Cleaning equipment and cleaning system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus and system. The cleaning apparatus comprises a housing, a lidar assembly, and a liquid supply assembly. The housing includes a bottom wall and a side wall connected to each other. The lidar assembly is at least partially located within the housing. The liquid supply assembly includes a liquid storage tank and a liquid line, the liquid storage tank and the liquid line being arranged within the housing, and the liquid line being connected to the liquid storage tank. The liquid line is at least partially located between the lidar assembly and the bottom wall. (See Figure 2 for an abstract.)

Description

Title of the invention: Cleaning apparatus and cleaning system technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of cleaning devices, and in particular a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning system. Technological background

[0002] Intelligent cleaning devices are increasingly used in everyday life and in industry. A growing number of users are using these devices to replace manual cleaning operations on various surfaces, both indoors and outdoors.

[0003] With the continuous development of technologies, cleaning devices are gradually becoming miniaturized and integrated. Consequently, improving the use of volume in cleaning devices is one of the research topics in the industry. Summary of the present invention

[0004] To solve the above technical problem, the present invention proposes a high volume-occupancy cleaning device and a cleaning system.

[0005] The present invention is implemented using the following technical solutions.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus comprising: - a casing comprising a bottom wall and a side wall connected to each other; - a lidar system located at least partially within the housing; and - a liquid supply assembly comprising a liquid storage tank and a liquid pipeline, the liquid storage tank and the liquid pipeline being located in the housing, and the liquid pipeline being in communication with the liquid storage tank, in which the liquid channel is located at least partially between the lidar assembly and the lower wall.

[0007] In some embodiments, the lidar assembly comprises a lidar housing and a support element, the lidar housing being arranged on the lower wall, and the support element being arranged in the lidar housing and connected to an inner peripheral wall of the lidar housing; the liquid channel being at least partially arranged between the support element and the lower wall.

[0008] In some embodiments, a clearance opening is formed on one side of the lidar housing facing the lower wall in order to provide a functional clearance for the liquid channeling.

[0009] In certain embodiments, stops are formed on the lower wall, the stops being arranged on the lower wall so as to extend along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly, the stops being arranged between the support element and the lower wall and being configured to confine the liquid channel located between the support element and the lower wall.

[0010] In some embodiments, the stops are close to the inner peripheral wall of the lidar housing and are arranged along the inner peripheral wall of the lidar housing; the stops comprising a first stop and a second stop spaced apart from each other, the first stop being disposed at a distance from the inner peripheral wall of the lidar housing relative to the second stop, and the liquid channel located between the support element and the lower wall being located between the first stop and the second stop.

[0011] In some embodiments, the cleaning device further comprises a vertical plate, the vertical plate being arranged on the lower wall so as to extend in the vertical direction of the lidar assembly, and the vertical plate being arranged on one side of the second stop opposite the first stop and spaced from the second stop; the lidar housing being partially arranged between the vertical plate and the second stop.

[0012] In some embodiments, the liquid channel includes a liquid inlet channel; a liquid inlet being formed on the side wall, one end of the liquid inlet channel being in communication with the liquid storage tank, the other end of the liquid inlet channel being in communication with the liquid inlet; the liquid inlet channel being at least partially arranged between the lidar assembly and the bottom wall.

[0013] In some embodiments, a non-return valve is disposed at the liquid inlet.

[0014] In some embodiments, the liquid line includes a liquid outlet line; one end of the liquid outlet line being in communication with the liquid storage tank, and the other end of the liquid outlet line being connected to a cleaning assembly of the cleaning apparatus; the liquid outlet line being at least partially located between the lidar assembly and the lower wall.

[0015] In some embodiments, the cleaning assembly comprises a first cleaning assembly and a second cleaning assembly; and the liquid outlet line comprises a main line, a first branch line, and a second branch line, the main line, the first branch line, and the second branch line being connected via a flow-diverting valve, the first line one bypass line being configured to supply liquid to the first cleaning set and the second bypass line being configured to supply liquid to the second cleaning set.

[0016] In some embodiments, the liquid supply assembly further includes a suction pump, the suction pump being arranged on the liquid outlet line and being configured to draw the liquid contained in the liquid storage tank to the cleaning assembly via the liquid outlet line.

[0017] In some embodiments, the liquid channel further includes an overflow channel, one end of the overflow channel being in communication with the liquid storage tank, and the other end of the overflow channel being in communication with an external environment.

[0018] In some embodiments, the overflow pipe is in communication with a side of the liquid storage tank away from the lower wall of the liquid storage tank in the vertical direction.

[0019] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a cleaning system, comprising a cleaning device according to the first aspect of the present invention and a cleaning base station configured to supply liquid to a liquid supply assembly of the cleaning device.

[0020] Effects of the present invention.

