Cleaning appliance and control method therefor

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a cleaning appliance and a control method therefor. The cleaning appliance has a wet cleaning mode and a dry cleaning mode. A cleaning main body of the cleaning appliance is provided with a first mounting portion; one of a second dirt collecting container and a first dirt collecting container is mounted on and adapted to the first mounting portion; a detection assembly is used for generating a corresponding detection signal on the basis of the mounting state of the first dirt collecting container or the second dirt collecting container on the first mounting portion; and a controller is electrically connected to the detection assembly, and is used for controlling, on the basis of the detection signal, the cleaning appliance to enter a corresponding cleaning mode. On the one hand, the wet cleaning mode and the dry cleaning mode of the cleaning appliance can be realized by switching between the first dirt collecting container and the second dirt collecting container, so as to meet the requirements of the cleaning appliance in different cleaning scenarios; and on the other hand, the mounting state of the dirt collecting container on the first mounting portion can be detected, so as to control the cleaning appliance to enter a corresponding cleaning mode, helping to prevent degradation of the performance of the dirt collecting container caused by operation in a non-corresponding mode.

Description

Cleaning appliances and their control methods Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202510371974.9, filed on March 26, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure belongs to the field of cleaning equipment technology, and in particular relates to a cleaning appliance and its control method. Background Technology

[0003] Floor scrubbers, as highly efficient floor cleaning equipment, are widely used in homes, businesses, and other settings. They are primarily used to remove liquid stains (such as wastewater and oil stains), adhesive substances, and mixed debris. By using high-speed rotating brushes to scrub the floor, combined with suction to recover wastewater and solid waste, they achieve highly efficient cleaning. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a cleaning appliance and a method for controlling the same.

[0005] A first aspect of this disclosure provides a cleaning appliance having a wet cleaning mode and a dry cleaning mode, the cleaning appliance comprising:

[0006] A cleaning body, wherein a first mounting part is provided on the cleaning body;

[0007] The first waste collection container is used to collect wet cleaning waste generated by the cleaning equipment in the wet cleaning mode;

[0008] The second waste collection container is used to collect the dry cleaning waste generated by the cleaning equipment in the dry cleaning mode; wherein, the second waste collection container and the first waste collection container are selectively installed and adapted to the first mounting part;

[0009] The detection component is configured to generate corresponding detection signals based on the installation status of the first and second sludge collection containers at the first mounting portion; and

[0010] The controller, electrically connected to the detection component, is used to control the cleaning appliance to enter the corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal.

[0011] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the detection component includes:

[0012] A magnetic field generating device is disposed on at least one of the first sludge collection container and the second sludge collection container;

[0013] A magnetic field sensing device is disposed on the cleaning body; the magnetic field sensing device is used to output the detection signal according to the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device.

[0014] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the magnetic field generating device is disposed on the second sludge collection container, and when the second sludge collection container is disposed on the first mounting portion, the magnetic field sensor outputs a first detection signal based on the sensing of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device;

[0015] When the first sludge collection container is installed on the first mounting part, the magnetic field sensor loses its ability to sense the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device and outputs a second detection signal.

[0016] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the detection component satisfies at least one of the following:

[0017] The magnetic field sensing device is a Hall element;

[0018] The magnetic field generating device is a magnetic element.

[0019] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the cleaning appliance further includes:

[0020] Cleaning components;

[0021] A water supply component configured to supply water to the cleaning appliance when the cleaning appliance is in the wet cleaning mode, and configured to stop supplying water to the cleaning appliance when the cleaning appliance is in the dry cleaning mode.

[0022] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the cleaning body is provided with a second mounting part, the cleaning appliance includes a cleaning component, the cleaning component includes at least two roller brushes, the roller brushes are mounted and adapted to the second mounting part; the at least two roller brushes include a first roller brush and a second roller brush, the first roller brush is a roller brush used in wet cleaning mode, and the second roller brush is a roller brush used in dry cleaning mode;

[0023] The cleaning appliance also has a self-cleaning mode. The controller is configured to determine whether the dirt collection container on the first mounting part and the roller brush on the second mounting part correspond to the same cleaning mode before activating the self-cleaning mode. If not, it outputs a prompt signal to remind the user.

