Cleaning device

Abstract

The application discloses a cleaning device, comprising: a housing capable of reciprocating on a surface to be cleaned along a travel direction; a roller brush arranged in the housing and used for cleaning the surface to be cleaned; a front cleaning member arranged on the front side of the roller brush in the travel direction, wherein the front cleaning member is movably connected with the housing to switch between a cleaning position abutting against the surface to be cleaned and an avoiding position separated from the surface to be cleaned; a steam nozzle arranged between the roller brush and the front cleaning member, the steam nozzle being connected with the front cleaning member to switch between a first position and a second position with the front cleaning member, or the steam nozzle being movably connected with the housing to switch between the first position and the second position; wherein the ground clearance of the first position is greater than that of the second position. The technical scheme provided by the application improves the concentration of steam after being sprayed, reduces the escape speed of steam temperature, and thus improves the cleaning effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of floor cleaning, and more particularly to a cleaning device. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of social technology and the improvement of people's living standards, semi-automatic / automatic floor cleaning devices such as floor scrubbers and sweepers are increasingly favored by users due to their high cleaning efficiency and ease of use.

[0003] As users demand higher cleaning capabilities, floor cleaning devices with steam cleaning functions, such as those for cleaning stubborn stains like oil and urine, have emerged. However, existing floor cleaning devices with steam cleaning functions suffer from poor steam dissipation and concentration after being sprayed out. As a result, the temperature of the steam drops significantly by the time it reaches the surface to be cleaned, leading to a less than expected cleaning effect. This problem becomes more pronounced in autumn and winter. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a cleaning device to improve the concentration of steam after it is ejected and reduce the rate at which steam temperature dissipates, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

[0005] According to a first aspect of this application, this application provides a cleaning device including a floor brush, said floor brush comprising: The housing is capable of reciprocating along the direction of travel on the surface to be cleaned; A roller brush, which is disposed in the housing and used to clean the surface to be cleaned; A front cleaning component is disposed on the front side of the roller brush in the direction of travel, wherein the front cleaning component is movably connected to the housing to switch between a cleaning position that abuts against the surface to be cleaned and a clearance position that is separated from the surface to be cleaned. A steam nozzle is disposed between the roller brush and the front cleaning member. The steam nozzle is connected to the front cleaning member to switch between a first position and a second position as the front cleaning member switches, or the steam nozzle is movably connected to the housing to switch between a first position and a second position. The ground clearance at the first position is greater than that at the second position.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features disclosed above, or as an alternative, the ground clearance of the first position is 10-40 mm, the ground clearance of the second position is 5-15 mm, and the ground clearance of the avoidance position is 8-35 mm.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features disclosed above, or alternatively, when the floor brush is in the forward position, the front cleaning element switches to the avoidance position and the steam nozzle switches to the first position; When the floor brush is in a retracted or stopped state, the front cleaning component switches to the cleaning position, and the steam nozzle switches to the second position.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features disclosed above, or alternatively, the steam nozzle is rotatable relative to the housing. When the floor brush is in the forward state, the steam nozzle switches to the first position and deflects towards the direction of the roller brush; When the floor brush is in a retracted or stopped state, the steam nozzle switches to a second position and deflects away from the roller brush to face the surface to be cleaned.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features disclosed above, or alternatively, the floor brush also includes: A cleaning component is disposed between the roller brush and the steam nozzle; The middle cleaning component is connected to the front cleaning component to switch between a third position abutting the surface to be cleaned and a fourth position separating from the surface to be cleaned, or the middle cleaning component is movably connected to the housing to switch between a third position abutting the surface to be cleaned and a fourth position separating from the surface to be cleaned.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features disclosed above, or as an alternative, when the floor brush is in the forward position, the cleaning component switches to the fourth position; When the floor brush is in a backward or stationary state, the cleaning component switches to the third position.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features disclosed above, or alternatively, the intermediate cleaning component is rotatable relative to the housing, and when the floor brush is in the forward position, the intermediate cleaning component switches to a fourth position and deflects toward the direction of the roller brush until the ground surface of the intermediate cleaning component abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features disclosed above, or as an alternative, the ground clearance of the fourth position is 10 to 40 mm.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features disclosed above, or alternatively, it also includes a base station for receiving the floor brush, wherein the steam nozzle is rotatable relative to the housing, and when the floor brush is in a self-cleaning state, the roller brush rotates in a preset direction, and the steam nozzle deflects toward the roller brush and sprays steam.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features disclosed above, or as an alternative, when the floor brush is in the self-cleaning state of the front cleaning component, the roller brush rotates in a preset direction, and the steam nozzle deflects toward the front cleaning component and sprays steam.

[0015] One of the above technical solutions has the following advantages or beneficial effects: During the floor brush cleaning process, the steam nozzle sprays hot steam between the roller brush and the front cleaning component. The front cleaning component is movably connected to the housing to switch between a cleaning position that contacts the surface to be cleaned and a clearance position that separates it from the surface to be cleaned. This allows the front cleaning component to selectively contact the surface to be cleaned according to the movement of the floor brush. The steam nozzle can switch between a first position and a second position, allowing the steam nozzle to adjust its distance from the surface to be cleaned according to the movement of the floor brush. As a result, when the front cleaning component contacts the surface to be cleaned, the steam nozzle is located in the second position (e.g., 5-15mm) closer to the ground. First, the steam emitted from the steam nozzle is confined within a dome-shaped cavity formed by the front cleaning component, the floor brush cover, the roller brush, and the surface to be cleaned. This prevents the steam from easily spreading, resulting in a gentler temperature gradient and a more stable overall temperature within a higher range. This enhances the dissolving efficiency of stubborn stains such as grease. Second, because the steam nozzle is closer to the surface to be cleaned compared to existing technologies, the rate of steam temperature dissipation with distance is further reduced, further improving the dissolving efficiency of stubborn stains such as grease. Ultimately, this effectively improves the cleaning performance of the floor brush. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The technical solution and other beneficial effects of this application will become apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a left view of a cleaning device provided according to an embodiment of this application. The floor brush is in the forward position and the steam nozzle is not spraying steam. Figure 2 This is a left view of a cleaning device provided according to an embodiment of this application. In the figure, the floor brush is in a retracted or stopped state, and the steam nozzle sprays steam toward the surface to be cleaned. Figure 3 This is a left view of a cleaning device provided according to an embodiment of this application. In the figure, the floor brush is in a forward state, and the steam nozzle is deflected toward the roller brush and sprays steam. Figure 4 This is a left view of a cleaning device provided according to an embodiment of this application. The floor brush is in the forward position and the steam nozzle is not spraying steam. Figure 5 This is a left view of a cleaning device provided according to an embodiment of this application. In the figure, the floor brush is in a retracted or stopped state, and the steam nozzle sprays steam toward the surface to be cleaned. Figure 6 This is a left view of a cleaning device provided according to an embodiment of this application. In the figure, the floor brush is in a forward state, and the steam nozzle is deflected toward the roller brush or the middle cleaning part and sprays steam. Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart of a cleaning method using a cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart of a cleaning method using a cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 9 This is a schematic flowchart of a cleaning method using a cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 10 This is a schematic flowchart of a cleaning method using a cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 11 This is a schematic flowchart of a cleaning method using a cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 12 This is a schematic flowchart of a cleaning method using a cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 13 This is a schematic flowchart of a cleaning method using a cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 14 This is a schematic flowchart of a cleaning method using a cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 15 This is a schematic flowchart of a cleaning method using a cleaning device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 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 scope of protection of this application.

[0019] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "and / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document, unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0020] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly 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, a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0021] The inventors discovered that while existing floor cleaning devices also feature steam nozzles, these nozzles are typically fixedly connected to the brush housing. Because steam rapidly mixes with and cools in the surrounding low-temperature air after leaving the nozzle, the temperature drop is more pronounced with increasing distance. In these devices, the steam nozzle is usually positioned a considerable distance from the surface to be cleaned, such as 3-5 cm. This causes the steam temperature to drop sharply with increasing distance after exiting the nozzle. This is due to the rapid mixing of the steam jet with the surrounding air, thermal diffusion, and condensation. This temperature drop is not linear but rather exponential. Further research by the inventors revealed a series of attenuation trends. Within this distance range, the high-temperature steam jet, after leaving the nozzle, violently draws in the surrounding cold air. The drawn-in air mixes with the steam, diluting the steam concentration and absorbing the steam's heat. This mixing process causes the average steam temperature to drop rapidly. The temperature of the steam after reaching the ground drops to below 60°C, far below the temperature required to effectively melt stubborn stains such as grease. This temperature is also insufficient to achieve a disinfection and sterilization effect. In cold weather, the heat carried by the steam is further absorbed by the cold ground after reaching the ground, causing the heat carried by the steam to be almost completely dissipated.