[0021] The liquid channel of the cleaning device according to the embodiments of the present invention is at least partially located between the lidar assembly and the lower wall of the housing, which allows full use of the internal volume of the housing, improves the management of the internal volume of the housing and facilitates the miniaturization and integration of the entire cleaning device. Brief description of the figures

[0022] By reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below, various additional advantages and benefits will become clear to those skilled in the art. The figures are provided solely for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals in all the figures. In the figures:

[0023] [Fig.1] is a diagram of a partial structure of a cleaning device according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a device cleaning in another view according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

[0025] [Fig.3] is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a device cleaning in another view according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.4] is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a lidar assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention; and

[0027] [Fig.5] is a diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a dividing valve flow rate according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] Numerical references:

[0029] 1 - body; 11 - lower wall; 12 - side wall; 121 - liquid inlet; 13 - guide element; 131 - first guide element; 132 - second guide element; 2 - lidar assembly; 21 - lidar housing; 211 - clearance opening; 212 - inner peripheral wall; 22 - lidar body; 23 - support element; 3 - liquid supply assembly; 31 - liquid storage tank; 32 - liquid pipe; 321 - liquid inlet pipe; 322 - liquid outlet pipe; 3221 - main pipe; 3222 - first branch pipe; 3223 - second branch pipe; 323 - overflow pipe; 33 - suction pump; 4 - flow distribution valve; 41 - orifice; 5 - vertical plate; and 100 - cleaning device. Description of examples of achievements

[0030] Embodiments of the technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the figures. The following embodiments are provided simply to illustrate more clearly the technical solutions of the present invention and are therefore only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein shall have the same meaning as that commonly understood by persons skilled in the art to which the present invention relates. The terms used herein serve only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The terms "include," "comprise," "have," and all variations thereof in the present invention are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0032] In the description of embodiments of the present invention, the technical terms "first," "second," "third," and others are used solely to distinguish different objects and shall not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the technical features indicated. In the description of embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined, the term "plurality" refers to two or more.

[0033] The reference to "an embodiment" means that a specific function, structure, or feature described in relation to the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. References to the word in the context of the invention do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor to embodiments that are distinct from or mutually exclusive alternatives to other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand, both explicitly and implicitly, that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0034] In the description of embodiments of the present invention, the term "and / or" simply represents an association relationship between associated objects, indicating that there can be three possible relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: the existence of A alone, the simultaneous existence of A and B, and the existence of B alone. Furthermore, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after the " / ".

[0035] In the description of embodiments of the present invention, the orientation or position relationships indicated by the technical terms "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "inside," "outside," "circumferential," and others are those illustrated based on the figures and are intended simply to describe embodiments of the present invention and to simplify the description, rather than to indicate or imply that the indicated device or element must have a specific orientation and be configured, operated, and used in accordance with that specific orientation. These relationships shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] In the description of embodiments of the present invention, unless explicitly stated or limited, the technical terms "install," "interconnect," "connect," "fix," and others shall be understood broadly and may refer, for example, to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; a direct connection, an indirect connection via an intermediary, or internal communication between two elements; or an interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in embodiments of the present invention may be understood under specific conditions.

[0037] In the description of embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise stated and explicitly defined, the technical term "contact" shall be understood in a broad sense and may be direct contact, contact via an intermediate layer, contact without interaction force between the two elements in contact or contact with an interaction force between the two elements in contact.

[0038] Certain embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a cleaning device according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a cleaning device in another view according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a cleaning device in another view according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a lidar assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a flow-diverting valve according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the present invention relates to a cleaning device 100. The cleaning device comprises a housing 1, a lidar assembly 2, and a liquid supply assembly 3.

[0041] The cleaning device 100 is a device configured to clean a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning device 100 includes, but is not limited to, a sweeping robot, a cleaning robot, a combined sweeping and cleaning robot, a window-washing robot, or the like. The surface to be cleaned includes, but is not limited to, a floor, a ceiling, a window, a desk, or the surfaces of other objects and components.

[0042] The housing 1 is an external protective housing for the cleaning device 100, and the interior of the housing 1 is configured to accommodate functional components that perform various functions of the cleaning device 100. The functional component may include, for example, a drive assembly, a sensing assembly, a lidar assembly, a dust bin, or a liquid storage tank.

[0043] By way of example, the housing 1 can be made of plastic. Plastic includes, but is not limited to, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. ABS plastic is a material characterized by high strength, good rigidity, and ease of manufacturing. Furthermore, it exhibits good insulating properties, is relatively unaffected by temperature and humidity, and can be used in most environments.

[0044] Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that the housing 1 can also be made of any other suitable material.

[0045] In embodiments of the present invention, the housing 1 is substantially cylindrical in shape. The cylindrical housing 1 allows the cleaning device 100 to better adapt to various environments, thus improving its flexibility. Obviously, in some other embodiments, the housing 1 can also be in the form of a parallelepiped, a cube, or any other suitable shape.

[0046] As shown in [Fig. 1], the housing 1 comprises a lower wall 11 and a side wall 12 connected to each other. In embodiments of the present invention, the lower wall 11 and the side wall 12 form an integral structural element. For example, the housing 1 of the cleaning device 100 can be manufactured by injection molding. In some other embodiments, the lower wall 11 and the side wall 12 can also be of separate structure and assembled together.

