Cleaning assembly and electrical apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning assembly and an electrical apparatus. The cleaning assembly includes: a roller configured to rotate in a first direction around an axis of rotation to clean a surface to be cleaned, the roller including a cleaning portion extending in a circumferential direction, and further including a cleaning position in contact with the surface to be cleaned and an opposite position; an arc-shaped water stopper extending from a first water stopper end to a second water stopper end in the first direction around the axis of rotation, and spaced apart from the cleaning portion; and a scraper. The scraper includes: a first scraper end connected to the arc-shaped water stopper and adjacent to the second water stopper end; a second scraper end abutting against a position of the cleaning portion downstream of the opposite position in the first direction; and a scraper body. A first distance between the first scraper end and a section of the roller at the cleaning position is not greater than a second distance between the second scraper end and the section. In this way, since the scraper body has a certain length, dirty liquid almost does not gather on the cleaning portion, which improves the cleanliness of the cleaning portion, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The present invention relates to electrical apparatuses for cleaning, in particular to a cleaning assembly and an electrical apparatus.BACKGROUND

[0002] Floor cleaning equipment is widely used. The floor cleaning equipment usually includes one or more rolling brushes that rotate along a horizontal shaft to serve as cleaning tools. When the floor cleaning equipment carries out cleaning operations, the rolling brush touches a floor to be cleaned and can clean the floor with the aid of a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution is applied to the floor or the rolling brush during cleaning. Afterwards, the applied cleaning solution together with removed dirt is transferred to a dirty liquid storage container under the action of the rolling brush. Due to the need for contact with dirt and dirty liquid, the self-cleaning function of the rolling brush during use is an important function, which can improve the cleaning effect of the cleaning equipment to a certain extent by keeping the rolling brush clean.

[0003] A cleaning assembly having a self-cleaning function and an apparatus having the cleaning assembly are described in patent application No. 202322166481.0. The cleaning assembly having the self-cleaning function includes a cylindrical rotating portion, an arc-shaped baffle and an abutting portion. The cylindrical rotating portion is used for cleaning a supporting surface and is provided with a cylindrical surface. The arc-shaped baffle faces the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical rotating portion and is positioned above the cylindrical rotating portion and spaced apart from the cylindrical surface at a distance. The abutting portion is provided with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the abutting portion is coupled to the arc-shaped baffle, and the second end of the abutting portion abuts against the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical rotating portion. A part of the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical rotating portion, the arc-shaped baffle and the abutting portion together form a channel. The channel is configured such that the inside of the channel is cleaned with flowing liquid in the operating state. Thus, the cleaning assembly profitably uses the flowing fluid in the channel to autonomously flush rollers, the arc-shaped baffle and the abutting portion inside the channel.SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a scheme of a cleaning assembly including a water storage cavity formed by a scraper of a certain length and an arc-shaped water stopper.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cleaning assembly is provided. The cleaning assembly includes: a roller configured to rotate in a first direction around an axis of rotation to clean a to-be-cleaned surface, the roller including a cleaning portion extending in a circumferential direction around the axis of rotation, and the cleaning portion including a cleaning position in contact with the surface to be cleaned and an opposite position opposite the cleaning position in a radial direction; an arc-shaped water stopper extending from a first water stopper end to a second water stopper end in the first direction around the axis of rotation, and spaced apart from the cleaning portion; and a scraper. The scraper includes: a first scraper end connected to the arc-shaped water stopper; a second scraper end abutting against a position of the cleaning portion downstream of the opposite position in the first direction; and a scraper body extending from the first scraper end to the second scraper end, a first distance between the first scraper end and a section of the roller at the cleaning position being not greater than a second distance between the second scraper end and the section.

[0006] According to embodiments of the present invention, when the roller rotates in the first direction, the cleaning portion located on the outer side of the roller is in contact with the surface to be cleaned and sucks dirty liquid and dirt on the surface to be cleaned. The scraper body of the scraper and the arc-shaped water stopper form a water storage cavity. Liquid gathered in the water storage cavity may flow to the scraper along with the rotation of a cylindrical rotating portion and thereby flush the water storage cavity, thereby achieving a better self-cleaning effect. Because the scraper body has a certain length, dirty liquid almost does not gather on the cleaning portion, which improves the cleanliness of the cleaning portion, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0007] In some embodiments, the arc-shaped water stopper further includes an opening adjacent to the first scraper end, and the opening extends from a side of the arc-shaped water stopper facing the roller to a side of the water stopper facing away from the roller. In such embodiments, the opening may direct the dirty liquid to flow to form a dirty liquid flow, and discharge the dirty liquid in time.

