Side brush, cleaning apparatus and cleaning system

Abstract

A side brush (10), a cleaning apparatus (1) and a cleaning system (3). The cleaning apparatus (1) comprises: a body (20) and the side brush (10). The side brush (10) comprises: a side brush base (110) rotatable around a first axis; and a plurality of brush strips, which include at least one first brush strip (120) and at least one second brush strip (130), wherein the first brush strip (120) comprises a first connecting arm (121) and a first bristle tuft (122), the first bristle tuft (122) being connected to the side brush base (110) by means of the first connecting arm (121), and the second brush strip (130) rotates around a first rotation point (a1) to move between a first position and a second position. The radial distance from the connection point between the first connecting arm (121) and the side brush base (110) to the first axis (P1) has a first value (J1), and the radial distance from the first rotation point (a1) to the first axis (P1) has a second value (J2); at least when the second brush strip (130) is in the second position, the second value (J2) is greater than the first value (J1). When the second brush strip (130) is in the first position and the second position, the radial distances from a free end of the second brush strip (130) to the first axis (P1) have a third value (J3) and a fourth value (J4) respectively, the fourth value (J4) being greater than the third value (J3). Thus, cleaning of corners and edges can be realized, expanding the cleaning coverage.

Description

Side brushes, cleaning equipment and cleaning systems

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Utility Model Patent Application No. 2024216742354, filed on July 15, 2024, entitled "Side Brush, Cleaning Component, Cleaning Equipment, Cleaning Base Station and Cleaning System", and Chinese Utility Model Patent Application No. 2025200364571, filed on January 6, 2025, entitled "Side Brush, Cleaning Equipment and Cleaning System". Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the technical field of cleaning tools, and particularly to a side brush, cleaning equipment, and cleaning system. Background Technology

[0003] When performing cleaning tasks, the cleaning robot rotates its side brushes to collect dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned towards the suction port, thus improving cleaning efficiency.

[0004] However, during the cleaning process, the side brushes of the cleaning robot are not long enough to extend to corner areas such as wall corners, thus failing to achieve corner cleaning. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a side brush, cleaning device, and cleaning system that can clean corners and edges, thereby expanding the cleaning range.

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device includes: a body; an inlet disposed at the bottom of the body; a side brush disposed beside the inlet, the side brush including: a side brush base rotatable about a first axis; and a plurality of brush strips, including at least one first brush strip and at least one second brush strip, the first brush strip including a first connecting arm and a first bristle, a first end of the first connecting arm connected to the side brush base, a second end of the first connecting arm connected to the first bristle, and the second brush strip rotating about a first rotation point to move between a first position and a second position; wherein the radial distance from the connection point of the first connecting arm and the side brush base to the first axis has a first value, and the radial distance from the first rotation point to the first axis has a second value, the second value being greater than the first value at least when the second brush strip is in the second position; the radial distance from the free end of the second brush strip to the first axis has a third value and a fourth value respectively when it is in the first position and the second position, the fourth value being greater than the third value.

[0007] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device includes: a body; an inlet located at the bottom of the body; and a side brush located beside the inlet. The side brush includes: a side brush base rotatable about a first axis; and a second brush strip rotatable along a first rotation point to move between a first position and a second position. The maximum value of the radial distances from any point on the outer circumferential surface of the side brush base to the first axis is a fifth value, and the radial distance from the first rotation point to the first axis is a second value. At least when the second brush strip is in the second position, the second value is greater than the fifth value. When the second brush strip is in the first position and the second position, the radial distances from its free end to the first axis correspond to a third value and a fourth value, respectively, where the fourth value is greater than the third value.

[0008] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device includes: a body; an inlet located at the bottom of the body; and a side brush located beside the inlet. The side brush includes: a side brush base with a receiving cavity on its outer circumferential surface, the side brush base being rotatable about a first axis; and a movable brush strip, one end of which is connected to the receiving cavity. The movable brush strip rotates with the side brush base about the first axis and is movable between a first position and a second position. When the movable brush strip is in the first position, a first portion of it is retracted into the receiving cavity; when the movable brush strip is in the second position, a second portion of it is retracted into the receiving cavity. The length of the first portion is greater than the length of the second portion.

[0009] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a cleaning system is provided. The cleaning system includes: a cleaning base station; and any of the cleaning devices described above, the cleaning device being optionally interfaced with the cleaning base station.

[0010] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a side brush is provided. The side brush includes: a side brush base rotatable about a first axis; a plurality of brush strips, including at least one first brush strip and at least one second brush strip, the first brush strip including a first connecting arm and a first bristle, a first end of the first connecting arm connected to the side brush base, a second end of the first connecting arm connected to the first bristle, and the second brush strip rotating about a first rotation point to move between a first position and a second position; wherein the radial distance from the connection point of the first connecting arm and the side brush base to the first axis has a first value, and the radial distance from the first rotation point to the first axis has a second value, the second value being greater than the first value at least when the second brush strip is in the second position; the radial distance from the free end of the second brush strip to the first axis has a third value and a fourth value respectively when it is in the first position and the second position, the fourth value being greater than the third value.

[0011] Typically, in the regular cleaning mode, the side brush rotates around the first axis in the first circumferential direction, allowing the second brush strip to be in a first position. This reduces the rotation diameter of the second brush strip, preventing interference with the traveling wheels and avoiding damage to the second brush strip caused by the wheels pressing on it, while ensuring stable operation of the cleaning equipment. In the corner cleaning mode, the side brush rotates around the first axis in the second circumferential direction, allowing the second brush strip to be in a second position. This increases the rotation diameter of the second brush strip, allowing more of it to reach and clean the corner areas, thus improving the cleaning range. In this way, the rotation diameter of the second brush strip can be increased for corner cleaning, while it can be reduced during normal movement to prevent interference with the traveling wheels, ensuring normal operation. Furthermore, the side brush has a simple structure, small size, and low cost.

[0012] At the same time, the first rotation point around which the second brush bar rotates at least in the second position can be offset radially away from the first axis, thereby increasing the length of the second brush bar that can reach into the corner area, thus allowing the second brush bar to obtain a larger cleaning range. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figures 1A and 1B show bottom views of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the brush strips of the side brush in Figure 1A are in a normal cleaning state, and the brush strips of the side brush in Figure 1B are in a corner cleaning state.

[0015] Figure 1C is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figures 2A and 2B show top views of a side brush according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the second brush bar in Figure 2A is in a first position and the second brush bar in Figure 2B is in a second position;

[0017] Figures 3A and 3B show perspective views of a side brush according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the second brush bar in Figure 3A is in a first position and the second brush bar in Figure 3B is in a second position;

[0018] Figures 4A and 4B show exploded views of a side brush according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the second brush bar in Figure 4A is in a first position and the second brush bar in Figure 4B is in a second position;

[0019] Figures 5A and 5B show partial structural diagrams of a side brush according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein Figures 5A and 5B are different perspectives;

[0020] Figures 6A and 6B show top views of a side brush according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the second brush bar in Figure 6A is in a first position and the second brush bar in Figure 6B is in a second position;

[0021] Figures 7A and 7B show exploded views of a side brush according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the second brush bar in Figure 7A is in a first position and the second brush bar in Figure 7B is in a second position;

[0022] Figures 8A and 8B show perspective views of a second brush bar containing a mating protrusion and a limiting groove according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein Figure 8A is a perspective view of the second brush bar containing the limiting groove, and Figure 8B is a perspective view of the lower housing containing the protrusion and a portion of the extension arm integrally formed.

[0023] Figures 9A and 9B show perspective views of a second brush bar containing a mating protrusion and a limiting groove according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein Figure 9A is a perspective view of the second brush bar containing the limiting groove, and Figure 9B is a perspective view of the lower housing containing the protrusion and a portion of the extension arm integrally formed.

[0024] Figures 10A and 10B show top views of a side brush according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the second brush bar in Figure 10A is in a first position and the second brush bar in Figure 10B is in a second position.