[0024] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the self-cleaning mode is a wet cleaning mode, and the controller is further configured to detect whether the first mounting part is a second dirt collection container before activating the self-cleaning mode.

[0025] If so, output a prompt signal to remind the user to replace the sludge collection container;

[0026] Alternatively, if so, replace the self-cleaning mode with the dry cleaning mode.

[0027] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the cleaning assembly further includes a roller brush cleaning component disposed on one side of the roller brush and configured to form an interference fit with the roller brush in cleaning mode.

[0028] The controller is used to adjust the interference fit between the roller brush cleaning component and the roller brush according to the type of cleaning mode.

[0029] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first sludge collection container includes a first shell, a first filter, and a first cover, wherein the first cover and the first shell enclose a first cavity, and the first filter is disposed within the first cavity;

[0030] The second sludge collection container includes a second shell, a second filter, and a second cover. The second cover and the second shell together form a second cavity, and the second filter is disposed in the second cavity.

[0031] The first housing and the second housing are the same housing.

[0032] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first filter can be detached from the first housing along with the first cover, and the second filter can be detached from the second housing along with the second cover;

[0033] The first filter is detachably connected to the first cover, the second filter is detachably connected to the second cover, and the first cover and the second cover are the same cover.

[0034] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first filter is provided with a first air duct, the air inlet of the first air duct is used to receive dirt, and the air outlet of the first air duct is used to transport dirt to the filter screen of the first filter.

[0035] The second filter is provided with a second air duct. When the second filter is installed on the second cover and the second housing, the position of the air inlet of the second air duct coincides with the position of the air inlet of the first air duct when the first filter is installed on the first cover and the first housing.

[0036] A second aspect of this disclosure also provides a method for controlling a cleaning appliance, the method being applied to the aforementioned cleaning appliance; the control method includes:

[0037] After the first sludge collection container or the second sludge collection container is installed in the first mounting part, a corresponding detection signal is generated according to the installation status of the first sludge collection container or the second sludge collection container in the first mounting part.

[0038] The cleaning device enters the corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal.

[0039] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the cleaning appliance enters a corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal, including:

[0040] If the cleaning appliance enters the wet cleaning mode, the water supply component of the cleaning appliance is controlled to supply water.

[0041] If the cleaning appliance enters dry cleaning mode, the water supply component of the cleaning appliance is controlled to stop supplying water.

[0042] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the control method includes:

[0043] Determine whether the sludge collection container on the first mounting section and the roller brush on the second mounting section correspond to the same cleaning mode;

[0044] If not, a prompt signal is output to alert the user; if yes, the cleaning appliance enters self-cleaning mode.

[0045] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the cleaning appliance further includes the following steps before entering the self-cleaning mode:

[0046] Check whether the first mounting part is the second sewage collection container;

[0047] If so, output a prompt signal to remind the user to replace the sludge collection container; or, if

[0048] Then the cleaning appliance is switched to dry cleaning mode.

[0049] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the cleaning appliance enters a corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal, including:

[0050] Adjust the interference fit between the cleaning roller and the roller brush of the cleaning device according to the type of cleaning mode. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cleaning appliance provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the mechanism of a cleaning appliance provided in another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0053] Figure 3 is a sectional view along line AA of Figure 2 provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0054] Figure 4 is a partial enlarged structural diagram of A in Figure 3 provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0055] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first sludge collection container provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0056] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second sludge collection container provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0057] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second sludge collection container provided in another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0058] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the second sludge collection container provided in another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0059] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the steps of a control method for a cleaning appliance provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0060] Figure label:

[0061] 100 - Cleaning body, 200 - First sludge collection container, 210 - First housing, 220 - First cover, 230 - First filter, 231 - Filter screen, 232 - Air inlet of the first air duct, 300 - Second sludge collection container, 310 - Second housing, 320 - Second cover, 330 - Second filter, 331 - Air inlet of the second air duct, 332 - Air outlet of the second air duct, 400 - Cleaning component, 500 - Magnetic field generating device, 600 - Magnetic field sensing device. Detailed Implementation

[0062] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this disclosure clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this disclosure and are not intended to limit it.