[0008] In some embodiments, the opening is provided in a middle of the scraper in a second direction parallel to the axis of rotation. In such embodiments, the opening located in the middle may guide the dirty liquid on both sides, which improves the efficiency of guiding the dirty liquid flow.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first scraper end is connected to the second water stopper end. In such embodiments, the size of the arc-shaped water stopper may be reduced, and the cleaning assembly is more compact as a whole.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second water stopper end includes an end face facing the section, the first scraper end includes a surface facing the arc-shaped water stopper, and the second water stopper end is connected to the end face through a threaded connector, such that the end face abuts against the surface. In such embodiments, liquid-tight connection may be achieved by threaded connection, and the loss of the dirty liquid is avoided.

[0011] In some embodiments, the scraper is integrated with the arc-shaped water stopper. In such embodiments, by means of the integrated formation, sealing between the scraper and the arc-shaped water stopper may be achieved, and assembling may be simplified.

[0012] In some embodiments, the scraper extends in a U-shape in a third direction parallel to the axis of rotation, and a bottom of the U-shape extends obliquely towards the section. In such embodiments, when the liquid flows onto the scraper, the liquid is quickly guided to the opening under the action of gravity, which increases the flow rate and also increases the fluid flux, thereby achieving greater flushing force.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second water stopper end corresponds to the U-shape in the third direction, and an inner front wall of the arc-shaped water stopper adjacent to the second water stopper end corresponds to the second water stopper end. In such embodiments, when the liquid is scraped onto the scraper, the liquid may flow toward the opening under the guidance of the inner front wall.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cleaning portion includes an abutting position abutting against an end of the U-shape, and an angle between a first radial plane where the abutting position is provided and crossing the axis of rotation and a second radial plane where the opposite position is provided and crossing the axis of rotation is in the range of 5° to 25°. In such embodiments, by setting the ends of the scraper to be within such an angle range, excessive dirty liquid is avoided from being stored on the scraper.

[0015] In some embodiments, the cleaning portion includes a bristled rolling brush, and the scraper is in interference contact with the bristled rolling brush. In such embodiments, the scraping effect of the scraper on dirt may be improved by means of the interference contact.

[0016] In some embodiments, a distance between the scraper, from the inner front wall, and the cleaning portion is 6 mm-9 mm. In such embodiments, by setting the scraper to be within this range, the requirements for flushing force may be met, and the water storage cavity may not be too large.

[0017] In some embodiments, the arc-shaped water stopper at least includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes the first water stopper end and is connected to the roller, and the second component includes the second water stopper end and is removably connected to the first component. In such embodiments, the scraper and the arc-shaped water stopper are removable and therefore are convenient to maintain by users. In some embodiments, the scraper is integrated with the second component. In such embodiments, the scraper and the second component become replaceable parts that may be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance, while the first component, as a fixed part, plays a role of being connected to the roller to form a roller cavity.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an electrical apparatus is provided. The electrical apparatus includes: a main body; the cleaning assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cleaning assembly being fixed in the main body; and a dirty liquid storage assembly disposed in the main body and configured to receive dirty liquid from the cleaning assembly.

[0019] According to one or more embodiments, the electrical apparatus includes any one of the following: a robot vacuum cleaner, a mopping robot, a floor cleaning machine, a robot vacuum and mop combo, or a hand-held electric mop.

[0020] The aspects and advantages previously described with respect to the cleaning assembly are accordingly applicable to the electrical apparatus according to the present invention, which will thus not be repeated herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Other advantages and designs of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1A shows a partial sectional view of an exemplary electrical apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B shows a sectional view of an exemplary cleaning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a schematic diagram of a part of an electrical apparatus including an exemplary cleaning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B shows a schematic diagram of a part of an electrical apparatus including an exemplary cleaning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2C shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary portion of an electrical apparatus including a scraper and a roller according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C show schematic diagrams of an exemplary arc-shaped water stopper at different angles according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4F show schematic diagrams of an exemplary cleaning process performed by a cleaning assembly according to embodiments of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Corresponding numbers and symbols in different accompanying drawings generally refer to corresponding regions unless otherwise indicated. The accompanying drawings are drawn for the purpose of clearly illustrating relevant aspects of the embodiments and need not be drawn to scale. The edges of features drawn in the accompanying drawings do not necessarily indicate the end of the range of features.

[0023] In the ensuing description, various specific details are shown to provide insight into various examples of embodiments according to the description. Embodiments may be obtained in the absence of one or more specific details, or by utilizing other methods, components, materials, and the like. In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail so as not to obscure aspects of the embodiments.

[0024] References to "an embodiment" or "an implementation" in the framework of this specification are intended to indicate that a particular configuration, structure, or feature described with respect to that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Accordingly, phrases "in embodiments," "in an embodiment," and the like that may appear in various aspects of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment exactly. Furthermore, particular configurations, structures, or features may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner.

