Cleaner station and method for controlling cleaner station

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaner station on which a cleaner having a brush (B) for cleaning a contact surface is docked, the cleaner station comprising: a housing including a seating part on which the brush (B) is seated, a storage part in which washing water is stored, and a spray part having at least one steam spray hole for spraying the washing water at the brush (B); and a blocking part rotatably fixed to the housing, wherein the spray part includes: a steam generator for heating the washing water; a first flow path by which the storage part communicates with the steam generator, and which has a water supply pump for supplying the washing water of the storage part to the steam generator; and a second flow path by which the steam generator communicates with the steam spray hole, thereby providing a flow path through which the washing water that has passed through the steam generator moves, and the blocking part shields at least a portion of the spray part so as to prevent the washing water from splashing when the washing water is sprayed from the steam spray hole.

Description

Vacuum cleaner station and control method of vacuum cleaner station

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner station and a method for controlling the vacuum cleaner station.

[0002] A vacuum cleaner is a device that maintains a clean environment by removing dust or pollutants from indoors, and vacuum cleaners are generally widely used in households. The vacuum cleaner performs the function of maintaining a clean indoor environment by using the suction power of a fan motor to draw in air and then separating dust or foreign substances from the inhaled air through a device such as a filter.

[0003] These vacuum cleaners can basically be classified into manual and automatic vacuum cleaners, and in particular, manual vacuum cleaners are a method in which the user moves the vacuum cleaner directly to perform cleaning, and depending on the form, they can be subdivided into canister type vacuum cleaners, upright vacuum cleaners, handheld vacuum cleaners, stick type vacuum cleaners, etc.

[0004] In the past, canister-type vacuum cleaners were widely used as household vacuums, but recently, products such as handheld and stick vacuums have been gaining popularity. This is a result of improved usability achieved by integrating the dustbin and the main body, and they are receiving even more attention due to their light weight and ease of portability. In particular, handheld and stick vacuums are compact and easy to use, making them convenient for use in narrow spaces, detached houses, and apartments.

[0005] Meanwhile, the above vacuum cleaner is equipped to be placed on a vacuum cleaner station (docking station) to charge the battery after finishing cleaning.

[0006] Recently, vacuum cleaners capable of simultaneously sucking up dust and mopping floors by being equipped with brushes such as mops, going beyond simply sucking up foreign substances, are becoming popular.

[0007] In the case of the vacuum cleaner equipped with a brush such as the aforementioned mop, it is possible to suck up foreign matter from the floor surface and perform mopping simultaneously; however, there was the inconvenience of having to manually remove foreign matter adhering to the brush, such as the mop, after cleaning is finished, or having to detach the brush, such as the mop, to wash and / or sterilize it separately.

[0008] To resolve the aforementioned inconvenience, vacuum cleaner stations are being developed that allow for cleaning and sterilization of brushes, such as mops, attached to the vacuum cleaner without the need to detach them. These stations are designed so that once the user places the vacuum cleaner on the station, it automatically cleans dust and debris from the brushes and, if necessary, performs sterilization and drying processes.

[0009] In particular, the introduction of a steam cleaning function has significantly improved the cleaning effectiveness of brushes, such as mops, and enables hygienic maintenance by effectively removing microorganisms like bacteria and mold that may remain on the brushes. Additionally, there is the advantage of keeping the vacuum cleaner in a condition ready for immediate reuse through a hot air drying process following steam cleaning.

[0010] In this way, a vacuum cleaner station that includes cleaning and sterilization functions for brushes such as mops can eliminate user inconvenience while providing a more hygienic and efficient cleaning environment.

[0011] However, conventional vacuum cleaner stations could have a problem where cleaning water used during the process of cleaning or sterilizing the vacuum cleaner's brush splashes around the station. This is caused by cleaning water or steam sprayed at high pressure onto the brush and splashing as it hits the surface of the brush, or by cleaning water sprayed inside the station leaking out because it is not effectively controlled.

[0012] This splashing of cleaning water not only caused inconvenience to users using the vacuum cleaner station but also contaminated the surrounding environment or affected other parts inside the station, leading to performance degradation or damage to the device.