[0022] Therefore, the cleaning device disclosed herein significantly improves the cleaning effect by setting the steam nozzle to adjust the distance between it and the surface to be cleaned according to the movement of the brush, and by further cooperating with the front cleaning component, thereby increasing the concentration of steam after it is ejected and reducing the rate of steam temperature dissipation.

[0023] In one embodiment of this application, reference is made to Figure 1 and Figure 2The cleaning device includes a floor brush 1 and a base station. The base station is usually movable, but is generally placed in a relatively fixed location indoors or outdoors. Of course, the placement of the base station can also be adjusted according to the user's needs. The cleaning device can typically move along a preset direction of travel or according to the user's operating intention, and perform cleaning work on the surface to be cleaned during the movement. During or after the cleaning work is completed, the cleaning device can dock with the base station to perform maintenance operations such as replenishing cleaning fluid, replenishing clean water, replenishing power, emptying the wastewater tank, self-cleaning, and drying.

[0024] The cleaning device includes a floor brush 1. When performing cleaning work, the cleaning device moves on the surface to be cleaned along a preset path or according to the user's operating intention. During the movement, the floor brush 1 contacts and rubs the surface to be cleaned, cleaning the surface. The dirt that is cleaned off is sucked up by the negative pressure airflow generated by the negative pressure generator in the cleaning device, and finally the sucked-up dirt is recycled to the dirt collection chamber in the cleaning device.

[0025] The cleaning device may be a floor scrubber, mop, sweeper-mop combo, carpet cleaner, or robotic vacuum cleaner, but is not limited to these in this application. For ease of understanding, the following description will use a floor scrubber as an example to illustrate the cleaning device involved in this application.

[0026] Referring to Figure 1, the floor brush 1 may include a housing 11 and a roller brush 12. The roller brush 12 is housed in the housing 11. The housing 11 can drive the cleaning component to move along a preset direction or according to the user's operating intention on the surface to be cleaned S. The roller brush 12 is usually exposed at the bottom part of the housing 11, so that the roller brush 12 can contact and rub against the surface to be cleaned to perform cleaning work during the movement of the housing 11.

[0027] In some embodiments, the roller brush 12 is driven to rotate at high speed (e.g., 500 rpm) by a drive motor installed in the housing 11, so that the roller brush 120 can make frictional contact with the ground to clean the surface S to be cleaned, thereby improving cleaning efficiency.

[0028] In some embodiments, a cleaning solution (such as clean water, low-foaming detergent, etc.) is typically used to wet the roller brush or the surface to be cleaned, thereby dissolving, softening, or breaking down the dirt on the surface to be cleaned, thus improving cleaning efficiency. Those skilled in the art will understand that the roller brush 12 can be a single cylindrical cleaning roller, a roller brush assembly composed of multiple cylindrical cleaning rollers (e.g., a tracked roller brush), or a flat, plate-like structure. The movement of the roller brush is not unique; it can be a rotational movement around its central axis in a certain direction (forward or reverse rotation), or a reciprocating translational movement parallel to the surface S to be cleaned, as long as it can efficiently perform friction cleaning on the surface to be cleaned. The surface S to be cleaned includes, but is not limited to, cement floors, tile floors, wooden floors, carpets, walls, or ceilings. For ease of description, the following will use a single roller brush and a tile floor as an example to explain the cleaning device, the floor brush, and the related working principles.

[0029] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, the floor brush 1 may also include a booster wheel 16. The side of the floor brush 1 furthest from the user is defined as the front side, and the side closest to the user is defined as the rear side. The booster wheel 16 is typically rotatably mounted on the rear side of the floor brush. Two booster wheels 16 may be symmetrically arranged relative to the lateral direction of the housing 11, or only one may be centrally located relative to the lateral direction of the housing 11; no specific limitation is made in this document. The booster wheel 16 contacts the surface S to be cleaned and rolls along the ground. Depending on the movement state of the floor brush 1 or the user's operational intention, it provides driving assistance to the floor brush 1 in a forward or reverse direction, making the floor brush move more efficiently and flexibly on the surface to be cleaned, or making user operation more effortless. Simultaneously, the booster wheel 16 also improves the stability of the floor brush 1's movement on the surface S to be cleaned.

[0030] In some embodiments, the floor brush 1 may further include a sensing wheel 15, which is rotatably connected to the housing 11 on the side opposite to the surface S to be cleaned. When the floor brush 1 is placed on the surface S, the sensing wheel 15 continuously contacts the surface S. The sensing wheel 15 is configured to passively rotate with the movement of the floor brush 1, thereby sensing the movement state of the floor brush 1. For example, when the movement state of the floor brush 1 is forward, the sensing wheel 15, under the traction of the floor brush 1, also moves in a forward state. Figure 1 The induction wheel 15 rotates counterclockwise; and when the ground brush 1 is in a stationary state, the induction wheel 15 is also in a stationary state. Figure 1When the induction wheel 15 stops rotating, or its rotational speed is close to zero, the rotational speed of the roller brush 12 can be zero or non-zero (it can rotate counterclockwise or clockwise); and when the ground brush 1 is in a backward motion, the induction wheel 15, pulled by the ground brush 1, also moves in a backward motion. Figure 1 The induction wheel 15 rotates clockwise.

[0031] To prevent the roller brush 12 or the assist wheel 16 from rolling over obstacles on the surface S to be cleaned, causing the floor brush 1 to lift or bounce and thus preventing the sensing wheel 15 from maintaining continuous contact with the surface S, the sensing wheel 16 will stop rotating or its rotation speed will approach zero. This would prevent the sensing wheel 15 from accurately sensing the actual movement of the floor brush 1, ultimately leading to misidentification of the floor brush 1's movement. In addition to rotatably connecting the sensing wheel 15 to the housing 11, the sensing wheel 15 is also elastically connected to the housing 11. In some embodiments, the housing 1... The system also includes an elastic element (not shown in the figure). One part of the elastic element is connected to the housing 11, and the other part is connected to the sensing wheel 15. The elastic element acts elastically on the sensing wheel 15 between the housing 11 and the sensing wheel 15, causing the housing 11 and the sensing wheel 15 to tend to be misaligned. When the floor brush 11 contacts the surface S to be cleaned, the sensing wheel 15 maintains elastic contact with the surface to be cleaned, and the elastic element stores elastic potential energy. When the floor brush 1 is suspended, the elastic element releases the elastic potential energy to push the sensing wheel 15 away from the housing 11. During the cleaning process, the floor brush 1 is in contact with the surface S to be cleaned. The elastic element 1 continuously pushes the sensing wheel 15 towards the surface S to be cleaned, thereby increasing the contact pressure between the sensing wheel 15 and the surface S, and thus increasing the friction between the sensing wheel 15 and the ground, reducing the chance of the sensing wheel 15 slipping, and ultimately increasing the accuracy of the sensing wheel 15 in sensing the movement of the floor brush 1. In addition, the elastic element also acts as a buffer for the sensing wheel 15, absorbing the instantaneous impact from uneven ground, the brush running over obstacles, or the brush initially being placed on the surface S to be cleaned. This further reduces the chance of the sensing wheel 15 slipping and increases the accuracy of the sensing wheel 15 in sensing the movement of the brush 1. The elastic element can be a metal spring, a sheet spring, a torsion spring, elastic rubber, an air spring, or a magnetic spring, etc., and is not limited in this application.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cleaning device may further include a body (not shown in the figure), the floor brush 1 may be rotatably connected to the bottom of the body, and the top of the body is provided or formed with a handheld part for the user to hold, so that the user can better operate the cleaning device. Under the control of the user, the cleaning device can move forward, backward, stop, suspend or be placed on the base station for maintenance.