[0063] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0064] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly and specifically defined.

[0065] It's important to know that the core function of a floor scrubber is to efficiently remove various stains from the floor, including but not limited to wastewater, stubborn oil stains, and various sticky substances and mixed debris. The built-in roller brush of the floor scrubber can perform deep scrubbing of the floor through high-speed rotation. At the same time, the floor scrubber is also equipped with a suction system to recover wastewater and solid waste generated during the scrubbing process, thereby ensuring a thorough cleaning of the floor.

[0066] However, in related technologies, most floor scrubbers are often limited to a single cleaning mode. For example, some floor scrubbers can only perform wet mopping, that is, using water and detergent to scrub the floor; while others can only perform dry vacuuming, that is, only using the suction system to collect solid waste and a small amount of dust from the floor. This single-mode design greatly limits the application scenarios and flexibility of floor scrubbers, making it difficult for them to fully adapt to diverse and complex cleaning needs.

[0067] Specifically, in a home environment, the types and levels of stains on the floor can vary depending on factors such as family members' lifestyles, the presence of pets, and seasonal changes. In commercial environments, such as restaurants and supermarkets, floor cleaning needs are more complex and varied, potentially involving multiple types of stains including oil, food scraps, and paper scraps. Therefore, for floor scrubbers, having only a single cleaning mode makes it difficult to achieve optimal cleaning results in these diverse scenarios.

[0068] In other words, in related technologies, floor scrubbers are mostly designed with only a single cleaning mode (such as wet mopping or dry vacuuming), which makes it difficult to adapt to diverse scenario needs.

[0069] Based on this, the present disclosure improves upon current cleaning appliances and their control methods, aiming to solve the problem of the single cleaning mode of cleaning appliances in the traditional technology.

[0070] Please refer to Figure 1, which shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the cleaning appliance provided in this embodiment. The cleaning appliance of this embodiment has a wet cleaning mode and a dry cleaning mode. The cleaning appliance includes a cleaning body 100, a first waste collection container 200, a second waste collection container 300, a detection component, and a controller. A first mounting part is provided on the cleaning body 100. The first waste collection container 200 is used to collect wet cleaning waste generated by the cleaning appliance in the wet cleaning mode. The second waste collection container 300 is used to collect dry cleaning waste generated by the cleaning appliance in the dry cleaning mode. The second waste collection container 300 and the first waste collection container 200 are selectively installed and adapted to the first mounting part. The detection component is used to generate a corresponding detection signal according to the installation state of the first waste collection container 200 and the second waste collection container 300 in the first mounting part. The controller is electrically connected to the detection component and is used to control the cleaning appliance to enter the corresponding cleaning mode according to the detection signal.

[0071] It should be explained that cleaning appliances in wet cleaning mode typically use water or other liquid cleaning agents to clean, and are suitable for scenarios where stains, oil stains, and other dirt need to be removed; cleaning appliances in dry cleaning mode typically clean without using liquid cleaning agents, and are suitable for scenarios where it is necessary to keep the floor dry or avoid liquid residue.

[0072] The first wastewater collection container 200 can be understood as a wastewater recovery device for wet cleaning mode, and a filter screen 231 can be installed inside the first wastewater collection container 200 to separate solids and liquids in the wastewater; the second wastewater collection container 300 can be understood as a dust box structure for dry cleaning mode, and the dust box structure can have a built-in filter structure such as a cyclone separator to capture dry debris such as dust and hair; the detection components can include physical sensors (such as photoelectric sensors, magnetic proximity switches) or pressure sensing devices, which generate electrical signals by identifying the physical connection status between the wastewater collection container and the first mounting part (such as latching signals, gravity sensing data), providing a trigger basis for mode switching. The controller can be a microprocessor-based central control unit, which executes mode switching logic after receiving the detection signal, and coordinates parameters such as roller brush speed, suction power, and water pump flow rate to ensure that the cleaning mode and the function of the wastewater collection container are accurately matched.