[0013] Therefore, technical improvements are required to effectively prevent the splashing of washing water that may occur during the washing or sterilization process, while maintaining washing efficiency and improving the stability and durability of the said vacuum cleaner station.

[0014] In addition, there was a problem with hot air leakage during the drying process following the cleaning and sterilization of the vacuum cleaner brush. During the drying process, heated air (hot air) must be concentrated on the brush; however, if the hot air is not properly blocked within the station, it can leak to the outside. Such hot air leakage reduces drying efficiency, which can lead to issues such as the brush not drying sufficiently or the drying time becoming prolonged.

[0015] In particular, if hot air leaks outside the station, there is a risk that the surrounding environment will heat up or other parts will be damaged by exposure to heat; furthermore, energy is wasted due to the leakage of hot air, and users may experience reduced drying performance, which can lead to dissatisfaction.

[0016] Therefore, technical improvements are also required to ensure that hot air is effectively controlled and does not leak during the drying process.

[0017] The present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a vacuum cleaner station and a method for controlling the vacuum cleaner station that can prevent washing water or steam from splashing during the washing and sterilization process.

[0018] The present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a vacuum cleaner station and a method for controlling the vacuum cleaner station that securely fixes the brush during the cleaning and sterilization process and improves the cleaning effect.

[0019] The present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a vacuum cleaner station and a method for controlling the vacuum cleaner station that can efficiently perform cleaning, sterilization, and drying of a brush.

[0020] The present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a vacuum cleaner station capable of rapidly removing residual moisture after brush cleaning and a method for controlling the vacuum cleaner station.

[0021] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner station having a vacuum cleaner equipped with a brush for cleaning a contact surface, comprising: a housing having a mounting portion on which the brush is seated, a storage portion for storing cleaning water, and a spray portion including at least one steam spray hole for spraying the cleaning water onto the brush; and a blocking portion rotatably fixed to the housing.

[0022] The above-mentioned spraying unit includes a steam generator that heats the washing water, a first flow path provided to communicate the storage unit and the steam generator and equipped with a water supply pump that supplies the washing water from the storage unit to the steam generator, and a second flow path provided to communicate the steam generator and the steam injection hole and to provide a flow path through which the washing water passing through the steam generator moves, and the blocking unit may be provided to shield at least a part of the spraying unit to prevent the washing water from splashing when the washing water is sprayed from the steam injection hole.

[0023] The vacuum cleaner station of the present invention may further comprise a driving unit including a motor that selectively rotates the blocking unit. In this case, the motor may be provided as a stepper motor.

[0024] The above driving unit may further include a power transmission unit that is fixed to the motor at one end and configured to be able to contact the blocking unit at the other end to transmit the power of the motor to the blocking unit.

[0025] The vacuum cleaner station of the present invention may further comprise a rotating shaft that rotatably fixes the blocking part to the housing; and an elastic member provided between the blocking part and the housing. In this case, the elastic member may be provided as a spring.

[0026] The above housing further comprises a fan that generates airflow, a heater that heats the air, and a third flow path that provides a path for the heated air to travel, and the injection part may be configured to further include at least one hot air injection hole that injects the air heated by the heater into the brush. In this case, the hot air injection hole may be provided above the steam injection hole.

[0027] In addition, the steam injection hole and the hot air injection hole may be provided to face the seating portion.

[0028] The above storage unit may be configured to include a water reservoir for storing water and a detergent reservoir for storing detergent.

[0029] In addition, the present invention provides a method for controlling a vacuum cleaner station comprising: a housing having a mounting portion on which a vacuum cleaner brush is mounted, a storage portion for storing cleaning water, and a spray portion including at least one steam spray hole for spraying the cleaning water onto the brush; and a blocking portion rotatably fixed to the housing and configured to block at least a portion of the spray portion; wherein the method comprises: a verification step of checking whether the brush is mounted on the mounting portion; and a cleaning step, after the verification step, in which the cleaning water is sprayed onto the brush from the steam spray hole and the brush is rotated while the blocking portion blocks at least a portion of the spray portion.