[0025] Figures 11A and 11B show perspective views of a side brush according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the second brush bar in Figure 11A is in a first position and the second brush bar in Figure 11B is in a second position.

[0026] Figure 12 shows a partial structural perspective view of a side brush according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 13 shows a perspective view of another part of the structure of the side brush according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 14 shows a perspective view from below when the second brush bar of the side brush according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is in the first position;

[0029] Figure 15 shows a structural perspective view of a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Cleaning equipment; 2. Cleaning base station; 3. Cleaning system; 10. Side brush; 110. Side brush holder; 1101. Upper housing; 1102. Lower housing; 111. Outer peripheral surface; 112. First limiting part; 113. Second limiting part; 114. Receiving cavity; 115. Sixth limiting part; 116. Third limiting part; 117. Fourth limiting part; 118. Fifth limiting part; 119. Annular snap-fit ​​part; 120. First brush strip; 121. First connecting arm; 122. First bristle strip; 130. Second brush strip; 131. Second connecting arm 1311, Limiting groove; 1312, Rotary hole; 132, Second brush strip; 140, Extended arm; 141, Protrusion; 142, Installation space; 143, Lower arm body; 144, Upper arm body; 145, Rotating shaft; 146, Seventh limiting part; 20, Body; 21, Suction inlet; 22, Dust inlet; 23, Installation compartment; 24, Storage compartment; 25, Recess; 30, Dust collection container; 40, Roller brush; 60, Drive source; 71, Drive wheel; 72, Universal wheel. Detailed Implementation

[0031] In the following description, numerous details are provided to enable a thorough understanding of this disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the following description merely illustrates preferred embodiments of the disclosure, and that the disclosure can be practiced without one or more of these details. Furthermore, to avoid confusion with this disclosure, some technical features well-known in the art have not been described in detail.

[0032] Side brushes typically consist of a side brush holder and brush strips mounted on the holder. The brush strips are installed on the cleaning robot via the holder and move with the side brush holder to clean the surface. To prevent the robot's wheels (drive wheels 71 and / or casters 72) from pressing on the brush strips during cleaning, thus affecting or damaging them, the length of the brush strips should not exceed the distance between the side brush holder and the drive wheels. This means that simply making the brush strips long is insufficient to allow them to reach into corner areas for cleaning.

[0033] In related technologies, two methods have been used to improve the cleaning effect of corners: One is to design the head in a square shape to better fit the corners. While this allows the square head to extend into the corner area, making the side brushes closer to the corners and improving cleaning effectiveness, the square head design makes turning difficult and getting stuck between multi-legged furniture. It also requires higher software computing power, and the sales of square models in the market are not ideal, with low consumer acceptance. Another method is to add power or a motor to make the side brush module (including the side brushes and drive source) rotate or extend outwards from the body when cleaning corners, allowing the side brushes to get closer to the corners. However, this approach increases costs and occupies more space.

[0034] Based on this, the inventors proposed a new design for side brushes to find a balance between increasing cleaning range and controlling cost and space. In this design, the brush strips of the side brush are rotatable, and there is a radial distance between the end of the brush strip and the rotation axis of the side brush holder. This radial distance varies depending on the position of the brush strip. Specifically, the brush strip can switch between a first position with a smaller radial distance and a second position with a larger radial distance, following the forward and reverse rotation of the side brush holder. When it is desired that the brush strip can extend into the corner area for corner cleaning, the brush strip can be moved to the second position, increasing the radial distance and allowing it to reach into the corner area, thus increasing the cleaning range. During normal cleaning, the movable brush strip can be moved to the first position, reducing the radial distance and preventing interference between the cleaning robot's wheels and the brush strip, ensuring the normal operation of the cleaning robot. In this way, the radial distance of the brush strip can be increased when cleaning corner areas, allowing it to reach into these areas for thorough cleaning. Simultaneously, interference with the wheels is avoided during normal cleaning operations, ensuring proper functioning. Furthermore, the side brush has a simple structure, small size, and low cost. To further improve the cleaning range and effectiveness of the side brush in corner areas, the inventors can also shift the rotation point of the brush strip in at least the second position radially away from the rotation axis of the brush holder, thereby increasing the length of the brush strip extending into the corner area and thus covering a wider cleaning area. This side brush can be applied to any suitable cleaning equipment, such as vacuum cleaners, self-propelled cleaning robots (e.g., robotic vacuum cleaners), and window cleaning robots.

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of this disclosure, but not all embodiments.

[0036] Figures 1A and 1B show bottom views of a cleaning device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 1A, the brush strips of the side brush 10 are in a normal cleaning state, corresponding to the cleaning device 1 performing a normal cleaning mode. In Figure 1B, the brush strips of the side brush 10 are in a corner cleaning state, corresponding to the cleaning device 1 performing a corner cleaning mode. Figure 1C is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For ease of explanation of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a robot vacuum cleaner is used as an example for illustration.

[0037] Referring to Figures 1A-1C, the cleaning device 1 may include a body 20. A suction port 21 is provided at the bottom of the body 20, which can be understood as the side closest to the surface to be cleaned. A mounting chamber 23 is recessed from the suction port 21 toward the interior of the body 20. A roller brush 40 is rotatably mounted within the mounting chamber 23 about a horizontal axis of rotation. Typically, a cleaning element is provided on the outer periphery of the roller brush 40; the cleaning element can be a bristle brush or a rubber brush, and its tip can extend beyond the suction port 21 for cleaning debris from the surface to be cleaned.

[0038] The housing 20 may also include a receiving chamber 24. The receiving chamber 24 has a dust inlet 22. The dust inlet 22 communicates with the mounting chamber 23. The dust collection container 30 can be detachably installed inside the receiving chamber 24. After the dust collection container 30 is installed in the receiving chamber 24, the dust collection air inlet of the dust collection container 30 communicates with the dust inlet 22 of the receiving chamber 24. Thus, an airflow channel can be formed sequentially through the suction port 21, the mounting chamber 23, the dust inlet 22, and the dust collection container 30 (the thick dashed line in Figure 1C represents the airflow path). At the end of this airflow channel, a negative pressure device, such as a fan, can be connected. When the negative pressure device is working, it can create a negative pressure in the mounting chamber 23, causing the dust and debris swept up by the roller brush 40 to flow along the airflow channel with the air. When the dust and debris pass through the dust collection container 30, they are filtered by the filter structure of the dust collection container 30 and collected inside the dust collection container 30, while the clean air can be discharged into the environment after passing through the negative pressure device.

[0039] To improve cleaning efficiency, a side brush 10 is provided next to the suction inlet 21. Exemplarily, the side brush 10 can be located at the bottom of the body 20, in front of the suction inlet 21. The side brush 10 rotates continuously during the cleaning process, sweeping dust and debris towards the suction inlet 21. Typically, side brushes 10 can be provided on both the left and right sides of the suction inlet 21. Both side brushes 10 rotate towards the suction inlet 21. Specifically, viewed from above, in normal cleaning mode, the left side brush 10 rotates clockwise, and the right side brush 10 rotates counterclockwise, thus collecting dust and debris from both sides towards the suction inlet at the bottom of the body 20. For example, with the forward direction X of the cleaning device 1 when performing the cleaning task as the front, a side brush 10 is provided on each of the left and right sides in front of the cleaning device 1, and the suction port 21 is located between the two side brushes 10 and behind the side brushes 10; the cleaning range of the side brushes can be outside the body 20, so as to sweep the garbage on the surface to be cleaned toward the suction port 21.

[0040] It should be noted that in some other embodiments, the body 20 of the cleaning device 1 may not be equipped with a roller brush 40, but it is still equipped with a suction port 21. When the side brush 10 performs the cleaning task, the garbage swept by the side brush 10 is swept to the suction port 12 and sucked into the dust collection container 30 through the suction port 12.

