Cleaning element and cleaning device

Abstract

Cleaning element (400) for a pool cleaning robot, comprising: a cleaning body (410) and a plurality of cleaning ribs (420) provided on a surface of the cleaning body (410), characterized in that the cleaning body (410) has water passage openings (411).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present utility model relates to the technical field of cleaning devices, in particular a cleaning element and a cleaning device with such a cleaning element. State of the art

[0002] In current technology, pool cleaning robots typically feature a roller brush. Generally, the rotation of the roller brush agitates dirt from the surface to be cleaned, allowing a dirt inlet opening in the cleaning device to draw the dirt into the machine for cleaning. However, conventional roller brushes often suffer from the problem of air entrapment in practical use. When the cleaning device cleans the pool floor, the air trapped inside the roller brush increases the buoyancy, reducing the counterweight of the cleaning device. As it moves across the pool floor, this reduces the force exerted on the pool surface, which is detrimental to the agitation of dirt and impairs the cleaning effect of the roller brush.Simultaneously, when the cleaning machine travels over some sloping sections of the pool floor, the fact that the roller brush is usually located at the front of the machine, and the front section has greater buoyancy, can cause the front to "right itself" when moving downwards. This prevents the cleaning machine from traveling down the slope, causing it to deviate from its intended path. Furthermore, when cleaning the water surface, air trapped in the roller brush increases the machine's buoyancy, resulting in a relatively higher position of the cleaning machine at the water's surface compared to normal conditions. Consequently, the dirt inlet opening is also positioned relatively higher at the water's surface, making it difficult to pick up debris.

[0003] Therefore, a cleaning element and a cleaning device with such a cleaning element are provided to solve the problems mentioned above in the prior art. Content of the present utility model

[0004] The present utility model provides a cleaning element and a cleaning device to achieve the results described in the preceding prior art. To solve problems.

[0005] To solve the above problem, the following technical solution is provided according to the present utility model: A cleaning element comprises a cleaning body and a plurality of cleaning ribs provided on a surface of the cleaning body. These cleaning ribs are subdivided into several cleaning groups spaced apart along an axial direction of the cleaning body, each cleaning group comprising a plurality of cleaning ribs spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the cleaning body. This grouped arrangement allows for high-frequency and Intermittent impact and scraping action is generated, which effectively breaks up and stirs up firmly adhering dirt.

[0006] The cleaning element is provided with water passage openings. When the cleaning element is immersed, water can enter the interior of the cleaning element through these openings, allowing air to escape. Conversely, when the element leaves the water surface, the water stored inside can drain away quickly, preventing the cleaning element from becoming too heavy due to water accumulation. Preferably, multiple water passage openings are provided and evenly distributed around the cleaning element; their number preferably corresponds to the number of cleaning ribs.

[0007] The cleaning element further comprises a rotating shaft that is detachably connected to the cleaning body. The rotating shaft has a cavity designed to hold water or air. Several circumferentially arranged ribs are provided on the rear side of the cleaning body, with a gap between each adjacent rib forming a space that allows water or air to flow in and out.

[0008] The rotating shaft is further equipped with several axially spaced first partition plates, the first partition plates being arranged circumferentially and dividing the cavity of the rotating shaft into several successive partial cavities. Second partition plates are provided within these partial cavities, the second partition plates being evenly distributed circumferentially and dividing the partial cavities into several separate units. Through-openings are provided in the second partition plates to connect the several separate units. Furthermore, a recess is provided on an upper section of each of the second partition plates to facilitate the assembly of the rotating shaft and the cleaning element.

[0009] The present utility model also provides a cleaning device, for example a pool cleaning robot.

[0010] The cleaning device comprises a housing, a mounting bracket, a rotating shaft, and the cleaning element described above. A filter channel is formed within the housing, and a dirt inlet opening, connected to the filter channel, is provided in a lower housing. The cleaning element is located on the underside of the housing and is positioned on one side of the dirt inlet opening in the direction of travel of the cleaning device. Its purpose is to agitate contaminants on the surface to be cleaned so that they can be drawn into the filter channel.

[0011] The cleaning element can comprise two cleaning units arranged along a second direction.

