Maintenance base station and cleaning system

Abstract

A maintenance base station and a cleaning system. The maintenance base station (100) comprises a housing (10), a dirt collecting member (20), a recharging assembly (30), and a suction device (40), wherein the housing (10) is provided with an inner space (10a) and a sewage intake pipe (11), the inner space (10a) comprises a first sub-mounting cavity (10b) and a second sub-mounting cavity (10c), the sewage intake pipe (11) extends across the first sub-mounting cavity (10b) and the second sub-mounting cavity (10c), a sewage output end (111) of the sewage intake pipe (11) is in communication with the first sub-mounting cavity (10b), a sewage intake end (112) of the sewage intake pipe (11) is exposed from the surface of the housing (10), the dirt collecting member (20) is provided in the first sub-mounting cavity (10b), the dirt collecting member (20) is further in communication with the sewage output end (111) of the sewage intake pipe (11), the suction device (40) is provided in the second sub-mounting cavity (10c), an air intake end of the suction device (40) is in pneumatic communication with the dirt collecting member (20), an air output end of the suction device (40) is in communication with external environment, the recharging assembly (30) and the suction device (40) are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction, and the recharging assembly (30) is configured to charge a cleaning robot. The recharging assembly (30) and the suction device (40) are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, thereby decreasing the utilization of the height of the housing (10) in a vertical direction and lowering the gravity center of the maintenance base station (100).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present disclosure claims priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202310643680.8, filed on May 31, 2023, titled “maintenance base station and cleaning system”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technology field of cleaning equipment, and in particular, relates to a maintenance base station and a cleaning system. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, cleaning systems with cleaning robots and maintenance base stations are becoming more and more widely popular. Cleaning robots have the function of cleaning autonomously, and the maintenance base stations can charge the cleaning robots and vacuum the garbage collected by the cleaning robots, and in general, the cleaning robots can autonomously navigate to the maintenance base stations for charging.

[0004] A maintenance base station is typically provided with a recharging assembly for charging the cleaning robot and a suction system for sucking garbage collected by the cleaning robot, wherein the suction system typically includes a suction pipe, a dirt collection component, and a suction device.

[0005] In related art, the maintenance base station is large in size and occupies a large space, and the production cost, packaging cost, and transportation cost become high, and at the same time, the center of gravity of the maintenance base station becomes high, the maintenance base station becomes less stable, such that the maintenance base station is easy to be tilted over when it is subjected to an external force. SUMMARY

[0006] A main objective of the present disclosure is to provide a maintenance base station, in which utilization of a housing thereof is reduced in height. -

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present disclosure provides the maintenance base station used in cooperation with a cleaning robot. The maintenance base station includes a housing, a dirt collection component, a recharging assembly and a suction device. The housing defines an internal space and includes a dirt entry pipe. The internal space includes a first sub-mounting cavity and a second sub-mounting cavity. The dirt entry pipe spans the first sub-mounting cavity and the second sub-mounting cavity. A dirt outlet end of the dirt entry pipe is in communication with the first submounting cavity. A dirt inlet end of the dirt entry pipe is exposed on a surface of the housing for connecting with a dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot. The dirt collection component is positioned in the first sub-mounting cavity, and the dirt collection component is in communication with a dirt outlet end of the dirt entry pipe. The suction device is positioned in the second submounting cavity. An air inlet end of the suction device is pneumatically communicated with the dirt collection component. An air outlet end of the suction device is communicated with an external environment. The recharging assembly and the suction device are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction. The recharging assembly is configured to charge the cleaning robot.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the housing includes a partition board, the partition board is positioned in the internal space and divides the internal space into the first submounting cavity and the second sub-mounting cavity, and the first sub-mounting cavity and the second sub-mounting cavity are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction or a vertical direction. The partition board includes a ventilated portion, and the air inlet end of the suction device is pneumatically communicated with the dirt collection component through the ventilated portion.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the suction device includes a shell and a fan, an end of the shell is fixedly connected to a side of the partition board facing back from the first submounting cavity, the shell defines an accommodating cavity, the fan is positioned in the accommodating cavity, a rotation axis of the fan is arranged perpendicular to the partition board, the end of the shell defines an air inlet vent communicated with the ventilating portion, the shell includes a circumferential sidewall surrounding the fan, the circumferential sidewall defines an air outlet vent, and a sidewall of the second sub-mounting cavity defines an air exhaust opening communicated with the air outlet vent.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the maintenance base station further includes a first vibration damping pad, the first vibration damping pad is positioned between the shell and the partition board and surrounds the ventilating portion and the first vibration damping pad is configured to cushion vibration and / or seal a gap between the shell and the partition board; and / or, the maintenance base station further includes a second vibration damping pad, the second vibration damping pad is positioned between a lower end of the fan and a bottom wall of the accommodating cavity, and the second vibration damping pad is configured to cushion vibration.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the shell defines an air outlet channel communicated with the accommodating cavity and the air outlet vent, the suction device further includes a noise reduction board, the noise reduction board is positioned at a connection between the air outlet channel and the accommodating cavity, the noise reduction board includes an array of noise reduction holes, and the air outlet channel is in communication with the accommodating cavity through the array of noise reduction holes. The suction device further includes a first noise reduction cotton and a second noise reduction cotton, the first noise reduction cotton is positioned in the accommodating cavity and surrounds the fan, and the second noise reduction cotton is filled in the air outlet channel.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the partition board defines an avoidance hole therethrough, the dirt entry pipe includes a first pipe and a second pipe, a first end of the first pipe is communicated with the first sub-mounting cavity, and a second end of the first pipe extends to the avoidance hole. The housing includes a base board positioned below the partition board, the base board is detachable, the second pipe is positioned on the base board, a first end of the second pipe is exposed on the surface of the housing and configured to connect with the dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot, and a second end of the second pipe extends to the avoidance hole and connects with the second end of the first pipe adjacent to the avoidance hole.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second pipe partially passes through a surface of the base board facing back from the partition board to form a maintenance window, the maintenance base station further includes a cover board, and the cover board is detachably connected to the base board and configured to cover the maintenance window.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the housing includes a side board detachably connected to the base board, the side board defines an avoidance notch on a side of the side board adjacent to the base board, the maintenance base station further includes a sealing sleeve, the sealing sleeve is sleeved over an end of the second pipe away from the first pipe, the sealing sleeve is inserted in the avoidance notch, and the sealing sleeve is configured to hermetically resist again an end surface of the dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot contacts the sealing sleeve.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the recharging assembly includes a recharging sensor and two electrodes, the two electrodes are electrically connected to the recharging sensor, the recharging sensor is mounted in the second sub-mounting cavity, the two electrodes are mounted in the second sub-mounting cavity, and the two electrodes are at least partially exposed to the surface of the housing and configured to charge the cleaning robot.

