Device base, water storage device, and cleaning robot

Abstract

To provide a device base, a water-storable device, and a cleaning robot.SOLUTION: A device base includes: a housing including a first opening penetrating the housing in an inner-outer direction; a first water tank; a water pump provided in the housing; a water passage port provided on the housing; a first water pipe connecting the water passage port with the water pump; a second water pipe connecting the water pump with the first water tank; a first infrared module provided within the housing, having a signal terminal facing the first opening, and configured to transmit or receive an infrared signal that indicates a position of the device base or a position of a cleaning robot connected with the device base in order to assist in docking the device base and the cleaning robot; and a first positioning member provided in the housing and configured to limit the position of the cleaning robot to keep a water inlet of the cleaning robot and the water passage docked when the device base and the cleaning robot are docked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of terminal technology, and in particular to an apparatus base, a water storable apparatus, and a cleaning robot. [Background Art]

[0002] In users' daily life, water storable apparatuses such as humidifiers and smart watering devices are often used. However, currently these apparatuses require users to manually add and pour water, which brings a lot of inconvenience and cannot realize complete autonomous operation. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Specification of Chinese Utility Model No. 208114567 [Summary of Invention] [Problem to be Solved by Invention]

[0004] In order to solve the deficiencies in the related art, the present disclosure provides an apparatus base, a water storable apparatus, and a cleaning robot. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0005] According to a first embodiment of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a device base is provided for assembly with a matched principal machine to obtain a switchable water-storing device, the device base comprising: a housing including a first opening penetrating inward and outward; a first water tank; a water pump provided within the housing; a water inlet provided within the housing; a first water pipe connecting the water inlet to the water pump; a second water pipe connecting the water pump to the first water tank; a first infrared module provided within the housing, with its signal end directed toward the first opening, for transmitting or receiving infrared signals, the infrared signals indicating the position of the device base or the cleaning robot connected to the device base to assist in docking the device base with the cleaning robot; and a first positioning member provided within the housing for restricting the position of the cleaning robot so as to maintain docking between the water inlet and the water inlet when the device base and the cleaning robot are docked.

[0006] Selectively, the water passage is a second opening that penetrates the housing.

[0007] Selectively, the housing includes a third opening that penetrates the housing, and the device base further includes a water-conducting member that penetrates the third opening and is connected to the first water pipe, with a portion of it located outside the housing, and the water inlet is formed in the water-conducting member.

[0008] Selectively, the water-conducting member includes a water-conducting member made of plastic.

[0009] Selectively, the first positioning member includes a conical positioning post or a conical positioning hole, the conical positioning post or the conical positioning hole docking with the cleaning robot to restrict its position.

[0010] Selectively, the first positioning member further includes a magnetic body for triggering the metal dome of the cleaning robot, provided at the end of the conical positioning post away from the surface of the housing, or at the bottom of the conical positioning hole.

[0011] Selectively, the device base includes an even number of first positioning members, each pair of first positioning members being symmetrically positioned in the housing, and the water inlet being located between the two symmetrically positioned first positioning members.

[0012] The device further optionally includes an on / off valve provided in a water channel communicating with the first water tank for controlling the continuity or interruption of the water channel between the device base and a matched principal machine, and a connector connected to a corresponding connector on the matched principal machine to control the continuity or interruption of an electrical circuit between the device base and the matched principal machine.

[0013] A second embodiment of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a water-storing device comprising a principal machine and a device base as described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the device base and the principal machine are assembled and the water channels of the device base communicate with the water channels of the principal machine.

[0014] Selectively, the water-storing device includes an air humidifier, a dehumidifier, or a smart watering planter.

[0015] A third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a cleaning robot for interacting with a device base described in any of the above embodiments, the cleaning robot comprising: a second infrared module for transmitting or receiving infrared signals, the second infrared module indicating the position of the cleaning robot or a device base connected to the cleaning robot in order to assist in docking the cleaning robot with the device base; a panel comprising a panel body, a water inlet and a second positioning member, the water inlet being provided in the panel body and coupled to a water passage, the second positioning member being connected to the panel and coupled to a first positioning member to restrict the position; and a second water tank communicating with the water inlet.

[0016] Selectively, the water inlet includes a housing groove recessed inward from the surface of the panel body, and a water inlet hole that penetrates the panel body, communicates with the housing groove, and communicates with the water outlet.