[0033] In some embodiments, the cleaning device may further include a clean water tank and a wastewater tank (not shown in the figure). A suction pipe 17 is also formed on the housing 11. One end of the suction pipe 17 is connected to the brush cavity on the housing 11 for accommodating the roller brush 12, and the other end is connected to the wastewater tank. Both the clean water tank and the wastewater tank can be mounted on the machine body, or one can be mounted on the floor brush 1 and the other on the machine body, or both can be mounted on the floor brush 1. No special limitation is made in this application. The clean water tank contains cleaning liquid, such as low-foaming detergent, clean water, or detergent aqueous solution. When the cleaning device is working, the clean water tank can provide cleaning liquid to the roller brush 12 or the surface to be cleaned to dissolve, soften, or decompose the dirt on the surface to be cleaned, reduce the adhesion between the dirt and the surface to be cleaned, and thus improve the cleaning efficiency. The dirt (usually a solid-liquid mixture) after being cleaned by the roller brush 12 can be sucked into the wastewater tank through the suction pipe 17 under the action of the negative pressure generator, thereby completing the cleaning cycle.

[0034] In some embodiments, a sealing scraper 18 is provided between the bottom of the housing 11, the roller brush 12, and the suction pipe 17. When the roller brush 1 performs cleaning operations on the surface S to be cleaned, the sealing scraper 18 is in contact with the surface S to be cleaned, so as to improve the vacuum degree when the negative pressure generator sucks up dirt through the suction pipe 17, thereby improving the suction success rate.

[0035] In some embodiments, the cleaning device further includes a controller, which may be located in the floor brush 1, on the machine body, or on a base station or in the cloud, and the controller is communicatively connected to a receiver on the cleaning device.

[0036] In some embodiments, the cleaning device further includes a steam assembly and a steam nozzle. The steam assembly can be disposed in the floor brush 1 or on the machine body. The steam assembly includes a steam generator, a liquid inlet pipe, and a steam pipe. One end of the liquid inlet pipe is in fluid communication with the clean water tank, and the other end is in fluid communication with the steam generator. One end of the steam pipe is in fluid communication with the steam generator, and the other end is in fluid communication with the steam nozzle. The steam generator can be a boiler. The cleaning liquid from the clean water tank is introduced into the boiler, heated to form steam, and finally discharged through the steam pipe to the steam nozzle. In commercially available floor cleaning devices with steam cleaning function, the steam component is usually installed in the floor brush 1, while the steam nozzle is fixedly installed in the housing 11. Furthermore, the roller brush 12 is installed in the roller brush cavity formed inside the housing 11, and the steam nozzle is also fixedly installed in the roller brush cavity and faces the surface to be cleaned. The height of the steam nozzle from the ground is usually higher than 15mm. In steam cleaning mode, the steam nozzle can spray high-temperature steam onto the surface to be cleaned. The steam stream can melt or soften stubborn stains such as oil on the surface to be cleaned, improving the cleaning ability of stubborn stains on the floor. At the same time, it can also sterilize and disinfect the floor, improving the user experience.

[0037] To further improve the cleaning effect of the cleaning device in steam mode, the embodiments of this application are further explained and described below with reference to several specific examples. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to the specific examples below.

[0038] Example 1: A cleaning device, the structural schematic diagram of which is shown below. Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, the cleaning device includes a floor brush 1, which comprises: The housing 11 is capable of reciprocating along the direction of travel on the surface S to be cleaned; A roller brush 12 is disposed in the housing 11 and is used to clean the surface S to be cleaned; The front cleaning member 13 is disposed on the front side of the roller brush 12 in the direction of travel. The front cleaning member 13 is movably connected to the housing 11 to switch between a cleaning position that abuts against the surface S to be cleaned and a clearance position that is separated from the surface S to be cleaned. A steam nozzle 14 is disposed between the roller brush 12 and the front cleaning member 13. The steam nozzle 14 is connected to the front cleaning member 13 so as to switch between a first position and a second position with the front cleaning member, or the steam nozzle 14 is movably connected to the housing 11 so as to switch between a first position and a second position. The ground clearance at the first position is greater than that at the second position.

[0039] While existing floor cleaning devices also feature steam nozzles, these nozzles are typically fixedly connected to the brush housing. Because steam rapidly mixes with and cools in the surrounding low-temperature air after exiting the nozzle, the temperature drop increases with distance. In such devices, the steam nozzle is usually positioned a considerable distance from the surface to be cleaned, such as 3-5 cm. This causes the steam temperature to drop sharply with increasing distance, a result of rapid mixing, thermal diffusion, and condensation of the steam jet with the surrounding air. This temperature drop is not linear but exhibits an exponential decay. Further research by the inventors revealed that within this distance range, after the high-temperature steam jet leaves the nozzle, it violently draws in the surrounding cold air. The drawn-in air mixes with the steam, diluting the steam concentration and absorbing the steam's heat. This mixing process causes the average steam temperature to drop rapidly. The temperature of the steam after reaching the ground drops to below 60°C, far below the temperature required to effectively melt stubborn stains such as grease. This temperature is also insufficient to achieve a disinfection and sterilization effect. In cold weather, the heat of the steam is further absorbed by the cold ground after reaching the ground, causing the heat carried by the steam to be almost completely dissipated.

[0040] During the cleaning operation of the floor brush 1 on the surface S to be cleaned in Embodiment 1, the steam nozzle 14 sprays hot steam between the roller brush 12 and the front cleaning member 13. The front cleaning member 13 is movably connected to the housing 11 to switch between a cleaning position that abuts against the surface S to be cleaned and a clearance position that is separated from the surface S to be cleaned. This allows the front cleaning member 13 to selectively abut against the surface S to be cleaned according to the movement state of the floor brush 1. The steam nozzle 14 can switch between a first position and a second position, allowing the steam nozzle 14 to adjust the distance between itself and the surface S to be cleaned according to the movement state of the floor brush 1. As a result, when the front cleaning member 13 abuts against the surface S to be cleaned, the steam nozzle 14 can be located in the second position (e.g., 5-15 mm) which is closer to the ground. First, the steam emitted from the steam nozzle 14 is confined within the dome-shaped cavity formed by the front cleaning component 13, the floor brush cover, the roller brush 12, and the surface S to be cleaned. This prevents the steam from easily spreading, resulting in a gentler temperature gradient and a longer overall stable temperature within a higher range. This allows the steam temperature within the cavity to be maintained between 80°C and 150°C, which significantly improves the dissolution efficiency of stubborn grease stains and also provides a good disinfection and sterilization effect. Second, because the steam nozzle 14 in Example 1 is closer to the surface S to be cleaned compared to existing steam nozzles, the rate of steam temperature dissipation with distance is further reduced, thereby further improving the dissolution efficiency of stubborn grease stains and ultimately enhancing the cleaning effect of the floor brush.

[0041] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the ground clearance at the first position is 10-40mm, the ground clearance at the second position is 5-15mm, and the ground clearance at the avoidance position is 8-35mm. By controlling the front cleaning component 13 and the steam nozzle 14 within the above-mentioned size range, on the one hand, when the front cleaning component 13 is in the avoidance position and the steam nozzle 14 is in the first position, the floor brush 1 can clean most of the large particles (particle size in the range of 8-35mm). On the other hand, when the front cleaning component 13 is in the cleaning position and the steam nozzle 14 is in the second position, the cleaning effect is improved by the relatively sealed effect of the dome-shaped chamber and the slow dissipation effect of the steam temperature due to the steam nozzle 14 being closer to the ground.

[0042] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, the steam nozzle 14 can be fixedly connected to the front cleaning component 13 and move up and down following the front cleaning component 13. The steam nozzle 14 can also move up and down independently. For example, the floor brush 1 also includes a first driver for driving the front cleaning component to move up and down, and a second driver for driving the steam nozzle 14 to move up and down. The specific driving method used for the steam nozzle 14 is not limited in this application, as long as it achieves the functions described in this application. There are usually multiple steam nozzles, for example, 12 to 20, which are evenly spaced along the lateral extension direction of the floor brush 1.