[0012] The cleaning element is designed as a roller brush, with a distance of 80 mm to 300 mm between an edge of the dirt inlet opening facing the side of the cleaning element and a central axis of the cleaning element. This distance provides, on the one hand, the necessary space for sufficient agitation and spreading of dirt and, on the other hand, ensures that suspended dirt has sufficient kinetic energy during suction to be efficiently drawn into the dirt inlet opening.

[0013] Compared to the prior art, the following advantageous effects result: The cleaning element and cleaning device provided by the present utility model have water passage openings on the cleaning element, so that after immersion of the cleaning device, water can enter the interior of the cleaning element through the water passage openings. while the air inside the cleaning element can be removed from the cleaning element through the water passage openings. This prevents the cleaning device from having a reduced counterweight due to an air pocket, thus exerting less pressure on the pool floor, which would otherwise impair the cleaning effect of the roller brush. Brief description of the characters Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic structural representation of the cleaning device provided in the present application; Fig. 2 is a schematic structural representation of the cleaning unit provided in the present application; Fig. 3 is a schematic structural representation of the rotating shaft provided in the present application; Fig. 4 is a schematic structural representation of the cleaning element provided in the present application; Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic structural representation of a further embodiment of the cleaning element provided in the present application; Fig. Figure 6 is a first schematic structural representation of the interior of the cleaning device provided in the present application; Fig. Figure 7 is a second schematic structural representation of the interior of the cleaning device provided in the present application; Fig. Figure 8 is a first schematic structural representation of the sub-housing provided in the present application; Fig. Figure 9 is a schematic structural representation of a further embodiment of the cleaning device provided in the present application; Fig. Figure 10 is a second schematic structural representation of the sub-housing provided in the present application.

[0014] The foregoing drawings illustrate the unambiguous embodiments of the present application, which are described in more detail below. These drawings and the textual description are not intended to limit the scope of the concept disclosed in the present application in any way, but rather to explain the concept of the present application to the person skilled in the art by reference to specific embodiments. Detailed descriptions

[0015] Exemplary embodiments are described in detail below, with the examples illustrated in the drawings. Unless otherwise stated, where the following description refers to the drawings, identical reference numerals in different drawings denote identical or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments that conform to the present application. Rather, they are merely examples of devices and methods that conform to certain aspects of the present application, as further set out in the appended claims.

[0016] The solution presented here is described in detail below, along with the accompanying drawings. The x-direction can be considered a first direction, and the y-direction a second direction.

[0017] With reference to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. In this embodiment, a cleaning element 400 is provided. The cleaning element 400 comprises a cleaning body 410 and cleaning ribs 420 provided on a surface of the cleaning body 410. The cleaning ribs 420 are provided multiple times. The plurality of cleaning ribs 420 is subdivided into several cleaning groups 421, which are spaced apart along an axial direction of the cleaning body 410. Each cleaning group 421 comprises several cleaning ribs 4211 spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the cleaning body 410.

[0018] Optionally, the cleaning ribs 420 can be designed as strip-shaped structures projecting from the surface of the cleaning body 410. They can be made, for example, of a flexible rubber or silicone material and can, during rotation, agitate contaminants adhering to the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning groups 421 can each be a group of several cleaning ribs 4211 spaced apart along the axial direction of the cleaning body 410. This can be achieved, for example, by arranging cleaning ribs 4211 offset circumferentially at adjacent axial positions, thereby forming several separate cleaning areas. Alternatively, cleaning ribs 4211 can be arranged in alignment circumferentially at adjacent axial positions.

[0019] This grouped arrangement causes the cleaning ribs 420 to form a matrix-like distribution pattern on the surface of the cleaning body 410. As the cleaning body 410 rotates, the cleaning ribs 4211 in the different cleaning groups 421 successively come into contact with the surface to be cleaned, thus dividing the continuous friction cleaning into high-frequency and intermittent impact and scraping processes. This dynamic effect helps to break up and agitate firmly adhering contaminants more effectively.

