Wastewater tank and cleaning device

The wastewater tank with an anti-backflow structure addresses the issue of backflow by using a flexible member to control wastewater flow based on tank orientation, ensuring efficient operation and extended vacuum cleaner life.

EP4595859A1Active Publication Date: 2025-08-06ZHEJIANG SHAOXING SUPOR DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2025153732
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-02-02
Filing Date
2025-01-24
Publication Date
2025-08-06
Estimated Expiration
2045-01-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing floor washers suffer from wastewater backflow into the vacuum cleaner due to the inefficiency of flat-mouth check valves, which affects the service life of the vacuum cleaner.

Method used

A wastewater tank with an anti-backflow structure featuring a flexible member at the wastewater flow-through port that opens and closes based on the tank's orientation, ensuring wastewater flows only when upright and prevents backflow when tilted.

Benefits of technology

The anti-backflow structure effectively reduces wastewater backflow, prolonging the vacuum cleaner's service life and enhancing user experience by maintaining efficient operation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of cleaning devices, and in particular to a wastewater tank and cleaning device. The wastewater tank comprises: a tank body (100), a partition bracket (200) and an anti-backflow structure; wherein, the tank body (100) has an accommodating chamber having an air inlet (103) and an air outlet (104), the partition bracket (200) being arranged in the accommodating chamber and separating the accommodating chamber into a first chamber (101) and a second chamber (102), the air inlet (103) and the air outlet (104) being both in communication with the second chamber (102), a wastewater flow-through port (144) connecting the first chamber (101) and the second chamber (102) in liquid communication being provided between the partition bracket (200) and the tank body (100), the wastewater flow-through port (144) having a first end face (145) facing the first chamber (101) and inclined relative to an extension direction of the accommodating chamber; the anti-backflow structure comprising a flexible member (300) arranged at the first end face (145), the flexible member (300) opening the wastewater flow-through port (144) when the wastewater tank is in an upright state and closing the first end face (145) to close the wastewater flow-through outlet (144) when the wastewater tank is in a non-upright working state.
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Description

[0001] The present application relates to the field of cleaning devices, and in particular to a wastewater tank and cleaning device.

[0002] As technology advances, floor washers have become a commonly used cleaning device in households.

[0003] An existing floor washer comprises cleaning parts and a wastewater recovery system. The wastewater recovery system comprises a wastewater tank, which is generally divided into a first chamber and a second chamber that communicate with each other through a flat-mouth check valve to reduce the probability of wastewater backflow.

[0004] However, since the flat-mouth check valve does not completely close a wastewater flow-through port, when the angle between the cleaning device and the floor is small, wastewater may easily flow back from the flat-mouth check valve into the second chamber and then be sucked into a vacuum cleaner, affecting the service life of the vacuum cleaner.

[0005] The present invention provides a wastewater tank and a cleaning device, so as to solve the problem of easy backflow of the wastewater in wastewater tank when the cleaning device is in use.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a wastewater tank, comprising: a tank body, a partition bracket and an anti-backflow structure; wherein, the tank body has an accommodating chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, the partition bracket being arranged in the accommodating chamber and separating the accommodating chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, the air inlet and the air outlet being both in communication with the second chamber, a wastewater flow-through port connecting the first chamber and the second chamber in liquid communication being provided between the partition bracket and the tank body, the wastewater flow-through port having a first end face facing the first chamber and inclined relative to an extension direction of the accommodating chamber; the anti-backflow structure comprising a flexible member arranged at the first end face, the flexible member opening the wastewater flow-through port when the wastewater tank is in an upright state and closing the first end face to close the wastewater flow-through outlet when the wastewater tank is in a non-upright working state.

[0007] The wastewater tank provided by the present invention is provided with the anti-backflow structure movably arranged at the wastewater flow-through port. When the wastewater tank is in an upright state, the anti-backflow structure can open the wastewater flow-through port. When the wastewater tank is in a non-upright working state, the anti-backflow structure can close the wastewater flow-through port to effectively reduce the probability of wastewater backflow, thereby ensuring the service life of the vacuum cleaner.

[0008] In some embodiments, a first end of the flexible member is fixedly connected to the first end face, and a second end of the flexible member is movable relative to the first end face.

[0009] Such arrangement ensures a stable connection of the flexible member while making the second end of the flexible member movable.