[0017] Selectively, the second positioning member includes a conical positioning post or conical positioning hole that docks with the base device to restrict its position, and a metal dome provided at the end of the conical positioning post away from the surface of the panel, or at the bottom of the conical positioning hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure may include the following beneficial effects:

[0019] As is clear from the above embodiments, the device base of the present disclosure can be docked with a cleaning robot, and by connecting a water channel, it can realize the function of automatically filling or pouring water, and adjust the liquid level in the first water tank, which is advantageous for improving the intelligence of the device equipped with this device base and is advantageous for realizing a fully automatic mode for the device.

[0020] It should be noted that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely illustrative and interpretive, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The drawings herein are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments conforming to the present disclosure, and are used together with the description to explain the principle of the present disclosure. [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram based on an apparatus shown according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a partial schematic diagram based on the apparatus of Figure 1. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram of the assembly of an apparatus base and a main machine shown according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a water-storable apparatus shown according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram of docking between an apparatus base and a cleaning robot shown according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram of a partial structure of a cleaning robot shown according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a panel of a cleaning robot shown according to an exemplary embodiment. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] Here, exemplary embodiments are described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure, which are detailed in the scope of the appended claims.

[0023] The terms used in this disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. The singular forms “one,” “the said,” and “the said” used in this disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “and / or” as used herein refer to any combination or all possible combinations of one or more related enumerated items.

[0024] This disclosure may use terms such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd to describe various types of information, but it should be understood that this information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are simply used to distinguish the same type of information. For example, as long as it does not deviate from the scope of this disclosure, 1st information may be called 2nd information, and similarly, 2nd information may be called 1st information. Depending on the context, the word “if” as used herein may be interpreted as “when,” “in the case of,” or “in response to a decision.”

[0025] This disclosure provides a device base that, through interaction between this device base and a cleaning robot, enables the device base to automatically fill and pour water by extracting water from the cleaning robot or extracting water from within the device base, thereby improving the degree of intelligence of the machine equipped with this device base.

[0026] Specifically, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the device base 100 as shown in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 is a partial schematic diagram of the device base 100 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the device base and principal machine as shown in an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the device base 100 may include a housing 1, a first water tank (not shown), a water pump 2, a water inlet 3, a first water pipe 4, a second water pipe 5, a first infrared module 6, and a first positioning member 7. Here, the housing 1 may include a first opening 11 penetrating in the inward and outward directions of the housing 1, and the first water tank may be a partial space surrounded by the housing 1, or the first water tank may be a water tank provided within the housing 1 independently of the housing 1, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. A water pump 2 is provided within the housing 1, and this water pump 2 may include a water supply pump, a water outlet pump, or a multi-function water pump. A first water pipe 4 connects the water pump 2 to the water inlet 3, and a second water pipe 5 can connect the water pump 2 to the first water tank. This allows the liquid passing through the water inlet 3 to be pumped to the first water tank via the pump 2, or the liquid in the first water tank to be pumped to the outside of the device base 100 via the water pump 2, and may be specifically designed as needed, but is not limited thereto. Here, the housing 1 may be an integrated housing having a hollow region in the central part. In another embodiment, the housing 1 may include a body portion and a panel portion, the panel portion being connected to and joined with the body portion to form a surrounding hollow region of the housing 1, and the water inlet 3, the first infrared module 6, and the first positioning member may subsequently be provided in this panel portion, and may be specifically designed as needed, but is not limited thereto.

[0027] The water inlet 3 is provided in the housing 1, and in some embodiments, the water inlet 3 may be a second opening that penetrates the housing 1 in an inward or outward direction, and in other embodiments, for example, in the embodiments provided by this disclosure, the housing 1 may include a third opening that penetrates the housing 1, and the device base 100 may further include a water-conducting member 8 that penetrates the third opening and is connected to a first water pipe 4, the water inlet 3 is formed in this water-conducting member 8, and when the water-conducting member 8 communicates with the first water pipe 4, the water inlet 3 communicates with the first water pipe 4, enabling smooth water flow in the water channel. The approach of employing the water-conducting member 8 is more advantageous than the approach of forming the water inlet 3 in the housing 1 because the water-conducting member 8 is molded separately, resulting in a tighter connection between the water-conducting member 8 and the first water pipe 4.

