Liquid container and surface cleaning device

Abstract

Liquid container designed for mounting on a surface cleaning device, comprising: a container body with a liquid receiving chamber designed to receive liquid, wherein the container body has a liquid outlet; a receiving bracket that is arranged at the liquid outlet and has a receiving chamber; and a locking body which is arranged in the receiving holder and configured in such a way that it can be switched between a first operating position and a second operating position, wherein the closure body closes the liquid outlet to prevent the liquid from flowing out of the container body through the liquid outlet when the closure body is in the first operating position, and the closure body releases from the liquid outlet so that the liquid flows out of the container body through the liquid outlet when the closure body is in the second operating position.

Description

Cross-reference to related registrations

[0001] The present invention claims priority over Chinese patent application number 202321074079.3, filed on May 6, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical field

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of cleaning technology and in particular to a liquid container and a surface cleaning device. State of the art

[0003] With the continuous development of science and technology, surface cleaning devices such as floor washing machines and combination mopping and vacuuming machines have become widespread in households. Compared to traditional manual cleaning, these devices can save time and effort. A surface cleaning device typically includes a fluid reservoir, such as a fresh water tank, for supplying cleaning fluid to the machine. During the cleaning process, the cleaning fluid flows from the reservoir through a water outlet and is then sprayed onto the cleaning roller and / or the surface to be cleaned. Content of the invention

[0004] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid container designed for mounting on a surface cleaning device, characterized in that the liquid container comprises: a container body with a liquid receiving chamber configured for receiving liquid, wherein the container body has a liquid outlet; a receiving holder arranged at the liquid outlet and having a receiving chamber;and a closure body arranged in the receiving holder and configured to be switchable between a first operating position and a second operating position, wherein the closure body closes the liquid outlet to prevent the liquid from flowing out of the container body through the liquid outlet when the closure body is in the first operating position, and the closure body releases from the liquid outlet so that the liquid flows out of the container body through the liquid outlet when the closure body is in the second operating position.

[0005] In some embodiments, the liquid container also includes an elastic element, wherein the elastic element causes the closure body to tend to be in the first operating position.

[0006] In some embodiments, an insulating element is arranged in the receiving holder, wherein the insulating element divides the receiving space of the receiving holder into a first receiving space and a second receiving space, which are successively located away from the bottom wall of the container body, with the closure body being received in the first receiving space.

[0007] In some embodiments, the insulating element comprises a sliding groove, wherein at least part of an end of the closure body, which is located away from the bottom wall of the container body, is received in the sliding groove.

[0008] In some embodiments, one end of the closure body, which is closer to the bottom wall of the container body, is provided with an elastomer seal.

[0009] In some embodiments, a side wall of the receiving holder has a perforated structure so that each of the first receiving chamber and the second receiving chamber is connected to the liquid receiving chamber.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second receiving chamber serves to store slowly releasing silver ion particles.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least part of the receiving space serves to store slowly releasing silver ion particles.

[0012] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a surface cleaning device comprising a liquid reservoir as described in the previously mentioned embodiments. In some embodiments, the surface cleaning device is provided with a liquid intake port that connects to the liquid outlet. Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are integrated into and form part of the description, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. It is understood that the drawings in the following description represent only some embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art can obtain other drawings in accordance with these drawings without any creative effort. In the figures: Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a liquid container according to some embodiments of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the internal structure of the in Fig. 1 liquid container shown; Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the partial structure of a liquid container according to some embodiments of the present invention, which is mounted on a surface cleaning device; Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a surface cleaning device according to some embodiments of the present invention. Detailed description of embodiments

[0014] To clarify the problem, the technical solutions, and the advantages of the present invention, it will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments are obviously only a subset of the embodiments of the present invention and not all of them. All other embodiments that a person skilled in the art could have obtained without creative effort based on the embodiments of the present invention fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0015] It should further be noted that the terms "include," "contain," or other variations thereof should refer to non-exclusive inclusion, so that a product or device comprising a set of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such product or device. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "includes one" does not preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the product or device comprising that element.

[0016] In this area, surface cleaning equipment, such as floor washing machines and combination mopping and vacuuming machines, generally comprises a cleaning unit body and a cleaning base. These machines typically include a fluid reservoir, for example, a wastewater tank and a clean water tank, as well as a fan for extraction. The cleaning base includes a cleaning component for mopping, such as a cleaning roller. The number of cleaning rollers can be one, two, or more. The cleaning fluid from the fresh water tank, for example, water, is sprayed through the integrated water line onto the flocked cleaning roller and / or the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning roller rotates at high speed to scrub the floor.At the same time, the fan in the cleaning device's air duct creates a negative pressure to draw the wastewater (which may contain solid waste) from the surface to be cleaned through the cleaning device's wastewater suction opening and pump it into the wastewater tank.