[0010] In some embodiments, the wastewater flow-through port has a first edge close to the partition bracket and a second edge close to an inner wall of the tank body, the first end face gradually tilting toward the partition bracket in the direction from the second edge to the first edge.

[0011] With the first end face tilting in this way, the flexible member mounted on the first end face tilts in the same way as the first end face. Thus, the higher the level of wastewater, the better the flexible member closes the wastewater flow-through port.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the wastewater tank is in the upright state, the second end of the flexible member is disengaged from contact with the first end face to open the wastewater flow-through port.

[0013] Such arrangement enables the flexible member to open the wastewater flow-through port under the effect of its own weight and the pressure of wastewater in the second chamber when the wastewater tank is in an upright state, thereby facilitating wastewater flowing into the first chamber.

[0014] In some embodiments, the wastewater tank further comprises a mounting shell arranged on at least one of the partition bracket and the tank body, a passage in the mounting shell forming the wastewater flow-through port, an end of the mounting shell facing the first chamber forming the first end face.

[0015] With the wastewater flow-through port arranged on the mounting shell in the above structure, the mounting shell becomes a component independent of the partition bracket, which avoids arranging the wastewater flow-through port and the first end face on the partition bracket, thereby reducing the structural complexity of the partition bracket.

[0016] In some embodiments, the mounting shell is arranged on the tank body, so that the mounting shell and the tank body are better fastened.

[0017] In some embodiments, a mounting opening is arranged on a side wall of the tank body, the mounting shell being inserted into the accommodating chamber through the mounting opening and closing the mounting opening.

[0018] Such arrangement makes the assembly of the mounting shell simple and convenient, while ensuring the sealing between the mounting shell and the tank body.

[0019] In some embodiments, the mounting shell comprises a first plate close to the partition bracket, a second plate close to the inner wall of the tank body, and two side plates arranged between the first plate and the second plate, the first plate, the second plate and the side plates enclosing the wastewater flow-through port, end faces of the first plate, the second plate and the side plates facing the first chamber forming the first end face.

[0020] Such arrangement makes the structure of the mounting shell simple and ensures a large flow volume of the wastewater flow-through port.

[0021] In some embodiments, an end face of the first plate facing the first chamber is provided with a connecting portion, a first end of the flexible member being connected to the first plate through the connecting portion, the flexible member cooperating by contact with the end faces of the second plate and the side plates facing the first chamber when the wastewater tank is in the non-upright working state.

[0022] In the above structure, the connecting portion can ensure the connection stability of the flexible member while allowing the second end of the flexible member to move at the same time.

[0023] In some embodiments, the flexible member comprises a flexible member body and a counterweight structure arranged at the bottom of the flexible member body, so that the flexible member can open the wastewater flow-through outlet when the wastewater tank is in the upright state, and close the wastewater flow-through port when the wastewater tank is in the non-upright working state.

[0024] In the above structure, the counterweight structure is arranged at the second end of the flexible member, so that the movement of the flexible member under the effect of gravity is more responsive.

[0025] In some embodiments, the partition bracket comprises a bottom plate separating the accommodating chamber into the first chamber and the second chamber, the wastewater flow-through port being arranged between the bottom plate and the inner wall of the tank body; the partition bracket further comprising a blocking structure arranged on the bottom plate and separating the second chamber into a wastewater chamber in communication with the air inlet and an airflow chamber in communication with the air outlet.

[0026] With such arrangement, by dividing the accommodating chamber into three chambers by a partition structure, the air-water separation is more thorough, and the probability of water entering the motor of the vacuum cleaner with airflow is reduced.

[0027] In some embodiments, the partition bracket is provided with an air pressure balancing opening connecting the first chamber and the second chamber in air communication, so that wastewater can flow smoothly from the second chamber into the first chamber; and / or, the wastewater tank further comprises a level detector arranged in the accommodating chamber, at least a part of the level detector extending into the first chamber, the level detector being capable of detecting the wastewater level in the first chamber to alert a user to clean the wastewater tank in time.

[0028] In another aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning device, comprising a cleaning assembly, a connecting stick and the above-described wastewater tank, the cleaning assembly and the wastewater tank being both connected to the connecting stick and communicating with each other.

[0029] The cleaning device of the present invention has the advantages of long service life and good user experience due to the presence of the wastewater tank.