[0041] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a side brush 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the side brush 10 may include a side brush holder 110 and a plurality of brush strips. The side brush holder 110 is rotatable about a first axis P1. The side brush holder 110 serves as a carrier for the plurality of brush strips, which can be disposed on the side brush holder 110, thereby allowing the side brush holder 110 to drive the rotation of the plurality of brush strips as a whole. The side brush holder 110 is detachably connected to the body 20 for convenient daily maintenance and replacement of the side brush 10. Exemplarily, the cross-section of the side brush holder 110 perpendicular to the first axis may be circular, square, or any other shape, but considering the stability of the side brush holder 110 during rotation, the cross-section of the side brush holder 110 is set to be approximately circular. The diameter of the side brush holder 110 can range from 20mm to 70mm. Theoretically, the diameter of the side brush holder 110 should be as small as possible. However, considering that the side brush holder 110 also needs to have a connection point with the brush strip and the drive source 60, the diameter of the side brush holder 110 is set to 27mm for example. Typically, the cleaning device 1 may also include a drive source 60, which is mounted on the body 20 and connected to the side brush holder 110. The drive source 60 is used to drive the side brush holder 110 to rotate around the first axis P1. The drive source 60 can be a reversible motor or other reversible drive component.

[0042] In some embodiments, the brush bar includes a connecting arm and bristles. One end of the connecting arm is connected to the side brush holder 110, and the other end of the connecting arm is connected to the bristles, which contact the surface to be cleaned for cleaning. In other embodiments, the brush bar includes bristles, one end of which is connected to the side brush holder 110, and the other end of which contacts the surface to be cleaned for cleaning. Exemplarily, the connecting arm may be made of a rigid material, while the bristles are relatively flexible to facilitate adaptive deformation upon contact with the surface to be cleaned. Exemplarily, the length of the brush bar ranges from 30mm to 130mm in the radial direction perpendicular to the first axis P1, thereby allowing the brush bar to contact the surface to be cleaned for cleaning while reducing the risk of bending and damage during rotation due to excessive length; the length of the bristles can range from 30mm to 100mm.

[0043] Multiple brush strips typically include at least one first brush strip 120 and at least one second brush strip 130. The first brush strip 120 may include a first connecting arm 121 and a first bristle strip 122. A first end of the first connecting arm 121 is connected to the side brush holder 110, and a second end of the first connecting arm 121 is connected to the first bristle strip 122. When the side brush holder 110 rotates, the first bristle strip 122 rotates along with the side brush holder 110 via the first connecting arm 121, thereby cleaning the surface to be cleaned. The first connecting arm 121 may be made of a rigid material; more specifically, it may be made of rigid rubber or rigid plastic. The first connecting arm 121 may be irregularly shaped or a straight rod structure. Optionally, an intermediate arm may connect the first connecting arm 121 and the first bristle strip 122. The intermediate arm may have a certain degree of flexibility, for example, it may be made of soft thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU). The intermediate arm not only secures the first bristle strip 122 but also extends its length and increases its flexibility. Typically, both the first bristle strip 122 and the intermediate arm are elongated and generally exhibit a consistent extension trend. Alternatively, the intermediate arm can be omitted, and the first bristle strip 122 can be directly connected to the first connecting arm 121. The first bristle strip 122 can possess a certain degree of flexibility, allowing it to deform and conform to the surface being cleaned, thereby increasing the contact area. Optionally, the first bristle strip 122 typically has multiple bristles, which radiate from the root connected to the first connecting arm 121 or the intermediate arm towards the end of the first brush strip. For each bristle, its length should be as short as possible while still meeting the contact length requirement with the ground. This minimizes the risk of the bristles radiating outwards and affecting the cleaning effect when the bristles rotate with the side brush holder 110. For example, the bristle length can range from 30mm to 100mm. The bristles can be straight; or the ends of the bristles can be bent backward relative to the direction of rotation during sweeping; or the ends of the bristles can be bent toward the ground.

[0044] The second brush bar 130 rotates around the first rotation point a1 to move between a first position and a second position. The first connecting arm 121 and the side brush holder 110 have a connection point b1. The radial distance from connection point b1 to the first axis P1 has a first value J1, and the radial distance from the first rotation point a1 to the first axis P1 has a second value J2. At least when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position, the second value J2 is greater than the first value J1. Furthermore, when the second brush bar 130 is in the first position, the radial distance from the free end of the second brush bar 130 to the first axis P1 has a third value J3; when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position, the radial distance from the free end of the second brush bar 130 to the first axis P1 has a fourth value J4, and the fourth value J4 is greater than the third value J3. In other words, compared to when the second brush bar 130 is in the first position, the free end of the second brush bar 130 in the second position is farther from the first axis P1. When the side brush holder 110 rotates around the first axis P1, the rotation diameter of the second brush bar 130 in the second position can be larger, thus expanding the cleaning range of the side brush 10. Simultaneously, along the radially outward direction perpendicular to the first axis P1, at least the first rotation point a1 of the second brush bar 130 in the second position can be offset outward relative to the connection point b1 of the first brush bar 120, thereby further increasing the rotation diameter of the second brush bar 130 in the second position and expanding the cleaning range of the side brush 10. Thus, when it is desired that the side brush 10 can achieve corner cleaning in the corner area, the second brush bar 130 can be moved to the second position, increasing the second value J2 of the second brush bar 130, allowing the second brush bar 130 to extend into the corner area and expand the cleaning range. When the side brush 10 is to perform routine cleaning, the second brush strip 130 can be moved to the first position, reducing the second value J2 of the second brush strip 130, thereby avoiding interference between the second brush strip 130 and the driving wheel, which would affect the movement of the cleaning device 1 or damage the second brush strip 130.

[0045] Optionally, when the second brush strip 130 is in the second position, the value of the second value J2 can be in the range of 15mm-35mm. This ensures that the first rotation point a1 is offset outward in the radial direction relative to the first axis P1 by a sufficient distance when in the second position, allowing the free end of the second brush strip 130 in the second position to extend into the corner area for corner cleaning. Furthermore, this avoids the problem of the first rotation point a1 being offset too far outward in the radial direction relative to the first axis P1 when in the second position, which could cause the second brush strip 130 to interfere with the driving wheel during normal cleaning.

[0046] It should be noted that the plane perpendicular to the first axis P1 and passing through the geometric center of the side brush holder 110 is defined as the transverse plane. The second brush bar 130 can rotate around the second axis P2 (see a1), and the intersection of the second axis P2 and the transverse plane is the first rotation point a1. The second axis P2 and the first axis P1 can be arranged parallel to each other or intersecting each other, and this disclosure does not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0047] For example, the second brush bar 130 can switch between a first position and a second position based on the rotation of the side brush holder 110 in different directions and the frictional force with the surface to be cleaned. Specifically, for ease of description later, the two opposite directions around the first axis P1 are defined as the first circumferential direction R1 and the second circumferential direction R2, respectively (see Figures 2A and 2B, the brush bar is set towards the surface to be cleaned and in contact with the surface to be cleaned). Correspondingly, the drive source 60 can drive the side brush holder 110 to rotate along the first circumferential direction R1 or the second circumferential direction R2. Referring to Figure 2B, when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position and the drive source 60 drives the side brush holder 110 to rotate along the first circumferential direction R1, the second brush bar 130 partially rotates relative to the side brush holder 110 along the second circumferential direction R2 under the action of the frictional force of the surface to be cleaned, until the second brush bar 130 moves to the first position, at which point the second brush bar 130 remains in the first position and rotates synchronously with the side brush holder 110. Referring to Figure 2A, when the second brush bar 130 is in the first position and the drive source 60 drives the side brush holder 110 to rotate around the second circumferential direction R2, the second brush bar 130 rotates relative to the side brush holder 110 along the first circumferential direction R1 under the action of the friction force of the surface to be cleaned, until the second brush bar 130 moves to the second position, the second brush bar 130 remains in the second position and rotates synchronously with the side brush holder 110.

[0048] This structural design allows the second brush bar 130 to move between the first and second positions simply by rotating the side brush 10 in both directions and by using friction from the surface to be cleaned. The operation is simple and does not significantly increase the manufacturing cost, structural complexity, or weight of the side brush 10, making it more economical and practical.