[0016] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a cleaning system. The cleaning system includes the above-mentioned maintenance base station and a cleaning robot. The cleaning robot defines a dust discharging opening. The dirt inlet end of the maintenance base station is configured to connect with the dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot to suck garbage.

[0017] The present disclosure, by means of the above technical solution, provides the internal space and the dirt entry pipe in the housing of the maintenance base station, the internal space includes the first sub-mounting cavity and the second sub-mounting cavity, the dirt collection component is positioned in the first sub-mounting cavity, and the suction device is positioned in the second submounting cavity, the dirt inlet end of the dirt entry pipe is exposed on the surface of the housing, the dirt outlet end of the dirt entry pipe is communicated with the dirt collection component, the air inlet end of the suction device is pneumatically communicated with the dirt collection component, and the air outlet end of the suction device is pneumatically communicated with the external environment. The recharging assembly and the suction device are arranged side-by-side in the horizontal direction, so as to reduce the utilization of the housing in height, and the layout structure of the suction device and the recharging assembly is more compact, conducive to reducing the height of the maintenance base station, realizing the miniaturization of the maintenance base station, lowering the center of gravity of the maintenance base station, and improving the stability of the maintenance base station in use. The maintenance base station is not easy to fall over when subjected to an external force, because the mounting position of the dirt collection component is lowered, and the length of the dirt entry pipe becomes shorter, thereby reducing the loss of vacuum suction generated by the suction device, and conducive to improving the efficiency of the suction device in sucking garbage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or prior art, the accompanying drawings to be used in the description of the embodiments or prior art will be briefly introduced below, and it will be obvious that the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and that other drawings can be obtained according to the structures illustrated in the drawings by a person of ordinary skill in the field, without creative labor.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic view of a maintenance base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the maintenance base station of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the maintenance base station of FIG. 2;

[0022] FIG. 4 is an assembled schematic view of a recharging assembly and a suction device of the maintenance base station of FIG. 3; and

[0023] FIG. 5 is an assembled schematic view of the recharging assembly, the suction device, and a noise reduction sponge of the maintenance base station of FIG. 3.

[0024] Reference numerals in the drawings: Reference numeral Feature Reference numeral Feature 100 maintenance base station 32 electrode 10 housing 40 suction device 10a internal space 41 shell 10b first sub-mounting cavity 41a accommodating cavity 10c second sub-mounting cavity 41b air inlet vent lOd air exhaust opening 41c air outlet vent 11 dirt entry pipe 41d air outlet channel 111 dirt outlet end 42 fan 112 dirt inlet end 43 noise reduction board 113 first pipe 44 first noise reducing cotton 114 second pipe 45 second noise reducing cotton 12 base board 50 partition board 12a maintenance window 51 ventilated portion 13 side board 52 avoidance hole 13a avoidance notch 60 first vibration damping pad 20 dirt collection component 70 cover board 30 recharging assembly 80 sealing sleeve 31 recharging sensor DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and it is clear that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without making creative labor fall within the protective scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connection", "fixation", etc. are to be understood in a broad meaning, for example, "fixation" can be a fixed connection, a removable connection or a one-piece connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two elements or an interaction between two elements, unless otherwise expressly specified. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure may be understood on a case-by-case basis.

[0027] Furthermore, descriptions in the present disclosure involving "first", "second", and the like are used for descriptive purposes only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. As a result, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may include at least one such feature, either explicitly or implicitly. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that the person of ordinary skill in the field can realize it, and when the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or unattainable, it should be considered that the combination of such technical solutions does not exist and is not within the protective scope of the claims of the present disclosure.