[0047] The lidar 2 assembly is a type of detection assembly and is configured to detect obstacles around the cleaning device 100 and surrounding environmental information. The lidar 2 assembly plays an important role in the operating conditions of the cleaning device 100, particularly with regard to mapping, navigation, and obstacle avoidance.

[0048] As an example, lidar 2 can perform distance detection.

[0049] In embodiments of the present invention, the lidar assembly 2 is at least partially arranged in the housing 1, and a part of the lidar body (described in detail below) can be raised and lowered along the vertical direction of the cleaning device 100, which allows for better adaptation to different cleaning environments, effectively improving cleaning coverage, and solving cleaning problems in low or hard-to-reach positions.

[0050] Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that in other embodiments, the lidar assembly 2 can also be entirely located in the housing 1.

[0051] The liquid supply assembly 3 is a mechanism for temporarily supplying liquid during the cleaning operations of the cleaning device 100, so that the cleaning liquid can be gradually released into the cleaning assembly (e.g., a mop) during the cleaning operations of the cleaning device 100. The cleaning assembly thus remains moist, which improves the cleaning effect. In addition, the cleaning device 100 can operate without having to frequently return to the cleaning base station to refill with water, which improves cleaning efficiency. The liquid supply assembly 3 includes a liquid storage tank 31 and a liquid line 32. The liquid storage tank 31 and the liquid line 32 are both located in the housing 1, and the liquid storage tank 31 is configured to hold the cleaning liquid.For example, cleaning fluid includes, but is not limited to, water, cleaning solutions, disinfectant liquids, or other substances.

[0052] In embodiments of the present invention, the shape of the liquid storage tank 31 is not specifically limited. The shape of the liquid storage tank 31 can be substantially in the form of a cuboid, a cube, of a cylinder, an irregular shape, or similar, and can be defined specifically according to the actual dimensions and shape of the casing 1.

[0053] The liquid line 32 is in communication with the liquid storage tank 31 and is configured to inject the cleaning liquid into the liquid storage tank 31 or to supply the cleaning liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 31 to the cleaning assembly.

[0054] The liquid line 32 generally comprises a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. With continuous technological advancements, the cleaning device 100 may generally include a plurality of cleaning assemblies (e.g., a main brush and a side brush). In this case, the liquid outlet of the liquid line 32 must include a plurality of branch lines to supply liquid to the different cleaning assemblies respectively. The increased number of lines may cause the liquid line 32 to occupy a significant amount of space in the housing 1.

[0055] Furthermore, with the continuous increase in user demands, the cleaning device 100 is gradually moving towards miniaturization and integration. If the liquid channel 32 in the housing 1 is not properly arranged, more of the internal volume of the housing 1 is occupied, thus increasing the overall volume of the cleaning device 100. Without changing the dimensions of the housing 1, if the liquid channel 32 in the housing 1 is not properly arranged, the volume available for the arrangement of the other components in the housing 1 will be affected and restricted. For example, this can lead to a reduction in the capacity of the dustbin, a reduction in the capacity of the liquid storage tank, a reduction in the energy density of the power supply batteries, etc.

[0056] Therefore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, in embodiments of the present invention, the liquid channel 32 is at least partially arranged between the lidar assembly 2 and the lower wall 11 of the housing 1.

[0057] Thus, the area between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11 can be used to arrange at least part of the liquid channel 32, which makes it possible to fully utilize the internal volume of the housing 1, to reduce the occupation of the volume required by other components in the housing 1 than the liquid channel 32, and to optimize the arrangement in the internal volume of the housing 1. The arrangement in the housing 1 can thus be more compact, which facilitates the miniaturization and integration of the entire cleaning device 100.

[0058] In certain embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the lidar assembly 2 comprises a lidar housing 21 and a support element 23, the lidar housing 21 is arranged on the lower wall 11, and the support element 23 is arranged in the lidar housing 21 and is connected to an inner peripheral wall 212 of the lidar housing 21.

[0059] The lidar housing 21 is an external protective housing for the lidar assembly 2, and it is configured to accommodate functional components that perform various functions of the lidar assembly 2, such as the lidar body 22.

[0060] By way of example, the lidar housing 21 can also be made of a plastic material.

[0061] Although not shown in the figure, the lidar body 22 generally comprises a laser emission unit and a laser reception unit, which are respectively configured to emit a laser beam and receive a reflected laser beam. This allows the lidar body to calculate the distance between it and an obstacle in front of it, based on the time elapsed between the emission and reception of the laser beam, and to obtain an environmental model through algorithmic processing. During this process, the lidar body 22 must be able to clearly scan all corners of the current environment. Therefore, the lidar body 22 must have a certain mounting height. If it is mounted too low, the scanning range may be limited, which affects the scanning effect of the lidar body 22 and potentially the navigation and obstacle avoidance capabilities of the cleaning device 100.Therefore, in general, the body of the lidar 22 is not directly disposed on the lower wall 11 of the housing 1 of the cleaning device 100.