[0049] It should be noted that the first circumferential direction R1 can be either clockwise or counterclockwise, and the second circumferential direction R2 can be either clockwise or counterclockwise, which can be selected according to the actual installation position of the side brush 10. For example, when the side brush 10 is installed on the cleaning device 1, viewed from a top angle, and taking the right side brush on the cleaning device 1 as an example, the first circumferential direction R1 is counterclockwise, and the second circumferential direction R2 is clockwise. In this way, when the cleaning device 1 is performing regular cleaning, the right side brush 10 needs to rotate counterclockwise to sweep the debris towards the suction port 21 (for example, the suction port 21 is located between the left and right side brushes), and the second brush strip 130 can be moved to the first position to avoid interference between the second brush strip 130 and the driving wheel during regular cleaning. For example, the shape of the left side brush is symmetrical to that of the right side brush relative to the central axis of the cleaning device 1. The central axis of the cleaning device 1 passes through the center of the cleaning device 1 and is parallel to the forward direction of the cleaning device 1. During normal cleaning, the left side brush needs to rotate clockwise to sweep the debris towards the suction port 21. The movement direction of the left side brush 10 is opposite to that of the right side brush 10, which will not be described in detail hereafter. For ease of description, unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments will use the right side brush as an example.

[0050] For example, the cleaning device 1 may have a regular cleaning mode and a corner cleaning mode. When the cleaning device 1 selects the regular cleaning mode, it continues to move under the drive of its wheels, and the side brush 10 performs the aforementioned regular cleaning. Specifically, the side brush 10 rotates along the first circumferential direction R1, and the second brush strip 130 moves to or is in the first position, reducing the rotation diameter of the second brush strip 130 to avoid interference between the wheels and the second brush strip 130, thus ensuring the normal operation of the cleaning device 1. When the cleaning device 1 selects the corner cleaning mode, it stops moving, the side brush 10 rotates along the second circumferential direction R2, and the second brush strip 130 moves to or is in the second position, increasing the rotation diameter of the second brush strip 130, thereby increasing the cleaning range of the corner areas.

[0051] Referring to Figure 3B, exemplarily, the first rotation point a1 can utilize the extension arm 140 connected to the side brush holder 110, such that the radial distance from the first rotation point a1 to the first axis P1 is greater than the radial distance from the connection point b1 to the first axis P1. Specifically, the side brush 10 may further include the extension arm 140, with its first end connected to the side brush holder 110. The extension arm 140 may have at least one position; for ease of description, this position is defined as the third position. When the extension arm 140 is in the third position, its second end protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 111 of the side brush holder 110, and the second brush bar 130 is rotatably connected to the second end of the extension arm 140 around the first rotation point a1. Thus, by utilizing the extension arm 140, at least when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position, the second value J2 is greater than the first value J1. The outer peripheral surface 111 can be understood as the circumferential outer surface of the brush holder 110, or the side wall surface connecting the upper and lower surfaces of the brush holder 110. Alternatively, when the extension arm 140 is in the third position, the projection of the second end of the extension arm 140 onto a plane perpendicular to the first axis P1 lies within the projection range of the brush holder 110 onto the plane perpendicular to the first axis P1. For example, when the first axis P1 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the plane perpendicular to the first axis P1 is the horizontal plane; or, for example, when the first axis P1 is not perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the plane perpendicular to the first axis P1 is not parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0052] Of course, at least one connecting rod can also be provided between the second end of the extension arm 140 and the second brush strip 130. The at least one connecting rod is sequentially hinged from the second end of the extension arm 140 to the second brush strip 130, thereby further increasing the rotation diameter of the second brush strip 130 when it is in the second position and improving the cleaning coverage of the corner area. Taking the provision of a connecting rod between the second end of the extension arm 140 and the second brush strip 130 as an example, the first end of the connecting rod is hinged to the second end of the extension arm 140, and the second brush strip 130 is rotatably connected to the second end of the connecting rod around the first rotation point.

[0053] In an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, 4A and 4B, the extension arm 140 may have two positions. Specifically, the first end of the extension arm 140 is rotatably connected to the side brush holder 110 about a second rotation point a2, thereby moving between a third position and a fourth position. Furthermore, since the second brush bar 130 is rotatably connected to the second end of the extension arm 140 about a first rotation point a1, when the extension arm 140 rotates about the second rotation point a2, the second brush bar 130 can move along with the extension arm 140, so that when the extension arm 140 is in the third position, the second brush bar 130 can move to the second position, and when the extension arm 140 is in the fourth position, the second brush bar 130 can move to the first position. In other words, when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position, the extension arm 140 is in the third position. At this time, the second end of the extension arm 140 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 111 of the side brush holder 110. Correspondingly, the radial distance between the first rotation point a1 located at the second end of the extension arm 140 and the first axis P1 must be greater than the radial distance between the connection point b1 of the first connecting arm 121 and the side brush holder 110 and the first axis P1. That is, the second value J2 when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position is greater than the first value J1.

[0054] It should be noted that the plane perpendicular to the first axis P1 and passing through the geometric center of the side brush holder 110 is defined as the transverse plane. The first end of the extension arm 140 is rotatable around the third axis P3 (see a2), and the intersection of the third axis P3 and the transverse plane is the second rotation point a2. Optionally, the third axis P3 and the first axis P1 can be arranged parallel to each other or intersecting. For example, the third axis P3 is arranged intersecting the first axis P1, that is, the third axis P3 is inclined relative to the first axis P1. Thus, when the side brush holder 110 is installed in the recess 25 at the bottom of the body 20 as shown in FIG1C, when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position, the length of the extension arm 140 extending beyond the side brush holder 110 increases, which may cause the extension arm 140 to rub against the bottom of the body 20. Therefore, the third axis P3 can be set to be inclined. In this way, when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position, the degree of downward inclination of the extension arm 140 increases, which can avoid rubbing against the bottom of the body 20 as much as possible. That is, when the second brush bar 130 moves from the first position to the second position, the second end of the extension arm 140 is inclined towards the surface to be cleaned.

[0055] The second brush bar 130 may include a second connecting arm 131 and a second bristle strip 132. The first end of the second connecting arm 131 is rotatably connected to the second end of the extension arm 140 about a first rotation point a1. The second end of the second connecting arm 131 is connected to the first end of the second bristle strip 132, and the end of the second bristle strip 132 constitutes the free end of the second brush bar 130. Optionally, the structure of the second connecting arm 131 can be similar to that of the first connecting arm 121, and the structure of the second bristle strip 132 can be similar to that of the first bristle strip 122, which will not be repeated here. For example, the second connecting arm 131 may be made of a rigid material; more specifically, the second connecting arm 131 may be made of rigid rubber or rigid plastic. The second connecting arm 131 may be an irregular shape or a straight rod structure. Optionally, an intermediate arm may be connected between the second connecting arm 131 and the second bristle strip 132. The intermediate arm may have a certain degree of flexibility, for example, it may be made of soft thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU). The intermediate arm not only secures the second bristle strip 132 but also extends the length of the second brush strip 130 and increases its flexibility. Typically, both the second bristle strip 132 and the intermediate arm are elongated and generally share a consistent extension trend. Alternatively, the intermediate arm can be omitted, and the second bristle strip 132 can be directly connected to the second connecting arm 131. The second bristle strip 132 can possess a certain degree of flexibility, allowing it to deform and conform to the surface being cleaned when in contact, thereby increasing the contact area. Optionally, the second bristle strip 132 typically has multiple bristles, which radiate from the root connected to the second connecting arm 131 or the intermediate arm towards the end of the second brush strip 130. For each bristle, the length should be as short as possible while still meeting the contact length requirement with the ground. This minimizes the risk of the bristles radiating outwards and affecting the cleaning effect when the bristles rotate with the side brush holder 110. For example, the bristle length can range from 30mm to 100mm. The bristles can be straight; or the ends of the bristles can be bent backward relative to the direction of rotation during sweeping; or the ends of the bristles can be bent toward the ground.