[0028] With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, cleaning systems with cleaning robots and maintenance base stations are becoming more and more widely popular. Cleaning robots have the function of cleaning autonomously, and the maintenance base stations can charge the cleaning robots and vacuum the garbage collected by the cleaning robots, and in general, the cleaning robots can autonomously navigate to the maintenance base stations for charging.

[0029] A maintenance base station is typically provided with a recharging assembly for charging a cleaning robot and a suction system for sucking garbage collected by the cleaning robot, in which the suction system typically includes a suction pipe, a dirt collection component, and a suction device.

[0030] The present disclosure provides a maintenance base station 100 for use with a cleaning robot, which is mainly used to connect with a dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot to suck garbage collected by the cleaning robot into the maintenance base station 100. Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 3, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the maintenance base station 100 includes a housing 10, a dirt collection component 20, a recharging assembly 30, and a suction device 40.

[0031] It should be noted that there are various types of the above cleaning robot, the above cleaning robot may be a sweeping robot, the above cleaning robot may also be a mopping robot, the above cleaning robot may also be a vacuuming robot, the above cleaning robot may also be a mopping and sweeping machine with vacuuming and mopping functions, and the above cleaning robot may be other types of cleaning robot, and no specific limitation is made on the type of the cleaning robot herein.

[0032] The housing 10 defines an internal space 10a and includes a dirt entry pipe 11. The internal space 10a includes a first sub-mounting cavity 10b and a second sub-mounting cavity 10c. The dirt entry pipe 11 spans the first sub-mounting cavity 10b and the second sub-mounting cavity 10c. The dirt entry pipe 11 includes a dirt outlet end 111 and a dirt inlet end 112. The dirt outlet end 111 of the dirt entry pipe 11 is in communication with the first sub-mounting cavity 10b. The dirt inlet end 112 of the dirt entry pipe 11 is exposed on a surface of the housing 10, so as to connect with a dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot.

[0033] The outer contour of the housing 10 may be a cylinder shape, a cube shape, etc., and the outer contour of the housing 10 may be specifically referenced to the outer contour of the cleaning robot used in conjunction with the maintenance base station 100, so as to better connect with the dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot. In this embodiment, the outer contour of the cleaning robot is in the shape of a flattened disk, for which the surface of the dirt inlet end 112 of the dirt entry pipe 11 exposed on one side of the housing 10 is a concave curved surface, so as to make the outer contour of the housing 10 fit with the outer contour of the cleaning robot. Specifically, the manufacturing material of the housing 10 may also be various, such as plastic, alloy, etc., the present disclosure does not make specific limitations on the shape and the manufacturing material of the housing 10.

[0034] The dirt entry pipe 11 and the housing 10 may be integrally or separately formed with each other. When the dirt entry pipe 11 and the housing 10 are separately formed with each other, the two may be fixedly or detachably connected with each other. The dirt inlet end 112 of the dirt entry pipe 11 is exposed on the surface of the housing 10. The dirt entry pipe 11 may partially extend out of the surface of the housing 10 to connect with the dust discharging opening, or the surface of the housing 10 may be partially concavely provided with a recess, the dirt entry pipe 11 is partially exposed on the surface of the housing 10 in the recess, and the cleaning robot partially extends into the recess, such that the dust discharging opening connects with the dirt inlet end 112 of the dirt entry pipe 11.

[0035] The dirt collection component 20 is positioned in the first sub-mounting cavity 10b, and the dirt collection component 20 is also communicated with the dirt outlet end 111 of the dirt entry pipe 11. The dirt collection component 20 may be a dust collection box, when the dust collection box needs to be cleaned, the housing 10 is opened and the garbage inside the dust collection box is dumped. The dirt collection component 20 may also be a dust collection bag, when cleaning is required, the dust collection bag is directly replaced with a new one.

[0036] The suction device 40 is positioned in the second sub-mounting cavity 10c, an air inlet end of the suction device 40 is pneumatically communicated with the dirt collection component 20, an air outlet end of the suction device 40 is communicated with the external environment, and the recharging assembly 30 and the suction device 40 are arranged side-by-side in a horizontal direction, specifically, the recharging assembly 30 is used for recharging the cleaning robot.

[0037] The recharging assembly 30 charges the cleaning robot in a variety of ways, either in a charging method that uses electrodes 32, specifically, the electrodes 32 of the recharging assembly 30 are at least partially exposed on the surface of the housing 10 to cooperate in contact with the cleaning robot, or in a charging method that uses coils with no contact, at this point, the recharging assembly 30 does not need to have the electrodes exposed on the surface of the housing 10. The recharging assembly 30 can either include a battery to provide electrical power to the cleaning robot via the battery, or there is an external power source for the maintenance base station 100 to provide electrical power to the cleaning robot.

[0038] In practical application, the suction device 40 starts to work to generate suction force, and the suction device 40 drives the air to flow, forming a negative pressure at the dirt inlet end 112 of the dirt entry pipe 11, so as to suck dust, scraps of paper, and other garbage collected by the cleaning robot, and the dust, the scraps of paper, and other garbage enter into the dirt collection component 20 through the dirt entry pipe 11. Due to gravity and other reasons, the dust, the scraps of paper, and other garbage are temporarily stored in the dirt collection component 20, while the air continues to be driven to flow to the external environment by the suction device 40.