[0025] Unless otherwise indicated, when reference is made to two elements joined together, this indicates a direct connection without any intermediate element, and when reference is made to two elements coupled together, this indicates that the two elements may be joined or that they may be coupled via one or more other elements.

[0026] The title / reference numerals used herein are provided solely for ease of reading and therefore do not limit the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments. Identical or similar elements are identified using the identical reference numerals.

[0027] In the related art, as discussed above, a part of a cylindrical surface of a cylindrical rotating portion, an arc-shaped baffle, and an abutting portion of a cleaning assembly together form a channel and, in the cleaning process, a dynamic water flow is formed in the channel to flush multiple components inside the channel. In such a scheme, because part of the channel is formed by the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical rotating portion, part of the cylindrical surface is kept in dirty liquid in the cleaning process. In the self-cleaning process, because no external dirt enters the channel, the self-cleaning function of such cleaning assemblies in the related art may meet the requirements. However, in the cleaning process, due to the continuous addition of dirty liquid and dirt, the cylindrical surface part in the channel may not be fully cleaned, so that the cleanliness of the cylindrical surface may be not high, which reduces the overall cleaning efficiency.

[0028] Accordingly, the present invention provides a cleaning assembly including a scraper with a certain length. In the cleaning assembly, a water storage cavity that may temporarily gather and guide flowing liquid (such as clean water or clean liquid) to flush each component in the water storage cavity is formed by an arc-shaped water stopper and a scraper. Moreover, by using the scraper, instead of a roller, to form the water storage cavity, the contact time of a cleaning portion and dirty liquid is shortened, the degree of cleanliness of the cleaning portion is improved, and thus the overall cleaning efficiency is improved.

[0029] FIG. 1A shows a partial sectional view of an exemplary electrical apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical apparatus 10 may travel in a second direction D2 on a surface 20 to be cleaned, for example, on the ground, so as to clean the surface 20 to be cleaned. The electrical apparatus 10 includes a main body 11, a cleaning assembly 100 fixed in the main body 11 and used for performing main cleaning operations, and a dirty liquid storage assembly 12 for receiving dirty liquid from the cleaning assembly 100.

[0030] The cleaning assembly 100 includes a roller 110. The roller 110 may rotate in a first direction D1 around an axis of rotation R to clean the surface 20 to be cleaned. As shown in FIG. 1A, when the cleaning assembly 100 is assembled in the electrical apparatus 10 and placed on the surface 20 to be cleaned, the roller 110 is in contact with the surface 20 to be cleaned at a cleaning position 113 of a cleaning portion 111.

[0031] The cleaning assembly 100 further includes an arc-shaped water stopper 120. A water stopper body 123 of the arc-shaped water stopper 120 extends from a first water stopper end 121 to a second water stopper end 122 in the first direction D1 around the axis of rotation R, and is spaced apart from the cleaning portion 111. At the same time, part or all of the arc-shaped water stopper 120 limits an installation and rotation space for the roller 110.

[0032] In addition, the cleaning assembly 100 includes a scraper 130 for receiving dirty liquid and dirt from the cleaning portion 111. The scraper 130 includes a first scraper end 131 connected to the arc-shaped water stopper 120 and a second scraper end 132 abutting against the cleaning portion 111. The cleaning portion 111 further includes an opposite position 114 opposite the cleaning position 113 in the radial direction. The first scraper end 131 is located downstream of the opposite position 114 in the first direction D1.

[0033] When the electrical apparatus 10 with the cleaning assembly 100 travels in the second direction D2, the cleaning portion 111 of the roller 110 rotates in the first direction D1 opposite the traveling direction, i.e. the second direction D2, to clean the surface 20 to be cleaned. The cleaning portion 111 may suck dirt and / or dirty liquid on the surface 20 to be cleaned after being in contact with the surface 20 to be cleaned. As the rotation continues, the cleaning portion 111 that sucks the dirt and / or dirty liquid enters the space formed by the arc-shaped water stopper 120 in a covering manner. Under the action of centrifugal force, part of the dirty liquid sucked by the cleaning portion 111 may be thrown to the arc-shaped water stopper 120. After that, dirt and / or dirty liquid remaining on the cleaning portion 111 reaches the scraper 130 and is scraped off and left on the scraper 130 after entering and exiting the second scraper end 132. The cleaning portion 111 with the dirt and / or dirty liquid scraped off continues to rotate, and performs the cleaning operation again at the cleaning position 113.

[0034] It is to be understood that, although the electrical apparatus 10 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A is a robot vacuum cleaner, the electrical apparatus 10 according to the present invention may also be a mopping robot, a floor cleaning machine, a robot vacuum and mop combo, a hand-held electric mop, or any equipment provided with a cylindrical rotating portion and used for cleaning surfaces to be cleaned.