[0020] The cleaning body 410 is provided with water passage openings 411. When the cleaning device 10 is placed in water, water can quickly enter the interior of the cleaning body 410 through the water passage openings 411 to expel air and prevent local air entrapment. When the cleaning task is completed and the cleaning device 10 is removed from the water, the water that has accumulated inside the cleaning body 410 and between the cleaning ribs 420 can quickly drain away through the water passage openings 411. This allows the water present inside and on the outside to be rapidly discharged after leaving the water surface, thus preventing the cleaning body 410 from becoming too heavy due to accumulated water.

[0021] Optionally, the gap between adjacent cleaning groups 421 can be spirally shaped in its extension form on the cleaning body 410 and, relative to the axis of the cleaning body 410, have a straight shape with a predetermined angle, or be spirally shaped and, relative to the axis of the cleaning body 410, have an S-shape with a predetermined angle.

[0022] If the gap extends in a spiral or oblique shape over the surface of the cleaning body 410, it forms a continuous flow guide channel that has a predetermined angle to the axis of the cleaning body 410.

[0023] Preferably, several water passage openings 411 are provided, evenly distributed around the cleaning body 410. This uniform arrangement prevents an insufficient number of openings in local areas from negatively impacting overall efficiency. The water passage openings 411 can be designed as round holes or as a grid structure.

[0024] Preferably the water passage openings 411 are arranged between adjacent cleaning ribs 420, wherein a water passage opening 411 can be provided between each pair of adjacent cleaning ribs 420, or wherein a water passage opening 411 can be provided at intervals of one to several cleaning ribs 420.

[0025] The number of cleaning ribs 420 is N, and the number of water passage openings is in the range of N / 2 to 2N. It is known to those skilled in the art that a larger number of water passage openings 411 results in higher drainage efficiency, but that an excessive number reduces the reliability of the cleaning body 410. Therefore, the number of water passage openings 411 is preferably N, corresponding to the number of cleaning ribs.

[0026] The cleaning element further comprises a rotating shaft 413, wherein the cleaning body 410 is detachably connected to the rotating shaft 413. For example, it can be fastened by means of a snap-fit ​​connection, a magnetic element, or the like. After the cleaning body 410 is mounted on the rotating shaft 413, a gap 1000 is formed between the cleaning body 410 and the rotating shaft 413. The gap 1000 can form a flow path that serves to vent and drain the cleaning element 410.

[0027] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, several circumferentially arranged ribs 414 are provided on a rear side of the cleaning body 410, the area between adjacent ribs forming the gap 1000. The ribs can be arranged uniformly or unevenly distributed in the circumferential direction.

[0028] The rotating shaft 413 has a cavity designed to hold air or water.

[0029] Preferably, as shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows the rotating shaft 413 having several axially spaced first partition plates 4131, wherein the first partition plates 4131 are arranged in the circumferential direction and divide the cavity of the rotating shaft 413 into several successive partial cavities 4135.

[0030] Preferably, second partition plates 4132 are also provided in the partial cavity 4135, wherein the second partition plates 4132 divide the partial cavity 4135 into several separate units. The gap 1000 can connect the several separate units to each other, so that water or air can flow in and out through the water passage openings 411.

[0031] Preferably, the second separating plates 4132 are arranged evenly distributed in the circumferential direction.

[0032] Preferably, through-openings 4133 are provided on the second partition plates 4132. Through the through-openings 4133, a flow connection of water or air can be established between the units, thus preventing water or air from remaining inside the units.

[0033] Preferably, a recess 4134 is provided on an upper section of each of the second separating plates 4132. The recess provided by the 4134 facilitates the avoidance of excessive interference when mounting the cleaning body 410 on the rotating shaft 413, thereby preventing assembly difficulties caused by excessive interference.

[0034] This embodiment further provides a cleaning device 10. The cleaning device 10 can be used to perform tasks such as cleaning, disinfection, rescue, or the like within a target area. The target area can be an area encompassing a body of water in which the cleaning device 10 can move. The target area is not limited to, for example, a pool, a water basin, an oil well, a sewer, or the like. The target area is described below, by way of example, as a water basin. The cleaning device 10 is suitable for operating in the water of the water basin. For example, the cleaning device 10 is a pool cleaning robot.

