying by the curved surface, ensuring that the movement trajectory is parallel to the first direction and avoiding deviation that could lead to abnormal brush position.

[0040] In some exemplary embodiments of this utility model, based on the foregoing solution, the mating component includes at least one snap block, a connecting block, a snap cylinder, and a second elastic element corresponding to the snap block;

[0041] The movable block has a first engaging portion; one end of the latching cylinder abuts against the movable block.

[0042] One end of the latching block has a second engaging portion that is adapted to the first engaging portion, and the other end of the latching block has a pressing portion;

[0043] The connecting block is located on the side of the buckle cylinder away from the movable block, and the side brush is connected to the connecting block;

[0044] One end of the second elastic member abuts against the pressing part to drive the pressing part to move along the second direction, so that the first engaging part engages or disengages with the second engaging part, and the second direction is configured to be perpendicular to the first direction;

[0045] The mating component has a snap-fit ​​state. In the snap-fit ​​state, the first snap-fit ​​part passes through the snap-fit ​​cylinder and snaps with the second snap-fit ​​part, and the height of the pressing part in the second direction is greater than the outer wall of the snap-fit ​​cylinder.

[0046] In this embodiment, in the snap-fit ​​state, the second elastic element applies elastic force to the pressing part, causing the second engaging part of the snap-fit ​​block to engage with the first engaging part on the movable block. The snap-fit ​​cylinder remains stable while abutting against the movable block at one end. The side brush is reliably fixed to the connecting mechanism via the connecting block, enabling normal cleaning operations. When the user needs to disassemble the side brush, they press the pressing part along the second direction (perpendicular to the first direction) to overcome the elastic force of the second elastic element, causing the second engaging part of the snap-fit ​​block to move along the second direction and disengage from the first engaging part, thus unlocking the snap-fit. At this time, the mating assembly loses its locking function, and the user can pull out the snap-fit ​​cylinder and the side brush as a whole to complete the disassembly. When reinstalling the side brush, the user inserts the snap-fit ​​cylinder back into the corresponding position on the movable block. The second elastic element pushes the snap-fit ​​block back to its original position, causing the second engaging part to re-engage with the first engaging part, completing the automatic snap-fit. The side brush returns to the locked state and is ready for normal operation.

[0047] This design ensures that the engagement of the first and second locking parts provides a stable axial locking force, preventing the side brush from loosening due to vibration or impact during cleaning. The press-type design allows users to quickly unlock the brush with a simple press, significantly improving maintenance efficiency.

[0048] The second elastic element continuously provides locking force, allowing the buckle block to automatically reset after unlocking. This prevents the buckle block from being suspended in mid-air or in a semi-engaged state after the user releases their grip, thus preventing abnormal wear or the side brush from falling off and improving safety and reliability.

[0049] The height of the pressing part in the second direction is higher than the outer wall of the buckle cylinder, making it less likely for the user to accidentally touch the pressing part during normal operation, reducing the risk of the buckle being accidentally unlocked due to accidental collision or water flow impact, and ensuring the stability of the operation process.

[0050] The snap-fit ​​design makes the side brush assembly and disassembly process simple and quick. Users can remove the side brush separately without disassembling the roller brush or other parts, making it easy to clean up tangled hair, leaves and other impurities.

[0051] The interlocking structure design of the snap-fit ​​cylinder, snap-fit ​​block, and movable block ensures that the position and angle of the side brush are consistent after each assembly, avoiding the impact of assembly errors on the cleaning trajectory and ensuring the performance consistency of different machines and the stability of the user experience.

[0052] In this embodiment, the snap-fit ​​block can be set as a separate structural component, and can be assembled with the snap-fit ​​cylinder to facilitate independent processing, replacement, or maintenance; the snap-fit ​​block can also be integrally formed with the snap-fit ​​cylinder to reduce the number of parts and improve overall strength and assembly stability. Through different structural implementation methods, it is possible to meet the application requirements of high strength and high stability while also taking into account the convenience of manufacturing and maintenance.

[0053] In some exemplary embodiments of this utility model, based on the aforementioned scheme, a first guide portion is provided inside the movable cavity, and a second guide portion is provided at one end of the movable block near the bottom wall of the base. The first guide portion is provided with a hollow guide hole, and in the projection plane along the first direction, the shape of the hollow guide hole is adapted to the shape of the second guide portion; or, the second guide portion is provided with a hollow guide hole, and in the projection plane along the first direction, the shape of the hollow guide hole is adapted to the shape of the first guide portion.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the cleaning robot is in normal operation, the second guide part is inserted into the hollow guide hole of the first guide part (or conversely, the first guide part is inserted into the hollow guide hole of the second guide part), and the two are shaped to match on the projection plane along the first direction, forming a guiding fit.

[0055] When an external force is applied to the movable block in the first direction, causing it to slide from the first position to the second position, the second guide part moves smoothly along a predetermined path within the guide hole, limiting the lateral swaying and wobble of the movable block and ensuring that it only performs linear reciprocating motion in the first direction.

[0056] After the external force is removed, the first elastic element resets, pushing the movable block back to its initial position along the guide hole path, completing the reset process, keeping the mating components and side brush back to their designed state, and continuing the cleaning work.

[0057] In some exemplary embodiments of this utility model, based on the aforementioned solution, the first engaging part is a slot; the second engaging part is a hook adapted to the slot;

[0058] Alternatively, the first engaging part is a hook; the second engaging part is a slot adapted to the hook.

[0059] In this embodiment, when the mating component is in the snap-fit ​​state, the hook end is embedded in the slot, and the hook's claw forms a reliable mechanical engagement with the inner wall of the slot, locking the snap-fit ​​cylinder onto the movable block. The side brush is stably connected to the cleaning robot, ensuring it will not loosen during operation. When the user presses the pressing part and moves it in the second direction, the snap-fit ​​block as a whole causes the hook to displace relative to the slot, disengaging the hook from the inner wall of the slot and releasing the mechanical engagement. At this time, the snap-fit ​​cylinder can be pulled out, completing the disassembly of the side brush. When the user reinserts the snap-fit ​​cylinder, the hook automatically returns to its original position under the elastic force of the second elastic element, allowing the hook to re-insert into the slot and engage with it, completing the re-locking. Normal operation can be restored without complex adjustments.

[0060] Through the above settings, the cooperation between the slot and the hook provides positive limiting and axial locking capabilities, ensuring that the mating components can maintain a stable connection under complex working conditions such as long-term vibration, impact and water flow scouring, and will not loosen or fall off.

