Multi-directional locking assembly and robot system

Abstract

A multi-directional locking assembly and a robot system. The multi-directional locking assembly (700) comprises: a first locking member (710), arranged on a moved assembly, wherein the first locking member (710) can move in a first direction on the moved assembly, and the first locking member (710) is provided with a first locking structure (711); and a second locking member (720), arranged outside the moved assembly, wherein the second locking member (720) is provided with a second locking structure (721), and the second locking structure (721) is fitted with the first locking structure (711) and is then locked with same. In response to the relative movement of the first locking member (710) and the second locking member (720) in the first direction or a third direction, the first locking member (710) is pressed by the second locking member (720) to move in a second direction and is then locked with the second locking member (720). By means of the fitting of the first locking member (710) and the second locking member (720), the moved assembly is easily detached from a cleaning device.

Description

Multi-directional locking assembly and robot system

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202421187516.7, filed on May 28, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to the field of self-propelled equipment technology, and more specifically, to a multi-directional locking assembly and a robot system. Background Technology

[0004] In recent years, with the popularization of automatic cleaning equipment, the functions of automatic cleaning equipment have also become more and more numerous, especially the application of automatic cleaning equipment that integrates multiple functions such as sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dust removal, and mop cleaning. In the existing technology, the mop plate of automatic cleaning equipment is often not detachable, and the mop plate is adapted to a single cleaning device, which limits the application scenarios of the mop plate. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a multi-directional locking assembly and a robotic system that can solve the problem of mop plate disassembly. Specifically:

[0006] This disclosure provides a multi-directional locking assembly, comprising:

[0007] A first locking element is disposed on the movable component, the first locking element is movable on the movable component in a first direction, and the first locking element has a first locking structure.

[0008] A second locking element is disposed outside the movable component. The second locking element has a second locking structure, which engages with the first locking structure to lock.

[0009] In response to the first locking member and the second locking member moving relative to each other in a first direction or a third direction, the first locking member is pressed by the second locking member and moves in the second direction, and locks with the second locking member.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first locking member includes a first inclined surface, and the second locking member includes a second inclined surface. In response to the first locking member and the second locking member moving relative to each other in a first direction, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are pressed together, such that the first locking structure locks with the second locking structure.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first inclined plane and the second inclined plane are substantially parallel.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first locking member includes a third inclined surface, and the second locking member includes a fourth inclined surface. In response to the movable component moving along a third direction, the third inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface press together, causing the first locking structure to lock with the second locking structure.

[0013] In some embodiments, the third inclined plane and the fourth inclined plane are substantially parallel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first locking member further includes an elastic element configured to unlock the first locking structure from the second locking structure under the action of an external force.

[0015] In some embodiments, both the first locking structure and the second locking structure are stepped portions.

[0016] This disclosure provides a robot system including an unlocking component and a multi-directional locking component as described in any of the above embodiments, the unlocking component being configured to unlock the first locking member and the second locking member.

[0017] In some embodiments, the unlocking component includes an unlocking structure configured to move in a second direction to unlock the first latch and the second latch.

[0018] In some embodiments, the unlocking component further includes a drive mechanism configured to drive the unlocking structure to move along a second direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the unlocking structure includes:

[0020] The support end is configured to support the movable component and move it under the drive of the drive mechanism;

[0021] The unlocking end is configured to unlock the first locking element and the second locking element under the drive of the drive mechanism.

[0022] The above-described solutions in this disclosure can have the following beneficial effects:

[0023] In the multi-directional locking assembly provided in this embodiment, a first locking member is disposed on the movable component, and a second locking member is disposed outside the movable component. The movable component can be easily disassembled from the cleaning equipment through the cooperation of the first and second locking members, so as to facilitate the assembly of the movable component with other equipment, thereby improving the compatibility of the movable component and expanding the application scenarios of the movable component. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this disclosure, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the multi-directional locking assembly in the combined state according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the first locking member in the multi-directional locking assembly of this embodiment;