[0056] Optionally, the side brush holder 110 may be provided with a first limiting part 112 and a second limiting part 113. When the second brush bar 130 is in the first position, the second connecting arm 131 can abut against the first limiting part 112. Alternatively, when the side brush holder 110 rotates along the first circumferential direction R1, both the outer arm 140 and the second connecting arm 131 rotate relative to the side brush holder 110 until the second connecting arm 131 abuts against the first limiting part 112 to determine the first position of the second brush bar 130, thereby causing the outer arm 140 to determine the fourth position. When the second brush bar 130 is in the second position, the outer arm 140 abuts against the second limiting part 113, and the second connecting arm 131 abuts against the outer arm 140. Alternatively, when the side brush holder 110 rotates along the second circumferential direction R2, the outer arm 140 and the second connecting arm 131 both rotate relative to the side brush holder 110 until the outer arm 140 abuts against the second limiting part 113 to determine the third position, and the second connecting arm 131 abuts against the outer arm 140 to determine the second position.

[0057] Of course, a sliding limiting mechanism can also be provided between the extension arm 140 and the side brush holder 110, such as a mechanism formed by the cooperation of a groove and a slider, or a mechanism formed by the cooperation of a slide rail and a slider. Taking the sliding mechanism of groove and slider cooperation as an example, the extension arm 140 determines the third and fourth positions by the slider sliding in the groove and abutting against the two ends of the groove respectively. The detailed structure of the groove can be referred to the limiting groove below, and the detailed structure of the slider can be referred to the protrusion below.

[0058] In some embodiments, for ease of installation, the side brush holder 110 typically includes an upper housing 1101 and a lower housing 1102. The upper housing 1101 and the lower housing 1102 together form a receiving cavity 114, which extends circumferentially along the side brush holder 110. At least a portion of at least one of the first brush strip 120 and the second brush strip 130 is received within the receiving cavity 114. Alternatively, the side brush holder 110 may include a left housing and a right housing, which, when engaged, form the receiving cavity 114. Exemplarily, as shown in Figures 3A and 5, when the second brush strip 130 is in a first position, the extension arm 140 and the second connecting arm 131 can both be at least partially received within the receiving cavity 114. The receiving cavity 114 restricts the vertical movement of the extension arm 140 and the second connecting arm 131, ensuring that the second brush strip 132 remains in contact with the surface to be cleaned. Optionally, the first end of the extension arm 140 may be positioned adjacent to the first end of the opening of the receiving cavity 114. When the second brush bar 130 is in the first position, the second connecting arm 131 is partially located at the second end of the opening of the receiving cavity 114, thereby at least partially blocking the opening of the receiving cavity 114 by the extension arm 140 and the second connecting arm 131. In this way, during routine cleaning of the cleaning device 1, the amount of debris blocking the receiving cavity 114 through the opening can be reduced, thus avoiding affecting the normal operation of the side brush 10.

[0059] In another optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, 7A and 7B, the extension arm 140 may have only one position. Specifically, the first end of the extension arm 140 is fixedly connected to the side brush holder 110, and the extension arm 140 has only a third position. When the side brush 10 rotates, the extension arm 140 always remains stationary relative to the side brush holder 110. The second end of the extension arm 140 always protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the side brush holder 110. Correspondingly, since the second brush bar 130 is rotatably connected to the second end of the extension arm 140 around the first rotation point a1, the radial distance between the first rotation point a1 located at the second end of the extension arm 140 and the first axis P1 is necessarily greater than the radial distance between the connection point b1 of the first connecting arm 121 and the side brush holder 110 and the first axis P1. That is, the second value J2 when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position is greater than the first value J1. Optionally, the extension arm 140 can be integrally formed with the side brush holder 110, for example, the extension arm 140 can be integrally formed with the upper housing 1101 or the lower housing 1102; or, the extension arm 140 can be divided into two arm parts, which are integrally formed with the upper housing 1101 and the lower housing 1102 respectively. When the upper housing 1101 and the lower housing 1102 are spliced ​​together to form the side brush holder 110, the two arm parts are spliced ​​together to form the extension arm 140. Of course, the extension arm 140 can also be formed separately from the side brush holder 110 and then connected to each other.

[0060] For example, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, and 8A and 8B, the second connecting arm 131 can determine its first and second positions by having the protrusion 141 abut against both ends of the limiting groove 1311. Specifically, the limiting groove 1311 is provided on one of the extension arm 140 and the second connecting arm 131, and the protrusion 141 is provided on the other. The limiting groove 1311 extends along a preset arc line L1 and has a first end and a second end that are oppositely arranged along the preset arc line L1. The center of the preset arc line L1 coincides with the first rotation point a1, or in other words, the center of the preset arc line L1 is located on the second axis P2. The protrusion 141 is at least partially located within the limiting groove 1311, so that when the second brush bar 130 rotates about the first rotation point a1, the protrusion 141 can slide relative to the limiting groove 1311 within the limiting groove 1311, so that the second brush bar 130 abuts against the first end of the limiting groove 1311 via the protrusion 141 to determine the first position, and the second brush bar 130 abuts against the second end of the limiting groove 1311 via the protrusion 141 to determine the second position.

[0061] For ease of explanation, the following description will use an example where the limiting groove 1311 is located on the second connecting arm 131 and the protrusion 141 is located on the outer extension arm 140. The opening of the limiting groove 1311 can be positioned opposite to the outer extension arm 140, thereby using the outer extension arm 140 to block the opening of the limiting groove 1311, preventing debris from entering the limiting groove 1311 through the opening and affecting the sliding of the protrusion 141 within the limiting groove 1311.

[0062] Optionally, an installation space 142 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second end of the extension arm 140, and the first end of the second connecting arm 131 is rotatably disposed within the installation space 142. In this case, the opening of the limiting groove 1311 can be opposite to the inner wall surface of the installation space 142, and the inner wall surface of the installation space 142 can cover the opening. Of course, the second connecting arm 131 can also be disposed below the extension arm 140, and correspondingly, the opening of the limiting groove 1311 is located on the top surface of the second connecting arm 131, and the bottom surface of the extension arm 140 can cover the opening. Alternatively, the second connecting arm 131 can also be disposed above the extension arm 140, and correspondingly, the opening of the limiting groove 1311 is located on the bottom surface of the second connecting arm 131, and the top surface of the extension arm 140 can cover the opening. Taking the example of an installation space 142 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second end of the extension arm 140, the installation space 142 can be formed by slotting on the second end of the extension arm 140. For ease of installation, the extension arm 140 can be formed by splicing a lower arm body 143 and an upper arm body 144. When the lower arm body 143 and the upper arm body 144 are spliced, the lower arm body 143 and the upper arm body 144 together form the installation space 142.

[0063] For example, one of the extension arm 140 and the second connecting arm 131 is provided with a rotating shaft 145, and the other is provided with a rotating hole 1312. The second connecting arm 131 is connected to the second end of the extension arm 140 around the first rotation point a1 through the cooperation of the rotating shaft 145 and the rotating hole 1312. Taking the rotating shaft 145 as the extension arm 140 and the rotating hole 1312 as the second connecting arm 131, optionally, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the limiting groove 1311 is provided on the bottom surface of the second connecting arm 131 (or the side facing the protrusion 141), and the protrusion 141 is provided on the lower arm body 143. As shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the limiting groove 1311 can also be provided on the top surface of the second connecting arm 131 (or the side facing the protrusion 141), and the protrusion 141 is provided on the upper arm body 144. Optionally, the limiting groove 1311 can communicate with the rotating hole 1312 to simplify the processing steps, and correspondingly, the protrusion 141 is attached to the side wall of the rotating shaft 145. Of course, the limiting groove 1311 may not communicate with the rotating hole 1312, and correspondingly, the protrusion 141 and the rotating shaft 145 are spaced apart. Optionally, the rotating shaft 145 may consist of two parts that are respectively connected to the lower arm body 143 and the upper arm body 144. When the protrusion 141 is attached to the side wall of the rotating shaft 145, the protrusion 1411 can be connected to one part of the rotating shaft 145 and extend to the upper and lower ends of that part to ensure the strength of the protrusion 141.