[0061] Users can simply press to release the latch without additional tools, simplifying the operation process; after unlocking, the latch automatically returns to its original position under the action of the second elastic element, making it easy to quickly re-lock during reinstallation and improving maintenance convenience.

[0062] In some exemplary embodiments of this utility model, based on the foregoing solution, one side of the connecting block has a receiving groove for placing the second elastic member;

[0063] The connecting block has a protrusion on the side near the side brush that connects to the side brush.

[0064] In this embodiment, the connecting block is designed as a two-part structure: one side of the connecting block is provided with a receiving groove for placing the second elastic element. The receiving groove allows the second elastic element to be stably confined between the connecting block and the snap-fit ​​cylinder, providing continuous elastic support when the snap-fit ​​block is subjected to force and movement, thus realizing a reliable snap-fit ​​and unlocking process; the side of the connecting block near the side brush is provided with a protrusion, which is used to cooperate with the side brush for connection, thereby reliably installing the side brush onto the connecting block.

[0065] Through the above design, the connecting block is constructed as a dual-function component that combines the function of accommodating the mating component and connecting the side brush, making the structure of the connecting mechanism more compact, reducing space occupation, and ensuring accurate movement path and uniform force of the mating component, thereby improving the reliability and stability of engagement.

[0066] In some exemplary embodiments of this utility model, based on the foregoing solution, the latching block has at least two components; the receiving groove has at least two components.

[0067] At least two of the latching blocks correspond one-to-one with at least two of the receiving slots;

[0068] Each of the latching blocks is abutted against the corresponding receiving groove by the second elastic element.

[0069] In this embodiment, during assembly of the connecting mechanism, the latching block is continuously pushed under the action of the second elastic element, maintaining a tight contact with the receiving groove. When it is necessary to install or remove the side brush, the user only needs to operate the pressing part to make the latching block overcome the elastic force of the second elastic element and exit or enter the corresponding receiving groove, thus achieving quick engagement or release. This process is not only simple to operate, but also relies on elastic force to maintain the locking effect, avoiding the use of additional tools and improving maintenance efficiency.

[0070] At least two snap-fit ​​blocks are distributed circumferentially or symmetrically on the connecting block, each corresponding to at least two receiving slots. During the snap-fit ​​process, multiple snap-fit ​​points function simultaneously, achieving multi-point support and uniform force distribution. Multi-point snap-fit ​​also facilitates the uniform installation of the side brush, ensuring the rotational balance of the side brush and avoiding vibration or uneven cleaning caused by eccentric force. In some exemplary embodiments of this utility model, based on the aforementioned scheme, the side brush includes a side brush cylinder and a brush body;

[0071] The side brush cylinder is connected to the connecting mechanism, and the brush body is sleeved on the side brush cylinder.

[0072] In this embodiment, the side brush cylinder cooperates with the protrusion on the connecting block to achieve reliable axial positioning and rotation drive, ensuring that the side brush can rotate synchronously during operation, avoiding slippage or wobbling, and ensuring accurate cleaning trajectory and impurity guidance path.

[0073] The brush body is installed on the side brush tube in a sleeve manner. When the brush bristles are worn or damaged, the user can replace the brush body separately without replacing the entire side brush tube, reducing maintenance costs and improving sustainable use.

[0074] In some exemplary embodiments of this utility model, based on the foregoing solution, the cleaning robot further includes detection sensors;

[0075] The detection sensor is located on the outer wall of the housing and is configured to detect the distance between the outer wall of the housing and the pool wall. The side brush is located on the side where the detection sensor is located.

[0076] In this embodiment, as the cleaning robot approaches the pool wall, sensors monitor the distance between the side brush and the pool wall in real time and feed the signal back to the control system. The control system can adjust the robot's path or adjust the rotation state of the side brush through the drive mechanism based on the detected distance, thereby preventing the side brush from excessively pressing against the wall or moving away from the pool wall.

[0077] When cleaning pool walls, room corners, or other edge-prone environments, detection sensors help the cleaning robot maintain the appropriate operating posture and the working range of the side brushes.

[0078] The installed detection sensors have the following effects: real-time detection of the distance between the side brush and the pool wall, ensuring that the side brush can clean close to the pool wall while avoiding excessive friction or damage to the side brush, thus improving cleaning coverage and accuracy. The detection signals allow the cleaning robot to adjust in time when it makes too close contact, reducing the risk of the side brush colliding hard with the pool wall or crevices, and extending the service life of the side brush.

[0079] By adjusting the cleaning robot to ensure the side brushes operate within a reasonable distance, it is possible to more efficiently introduce impurities, dust, or sediment from the bottom of the water into the roller brush area, improving the overall cleaning effect. The detection sensors and control system can work together to give the cleaning robot environmental adaptability, reducing human intervention and enhancing its intelligence and user experience. In some exemplary embodiments of this invention, based on the aforementioned solution, the movable block has a clamping groove at the end near the snap-fit ​​cylinder;

[0080] The buckle cylinder is disposed in the abutting groove and abuts against the side wall of the abutting groove;

[0081] With the axis of the buckle cylinder as the center, the sidewall of the buckle cylinder forms a straight section and an arc-shaped section along the circumference, and the straight section and the arc-shaped section are adapted to the sidewall of the abutment groove.

[0082] In this embodiment, the straight section and the clamping groove form a limiting structure, which can effectively suppress the buckling cylinder from rotating around its own axis in the groove, ensuring that the side brush installation angle is constant and the cleaning trajectory is consistent, avoiding the deviation of the sweeping and the decrease in efficiency caused by mis-rotation.

[0083] The straight section bears directional and shear loads, while the curved section disperses contact stress. The alternating distribution of the two can avoid unilateral stress concentration, reduce the risk of local wear and loosening, and improve the durability and stability of the connection between the buckle cylinder and the movable block.

[0084] The arc-shaped segment provides self-aligning guidance during assembly insertion, allowing the snap-fit ​​cylinder to smoothly enter the clamping groove and automatically align itself, reducing assembly alignment difficulty and time, and minimizing human assembly errors.

[0085] In some exemplary embodiments of this utility model, based on the foregoing solution, the cleaning robot further includes a drive mechanism;

[0086] The drive mechanism is used to drive the side brush to rotate so that the side brush can rotate independently of the roller brush.

[0087] In this embodiment, by independently driving the side brush to rotate, the side brush can actively sweep in impurities during the movement of the cleaning robot. It can complete the rotation without relying on the roller brush, thereby expanding the cleaning range, especially making the cleaning of corners, wall bases, pool edges and other areas more thorough.