[0043] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, when the floor brush 1 is in the forward state, the front cleaning component 13 switches to the avoidance position, and the steam nozzle 14 switches to the first position to prevent the front cleaning component 13 and the steam nozzle 14 from blocking the cleaning of dirt on the front side of the floor brush 1 when the floor brush 1 is cleaning forward, thereby improving the cleaning applicability of the floor brush 1. In addition, it should be noted that when the floor brush 1 is in the forward state, the steam nozzle 14 can spray steam towards the surface S to be cleaned, or it can not spray steam towards the surface S to be cleaned. However, if steam is sprayed towards the surface S to be cleaned at this time, the steam loses the converging effect of the front cleaning component 13 and the steam nozzle 14 is higher off the ground, which will make the cleaning effect of the steam worse than the cleaning effect of the steam nozzle spraying steam in the second position. When the floor brush 1 is in the reverse or stationary state, the front cleaning component 13 switches to the cleaning position, and the steam nozzle 14 switches to the second position. Correspondingly, if the steam control valve of the steam nozzle 14 is opened at this time, the steam nozzle 14 sprays steam towards the surface to be cleaned. Since the front cleaning component 13 is in the cleaning position and keeps in contact with the surface to be cleaned, a dome-shaped chamber is formed. On the one hand, the steam is not easy to escape in the chamber, and on the other hand, its spray distance is close to the ground, which further reduces the rate of steam temperature dissipation with distance, thereby further improving the dissolution efficiency of stubborn stains such as grease, and ultimately effectively improving the cleaning effect of the floor brush. In addition, when the front cleaning component 1 moves backward with the floor brush 1, the condensation formed after the steam reaches the surface to be cleaned and the dirt formed after dissolving stubborn substances can be scraped and collected by the front cleaning component 13 in front of the steam nozzle and cleaned by the roller brush when the floor brush moves forward again, avoiding the residue of steam condensation and dissolved dirt, and further improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0044] Currently, cleaning devices with steam functions face a problem: although hot steam accelerates the dissolution of stubborn stains such as grease when sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning liquid sprayed onto the roller brush 12 is still at room temperature. Even if the stubborn stains on the surface to be cleaned can be accelerated to peel off from the ground after being steamed by the high-temperature steam, in the subsequent cleaning process when the room-temperature roller brush intervenes, the stubborn stains will re-adhere to the ground and the roller brush because the temperature of the stubborn stains is lowered again by the room-temperature roller brush. This reduces the cleaning effect of the stubborn stains, and the stubborn stains on the roller brush are not easy to peel off, resulting in poor cleanliness of the roller brush and continuous contamination of the ground in subsequent cleaning processes.

[0045] Another inventive concept of this application embodiment is: by adjusting the direction or angle of steam ejection, the surface temperature of the roller brush 12 is increased. On the one hand, the heated roller brush 12 can continuously melt stubborn stains such as grease on the surface to be cleaned under high temperature, maintaining or even improving the cleaning effect. On the other hand, after the roller brush 12 is heated, the stubborn stains such as grease wrapped on it are more easily scraped off by the water-squeezing scraper in the roller brush cavity, thereby restoring cleanliness and further improving the cleaning effect.

[0046] In some embodiments, the steam nozzle 14 is rotatable relative to the housing 11. See Figure 3 When the ground brush 1 is in the forward state, the steam nozzle 14 switches to the first position and deflects towards the direction of the roller brush 12, so that at least part of the steam ejected by the steam nozzle 14 can be sprayed onto the circumferential outer surface of the roller brush 12, thereby increasing the surface temperature of the roller brush 12. See Figure 2 When the floor brush 1 is in a backward or stationary state, the steam nozzle 14 switches to a second position and deflects away from the roller brush 12 to face the surface S to be cleaned, thus allowing the steam nozzle 14 to continue heating the surface S with steam. During the repeated backward-forward-backward-forward cycle of the floor brush, the steam nozzle can rise and deflect steam towards the roller brush 12 when the floor brush moves forward, and fall and spray steam towards the ground when the floor brush moves backward or stationary. This ensures both steam heating of the surface to be cleaned and temperature increase of the roller brush 12 surface. With the combined heating effect of both, the floor brush 1 can maintain continuous heating of the same cleaning area, resulting in a significantly higher cleaning effect than steam heating of the ground or the roller brush 12 alone.

[0047] See Figure 3In some preferred embodiments, when the floor brush 1 is in the forward state, the front cleaning member 13 switches to a position away from the surface to be cleaned S (e.g., 8-35mm above the ground), and the steam nozzle 14 switches to the first position and deflects towards the roller brush 12, so that at least part of the steam ejected by the steam nozzle 14 can be sprayed onto the circumferential outer surface of the roller brush 12, thereby increasing the surface temperature of the roller brush 12. At the same time, neither the front cleaning member 13 nor the steam nozzle 14 will prevent the roller brush 12 from entraining and cleaning the dirt (especially large particles of dirt) in front of the floor brush. See Figure 2 When the ground brush 1 is in the backward or stopped state, the front cleaning part 13 switches to the cleaning position that is in contact with the surface S to be cleaned, and the steam nozzle 14 switches to the second position and deflects away from the roller brush 12 to be opposite to the surface S to be cleaned, so that the steam nozzle 14 can continue to heat the surface S to be cleaned with steam. During the repeated back-forward-backward-forward cycle of the floor brush, the steam nozzles rise and deflect towards the roller brush 12 to spray steam when the floor brush moves forward, and fall and spray steam towards the ground when the floor brush moves backward or stops. This ensures both the steam heating effect on the surface to be cleaned and the temperature increase effect on the surface of the roller brush 12. With the combined heating effect of both, the floor brush 1 can maintain continuous heating on the same cleaning area, making the cleaning effect of this area significantly higher than that of steam heating the ground alone or steam heating the roller brush 12 alone. In addition, since the front cleaning component 13 is in contact with the surface to be cleaned S at this time, the steam sprayed from the steam nozzle 14 is also confined in the dome-shaped cavity formed by the front cleaning component, the floor brush cover, the roller brush, and the surface to be cleaned, so it is not easy to diffuse. The steam temperature drop gradient becomes gentler, and the overall steam temperature remains stable in a higher temperature range for a longer period of time, thereby improving the dissolution efficiency of stubborn stains such as grease and further improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0048] In some preferred embodiments, multiple steam nozzles 14 are provided and are spaced apart along the lateral direction of the floor brush 1. When the floor brush 1 is in the forward state, the front cleaning member 13 switches to a clearance position away from the surface to be cleaned S (e.g., 8-35mm above the ground), the steam nozzles 14 switch to the first position, and a portion of the steam nozzles 14 deflects toward the roller brush 12, so that at least part of the steam ejected by this portion of the steam nozzles 14 can be sprayed onto the circumferential outer surface of the roller brush 12, thereby increasing the surface temperature of the roller brush 12. At the same time, neither the front cleaning member 13 nor the steam nozzles 14 will prevent the roller brush 12 from entraining and cleaning the dirt (especially large particles of dirt) in front of the floor brush. The remaining portion of the steam nozzles 14 deflects toward the front cleaning member 13, so that at least part of the steam ejected by this portion of the steam nozzles 14 can be sprayed onto the front cleaning member 13, thereby achieving steam cleaning of the front cleaning member 13, so that the cleanliness of the front cleaning member 13 can be restored immediately without returning to the base station.

[0049] Currently, cleaning devices with steam functions still face a problem: although the surface S to be cleaned after being heated by steam can be cleaned by high-speed friction of the roller brush 12, the roller brush 12 is mostly made of soft velvet bristles, so even stubborn stains on the surface to be cleaned cannot be effectively cleaned.

[0050] Another inventive concept of this application embodiment is: by setting a liftable intermediate cleaning component, the surface hardness of which is greater than the hardness of the roller brush bristles of the roller brush 12, the intermediate cleaning component can selectively contact the surface to be cleaned during the reciprocating cleaning process of the floor brush, thereby scraping off stubborn stains and improving the cleaning effect on stubborn stains.

[0051] Reference Figure 4 Floor brush 1 also includes: The cleaning component 19 is disposed between the roller brush 12 and the steam nozzle 14; The middle cleaning component 19 is connected to the front cleaning component 13, so as to switch between a third position abutting against the surface S to be cleaned and a fourth position separated from the surface S to be cleaned, or the middle cleaning component 19 is movably connected to the housing 11, so as to switch between a third position abutting against the surface S to be cleaned and a fourth position separated from the surface S to be cleaned.