[0035] The structure of the cleaning assembly 100 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 1B. FIG. 1B shows a sectional view of an exemplary cleaning assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1B, the roller 110 of the cleaning assembly 100 further includes a barrel-shaped roller 112 located in the middle. The cleaning portion 111 is arranged on the outer side of the roller 112 in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation R, and is capable of rotating along with the roller 112. Preferably, the cleaning portion 111 may also be removed from the roller 112 for maintenance or replacement. For example, the cleaning portion 111 may be made of a flexible material with bristles. It is to be understood that, although the cleaning portion 111 keeps rotating during the cleaning operation, the cleaning portion is always in contact with the surface 20 to be cleaned at the cleaning position 113. In this case, the cleaning position 113 is the lowest point of the roller 110. The cleaning portion 111 includes a virtual section A at the cleaning position 113. The section A is perpendicular to the connecting line between the axis of rotation R and the cleaning position 113.

[0036] The arc-shaped water stopper 120 further includes an arc-shaped body 123. The arc-shaped body 123 extends around the axis of rotation R from a position adjacent to the section A to form a cavity for accommodating the roller 110. The arc-shaped body 123 includes an inner front wall 125. The inner front wall 125 is provided from a side of the scraper 130 facing an inner side of the arc-shaped water stopper 120. As shown in the figure, the inner front wall 125 extends, from the scraper 130, on the inner side of the arc-shaped body 123 in a direction away from the section A. In some embodiments, the inner front wall 125 may be perpendicular to or inclined to the section A. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the inner front wall 125 is inclined to the section A.

[0037] The first scraper end 131 of the scraper 130 is adjacent to the second water stopper end 122 of the arc-shaped water stopper 120. It is to be understood that the arc-shaped water stopper 120 may also continue to extend in the first direction D1 at the position where the arc-shaped water stopper is connected to the first scraper end 131, so that the first scraper end 131 is connected to a position between the first water stopper end 121 and the second water stopper end 122 of the arc-shaped water stopper 120. As shown in FIG. 1B, a first distance H1 between the first scraper end 131 and the section A is less than or equal to a second distance H2 between the second scraper end 132 and the section A.

[0038] In some embodiments, the scraper 130 is variable in the direction perpendicular to the section A. In such embodiments, the first distance H1 between the first scraper end 131 and the section A may be a first average distance between multiple positions of the first scraper end 131 of the scraper 130 and the section A, and the second distance H2 between the second scraper end 132 and the section A may be a second average distance between multiple corresponding positions of the second scraper end 132 of the scraper 130 and the section A.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1B, a portion of the scraper 130 connected to the second water stopper end 122 is the first scraper end 131. Here, the second water stopper end 122 includes an end face facing the section A. A groove extending in the direction perpendicular to the section A is provided in the end face. The first scraper end 131 is fixed in the groove. In some embodiments, the first scraper end 131 may be connected to the second water stopper end 122 in a liquid-tight manner. A scraper body 133 of the scraper 130 extends from the inner wall 125 to the second scraper end 132 abutting against the cleaning portion 111.

[0040] The scraper 130 has a certain width. During the cleaning operation, the cleaning portion 111 may suck the dirty liquid on the surface to be cleaned when being in contact with the surface to be cleaned at the cleaning position 113. After that, the cleaning portion 111 rotates along with the roller 112, and when the cleaning portion 111 is in contact with the scraper 130, the dirty liquid sucked into the cleaning portion 111 is transferred to the scraper body 133 through the scraper 130, so as to enter a water storage cavity formed by the scraper body 133, the inner front wall 125 of the arc-shaped water stopper 120 and a top wall of the arc-shaped water stopper 120 connected to the inner front wall. The dirty liquid gathers in the water storage cavity and forms a certain liquid flow to flush each part in the water storage cavity and the portion of the cleaning portion 111 adjacent to the second scraper end 132.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1B, the arc-shaped water stopper 120 further includes an opening 124 adjacent to the first scraper end 131 and used for guiding the dirty liquid in the water storage cavity out of the water storage cavity. The opening 124 extends from a side of the arc-shaped water stopper 120 facing the roller 110 to a side of the arc-shaped water stopper facing away from the roller 110, so that the water storage cavity communicates with the outer side of the cleaning assembly 100. In some embodiments, the opening 124 may be provided in the middle of the scraper 130 in a third direction D3 parallel to the axis of rotation R.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the distance between the scraper 130 and the section A varies according to the position of opening 124. In some embodiments where the opening 124 is located in the middle, the distance between the scraper 130 and the section A is decreasing in the third direction D3 from the end face of the roller 110 to the opening 124 in the middle, and the distance between the scraper 130 and the section A is increasing in the third direction D3 from the opening 124 to the other end face of the roller 110. Thus, the distance between the scraper 130 and the section A is V-shaped or U-shaped in the third direction D3, and the tip of the V-shape or the bottom of the U-shape is located in the middle where the opening 124 is located, so that the dirty liquid is guided to the opening 124 in the water storage cavity under the action of gravity. In such embodiments, the cleaning portion 111 includes an abutting position 115 abutting against an end of the U-shape. An angle between a first radial plane where the abutting position 115 is provided and crossing the axis of rotation R and a second radial plane where the opposite position 114 is provided and crossing the axis of rotation R is in the range of 5° to 25°.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the distance between the inner front wall 125 and a plane perpendicular to the section A also varies. The inner front wall 125 extends in a U-shape in the third direction D3 parallel to the axis of rotation R, and a bottom of the U-shape extends in a direction away from the roller 110. Thus, the distance between the inner front wall 125 and the plane perpendicular to the section A is V-shaped or U-shaped in the third direction D3, and the tip of the V-shape or the bottom of the U-shape is located in the middle where the opening 124 is located, so that the dirty liquid is guided to the opening 124 in the water storage cavity.