[0017] With some related technologies, when the surface cleaning device performs the cleaning task, the cleaning fluid must flow from the fluid reservoir through the water outlet and finally be sprayed onto the cleaning roller and / or the surface to be cleaned. Furthermore, when assembling or disassembling the fluid reservoir of the surface cleaning device, the water outlet in the reservoir must be docked and connected to the interface of the surface cleaning device. If, during the process described above, the cleaning fluid accidentally enters the surface cleaning device from the fluid reservoir, this can lead to a malfunction of the machine.

[0018] The present invention provides a liquid container designed for mounting on a surface cleaning device. The liquid container comprises: a container body with a liquid receiving chamber configured to receive liquid, wherein the container body has a liquid outlet, for example, located at the bottom of the container body; a receiving bracket, for example, located on the bottom wall of the container body and situated at the liquid outlet;and a closure body arranged in the receiving holder and configured to be switchable between a first operating position and a second operating position, wherein the closure body closes the liquid outlet to prevent the liquid from flowing out of the container body through the liquid outlet when the closure body is in the first operating position, and the closure body releases from the liquid outlet so that the liquid flows out of the container body through the liquid outlet when the closure body is in the second operating position.

[0019] In the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a closure element, switchable between a first operating position and a second operating position, is arranged in the receiving holder of the liquid container for receiving slow-release silver ion particles. The receiving holder for the slow-release silver ion particles and the self-sealing outlet closure structure of the liquid container are combined into an integrated structure that is compact and contributes to cost reduction. With the closure element arranged in the receiving holder, the liquid in the liquid container can only flow out of the container body through the liquid outlet of the liquid container when the closure element is in the second operating position. When the closure element is in the first operating position, the liquid in the liquid container cannot flow out of the container body.This prevents the cleaning fluid from leaking, especially when the user is assembling and disassembling the fluid reservoir. It also prevents the fluid from seeping into the surface cleaning device body, thus avoiding any resulting abnormal operation of the device. The slow-release silver ion particles are gradually released from the reservoir, ensuring the fluid in the reservoir has antibacterial properties.

[0020] Optional embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a liquid container according to some embodiments of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the internal structure of the in Fig. 1 liquid container shown; Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the partial structure of a liquid container according to some embodiments of the present invention, which is mounted on a surface cleaning device; and Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a surface cleaning device according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid container, wherein the liquid container can be mounted on a surface cleaning device. Once the liquid container has been mounted on the surface cleaning device, it can supply the surface cleaning device with liquid (e.g., water).

[0023] Referring to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The liquid container 300 comprises a container body 310, a receiving bracket 330, and a closure body 350. The container body 310 has a liquid receiving chamber designed to hold liquid, and the container body 310 has a liquid outlet 311 located at the bottom of the container body 310. The receiving bracket 330 is located on the bottom wall of the container body 310 and is situated at the liquid outlet 311. The closure body 350 is located in the receiving bracket 330 and is switchable between a first operating position and a second operating position.In particular, the closure body 350 closes the liquid outlet 311 to prevent the liquid from flowing out of the container body 310 through the liquid outlet 311 when the closure body 350 is in the first operating position, and the closure body 350 releases from the liquid outlet 311 so that the liquid flows out of the container body 310 through the liquid outlet 311 when the closure body 350 is in the second operating position.

[0024] Fig. Figure 3 shows the liquid container 300 when the closure body 350 is in the first operating position. Referring to Fig. 3. The closure body 350 can be moved back and forth in a vertical direction, thereby enabling switching between the first and second operating positions. Specifically, the closure body 350 moves downwards in a vertical direction towards the position of the liquid outlet 311. At this point, the closure body 350 closes the liquid outlet 311, and the liquid in the liquid reservoir 300 cannot flow out of the reservoir body 310 through the liquid outlet 311. At this point, the closure body 350 is in the first operating position. The closure body 350 then moves upwards in a vertical direction away from the liquid outlet 311. At this point, the closure body 350 releases from the liquid outlet 311, and the liquid in the liquid reservoir 300 can flow out of the reservoir body 310 through the liquid outlet 311.At that time, the locking body 350 is in the second operating position.