[0035] The cleaning device 10 comprises a housing 100, a filter unit 210, a suction unit 220, a transport unit 300 and a first cleaning element 400. The first cleaning element 400 is the cleaning element 400 described above.

[0036] A filter channel 101 is formed in the housing 100. The housing 100 comprises a sub-housing 110, wherein a dirt inlet opening 111, which is flow-connected to the filter channel 101, is provided in the sub-housing 110.

[0037] The drive mechanism 300 is arranged on the underside of the housing 100, with the cleaning device 10 moving along the surface to be cleaned by means of the drive mechanism 300. The first cleaning element 400 is arranged on the underside of the housing 100 and is located on one side of the dirt inlet opening 111 in a first direction (i.e., in the x-direction). The first cleaning element 400 serves to agitate contaminants adhering to the surface to be cleaned so that the contaminants can be drawn into the filter channel 101.

[0038] Optionally, the first cleaning element 400 is designed as a roller brush, wherein the distance d between an edge of the dirt inlet opening 111 facing the side of the first cleaning element 400 and a central axis of the first cleaning element 400 in the first direction is 80 mm to 300 mm. For example, the distance d can be 80 mm, 80.5 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm, 140 mm, 180 mm, 200 mm, 250 mm, 270 mm, 280 mm, 280.5 mm, 290 mm, 290.5 mm, 300 mm, or the like.

[0039] After the roller brush has stirred up dirt from the pool floor through rotation, the dirt enters a dirt suction chamber 600 and is moved upwards towards the dirt inlet opening 111 by the action of the water flow. If the distance is too small, the dirt may not be stirred up sufficiently in time; if the distance is too large, this can lead to a decrease in the flow velocity and the dirt settling again, thus impairing the suction efficiency.

[0040] By designing the distance d to be between 80 mm and 300 mm, sufficient space is provided for the contaminants to be sufficiently agitated and spread out, allowing them to mix thoroughly with the water flow and form a uniform suspension. Furthermore, this distance ensures that when the suspended contaminants begin to accumulate towards the dirt inlet opening 111 under the influence of suction, they still possess a certain amount of kinetic energy, enabling them to be efficiently drawn into the dirt inlet opening 111.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first cleaning element 400 comprises two cleaning units 430 arranged along a second direction. The cleaning device 10 further comprises a mounting bracket 710 and a rotating shaft 720, the mounting bracket 710 being arranged between the two cleaning units 430 and connected to the lower housing 110. The mounting bracket 710 can be designed as a support structure that serves to connect the two cleaning units 430 to each other and to attach them to the lower housing 110. The two cleaning units 430 are each mounted on the rotating shaft 720 and are located at the left and right ends of the mounting bracket 710.

[0042] The cleaning device 10 further comprises a second cleaning element 800, wherein the second cleaning element 800 is arranged on an underside of the housing 100 at an end that is opposite the position of the first cleaning element 400 in the first direction.

[0043] Accordingly, the structure of the second cleaning element 800 can have a modular design that corresponds to that of the first cleaning element 400. This design provides cleaning tools at the front and rear ends of the underside of the cleaning device 10, with the front first cleaning element 400 primarily responsible for stirring up contaminants in a core area, and the rear second cleaning element 800 performing a supporting cleaning function.

[0044] The main function of the second cleaning element 800 is to further scrape or sweep away any remaining minor soiling during the movement of the cleaning device 10, so that both cleaning elements work together to improve the cleaning coverage.

[0045] In addition, in some examples the cleaning device 10 can also move backwards, so that the second cleaning element 800 acts as the main cleaning element and continues to enable the cleaning of the surface to be cleaned, whereby the cleaning effect is ensured by a cooperation with the first cleaning element 400.