[0030] The above-mentioned spray unit comprises a steam generator that heats the washing water, a first flow path provided to communicate the storage unit and the steam generator and equipped with a water supply pump that supplies the washing water from the storage unit to the steam generator, and a second flow path provided to communicate the steam generator and the steam spray hole and to provide a flow path through which the washing water passing through the steam generator moves, and the control method of the vacuum cleaner station may further include: a sterilization step after the washing step of spraying steam from the steam spray hole to the brush and rotating the brush; and a completion step after the sterilization step of switching the vacuum cleaner to a standby state while the blocking unit is rotated by a first angle from the spray unit.

[0031] The above sterilization step may be configured to proceed with the blocking part rotated by a second angle from the spraying part. At this time, the first angle may be configured to be larger than the second angle.

[0032] The above-mentioned spray unit further comprises a fan that generates airflow, a heater that heats the air, a third flow path that provides a flow path for the heated air to move, and at least one hot air spray hole that sprays the air heated by the heater onto the brush, and the control method of the vacuum cleaner station may further comprise a drying step in which, after the sterilization step and before the completion step, the blocking unit shields at least a part of the spray unit, and hot air is sprayed onto the brush from the hot air spray hole and the brush is rotated.

[0033] The present invention has the effect of providing a vacuum cleaner station and a method for controlling the vacuum cleaner station that can prevent washing water or steam from splashing during the washing and sterilization process.

[0034] The present invention has the effect of providing a vacuum cleaner station and a method for controlling the vacuum cleaner station that securely fixes the brush during the cleaning and sterilization process and improves the cleaning effect.

[0035] The present invention has the effect of providing a vacuum cleaner station and a method for controlling the vacuum cleaner station that can efficiently perform cleaning, sterilization, and drying of a brush.

[0036] The present invention has the effect of providing a vacuum cleaner station capable of rapidly removing residual moisture after brush cleaning and a method for controlling the vacuum cleaner station.

[0037] FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2, and FIGS. 3 illustrate an example of a vacuum cleaner station of the present invention.

[0038] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an example of a blocking section.

[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a control method for a vacuum cleaner station according to the present invention.

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification, identical or similar reference numbers are assigned to identical or similar components even in different embodiments, and the description thereof is replaced by the first description.

[0041] As used in this specification, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art could obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, such detailed description is omitted.

[0042] In addition, it should be noted that the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and should not be interpreted as limiting the technical concept disclosed in this specification.

[0043] FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2, and FIGS. 3 illustrate an example of a vacuum cleaner station (100) of the present invention in which a vacuum cleaner (C) equipped with a brush (B) for cleaning a contact surface is mounted.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner station (100) of the present invention may be provided to include a housing (1) that forms the exterior. The housing (1) may be provided with a seating portion (11) on which the brush (B) is seated, a storage portion (13) for storing cleaning water for cleaning the brush (B), and a spray portion (15) including at least one steam spray hole (15a) for spraying the cleaning water onto the brush (B).

[0045] The above-mentioned mounting portion (11) is provided in a shape such as a roughly rectangular prism so that a cleaner (C) equipped with a brush (B) for cleaning the contact surface can be mounted in direct contact, and its upper surface may be provided in a recessed shape. At this time, the cleaner (C) can be mounted in the recessed portion, and the lower part of the cleaner (C) may be provided to be equipped with a brush (B), such as a wet mop.

[0046] The recessed portion of the above-mentioned seating portion (11) guides the brush (B) of the above-mentioned vacuum cleaner (C) to be accurately positioned, and a pad or protrusion for preventing slippage may be provided on the contact surface with the brush (B).

[0047] The above storage unit (13) is a space in which cleaning water for cleaning the brush (B) of the vacuum cleaner (C) can be stored, and may be provided to be placed inside the housing (1). The above storage unit (13) is provided to store a certain amount of cleaning water and, although not shown in the drawing, may include an inlet for injecting cleaning water from the outside for the convenience of the user and an outlet for discharging cleaning water when necessary. The inlet and the outlet may each be provided to be placed in a location easily accessible to the user and preferably include a sealing structure to prevent leakage. As the sealing structure to prevent leakage, a sealable cap or lid may be provided.