[0062] In embodiments of the present invention, the lidar assembly 2 comprises the support element 23. The support element 23 is substantially in the form of a plate and is configured to support the lidar body 22. Along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2, the support element 23 is arranged inside the lidar housing 21 away from the lower wall 11 and is connected to the inner peripheral wall 212 of the lidar housing 21, and the lidar body 22 is supported on one side of the support element 23 oriented away from the lower wall 11, thus allowing the laser emitting unit and the laser receiving unit of the lidar body 22 to have a suitable installation height.

[0063] By way of example, the support element 23 can be formed as an integral structural element with the lidar housing 21.

[0064] In addition, the support element 23 and the lidar housing 21 can have a separate structure and be assembled together.

[0065] Those skilled in the art will understand that in embodiments of the present invention, the spacing between the support element 23 and the lower wall 11 in the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2 is not specifically limited, and can be specifically defined according to the actual installation height required by the lidar body 22.

[0066] Since there is a certain space between the support element 23 and the lower wall 11 of the housing 1 along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2, embodiments of the present invention use the area between the support element 23 and the lower wall 11 to arrange at least part of the liquid channel 32, thus fully utilizing the space in the housing 1 and improving the use of the space in the housing 1.

[0067] In other embodiments, the support element 23 may also be block-shaped. In other words, the lower end surface of the support element 23 is also disposed on the lower wall 11. In this case, along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2, the lower end surface of the receiving element 23 may be at least partially recessed in a direction opposite to the bottom wall 11 to form a recessed portion, and the recessed portion accommodates at least part of the liquid channel 32. In other words, the recessed portion and a portion of the bottom wall 11 define the region between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11.

[0068] Those skilled in the art will understand that in embodiments of the present invention, the manner of forming the region between the receiving element 23 and the bottom wall 11 is not specifically limited, as long as a certain region can be formed between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11 to accommodate at least one element of the liquid channel 32.

[0069] In certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in [Fig.4], a clearance opening 211 is formed on one side of the lidar housing 21 facing the bottom wall 11 to provide clearance for the liquid channel 32.

[0070] In embodiments of the present invention, along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2, the bottom of the lidar housing 21 is at least partially recessed towards the opposite direction to the bottom wall 11 to form a groove, and the groove is configured as the clearance opening 211, thus allowing at least a portion of the liquid channel 32 to enter and exit between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 through the clearance opening 211.

[0071] The bottom of the lidar housing 21 refers to a side where the lidar housing 21 is connected to the lower wall 11 of the housing 1.

[0072] In some other embodiments, a through hole may also be formed in the bottom of the lidar housing 21, the through hole being in communication with the outside and inside of the lidar housing 21, and the through hole being configured as the clearance opening 211, thus allowing at least a portion of the liquid line 32 to enter and exit between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 via the through hole.

[0073] In embodiments of the present invention, the method of forming the clearance opening 211 is not specifically limited, as long as the liquid channel 32 can enter and exit between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 without interfering with the lidar housing 21.

[0074] Those skilled in the art will understand that the number of clearance openings 211 is at least two, one clearance opening 211 allowing the liquid pipe 32 to pass between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 to enter, and the other clearance opening 211 allowing the liquid pipe 32 to pass between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 to exit.

[0075] By way of example, when the liquid pipeline 32 comprises a plurality of pipelines, the number of clearance openings 211 may be only two. The plurality of pipelines may pass jointly between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 via a clearance opening 211 to enter, and pass jointly between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 via a clearance opening 211 to exit.

[0076] Furthermore, by way of example, when the liquid pipeline 32 comprises a plurality of pipelines, the number of relief openings 211 can be twice the number of pipelines. Each pipeline enters the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 through the plurality of relief openings 211, and exits between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 through the plurality of relief openings 211.

[0077] Furthermore, by way of illustration, when the liquid pipeline 32 comprises a plurality of pipelines, a plurality of clearance openings 211 may be provided. Some pipelines pass jointly between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 via a clearance opening 211 to enter, and jointly pass between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 via a clearance opening to exit. Other pipelines pass between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 via the plurality of clearance openings 211 to enter, and pass between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 via the plurality of clearance openings 211 to exit respectively.In addition, some pipes may also pass jointly between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 via a clearance opening 211 for entry, and pass jointly between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 via the plurality of clearance openings 211 for exit, respectively. Other pipes pass between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 via the plurality of clearance openings 211 for entry and pass jointly between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 via a clearance opening 211 for exit, respectively.

[0078] In embodiments of the present invention, the number of release openings 211 is not specifically limited, and can be specifically defined according to the actual arrangement and method of installation of the liquid pipeline 32.

[0079] In certain embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the guide elements 13 are formed on the bottom wall 11, the guide elements 13 are arranged on the bottom wall 11 so as to extend along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2, and the guide elements 13 are located between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 and are configured to confine the liquid channel 32 located between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11.