[0039] Considering that the air is driven by the suction device 40 to flow into the external environment, the air usually needs to pass through the inside of the suction device 40, and lighter dust, scraps of paper, and the like may thus be sucked into the inside of the suction device 40, in this regard, in the pneumatic communication of the air inlet end of the suction device 40 with the dirt collecting component 20 may be provided with a dust net to block the dust, the scraps of paper, and the like from entering into the suction device 40, and a dust net holder is provided to hold the dust net.

[0040] The present disclosure, by means of the above technical solution, provides the internal space 10a and the dirt entry pipe 11 in the housing 10 of the maintenance base station 100, the internal space 10a includes the first sub-mounting cavity 10b and the second sub-mounting cavity 10c, the dirt collection component 20 is positioned in the first sub-mounting cavity 10b, and the suction device 40 is positioned in the second sub-mounting cavity 10c, the dirt inlet end 112 of the dirt entry pipe 11 is exposed on the surface of the housing 10, the dirt outlet end 111 of the dirt entry pipe 11 is communicated with the dirt collection component 20, the air inlet end of the suction device 40 is pneumatically communicated with the dirt collection component 20, and the air outlet end of the suction device 40 is pneumatically communicated with the external environment. The recharging assembly 30 and the suction device 40 are arranged side-by-side in the horizontal direction, so as to reduce the utilization of the housing 10 in height, and the layout structure of the suction device 40 and the recharging assembly 30 is more compact, conducive to reducing the height of the maintenance base station 100, realizing the miniaturization of the maintenance base station 100, lowering the center of gravity of the maintenance base station 100, and improving the stability of the maintenance base station 100 in use. The maintenance base station 100 is not easy to fall over when subjected to an external force, because the mounting position of the dirt collection component 20 is lowered, and the length of the dirt entry pipe 11 becomes shorter, thereby reducing the loss of vacuum suction generated by the suction device 40, and conducive to improving the efficiency of the suction device 40 in sucking garbage.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the housing 10 includes a partition board 50. The partition board 50 is positioned in the internal space 10a and divides the internal space 10a into the first sub-mounting cavity 10b and the second sub-mounting cavity 10c. The first sub-mounting cavity 10b and the second sub-mounting cavity 10c are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction. The partition board 50 includes a ventilated portion 51 passing therethrough, and the air inlet end of the suction device 40 is pneumatically communicated with the dirt collection component 20 through the ventilated portion 51.

[0042] The partition board 50 is positioned in the internal space 10a in a variety of connection means, which may be detachably connection means, such as threaded connections, snap-fit connections, and the like. It can also be non-removable fixed connection means, such as welding, riveting, bonding and the like. The partition board 50 can be used to support the dirt collecting component 20, and can also be used to mount the recharging assembly 30 and the suction device 40 thereon. Therefore, the material of the partition board 50 can be selected from alloy, hard plastic material, etc., and herein the present disclosure does not limit the material of the partition board 50 and the connection means of the partition board 50 mounted in the internal space 10a.

[0043] By these means, the partition board 50 can separate the dirt collection component 20 from other components to facilitate modular assembly, and the partition board 50 can act as a mounting platform for other components.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the suction device 40 includes a shell 41 and a fan 42. An end of the shell 41 is fixedly connected to the side of the partition board 50 facing back from the first submounting cavity 10b. The shell 41 defines an accommodating cavity 41a. The fan 42 is mounted in the accommodating cavity 41a, and the rotation axis of the fan 42 is arranged perpendicular to the partition board 50. An air inlet vent 41b is defined at the end of the shell 41 and communicated with ventilated portion 51. The circumferential sidewall 412 defines an air outlet vent 41c, the shell 41 includes a circumferential sidewall surrounding the fan 42, the circumferential sidewall defines an air outlet vent 41c. An air exhaust opening lOd is defined on a sidewall of the second sub-mounting cavity 10c and communicated with the air outlet vent 41 c. By these means, the fan 42 acts as a power source for generating suction power, and the rotation axis of the fan 42 is arranged perpendicular to the partition board 50, so as to optimize a layout of the suction device 40 in the second sub-mounting cavity 10c, shorten the air flow travel, and reduce the loss of vacuum suction power generated by the suction device 40.

[0045] Specifically, an upper end of the shell 41 is fixedly connected to a side of the partition board 50 facing back from the first sub-mounting cavity 10b in a variety of ways, which may be threaded connections, snap fit connections, etc., and a stepped groove may be defined on the partition board 50 and configured for position of the shell 41.

[0046] A sidewall of the second sub-mounting cavity 10c defines the air exhaust opening lOd communicated with the air outlet vent 41c. The shell 41 may define an air outlet channel 41 d communicated with the accommodating cavity 41a and the air outlet vent 41c, and the air outlet channel 41 d is communicated with the air exhaust opening lOd. Alternatively, the housing 10 includes a pipe communicating the air outlet vent 41c with the air exhaust opening lOd. In some embodiments, the air outlet vent 41c of the shell 41 is directly exposed through an outer surface of the housing 10.