[0048] Additionally, the storage unit (13) may be provided with a transparent window (not shown) to prevent the washing water from being filled more than necessary. Through the transparent window, the user can easily check the remaining amount of washing water inside the storage unit (13) and intuitively determine when the washing water needs to be refilled.

[0049] The above spraying unit (15) may be provided to face the above seating unit (11) so as to spray cleaning water supplied from the above storage unit (13) onto the brush (B) of the above cleaner (C).

[0050] Specifically, the spraying part (15) may be exposed on the front or side of the housing (1) and positioned so as to come into direct contact with the brush (B) of the cleaner (C) during the cleaning process.

[0051] Meanwhile, the vacuum cleaner station (100) of the present invention may further include a blocking part (2) that is rotatably fixed to the housing (1), and the blocking part (2) may be provided to shield at least a part of the spraying part (15) so as to prevent the cleaning water from splashing when the cleaning water is sprayed from the spraying part (15).

[0052] Specifically, the blocking part (2) may be rotatably fixed to one side of the housing (1) and provided in the form of a cover that covers the spraying part (15) from the front to the upper surface. This type of cover-shaped blocking part can effectively control the spraying direction of the cleaning water generated during the cleaning process, prevent the cleaning water from splashing out, and form a stable space so that the brush (B) can be sufficiently cleaned.

[0053] In other words, the blocking part (2) may be provided in the form of a plate or a shielding membrane and may be fixed to the upper or side of the spraying part (15) to physically limit the spraying range of the cleaning water.

[0054] Furthermore, the blocking part (2) can be provided in various shapes to effectively prevent the cleaning water sprayed from the spraying part (15) from splashing out.

[0055] For example, the blocking part (2) may be provided with a hemispherical or circular dome structure that surrounds the spraying part (15) to minimize the diffusion of cleaning water to the outside. Such a dome structure can limit the spraying direction of the cleaning water while also reducing interference with the brush (B) of the cleaner (C).

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates in more detail the process of generating and spraying steam to clean and sterilize the vacuum cleaner brush (B) in the vacuum cleaner station of the present invention.

[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the injection unit (15) may be provided to include a steam generator (151) for heating the washing water, a first flow path (152) provided to communicate the storage unit (13) and the steam generator (151) and provided with a water supply pump (153) for supplying the washing water of the storage unit (13) to the steam generator (151), and a second flow path (154) provided to communicate the steam generator (151) and the steam injection hole (15a) and to provide a flow path for the washing water passing through the steam generator (151) to move.

[0058] The steam generator (151) may be configured to heat the cleaning water supplied from the storage unit (13) and convert it into steam. This is an essential component for generating high-temperature steam to effectively remove foreign substances, such as contaminants or dust, attached to the brush (B) of the cleaner (C).

[0059] The above steam generator (151) may be configured to include an electric heater or a similar heating device inside, and may also be configured to control the temperature of the washing water passing through the steam generator (151) according to the user's settings, etc.

[0060] The above water supply pump (153) may be provided to provide power for supplying (transferring) the washing water stored in the storage unit (13) to the steam generator (151). The above water supply pump (153) may be provided to maintain a stable flow rate and to consistently supply the required amount of washing water to the steam generator (151) so that the steam generation process can be carried out smoothly.

[0061] The first flow path (152) may be configured to connect the storage unit (13) and the steam generator (151) so that the washing water can move smoothly from the storage unit (13) to the steam generator (151). Although not shown in the drawing, the first flow path (152) may be intuitively arranged to minimize the movement path of the washing water, and may additionally be equipped with a valve inside to control or block the flow of the washing water, thereby ensuring efficient supply of washing water while preventing backflow or leakage.

[0062] The second path (154) may be provided to provide a path through which steam generated in the steam generator (151) can move to the steam injection hole (15a) and be sprayed onto the brush (B) of the cleaner (C). It is preferable that the second path (154) be made of a heat-resistant material capable of withstanding high-temperature steam, and an insulating material may be additionally provided to minimize heat loss of the steam.

[0063] Additionally, the second Euro (154) may be further equipped with a pump (not shown) that helps the cleaning water or steam passing through the steam generator (151) to move stably to the steam injection hole (15a). Such a pump maintains or increases the pressure of the steam to ensure sufficient pressure is provided during the injection process, and by improving the injection intensity and uniformity of the injection at the steam injection hole (15a), the efficiency and quality of cleaning the brush (B) of the cleaner (C) can be improved.