[0080] The guide elements 13 are located between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11, are substantially in the shape of a plate and extend along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2. In embodiments of the present invention, the dimensions of the guide elements 13 along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2 are not specifically limited, as long as they can be greater than the dimension of the liquid channel 32 along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2.

[0081] The number of guide elements 13 is at least two; the two guide elements 13 jointly define a path delimiting the passage of the liquid pipe 32, and the curved shape of the passage can be the same as the layout of the liquid pipe 32. Thus, by providing the guide elements 13 to form the passage, the placement of the liquid pipe 32 can be better constrained, thereby reducing the possibility of an undesirable situation in which the connections of the liquid pipe 32 fail to align with the intended connections due to abnormal displacements of the liquid pipe 32, which is beneficial for improving the reliability of the cleaning device 100. In addition, the continuity of the liquid pipe 32 between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 can be improved, which further enhances the utilization of the internal volume.

[0082] Those skilled in the art will understand that in embodiments of the present invention, the number of guide elements 13 is also unlimited. In other embodiments, several (more than two) guide elements 13 may be used, so that more paths delimiting pipe passages are defined, thus confining the plurality of different pipes within the liquid pipeline 32.

[0083] In some other embodiments, the guiding elements 13 may also be of any other suitable structure, such as a hose clamp. In In embodiments of the present invention, the structural forms of the guide elements 13 are not specifically limited, as long as the liquid channel 32 between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 can be confined.

[0084] By way of example, the guide elements 13 can consist of a structural element integrated into the bottom wall 11.

[0085] In addition, the guide elements 13 and the bottom wall 11 form distinct structural elements and are assembled together.

[0086] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the guide elements 13 are close to the inner peripheral wall 212 of the lidar housing 21 and arranged along the inner peripheral wall 212 of the lidar housing 21. In other words, the guide elements 13 are arranged in a circumferential direction of the lidar housing 21, thus allowing the liquid channel 32 located in the guide elements 13 to be arranged in the circumferential direction of the lidar housing 21.

[0087] As shown in [Fig. 2], the guide elements 13 comprise a first guide element 131 and a second guide element 132 spaced apart. The first guide element 131 is positioned at a distance from the inner peripheral wall 212 of the lidar housing 21 relative to the second guide element 132, the second guide element 132 is positioned close to the inner peripheral wall 212 of the lidar housing 21 relative to the first guide element 131, and the liquid channel 32 arranged between the support element 23 and the bottom wall 11 is located between the first guide element 131 and the second guide element 132, such that the liquid channel 32 is guided by the first guide element 131 and the second guide element 132.

[0088] In certain embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the cleaning device 100 further comprises a vertical plate 5. The vertical plate 5 is arranged on the bottom wall 11 so as to extend along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2, and the vertical plate 5 is located on one side of the second guide element 132 oriented opposite to the first guide element 131 and is spaced from the second guide element 132. The lidar housing 21 is partially arranged between the vertical plate 5 and the second guide element 132.

[0089] Thus, during the assembly of the lidar unit 2, the vertical plate 5 and the second guide element 132 can provide a certain positioning function for the lidar unit 2, thereby facilitating assembly. The liquid conduit 32 will be described in detail below.

[0090] In certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the liquid channel 32 comprises an inlet channel of liquid 321. The liquid inlet pipe 321 is at least partially arranged between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11.

[0091] A liquid inlet 121 is formed on the side wall 12 of the housing 1. One end of the liquid inlet pipe 321 is in communication with the liquid storage tank 31, and the other end of the liquid inlet pipe is in communication with the liquid inlet 121.

[0092] Generally, a cleaning base station is located outside the cleaning unit 100, and the cleaning base station can supply liquid to the liquid storage tank 31 of the cleaning unit 100 via the liquid inlet 121 and the liquid inlet pipe 321. A liquid reservoir is located within the cleaning base station, and the liquid reservoir is installed in a removable manner within the cleaning base station. Users can remove the liquid reservoir from the cleaning base station, fill it with liquid, and then replace it in the cleaning base station. The liquid reservoir supplies the cleaning liquid required by the cleaning assembly to the liquid storage tank 31 of the cleaning unit 100.In addition, the cleaning base station can also be directly connected to a tap water hose, and supply liquid to the above liquid reservoir via the tap water hose, then supply liquid to the liquid storage tank 31, or can supply liquid directly to the liquid storage tank 31 via the tap water hose.

[0093] In certain embodiments of the present invention, a non-return valve is disposed at the liquid inlet 121.

[0094] Although not shown in the figure, the check valve is arranged at the liquid inlet 121 of the cleaning device 100, so that the liquid can only flow from the liquid inlet 121 to the liquid storage tank 31 in one direction, thus reducing, to some extent, the risk of liquid reflux from the liquid storage tank 31 to the outside of the liquid storage tank 31.

[0095] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the liquid line 32 comprises a liquid outlet line 322. One end of the liquid outlet line 322 is connected to the liquid storage tank 31, and the other end of the liquid outlet line is connected to a cleaning assembly of the cleaning device 100 (not shown) and is configured to deliver the liquid from the liquid storage tank 31 to the cleaning assembly. This allows the cleaning assembly to maintain a moist state during the cleaning operation, resulting in a better cleaning effect.