[0025] In some embodiments, an insulating element 333 is arranged in the receiving bracket 330, and the insulating element 333 divides the interior of the receiving bracket 330 into a first receiving chamber 331 and a second receiving chamber 332, wherein the first receiving chamber 331 is located near the bottom wall of the container body 310 and the second receiving chamber 332 is located away from the bottom wall of the container body 310. In the vertical direction, the first receiving chamber 331 and the second receiving chamber 332 are successively located away from the bottom wall of the container body 310. The closure body 350 is received in the first receiving chamber 331.

[0026] In some embodiments, the insulating element 333 further comprises a sliding groove 3331. For example, the sliding groove 3331 can be configured as a hollow projection, the projection extending in a direction away from the bottom wall of the container body 310. The sliding groove 3331 is, for example, configured as a cylindrical projection comprising opposing inner side walls of the sliding groove and an upper inner wall of the sliding groove, with the upper inner wall of the sliding groove being located away from the bottom wall of the container body 310.

[0027] The sliding groove 3331 can act as a limiting device to restrict the movement of the closure body 350. For example, the sliding groove 3331 can be used to receive a portion of the closure body 350. In particular, the closure body 350 comprises a first end 351 and a second end 352, wherein the first end 351 is located away from the bottom wall of the container body 310 and the second end is located near the bottom wall of the container body 310. At least a portion of the first end 351 is received in the sliding groove 3331, allowing the closure body 350 to move back and forth along the side wall of the sliding groove, thereby enabling the closure body 350 to switch between its first operating position and its second operating position. In some embodiments, the upper inner wall of the sliding groove can serve to limit the maximum upward movement distance of the closure body 350.After the first end 351 of the locking body 350 moved upwards towards the upper inner wall of the sliding groove, the locking body 350 stopped its movement. At this point, the locking body 350 was in the second operating position.

[0028] In some embodiments, the second end 352 of the closure body 350 is provided with an elastomeric seal 353. When the closure body 350 moves into the first operating position, it closes the liquid outlet 311, and the elastomeric seal 353 located at the second end 352 of the closure body 350 can further seal the liquid outlet 311, thereby improving the sealing performance of the closure body 350 and preventing the liquid from flowing out of the container body 310 through the liquid outlet 311. In some embodiments, the elastomeric seal 353 can be applied to the outside of the second end 352 and surround the second end 352 circumferentially, thus preventing the liquid from escaping through any gap that may exist between the second end 352 and the liquid outlet 311.

[0029] In some embodiments, the liquid reservoir 300 also includes an elastic element, wherein the elastic element causes the closure body 350 to tend to be in the first operating position. That is, the closure body 350 tends to move toward the first operating position under the driving force of the elastic force provided by the elastic element, and the closure body 350 can return from the second operating position to the first operating position under the combined action of its own gravity and the elastic force provided by the elastic element. In some embodiments, the elastic element is a spring. The spring is mounted on the closure body 350, with one end of the spring resting against the closure body 350 and the other end resting against the edge of the opening of the sliding groove 3331.

[0030] In some embodiments, a side wall of the receiving holder 330 has a perforated structure 335, so that each of the first receiving chamber 331 and the second receiving chamber 332 is connected to the liquid receiving chamber of the container body 310 and the liquid in the container body 310 can flow into or out of the first receiving chamber 331 and the second receiving chamber 332 through the perforated structure 335.

[0031] In some embodiments, the receiving holder 330 has a silver ion coating, and the silver ion coating can release silver ions that exert an antimicrobial effect. The silver ions are released into the liquid in the container body 310, thereby inhibiting the multiplication and growth of microorganisms in the liquid. This ensures the safety and hygiene of the container body 310 and the liquid contained within it, and extends the service life of the liquid container 300 and the associated surface cleaning equipment. In some embodiments, particles or blocks of slow-release bacteriostatic / antimicrobial materials, such as slow-release silver ion particles, can be introduced into the second receiving chamber 332 of the receiving holder 330.Silver ions can be gradually released from the container over time to achieve a slow release of silver ions, making the liquid in the container antimicrobial.

[0032] In the liquid container provided by the embodiments of the present invention, a closure element, switchable between the first and second operating positions, is arranged on the liquid container. The liquid in the liquid container can only flow out of the container body through the liquid outlet when the closure element is in the second operating position. When the closure element is in the first operating position, the liquid in the liquid container cannot flow out of the container body. This prevents the cleaning fluid from entering the surface cleaning device, particularly when the user is assembling and disassembling the liquid container.This prevents the liquid in the liquid container from penetrating the surface cleaning device body, thus avoiding abnormal operation of the surface cleaning device caused by this.