[0064] In addition, as described above, the vacuum cleaner station (100) of the present invention is equipped with a blocking part (2) to prevent washing water from splashing out during the washing process, and the blocking part (2) may be provided to perform the role of shielding so that washing water sprayed from the spraying part (15) does not spread to the surroundings. The specific structure and operation method of the blocking part (2) will be described later.

[0065] As a result, the cleaning water stored in the storage unit (13) of the present invention is transferred to the steam generator (151) along the first flow path (152) by the water supply pump (153), heated in the steam generator (151) and converted into high-temperature steam, then moves to the steam injection hole (15a) through the second flow path (154) and is sprayed at high pressure onto the brush (B) of the cleaning machine (C), and in this process, the blocking unit (2) can limit the spray range of the cleaning water to prevent the cleaning water from splashing around the station (100).

[0066] FIG. 3 illustrates in more detail the process of generating and spraying hot air to wash and sterilize the vacuum cleaner brush (B) and then dry it in the vacuum cleaner station of the present invention.

[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the housing (1) further comprises a fan (155) that generates airflow, a heater (156) that heats the air, and a third airway (157) that provides a path for the heated air to travel, and the spraying unit (15) may further comprise at least one hot air spraying hole (15b) that sprays the air heated by the heater (156) to the brush (B) of the cleaner (C).

[0068] The fan (155) may be provided inside the housing (1) to generate airflow by receiving power and rotating, so as to perform the function of forcibly sucking in and moving air. In other words, the fan (155) may be provided to perform the function of providing power so that air can move smoothly through the heater (156) and the third airway (157).

[0069] Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, the housing (1) may be provided with at least one intake port (not shown) so that the air moved by the fan (155) can be smoothly drawn in from the outside. The intake port may be provided to provide a passage through which external air can flow into the housing (1).

[0070] The heater (156) may be provided to perform the function of converting (converting) the air moving through the fan (155) into hot air by heating it. The heater (156) may be provided in various forms, such as an electric heater or a ceramic heater.

[0071] For example, it is preferable that the heater (156) be equipped with a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater. This is because the PTC heater has the characteristic of increasing resistance as the temperature rises, thereby preventing overheating and maintaining a constant temperature to generate stable and efficient hot air.

[0072] The third Euro (157) may be provided to provide a path through which air moving from the fan (155) can travel to the hot air injection hole (15b) after passing through the heater (156). It is preferable that the third Euro (157) be provided with a smooth shape to allow air to move efficiently, and additionally, an insulating material may be provided to minimize air loss.

[0073] The hot air injection hole (15b) may be provided to communicate with the end of the third flow path (157) provided in the housing (1) and may be provided to perform the function of injecting air heated by the heater (156) into the brush (B) of the vacuum cleaner (C). The hot air injection hole (15b) may be provided as a plurality of holes and may be provided to be arranged in a direction opposite to the seating portion (11) in order to evenly deliver hot air to the entire surface of the brush (B) of the vacuum cleaner (C).

[0074] Consequently, the vacuum cleaner station (100) of the present invention can be configured such that the fan (155) operates to draw air into the housing (1), and the drawn-in air passes through the heater (156) along the third path (157) and is converted into high-temperature hot air. The generated hot air moves along the third path (157) to the hot air injection hole (15b) and is then configured to be uniformly sprayed onto the entire surface of the brush (B) of the vacuum cleaner (C).

[0075] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to prevent the blocking part (2) from being damaged or detached when the station (100) is lifted upward or tipped over due to an external sudden situation, the blocking part (2) is provided to shield at least a part of the spraying part (15), but is preferably provided not to completely shield the top of the spraying part (15).

[0076] Specifically, if the blocking part (2) is configured to block only a portion of the upper part of the spraying part (15), the area of ​​the blocking part (2) that is caught when the station (100) is suddenly lifted upward will be reduced, so even if the blocking part (2) is subjected to impact, it will naturally slide forward and rotate toward the front of the station (100), thereby minimizing the risk of damage or detachment.