[0088] Furthermore, the independent drive allows for individual control of the side brush speed according to different cleaning modes, flexibly adjusting the cleaning intensity. For example, in corner mode, the side brush speed can be increased to enhance edge cleaning, while in normal mode, the speed can be reduced to decrease energy consumption.

[0089] The side brush is driven by an independent drive mechanism. Even if the roller brush stops rotating temporarily due to entanglement, obstacles, or maintenance needs, the side brush can continue to rotate, sweeping impurities toward the suction port, reducing cleaning dead spots and ensuring that the cleaning task is not interrupted.

[0090] Independent control of the side brush rotation can reduce the speed or stop operation when cleaning corner areas is not required, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and improving the cleaning robot's endurance and working time.

[0091] According to another aspect of the present invention, a cleaning system is provided, the cleaning system comprising the cleaning robot and a base station.

[0092] In this embodiment, after the cleaning robot completes the cleaning task of the designated area, it will autonomously navigate back to the base station. The base station charges the cleaning robot's battery through charging contacts, sucks dust and hair from the cleaning robot's dust box into the base station's dust collection bag or dust collection box through the dust collection pipe, and can wash and dry the cleaning robot's internal roller brush and mop to complete maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0093] The above and other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from a detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0094] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the cleaning robot in this utility model.

[0095] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the roller brush, side brush, and connecting mechanism in this utility model.

[0096] Figure 3 In this utility model Figure 2 Enlarged view of part A.

[0097] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the side brush and connecting mechanism in this utility model.

[0098] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the side brush and the connecting mechanism in this utility model.

[0099] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the base structure in this utility model.

[0100] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of the base from another perspective in this utility model.

[0101] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the movable block in this utility model.

[0102] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the buckle block in this utility model.

[0103] Figure 10 This is a structural schematic diagram of the latching block from another perspective in this utility model.

[0104] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting block in this utility model.

[0105] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the side brush in this utility model.

[0106] Figure 13 This is a structural diagram of the snap-fit ​​cylinder and the movable block in the assembled state of this utility model.

[0107] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0108] 1. Housing; 2. Roller brush; 21. Mounting cavity; 211. Boss; 3. Side brush; 31. Side brush cylinder; 311. Chamber; 32. Brush body; 33. Reinforcing plate; 4. Connecting mechanism; 41. Base; 411. Movable cavity; 4111. First side wall; 4112. Second side wall; 4113. First guide part; 412. Mounting groove; 413. Hollow guide hole; 414. Spacing groove; 42. Movable block; 421. First engaging part; 4211. Slot; 422. Second guide part 423, dividing groove; 424, abutting groove; 43, first elastic element; 44, mating assembly; 441, snap-fit ​​block; 4411, second engaging part; 4412, pressing part; 4413, outer top surface; 4414, snap hook; 442, connecting block; 4421, receiving groove; 4422, protrusion; 4423, mounting post; 443, snap-fit ​​cylinder; 4431, straight section; 4432, arc-shaped section; 444, second elastic element; X, first direction; Y, second direction. Detailed Implementation

[0109] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar structures, and therefore their detailed description will be omitted.

[0110] The features, structures, or characteristics described above can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, and the features discussed in the various embodiments are interchangeable where possible. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided to give a full understanding of embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the technical solutions of the present invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details described, or other methods, components, materials, etc., can be employed. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the present invention.

[0111] Although relative terms such as "up" and "down" are used in this invention to describe the relative relationship of one component of an icon to another, these terms are used only for convenience, such as according to the orientation of the example shown in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that if the icon's arrangement is flipped so that it is upside down, the component described as "up" will become the component described as "down". Other relative terms such as "high", "low", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "left", and "right" also have similar meanings. When a structure is "up" of another structure, it may mean that the structure is integrally formed on the other structure, or that the structure is "directly" mounted on the other structure, or that the structure is "indirectly" mounted on the other structure through another structure.

[0112] In this utility model, the terms "a", "an", "the", "the", and "at least one" are used to indicate the existence of one or more elements / components / etc.; the terms "comprising", "including", and "having" are used to indicate an open-ended meaning of inclusion and to mean that there may be other elements / components / etc. in addition to the listed elements / components / etc.

[0113] According to one aspect of this utility model, see Figure 1 A cleaning robot is provided (it should be noted that, in Figure 1This paper only showcases the improvements to the cleaning robot; the remaining components are not specifically shown (meaning the improvements apply to other cleaning robots with roller brushes, which will not be elaborated upon here). This cleaning robot is primarily used for automated pool cleaning, especially for deep cleaning areas that are difficult to clean with conventional equipment, such as pool corners and crevices. The cleaning robot includes a housing 1, which houses the internal drive system, control module, and cleaning components. At least one roller brush 2 is located at the bottom of the housing 1, rotatably connected to the bottom of the housing 1, for brushing and removing dirt from the pool bottom. To ensure sufficient contact between the roller brush 2 and the pool bottom, the roller brush 2 is preferably composed of flexible bristles and an elastic support shaft, which can generate a continuous rotating brushing force under the action of the drive motor.

[0114] To further enhance its corner cleaning capabilities, the cleaning robot also includes a side brush 3, a connecting mechanism 4, and a walking mechanism (not specifically shown in the accompanying drawings). The walking mechanism includes at least one wheel (not specifically shown in the accompanying drawings), which is located at the bottom of the housing 1 and drives the cleaning robot to move along its direction of travel. At least a portion of the side brush 3 protrudes from the outer wall of the wheel in a first direction X. The first direction X is perpendicular to the robot's direction of travel, and the side brush 3 is horizontally positioned relative to the horizontal plane of the direction of travel. This design allows the side brush 3 to directly contact the corner areas of the pool as the robot moves along its direction of travel, sweeping dirt deposited in corners or edges towards the cleaning range of the roller brush 2, thus achieving thorough cleaning. The side brush 3 is detachably connected to the roller brush 2 via the connecting mechanism 4, facilitating disassembly, replacement, or maintenance by the user as needed.

[0115] Furthermore, the connecting mechanism 4 is configured such that when the robot encounters the pool wall, the side brush 3 automatically retracts under the action of contact resistance to avoid excessive squeezing or damage; after the obstacle is removed, it automatically returns to the extended state under the action of the connecting mechanism 4 to continue working.

[0116] Through the above structural design, the cleaning robot provided in this application can not only complete the routine cleaning of the bottom of the pool, but also effectively cover the hard-to-clean areas such as the corners and curved surfaces of the pool; at the same time, the detachable and telescopic design of the side brush 3 improves adaptability and service life, reduces maintenance costs, and improves cleaning effect.