[0030] The wastewater tank provided in the present invention comprises a tank body provided with an accommodating chamber inside. A partition bracket is provided in the accommodating chamber and separates the accommodating chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber is in communication with an air inlet and an air outlet. The first chamber is used to collect wastewater and debris. The second chamber is used to separate airflow from wastewater, debris, etc. A wastewater flow-through port is also provided between the partition bracket and the inner wall of the tank body. Wastewater can flow from the second chamber into the first chamber through the wastewater flow-through port. The wastewater flow-through port has a first end face facing the first chamber. The first end face is inclined relative to the extension direction of the accommodating chamber. The anti-backflow structure comprises a flexible member arranged at the first end face. Thus, the tilting of the flexible member is identical to that of the first end face.

[0031] During the use of the cleaning device, the cleaning assembly of the cleaning device comes into contact with a floor. An operator holds a handle of the cleaning device to control the movement of the cleaning assembly. If the cleaning device is in an upright state, the wastewater tank is also in an upright state following the position of the cleaning device. At this time, due to the tilted configuration of the flexible member, the bottom end of the flexible member can move downward under the effect of gravity, so that the flexible member opens the wastewater flow-through port, and wastewater can flow from the second chamber into the first chamber. Specifically, when the suction motor of the vacuum cleaner is operating, wastewater and solid debris are carried into the second chamber by the airflow. At this time, solid waste and wastewater sink to the bottom of the second chamber under the effect of gravity, while airflow is discharged from the air outlet. Due to the tilted configuration of the flexible member, it can open the wastewater flow-through port under the effect of its own weight and the pressure of wastewater in the second chamber, thereby putting the second chamber and the first chamber in communication. Solid waste and wastewater can flow through the wastewater flow-through port into the first chamber and be stored in the first chamber.

[0032] When the cleaning device is in a non-upright working state, the wastewater tank also follows the position of the cleaning device to be in a non-upright working state. At this time, as the flexible member is inclined, the flexible member can close the wastewater flow-through outlet under the effect of its own weigh. The greater the tilt angle of the cleaning device during operation, the better can the flexible member close the wastewater flow-through port. In addition, as the amount of water stored in the first chamber gradually increases, the wastewater level rises until the wastewater level a reaches the flexible member. At this time, the flexible member closes the wastewater flow-through port under the effect of the weight and the pressure of wastewater in the first chamber, thereby preventing wastewater from flowing back.

[0033] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the present specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a wastewater tank provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the wastewater tank in an upright state; Fig. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of part A of the wastewater tank of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of part B of the wastewater tank of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a wastewater tank provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the wastewater tank in a non-upright working state. Description of references:

[0034] 10: wastewater tank; 100: tank body; 101: first chamber; 102: second chamber; 1021: wastewater chamber; 1022: airflow chamber; 103: air inlet; 104: air outlet; 105: airflow passage; 110: outer tube; 111: mounting opening; 120: inner tube; 130: tank cover; 140: mounting shell; 141: first plate; 1411: connecting portion; 142: second plate; 143: side plate; 144: wastewater flow-through port; 145: first end face; 200: partition bracket; 210: bottom plate; 211: air pressure balancing opening; 220: blocking structure; 300: flexible member; 310: flexible member body; 320: counterweight structure; a: wastewater level.

[0035] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] In the prior art, when a floor washer is cleaning a floor, airflow generated by a suction motor of the vacuum cleaner will suck wastewater and solid particles into a wastewater tank, where wastewater, solid waste and airflow are separated.

[0037] Specifically, the wastewater tank is generally separated into a first chamber and a second chamber. The bottom of the second chamber communicates with the first chamber through a flat-mouth check valve. The top of the second chamber communicates with the air outlet of the wastewater tank. When the floor washer is operating, airflow carries wastewater and solid waste into the second chamber. Wastewater flows into the first chamber through the flat-mouth check valve. Solid waste remains in the second chamber, while airflow is discharged from the air outlet at the top of the second chamber, thereby separating the liquid, solid and air.