[0047] Considering that when the suction device 40 is in a working state, the rotation of the fan 42 will cause the suction device 40 to vibrate, which will lead to the connecting relationship of some components of the maintenance base station 100 becoming loose, especially the gap between the shell 41 and the partition board 50, if the gap between the shell 41 and the partition board 50 becomes larger, the sealing will become worse, which will further lead to the negative pressure generated by the fan 42 on the dirt collection component 20 becoming smaller, affecting the dirt collection effect of the dirt collection component 20. Referring to FIG. 2, a first vibration damping pad 60 is positioned between the shell 41 and the partition board 50. The first vibration damping pad 60 is positioned around the ventilated portion 51. The vibration damping pad 60 is configured to cushion vibration and / or seal the gap between the shell 41 and the partition board 50. A second vibration damping pad is positioned between a lower end of the fan 42 and a bottom wall of the accommodating cavity 41a and is configured to cushion vibrations.

[0048] In some embodiments, a bottom wall of the accommodating cavity 41a defines a groove, and the second vibration damping pad is fixedly positioned in the groove, specifically, the second vibration damping pad is fixedly positioned in the groove in a variety of ways, such as locking the second vibration damping pad in the groove by means of a threaded connection, bonding a side of the second vibration damping pad facing back away from the fan 42 in the groove, or any other way. By these means, it is not prone for the second vibration damping pad to deviate even when the second vibration damping pad is subjected to the vibration of the fan 42.

[0049] In order to make the first vibration damping pad 60 and the second vibration damping pad have better sealing performance, the first vibration damping pad 60 and the second vibration damping pad may be made of rubber-like material, the first vibration damping pad 60 and the second vibration damping pad may be made of silicone rubber, EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber, polyurethane rubber, etc., and the type of rubber material used for the first vibration damping pad 60 and the second vibration damping pad is not specifically limited herein. At the same time, to ensure that the first vibration damping pad 60 and the second vibration damping pad also have a better buffer vibration, the first vibration damping pad 60 and the second vibration damping pad can be made of one or more materials, or can also be set into a layer or multi-layer structure.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, considering that the maintenance base station 100 and the cleaning system are used at home, i.e., the maintenance base station 100 and the cleaning system are common household appliance, the noise generated by the maintenance base station 100 will inevitably affect the user's sense of experience, the housing 10 defines the air outlet channel 41 d communicated with the accommodating cavity 41a and the air exhaust opening 10c, the suction device 40 further includes a noise reduction board 43, the noise reduction board 43 is positioned at the connection between the air outlet channel 41 d and the accommodating cavity 41a, and the noise reduction board 43 defines an array of noise reducing holes, and the air outlet channel 41 d is in communication with the accommodating cavity 41a through the array of noise reduction holes. The suction device 40 further includes a first noise reducing cotton 44 and a second noise reducing cotton 45, the first noise reducing cotton 44 is positioned in the accommodating cavity 41a and surrounds the fan 42, and the second noise reducing cotton 45 is filled in the air outlet channel 41d. In this embodiment, the array of noise reduction holes on the noise-reduction board 43 forms the air outlet vent 41c. In other embodiments, the array of noise reduction holes can be in communication with the air outlet vent 41c in other forms. By these means, the noise generated by the fan 42 is reduced, thereby improving the user's experience.

[0051] In some embodiments, the noise reduction board 43 may be made of a wooden soundabsorbing board or may be made of other materials, such as gypsum board, magnesium board, calcium silicate board, and the like. The material of the first noise reducing cotton 44 and the second noise reducing cotton 45 may be a sponge, or may be sound-absorbing cotton, or the like.

[0052] In some embodiments, the noise reduction board 43 does not define the array of noise reducing holes, the noise reduction board 43 is provided with a sound-absorbing material on a surface thereof, and the noise reduction board 43 is arranged along the air outlet channel 4Id, thereby separating the air outlet channel 41 d into a plurality of smaller air outlet channels.

[0053] After the maintenance base station 100 has been used for a long time, the inside of the dirt entry pipe 11 may accumulate garbage and generate bacteria, which may corrode the maintenance base station 100, etc. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the partition board 50 defines an avoidance hole 52 therethrough. The dirt entry pipe 11 includes a first pipe 113 and a second pipe 114. An end of the first pipe 113 is communicated with the first sub-mounting cavity 10b, and the other end of the first pipe 113 extends to the avoidance hole 52. The housing 10 includes a base board 12 positioned below the partition board 50 and the base board 12 can be detachable. The second pipe 114 is positioned on the base board 12. An end of the second pipe 114 is exposed on the surface of the housing 10, so as to connect with the dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot, and the other end of the second pipe 114 extends to the avoidance hole 52 to connect with the end of the first pipe 113 adjacent to the avoidance hole 52.

[0054] By these means, the base board 12 can be detached to separate the second pipe 114 from the first pipe 113, so as to observe or maintain the inside of the first pipell3, while the second pipe 114 located on the base board 12 can be detached, the second pipe 114 can be flushed to clean the inside of the second pipe 114, and the second pipe 114 can be cleaned and dried, and then assembled back. It also facilitates maintenance of the components installed in the internal space 10a.

[0055] There are various ways in which the base board 12 can be detachably mounted, and in this embodiment, the base board 12 is detachably mounted by means of a threaded connection. In other embodiments, the base board 12 may be detachably mounted by means of snap-fit. The base board 12 and the second pipe 114 may be integrally formed by injection mode, so as to improve the processing efficiency and improve the economic benefits.