[0117] In some implementations, see Figure 1 , Figure 2Both the side brush 3 and the roller brush 2 have their rotation axes extending along a first direction X, which is perpendicular to the robot's direction of travel. This parallel arrangement ensures that the side brush 3 and the roller brush 2 have consistent working coverage width and cleaning trajectory during cleaning, helping to guide the dirt swept up by the side brush 3 directly to the working area of ​​the roller brush 2, avoiding cleaning dead corners or residual strips. Simultaneously, within the projection plane along the first direction X, the radius of the side brush 3 is designed to be larger than that of the roller brush 2. This design allows the side brush 3 to extend closer to the pool corners, enabling it to preferentially contact dirt near the pool wall when the robot moves close to it, sweeping the dirt to the robot's bottom area. Furthermore, due to the larger radius of the side brush 3, the linear velocity of its bristle tips is higher than the linear velocity of the corresponding point on the surface of the roller brush 2, thus more effectively carrying dirt from the corners and throwing it towards the cleaning area of ​​the roller brush 2, improving the cleaning efficiency of the corner areas.

[0118] Furthermore, the design of the side brush 3 having a larger radius than the roller brush 2 provides a wider contact coverage area. This allows the robot to compensate for distance errors even if the housing 1 is not completely flush against the pool wall during its movement, ensuring edge cleaning coverage through the extended portion of the side brush 3. This size ratio is particularly effective for areas with irregular pool shapes or curved transitions, guaranteeing continuous cleaning and corner coverage.

[0119] In some implementations, the side brush 3 may be made of flexible bristles.

[0120] It is understood that in other embodiments, the material of the side brush 3 may not be limited to this, as long as it can achieve the effect of cleaning the pool, and this application will not elaborate on this.

[0121] In some implementations, the radius of the roller brush 2 is between 46 and 56 mm.

[0122] For example, the radius of the roller brush 2 can be 46mm, 48mm, 50mm, 52mm, 54mm, or 56mm. This configuration of the roller brush 2 balances cleaning effectiveness with overall machine size. A smaller radius roller brush 2 reduces the overall height of the housing 1, making it easier for the robot to enter narrow spaces such as pool steps and corners; while a larger radius roller brush 2 provides stronger brushing force and a larger contact area, improving the ability to remove stubborn stains. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the radius of the roller brush 2 is not limited to the above-mentioned numerical ranges.

[0123] In some implementations, the radius of the side brush 3 is between 53 and 63 mm.

[0124] For example, the radius of the side brush 3 can be 53mm, 55mm, 57mm, 59mm, 61mm, or 63mm. By designing the radius of the side brush 3 to be slightly larger than that of the roller brush 2, it is ensured that the coverage area of ​​the side brush 3 in the first direction X exceeds that of the roller brush 2. This allows the robot to preferentially contact and sweep away dirt near the pool wall and corners when it approaches the pool wall, and then guide the dirt to the cleaning area of ​​the roller brush 2, achieving a seamless cleaning effect. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the radius of the side brush 3 is not limited to the above numerical range.

[0125] As an example, the radius of the roller brush 2 is between 46 and 56 mm; the radius of the side brush 3 is between 53 and 63 mm. This ratio allows the outer edge of the side brush 3 to extend beyond the housing 1 and get closer to the edge of the pool, significantly improving the cleaning efficiency of the pool corner areas.

[0126] In summary, through the above-mentioned size design, the cleaning robot achieves a balance between cleaning coverage, corner adaptability, and cleaning effect while ensuring a compact overall structure. At the same time, it provides adjustable expansion space for subsequent product upgrades, demonstrating good adaptability and scalability.

[0127] In some implementations, see Figure 4 , Figure 5 The connecting mechanism 4 includes a base 41, a movable block 42, a first elastic element 43, and a mating assembly 44. The roller brush 2 has a mounting cavity 21, and the base 41 is disposed within the mounting cavity 21. The base 41 is used to support and limit the movement path of the movable block 42. The base 41 has a movable cavity 411 inside, and the movable block 42 is slidably mounted in the movable cavity 411. The movable block 42 can reciprocate within the movable cavity 411 along the first direction X to control the extension and retraction of the side brush 3. The movable block 42 can move outward under the action of driving force, and can slide back along the movable cavity 411 when it is blocked or collided with externally, thereby realizing the retraction function of the side brush 3.

[0128] The first elastic element 43 is assembled inside the movable cavity 411. The first elastic element 43 is located between the inner wall of the base 41 and the movable block 42. The first elastic element 43 abuts against the movable block 42 to apply a reset force to the movable block 42. Specifically, when the movable block 42 slides inward, the first elastic element 43 is compressed and stores elastic potential energy; when the external force disappears, the first elastic element 43 releases the potential energy to push the movable block 42 back to its original position, so that the side brush 3 extends back to the predetermined working position, realizing the automatic reset function.

[0129] The mating component 44 and the movable block 42 are detachably connected, and the user can easily separate and install the mating component 44 and the movable block 42. The side brush 3 is connected to the mating component 44. When it is necessary to replace the side brush 3 or clean up the tangled material, the user only needs to separate the side brush 3 from the mating component 44 to replace the side brush 3 or clean up the tangled material.

[0130] As an example, the first elastic element 43 can be a first spring. Specifically, one end of the first spring abuts against the inner wall of the base 41, and the other end abuts against the movable block 42. The direction of movement of the first spring is the same as the first direction X. When the movable block 42 slides inward along the first direction X, the first spring is compressed and stores energy; when the external force disappears, the first spring releases energy to push the movable block 42 back outward, so that the side brush 3 automatically returns to its working position. This solution has a simple structure, fast response speed, and can provide a smooth sliding stroke while ensuring the reset force.

[0131] As another example, the first elastic element 43 can be an elastic rubber block. Specifically, one end of the elastic rubber block abuts against the inner wall of the base 41, and the other end abuts against the movable block 42. The force direction of the elastic rubber block is the same as the first direction X. When the movable block 42 slides inward along the first direction X, the elastic rubber block is compressed, generates elastic deformation, and stores energy. When the external force disappears, the elastic rubber block releases the stored energy, pushing the movable block 42 to return to its original position, so that the side brush 3 automatically returns to its working position. By setting the first elastic element as an elastic rubber block, noise and impact can be effectively reduced while ensuring the reset force.