[0038] The flat-mouth check valve is a structure with an inlet opening larger than its outlet opening. When wastewater flows from the larger opening end to the smaller opening end, wastewater can flow out smoothly from the flat-mouth check valve. However, during the operation of the floor washer, the longer the operating time, the more wastewater is collected in the wastewater tank. Although the flat-mouth check valve can reduce the probability of wastewater backflow to a certain extent, the smaller opening end still has a certain flow-through area, so that wastewater may flow back from the flat-mouth check valve into the second chamber and be sucked into the suction motor, affecting the service life of the vacuum cleaner.

[0039] To solve the above problem, the present invention provides a wastewater tank for a cleaning device. The wastewater tank is provided with an anti-backflow structure movably arranged at the wastewater flow-through port. When the wastewater tank is in an upright state, the anti-backflow structure opens the wastewater flow-through port. When the wastewater tank is in a non-upright working state, the anti-backflow structure closes the wastewater flow-through port to effectively reduce the probability of wastewater backflow, thereby ensuring the service life of the suction motor of the vacuum cleaner.

[0040] The wastewater tank provided in an embodiment of the present invention is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the wastewater tank provided in the embodiment of the present invention can be used in a cleaning device, which can be a floor washer for example.

[0041] Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a wastewater tank provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the wastewater tank in an upright state; Fig. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of part A of the wastewater tank of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of part B of the wastewater tank of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a wastewater tank provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the wastewater tank in a non-upright working state.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the wastewater tank 10 of the present embodiment comprises a tank body 100, a partition bracket 200 and an anti-backflow structure. The tank body 100 is provided with an accommodating chamber having an air inlet 103 and an air outlet 104. The partition bracket 200 is provided in the accommodating chamber and separates the accommodating chamber into a first chamber 101 and a second chamber 102. The air inlet 103 and the air outlet 104 are both in communication with the second chamber 102. A wastewater flow-through port 144 connecting the first chamber 101 and the second chamber 102 is provided between the partition bracket 200 and the tank body 100. The wastewater flow-through port 144 has a first end face 145 facing the first chamber 101 and inclined relative to the extension direction of the accommodating chamber. The anti-backflow structure comprises a flexible member 300 arranged at the first end surface 145. The flexible member 300 opens the wastewater flow-through port 144 when the wastewater tank 10 is in an upright state and closes the first end face 145 when the wastewater tank 10 is in a non-upright working state, so as to close the wastewater flow-through port 144.

[0043] Applying the technical solution of the present embodiment, the wastewater tank 10 comprises a tank body 100 provided with an accommodating chamber. The partition bracket 200 is provided in the accommodating chamber and separates the accommodating chamber into the first chamber 101 and the second chamber 102. The second chamber 102 is in communication with the air inlet 103 and the air outlet 104. The first chamber 101 is used to collect wastewater and debris. The second chamber 102 is used to separate airflow from wastewater and debris. A wastewater flow-through port 144 is further provided between the partition bracket 200 and the inner wall of the tank body 100. Wastewater can flow from the second chamber 102 into the first chamber 101 through the wastewater flow-through port 144. The wastewater flow-through port 144 has a first end face 145 facing the first chamber 101 and inclined relative to the extension direction of the accommodating chamber. The anti-backflow structure comprises a flexible member 300 arranged at the first end surface 145. Therefore, the flexible member 300 and the first end face 145 are in the same tilting state.

[0044] During the use of the cleaning device, a cleaning assembly (such as a floor brush) of the cleaning device comes into contact with the floor. An operator holds a handle of the cleaning device to control the movement of the cleaning assembly. If the cleaning device is in an upright state, the wastewater tank 10 is also in an upright state following the position of the cleaning device (as shown in Fig. 1). At this time, due to the tilted configuration of the flexible member 300, the bottom end of the flexible member 300 can move downward under the effect of gravity, so that the flexible member 300 can open the wastewater flow-through port 144, and wastewater can flow from the second chamber 102 into the first chamber 101. Specifically, when the suction motor of the vacuum cleaner is operating, wastewater and solid debris are carried into the second chamber 102 by airflow. At this time, solid waste and wastewater sink to the bottom of the second chamber under the effect of gravity, while airflow is discharged from the air outlet 104. At the same time, due to the tilted configuration of the flexible member 300, it can open the wastewater flow-through port 144 under the effect of its own weight and the pressure of wastewater in the second chamber, putting the second chamber 102 and the first chamber 101 in communication. Solid waste and wastewater can flow into the first chamber 101 through the wastewater flow-through port 144 and be stored in the first chamber 101.