[0056] In some embodiments, the housing 10 includes an upper housing and a lower housing. The upper housing and the lower housing cooperatively define the internal space 10a. The partition board 50 is positioned between the upper housing and the lower housing. The upper housing and the partition board 50 cooperatively define the first sub-mounting cavity 10b. The lower housing and the partition board 50 cooperatively define the second sub-mounting cavity 10c. The upper housing and the lower housing are detachably connected to each other, whereby the maintenance base station 100 can be divided into two or more modules, reducing mutual interference during processing of the modules, improving the processing efficiency of the modules, and then assembling the modules after processing is completed, thereby improving the production efficiency of the maintenance base station 100.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 3, when the fan 42 stops rotating, garbage that has not yet entered the dirt collection component 20 in the dirt entry pipe 11 will easily gather at a bottom portion of the dirt entry pipe 11 due to the disappearance of the negative pressure. The second pipe 114 partially passes through a surface of the base board 12 facing back from the partition board 50, so as to form a maintenance window 12a. The maintenance base station 100 further includes a cover board 70. The cover board 70 is detachably connected to the base board 12, so as to cover the maintenance window 12a. By these means, compared to the above-described base board 12 being detachable for maintenance of a plurality of components of the maintenance base station 100, removing the cover board 70 allows the maintenance window 12a to be opened more conveniently for observation of the second pipe 114 for maintenance of the dirt entry pipe 11.

[0058] There are various ways in which the cover board 70 is detachably connected to the base board 12, which may be that one side of the cover board 70 is rotatably connected to the base board 12, and the other side of the cover board 70 is detachably connected to the base board 12, whereby the opening and covering of the maintenance window 12a is simplified. The cover board 70 may also be fixed to the base board 12 by means of a detachable fixed connection, such as a threaded connection, a snap-fit connection, etc. Specifically, in order to improve the sealing of the second pipe 114, a sealing ring may be positioned between the cover board 70 and the base board 12.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the housing 10 includes a side board 13 detachably connected to the base board 12. The side board 13 is recessed to form an avoidance notch 13a on a side thereof adjacent to the base board 12. The maintenance base station 100 further includes a sealing sleeve 80. The sealing sleeve 80 is sleeved over the end of the second pipe 114 away from the first pipe 113. The sealing sleeve 80 is inserted in the avoidance notch 13a. The sealing sleeve 80 is also configured to hermetically resist against an end surface of the dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot contacts the sealing sleeve 80. Such a setting reduces the interference of the dirt inlet end 112 of the dirt entry pipe 11 to the disassembly of the base board 12, makes the disassembly of the base board 12 more convenient, and improves the efficiency of performing maintenance and cleaning on the maintenance base station 100. Specifically, the sealing sleeve 80 is configured to resist against the dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot, which improves the sealing between the cleaning robot and the maintenance base station 100, thereby reducing the loss of the vacuum suction power of the suction device 40 and improving the suction efficiency of the maintenance base station 100 on the cleaning robot.

[0060] Similar to the first vibration damping pad 60 and the second vibration damping pad described above, in order to make the sealing sleeve 80 have better sealing performance, the sealing sleeve 80 may be made of rubber-like material, and the sealing sleeve 80 may be made of silicone rubber, EPDM rubber, polyurethane rubber, and other materials. The type of rubber material that the sealing sleeve 80 is made of is not specifically limited herein. At the same time, to ensure that the sealing sleeve 80 also has a better buffer vibration, the sealing sleeve 80 may be made of one or more materials, and may also be set into a layer or multi-layer structure.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, in this embodiment, the recharging assembly 30 includes a recharging sensor 31 and two electrodes 32. The two electrodes 32 are electrically connected to the recharging sensor 31. The recharging sensor 31 is mounted in the second sub-mounting cavity 10c. The two electrodes 32 are mounted in the second sub-mounting cavity 10c and are at least partially exposed on the surface of the housing 10, for charging the cleaning robot.

[0062] In one embodiment, the recharge sensor 31 may transmit a signal of positional information by which the cleaning robot moves itself to the maintenance base station 100 for charging. In another embodiment, the recharge sensor 31 may transmit a control command, and the cleaning robot receives the control command and moves to the maintenance base station 100 for charging in accordance with a predetermined moving route. The present disclosure does not specifically limit how the recharging assembly 30 controls the cleaning robot to perform the charging.

[0063] One of the two electrodes 32 is a charging positive electrode, and the other one of the two electrodes 32 is a charging negative electrode. The charging positive electrode and the charging negative electrode may be two contacts spaced apart in a horizontal direction or in a vertical direction. The charging positive electrode and the charging negative electrode may also be spaced apart internally and externally. The installation of the charging positive electrode and the charging negative electrode is not limited herein. The two electrodes 32 can be cooperated with the cleaning robot by magnetic suction, or the two electrodes 32 can be controlled to pop up and engage with the cleaning robot for charging when the recharging sensor 31 senses that the cleaning robot is at an appropriate position.