[0046] Finally, it should be noted that a person skilled in the art, after reviewing the description and applying the teaching disclosed herein, could easily arrive at further embodiments. The present application intends to encompass any modifications, uses, or adaptations of the present application, provided they adhere to the general principles of the present application and include generally known technical knowledge or customary technical means in the relevant technical field that are not expressly disclosed in the present application. It is not limited to the precise structures described above and illustrated in the drawings, and various changes and modifications may be made without altering the scope of protection. The scope of protection of the present application is determined exclusively by the accompanying claims. Reference symbol list 10 Cleaning device 100 cases 110 lower housings 101 Filter channel 111 Dirt inlet opening 210 Filter unit 220 suction device 300 Driving equipment 400 cleaning elements 410 cleaning bodies 411 Water inlet opening 420 cleaning rib 421 Cleaning Group 430 cleaning unit 413 Rotary shaft 414 Rib 4131 First separating plate 4132 Second partition plate 4133 Passage opening 4134 In-depth study 4135 Partial cavity 710 Mounting bracket 720 rotary shaft 800 Second cleaning element 1000 gaps

Claims

Cleaning element (400) for a pool cleaning robot, comprising: a cleaning body (410) and a plurality of cleaning ribs (420) provided on a surface of the cleaning body (410), characterized in that the cleaning body (410) has water passage openings (411). Cleaning element (400) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of cleaning ribs (420) form several cleaning groups (421) spaced apart along an axial direction of the cleaning body (410), wherein a gap between adjacent cleaning groups (421) extends helically or obliquely over the surface of the cleaning body (410) and forms a continuous flow guide channel which has a predetermined angle to the axis of the cleaning body (410). Cleaning element (400) according to claim 1, characterized in that cleaning ribs (420) are arranged offset in the circumferential direction at adjacent axial positions. Cleaning element (400) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of cleaning ribs (420) are arranged in a circumferential direction in an aligned and uniformly distributed manner along the surface of the cleaning body (410). Cleaning element (400) according to claim 1, characterized in that the water passage openings (411) are arranged uniformly distributed on the surface of the cleaning body (410) and the water passage openings (411) are designed as round holes or as a grid structure. Cleaning element (400) according to claim 5, characterized in that the water passage openings (411) are provided in the circumferential direction on the surface of the cleaning body (410) between adjacent cleaning ribs (420). Cleaning element (400) according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of cleaning ribs (420) is N and the number of water passage openings (411) is in the range of N / 2 to 2N. Cleaning element (400) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cleaning element (400) further comprises a rotating shaft (413) which is detachably connected to the cleaning body (410), wherein a gap (1000) is formed between the rotating shaft (413) and the cleaning body (410). Cleaning element (400) according to claim 8, characterized in that a plurality of circumferentially arranged ribs (414) are provided on a rear side of the cleaning body (410), and that the gap (1000) is formed by an area between adjacent ribs (414). Cleaning element (400) according to claim 8, characterized in that the rotating shaft (413) has a cavity designed to receive water or air. Cleaning element (400) according to claim 8, characterized in that a plurality of first separating plates (4131) arranged axially spaced apart are provided on the rotating shaft (413), wherein the first separating plates (4131) are formed circumferentially and divide the cavity of the rotating shaft (413) into several successive partial cavities. Cleaning element (400) according to claim 11, characterized in that second separating plates (4132) are provided in the partial cavities, wherein the second separating plates (4132) are arranged uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction and divide the respective partial cavities into several separate units. Cleaning element (400) according to claim 12, characterized in that the second separating plates (4132) each have a through-opening (4133). Cleaning element (400) according to claim 12, characterized in that a recess is provided on an upper section of the second separating plates (4132). Cleaning device (10), characterized in that the cleaning device (10) comprises: a cleaning element (400) according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning element (400) has two cleaning units (430) arranged along a second direction (Y); a housing (100), wherein the housing (100) comprises a lower housing (110); a mounting holder (710) provided between the two cleaning units (430) and connected to the lower housing (110); and a rotating shaft (720), the two ends of which are each connected to the housing (100), wherein the two cleaning units (430) are each mounted on the rotating shaft (720). Cleaning device (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the lower housing (110) has a dirt inlet opening (111) flow-connected to a filter channel (101), wherein the cleaning element (400) is designed to agitate dirt adhering to a surface to be cleaned in order to draw the dirt into the filter channel (101), and wherein a distance between an edge of the dirt inlet opening (111) facing the side of the cleaning element (400) and a central axis of the cleaning element (400) in a first direction (X) is 80 mm to 300 mm.

Images