[0044] FIG. 2A shows a schematic diagram of a part 200A of an electrical apparatus including an exemplary cleaning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2A, the part 200A includes the cleaning assembly 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention and a dirty liquid storage assembly 12 corresponding to the cleaning assembly 100. The dirty liquid storage assembly 12 includes a slot 202. The slot 202 is aligned with the opening 124 of the cleaning assembly 100 so that the dirty liquid from the water storage cavity of the cleaning assembly 100 guided by the opening 124 may enter the dirty liquid storage assembly 12 through the slot 202.

[0045] FIG. 2A mainly shows the arc-shaped water stopper 120 of the cleaning assembly 100. The arc-shaped water stopper 120 includes a first water stopper end 121 adjacent to the bottom of the electrical apparatus and accordingly adjacent to the surface to be cleaned. The arc-shaped water stopper 120 further includes an arc-shaped water stopper body 123 extending at an angle of approximately 180° around the axis of rotation R. The arc-shaped water stopper 120 further includes a second water stopper end 122 adjacent to the dirty liquid storage assembly 12. In addition, the arc-shaped water stopper 120 includes end covers 128 at two ends in a third direction D3. The end covers 128 are used for forming sealing portions on the end sides to seal the water storage cavity. The end covers 128 may be used as a support for the roller 110. In some embodiments, one of the end covers 128 may be provided with a rotating shaft. The roller 110 may be rotationally supported on the rotating shaft.

[0046] FIG. 2B shows a schematic diagram of a part 200B of an electrical apparatus including an exemplary cleaning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The part 200B corresponds, for example, to the part 200A as shown in FIG. 2A, and differs from the part 200A in that the part 200B does not include part of the top of the arc-shaped water stopper 120, and it is understood that part of the top is omitted herein for more clearly indicating the scraper 130 in contact with the cleaning portion 111. As shown in FIG. 2B, the scraper 130 is an arc tightly attached to the cleaning portion 111. The opening 124 is located in the middle of the roller 110 in the third direction D3, the distance between the scraper 130 and the section A is U-shaped in the third direction D3, and the bottom of the U-shape is located in the middle where the opening 124 is located, so that the dirty liquid is guided to the opening 124 in the water storage cavity under the action of gravity.

[0047] In some embodiments, the arc-shaped water stopper 120 may include a plurality of parts. A first component of the plurality of parts may include a first water stopper end 121, and a second component of the plurality of parts may include a second water stopper end 122. The first component is removably connected to the second component. In such embodiments, the second component may be removably connected to the scraper 130 or may also be integrated with the scraper 130, while the first component is fixed in the electrical apparatus. Thus, the scraper 130 and the second component become replaceable parts that may be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance, while the first component, as a fixed part, is connected to the roller and forms a space for the roller.

[0048] FIG. 2C shows a schematic diagram of a part 200C of an electrical apparatus including a scraper 130 and a roller 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2C, the part 200C includes a roller 110 and a scraper 130 in contact with the roller 110. The roller 110 includes a first end E1 and a second end E2 in the third direction D3. One end of the scraper 130 abuts against an abutting position 115-1 of a cleaning portion 111 of the roller 110 at the first end E1. Correspondingly, the other end of the scraper 130 abuts against an abutting position 115-2 of the cleaning portion 111 of the roller 110 at the second end E2. The scraper 130 is U-shaped in the third direction D3. The portion of the scraper 130 at the bottom of the formed U-shape is lower than the portion of the scraper 130 at both ends of the U-shape in a direction perpendicular to the section A. Thus, dirty liquid received by the portion, adjacent to an end, of the U-shape may converge to the middle under the action of gravity to achieve the guidance for the dirty liquid.