[0096] The cleaning assembly is a set of cleaning equipment 100 configured to clean a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning assembly is generally arranged on one side of the lower wall 11 of the housing 1, opposite the lidar assembly 2. The cleaning assembly includes, but is not limited to, a main brush and an edge brush.

[0097] The liquid outlet pipe 322 is at least partially located between the lidar assembly 2 and the lower wall IL

[0098] In embodiments of the present invention, the liquid inlet channel 321 and the liquid outlet channel 322 are both at least partially arranged between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall IL. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the liquid inlet channel 321 and the liquid outlet channel 322 are arranged so as to overlap at least partially between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall IL. Thus, the occupancy of the area between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11 can be further reduced, leaving sufficient volume between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11 to arrange other functional components.

[0099] According to this example, the liquid inlet pipe 321 and the liquid outlet pipe 322 are at least partially superimposed, which means that, along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2, the liquid inlet pipe 321 is at least partially located above the liquid outlet pipe 322, or that the liquid outlet pipe 322 is at least partially located above the liquid inlet pipe 321. In other words, in a projection plane perpendicular to the vertical direction of the lidar assembly 2, the projections of the liquid inlet pipe 321 and the liquid outlet pipe 322 are at least partially superimposed.

[0100] Indeed, those skilled in the art will understand that in certain other embodiments, the liquid inlet pipe 321 and the liquid outlet pipe 322 can also be arranged side by side between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11. In the embodiments of the present invention, the arrangement of the liquid inlet pipe 321 and the liquid outlet pipe 322 between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11 is not specifically limited.

[0101] Furthermore, in some other embodiments, only the liquid inlet pipe 321 may be at least partially arranged between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11, or only the liquid outlet pipe 322 may be at least partially located between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11.

[0102] In certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the cleaning assembly comprises a first cleaning assembly and a second cleaning assembly. The liquid outlet line 322 comprises a main line 3221, a first branch line 3222, and a second branch line 3223. The main line 3221, The first secondary pipe 3222 and the second secondary pipe 3223 are in communication with each other via a flow distribution valve 4, the first secondary pipe 3222 is configured to supply liquid to the first cleaning set and the second secondary pipe 3223 is configured to supply liquid to the second cleaning set.

[0103] The first cleaning set can be, for example, a main broom, and the second cleaning set can be, for example, a side broom.

[0104] The main brush is generally located in an off-center region of the cleaning unit 100, and its surface area is generally larger than that of the side brush. The main brush is primarily configured to clean a large area of ​​the surface to be cleaned. The side brush is generally located at the edge of the cleaning unit 100 and is configured to clean a corner, edge, or other feature (e.g., a corner of a wall) that cannot be cleaned by the main brush.

[0105] In some embodiments, an edge mop is configured to be able to extend at least partially beyond the edge of the cleaning device 100, which allows for better cleaning.

[0106] As shown in [Fig. 5], in embodiments of the present invention, the flow distribution valve 4 comprises three ports 4L. One end of the main line 3221 is in communication with the liquid storage tank 31, and the other end of the main line is connected to a port 41 of the flow distribution valve 4; one end of the first bypass line 3222 is connected to a port 41 of the flow distribution valve 4, and the other end of the first bypass line is connected to the first cleaning assembly; and one end of the second bypass line 3223 is connected to the port 41 of the flow distribution valve, and the other end of the second bypass line is connected to the second cleaning assembly.In other words, the liquid contained in the liquid storage tank 31 flows from the liquid storage tank 31 via the main pipe 3221, is divided at the flow distribution valve 4, and flows to the first and second cleaning sets via the first bypass pipe 3222 and the second bypass pipe 3223 respectively. This allows the first and second cleaning sets to continuously maintain a moist state when the cleaning unit 100 is in operation, thus improving the cleaning effect.

[0107] It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that in embodiments of the present invention, the number of orifices 41 of the flow distribution valve 4 is not specifically limited. In other embodiments, when more cleaning assemblies (more than two) are installed, the valve Flow distribution 4 can also be provided with additional ports 41, so as to supply liquid to more cleaning assemblies.

[0108] In embodiments of the present invention, the first bypass channel 3222 is at least partially arranged between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11. In other embodiments, the second bypass channel 3223 may be at least partially arranged between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11, or both the first bypass channel 3222 and the second bypass channel 3223 may be at least partially arranged between the lidar assembly 2 and the bottom wall 11. The position of the liquid outlet channel 322 can be specifically adapted according to the actual position of the cleaning assembly.

[0109] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the liquid supply assembly 3 also includes a suction pump 33. The suction pump 33 is disposed on the liquid outlet pipe 322 and is configured to draw the liquid contained in the liquid storage tank 31 so that it flows to the cleaning assembly via the liquid outlet pipe 322.

[0110] Thus, the liquid in the liquid storage tank 31 can be drawn by the suction pump 33 to flow to the cleaning assembly via the liquid outlet pipe 322. This allows the cleaning assembly to maintain a wet state when the cleaning assembly is in operation.