[0077] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the vacuum cleaner station (100) of the present invention may further comprise a rotating shaft (21) that rotatably fixes the blocking part (2) to the housing (1), a driving part (3) including a motor (31) that selectively rotates the blocking part (2), a power transmission part (33) which has one end fixed to the motor (31) and the other end provided to be in contact with the blocking part (2) to transmit power from the motor (31) to the blocking part (2), and an elastic member (23) provided between the blocking part (2) and the housing (1).

[0078] The above-mentioned rotating shaft (21) may be provided to rotatably fix the blocking part (2) to the housing (1). Through this, the blocking part (2) can rotate within a certain range of angles and may be provided to prevent the phenomenon of washing water leaking out of the station during the process of spraying from the spraying part (15) by adjusting the position of the blocking part (2).

[0079] The above driving unit (3) may be configured to include a motor (31) that selectively rotates the blocking unit (2) to accurately adjust the position of the blocking unit (2). At this time, it is preferable that the motor (31) be a stepper motor so as to be able to rotate by a fixed angle.

[0080] The power transmission unit (33) may be provided in a shape capable of performing the function of transmitting power from the motor (31) to the blocking unit (2). For example, the power transmission unit (33) may be provided in a rod shape, with one end fixed to the motor (31) and the other end in contact with the blocking unit (2).

[0081] Through this, when the motor (31) rotates in a direction toward the blocking part (2), the power transmission part (33) pushes and rotates the blocking part (2), thereby switching the blocking part (2) to an open state, and conversely, when the motor (31) rotates in a direction opposite to the blocking part (2), the power transmission part (33) can be configured to be spaced apart from the blocking part (2).

[0082] The elastic member (23) may be provided in a form such as a spring and positioned between the blocking part (2) and the housing (1). The elastic member (23) may be provided such that one end is fixed to the blocking part (2) and the other end is fixed to the housing (1) to maintain elastic force between the blocking part (2) and the housing (2).

[0083] Through this, when the motor (31) rotates in a direction toward the blocking part (2), the power transmission part (33) pushes and rotates the blocking part (2), thereby converting the blocking part (2) to an open state, and conversely, when the motor (31) rotates in a direction opposite to the blocking part (2) and the power transmission part (33) is separated from the blocking part (2), the blocking part (2) can rotate in the opposite direction due to the elastic force of the elastic member (23) and convert it to a closed state.

[0084] Meanwhile, as described above, the spraying unit (15) may be provided to include at least one steam spraying hole (15a) for spraying cleaning water onto the brush (B) of the cleaner (C), and at least one hot air spraying hole (15b) for spraying air heated by the heater (156) onto the brush (B) of the cleaner (C).

[0085] At this time, it is preferable that the hot air injection hole (15b) be positioned above the steam injection hole (15a). When hot air is injected from above, the upper part of the brush (B) of the cleaner (C) can be dried quickly, thereby improving overall drying efficiency. Additionally, since the cleaning water will naturally flow downward due to the influence of gravity, if hot air is injected from above, the water droplets can evaporate from the top before falling downward, allowing the drying process to proceed more effectively and quickly.

[0086] Figure 6 illustrates in more detail the processing steps performed at the vacuum cleaner station of the present invention and the state of the blocking part during each processing step.

[0087] The present invention relates to a control method for a vacuum cleaner station (100) comprising a housing (1) having a mounting portion (11) on which a vacuum cleaner brush (B) is mounted, a storage portion (13) for storing cleaning water, and a spraying portion (15) having at least one steam spraying hole (15a) for spraying the cleaning water onto the brush (B), and a blocking portion (2) rotatably fixed to the housing (1) and configured to block at least a portion of the spraying portion (15), wherein the method may be configured to include a verification step (S1) for checking whether the brush (B) is mounted on the mounting portion (11), and a cleaning step (S2) after the verification step (S1), wherein the cleaning water is sprayed onto the brush (B) from the steam spraying hole (15a) and the brush (B) is rotated while the blocking portion (2) blocks at least a portion of the spraying portion (15).