[0049] In addition, in order to ensure the performance of receiving dirty liquid by the scraper 130 over the entire length in the third direction D3, the second scraper end 132 of the scraper 130 is in interference contact with the cleaning portion 111, that is, the second scraper end 132 extends into gaps between bristles on the surface of the cleaning portion 111, or the bristles are pressed towards the roller 110 by a certain distance. In such embodiments, the distance between each point on the edge of the second scraper end 132 in contact with the cleaning portion 111 and the axis of rotation R is approximately equal. In this way, the situation that due to the difference in spacing between the scraper 130 and the cleaning portion 111, the performance of receiving the dirty liquid over the entire span in the third direction D3 becomes poor may be avoided. In addition, the distance between the first scraper end 131 and the second scraper end 132 of the scraper 130 is the same, so that the width of the scraper 130 is uniform.

[0050] FIG. 3A shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary arc-shaped water stopper 120 and a scraper 130 at a front angle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3A, the arc-shaped water stopper 120 further includes an opening 124 provided in the middle in the third direction D3 and used for guiding dirty liquid in the water storage cavity out of the water storage cavity. The opening 124 extends from a side of the arc-shaped water stopper 120 facing the roller 110 to a side of the arc-shaped water stopper facing away from the roller 110, so that the water storage cavity communicates with the outer side of the cleaning assembly 100. The arc-shaped water stopper 120 further includes a front wall 126 in the second direction D2 in which the electrical apparatus travels. The front wall 126 extends from the top of the arc-shaped water stopper 120 in a direction away from the top. The front wall 126 is provided with a lower edge that is V-shaped in the third direction D3. The tip of the V-shaped lower edge is located in the middle where the opening 124 is located. In this embodiment, in order to match the lower edge, the scraper 130 is also V-shaped in the third direction D3 to match the shape of the front wall 126, and is capable of guiding the dirty liquid in the water storage cavity to flow to the opening 124 under the action of gravity.

[0051] The V-shaped lower edge of the front wall 126 is connected to the scraper 130. Here, the surface of the scraper 130 and the lower edge of the front wall 126 are in a corresponding shape and are tightly connected. In addition, the arc-shaped water stopper 120 includes an end cover 128-1 and an end cover 128-2 located at both ends in the third direction D3. The end cover 128-2 on one side is provided with a rotating shaft 129 for supporting the roller 110.

[0052] FIG. 3B shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary arc-shaped water stopper and a scraper 130 at an upward angle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The arc-shaped water stopper 120 includes an inner front wall 125 of the front wall 126 in the water storage cavity. In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, a large part of the inner front wall 125 is obscured by the scraper 130 connected to the front wall 126 and thus not shown. The scraper 130 extends in a U-shape in the third direction D3 parallel to the axis of rotation R, and the bottom of the U-shape extends in the direction away from the roller 110. The scraper 130 is further provided with through holes 134. Correspondingly, threaded holes y be provided in the corresponding positions on the second water stopper end 122, and threaded fasteners such as bolts or screws may be screwed into the threaded holes through the through holes 134 in the scraper 130, so that the scraper 130 is fixed at the second water stopper end 122. In an alternative embodiment, the scraper 130 may be integrated with the arc-shaped water stopper 120. Thus, an installation and fixing structure is omitted, thus simplifying installation and improving tightness.

[0053] FIG. 3C shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary arc-shaped water stopper 120 and a scraper 130 at a laterally squint angle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3C, the scraper 130 is bent in a direction opposite the traveling direction D2, and at the same time, the scraper 130 is bent downward in the vertical direction so as to fit the cylindrical surface of the cleaning portion of the roller.

[0054] The corresponding structure of the cleaning assembly is described herein, and the operating principle of the cleaning assembly during the cleaning operation will be described below with reference to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4F. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4F respectively show schematic diagrams of each stage of an exemplary cleaning process performed by a cleaning assembly according to embodiments of the present invention. For clarity, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4F show only components associated with the cleaning assembly performing the cleaning operation.

[0055] FIG. 4A shows a schematic diagram of a first stage 400A executed by the cleaning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4A, the cleaning assembly 100 includes a roller 110. The roller 110 includes a cleaning portion 111 rotating in a first direction D1 around an axis of rotation R. A scraper 130 in interference contact with the cleaning portion 111 is provided on the front portion of the cleaning portion 111 in a second direction D2 in which the cleaning assembly 100 travels. The scraper 130 is fixed on an arc-shaped water stopper 120, and forms a water storage cavity with end covers 128 of the arc-shaped water stopper 120, an inner front wall 125 and the top of the arc-shaped water stopper 120. The cleaning assembly 100 travels on a surface 20 to be cleaned in the second direction D2 along with an electrical apparatus. There are dust 410, ketchup 420 and melon seed peels 430 on the surface 20 to be cleaned.