[0052] In some embodiments, when the cleaning component 19 is in the third position, it can also perform vertical vibration or horizontal vibration parallel to the surface to be cleaned, thereby further enhancing the cleaning ability of the cleaning component 19.

[0053] Furthermore, see again Figure 4When the ground brush 1 is in the forward position, the middle cleaning component 19 switches to the fourth position, so that the middle cleaning component 19 will not prevent the roller brush 12 from cleaning the dirt (especially large particles of dirt) in front of the ground brush. See Figure 5 When the ground brush 1 is in the reverse or stationary state, the middle cleaning component 19 switches to the third position, so that the middle cleaning component 19 can perform a powerful scraping cleaning on the surface to be cleaned, thereby improving the cleaning effect on stubborn stains.

[0054] In some preferred embodiments, the middle cleaning component 19 can rotate relative to the housing 11. When the ground brush 1 is in the forward state, the middle cleaning component 19 switches to the fourth position and deflects towards the direction of the roller brush 12 until the ground of the middle cleaning component 19 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush 12. This allows the dirt adhering to the middle cleaning component 19 to be restored to cleanliness under the friction cleaning action of the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush 12, so as not to affect the cleaning effect of the middle cleaning component 19 in the next cleaning.

[0055] In some preferred embodiments, the ground clearance of the fourth position is 10~40mm.

[0056] In some preferred embodiments, when the floor brush 1 is in the forward state, the front cleaning component 13 switches to a clearance position away from the surface to be cleaned S (e.g., 8-35mm above the ground), the steam nozzle 14 switches to the first position and deflects towards the roller brush 12, and the middle cleaning component 19 switches to the fourth position and deflects towards the roller brush 12 until the ground of the middle cleaning component 19 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush 12, so that the steam sprayed by the steam nozzle 14 can at least partially spray onto the circumferential outer surface of the roller brush 12 and the middle cleaning component 19, thereby increasing the surface temperature of the roller brush 12 and the middle cleaning component 19, which is more conducive to the roller brush 12 to perform friction cleaning on the middle cleaning component 19. At the same time, the front cleaning component 13, the steam nozzle 14, and the middle cleaning component 19 will not prevent the roller brush 12 from carrying away and cleaning the dirt (especially large particles of dirt) in front of the floor brush. When the floor brush 1 is in the reverse or stationary position, the front cleaning component 13 switches to a cleaning position that contacts the surface S to be cleaned, the steam nozzle 14 switches to a second position and deflects away from the roller brush 12 to face the surface S, and the middle cleaning component 19 switches to a third position, allowing the steam nozzle 14 to continue steam heating the surface S. During the repeated reciprocating cleaning operation of the floor brush (reverse-forward-reverse-forward), the steam nozzle can rise and spray steam towards the roller brush 12 when the floor brush moves forward, and descend and spray steam towards the ground when the floor brush moves backward or stops. This ensures both steam heating of the surface to be cleaned and temperature increase of the roller brush 12 surface. With the combined heating effect of both, the floor brush 1 can maintain continuous heating of the same cleaning area, resulting in a significantly improved cleaning effect compared to steam heating of the ground alone or steam heating of the roller brush 12 alone. The cleaning effect is improved. In addition, since the front cleaning component 13 is in contact with the surface S to be cleaned, the steam sprayed from the steam nozzle 14 is also confined in the dome-shaped cavity formed by the front cleaning component, the floor brush cover, the roller brush and the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, it is not easy to diffuse. The steam temperature drop gradient becomes gentler, and the overall steam temperature will remain stable in a higher temperature range for a longer period of time. This can improve the dissolution efficiency of stubborn stains such as grease. At this time, the middle cleaning component 19 can perform a strong scraping cleaning on the surface to be cleaned, thereby greatly improving the cleaning effect on strong stubborn stains.

[0057] Currently, cleaning devices with steam functions also face a problem: when the local brush 1 is placed on the base station for self-cleaning, the existing cleaning devices lack hot water self-cleaning function, or although they have hot water self-cleaning function, the hot water temperature is low, only reaching about 60℃. This makes it difficult for stubborn stains such as grease on the roller brush 12 to be dissolved and removed from the bristles of the roller brush 12, resulting in poor self-cleaning effect of the roller brush 12. If the roller brush 12 is not cleaned properly, it is easy to produce odors and mold, which reduces the user experience.

[0058] Another inventive concept of this application embodiment is: when the ground brush 1 is connected to the base station, by deflecting the steam nozzle toward the roller brush 12 and spraying high-temperature steam, the temperature of the roller brush cavity and the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush 12 can be maintained above 90°C. On the one hand, this greatly improves the efficiency of melting and removing stubborn stains such as grease on the roller brush 12. On the other hand, the high-temperature environment inside the roller brush cavity can also perform full-link high-temperature disinfection of the roller brush 12 and the downstream suction pipe, sewage tank and HEPA filter, reducing the possibility of odor and mold growth in the roller brush and other floor scrubbing machine components, and improving the user experience.

[0059] In some embodiments, the cleaning device further includes a base station for receiving the floor brush 1, and the steam nozzle 14 is rotatable relative to the housing 11. When the floor brush 1 is in the self-cleaning state, the roller brush 12 rotates in a preset direction, and the steam nozzle 14 deflects toward the roller brush 12 and sprays steam.

[0060] In some embodiments, when the ground brush 1 is in the self-cleaning state of the front cleaning component, the roller brush 12 rotates in a preset direction, and the steam nozzle 14 deflects toward the front cleaning component 13 and sprays steam, thereby enabling the steam nozzle 14 to clean and disinfect the front cleaning component 13.

[0061] Example 2 Figure 7 A flowchart of the cleaning method for the cleaning apparatus provided in Embodiment 2 of this application.

[0062] like Figure 5 As shown, a cleaning method for a cleaning device is provided, such as... Figures 1-4 As shown, the cleaning device may include a floor brush 1, which includes: The housing 11 is capable of reciprocating along the direction of travel on the surface S to be cleaned; A roller brush 12 is disposed in the housing 11 and is used to clean the surface S to be cleaned; The front cleaning member 13 is disposed on the front side of the roller brush 12 in the direction of travel. The front cleaning member 13 is movably connected to the housing 11 to switch between a cleaning position that abuts against the surface S to be cleaned and a clearance position that is separated from the surface S to be cleaned. Steam nozzle 14 is disposed between roller brush 12 and front cleaning member 13; The cleaning method includes the following steps: S03, in response to the first cleaning command and the floor brush being in a reversing or stopped state, the front cleaning component 13 moves toward the cleaning position towards the surface to be cleaned S, and the steam nozzle 14 approaches the surface to be cleaned S and sprays steam.

[0063] While existing floor cleaning devices also feature steam nozzles, these nozzles are typically fixedly connected to the brush housing. As steam exits the nozzle, it rapidly mixes with and cools in the surrounding cold air, with the temperature drop increasing with distance. This is due to the rapid mixing, thermal diffusion, and condensation of the steam jet with the surrounding air. This temperature drop is not linear but exhibits an exponential decay trend. In existing floor cleaning devices with steam cleaning functions, the distance between the steam nozzle and the surface to be cleaned is usually more than 3 cm. Further research by the inventors revealed that within this distance range, the high-temperature steam jet, after leaving the nozzle, violently draws in the surrounding cold air. This drawn-in air mixes with the steam, diluting the steam concentration and absorbing its heat. This mixing process causes a rapid drop in the average steam temperature, resulting in the steam reaching the ground at temperatures below 60°C, far below the temperature required to effectively melt grease and grime. This temperature is also insufficient for disinfection and sterilization. In cold weather, the heat from the steam is further absorbed by the low-temperature ground, causing the heat carried by the steam to dissipate almost entirely.