[0088] The above injection unit (15) comprises a steam generator (151) for heating the washing water, a first flow path (152) provided to communicate the storage unit (13) and the steam generator (151) and equipped with a water supply pump (153) for supplying washing water from the storage unit (13) to the steam generator (151), and a second flow path (154) provided to communicate the steam generator (151) and the steam injection hole (15a) and to provide a flow path for washing water passing through the steam generator (151) to move, and further comprises a sterilization step (S3) in which steam is injected from the steam injection hole (15a) to the brush (B) and the brush (B) is rotated after the washing step (S2), and a completion step (S5) in which the vacuum cleaner (C) is switched to a standby state after the sterilization step (S3) with the blocking unit (2) rotated by a first angle (A1) from the injection unit (15). It is possible.

[0089] The above sterilization step (S3) may be configured to proceed with the blocking part (2) rotated by a second angle (A2) from the spraying part (15). At this time, the first angle (A1) may be configured to be a larger angle than the second angle (A2).

[0090] The above injection unit (15) further comprises a fan (155) that generates air flow, a heater (156) that heats the air, a third flow path (157) that provides a flow path for the heated air to move, and at least one hot air injection hole (15b) that injects the air heated by the heater (156) into the brush (B), and may further comprise a drying step (S4) in which, after the sterilization step (S3) and before the completion step (S5), the blocking unit (2) shields at least a part of the injection unit (15), and in which hot air is injected into the brush (B) from the hot air injection hole (15b) and the brush (B) is rotated.

[0091] The above verification step (S1) is an initial process for verifying whether the brush (B) of the vacuum cleaner (C) is accurately positioned on the seating portion (11), and may be provided to ensure the smooth progress of subsequent operations. In the verification step (S1), whether the brush (B) is properly seated is detected by a sensor or the like, and if it is seated in an incorrect position, a warning may be provided to the user or the processing operation may be stopped.

[0092] The above washing step (S2) is a process of cleaning the brush (B) thoroughly by spraying high-temperature washing water from the steam injection hole (15a) of the spraying unit (15). By rotating the brush (B) of the cleaner (C) along with the spraying of washing water, foreign substances such as contaminants or dust can be effectively removed from the entire brush (B). At this time, the blocking unit (2) may be provided to shield at least a part of the spraying unit (15) so that the washing water does not leak out to the outside of the station (100) during the process of spraying.

[0093] In the above sterilization step (S3), high-temperature steam generated from the steam generator (151) is sprayed, thereby removing bacteria or harmful substances present on the surface of the brush (B). The above sterilization step (S3) is performed while the blocking part (2) is rotated by a second angle (A2) from the spraying part (15), and the entire brush (B) can be uniformly sterilized by rotating the brush (B) of the vacuum cleaner (C) together with the spraying of steam.

[0094] The second angle (A2) is configured such that in the sterilization step (S3), the blocking part (2) rotates relatively slightly so that the steam sprayed through the steam injection hole (15a) becomes visible to the outside, and by allowing the user to directly check the sterilization process, it can contribute to improving reliability and user satisfaction.

[0095] The above drying step (S4) is a process for removing moisture remaining on the brush (B), and may be configured to spray hot air through the hot air spray hole (15b) while the blocking part (2) shields at least a part of the spraying part (15).

[0096] In particular, it is preferable that the blocking part (2) be configured to completely shield the spraying part (15), thereby allowing the hot air to act intensively on the brush (B) to maximize drying efficiency. Additionally, by rotating the brush (B) of the vacuum cleaner (C) along with the spraying of the hot air, the entire brush (B) can be dried uniformly.

[0097] The above completion step (S5) is a process of ending all operations of the vacuum cleaner station (100) of the present invention and switching to a standby state. In the above completion step (S5), the blocking part (2) may be configured to open by rotating by a first angle (A1) from the spraying part (15).

[0098] The first angle (A1) is provided so that in the completion step (S5), the blocking part (2) rotates relatively significantly to effectively discharge moisture remaining inside the station (100) and maximize air circulation, and can contribute to maintaining the brush (B) of the vacuum cleaner (C) in a state suitable for subsequent use.