[0064] For example, as shown in Figures 10A and 10B, the side brush holder 110 may also be provided with a sixth limiting part 115, and when the second brush bar 130 is in the first position, the second connecting arm 131 abuts against the sixth limiting part 115. The outer arm 140 is provided with a seventh limiting part 146, and when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position, the second connecting arm 131 abuts against the seventh limiting part 146. Of course, the sixth limiting part 115 may also be provided on the outer arm 140, and the second connecting arm 131 may also abut against the sixth limiting part 115 to determine the first position.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first end of the first connecting arm 121 can be fixedly connected to the side brush holder 110. Optionally, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the first connecting arm 121 can be integrally formed with the lower housing 1102 of the side brush holder 110; in this case, the connection point b1 between the first connecting arm 121 and the side brush holder 110 can be understood as follows: assuming the first connecting arm 121 and the lower housing 1102 are two independent components, the midpoint of the area or interface where the first connecting arm 121 and the lower housing 1102 are joined together during the molding process is the connection point b1; or, in other words, the connection point b1 is the midpoint of the mating surface of the first connecting arm 121 and the lower housing 1102. Of course, the first connecting arm 121 can also be integrally formed with the upper housing 1101 of the side brush holder 110. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7A, the upper housing 1101 and the lower housing 1102 together form a receiving cavity 114. The first end of the first connecting arm 121 of the first brush strip 120 is accommodated in the receiving cavity 114, and a pin is provided in the receiving cavity 114. The first end of the first connecting arm 121 is sleeved on the pin, and the side wall of the first connecting arm 121 abuts against the opening edge of the receiving cavity 114 to fix the first brush strip 120 to the side brush holder 110. In this case, the connection point b1 between the first connecting arm 121 and the side brush holder 110 can be understood as the intersection of the axis of the pin and the transverse plane (a plane perpendicular to the first axis P1 and passing through the geometric center of the side brush holder 110). Of course, the first end of the first connecting arm 121 and the side brush holder 110 can also be fixedly connected by snap-fit, adhesive, heat-fusion connection or interference fit.

[0066] In some other embodiments, the first end of the first connecting arm 121 may also be movably connected to the side brush holder 110. When the drive source 60 drives the side brush holder 110 to rotate along the first circumferential direction R1 and the second circumferential direction R2, the first brush bar 120 may also move between the two positions.

[0067] Optionally, the first limiting part 112 may be formed by a connecting post connected to the upper housing 1101 and the lower housing 1102, or by a protruding tooth on the upper housing 1101 or the lower housing 1102, or by an engaging structure of the upper housing 1101 and the lower housing 1102, or by a limiting structure provided on the upper housing 1101 or the lower housing 1102. Similarly, the second limiting part 113 may refer to the formation of the first limiting part 112; when the sixth limiting part 115 is provided on the side brush holder 110, it may also refer to the formation of the first limiting part 112.

[0068] For example, the first rotation point a1 can also utilize a rotatable first brush bar 120, such that the radial distance from the first rotation point a1 to the first axis P1 is greater than the radial distance from the connection point b1 to the first axis P1. Specifically, as shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the first end of the first connecting arm 121 is rotatably connected to the side brush holder 110 around the third rotation point a3, allowing the first brush bar 120 to move between the fifth and sixth positions around the third rotation point a3. Specifically, the connection point b1 and the third rotation point a3 can be considered as the same point. The second brush bar 130 is rotatably connected to the first connecting arm 121 around the first rotation point a1. Thus, when the first brush bar 120 rotates around the third rotation point a3, the second brush bar 130 moves with the first connecting arm 121 of the first brush bar 120, so that when the first brush bar 120 is in the fifth position, the second brush bar 130 can move to the second position; and when the first brush bar 120 is in the sixth position, the second brush bar 130 can move to the first position. Specifically, when the first brush bar 120 is in the fifth position and the second brush bar 130 is movable to the second position, the projection of the first rotation point a1 onto the plane perpendicular to the first axis P1 is outside the range of the projection of the side brush holder 110 onto the plane perpendicular to the first axis P1. In other words, the first rotation point a1 is located outside the outer periphery 111 of the side brush holder 110. Therefore, when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position, the radial distance between the first rotation point a1 and the first axis P1 is necessarily greater than the radial distance between the connection point b1 of the first connecting arm 121 and the side brush holder 110 and the first axis P1. That is, the second value J2 when the second brush bar 130 is in the second position is greater than the first value J1.

[0069] In this embodiment, both the first brush bar 120 and the second brush bar 130 can switch between two positions based on the rotation of the side brush holder 110 in different directions and the frictional force with the surface to be cleaned. Specifically, when the first brush bar 120 is in the fifth position and the second brush bar 130 is in the second position, the drive source 60 drives the side brush holder 110 to rotate along the first circumferential direction R1. Under the action of the frictional force of the surface to be cleaned, the first brush bar 120 and the second brush bar 130 rotate relative to the side brush holder 110 along the second circumferential direction R2 until the first brush bar 120 and the second brush bar 130 move to the sixth position and the first position respectively, or when the first brush bar 120 and the second brush bar 130 move to the sixth position and the first position respectively at the same time, the first brush bar 120 remains in the sixth position and the second brush bar 130 remains in the first position, and rotates synchronously with the side brush holder 110. When the first brush bar 120 is in the sixth position and the second brush bar 130 is in the first position, the drive source 60 drives the side brush holder 110 to rotate in the second circumferential direction R2. Under the action of the friction force of the surface to be cleaned, the first brush bar 120 and the second brush bar 130 rotate relative to the side brush holder 110 in the first circumferential direction R1 until the first brush bar 120 and the second brush bar 130 move to the fifth position and the second position respectively, or when the first brush bar 120 and the second brush bar 130 move to the fifth position and the second position respectively at the same time, the first brush bar 120 remains in the fifth position and the second brush bar 130 remains in the second position, and rotates synchronously with the side brush holder 110.

[0070] It should be noted that the plane perpendicular to the first axis P1 and passing through the geometric center of the side brush holder 110 is defined as the transverse plane. The first end of the first connecting arm 121 is rotatable around the fourth axis P4 (see a3), and the intersection of the fourth axis P4 and the transverse plane is the third rotation point a3. The fourth axis P4 and the first axis P1 can be arranged parallel to each other or intersecting each other, and this disclosure does not specifically limit this.

[0071] As mentioned above, the second brush bar 130 may include a second connecting arm 131 and a second bristle strip 132. In this embodiment, the first end of the second connecting arm 131 is rotatably connected to the first connecting arm 121 about a first rotation point a1. Correspondingly, the side brush holder 110 is provided with a third limiting part 116, a fourth limiting part 117, and a fifth limiting part 118. When the second brush bar 130 is in the second position, the first connecting arm 121 abuts against the third limiting part 116 to be in the fifth position, and the second connecting arm 131 abuts against the first connecting arm 121. When the second brush bar 130 is in the first position, the first connecting arm 121 abuts against the fourth limiting part 117 to be in the sixth position, and the second connecting arm 131 abuts against the fifth limiting part 118.

[0072] For example, as shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 6A, 6B, 8B, 9B, 11A, 11B, 12, and 13, an irregularly shaped annular engaging portion 119 may be formed in the middle portion of the upper housing 1101 and / or the lower housing 1102. The annular engaging portion 119 may be closed or have at least one notch. The upper housing 1101 and the lower housing 1102 are connected at least by engaging the annular engaging portion 119. In other embodiments, the upper housing 1101 and the lower housing 1102 may also be connected in other ways. In some embodiments, the outer circumference of the annular engaging portion 119 is smaller than the outer circumference of the upper housing 1101 and / or the lower housing 1102. It is understood that the projection of the annular engaging portion 119 onto a plane perpendicular to the first axis P1 falls within the projection range of the upper housing 1101 and / or the lower housing 1102 onto the plane perpendicular to the first axis P1. Specifically, the annular snap-fit ​​part 119 is provided with a notch, and the side brush holder 110 can be connected to the drive source 60 through the annular snap-fit ​​part 119. For example, the output end of the drive source 60 is inserted into the notch of the annular snap-fit ​​part 119 and fixedly connected to the side brush holder 110 to drive the rotation of the side brush holder 110.