[0132] In this embodiment, the movable block 42 has two extreme positions within the movable cavity 411: a first position near the outer side of the roller brush 2 and a second position near the inner side of the roller brush 2. The first position is the initial working position of the movable block 42, where the side brush 3 is fully extended; the second position is the limiting position where the movable block 42 retracts after being subjected to force, where the side brush 3 is relatively contracted to avoid obstacles or reduce impact. When the cleaning robot is subjected to an external force along the first direction X toward the roller brush 2 (e.g., the side brush 3 contacts the pool wall or an obstacle), the movable block 42 slides along the movable cavity 411 under the push of the external force, moving from the first position to the second position, while compressing the first elastic element 43, causing the first elastic element 43 to store elastic potential energy. When the external force is removed, the first elastic element 43 releases the stored elastic potential energy, applies a restoring force to the movable block 42, pushing the movable block 42 back from the second position to the first position, so that the side brush 3 returns to its fully extended state.

[0133] In some implementations, see Figure 2 , Figure 3The inner wall of the mounting cavity 21 is provided with a boss 211 along its length to guide the base 41 and restrict its rotation. The outer wall of the base 41 is provided with a mounting groove 412 that matches the boss 211. During installation, the base 41 slides into the mounting cavity 21 along the direction of the boss 211. The mounting groove 412 and the boss 211 fit tightly together, so that the base 41 can maintain a stable posture in the mounting cavity 21, avoid rotation or shaking, and ensure the accurate sliding trajectory of the movable block 42.

[0134] As an example, the boss 211 can be an arc-shaped boss 211. After the arc-shaped boss 211 mates with the mounting groove 412 of the base 41, it can form a surface contact or a wide line contact between the contact surfaces, so that the base 41 can obtain higher assembly stability and vibration resistance in the mounting cavity 21.

[0135] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the mounting cavity 21 is provided with a mounting groove 412 along its length (not specifically shown in the accompanying drawings), which is used to provide guidance and positioning for the base 41. A boss 211 (not specifically shown in the accompanying drawings) is formed on the outer wall of the base 41 to fit the mounting groove 412. During assembly, the boss 211 slides into and embeds itself in the mounting groove 412, achieving precise guidance of the base 41 within the mounting cavity 21 and restricting its rotation.

[0136] In some implementations, see Figure 6 , Figure 7 The movable cavity 411 includes a first sidewall 4111 and a second sidewall 4112 arranged opposite to each other along a first direction X. The first sidewall 4111 is arc-shaped, forming an arc-shaped guide; the second sidewall 4112 is straight, forming a straight guide. The two sidewalls of the movable block 42 are respectively adapted to the first sidewall 4111 and the second sidewall 4112, so that the movable block 42 can slide smoothly within the movable cavity 411. The arc-shaped first sidewall 4111 provides flexible guiding support for the movable block 42, allowing the movable block 42 to maintain contact with the base 41 along an arc-shaped trajectory during sliding under force, reducing local frictional stress and avoiding jamming and wear. Through the arc-shaped guide, the contact form of the movable block 42 during movement can be line contact or surface contact, thereby dispersing pressure and improving the smoothness and durability of the movement. The straight second sidewall 4112 provides stable linear limit, ensuring that the sliding direction of the movable block 42 always remains consistent with the first direction X, avoiding the movable block 42 from shifting or rotating due to uneven force, thereby ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the extension and retraction of the side brush 3.

[0137] It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the first sidewall 4111 can be designed according to the shape of the sidewall of the movable block 42 so that the two maintain a constant gap during sliding, further reducing frictional resistance; the second sidewall 4112 can be made of a low coefficient of friction material or have a lubrication groove to reduce sliding resistance.

[0138] In some implementations, see Figure 4 , Figure 5 The mating assembly 44 includes at least one snap-fit ​​block 441, a connecting block 442, a snap-fit ​​cylinder 443, and a second elastic member 444 corresponding to the snap-fit ​​block 441; a first engaging portion 421 is formed on the movable block 42 (see...). Figure 8 One end of the latching cylinder 443 abuts against the movable block 42 and is reliably positioned with the movable block 42 via a guide surface. One end of the latching block 441 is provided with a second engaging portion 4411 that matches the first engaging portion 421 (see [link]). Figure 9 , Figure 10 When the mating assembly 44 is in the latching state, the first latching part 421 and the second latching part 4411 engage with each other to form a reliable lock. The other end of the latching block 441 is provided with a pressing part 4412. When the pressing part 4412 is pressed externally, it can drive the second latching part 4411 to move, causing the second latching part 4411 to disengage from the first latching part 421, thereby unlocking. One end of the second elastic member 444 abuts against the pressing part 4412, and the other end abuts against the connecting block 442, so that the pressing part 4412 returns to its initial height along the second direction Y after the external force is removed, ensuring a stable latching state.

[0139] As an example, see Figure 5 The second elastic element 444 can be a second spring, and the axis of the second elastic element 444 is arranged substantially parallel to the second direction Y. One end of the second spring abuts against the inner side of the pressing part 4412, and the other end abuts against the connecting block 442. With this arrangement, the second spring is compressed and deformed when the pressing part 4412 is pressed, storing elastic potential energy. When the external force on the pressing part 4412 is removed, the second spring extends along its axial direction, pushing the pressing part 4412 back to its original position, so that the second engaging part 4411 re-engages with the first engaging part 421, completing the automatic reset.

[0140] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the second elastic member 444 may not be limited to this, as long as it can drive the pressing part 4412 to move so that the first engaging part 421 and the second engaging part 4411 can engage or disengage.

[0141] As another example, there are multiple latching blocks 441, which are symmetrically arranged about the first direction X. By symmetrically arranging multiple latching blocks 441, the latching force between the first engaging part 421 and the second engaging part 4411 can be evenly released when pressed, avoiding uneven connection or difficulty in disassembly caused by force on one side, thereby improving the smoothness and reliability of unlocking.

[0142] For example, there can be two locking blocks 441, which are distributed on both sides of the locking cylinder 443 to achieve double-point locking; or there can be three or more, which are distributed in a ring around the circumference of the locking cylinder 443 to make the locking more secure, which is suitable for scenarios where the side brush 3 has a larger diameter or is subjected to greater force.

[0143] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the number of latching blocks 441 is not limited to this, and this application will not elaborate on this.

[0144] In some implementations, see Figure 6 , Figure 7 The movable cavity 411 is provided with a first guide part 4113, which is used to constrain and guide the movement direction of the movable block 42; a second guide part 422 is provided at one end of the movable block 42 near the bottom wall of the base 41, wherein the second guide part 422 and the first guide part 4113 cooperate with each other to form a guide structure to ensure that the movable block 42 slides smoothly along the predetermined first direction X.