[0033] Referring to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 further provided the embodiments of the present invention a surface cleaning device 1000 comprising a surface cleaning device body 200 and a liquid container 300, wherein the liquid container 300 is arranged to be detachably mounted on the surface cleaning device body 200.

[0034] In some embodiments, the surface cleaning device is also provided with a receiving recess 210, and the receiving tank 210 serves to receive the liquid container 300. The liquid container 300 is removably mounted in the receiving recess 210 of the surface cleaning device body 200.

[0035] In some embodiments, the receiving recess 210 on the bottom wall is provided with a liquid receiving port 211, and the liquid receiving port 211 serves to dock with a liquid outlet 311 on the liquid container 300. The liquid in the liquid container 300 can flow out of the liquid container 300 through the liquid outlet 311 and the liquid receiving port 211.

[0036] In some embodiments, a push rod 212 is also arranged in the liquid intake port 211. When the liquid reservoir 300 is mounted on the surface cleaning device, the push rod 212 can push the closure body 350 to switch from the first operating position to the second operating position. For example, when the liquid reservoir 300 is mounted on the surface cleaning device, the upper end of the push rod 212 rests against the second end 352 of the closure body 350. During the assembly process, the position of the liquid reservoir 300 relative to the surface cleaning device gradually decreases, and the closure body 350 is lifted under the pressure exerted by the push rod 212, thus gradually switching it from the first operating position to the second operating position.

[0037] In the surface cleaning device provided by the embodiments of the present invention, a closure element, switchable between the first and second operating positions, is arranged on the liquid reservoir. The liquid in the reservoir can only flow out of the reservoir body through the liquid outlet when the closure element is in the second operating position. When the closure element is in the first operating position, the liquid in the reservoir cannot flow out of the reservoir body. This prevents the cleaning fluid from entering the surface cleaning device, particularly when the user is assembling and disassembling the liquid reservoir.This prevents the liquid in the liquid container from penetrating the surface cleaning device body, thus avoiding abnormal operation of the surface cleaning device caused by this.

[0038] Finally, it should be noted that the various embodiments are described step by step in this description, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from the other embodiments. Identical or similar parts of the different embodiments can be related to one another. As for the systems or devices disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple, as it corresponds to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, and reference can be made to the description of the methods for the relevant parts.

[0039] The above embodiments serve only to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, not to limit it; although the present invention is described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, the person skilled in the art should understand that it is still possible to modify the technical solutions recorded in the above embodiments or to make equivalent replacements for some of their technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not deviate from the spirit and scope of the corresponding technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 202321074079.3

[0001]

Claims

[1] Liquid container designed for mounting on a surface cleaning device, comprising: a container body with a liquid receiving chamber designed to receive liquid, wherein the container body has a liquid outlet; a receiving bracket that is arranged at the liquid outlet and has a receiving chamber; and a locking body which is arranged in the receiving holder and configured in such a way that it can be switched between a first operating position and a second operating position, wherein the closure body closes the liquid outlet to prevent the liquid from flowing out of the container body through the liquid outlet when the closure body is in the first operating position, and the closure body releases from the liquid outlet so that the liquid flows out of the container body through the liquid outlet when the closure body is in the second operating position. [2] Liquid container according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic element, wherein the elastic element causes the closure body to tend to be in the first operating position. [3] Liquid container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an insulating element is arranged in the receiving holder, wherein the insulating element divides the receiving space of the receiving holder into a first receiving space and a second receiving space, which are successively located away from the bottom wall of the container body, wherein the closure body is received in the first receiving space. [4] Liquid container according to claim 3, wherein the insulating element comprises a sliding groove, wherein at least a part of an end of the closure body, which is away from the bottom wall of the container body, is received in the sliding groove. [5] Liquid container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an end of the closure body which is closer to the bottom wall of the container body is provided with an elastomer seal. [6] Liquid container according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein a side wall of the receiving holder has a perforated structure such that each of the first receiving chamber and the second receiving chamber is connected to the liquid receiving chamber. [7] Liquid container according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the second receiving chamber serves to store slowly releasing silver ion particles. [8] Liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a part of the receiving space serves to store slowly releasing silver ion particles. [9] Surface cleaning device, characterized by that it comprises a liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Surface cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the surface cleaning device is provided with a liquid intake port which docks to the liquid outlet.

Images