[0073] The outer periphery of the upper housing 1101 and the outer periphery of the lower housing 1102 together form the aforementioned receiving cavity 114. When the second brush bar 130 is in the first position, both the first connecting arm 121 and the second connecting arm 131 are at least partially accommodated within the receiving cavity 114. Optionally, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the third limiting part 116, the fourth limiting part 117, and the fifth limiting part 118 can all be formed by the corner portion or end portion of the annular locking part 119. Of course, at least one of the third limiting part 116, the fourth limiting part 117, and the fifth limiting part 118 can also be formed by a component connected to the outer side of the annular locking part 119. For example, an arc-shaped plate is connected to the outer side of the annular locking part 119, and the arc-shaped plate constitutes the fourth limiting part 117. The outer side of the arc-shaped plate is adapted to a portion of the wall surface of the first connecting arm 121, so that when the second brush bar 130 is in the first position, the first connecting arm 121 contacts and abuts against the outer side of the arc-shaped plate. For example, at least one of the third limiting portion 116, the fourth limiting portion 117, and the fifth limiting portion 118 may be formed by a component located outside the outer surface of the annular snap-fit ​​portion 119, or by a component located on the upper housing 1101 and / or the lower housing 1102. And / or, as shown in FIG14, the fourth limiting portion 117 and the fifth limiting portion 118 are respectively composed of different peripheral portions of the lower housing 1102.

[0074] In some embodiments, when the second brush strip 130 is in the first position, the radial distance between the free end of the second brush strip 130 and the first axis P1 can be equal to the radial distance between the end of the first bristle strip 122 and the first axis P1. Thus, in normal cleaning mode, when the drive source 60 drives the side brush 10 to rotate one revolution along the first circumferential direction R1, the first bristle strip 122 and the second bristle strip 132 can each clean the surface to be cleaned once, and the cleaned areas overlap, thereby improving the cleaning effect. Of course, when the second brush strip 130 is in the first position, the radial distance between the free end of the second brush strip 130 and the first axis P1 can also be greater than or less than the radial distance between the end of the first bristle strip 122 and the first axis P1, so that the contact areas between the first bristle strip 122 and the second bristle strip 132 and the surface to be cleaned are at least partially different, thereby increasing the cleaning area of ​​the side brush 10 and avoiding missed cleaning.

[0075] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a cleaning device 1 is also provided. The cleaning device 1 may include a side brush 10 and a body 20. The bottom of the body 20 may have a suction port 21, and the side brush 10 is disposed beside the suction port 21. The side brush 10 includes a side brush base 110 and a second brush strip 130. The side brush base 110 is rotatably connected to the body 20 about a first axis P1. The second brush strip 130 is rotatable along a first rotation point a1, moving between a first position and a second position. The maximum value of the radial distance from any point on the outer circumferential surface of the side brush base 110 to the first axis P1 is a fifth value, and the radial distance from the first rotation point a1 to the first axis P1 is a second value. At least when the second brush strip 130 is in the second position, the second value is greater than the fifth value. Furthermore, when the second brush strip 130 is in the first position and the second position respectively, the radial distance from its free end to the first axis has a third value and a fourth value, respectively, with the fourth value being greater than the third value.

[0076] In other words, this embodiment uses the points on the outer peripheral surface of the side brush holder 110 as a reference to show that the second brush strip 130 can expand its cleaning range by shifting its first rotation point a1 radially outward along the first axis P1 when at least in the second position. Thus, when it is desired to clean the corner area, the second brush strip 130 can move to the second position to extend into the corner area, thereby improving the cleaning effect on the corner area.

[0077] It should be noted that the specific structure of the side brush 10 and the body 20 can be found in the detailed description in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0078] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a cleaning device 1 is also provided. The cleaning device 1 may include a side brush 10 and a body 20. The bottom of the body 20 may be provided with a suction port 21, and the side brush 10 is disposed beside the suction port 21. The side brush 10 includes a side brush base 110 and a movable brush strip. The side brush base 110 has a receiving cavity 114 on its outer peripheral surface, and the side brush base 110 is rotatably connected to the body 20 about a first axis P1. One end of the movable brush strip is connected to the receiving cavity 114, and the movable brush strip rotates with the side brush base 110 about the first axis P1. The movable brush strip is movable between a first position and a second position. When the movable brush strip is in the first position, its first portion is retracted into the receiving cavity 114; when the movable brush strip is in the second position, its second portion is retracted into the receiving cavity 114. The length of the first portion is greater than the length of the second portion. The first part of the movable brush bar can be all or part of a segment along its length. For example, the first part may be the entirety of a segment along its length, meaning that the entire segment is housed within the receiving cavity 114. The second part of the movable brush bar can be all or part of a segment along its length. For example, the second part may be a portion of a segment along its length, meaning that a portion of the segment is housed within the receiving cavity 114, while the remaining portion is outside the receiving cavity 114. If the first or second part of the movable brush bar is a straight line, its length is the corresponding straight line length. If the first or second part of the movable brush bar is not a straight line, such as an arc, its length is the corresponding arc length.

[0079] In other words, this embodiment takes the length of the movable brush strip retracted into the storage cavity 114 as a reference, and shows from the side that the length of the movable brush strip extending out of the storage cavity 114 in the second position is greater than the length of the movable brush strip extending out of the storage cavity 114 in the first position. This allows the movable brush strip to expand its cleaning range by moving to the second position, so that when it is desired to clean the corner area, the movable brush strip can move to the second position and extend into the corner area, thereby improving the cleaning effect on the corner area.

[0080] It should be noted that the specific structure of the side brush 10 and the body 20 can be referred to the detailed description in the above embodiments. The movable brush bar can refer to the above-mentioned second brush bar 130, the movable first brush bar 120, or the overall structure of the first brush bar 120 and the second brush bar 130 when the second brush bar 130 can be rotatably connected to the first brush bar 120. It will not be described again here.

[0081] Referring to Figure 15, according to another aspect of this disclosure, a cleaning system 3 is also provided, the cleaning system 3 including a cleaning base station 2 and any of the above-described cleaning devices 1, the cleaning devices 1 being optionally connected to the cleaning base station 2 for at least maintenance purposes.

[0082] It should be noted that the maintenance described herein includes, but is not limited to, charging, dust collection, mop washing, drying, and pumping out wastewater and / or adding clean water to the cleaning device 1. It can be understood that the cleaning device 1 can perform at least one of the following within the cleaning base station 2: 1. Charging the cleaning device 1 within the cleaning base station 2; 2. Recycling the waste from the cleaning device 1 into its dust collection container within the cleaning base station 2; 3. Cleaning the cleaning components of the cleaning device 1 (e.g., mop, roller, etc.) within the cleaning base station 2; 4. Adding clean water to the clean water tank of the cleaning device 1 within the cleaning base station 2; 5. Recycling the dirt from the wastewater tank of the cleaning device 1 into its dirt container within the cleaning base station 2. The above maintenance types are merely illustrative descriptions and are not intended to limit this disclosure. The cleaning device 1 described herein includes, but is not limited to, sweeping machines, mopping machines, sweeping and mopping combos, floor scrubbers, vacuum cleaners, and other cleaning equipment, which include, but are not limited to, devices with cleaning functions.

[0083] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a side brush 10 is also provided. The side brush 10 can be integrally mounted to the body 20 as a separate component, or integrally detached from the body 20. Specifically, the side brush 10 includes a side brush holder 110 and a plurality of brush strips. The side brush holder 110 is rotatable about a first axis P1. The plurality of brush strips includes at least one first brush strip 120 and at least one second brush strip 130. The first brush strip 120 includes a first connecting arm 121 and a first bristle strip 122. A first end of the first connecting arm 121 is connected to the side brush holder 110, and a second end of the first connecting arm 121 is connected to the first bristle strip 122. The second brush strip 130 rotates about a first rotation point a1 to move between a first position and a second position. The radial distance from the connection point b1 between the first connecting arm 121 and the side brush holder 110 to the first axis P1 has a first value, and the radial distance from the first rotation point a1 to the first axis P1 has a second value. At least when the second brush strip 130 is in the second position, the second value is greater than the first value. When the second brush bar 130 is in the first position and the second position, the radial distance from its free end to the first axis P1 has a third value and a fourth value, respectively, with the fourth value being greater than the third value.