[0111] In embodiments of the present invention, the suction pump 33 is a peristaltic pump, the peristaltic pump exhibiting good stability and high precision. Thus, the flow rate of the liquid flowing to the cleaning assembly can be better controlled, so that the cleaning assembly is neither excessively wet nor excessively dry, and can be maintained in a relatively wet state, thereby improving the cleaning effect of the assembly. Furthermore, if there is no liquid in the liquid storage tank 31, the peristaltic pump can also run dry without damaging the pump body, thereby improving reliability.

[0112] Of course, in other embodiments, the suction pump 33 can also be any other suitable type of pump.

[0113] In embodiments of the present invention, the suction pump 33 is arranged on the first bypass pipe 3222 and the second bypass pipe 3223, respectively. More specifically, the first bypass pipe 3222 and the second bypass pipe 3223 may each comprise two sections. One end of the first section is connected to the port 41 of the flow distribution valve 4, and the other end of the first section is connected to the liquid inlet port of the suction pump 33; and One end of the second section is connected to the liquid outlet port of the suction pump 33, and the other end of the second section is connected to the cleaning assembly, thus enabling the liquid to be quantitatively supplied to the piping assembly via the suction pump 33.

[0114] In certain embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the liquid channel 32 also includes an overflow channel 323. One end of the overflow channel 323 is in communication with the liquid storage tank 31, and the other end of the overflow channel is in communication with the external environment.

[0115] When the cleaning base station refills the liquid storage tank 31 of the cleaning unit 100 with liquid via a tap water supply, the duration of each refill is the same. However, due to differences in water pressure in different regions, the amount of liquid to be refilled may vary. In some regions where the water pressure is high, the amount of water refilled by the cleaning base station may exceed the liquid storage capacity of the liquid storage tank 31, which can lead to undesirable situations, such as a leak from the liquid storage tank 31 or damage to the liquid line 32.

[0116] The liquid supply assembly 3 according to embodiments of the present invention also includes the overflow pipe 323. One end of the overflow pipe 323 is connected to the liquid storage tank 31, and the other end of the overflow pipe is open to the outside. In this way, when the water pressure is high and the liquid level exceeds the liquid storage capacity of the liquid storage tank 31, the excess liquid can be discharged to the outside via the overflow pipe 323, thus reducing the possibility of damage to the functional components inside the liquid storage tank 31 due to liquid leakage into the housing, reducing the possibility of damage to the liquid pipe 32, and improving the reliability of the liquid supply assembly 3.

[0117] By way of example, the other end of the overflow pipe 323 can be connected to the cleaning assembly. In this way, when the cleaning base station dries the cleaning assembly, the overflow liquid can also be dried.

[0118] More specifically, along the vertical direction of the liquid storage tank 31, the liquid outlet pipe 322 is connected to a side of the liquid storage tank 31 close to the bottom wall 11, and the overflow pipe 323 is connected to a side of the liquid storage tank 31 away from the wall bottom 11. In other words, a connection between the liquid outlet pipe 322 and the liquid storage tank 31 is located on the lower side of the liquid storage tank 31, and a connection between the overflow pipe 323 and the liquid storage tank 31 is located on the upper side of the liquid storage tank 31.

[0119] Since the connection between the overflow pipe 323 and the liquid storage tank 31 is located on the upper side of the liquid storage tank 31, the liquid flows outwards. In this way, the liquid flows from the overflow pipe 323 only when the liquid storage tank 31 overflows. When the liquid storage tank 31 does not overflow completely, the liquid inside the liquid storage tank 31 is less likely to approach the connection between the overflow pipe 323 and the liquid storage tank 31, thus reducing the probability of overflow and improving the overflow reliability of the liquid supply assembly 3.

[0120] Furthermore, since the connection between the liquid outlet pipe 322 and the liquid storage tank 31 is located on the lower side of the liquid storage tank 31, the liquid in the lower layer of the liquid storage tank 31 can also be smoothly discharged to the cleaning assembly via the liquid outlet pipe 322, which allows the liquid supply assembly 3 to fully utilize all the liquid in the liquid storage tank 31, so that the possibility of the liquid accumulating at the bottom of the liquid storage tank 31 and not being able to be discharged for use is less likely to occur.

[0121] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, in embodiments of the present invention, along the vertical direction of the liquid storage tank 31, the liquid inlet pipe 321 is in communication with a side of the liquid storage tank 31 away from the bottom wall 11. This allows the liquid to flow smoothly into the liquid storage tank 31 under the effect of natural gravity without applying additional force, which simplifies the liquid filling process.

[0122] Of course, persons skilled in the art should understand that in embodiments of the present invention, the specific connection positions of the liquid inlet pipe 321, the liquid outlet pipe 322, and the overflow pipe 323 with the liquid storage tank 31 are not limited, and the liquid inlet pipe 321, the liquid outlet pipe 322, and the overflow pipe 323 can also be connected with any other suitable position of the liquid storage tank 31.