[0064] When the cleaning robot moves to the maintenance base station 100 and engage with the electrodes 32 for the charging, the cleaning robot is usually in a state of shutdown. When subjected to an external force, the cleaning robot may be detached from the maintenance base station 100, resulting in an interruption of the charging. In this regard, in some embodiments, the maintenance base station 100 may include a locking mechanism, such that the locking mechanism locks the position of the cleaning robot in relation to the maintenance base station 100 when the charging of the cleaning robot is in progress, thereby ensuring charging continuity.

[0065] The maintenance base station 100 may further include a supporting module, and the supporting module is positioned at the dirt inlet end 112 of the dirt entry pipe 11 exposed on the surface of the housing 10. The supporting module defines a docking space for docking the cleaning robot. The docking space may allow all or part of the cleaning robot to enter and dock. The docking space may be an opening defined on a top portion or on a side portion of the maintenance base station 100, or may be a closed space that may be opened and closed. No specific limitations are made herein. The supporting module may also be arranged obliquely downwardly from the side close to the housing 10 to the side away from the housing 10, such that the docking space is sloped and includes a sloped surface, whereby it is easy for the cleaning robot to dock. In some embodiments, a non-slip mat may be positioned on the sloped surface, so as to avoid the cleaning robot from sliding out. Specifically, the supporting module may be mounted by way of snap-on connection, so as to facilitate transportation, cleaning, and the like.

[0066] The material of the supporting module is generally plastic, such as ABS, PC, PP, etc., which is lighter in quality, easy to carry, and suitable for the maintenance base station 100 for home use. The material of the supporting module can also be metal, such as aluminum, iron, copper, etc., which is higher in strength, has a larger weight-carrying capacity, and is suitable for the large-scale maintenance base station 100. The material of the supporting module is selected according to the specific situation, and no specific limitation will be made herein.

[0067] The present disclosure further provides a cleaning system, and the cleaning system includes the cleaning robot and the maintenance base station 100. The specific structure of the maintenance base station 100 refers to the above embodiments. Since the present cleaning system adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it at least has all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated herein. Specifically, the cleaning robot includes the dust discharging opening, and the dirt inlet end 112 of the maintenance base station 100 is configured to connect with the dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot to suck garbage.

[0068] What described above are only the embodiments of the present disclosure, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art: they may still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions to some of the technical features thereof; such modification or substitution shall not separate the essence of the corresponding technical solution from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of each embodiment of the present disclosure. CLIAMS

Claims

1. A maintenance base station for maintaining a cleaning robot, the maintenance base station comprising:a housing;a dirt collection component;a recharging assembly; anda suction device;wherein the housing defines an internal space and comprises a dirt entry pipe, the internal space comprises a first sub-mounting cavity and a second sub-mounting cavity, the dirt entry pipe spans the first sub-mounting cavity and the second sub-mounting cavity, a dirt outlet end of the dirt entry pipe is in communication with the first sub-mounting cavity, and a dirt mlet end of the dirt entry pipe is exposed on a surface of the housing for connecting with a dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot;the dirt collection component is positioned in the first sub-mounting cavity, and the dirt collection component is in communication with a dirt outlet end of the dirt entry pipe; andthe suction device is positioned in the second sub-mounting cavity, an air inlet end of the suction device is pneumatically communicated with the dirt collection component, an air outlet end of the suction device is communicated with an external environment, the recharging assembly and the suction device are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction, and the recharging assembly is configured to charge the cleaning robot.

2. The maintenance base station of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a partition board, the partition board is positioned in the internal space and divides the internal space into the first submounting cavity and the second sub-mounting cavity, and the first sub-mounting cavity and the second sub-mounting cavity are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction or a vertical direction; andthe partition board comprises a ventilated portion, and the air inlet end of the suction device is pneumatically communicated with the dirt collection component through the ventilated portion.

3. The maintenance base station of claim 2, wherein the suction device comprises a shell and a fan, an end of the shell is fixedly connected to a side of the partition board facing back from the first sub-mounting cavity, the shell defines an accommodating cavity, the fan is positioned in the accommodating cavity, a rotation axis of the fan is arranged perpendicular to the partition board, the end of the shell defines an air inlet vent communicated with the ventilating portion, the shell comprises a circumferential sidewall surrounding the fan, the circumferential sidewall defines an air outlet vent, and a sidewall of the second sub-mounting cavity defines an air exhaust opening communicated with the air outlet vent.

4. The maintenance base station of claim 3, wherein the maintenance base station further comprises a first vibration damping pad, the first vibration damping pad is positioned between the shell and the partition board and surrounds the ventilating portion and the first vibration damping pad is configured to cushion vibration and / or seal a gap between the shell and the partition board; and / orthe maintenance base station further comprises a second vibration damping pad, the second vibration damping pad is positioned between a lower end of the fan and a bottom wall of the accommodating cavity, and the second vibration damping pad is configured to cushion vibration.

5. The maintenance base station of claim 3, wherein the shell defines an air outlet channel communicated with the accommodating cavity and the air outlet vent, the suction device further comprises a noise reduction board, the noise reduction board is positioned at a connection between the air outlet channel and the accommodating cavity, the noise reduction board comprises an array of noise reduction holes, and the air outlet channel is in communication with the accommodating cavity through the array of noise reduction holes; andthe suction device further comprises a first noise reduction cotton and a second noise reductioncotton, the first noise reduction cotton is positioned in the accommodating cavity and surrounds the fan, and the second noise reduction cotton is filled in the air outlet channel.