[0084] It should be noted that the specific structure of the side brush holder 110, the first brush bar 120 and the second brush bar 130 can be found in the detailed description in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0085] The terms "upper" and "lower" are used to describe the relative positional relationship of the various structures in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the purpose of clarity of description and are not intended to limit the scope of implementation of this disclosure. Changes or adjustments to the relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of implementation of this disclosure.

[0086] It should be noted that, in this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0087] Furthermore, in this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0088] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this disclosure. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0089] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this disclosure, and are not intended to limit them. 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 or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A side brush characterized in that, The edge brush comprises: an edge brush holder rotatable about a first axis; a plurality of brush strips including at least one first brush strip and at least one second brush strip, the first brush strip comprising a first connecting arm and a first bristle strip, a first end of the first connecting arm being connected to the edge brush holder, a second end of the first connecting arm being connected to the first bristle strip, the second brush strip being rotatable about a first rotation point to move between a first position and a second position; wherein a radial distance from a connection point of the first connecting arm to the edge brush holder to the first axis has a first value, a radial distance from the first rotation point to the first axis has a second value, the second value being greater than the first value at least when the second brush strip is in the second position; a radial distance from a free end of the second brush strip to the first axis when in the first position and the second position respectively corresponds to a third value and a fourth value, the fourth value being greater than the third value.

2. The edge brush of claim 1, wherein The edge brush further comprises an extension arm, a first end of the extension arm being connected to the edge brush holder, the extension arm having at least a third position, and when the extension arm is in the third position, a second end of the extension arm protrudes from an outer circumferential surface of the edge brush holder; the second brush strip is rotatably connected to the second end of the extension arm about the first rotation point.

3. The edge brush of claim 2, wherein, the first end of the extension arm is rotatably connected to the edge brush holder about a second rotation point to move between the third position and a fourth position; when the extension arm rotates about the second rotation point, the second brush strip moves with the extension arm, so that when the extension arm is in the third position, the second brush strip can move to the second position, and when the extension arm is in the fourth position, the second brush strip can move to the first position.

4. The edge brush of claim 3, wherein, the second brush strip comprises a second connecting arm and a second bristle strip, a first end of the second connecting arm being rotatably connected to the second end of the extension arm about the first rotation point, a second end of the second connecting arm being connected to the second bristle strip; the edge brush holder is provided with a first limiting portion, and when the second brush strip is in the first position, the second connecting arm abuts against the first limiting portion.

5. The edge brush of claim 4, wherein, the edge brush holder is provided with a second limiting portion, and when the second brush strip is in the second position, the extension arm abuts against the second limiting portion to be in the third position, and the second connecting arm abuts against the extension arm.

6. The edge brush of claim 2, wherein, the first end of the extension arm is fixedly connected to the edge brush holder; the second brush strip comprises a second connecting arm and a second bristle strip, a first end of the second connecting arm being rotatably connected to the second end of the extension arm about the first rotation point, a second end of the second connecting arm being connected to the second bristle strip.

7. The edge brush of claim 6, wherein, one of the extension arm and the second connecting arm is provided with a limiting groove, and the other is provided with a protrusion; wherein the limiting groove extends along a predetermined circular arc, and at least part of the protrusion is located in the limiting groove, the protrusion abuts against a first end of the limiting groove when the second brush strip is in the first position, and the protrusion abuts against a second end of the limiting groove when the second brush strip is in the second position.

8. The edge brush of claim 6, wherein, A sixth limiting portion is arranged on the bristle holder or the extension arm, and the second connecting arm abuts against the sixth limiting portion when the second brush strip is in the first position; A seventh limiting portion is arranged on the extension arm, and the second connecting arm abuts against the seventh limiting portion when the second brush strip is in the second position.

9. The edge brush according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that The first end of the first connecting arm is fixedly connected to the bristle holder; or The first end of the first connecting arm is movably connected to the bristle holder.

10. The edge brush of claim 1, wherein, The first end of the first connecting arm is rotatably connected to the bristle holder about a third rotation point, so that the first brush strip is movable between a fifth position and a sixth position about the third rotation point; The second brush strip is rotatably connected to the first connecting arm about the first rotation point; When the first brush strip rotates about the third rotation point, the second brush strip moves along with the first connecting arm of the first brush strip, so that the second brush strip is movable to the second position when the first brush strip is in the fifth position, and a projection of the first rotation point on a plane perpendicular to the first axis is located outside a projection of the bristle holder on the plane perpendicular to the first axis, and the second brush strip is movable to the first position when the first brush strip is in the sixth position.

11. The edge brush of claim 10, wherein, The second brush strip comprises a second connecting arm and a second brush strip, and the first end of the second connecting arm is rotatably connected to the first connecting arm about the first rotation point, and the second end of the second connecting arm is connected to the second brush strip; The bristle holder is provided with a third limiting portion, and the first connecting arm abuts against the third limiting portion to be in the fifth position when the second brush strip is in the second position, and the second connecting arm abuts against the first connecting arm.

12. The edge brush of claim 11, wherein, The bristle holder is provided with a fourth limiting portion and a fifth limiting portion, and the first connecting arm abuts against the fourth limiting portion to be in the sixth position when the second brush strip is in the first position, and the second connecting arm abuts against the fifth limiting portion.

13. The edge brush according to any one of claims 1 to 8, 10 to 11, characterized in that, The bristle holder has opposite first and second circumferential directions, wherein: when the bristle holder rotates in the first circumferential direction, the second brush strip is in the first position or moves to the first position; and when the bristle holder rotates in the second circumferential direction, the second brush strip is in the second position or moves to the second position.

14. The edge brush of claim 1, wherein, The bristle holder comprises an upper shell and a lower shell engaged with each other, and the upper shell and the lower shell enclose a receiving cavity extending in the circumferential direction of the bristle holder. At least part of at least one of the first brush strip and the second brush strip is accommodated in the receiving cavity.

15. The edge brush of claim 1, wherein, When the second brush strip is in the second position, the second value ranges from 15 mm to 35 mm.

16. A side brush characterized in that The bristle holder comprises: A bristle holder rotatable about a first axis; A second brush strip rotatable about a first rotation point to be movable between a first position and a second position; The maximum value of the radial distance from any point on the outer circumferential surface of the bristle holder to the first axis is a fifth value, and the radial distance from the first rotation point to the first axis is a second value; wherein the second value is greater than the fifth value at least when the second brush strip is in the second position; the radial distance from the free end of the second brush strip to the first axis when in the first position and the second position respectively corresponds to a third value and a fourth value, and the fourth value is greater than the third value.

17. A side brush characterized in that The bristle holder comprises: a bristle holder, an accommodation cavity being provided on the outer circumferential surface of the bristle holder, the bristle holder being rotatable around a first axis; a movable brush strip, one end of the movable brush strip being connected in the accommodation cavity, the movable brush strip rotating around the first axis with the bristle holder, and the movable brush strip being movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the first part of the movable brush strip is accommodated in the accommodation cavity when the movable brush strip is in the first position, and the second part of the movable brush strip is accommodated in the accommodation cavity when the movable brush strip is in the second position, and the length of the first part is greater than the length of the second part.

18. A cleaning apparatus, characterized by The cleaning device comprises: a machine body; a suction inlet, the suction inlet being provided at the bottom of the machine body; and the bristle holder according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the bristle holder being provided beside the suction inlet. The cleaning device comprises:

19. A cleaning system characterized by, a cleaning base station; and the cleaning device according to claim 18, the cleaning device being selectively dockable with the cleaning base station. ​ ​

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