[0045] When the cleaning device is in a non-upright working state, the wastewater tank 10 also follows the position of the cleaning device to be in a non-upright working state (as shown in Fig. 4). At this time, due to the tilted configuration of the flexible member 300, the flexible member 300 can close the wastewater flow-through port 144 under the effect of its own weight. The greater the tilt angle of the cleaning device during operation, the better the flexible member 300 closes the wastewater flow-through port 144. In addition, as the amount of water stored in the first chamber 101 gradually increases, the wastewater level a (as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 4) rises until it reaches the flexible member 300. At this time, the flexible member 300 can close the wastewater flow-through port 144 under the effect of the weight and pressing force of the wastewater, thereby preventing wastewater in the first chamber from flowing back.

[0046] It should be noted that the "upright state" means that the axis of the wastewater tank is in a vertical direction. At this time, the axis of the wastewater tank is also perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the floor (or another plane to be cleaned). The "non-upright working state" means that an angle exists between the axis of the wastewater tank and the vertical direction when the cleaning device is in a working state. At this time, the cleaning device is tilted relative to the floor or another plane to be cleaned, and the angle between the axis of the wastewater tank and the floor is less than 90°, so as to facilitate cleaning in a space with limited height or to facilitate reaching into the bottom of furniture.

[0047] It should also be noted that the flexible member 300 can be made of an elastic material, such as plastic or silicone.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, in some embodiments, a first end of the flexible member 300 is fixedly connected to the first end face 145, and a second end of the flexible member 300 is movable relative to the first end face 145. Such arrangement not only ensures the stable connection of the flexible member 300, but also allows the second end of the flexible member 300 to move.

[0049] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, in some embodiments, the wastewater flow-through port 144 has a first edge close to the partition bracket 200 and a second edge close to the inner wall of the tank body 100. The first end face 145 gradually tilts toward the partition bracket 200 in the direction from the second edge to the first edge.

[0050] With such tilted configuration of the first end face 145, the flexible member 300 mounted on the first end face 145 also tilts in the same way as the first end face 145. With the flexible member 300 tilted in such manner, when the cleaning device is operating in a non-upright working state, the wastewater level a can first come into contact with the second end of the flexible member 300, and apply a pressing force to the second end of the flexible member 300, so that the flexible member 300 is in a state of closing the wastewater flow-through port. As the wastewater level a gradually increases, the area of contact between wastewater and the flexible member 300 gradually increases, thus a greater pushing force is applied to the flexible member 300. Therefore, the higher the wastewater level a, the better the flexible member 300 closes the wastewater flow-through port.

[0051] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, in some embodiments, when the wastewater tank 10 is in an upright state, the second end of the flexible member 300 opens the wastewater flow-through port 144.

[0052] In the above structure, because of the tilted configuration of the flexible member 300, when the wastewater tank 10 is in an upright state, it opens the wastewater flow-through port 144 under the effect of its own weight and the pressure of wastewater in the second chamber, thereby allowing wastewater flowing into the first chamber 101.

[0053] It should be noted that in the process of the wastewater tank tilting from the upright state to the non-upright working state, the second end of the flexible member 300 gradually changes from the state of opening the wastewater flow-through port 144 to the state of closing the wastewater flow-through port 144. In other words, the second end of the flexible member 300 gradually changes from the state of having a distance from the first end face 145 to the state of being in contact with the first end face 145. As the tilt angle of the wastewater tank in the non-upright working state increases, the closing effect of the flexible member 300 on the wastewater flow-through port 144 becomes better.

[0054] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, in some embodiments, the wastewater tank 10 further comprises a mounting shell 140 arranged on at least one of the partition bracket 200 and the tank body 100. A passage in the mounting shell 140 forms the wastewater flow-through port 144. An end of the mounting shell 140 facing the first chamber 101 forms the first end face 145.

[0055] In the above structure, by arranging the wastewater flow-through port on the mounting shell 140, the mounting shell becomes a component independent of the partition bracket 200, which avoids arranging the wastewater flow-through port 144 and the first end face 145 on the partition bracket 200, thereby reducing the structural complexity of the partition bracket 200 and facilitating the processing of the partition bracket 200. Since the mounting shell 140 is an independent structure, it is convenient to process the wastewater flow-through port 144 and the tilt angle of the first end face 145, which helps to improve the processing convenience of the wastewater tank.