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the second locking member in the multi-directional locking assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 4 is a partial structural diagram of the multi-directional locking assembly in the combined state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the unlocking component provided in some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0030] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the unlocking state of the unlocking structure provided in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: Base station 100, unlocking component 110, unlocking structure 120, support end 121, unlocking end 122, multi-directional locking assembly 700, first locking member 710, first locking structure 711, first inclined surface 712, third inclined surface 713, elastic member 714, second locking member 720, second locking structure 721, second inclined surface 722, fourth inclined surface 723, first locking member housing 800, support housing 810, unlocking housing 820. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the technical solutions and effects of this disclosure clearer, the disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0033] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” as used in the embodiments of this disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, and “multiple” generally includes at least two unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0034] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0035] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that an article or device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such an article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one" does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the article or device that includes said element.

[0036] In related technologies, the mop plate of cleaning equipment is often not easily disassembled by the user. After the mop plate is assembled with the cleaning equipment, only the mop needs to be replaced. As the number of cleaning equipment models continues to increase, the structure between different models will be slightly different. Setting the mop plate as a detachable component can adapt to different models. However, the existing mop plate is inconvenient to disassemble, which brings trouble to the compatibility of the mop plate.

[0037] This disclosure provides a multi-directional locking assembly, comprising: a first locking member disposed on a movable component, the first locking member being movable along a first direction and having a first locking structure; and a second locking member disposed outside the movable component, the second locking member having a second locking structure, the second locking structure engaging with the first locking structure to lock; in response to the first and second locking members moving relative to each other along the first or a third direction, the first locking member being pressed by the second locking member and moving along the second direction to lock with the second locking member. In the multi-directional locking assembly provided by this disclosure, the first locking member is disposed on the movable component, and the second locking member is disposed outside the movable component. The engagement of the first and second locking members enables easy disassembly of the movable component, facilitating its assembly with other devices, thereby improving the compatibility of the movable component and expanding its application scenarios.

[0038] The optional embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] It should be noted that the multi-directional locking assembly described in this disclosure can be applied to any device or component that requires free locking. A first locking element is installed on a partial structure of the moving device or component, and a second locking element is installed on another partial structure of the moving device or component. The first and second locking elements are used to automatically or manually lock or unlock the components to achieve the purpose of detachable partial components.

[0040] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a multi-directional locking assembly according to an embodiment of this disclosure. It does not necessarily illustrate or limit the actual structure of this disclosure; the schematic diagram is only used to explain the locking or unlocking principle of the solution. To more clearly describe the behavior of the multi-directional locking assembly, the following directions are defined with reference to the locking assembly: front-rear axis X, i.e., the first direction; transverse axis Y, i.e., the second direction; and central vertical axis Z, i.e., the third direction. The direction opposite to the arrow on the front-rear axis X is labeled "backward," and the direction of the arrow on the front-rear axis X is labeled "forward." The direction opposite to the arrow on the transverse axis Y is labeled "leftward," and the direction of the arrow on the transverse axis Y is labeled "rightward." The vertical axis Z extends vertically along the base station; the direction opposite to the arrow on the vertical axis Z is labeled "downward," and the direction of the arrow on the vertical axis Z is labeled "upward."

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the multi-directional locking assembly in its combined state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the first locking member in the multi-directional locking assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the second locking member in the multi-directional locking assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figures 1-3, the multi-directional locking assembly 700 provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first locking member 710, which is disposed on a movable component, such as a cleaning component of a cleaning device. The first locking member 710 is movable on the movable component along a second direction, which is a left-right direction. The first locking member 710 has a first locking structure 711. A second locking member 720 is disposed outside the movable component, such as on a cleaning device. Fastener 720 has a second locking structure 721, which engages with the first locking structure 711 to lock. During the locking process, in response to the relative movement of the first locking member 710 and the second locking member 720 along a first direction (front-back direction), the first locking member 710, after being pressed by the second locking member 720, moves along the second direction and locks with the second locking member 720. As an application scenario, for example, a cleaning device equipped with the second locking member 720 and a cleaning assembly equipped with the first locking member 710 move relative to each other along the first direction. The first locking member 710, pressed by the second locking member 720, first retracts along the second direction and then pops out to lock with the second locking member 720. During this process, the first locking member 710 and the second locking member 720 are approximately on the same plane, for example, being pressed and locked in a horizontal plane.