[0064] This application controls the front cleaning component and steam nozzle to approach the surface to be cleaned only when the floor brush is in a retracted or stopped state. The front cleaning component even comes into contact with the surface. During the cleaning process, the roller brush removes most of the dirt from the floor. As the floor brush continues to retract, the front cleaning component continuously contacts the surface, scraping away residual water and dirt. Furthermore, the front cleaning component, the floor brush cover, the roller brush, and the surface to be cleaned form a semi-enclosed chamber. The steam ejected from the steam nozzle is trapped within this chamber for a longer period. This results in a gradual temperature drop over time, after the initial mixing with cold air causes a partial temperature decrease. The steam temperature within the chamber can be maintained between 90℃ and 150℃. At this temperature, the dissolution efficiency of stubborn grease stains can be greatly improved, and a good disinfection and sterilization effect can also be achieved. In addition, as the steam nozzle continues to move backward with the floor brush, the distance between it and the surface to be cleaned continuously decreases, further reducing the rate of steam temperature dissipation with distance, thereby further improving the dissolution efficiency of stubborn grease stains. Finally, the condensate formed after the steam reaches the surface to be cleaned and the dirt formed after dissolving stubborn substances can be scraped and collected by the front cleaning component on the side in front of the steam nozzle and cleaned by the roller brush during the next advance of the floor brush, avoiding the residue of steam condensate and dissolved dirt, and further improving cleaning efficiency.

[0065] In specific application scenarios, floor scrubbers should have at least two modes: a normal cleaning mode and a steam cleaning mode. When the floor scrubber is started normally to perform a cleaning task, it defaults to normal cleaning mode. During surface cleaning in normal mode, if a first cleaning command, such as a steam cleaning command, is received, the floor scrubber will switch to steam cleaning mode. In other application scenarios, users can also choose to directly enter steam cleaning mode upon starting the floor scrubber, allowing for autonomous control based on stubborn stains and providing greater flexibility.

[0066] It should be noted that the steam cleaning mode is more effective than the normal cleaning mode, but the steam cleaning mode is not the default working mode when the machine is turned on; it will only be activated when a steam cleaning command is received.

[0067] The aforementioned "steam cleaning command" can be issued by the user. In specific application scenarios, the floor scrubber is equipped with control buttons on its upper part (such as the control handle on the machine body). When the user observes that the floor to be cleaned contains stubborn stains such as oil stains, they can press the control button to issue a "steam cleaning command" to the floor scrubber. After the stubborn stains are cleaned, the user can press the control button again to exit the "steam cleaning mode" and control the floor scrubber to enter normal cleaning mode, or the user can directly press the power button to stop the cleaning operation and exit the "steam cleaning mode". In other application scenarios, the issuance and cancellation of the "steam cleaning command" can be operated by different control buttons, which are not limited here. In other applications, floor scrubbers (such as floor brushes) are also equipped with dirt sensors and controllers. When the dirt sensor detects stubborn stains on the floor being cleaned, it sends a signal to the controller indicating that stubborn stains have been detected. The controller then issues a "steam cleaning command." When the dirt sensor detects that the stubborn stains on the floor have been cleaned, it sends a signal to the controller indicating that the stubborn stains have been cleaned. The controller then issues an "exit steam cleaning command," thereby controlling the floor scrubber to enter normal cleaning mode.

[0068] In some embodiments, the cleaning device further includes a sensing component for sensing the direction of movement of the floor brush 1, referring to... Figure 8 Before the above-mentioned step of "responding to the first cleaning command and the floor brush being in a reverse or stopped state" is implemented, it may also include the following steps: S01, acquire the sensing data of the sensing component; S02, the motion state of the floor brush is determined based on the sensor data, including a backward state and a stationary state. Based on the judgment data of the sensor component, the floor scrubber can more accurately identify the motion state of the floor brush, and thus quickly respond to the motion state of the floor brush to accurately and efficiently execute step S03.

[0069] In some embodiments, the controller can acquire sensing data from the sensing components via wired or wireless communication.

[0070] In some alternative embodiments, the sensing component includes the aforementioned assist wheel 16 or sensing wheel 15. Both the assist wheel 16 and the sensing wheel 15 are existing structures of the floor brush 1. By using the existing structure of the floor brush 1, the movement state of the floor brush 1 can be identified, making the cleaning method simple and reliable, and also helping to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

[0071] Reference Figure 9 In some embodiments, the cleaning method may further include the following steps: S04, in response to the first cleaning command and the floor brush being in the forward state, the front cleaning component 13 moves away from the surface to be cleaned S to a clearance position, and the steam nozzle 14 moves away from the surface to be cleaned S and sprays steam.

[0072] In some embodiments, the steam nozzle 14 is disposed between the roller brush 12 and the front cleaning member 13. The steam nozzle 14 is connected to the front cleaning member 13 to switch between a first position and a second position with the front cleaning member. Alternatively, the steam nozzle 14 is movably connected to the housing 11 to switch between a first position and a second position. In the above step S03, the step "the steam nozzle 14 approaches the surface S to be cleaned and sprays steam" may include the following in a specific implementation: the steam nozzle 14 approaches the surface S to be cleaned to switch to the second position and spray steam. Because the front cleaning component 13 is in contact with the surface S to be cleaned while in the cleaning position, a dome-shaped chamber is formed. Steam is less likely to escape from this chamber, and its spray distance is relatively close to the ground, further reducing the rate of steam temperature dissipation with distance. This further improves the dissolution efficiency of stubborn stains such as grease, ultimately effectively improving the cleaning effect of the floor brush. Furthermore, when the front cleaning component 13 moves backward with the floor brush 1, the condensate formed after the steam reaches the surface to be cleaned, as well as the dirt formed after dissolving stubborn substances, can be scraped and collected by the front cleaning component 13 in front of the steam nozzle and cleaned by the roller brush during the next forward movement of the floor brush. This avoids the residue of steam condensate and dissolved dirt, further improving cleaning efficiency. The action of the steam nozzle 14 switching to the second position and spraying steam can be implemented in various ways. It can be that the steam nozzle 14 only starts spraying steam when it switches to the second position, or it can spray steam while switching to the second position, or it can spray steam first and then switch to the second position. In step S04 above, the step "steam nozzle 14 moves away from the surface S to be cleaned and sprays steam" can, in specific implementation, include the following: the steam nozzle 14 moves away from the surface S to be cleaned to switch to the first position and spray steam. This is to prevent the front cleaning component 13 and the steam nozzle 14 from obstructing the cleaning of dirt on the front side of the floor brush 1 when the floor brush 1 is cleaning forward, thereby improving the cleaning applicability of the floor brush 1. It should also be noted that when the floor brush 1 is in the forward state, the steam nozzle 14 can spray steam towards the surface S to be cleaned or not. However, if steam is sprayed towards the surface S to be cleaned at this time, the steam loses the converging effect of the front cleaning component 13 and the steam nozzle 14 is at a higher height from the ground, which will make the cleaning effect of the steam worse than the cleaning effect of the steam nozzle spraying steam in the second position, but still better than the cleaning effect of the normal cleaning mode. The action of switching the steam nozzle 14 to the first position and spraying steam can be implemented in various ways. It can be that the action of spraying steam only begins when the steam nozzle 14 switches to the first position, or the steam nozzle 14 performs the action of spraying steam while switching to the first position, or the steam nozzle 14 performs the action of spraying steam first and then switches to the first position.

[0073] In some embodiments, the ground clearance of the first position is 10-40 mm, the ground clearance of the second position is 5-15 mm, and the ground clearance of the avoidance position is 8-35 mm. By controlling the front cleaning component 13 and the steam nozzle 14 within the above-mentioned size range, on the one hand, when the front cleaning component 13 is in the avoidance position and the steam nozzle 14 is in the first position, the floor brush 1 can clean most of the large particles (particle size of 8-35 mm). On the other hand, when the front cleaning component 13 is in the cleaning position and the steam nozzle 14 is in the second position, the cleaning effect is improved by the relatively sealed effect of the dome-shaped chamber and the slow dissipation effect of the steam temperature due to the steam nozzle 14 being closer to the ground.