[0028] The first infrared module 6 is housed within the housing 1, and the signal terminal of the first infrared module 6 may be directed toward the first opening 11. Of course, for aesthetic reasons, the housing 1 may be provided with an aesthetic member to cover the first opening 11, and the signal terminal of the first infrared module 6 may, in part, extend into the first opening 11, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Taking the signal terminal as the transmitting terminal as an example, during operation, the first infrared module 6 transmits an infrared signal outward through the first opening 11, and this infrared signal instructs the cleaning robot to position the device base, which then moves to the device base 100 based on the received infrared signal, and the infrared signal can assist in docking the cleaning robot with the device base 100. Taking the example that the signal end is the receiving end, during operation, the first infrared module 6 receives an infrared signal through the first aperture 11, which is received by the device base 100. The device base 100 then acquires the position of the cleaning robot according to the instructions of this infrared signal and moves to the cleaning robot, thereby enabling docking between the device base and the cleaning robot with the assistance of the infrared signal. In some embodiments, docking between the cleaning robot and the device base 100 can be achieved by instructions of the infrared signal transmitted by the first infrared module 6 throughout the entire process. In another embodiment, a third-party device can transmit rough position information to the cleaning robot or the device base, and then, during docking, the device can acquire the precise position according to the instructions of the infrared signal transmitted by the first infrared module 6 to achieve docking. This third-party device may be a smart voice robot or a smartphone.

[0029] The first positioning member 7 is provided on the housing 1, and by restricting the position of the cleaning robot when the device base 100 docks with the cleaning robot, the docking of the cleaning robot's water inlet and water outlet 3 is maintained. Water in the first water tank of the device base 100 is injected into the cleaning robot through the water outlet 3 and the water inlet, enabling automatic water supply, or water in the cleaning robot is pumped into the first water tank of the device base 100 through the water inlet and water outlet, enabling automatic water supply, which is advantageous for improving the intelligence of the device. Here, the device base 100 may include an even number of first positioning members 7, where each set of two first positioning members 7 is provided symmetrically, and a water outlet 3 provided between two symmetrically provided first positioning members 7. In the embodiments provided by this disclosure, the device base 100 may include two first positioning members 7, which are arranged symmetrically, and the water inlet 3 is provided between the two first positioning members 7. Based on this, the connection between the two symmetrically arranged first positioning members 7 and the second positioning member of the cleaning robot can improve the uniformity of the connection between the water inlet 3 and the water inlet of the cleaning robot, thereby avoiding water leakage due to excessively large local gaps.

[0030] In each of the above embodiments, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a water-storing device that can be switched to an operating state is obtained by assembling the device base 100 and the principal machine 301. If the principal machine 301 is connected to an external power source via the device base 100, in other words, if it is independent of the device base 100, the principal machine 301 cannot realize the function of this water-storing device. Specifically, it is necessary to assemble the device base 100 and the principal machine 301, and only after completion, when both the waterway and electrical circuit between the device base 100 and the principal machine 301 are connected, does the water-storing device have the function of switching to an operating state.

[0031] For example, this water-storing device may include an air humidifier. If the humidifier principal machine and the device base 100 are separated, the humidifier principal machine cannot operate due to the lack of a water source. However, when the humidifier principal machine and the device base 100 are assembled, a water channel is connected, and the humidifier atomizes and outputs liquid using the water tank in the device base 100 as a water source, thereby realizing the corresponding function. Of course, while here the water-storing device is an air humidifier is an example, in other embodiments this water-storing device may include a dehumidifier or a smart watering planter, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0032] In the above embodiments, the principal machines for the air humidifier, dehumidifier, and smart watering plant pot are used together with the device base 100 as an example. In other embodiments, however, in order to reduce the user's purchase cost, these principal machines can be adapted to a standard base.

[0033] The device base 100 is assembled with the corresponding principal machine 301 and requires the connection of water channels and electrical circuits; therefore, the device base 100 may further include an on / off valve 9 and a connector 10. When the device base 100 is assembled with the principal machine, the components of the principal machine open the on / off valve 9 upward, enabling communication between the water channels in the principal machine and the water channels in the device base 100, thereby allowing the liquid in the first water tank to enter the water channels of the principal machine and perform the corresponding operation. When assembling the device base 100 with the principal machine, the connection of the electrical circuit between the principal machine and the device base 100 can be achieved by inserting the connector on the principal machine side into the connector 10 of the device base 100.

[0034] A cleaning robot docked to this device base 100 can interact with the device base 100, and this cleaning robot may be a cleaning robot that can house a water tank for holding liquid inside, for example, the cleaning robot may include a vacuum cleaner, and since the vacuum cleaner can perform cleaning functions independently of the base station, this base station is distinguished from the device base provided in this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, it is a schematic diagram of the interaction between a properly functioning water-storing device and a cleaning robot 200 obtained by assembling the principal machine 301 and the device base 100. The interaction between the cleaning robot 200 and the device base 100 enables the water-storing device to automatically fill and pour water, thereby improving the intelligence level of the water-storing device.