[0042] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first locking member 710 includes a first inclined surface 712, and the second locking member 720 includes a second inclined surface 722. When the cleaning device carries the second locking member 720 and moves towards the first locking member 710 along a first direction, i.e., moving from a distant position to a closer position, the first inclined surface 712 and the second inclined surface 722 are pressed together. Under the pressure of the second locking member 720, the first locking member 710 moves along a second direction, for example, to the right, until the first locking member 710 reaches the staggered position of the second locking member 720. Then, under the elastic action of the elastic part, the first locking member 710 moves to the left, and the first locking structure 711 and the second locking structure 721 lock together. Optionally, the first locking structure 711 is an inverted "L" shape, and correspondingly, the second locking structure 721 is a regular "L" shape, so that they can achieve a matching lock. The locking of the first locking structure 711 and the second locking structure 721 can also be a hook type or a stepped type, etc. The first inclined surface 712 and the second inclined surface 722 are approximately parallel, thereby enabling the first locking member 710 to slide stably and smoothly along the second inclined surface 722.

[0043] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG4, the first locking member 710 further includes an elastic member 714 connected to one end of the first locking member 710. The elastic member 714 is configured to unlock the first locking structure 711 and the second locking structure 721 under the action of an external force. For example, if an external force is applied to the elastic member 714 in a left-to-right direction, the elastic member 714 is compressed and drives the first locking member 710 to move to the right, thereby unlocking the first locking structure 711 and the second locking structure 721.

[0044] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1-3, the first locking member 710 further includes a third inclined surface 713, and the second locking member 720 includes a fourth inclined surface 723. In response to the moved component moving along a third direction (vertical direction), the third inclined surface 713 and the fourth inclined surface 723, after being pressed together, cause the first locking structure to move along the second direction and then lock with the second locking structure. As an application scenario, for example, during the relative movement of a cleaning device equipped with the second locking member 720 and a cleaning component equipped with the first locking member 710 along a third direction (i.e., from a distant position to a closer position), the first locking member 710, pressed by the second locking member 720, first retracts along the second direction and then pops out, locking with the second locking member 720. During this process, the first locking member 710 and the second locking member 720 are approximately in the same vertical plane, and they lock together by pressing within the vertical plane. The third inclined surface 713 and the fourth inclined surface 723 are approximately parallel, thereby enabling the first locking member 710 to slide stably and smoothly along the second inclined surface 722.

[0045] In other embodiments, this disclosure also provides a robot system, such as a cleaning system consisting of a base station and cleaning equipment, or a system consisting of multiple cleaning equipment, etc. The robot system includes an unlocking component 110 and a multi-directional locking component 700 as described in any of the above. The unlocking component 110 is configured to unlock the first locking member 710 from the second locking member 720, move the movable component to another cleaning equipment that needs to be adapted, and then lock the first locking member 710 and the second locking member 720.

[0046] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG5, the unlocking assembly 110 includes an unlocking structure 120 configured to unlock the first locking member 710 from the second locking member 720, or to lock the first locking member 710 and the second locking member 720. In some embodiments, the unlocking assembly 110 further includes a driving mechanism configured to drive the unlocking structure 120 to move in a second direction. After moving in the second direction, the unlocking structure 120 extends into the first locking member 710, and unlocks the first locking member 710 by applying pressure to the elastic member 714.

[0047] In some embodiments, the unlocking structure 120 includes: a support end 121 configured to support the movable component under the drive of the drive mechanism; and an unlocking end 122 configured to unlock the first locking member 710 under the drive of the drive mechanism. The support end 121 has a wider cross-section, enabling more stable support for the movement of the movable component. Under the drive of the drive mechanism, the support end 121 inserts to the right into the support position of the movable component, and then supports the movement of the movable component. The unlocking end 122 has a shorter length, so that after the support end 121 is inserted into the support position, the unlocking end 122 just compresses the elastic member 714 to a position that unlocks the first locking member 710.