[0056] While the cleaning assembly 110 travels forward, the cleaning portion 111 is in contact with the surface 20 to be cleaned and sucks dirt and dirty liquid on the surface 20 to be cleaned. The dust 410 includes dust 411 that has not been sucked on the surface 20 to be cleaned, dust 412 on the cleaning portion 111, and dust 413 that has been scraped off the cleaning portion 111 by the scraper 130. In this case, there is dirty liquid on the scraper 130. As the dirty liquid gathers on the scraper 130 and is guided by the U-shaped inner front wall 125, the dirty liquid forms a dirty liquid flow flowing towards an opening 124 in the middle. The dirty liquid flow may drive dirt on the scraper 130 to carry the dirt to the opening 124 and make the dirt enter a dirty liquid storage assembly via the opening 124.

[0057] FIG. 4B shows a schematic diagram of a second stage 400B executed by the cleaning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4B, in this case, the dust 411 on the surface 20 to be cleaned has been cleaned up, and there is still some dust 412 on the cleaning portion 111. The dust 413 on the scraper 130 has entered the dirty liquid storage assembly along with the dirty liquid flow via the opening 124.

[0058] After that, the cleaning assembly 100 continues to travel in the second direction D2. FIG. 4C shows a schematic diagram of a third stage 400C executed by the cleaning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4C, the ketchup 420 has been cleaned up by the cleaning portion 111 to form part ketchup 421 on the cleaning portion and part ketchup 422 on the scraper 130. The part ketchup 422 is scraped off the cleaning portion 111 to the scraper 130 and then enters the dirty liquid flow. After entering the dirty liquid flow, the part ketchup 422 is diluted, so that the viscosity of the part ketchup 422 is reduced, the viscosity is reduced, and the part ketchup smoothly flows to the opening 124 along with the dirty liquid flow.

[0059] The cleaning assembly 100 continues to travel in the second direction D2. FIG. 4D shows a schematic diagram of a fourth stage 400D executed by the cleaning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4D, the part ketchup 421 on the cleaning portion has been completely scraped onto the scraper 130. The part ketchup 422 on the scraper 130 enters the dirty liquid storage assembly along with the dirty liquid flow via the opening 124.

[0060] The cleaning assembly 100 continues to travel in the second direction D2. FIG. 4E shows a schematic diagram of a fifth stage 400E executed by the cleaning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4E, the ketchup 420 has been fully rinsed into the dirty liquid storage assembly, and the melon seed peels 430 have been delivered to the scraper 130. Because a scraper body of the scraper 130 has a certain length, the formed water storage cavity may accommodate the melon seed peels 430, and the melon seed peels are made to move towards the opening 124 in the formed dirty liquid flow.

[0061] The cleaning assembly 100 continues to travel in the second direction D2. FIG. 4F shows a schematic diagram of a sixth stage 400F executed by the cleaning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4F, the melon seed peels 430 on the scraper 130 have entered the opening 124 and may soon be flushed into the dirty liquid storage assembly.

[0062] According to the embodiments of FIG. 4A to FIG. 4F, the dust with a small size, the viscous ketchup, and the melon seed peels with a large size may all smoothly enter the dirty liquid storage assembly in the water storage cavity along with the formed dirty liquid flow. Because the scraper replaces most of the cleaning portion adjacent to the scraper to form the water storage cavity, the contact time of the cleaning portion and the dirty liquid is shortened, thus greatly improving the cleanliness of the cleaning portion and improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0063] In some embodiments, the electrical apparatus also has a self-cleaning function for the cleaning assembly. For example, after the self-cleaning function is turned on, the electrical apparatus may be moved to a charging base or self-cleaning base to ensure that a floor cleaning machine is in a stable state. Then, the self-cleaning function begins. In the cleaning process, the electrical apparatus begins to automatically clean the cleaning portion of the roller, that is, under the high-speed rotation of the roller, clean water is constantly sprayed to the cleaning portion. During this period, the clean water sprayed onto the cleaning portion may also be carried by the cleaning portion to enter the water storage cavity formed by the inner front wall of the scraper and the top of the arc-shaped water stopper. The liquid used for cleaning forms a water flow under the guidance of the inner front wall and is discharged through the opening. Thus, the formed cleaning liquid flow may better flush walls of the water storage cavity to achieve an efficient self-cleaning function. At the same time, compared with manual cleaning, the self-cleaning function may clean a rolling brush more thoroughly, which improves the cleaning effect of the floor cleaning machine. By regularly cleaning the rolling brush, wear and corrosion to the cleaning portion may be reduced, and the service life of the cleaning portion may be prolonged. At the same time, damage to other parts of the electrical apparatus caused by stains and bacteria on the cleaning portion may also be avoided, so that the overall service life of the floor cleaning machine is prolonged.