6. The maintenance base station of claim 2, wherein the partition board defines an avoidance hole therethrough, the dirt entry pipe comprises a first pipe and a second pipe, a first end of the first pipe is communicated with the first sub-mounting cavity, and a second end of the first pipe extends to the avoidance hole; andthe housing comprises a base board positioned below the partition board, the base board is detachable, the second pipe is positioned on the base board, a first end of the second pipe is exposed on the surface of the housing and configured to connect with the dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot, and a second end of the second pipe extends to the avoidance hole and connects with the second end of the first pipe adjacent to the avoidance hole.

7. The maintenance base station of claim 6, wherein the second pipe partially passes through a surface of the base board facing back from the partition board to form a maintenance window, the maintenance base station further comprises a cover board, and the cover board is detachably connected to the base board and configured to cover the maintenance window.

8. The maintenance base station of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a side board detachably connected to the base board, the side board defines an avoidance notch on a side of the side board adjacent to the base board, the maintenance base station further comprises a sealing sleeve, the sealing sleeve is sleeved over an end of the second pipe away from the first pipe, the sealing sleeve is inserted in the avoidance notch, and the sealing sleeve is configured to hermetically resist again an end surface of the dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot contacts the sealing sleeve.

9. The maintenance base station of claim 1, wherein the recharging assembly comprises arecharging sensor and two electrodes, the two electrodes are electrically connected to the recharging sensor, the recharging sensor is mounted in the second sub-mounting cavity, the two electrodes are mounted in the second sub-mounting cavity, and the two electrodes are at least partially exposed to the surface of the housing and configured to charge the cleaning robot.

10. A cleaning system, comprising:the maintenance base station of claims 1-9; anda cleaning robot;wherein the cleaning robot defines the dust discharging opening, and the dirt inlet end of the maintenance base station is configured to connect with the dust discharging opening of the cleaning robot.PCT / CN2024 / 081893A. CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER A47L1 l / 40(2006.01)i According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC B. FIELDS SEARCHED Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) IPC: A47L Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used) CNABS, CNTXT, WPABSC, ENTXTC, ENTXT, VEN: Mt§ A, A. ?h A, Btt, WA >15, ». tt®, AM, A, fi£E, IAA, AA, ft, E, SER, robot, clean+, base, station, maintain, dirt+, dust+, suct+, negat+, +charg+, part+, chamber+, space C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. Y CN 112998605 A (BEIJING XIANGJIE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.) 22 June 2021 (2021-06-22) description, paragraphs 2-59, and figures 1-6 1-10 Y Y CN 113057531 A (BEIJING XIANGJIE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.) 02 July 2021 (2021-07-02) description, paragraphs 2-34, and figures 1-7 CN 213371774 U (SHENZHEN SILVER STAR INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.) 08 June 2021 (2021-06-08) description, paragraphs 2-59, and figures 1-6 1-10 1-10 A CN 212123359 U (SHENZHEN SILVER STAR INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.) 11 December 2020 (2020-12-11) entire document 1-10 A CN 217907651 U (ANKER INNOVATIONS LIMITED) 29 November 2022 (2022-11-29) entire document 1-10 | | Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C. | J | See patent family annex. * Special categories of cited documents: “T” later document published after the international filing date or priority “A” document defining the general state of the art which is not considered date and not in conflict with the application but cited to understand the to be of particular relevance principle or theory underlying the invention “D” document cited by the applicant in die international application “X” document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be “E" earlier application orpatent but published on or after the international considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive step filing date when the document is taken alone •SL” document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or which is “Y” document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be cited to establish the publication date of another citation or other considered to involve an inventive step when the document is special reason (as specified) combined with one or more other such documents, such combination “O” document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other being obvious to a person skilled in the art means document member of the same patent family “P” document published prior to the international filing date but later than the priority date claimed Date of the actual completion of the international search 03 June 2024 Date of mailing of the international search report 13 June 2024 Name and mailing address of the ISA / CN China National Intellectual Property Administration (ISA / CN) China No. 6, Xitucheng Road, Jimenqiao, Haidian District, Beijing 100088 Authorized officer Telephone No.PCT / CN2024 / 081893C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANTCategory* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. A CN 218934778 U (SHENZHEN SILVER STAR INTELLIGENT GROUP CO., LTD.) 28 April 2023 (2023-04-28) entire document 1-10 A US 2021000315 Al (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.) 07 January 2021 (2021-01-07) entire document 1-10INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT Information on patent family membersInternational application No.PCT / CN2024 / 081893Patent document cited in search report Publication date (day / month / year) Patent family member)s) Publication date (day / month / year) CN 112998605 A 22 June 2021 None CN 113057531 A 02 July 2021 None CN 213371774 U 08 June 2021 None CN 212123359 U 11 December 2020 None CN 217907651 U 29 November 2022 None CN 218934778 U 28 April 2023 None US 2021000315 Al 07 January 2021 EP 3760090 Al 06 January 2021 EP 3760090 Bl 22 March 2023 WO 2021002625 Al 07 January 2021 US 11452417 B2 27 September 2022 KR 20210003543 A 12 January 2021

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