[0048] In some embodiments, the support end 121 of the unlocking structure 120 is inserted into the support position of the movable device to support the movable component and make it move. At this time, the unlocking end 122 is in the extended state of the compression elastic member 714, and the first locking member 710 is in the right-retracted state. When the movable component moves to a predetermined position, for example, to a position where it can be aligned with the second locking member 720 for locking, the unlocking structure 120 moves to the left under the drive of the drive mechanism, causing the support end 121 to disengage from the support position, and at the same time causing the unlocking end 122 to move to the left and release the elastic member 714. The elastic member 714 causes the first locking member 710 to move to the left and then locks with the second locking member 720. As shown in Figure 6, the unlocking component 110 moves to the multi-directional locking component 700. The driving mechanism of the unlocking component 110 drives the unlocking structure 120 to move along the second direction. The support end 121 of the unlocking structure 120 is inserted into the support housing 810 of the first locking component housing 800. At the same time, the unlocking end 122 is inserted into the unlocking housing 820 of the first locking component housing 800. The unlocking housing 820 has an elastic element 714 that connects to the first locking component 710. The unlocking end 122 compresses the elastic element 714 and pushes the first locking component 710 and the second locking component 720 to separate and unlock. After unlocking, the cleaning component can move under the support of the support end 121.

[0049] In the multi-directional locking assembly provided in this embodiment, a first locking member is disposed on the cleaning assembly, and a second locking member is disposed on the cleaning device. Under the action of external force, the cleaning assembly can be easily disassembled from the cleaning device through the cooperation of the first and second locking members, so as to facilitate the assembly of the disassembled cleaning assembly with other cleaning devices, thereby improving the compatibility of the cleaning assembly and expanding the application scenarios of the cleaning assembly.

[0050] Finally, it should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the systems or apparatus disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, the descriptions are relatively simple, and relevant parts can be referred to the method section.

[0051] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this disclosure, and are not intended to limit it. Although this disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A multi-directional locking assembly, comprising: A first locking element is disposed on the movable component, the first locking element is movable on the movable component in a first direction, and the first locking element has a first locking structure. as well as A second locking element is disposed outside the movable component. The second locking element has a second locking structure, which engages with the first locking structure to lock. In response to the first locking member and the second locking member moving relative to each other in a first direction or a third direction, the first locking member is pressed by the second locking member and moves in the second direction, and locks with the second locking member.

2. The multi-directional locking assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first locking member includes a first inclined surface, and the second locking member includes a second inclined surface. In response to the first locking member and the second locking member moving relative to each other in a first direction, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are pressed together, so that the first locking structure and the second locking structure are locked together.

3. The multi-directional locking assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The first inclined plane and the second inclined plane are approximately parallel.

4. The multi-directional locking assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first locking member includes a third inclined surface, and the second locking member includes a fourth inclined surface. In response to the movable component moving along a third direction, the third inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface press together, causing the first locking structure to lock with the second locking structure.

5. The multi-directional locking assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The third inclined plane and the fourth inclined plane are approximately parallel.

6. The multi-directional locking assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first locking element further includes an elastic element, which is configured to unlock the first locking structure from the second locking structure under the action of an external force.

7. The multi-directional locking assembly according to claim 1, wherein, Both the first and second locking structures are stepped portions.

8. A robot system comprising an unlocking component and a multi-directional locking component as described in any one of claims 1-7, the unlocking component being configured to unlock the first locking member and the second locking member.

9. The robot system according to claim 8, wherein, The unlocking component includes an unlocking structure configured to move in a second direction to unlock the first locking member and the second locking member.

10. The robot system according to claim 9, wherein, The unlocking component further includes a drive mechanism configured to drive the unlocking structure to move along a second direction.

11. The robot system according to claim 10, wherein, The unlocking structure includes: The support end is configured to support the movable component and move it under the drive of the drive mechanism; The unlocking end is configured to unlock the first locking element and the second locking element under the drive of the drive mechanism.

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