[0099] The present invention may be modified and implemented in various forms, and its scope of rights is not limited to the embodiments described above. Accordingly, if a modified embodiment includes the components of the claims of the present invention, it should be considered to fall within the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a vacuum cleaner station equipped with a brush for cleaning a contact surface, the vacuum cleaner is mounted thereon, A housing having a mounting portion on which the brush is seated, a storage portion for storing cleaning water, and a spray portion including at least one steam spray hole for spraying the cleaning water onto the brush; and It includes a blocking part rotatably fixed to the above housing; and The above injection part A steam generator that heats the above washing water, A first flow path configured to communicate with the storage unit and the steam generator, and equipped with a water supply pump for supplying cleaning water from the storage unit to the steam generator, and It includes a second flow path provided to communicate with the steam generator and the steam injection hole, and which provides a flow path for the cleaning water passing through the steam generator to move. The above blocking part A vacuum cleaner station characterized by being configured to shield at least a portion of the above-mentioned spraying unit.

2. In Paragraph 1, A vacuum cleaner station characterized by further including a drive unit comprising a motor that selectively rotates the above-mentioned blocking unit.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above motor A vacuum cleaner station characterized by being equipped with a stepper motor.

4. In Paragraph 2, The above driving unit A vacuum cleaner station characterized by further including a power transmission unit that is fixed to the motor at one end and configured to be in contact with the blocking part at the other end to transmit the power of the motor to the blocking part.

5. In Paragraph 4, A rotating shaft that rotatably fixes the above blocking part to the housing; and A vacuum cleaner station characterized by further including an elastic member provided between the above-mentioned blocking part and the above-mentioned housing.

6. In Paragraph 5, The above elastic member is A vacuum cleaner characterized by being equipped with a spring.

7. In Paragraph 5, The above housing is A fan that generates airflow, The heater for heating the air above, and It further includes a third Euro that provides a Euro through which heated air travels, and The above injection part A vacuum cleaner station characterized by further including at least one hot air injection hole for spraying air heated by the heater to the brush.

8. In Paragraph 7, A vacuum cleaner station characterized in that the hot air injection hole is provided above the steam injection hole.

9. In Paragraph 8, A vacuum cleaner station characterized in that the steam injection hole and the hot air injection hole are provided to face the seating portion.

10. In Paragraph 9, The above storage unit A reservoir where water is stored, and A vacuum cleaner station characterized by including a detergent section in which detergent is stored.

11. A housing having a mounting portion on which a brush of the vacuum cleaner is seated, a storage portion for storing cleaning water, and a spray portion including at least one steam spray hole for spraying the cleaning water onto the brush; and a blocking portion rotatably fixed to the housing and configured to block at least a portion of the spray portion; wherein a control method for a vacuum cleaner station, A verification step for checking whether the brush is seated on the seating portion; and A control method for a vacuum cleaner station characterized by including: a cleaning step in which, after the above verification step, the blocking part shields at least a part of the spraying part, and the cleaning water is sprayed from the steam spray hole to the brush and the brush is rotated.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above injection part A steam generator that heats the above washing water, A first flow path configured to communicate with the storage unit and the steam generator, and equipped with a water supply pump for supplying cleaning water from the storage unit to the steam generator, and It includes a second flow path provided to communicate with the steam generator and the steam injection hole, and which provides a flow path for the washing water passing through the steam generator to move. After the above washing step, a sterilization step of spraying steam from the steam injection hole to the brush and rotating the brush; and A control method for a vacuum cleaner station, further comprising: a completion step of switching the vacuum cleaner to a standby state after the above sterilization step, while the blocking part is rotated by a first angle from the spraying part.

13. In Paragraph 12, The above sterilization step A control method for a vacuum cleaner station characterized by proceeding with the blocking part rotated at a second angle from the spraying part.

14. In Paragraph 13, The above first angle is A control method for a vacuum cleaner station characterized by being larger than the second angle mentioned above.

15. In Paragraph 14, The above injection part A fan that generates airflow, The heater that heats the air above, A third Euro providing a Euro through which heated air travels, and It further includes at least one hot air injection hole that sprays air heated in the heater to the brush, and A control method for a vacuum cleaner station, further comprising: a drying step in which, after the sterilization step and before the completion step, hot air is sprayed from the hot air spray hole to the brush and the brush is rotated while the blocking part shields at least a part of the spraying part.

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