[0145] In one implementation, see Figure 6 , Figure 7 The first guide portion 4113 is provided with a hollow guide hole 413, and the second guide portion 422 is slidably connected inside the hollow guide hole 413, so that the movable block 42 can slide smoothly along the axial direction of the hollow guide hole 413. In the projection plane along the first direction X, the shape of the hollow guide hole 413 matches the shape of the second guide portion 422, such as a circle, ellipse or rectangle, thereby ensuring free sliding while restricting the deflection of the movable block 42 and improving sliding stability.

[0146] Further, see Figure 6 , Figure 7 A spacer groove 414 is formed between the first guide portion 4113 and the movable cavity 411 or its inner wall. The outer wall of the movable block 42 extends away from the snap-fit ​​cylinder 443 to form an outer wall, and a partition groove 423 is formed between the outer wall and the second guide portion 422. Here, the first elastic member 43 is defined as a first spring; specifically, one end of the first spring abuts in the spacer groove 414, and the other end of the first spring abuts in the partition groove 423. With this arrangement, the first elastic member 43 can be compressed and stored when the movable block 42 slides along the first direction X, and can release the elastic force to push the movable block 42 back to the first position after the external force disappears.

[0147] This design, through the relative arrangement of the spacer slot 414 and the partition slot 423, ensures that the first elastic element 43 remains axially stable during the force application and reset process, without bending or shifting, and ensures that the direction of elastic force output is consistent with the direction of movement of the movable block 42, thereby improving the reset accuracy and smoothness of the action.

[0148] In other embodiments, see Figure 8 The second guide portion 422 is provided with a hollow guide hole 413, and the first guide portion 4113 is slidably connected inside the hollow guide hole 413, so that the movable block 42 can slide smoothly along the axial direction of the hollow guide hole 413. In the projection plane along the first direction X, the shape of the hollow guide hole 413 matches the shape of the first guide portion 4113, such as a circle, ellipse or rectangle, thereby ensuring free sliding while restricting the deflection of the movable block 42 and improving sliding stability.

[0149] In some implementations, see Figure 9 , Figure 10 The pressing part 4412 has an outer top surface 4413 for the user to apply pressure with their fingers or tools. When engaged, viewed along the second direction Y (i.e., the pressing direction), the distance between the outer top surface 4413 and the outer wall of the latching cylinder 443 is preferably controlled between 2.3mm and 2.9mm. This height design provides a good tactile feel and sufficient fingertip contact area while ensuring reliable engagement, allowing the user to easily complete the pressing unlocking action.

[0150] For example, the distance between the outer top surface 4413 and the outer side wall of the snap-fit ​​cylinder 443 can be 2.3mm, 2.5mm, 2.7mm, or 2.9mm. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the distance between the outer top surface 4413 and the outer side wall of the snap-fit ​​cylinder 443 is not limited to this, and this application will not elaborate on this.

[0151] Understandably, in this application, if the distance between the outer top surface 4413 and the outer wall of the latching cylinder 443 is less than 2.3mm, the height of the pressing part 4412 is too low (due to the presence of the side brush 3), which may make it difficult for the user to reach or apply sufficient pressing force, resulting in unsmooth unlocking. If the distance is greater than 2.9mm, the height of the pressing part 4412 is too high, which may increase the probability of accidental touch, or the pressing part 4412 may be accidentally pressed down by obstacles during robot operation, causing the side brush 3 to fall off.

[0152] As an example, the pressing part 4412 can be designed as a conical structure, with its outer top surface 4413 gradually sloping outward from the center to form a frustum or cone shape. The apex of the conical pressing part 4412 is located at the center, making it easy for the user to apply force smoothly at different angles.

[0153] In some implementations, see Figure 5 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 The first engaging part 421 is configured as a slot 4211, and the second engaging part 4411 is configured as a hook 4414 that matches the slot 4211. During assembly, the hook 4414 is inserted into the slot 4211 along the second direction Y and engages with it to achieve a locking action, which can effectively prevent the side brush 3 from coming loose during operation.

[0154] In another embodiment, the first engaging portion 421 is configured as a hook 4414 (not specifically shown in the accompanying drawings), and the second engaging portion 4411 is configured as a slot 4211 adapted to the hook 4414. With this design, the hook 4414 can be positioned on one side of the movable block 42, and the slot 4211 on one side of the latching block 441, facilitating unlocking and disassembly by pressing the part 4412 to disengage the hook 4414 from the slot 4211 when needed.

[0155] In some implementations, see Figure 5 , Figure 11 The connecting block 442 has a receiving groove 4421 on the side near the base 41 for placing the second elastic member 444. The receiving groove 4421 provides installation space for the pressing part 4412. The pressing part 4412 is disposed in the receiving groove 4421 through the second elastic member 444 and can reciprocate along the second direction Y (pressing direction) to realize the locking and unlocking functions. The receiving groove 4421 is provided with a mounting post 4423 for mounting the second spring. The mounting post 4423 has a mounting hole. One end of the second spring is disposed in the mounting hole and abuts against the bottom wall of the mounting hole. The other end of the second spring abuts against the pressing part 4412. The receiving groove 4421 is provided with a mounting post 4423 for mounting the second spring. The mounting post 4423 extends along the second direction Y and forms a mounting hole inside the post to provide positioning and guidance for the second spring. One end of the second spring is inserted into the mounting hole and abuts against the bottom wall of the mounting hole. The other end abuts against the inner side of the pressing part 4412. When the user operates the pressing part 4412, the second spring is compressed axially to store energy. After release, it pushes the pressing part 4412 back to its initial position, restoring the snap-fit ​​state. Through this design, the second spring maintains axial stability under the guidance of the mounting post 4423, preventing the snap-fit ​​block 441 from moving sluggishly or failing to reset properly due to misalignment, thus improving the reliability and durability of the snap-fit ​​structure. The connecting block 442 has a protrusion 4422 for connecting to the side brush 3 on the side near the side brush 3.

[0156] In some embodiments, there are at least two latching blocks 441; there are at least two receiving grooves 4421; at least two latching blocks 441 correspond one-to-one with at least two receiving grooves 4421; wherein each latching block 441 is abutted in the corresponding receiving groove 4421 by a second elastic member 444.