[0064] Many of the modified forms and other implementations of the present invention given herein will be realized by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains through the teachings given in the foregoing description and the related accompanying drawings. Thus, it is to be understood that the implementations of the present invention are not limited to the specific implementations disclosed, and that the modified forms and other implementations are intended to fall in the scope of the present invention. Moreover, while the above description and the associated accompanying drawings describe exemplary implementations in the context of certain exemplary combination forms of components and / or functionality, it should be appreciated that different combination forms of components and / or functionality may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the present invention. In this regard, for example, other combination forms of components and / or features that differ from those explicitly described above are also anticipated to fall in the scope of the present invention. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a general and descriptive sense only and are not intended to be limiting.

Claims

1. A cleaning assembly (100), characterized by comprising: a roller (110) configured to rotate in a first direction (D1) around an axis of rotation (R) to clean a surface to be cleaned, the roller (110) comprising a cleaning portion (111) extending in a circumferential direction around the axis of rotation (R), and the cleaning portion (111) comprising a cleaning position (113) in contact with the surface (20) to be cleaned and an opposite position (114) opposite the cleaning position (113) in a radial direction; an arc-shaped water stopper (120) extending from a first water stopper end (121) to a second water stopper end (122) in the first direction (D1) around the axis of rotation (R), and spaced apart from the cleaning portion (111); and a scraper (130), comprising: a first scraper end (131) connected to the arc-shaped water stopper (120); a second scraper end (132) abutting against a position of the cleaning portion (111) downstream of the opposite position (114) in the first direction (D1); and a scraper body (133) extending from the first scraper end (131) to the second scraper end (132), wherein a first distance between the first scraper end (131) and a section (A) of the roller (110) at the cleaning position (113) is not greater than a second distance between the second scraper end (132) and the section (A).

2. The cleaning assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the arc-shaped water stopper (120) further comprises an opening (124) adjacent to the first scraper end (131), and the opening (124) extends from a side of the arc-shaped water stopper (120) facing the roller (110) to a side of the water stopper facing away from the roller (110).

3. The cleaning assembly (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening (124) is provided in a middle of the scraper (130) in a third direction (D3) parallel to the axis of rotation (R).

4. The cleaning assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first scraper end (131) is connected to the second water stopper end (122).

5. The cleaning assembly (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the second water stopper end (122) comprises an end face facing the section (A), the first scraper end (131) comprises a surface facing the arc-shaped water stopper (120), and the second water stopper end (122) is connected to the end face through a threaded connector, such that the end face abuts against the surface.

6. The cleaning assembly (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the scraper (130) is integrated with the arc-shaped water stopper (120).

7. The cleaning assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the scraper (130) extends in a U-shape in the third direction (D3) parallel to the axis of rotation (R), and a bottom of the U-shape extends in a direction away from the roller (110).

8. The cleaning assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the second water stopper end (122) corresponds to the U-shape in the third direction (D3), and an inner front wall (125) of the arc-shaped water stopper (120) adjacent to the second water stopper end (122) corresponds to the second water stopper end (122).

9. The cleaning assembly (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the cleaning portion (111) comprises an abutting position (115) abutting against an end of the U-shape, and an angle between a first radial plane where the abutting position (115) is provided and crossing the axis of rotation (R) and a second radial plane where the opposite position (114) is provided and crossing the axis of rotation (R) is in the range of 5° to 25°.

10. The cleaning assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cleaning portion (111) comprises a bristled rolling brush, and the scraper (130) is in interference contact with the bristled rolling brush.

11. The cleaning assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that a distance between the scraper (130), from the inner front wall (125), and the cleaning portion (111) is 6 mm-9 mm.

12. The cleaning assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the arc-shaped water stopper (120) at least comprises a first component and a second component, wherein the first component comprises the first water stopper end (121), and the second component comprises the second water stopper end (122) and is removably connected to the first component.

13. The cleaning assembly (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the scraper (130) is integrated with the second component.

14. An electrical apparatus (10), characterized by comprising: a main body (11); the cleaning assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the cleaning assembly being disposed in the main body (11); and a dirty liquid storage assembly (12) disposed in the main body (11) and configured to receive a dirty liquid from the cleaning assembly (100).

15. The electrical apparatus (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that the electrical apparatus (10) comprises any one of the following: a robot vacuum cleaner, a mopping robot, a floor cleaning machine, a robot vacuum and mop combo, or a hand-held electric mop.

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