[0123] Embodiments of the present invention also relate to a cleaning system. The cleaning system comprises the cleaning device 100 according to any one of the above embodiments and a cleaning base station. The cleaning base station is configured to supply liquid to the liquid supply assembly 3 of the cleaning device 100.

[0124] By way of example, after completing the cleaning task, the cleaning device 100 can return to the cleaning base station, and the cleaning base station can supply liquid to the liquid storage tank 31 of the liquid supply assembly 3 of the cleaning device 100 via the liquid inlet 121 and the liquid inlet pipe 321.

[0125] In addition, by way of illustration, the cleaning base station can also be configured to charge the cleaning device 100, clean the cleaning assembly, collect the dust in the dust box of the cleaning device 100, and so on.

[0126] The above embodiments serve only to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, but are not limiting; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preceding embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that they can further modify the technical solutions described in the preceding embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for all or part of the technical features; and that these modifications or substitutions do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, and that they all fall within the scope of the present invention. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way as long as there is no structural conflict.

Claims

Demands

1. Cleaning apparatus (100), comprising: - a housing (1) including a lower wall (11) and a side wall (12) connected to each other; - a lidar assembly (2) located at least partially in the housing (1); and - a liquid supply assembly (3) including a liquid storage tank (31) and a liquid line (32), the liquid storage tank (31) and the liquid line (32) being located in the housing (1), and the liquid line (32) being in communication with the liquid storage tank (31), in which the liquid line (32) is located at least partially between the lidar assembly (2) and the lower wall (11).

2. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lidar assembly (2) comprises a lidar housing (21) and a support element (23), the lidar housing (21) being arranged on the lower wall (11), and the support element (23) being arranged in the lidar housing (21) and connected to an inner peripheral wall (212) of the lidar housing (21); the liquid conduit (32) being at least partially arranged between the support element (23) and the lower wall (11).

3. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a clearance opening (211) is formed on one side of the lidar housing (21) facing the lower wall (11) in order to provide a functional clearance for the liquid channel (32).

4. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein stops are formed on the lower wall (11), the stops being arranged on the lower wall so as to extend along the vertical direction of the lidar assembly, the stops being arranged between the support element and the lower wall and being configured to confine the liquid channel (32) located between the support element (23) and the lower wall (11).

5. The cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the stops are close to the inner peripheral wall (212) of the lidar housing (21) and are arranged along the inner peripheral wall (212) of the lidar housing (21); the stops comprising a first stop and a second stop spaced apart from each other, the first stop being disposed at a distance from the internal peripheral wall (212) of the lidar housing (21) relative to the second stop, and the liquid channel (32) located between the support element (23) and the lower wall (11) being located between the first stop and the second stop.

6. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning apparatus further comprises a vertical plate (5), the vertical plate (5) being arranged on the lower wall (11) so as to extend in the vertical direction of the lidar assembly (2), and the vertical plate (5) being arranged on one side of the second stop opposite the first stop and spaced from the second stop; the lidar housing (21) being partially arranged between the vertical plate (5) and the second stop.

7. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the liquid channel (32) comprises a liquid inlet channel (321); a liquid inlet (121) being formed on the side wall (12), one end of the liquid inlet channel (321) being in communication with the liquid storage tank (31), the other end of the liquid inlet channel (321) being in communication with the liquid inlet (121); the liquid inlet channel (321) being at least partially arranged between the lidar assembly (2) and the bottom wall (11).

8. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 7, in which a non-return valve is disposed at the liquid inlet (121).

9. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the liquid line (32) comprises a liquid outlet line (322); one end of the liquid outlet line (322) being in communication with the liquid storage tank (31), and the other end of the liquid outlet line (322) being connected to a cleaning assembly of the cleaning apparatus (100); the liquid outlet line (322) being at least partially situated between the lidar assembly (2) and the lower wall (11).

10. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning assembly comprises a first cleaning assembly and a second cleaning assembly; and The liquid outlet line comprises a main line (3221), a first branch line (3222) and a second branch line (3223), the main line (3221), the first branch line (3222) and the second branch line (3223) being connected via a flow distribution valve (4), the first branch line (3222) being configured to supply liquid to the first cleaning set and the second branch line (3223) being configured to supply liquid to the second cleaning set.

11. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the liquid supply assembly (3) further comprises a suction pump (33), the suction pump (33) being arranged on the liquid outlet pipe (322) and being configured to draw the liquid contained in the liquid storage tank (31) to the cleaning assembly via the liquid outlet pipe (322).

12. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the liquid channel (32) further comprises an overflow channel (323), one end of the overflow channel (323) being in communication with the liquid storage tank (31), and the other end of the overflow channel (323) being in communication with an external environment.

13. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the overflow pipe (323) is in communication with a side of the liquid storage tank (31) away from the lower wall (11) of the liquid storage tank (323) in the vertical direction.

14. Cleaning system, comprising a cleaning device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and a cleaning base station configured to supply liquid to a liquid supply assembly of the cleaning device.

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