[0157] As an example, multiple snap-fit ​​blocks 441 can be evenly arranged around the circumference of the snap-fit ​​cylinder 443 to form a ring-shaped locking structure, which can simultaneously limit and fix the side brush 3 in different directions, thereby ensuring that the side brush 3 does not shake or fall off when it rotates at high speed or is subjected to external impact.

[0158] In another example, multiple receiving slots 4421 can be symmetrically arranged on both sides of the connecting block 442, so that the force state of each latching block 441 is balanced. When the user presses one of the pressing parts 4412, the other latching blocks 441 can also be unlocked at the same time through structural cooperation, which facilitates the quick disassembly of the side brush 3 as a whole.

[0159] In addition, the second elastic element 444 can take the form of a spring, a rubber pillar, or a corrugated leaf spring, to adapt to different application scenarios. For example, when a rubber pillar is used, it can not only provide a restoring force but also play a shock-absorbing role, reducing impact noise during the unlocking / locking process.

[0160] Through the one-to-one correspondence design of the multiple snap-fit ​​blocks 441 and multiple receiving slots 4421, the stability and fault tolerance of the mating component 44 can be significantly improved, making the installation and disassembly of the side brush 3 safer and more convenient. At the same time, it extends the service life of the mating component 44 and improves the overall operational reliability of the cleaning robot. In some embodiments, see... Figure 12 The side brush 3 includes a side brush cylinder 31 and a brush body 32. The side brush cylinder 31 is connected to the connecting mechanism 4. Specifically, one end of the side brush cylinder 31 is fixed to the protrusion 4422 on the connecting block 442 by bolts, so that the side brush 3 is reliably installed on the connecting block 442. The brush body 32 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the side brush cylinder 31 and can be fixed by embedding or gluing. The bristles are radially distributed and used to sweep away dirt in the corner area of ​​the pool and guide it to the cleaning range of the roller brush 2. A chamber 311 is provided on the side of the side brush cylinder 31 away from the protrusion 4422. A reinforcing plate 33 is arranged inside the chamber 311. This is to improve the structural rigidity of the side brush cylinder 31 and prevent deformation when the side brush 3 is under high-speed rotation or under stress.

[0161] As an example, the protrusion 4422 can be designed as a cylinder, and the side brush tube 31 can be connected to the cylindrical protrusion 4422 by bolts, pins, or snap-fit ​​devices to achieve reliable coaxial fixation. This solution is easy to assemble, provides a stable connection, and facilitates the disassembly and replacement of the side brush 3.

[0162] In other embodiments, the protrusion 4422 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but can also be other shapes, such as a square column, an elliptical column, a frustum, or a polygonal cross-section structure. The protrusion 4422 of different shapes can be optimized according to the mounting hole structure of the side brush cylinder 31, the torque transmission requirements, and the assembly space to improve anti-rotation capability and positioning accuracy.

[0163] As another example, the protrusions 4422 can be configured as two, respectively distributed on both sides of the connecting block 442, and inserted into the corresponding dual mounting holes on the side brush cylinder 31. The dual protrusions 4422 design can significantly improve the stability and coaxiality of the side brush 3 installation, reduce shaking during rotation, and is particularly suitable for side brush 3 applications with larger diameters or higher loads.

[0164] In some embodiments, the cleaning robot also includes a drive mechanism (not specifically shown in the accompanying drawings) for driving the side brush 3 to rotate, enabling the side brush 3 to operate independently of the roller brush 2. With this design, even if the roller brush 2 is not operating or at a low speed, the side brush 3 can still maintain efficient sweeping, ensuring clean coverage of the pool's corner areas.

[0165] In some embodiments, the drive mechanism may include components such as a dedicated drive motor, a transmission shaft, a coupling, and a reduction gear set (not specifically shown in the accompanying drawings). The drive motor is coaxially connected to the side brush cylinder 31 via a coupling, or connected to the side brush cylinder 31 via gear meshing, belt drive, or other means, thereby driving the side brush 3 to rotate at a set speed. Depending on different needs, the speed and direction of the drive motor can be independently adjusted by a controller to adapt to different cleaning modes.

[0166] In some embodiments, the cleaning robot also includes a detection sensor (not specifically shown in the accompanying drawings); the detection sensor is located on the outer wall and is configured to detect the distance between the outer wall of the housing 1 and the pool wall, and the side brush 3 is located on the side with the detection sensor.

[0167] Specifically, when the side brush 3 is detected to be gradually approaching the pool wall, the controller adjusts the walking posture of the cleaning robot according to the detection results of the sensor, so that the cleaning robot changes its walking route or reduces the pressure against the wall, thereby avoiding excessive squeezing of the pool wall by the side brush 3.

[0168] With the above settings, the detection sensor can provide distance information in a timely manner when the cleaning robot is close to the pool wall. This allows the robot to reduce the direct friction and impact between the side brush 3 and the pool wall while ensuring the edge cleaning effect, thereby reducing the wear of the side brush 3, extending the service life of the side brush 3, and improving the stability and reliability of the cleaning process.

[0169] In some implementations, see Figure 13The movable block 42 has a clamping groove 424 at one end near the buckle cylinder 443; the buckle cylinder 443 is disposed in the clamping groove 424 and abuts against the side wall of the clamping groove 424; wherein, with the axis of the buckle cylinder 443 as the center, the side wall of the buckle cylinder 443 forms a straight section 4431 and an arc-shaped section 4432 in the circumferential direction, and the straight section 4431 and the arc-shaped section 4432 are adapted to the side wall of the clamping groove 424.

[0170] In this embodiment, the cooperation between the straight section 4431 and the clamping groove 424 can form a directional limit, preventing the buckle cylinder 443 from rotating around its own axis in the clamping groove 424, so that the side brush 3 and the mating component 44 maintain a constant angular positioning after assembly, ensuring the consistency and reliability of the cleaning trajectory.

[0171] The arc-shaped section 4432 provides flexible guidance and cushioning. When subjected to force during assembly or operation, the snap-fit ​​cylinder 443 can naturally fit along the arc-shaped section 4432 and the side wall of the clamping groove 424, dispersing contact stress and reducing the risk of local wear and loosening caused by impact or vibration.

[0172] The alternating straight section 4431 and curved section 4432 provide guidance during assembly. The snap-fit ​​cylinder 443 can be smoothly inserted into the clamping groove 424 and automatically aligned, reducing the difficulty of manual alignment and improving assembly efficiency and reliability.

[0173] The alternating section design allows the stress surface to be distributed alternately during operation, avoiding prolonged concentrated stress that could lead to increased wear on a single side wall, thereby extending the service life of the buckle cylinder 443 and the clamping groove 424 and reducing the maintenance frequency.