[0056] By way of example, the mounting shell 140 may be arranged on the tank body 100 and fixedly connected to the tank body 100.

[0057] Specifically, a mounting opening 111 is provided on a side wall of the tank body 100. The mounting shell 140 is inserted into the accommodating chamber through the mounting opening 111 and closes the mounting opening 111, so that the mounting shell 140 is simple and convenient to assemble, while ensuring the sealing between the mounting shell 140 and the tank body 100.

[0058] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in some embodiments, the mounting shell 140 comprises a first plate 141 close to the partition bracket 200, a second plate 142 close to the inner wall of the tank body 100, and two side plates 143 arranged between the first plate 141 and the second plate 142. The first plate 141, the second plate 142 and the side plates 143 enclose the wastewater flow-through port 144. End faces of the first plate 141, the second plate 142 and the side plates 143 facing the first chamber 101 form the first end face 145.

[0059] In the above structure, the wastewater flow-through port 144 is a square opening surrounded by four plates, which ensures the flow rate of the wastewater flow-through port 144. In addition, end faces of each plate facing the first chamber 101 together form the first end face 145, which ensures the levelness of the first end face 145 and thus ensures a good fit between the flexible member 300 and the first end face 145.

[0060] Of course, in some embodiments, the mounting shell 140 can also be of another shape, such as a circular tube, a pentagonal tube, a hexagonal tube, etc.

[0061] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in some embodiments, an end face of the first plate 141 facing the first chamber 101 is provided with a connecting portion 1411. A first end of the flexible member 300 is connected to the first plate 141 through the connecting portion 1411. When the wastewater tank 10 is in a non-upright working state, the flexible member 300 cooperates by contact with end faces of the second plate 142 and the side plates 143 facing the first chamber 101.

[0062] In the above structure, the connection portion 1411 can ensure the connection stability of the flexible member 300 while allowing the second end of the flexible member 300 to move at the same time.

[0063] By way of example, the connecting portion 1411 may comprise a plurality of protrusions. A plurality of insertion holes is provided at the first end of the flexible member 300. The protrusions are inserted into the insertion holes to connect the flexible member 300 with the mounting shell 140.

[0064] Specifically, the protrusions may be in the form of bosses or posts. The end of the protrusion can also be enlarged in diameter so that the insertion holes of the flexible member are deformed to be sleeved on the protrusions, thereby preventing the flexible member from detaching from the protrusions.

[0065] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, in some embodiments, the flexible member 300 comprises a flexible member body 310 and a counterweight structure 320 provided at the bottom of the flexible member body 310, so that the flexible member 300 can open the wastewater flow-through port 144 when the wastewater tank 10 is in an upright state and close the wastewater flow-through port 144 when the wastewater tank 10 is in a non-upright working state.

[0066] In the above structure, the counterweight structure 320 is arranged at the second or lower end of the flexible member 300, so that the movement in position of the flexible member 300 under the effect of gravity is more responsive. Specifically, when the wastewater tank 10 is in an upright state, due to the presence of the counterweight structure 320, the flexible member 300 is more prone to remain in a state of opening the wastewater flow-through port 144 under the effect of gravity. When the wastewater tank is in a non-upright working state, due to the presence of the counterweight structure 320, the flexible member 300 can be more prone to maintain in a state of closing the wastewater flow-through port 144 under the effect of gravity.

[0067] In some embodiments, the partition bracket 200 comprises a bottom plate 210 separating the accommodating chamber into the first chamber 101 and the second chamber 102. The wastewater flow-through port 144 is arranged between the bottom plate 210 and the inner wall of the tank body 100. The partition bracket 200 further comprises a blocking structure 220 arranged on the bottom plate 210 and separating the second chamber 102 into a wastewater chamber 1021 and an airflow chamber 1022. The wastewater chamber 1021 is communication with the air inlet 103. The airflow chamber 1022 is in communication with the air outlet 104.