[0035] Specifically, Figure 6 is a block diagram of a partial structure of the cleaning robot 200. Figure 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the panel of the cleaning robot 200. The cleaning robot 200 may include a second infrared module 201, a panel 202, and a second water tank 203. The second infrared module 201 can transmit or receive infrared signals. Specifically, when one of the second infrared module 201 and the first infrared module 6 transmits an infrared signal, the other receives an infrared signal. This can be specifically designed as needed. The panel 202 may include a panel body 204, a water inlet 205, and a second positioning member 206. The water inlet 205 is provided on the panel body 204, the second positioning member 206 is connected to the panel body 204, and the second positioning member 206 is coupled with the first positioning member 7 to restrict the position. The second water tank 203 can communicate with the water inlet 205.

[0036] A water-storing device equipped with a device base 100 is used as an air humidifier, a cleaning robot 200 is used as a vacuum cleaner, and a first infrared module 6 located on the air humidifier is used as a transmitting module. During the docking process between the vacuum cleaner and the air humidifier, the first infrared module 6 transmits an infrared signal to the outside. Upon receiving this infrared signal, the vacuum cleaner moves to the air humidifier according to the instructions of the infrared signal, docking the first positioning member 7 with the second positioning member 206, and the water inlet 205 docks with the water passage 3. After docking is complete, the water pump of the air humidifier is started. Since this water pump is a water supply pump, water can be extracted from inside the vacuum cleaner via the water passage 3 and the water inlet 205 and poured into the first water tank, enabling automatic water dispensing. In another embodiment, the first infrared module 6 may be a transmitting module, and the second infrared module 201 located on the vacuum cleaner may be a receiving module. Subsequently, the air humidifier may move towards the vacuum cleaner to achieve docking.

[0037] In another embodiment of the interaction, a water-storing device mounted on a device base 100 is a dehumidifier, a cleaning robot 200 is a vacuum cleaner, and a first infrared module 6 located on the dehumidifier is a transmitting module. During the docking process of the vacuum cleaner, the first infrared module 6 transmits an infrared signal to the outside. Upon receiving this infrared signal, the vacuum cleaner moves toward the dehumidifier according to the instructions of the infrared signal, docking the first positioning member 7 and the second positioning member 206, and the water inlet 205 docks with the water outlet 3. After docking is complete, the water pump of the dehumidifier is started, and this water pump is the water outlet pump. At this time, the liquid inside the dehumidifier is transported to the vacuum cleaner via the water outlet 3 and the water inlet 205, and water is added through the vacuum cleaner, enabling automatic water dispensing. In another embodiment, the first infrared module 6 may be a transmitting module, and the second infrared module 201 located on the vacuum cleaner may be a receiving module. Subsequently, the dehumidifier may move toward the vacuum cleaner to achieve docking. In the embodiments described above, an air humidifier and its water supply pump, and a dehumidifier and its water outlet pump were used as examples. However, in other embodiments, the pump can be selectively configured as a water supply pump, a water outlet pump, or a multi-functional pump depending on the function of the water-storing device, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0038] In a cleaning robot, the water inlet 205 may include a storage tank 2051 that is recessed inward from the surface of the panel body 204, and a water inlet hole 2052 that penetrates the panel body 204 and communicates with the storage tank 2051. When the cleaning robot 200 docks with the device base 100, this water inlet hole 2052 can communicate with the water passage 3. As a result, by providing the storage groove 2051, a part of the water passage 3 of the device base 100 can protrude from the housing and extend into the storage groove 2051, which is advantageous in improving the connection stability between the water inlet 205 and the water passage 3. In particular, if the device base 100 includes a water passage member 8, and this water passage member 8 is a plastic water passage member, this plastic water passage member can be fitted into the storage groove 2051, improving the seal and preventing water leakage.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the first positioning member 7 may include a conical positioning post 71, and the second positioning member 206 may include a conical positioning hole, and thereafter, while the cleaning robot 200 is docking to the device base, the conical positioning post can gradually and slowly slide into the conical positioning hole, thereby serving both as a guide and a position limiter. Furthermore, the first positioning member 7 may further include a magnetic body 72 provided at the end of the conical positioning post 71 away from the surface of the housing 1, and the second positioning member 206 may include a metal dome provided at the bottom of the conical positioning hole, and after the conical positioning post 71 and the conical positioning hole are coupled, the magnetic body 72 triggers the metal dome, so that the cleaning robot 200 can detect that the metal dome has been triggered and send a signal to the device base 100, which then activates the water pump 2 to automatically fill or pour water.