[0174] In summary, in this embodiment, the design of the buckle cylinder 443 and the abutment groove 424 in the movable block 42, the straight section 4431 can ensure directional positioning, and the arc section 4432 can ensure installation guidance and force buffering. The combination of the two achieves a balance between rigid limiting and flexible fitting.

[0175] According to another aspect of this utility model, a cleaning system is provided, comprising a cleaning robot and a base station (not specifically shown in the accompanying drawings). The cleaning robot is used to perform automatic cleaning tasks in a swimming pool, and the base station is used to provide docking, charging, and maintenance support for the cleaning robot.

[0176] In some implementations, the base station is located at a fixed position outside the pool and establishes a wireless communication connection with the cleaning robot. When the cleaning robot completes its cleaning task or its battery level drops below a set threshold, it will automatically navigate back to the base station to dock and recharge.

[0177] It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the detailed structure and arrangement of the components proposed in this invention. This invention can have other embodiments and can be implemented and performed in various ways. The foregoing variations and modifications fall within the scope of this invention. It should be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more individual features mentioned or apparent in the text and / or drawings. All these different combinations constitute multiple alternative aspects of this invention. The embodiments described herein illustrate the best known mode for implementing this invention and will enable those skilled in the art to utilize this invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning robot, the cleaning robot comprising a housing and at least one roller brush, the at least one roller brush being rotatably connected to the housing; characterized in that, The cleaning robot also includes a side brush, a connecting mechanism, and a walking mechanism; The walking mechanism includes at least one walking wheel, which is disposed at the bottom of the housing and is used to drive the cleaning robot to move along the direction of travel; at least a portion of the side brush protrudes from the outer side wall of the walking wheel in a first direction; the first direction is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the cleaning robot, and the side brush is horizontally arranged relative to the horizontal plane where the direction of travel is located; The connecting mechanism includes a movable block, a first elastic element, and a mating component; The roller brush has a mounting cavity, the movable block is disposed in the mounting cavity and can extend and retract relative to the roller brush in the first direction, and has a first position near the outside of the roller brush and a second position near the inside of the roller brush; When the cleaning robot is subjected to a force along the first direction toward the roller brush, the movable block moves between the first position and the second position; when the force along the first direction toward the roller brush is removed, the first elastic element applies a restoring force to the movable block, causing the movable block to return from the second position to the first position; The mating component is detachably connected to the movable block, and the side brush is connected to the mating component.

2. The cleaning robot according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotation axes of both the side brush and the roller brush extend along the first direction; on the projection plane along the first direction, the radius of the side brush is larger than the radius of the roller brush.

3. The cleaning robot according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting mechanism also includes a base; The base is disposed within the mounting cavity; The base has a movable cavity, and the movable block is slidably assembled in the movable cavity; the first elastic element is assembled in the movable cavity, and the first elastic element is located between the inner wall of the base and the movable block.

4. The cleaning robot according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner wall of the mounting cavity has a boss arranged along its length. The outer wall of the base has a mounting groove that matches the boss. Alternatively, the inner wall of the mounting cavity has a mounting groove arranged along its length; the outer wall of the base has a boss that matches the mounting groove.

5. The cleaning robot according to claim 3, characterized in that: The movable cavity has a first sidewall and a second sidewall; The first sidewall is arc-shaped; the second sidewall is straight; and the sidewalls of the movable block are adapted to the first sidewall and the second sidewall respectively.

6. The cleaning robot according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The mating assembly includes at least one snap block, a connecting block, a snap cylinder, and a second elastic element corresponding to the snap block; The movable block has a first engaging portion; one end of the latching cylinder abuts against the movable block. One end of the latching block has a second engaging portion that is adapted to the first engaging portion, and the other end of the latching block has a pressing portion; The connecting block is located on the side of the buckle cylinder away from the movable block, and the side brush is connected to the connecting block; One end of the second elastic member abuts against the pressing part to drive the pressing part to move along the second direction, so that the first engaging part engages or disengages with the second engaging part, and the second direction is configured to be perpendicular to the first direction; The mating component has a snap-fit ​​state. In the snap-fit ​​state, the first snap-fit ​​part passes through the snap-fit ​​cylinder and snaps with the second snap-fit ​​part, and the height of the pressing part in the second direction is greater than the outer wall of the snap-fit ​​cylinder.

7. The cleaning robot according to any one of claims 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that: A first guide portion is provided inside the movable cavity, and a second guide portion is provided at one end of the movable block near the bottom wall of the base. The first guide portion is provided with a hollow guide hole, and the shape of the hollow guide hole is adapted to the shape of the second guide portion in the projection plane along the first direction; or, the second guide portion is provided with a hollow guide hole, and the shape of the hollow guide hole is adapted to the shape of the first guide portion in the projection plane along the first direction.

8. The cleaning robot according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first engaging part is a slot; the second engaging part is a hook that is adapted to the slot. Alternatively, the first engaging part is a hook; the second engaging part is a slot adapted to the hook.

9. The cleaning robot according to claim 6, characterized in that: One side of the connecting block has a receiving groove for placing the second elastic element; The connecting block has a protrusion on the side near the side brush that connects to the side brush.

10. The cleaning robot according to claim 9, characterized in that: The latching blocks are at least two; the receiving slots are at least two; At least two of the latching blocks correspond one-to-one with at least two of the receiving slots; Each of the latching blocks is abutted against the corresponding receiving groove by the second elastic element.

11. The cleaning robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side brush includes a side brush cylinder and a brush body; The side brush cylinder is connected to the connecting mechanism, and the brush body is sleeved on the side brush cylinder.

12. The cleaning robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning robot also includes detection sensors; The detection sensor is located on the outer wall of the housing and is configured to detect the distance between the outer wall of the housing and the pool wall. The side brush is located on the side where the detection sensor is located.

13. The cleaning robot according to claim 6, characterized in that: The movable block has a locking groove at one end near the buckle cylinder; The buckle cylinder is disposed in the abutting groove and abuts against the side wall of the abutting groove; With the axis of the buckle cylinder as the center, the sidewall of the buckle cylinder forms a straight section and an arc-shaped section along the circumference, and the straight section and the arc-shaped section are adapted to the sidewall of the abutment groove.

14. The cleaning robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning robot also includes a drive mechanism; The drive mechanism is used to drive the side brush to rotate so that the side brush can rotate independently of the roller brush.

15. A cleaning system, characterized in that: The cleaning system includes a cleaning robot and a base station as described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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