[0068] In the above structure, the blocking structure 220 is arranged on the bottom plate 210 and separates the second chamber 102 into a wastewater chamber 1021 and an airflow chamber 1022. When the cleaning device is operating, wastewater and solid waste can be carried by airflow into the wastewater chamber 1021 first. Due to the blocking of the blocking structure 220, wastewater and solid waste can be concentrated in the wastewater chamber 1021, and then enter the first chamber 101 from the wastewater chamber 1021 to be gathered there. After entering the wastewater chamber 1021, the airflow enters the airflow chamber 1022 from the airflow passage 105 between an edge of the blocking structure 220 and the inner wall of the tank body 100, and is finally discharged from the air outlet 104. Therefore, due to the presence of the blocking structure 220, the probability of wastewater being discharged from the air outlet 104 along with airflow is further reduced, thereby helping to further prolong the service life of the suction motor of the vacuum cleaner.

[0069] It should be noted that a notch is provided at the bottom plate 210 of the partition bracket 200. The notch can let the mounting shell 140 pass through. In addition, the wastewater tank 10 further comprises a sealing member comprising a sealing ring sealed between the bottom plate 210 and the mounting shell 140. The sealing ring improves the sealing between the bottom plate 210 and the mounting shell 140, thereby reducing the probability of wastewater flowing into the second chamber 102 from a gap between the bottom plate 210 and the mounting shell 140.

[0070] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the partition bracket 200 is provided with an air pressure balancing opening connecting the first chamber 101 and the second chamber 102 in air communication.

[0071] In the above structure, the air pressure balancing opening 211 can balance the air pressure between the second chamber and the first chamber, so that wastewater can flow smoothly from the second chamber into the first chamber.

[0072] In some embodiments, the wastewater tank 10 further comprises a level detector arranged in the accommodating chamber. At least a part of the level detector extends into the first chamber 101.

[0073] In the above structure, the level detector can detect the level of wastewater in the first chamber 101. When the level exceeds a predetermined position, a signal can be sent to a controller of the cleaning device to stop the rotation of the suction motor, or a signal can be sent to a user to clean the wastewater tank. Such arrangement can further reduce the risk of damaging the suction motor.

[0074] It should also be noted that in some embodiments, the wastewater tank further comprises a filtering assembly arranged at the air outlet 104 and used to filter the airflow to reduce the probability of debris being carried out by airflow to ensure the cleanliness of air blown out from the cleaning device. By way of example, the filtering assembly can be an HEPA filter.

[0075] The specific structure of the tank body 100 is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0076] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the tank body 100 comprises an outer tube 110, an inner tube 120 and a tank cover 130. The outer tube 110 and the tank cover 130 together enclose the accommodating chamber. The inner tube 120 connects the interior and the exterior of the accommodating chamber in communication. A first end of the inner tube 120 is in communication with the exterior of the wastewater tank. A second end of the inner tube 120 passes through the partition bracket 200 to extend to the second chamber 102. The second end of the inner tube 120 forms the air inlet 103 of the wastewater tank. The tank cover 130 is provided with the air outlet 104.

[0077] Specifically, the airflow carries solid waste and wastewater into the inner tube 120, and enters the second chamber 102 from the air inlet 103. The blocking structure 220 separates the second chamber 102 into the wastewater chamber 1021 and the airflow chamber 1022. When the cleaning device is operating, wastewater and solid waste are carried by airflow into the wastewater chamber 1021 first. Due to the blocking effect of the blocking structure 220, wastewater and solid waste can be concentrated in the wastewater chamber 1021 and then enter the first chamber 101 from the wastewater chamber 1021. After entering the wastewater chamber 1021, airflow enters the airflow chamber 1022 from the airflow passage 105 between an edge of the blocking structure 220 and the inner wall of the outer tube 110, and is finally discharged from the air outlet 104.

[0078] In another aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning device, comprising a cleaning assembly, a connecting stick and the above-described wastewater tank 10. The cleaning assembly and the wastewater tank 10 are both connected to the connecting stick, and communicate with each other. Since the wastewater tank 10 has the advantage of preventing wastewater from flowing back, the cleaning device equipped with the wastewater tank 10 has the advantages of long service life of the suction motor and good user experience.