[0074] Currently, cleaning devices with steam functions face a problem: although hot steam accelerates the dissolution of stubborn stains such as grease when sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning liquid sprayed onto the roller brush 12 is still at room temperature. Even if the stubborn stains on the surface to be cleaned can be accelerated to peel off from the ground after being steamed by the high-temperature steam, in the subsequent cleaning process when the room-temperature roller brush intervenes, the stubborn stains will re-adhere to the ground and the roller brush because the temperature of the stubborn stains is lowered again by the room-temperature roller brush. This reduces the cleaning effect of the stubborn stains, and the stubborn stains on the roller brush are not easy to peel off, resulting in poor cleanliness of the roller brush and continuous contamination of the ground in subsequent cleaning processes.

[0075] Another inventive concept of this application embodiment is: by adjusting the direction or angle of steam ejection, the surface temperature of the roller brush 12 is increased. On the one hand, the heated roller brush 12 can continuously melt stubborn stains such as grease on the surface to be cleaned under high temperature, maintaining or even improving the cleaning effect. On the other hand, after the roller brush 12 is heated, the stubborn stains such as grease wrapped on it are more easily scraped off by the water-squeezing scraper in the roller brush cavity, thereby restoring cleanliness and further improving the cleaning effect.

[0076] See Figure 10 In some embodiments, the steam nozzle 14 can be deflected relative to the housing 11, and the cleaning method may further include the following steps: S05, in response to the first cleaning command and the floor brush being in the forward state, the front cleaning member 13 moves away from the surface to be cleaned S to a clearance position, and the steam nozzle 14 deflects toward the roller brush 12 and sprays steam. This allows at least a portion of the steam sprayed from the steam nozzle 14 to be sprayed onto the circumferential outer surface of the roller brush 12, thereby increasing the surface temperature of the roller brush 12, while neither the front cleaning member 13 nor the steam nozzle 14 hinders the roller brush 12 from entraining and cleaning dirt (especially large particles of dirt) in front of the floor brush.

[0077] Furthermore, the step "steam nozzle 14 approaches the surface S to be cleaned and sprays steam" can, in specific implementation, include the following: the steam nozzle 14 deflects away from the roller brush 12 to approach the surface S to be cleaned and spray steam. That is, when the ground brush 1 is in the retracted or stopped state, the front cleaning member 13 switches to a cleaning position that abuts against the surface S to be cleaned, the steam nozzle 14 switches to a second position, and deflects away from the roller brush 12 to face the surface S to be cleaned, so that the steam nozzle 14 can continue to heat the surface S to be cleaned with steam. During the repeated back-forward-backward-forward cycle of the floor brush, the steam nozzles rise and deflect towards the roller brush 12 to spray steam when the floor brush moves forward, and fall and spray steam towards the ground when the floor brush moves backward or stops. This ensures both the steam heating effect on the surface to be cleaned and the temperature increase effect on the surface of the roller brush 12. With the combined heating effect of both, the floor brush 1 can maintain continuous heating on the same cleaning area, making the cleaning effect of this area significantly higher than that of steam heating the ground alone or steam heating the roller brush 12 alone. In addition, since the front cleaning component 13 is in contact with the surface to be cleaned S at this time, the steam sprayed from the steam nozzle 14 is also confined in the dome-shaped cavity formed by the front cleaning component, the floor brush cover, the roller brush, and the surface to be cleaned, so it is not easy to diffuse. The steam temperature drop gradient becomes gentler, and the overall steam temperature remains stable in a higher temperature range for a longer period of time, thereby improving the dissolution efficiency of stubborn stains such as grease and further improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0078] In some preferred embodiments, multiple steam nozzles 14 are provided and are spaced apart along the lateral direction of the floor brush 1. When the floor brush 1 is in the forward state, the front cleaning member 13 switches to a clearance position away from the surface to be cleaned S (e.g., 8-35mm above the ground), the steam nozzles 14 switch to the first position, and a portion of the steam nozzles 14 deflects toward the roller brush 12, so that at least part of the steam ejected by this portion of the steam nozzles 14 can be sprayed onto the circumferential outer surface of the roller brush 12, thereby increasing the surface temperature of the roller brush 12. At the same time, neither the front cleaning member 13 nor the steam nozzles 14 will prevent the roller brush 12 from entraining and cleaning the dirt (especially large particles of dirt) in front of the floor brush. The remaining portion of the steam nozzles 14 deflects toward the front cleaning member 13, so that at least part of the steam ejected by this portion of the steam nozzles 14 can be sprayed onto the front cleaning member 13, thereby achieving steam cleaning of the front cleaning member 13, so that the cleanliness of the front cleaning member 13 can be restored immediately without returning to the base station.

[0079] Currently, the cleaning device with the liftable front cleaning component 13 also faces a problem: after cleaning the water stains or dirt remaining on the surface to be cleaned for a period of time, dirt tends to accumulate on the inner surface of the front cleaning component 13 facing the roller brush 12. If the dirt is not cleaned in time, it will continue to contaminate the ground in subsequent cleaning operations, thereby reducing the cleaning effect on the ground.

[0080] Another inventive concept of this application embodiment is to self-clean the front cleaning component 13 by deflecting the steam nozzle 14 toward the front cleaning component 13 and spraying steam, thereby restoring the cleanliness of the front cleaning component 13.

[0081] See Figure 11 In some embodiments, the steam nozzle 14 is deflectable relative to the housing 11, and the cleaning method further includes the following steps: S06, in response to the second cleaning command and the floor brush being in a reversing or stopped state, the front cleaning component 13 moves toward the surface to be cleaned S to the cleaning position, and the steam nozzle 14 deflects toward the direction close to the front cleaning component 13 and sprays steam.

[0082] In specific application scenarios, floor scrubbers should have at least a normal cleaning mode and a front cleaning component self-cleaning mode. When the floor scrubber is started normally to perform a cleaning task, it will run in normal cleaning mode by default. During the surface cleaning task in normal cleaning mode, if a second cleaning command is received, such as a front cleaning component self-cleaning command, the floor scrubber will be controlled to enter the front cleaning component self-cleaning mode.

[0083] It should be noted that the front cleaning component self-cleaning mode is usually only used for the self-cleaning of the front cleaning component. However, the front cleaning component self-cleaning mode is not the default working mode when the device is powered on. It will only be activated when the front cleaning component self-cleaning command is received.

[0084] The aforementioned "front cleaning component self-cleaning command" can be issued by the user. In specific application scenarios, the floor scrubber is equipped with control buttons on its upper part (such as the control handle). When the user observes that there is still dirt residue (especially wastewater) on the floor cleaned by the front cleaning component 13, they can press the control button to issue a "front cleaning component self-cleaning command" to the floor scrubber. After the front cleaning component has finished self-cleaning, the user can press the control button again to exit the "front cleaning component self-cleaning mode" and thus control the floor scrubber to enter normal cleaning mode. In other application scenarios, the issuance and cancellation of the "front cleaning component self-cleaning mode" can be operated by different control buttons, which are not limited here. In other application scenarios, the floor scrubber (such as the floor brush) is also equipped with a dirt sensor and controller. When the dirt sensor detects that dirt (especially wastewater) is still present on the floor that has been cleaned by the front cleaning component 13, or when it senses that the dirt accumulation on the inner surface of the front cleaning component 13 facing the roller brush 12 exceeds a threshold, it sends a signal to the controller that the front cleaning component is dirty. The controller then issues a "front cleaning component self-cleaning command". After the front cleaning component self-cleaning program ends, the controller then issues an "exit front cleaning component self-cleaning command", thereby controlling the floor scrubber to enter the normal cleaning mode.

[0085] Currently, cleaning devices with steam functions still face a problem: although the surface S to be cleaned after being heated by steam can be cleaned by high-speed friction of the roller brush 12, the roller brush 12 is mostly made of soft velvet bristles, so even stubborn stains on the surface to be cleaned cannot be effectively cleaned.

[0086] Another inventive concept of this application embodiment is: by setting a liftable intermediate cleaning component, the surface hardness of which is greater than the hardness of the roller brush bristles of the roller brush 12, the intermediate cleaning component can selectively contact the surface to be cleaned during the reciprocating cleaning process of the floor brush, thereby scraping off stubborn stains and improving the cleaning effect on stubborn stains.