[0040] In another embodiment, the first positioning member 7 may include a conical positioning hole and the second positioning member 206 may include a conical positioning post, thereby similarly achieving guiding and positioning during docking. Similarly, by providing a metal dome at the bottom of the conical positioning hole and a magnetic material at the end of the conical positioning post that is separated from the panel body 204, after the cleaning robot 200 and the device base 100 are docked, the metal dome can be triggered by the magnetic material, and the device base 100 can then activate the water pump 2 to automatically fill or pour water to adjust the liquid level in the first water tank.

[0041] In relation to the opening and closing of the water pump 2, the device base 100 may further include a control component electrically connected to the water pump that can control the starting of the water pump 2 when the device base 100 receives a signal that triggers the metal dome, and control the shutting off of the pump 2 when the metal dome is disconnected.

[0042] A person skilled in the art, after reviewing the specification and practicing the inventions disclosed herein, will readily conceive of other embodiments of the Disclosure. This Disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or appropriate modifications of the Disclosure, which will adhere to the general principles of the Disclosure and include common knowledge or conventional art means of the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are for illustrative purposes only, and the true scope and spirit of the Disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0043] This disclosure is not limited to the exact structure described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes may be made as long as they do not deviate from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is limited only to the attached claims.

Claims

1. The device base is assembled with a matched principal machine to obtain a water-storing device that can be switched to an operating state, the water-storing device being an air humidifier, dehumidifier or smart watering planter. The aforementioned device base is A housing, the housing including a first opening that penetrates in the inward and outward directions of the housing, The first water tank, A water pump provided inside the housing, A water outlet provided in the housing, A first water pipe connecting the water inlet and the water pump, A second water pipe connecting the water pump and the first water tank, A first infrared module provided within the housing, with its signal terminal directed toward the first opening, for transmitting or receiving infrared signals, wherein the infrared signals indicate the position of the device base or the cleaning robot connected to the device base in order to assist in docking the device base and the cleaning robot; The housing includes a first positioning member for restricting the position of the cleaning robot so as to maintain the docking between the water inlet and the water outlet of the cleaning robot when the device base and the cleaning robot are docked together. A device base characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned water passage is a second opening that penetrates the housing. The apparatus base according to feature 1.

3. The housing includes a third opening that penetrates the housing, The device base further includes a water-conducting member that passes through the third opening and is connected to the first water pipe, with a portion of it located outside the housing, and the water-conducting port is formed in the water-conducting member. The apparatus base according to feature 1.

4. The water-conducting member includes a water-conducting member made of plastic. The apparatus base according to feature 3.

5. The first positioning member includes a conical positioning post or conical positioning hole that docks with the cleaning robot to restrict its position. The apparatus base according to feature 1.

6. The first positioning member is provided at the end of the conical positioning post away from the surface of the housing, or at the bottom of the conical positioning hole, and further includes a magnetic body for triggering the metal dome of the cleaning robot. The apparatus base according to feature 5.

7. The device base includes an even number of first positioning members, each pair of first positioning members being symmetrically provided on the housing, and the water inlet being provided between the two symmetrically provided first positioning members. The apparatus base according to feature 1.

8. A water channel connected to the first water tank is provided with an on / off valve for controlling the flow of water between the device base and the principal machine matched thereto, The device further includes a connector for connecting to a corresponding connector on a matched principal machine to control the conduction or interruption of an electrical circuit between the device base and the matched principal machine, The apparatus base according to feature 1.

9. A device capable of storing water, Principal machine and, An apparatus base according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising an apparatus base on which the apparatus base and the principal machine are assembled, and on which the water channels of the apparatus base and the water channels of the principal machine are in communication, A water storage device characterized by the following features.

10. A cleaning robot that interacts with a device base according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cleaning robot A second infrared module for transmitting or receiving infrared signals, wherein the infrared signals indicate the position of the cleaning robot or the device base connected to the cleaning robot in order to assist in docking the cleaning robot and the device base, A panel comprising a panel body, a water inlet, and a second positioning member, wherein the water inlet is provided on the panel body and coupled to a water passage, and the second positioning member is connected to the panel and coupled to a first positioning member to perform positional restriction, A second water tank communicating with the aforementioned water inlet is included, A cleaning robot characterized by the following features.

11. The aforementioned water inlet is, The aforementioned panel body has a recessed housing groove that is recessed inward from its surface, The panel body includes a water inlet that penetrates the panel body and communicates with the housing groove and the water outlet, The cleaning robot according to feature 10.

12. The second positioning member is A conical positioning post or conical positioning hole docks to the device base to restrict the position, A metal dome provided at the end of the conical positioning post away from the surface of the housing, or at the bottom of the conical positioning hole, The cleaning robot according to feature 10.

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