[0079] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "mount", "connect" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, or indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two elements or an interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0080] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate orientation or position relationships based on the drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0081] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" (if any) in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present invention described herein can be implemented, for example, in an order other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0082] In addition, the terms "comprise and "have" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but can include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0083] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wastewater tank, characterized in that, it comprises: a tank body (100), a partition bracket (200) and an anti-backflow structure; wherein, the tank body (100) has an accommodating chamber having an air inlet (103) and an air outlet (104), the partition bracket (200) being arranged in the accommodating chamber and separating the accommodating chamber into a first chamber (101) and a second chamber (102), the air inlet (103) and the air outlet (104) being both in communication with the second chamber (102), a wastewater flow-through port (144) connecting the first chamber (101) and the second chamber (102) in liquid communication being provided between the partition bracket (200) and the tank body (100), the wastewater flow-through port (144) having a first end face (145) facing the first chamber (101) and inclined relative to an extension direction of the accommodating chamber; the anti-backflow structure comprising a flexible member (300) arranged at the first end face (145), the flexible member (300) opening the wastewater flow-through port (144) when the wastewater tank is in an upright state and closing the first end face (145) to close the wastewater flow-through outlet (144) when the wastewater tank is in a non-upright working state.

2. The wastewater tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, a first end of the flexible member (300) is fixedly connected to the first end face (145), and a second end of the flexible member (300) is movable relative to the first end face (145).

3. The wastewater tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the wastewater flow-through port (144) has a first edge close to the partition bracket (200) and a second edge close to an inner wall of the tank body (100), the first end face (145) gradually tilting toward the partition bracket (200) in the direction from the second edge to the first edge.

4. The wastewater tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when the wastewater tank is in the upright state, the second end of the flexible member (300) is disengaged from contact with the first end face (145) to open the wastewater flow-through port (144).

5. The wastewater tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the wastewater tank further comprises a mounting shell (140) arranged on at least one of the partition bracket (200) and the tank body (100), a passage in the mounting shell (140) forming the wastewater flow-through port (145), an end of the mounting shell (140) facing the first chamber (101) forming the first end face (145).

6. The wastewater tank according to claim 5, characterized in that, the mounting shell (140) is arranged on the tank body (100).

7. The wastewater tank according to claim 6, characterized in that, a mounting opening (111) is provided on a side wall of the tank body (100), the mounting shell (140) being inserted into the accommodating chamber through the mounting opening (111) and closing the mounting opening (111).

8. The wastewater tank according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, the mounting shell (140) comprises a first plate (141) close to the partition bracket (200), a second plate (142) close to the inner wall of the tank body (100), and two side plates (143) arranged between the first plate (141) and the second plate (142), the first plate (141), the second plate (142) and the side plates (143) enclosing the wastewater flow-through port (144), end surfaces of the first plate (141), the second plate (142) and the side plates (143) facing the first chamber (101) forming the first end surface (145).

9. The wastewater tank according to claim 8, characterized in that, an end face of the first plate (141) facing the first chamber (101) is provided with a connecting portion (1411), a first end of the flexible member (300) being connected to the first plate (141) through the connecting portion (1411), the flexible member (300) cooperating by contact with the end faces of the second plate (142) and the side plates (143) facing the first chamber (101) when the wastewater tank is in the non-upright working state.

10. The wastewater tank according to any one of claims 1 to9, characterized in that, the flexible member (300) comprises a flexible member body (310) and a counterweight structure (320) arranged at a bottom part of the flexible member body (310), so that the flexible member (300) can open the wastewater flow-through port (144) when the wastewater tank is in the upright state, and close the wastewater flow-through port (144) when the wastewater tank is in the non-upright working state.

11. The wastewater tank according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, the partition bracket (200) comprises a bottom plate (210) separating the accommodating chamber into the first chamber (101) and the second chamber (102), the wastewater flow-through port (144) being arranged between the bottom plate (210) and the inner wall of the tank body (100); the partition bracket (200) further comprising a blocking structure (220) arranged on the bottom plate (210) and separating the second chamber (102) into a wastewater chamber (1021) in communication with the air inlet (103) and an airflow chamber (1022) in communication with the air outlet (104).

12. The wastewater tank according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, the partition bracket (200) is provided with an air pressure balancing opening connecting the first chamber (101) and the second chamber (102) in air communication; and / or, the wastewater tank further comprises a level detector arranged in the accommodating chamber, at least a part of the level detector extending into the first chamber (101).

13. A cleaning device, characterized in that, the cleaning device comprises a cleaning assembly, a connecting stick and the wastewater tank according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the cleaning assembly and the wastewater tank (10) being both connected to the connecting stick and communicating with each other.

Citation Information

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