[0087] Reference Figure 4 In some embodiments, the floor brush 1 further includes: The cleaning component 19 is disposed between the roller brush 12 and the steam nozzle 14; Among them, participants Figure 12 The cleaning method also includes the following steps: S07, in response to the third cleaning command and the floor brush being in a reversing or stopped state, the front cleaning member 13 moves towards the surface to be cleaned S to a cleaning position, and the middle cleaning member 19 abuts against the surface to be cleaned S. In this embodiment, the third cleaning command refers to a powerful cleaning command.

[0088] In some preferred embodiments, after the cleaning component 19 comes into contact with the surface S to be cleaned, the cleaning component 19 performs vibration cleaning on the surface S. The vibration cleaning method can be vertical vibration or horizontal vibration parallel to the surface to be cleaned, thereby further improving the cleaning ability of the cleaning component 19.

[0089] See Figure 13 In some embodiments, the cleaning method further includes the following steps: In step S08, in response to the fourth cleaning command and the floor brush being in a reversing or stopped state, the front cleaning component 13 moves towards the surface S to be cleaned to a cleaning position, the middle cleaning component 19 abuts against the surface S, and the steam nozzle 14 approaches the surface S and sprays steam. This hybrid cleaning mode, combining steam cleaning with the powerful cleaning of the middle cleaning component, further improves the cleaning effect on the floor. However, due to limitations in floor material, this hybrid cleaning mode may damage some wooden floors; therefore, it is generally suitable for tile or marble floors. In this embodiment, the fourth cleaning command is a hybrid cleaning command.

[0090] See Figure 14 In some embodiments, the steam nozzle 14 and the cleaning component 19 are deflectable relative to the housing 11, and the cleaning method further includes the following steps: S09, in response to the fifth cleaning command and the floor brush being in a forward state, the front cleaning component 13 moves away from the surface S to be cleaned, and the middle cleaning component 19 deflects towards the roller brush 12 until the middle cleaning component 19 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush 12. The steam nozzle 14 deflects towards the roller brush 12 and sprays steam. This allows the dirt adhering to the middle cleaning component 19 to be quickly peeled off from the middle cleaning component 19 under the friction cleaning action of the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush 12 and the high-temperature steam fumigation action, thus restoring its cleanliness and not affecting the cleaning effect of the middle cleaning component 19 in the next cleaning cycle. In this embodiment, the fifth cleaning command can be a self-cleaning command for the middle cleaning component.

[0091] Example 3: Currently, cleaning devices with steam function also face a problem: when the ground brush 1 is placed on the base station for self-cleaning, the existing cleaning devices lack hot water self-cleaning function, or although they have hot water self-cleaning function, the hot water temperature is low, only reaching about 60°C. This makes it difficult for stubborn stains such as grease on the roller brush 12 to be dissolved and peeled off from the bristles of the roller brush 12, resulting in poor self-cleaning effect of the roller brush 12. If the roller brush 12 is not cleaned properly, it is easy to produce odors and mold, which reduces the user experience.

[0092] Another inventive concept of this application embodiment is: when the ground brush 1 is connected to the base station, by deflecting the steam nozzle toward the roller brush 12 and spraying high-temperature steam, the temperature of the roller brush cavity and the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush 12 can be maintained above 90°C. On the one hand, this greatly improves the efficiency of melting and removing stubborn stains such as grease on the roller brush 12. On the other hand, the high-temperature environment inside the roller brush cavity can also perform full-link high-temperature disinfection of the roller brush 12 and the downstream suction pipe, sewage tank and HEPA filter, reducing the possibility of odor and mold growth in the roller brush and other floor scrubbing machine components, and improving the user experience.

[0093] Reference Figure 7 This application also provides a self-cleaning method for a cleaning device, the cleaning device including a ground brush 1 and a base station for receiving the ground brush 1, the ground brush 1 including: The housing 11 is capable of reciprocating along the direction of travel on the surface S to be cleaned; A roller brush 12 is disposed in the housing 11 and is used to clean the surface S to be cleaned; The front cleaning member 13 is disposed on the front side of the roller brush 12 in the direction of travel. The front cleaning member 13 is movably connected to the housing 11 to switch between a cleaning position that abuts against the surface S to be cleaned and a clearance position that is separated from the surface S to be cleaned. Steam nozzle 14 is disposed between roller brush 12 and front cleaning member 13; Among them, reference Figure 15 The self-cleaning method includes the following steps: T01, confirming that ground brush 1 has been received by the base station; At time T02, in response to the first self-cleaning command, the roller brush 12 rotates in a preset direction, and the steam nozzle 14 deflects toward the roller brush 12 and sprays steam. In this embodiment, the first self-cleaning command can be a roller brush self-cleaning command.

[0094] In some embodiments, the self-cleaning method further includes the following steps: In response to the second self-cleaning command (T03), the roller brush 12 rotates in a preset direction, and the steam nozzle 14 deflects towards the front cleaning component 13 and sprays steam, thereby enabling the steam nozzle 14 to clean and disinfect the front cleaning component 13. In this embodiment, the second self-cleaning command can be a self-cleaning command for the front cleaning component 13.

[0095] The above description is only a partial implementation of the embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit the application in any way. The protection scope of the embodiments of this application is not limited thereto. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiments of this application should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A cleaning device, comprising a floor brush (1), characterized in that, The floor brush (1) includes: The housing (11) is capable of reciprocating along the direction of travel on the surface (S) to be cleaned; A roller brush (12) is disposed in the housing (11) and used to clean the surface to be cleaned (S); A front cleaning member (13) is disposed on the front side of the roller brush (12) in the direction of travel, wherein the front cleaning member (13) is movably connected to the housing (11) to switch between a cleaning position that abuts against the surface to be cleaned (S) and a clearance position that is separated from the surface to be cleaned (S). A steam nozzle (14) is disposed between the roller brush (12) and the front cleaning member (13). The steam nozzle (14) is connected to the front cleaning member (13) to switch between a first position and a second position with the front cleaning member, or the steam nozzle (14) is movably connected to the housing (11) to switch between a first position and a second position. The ground clearance at the first position is greater than that at the second position.

2. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The ground clearance of the first position is 10~40mm, the ground clearance of the second position is 5~15mm, and the ground clearance of the avoidance position is 8~35mm.

3. The cleaning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the floor brush (1) is in the forward state, the front cleaning component (13) switches to the avoidance position and the steam nozzle (14) switches to the first position; When the floor brush (1) is in a retracted or stopped state, the front cleaning component (13) switches to the cleaning position and the steam nozzle (14) switches to the second position.

4. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The steam nozzle (14) is rotatable relative to the housing (11). When the floor brush (1) is in the forward state, the steam nozzle (14) switches to the first position and deflects toward the roller brush (12); When the floor brush (1) is in a retracted or stopped state, the steam nozzle (14) switches to a second position and deflects away from the roller brush (12) to be opposite to the surface to be cleaned (S).

5. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The floor brush (1) also includes: A cleaning component (19) is disposed between the roller brush (12) and the steam nozzle (14); The middle cleaning component (19) is connected to the front cleaning component (13) to switch between a third position abutting the surface to be cleaned (S) and a fourth position separating from the surface to be cleaned (S) as the front cleaning component (13) moves, or the middle cleaning component (19) is movably connected to the housing (11) to switch between a third position abutting the surface to be cleaned (S) and a fourth position separating from the surface to be cleaned (S).

6. The cleaning device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, When the floor brush (1) is in the forward state, the middle cleaning component (19) switches to the fourth position; When the floor brush (1) is in a backward or stopped state, the cleaning component (19) switches to the third position.

7. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The cleaning component (19) can rotate relative to the housing (11). When the floor brush (1) is in the forward state, the cleaning component (19) switches to the fourth position and deflects towards the direction close to the roller brush (12) until the ground of the cleaning component (19) abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the roller brush (12).

8. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The ground clearance of the fourth position is 10~40mm.

9. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a base station for receiving the floor brush (1), wherein the steam nozzle (14) is rotatable relative to the housing (11), and when the floor brush (1) is in the self-cleaning state of the roller brush, the roller brush (12) rotates in a preset direction, and the steam nozzle (14) deflects toward the roller brush (12) and sprays steam.

10. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, When the floor brush (1) is in the self-cleaning state of the front cleaning component, the roller brush (12) rotates in a preset direction, and the steam nozzle (14) deflects toward the front cleaning component (13) and sprays steam.

Images