[0073] Current cleaning appliances mostly have only a single cleaning mode; however, in this embodiment, on the one hand, by replacing the first sludge collection container 200 and the second sludge collection container 300, the cleaning appliance can achieve wet cleaning mode and dry cleaning mode to meet the needs of the cleaning appliance in different cleaning scenarios; on the other hand, by detecting the installation status of the sludge collection container in the first mounting part, the cleaning appliance can be controlled to enter the corresponding cleaning mode, which helps to prevent the performance of the sludge collection container from deteriorating in the incompatible mode.

[0074] It is understood that, through design, the first and second waste collection containers 200 can be selectively chosen in this embodiment to adapt to both wet and dry cleaning modes of the cleaning appliance. For example, the wet cleaning mode is suitable for cleaning oil stains on kitchen floors, while the dry cleaning mode is suitable for dusting wooden floors and carpets. Furthermore, this embodiment links the detection component with the controller. The controller controls the cleaning appliance to enter the corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal from the detection component, thus avoiding performance degradation due to incompatibility between the cleaning mode and the waste collection container. For example, if the second waste collection container 300 is mistakenly installed in wet cleaning mode, the system will automatically stop and issue a warning to prevent liquid from seeping into the dry filtration system and causing blockages or motor damage.

[0075] In some embodiments of this disclosure, please refer to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 shows a structural schematic diagram of the cleaning appliance provided in this embodiment, and Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along line AA of Figure 2 provided in this embodiment. Figure 4 shows a partial structural schematic diagram of Figure 3 provided in this embodiment. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an example where the magnetic field generating device 500 is disposed on the second dirt collection container 300, but this embodiment is not limited to this. The detection component of this embodiment includes a magnetic field generating device 500 and a magnetic field sensing device 600. The magnetic field generating device 500 is disposed on at least one of the first dirt collection container 200 and the second dirt collection container 300. The magnetic field sensing device 600 is disposed on the cleaning body 100. The magnetic field sensing device 600 is used to output a detection signal based on the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device 500.

[0076] It should be explained that the magnetic field generating device 500 refers to a physical device capable of generating specific magnetic field characteristics, including but not limited to permanent magnets (such as neodymium iron boron magnets), electromagnetic coils, or magnetic encoding chips. The magnetic field sensing device 600 refers to a magnetic signal acquisition module installed on the cleaning body 100.

[0077] It is understood that the magnetic field induction method used in this embodiment of the present disclosure is used to identify the installation status of the first sewage collection container 200 and the second sewage collection container 300 on the first mounting part, which helps to avoid wear caused by physical contact identification and can still maintain stable operation in humid environments.

[0078] In some embodiments, the magnetic field sensing device 600 identifies the installation of the first and second sludge collection containers 200 and 300 by using differentiated magnetic fields on the first and second sludge collection containers 200 and 300. Specifically, the differentiated magnetic fields of the first and second sludge collection containers 200 and 300 can be achieved by means of differences in magnetic pole direction, differences in magnetic field strength, etc.

[0079] In some embodiments of this disclosure, please continue to refer to FIG4. In this embodiment, the magnetic field generating device 500 is disposed on the second sludge collection container 300. When the second sludge collection container 300 is disposed on the first mounting part, the magnetic field sensor outputs a first detection signal based on the sensing of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device 500. When the first sludge collection container 200 is disposed on the first mounting part, the magnetic field sensor loses the sensing of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device 500 and outputs a second detection signal.

[0080] Understandably, when the second sludge collection container 300 is correctly installed, the magnetic field sensor 600 detects a valid magnetic field; when the first sludge collection container 200 is installed, because this container lacks a magnetic field generating device 500, the magnetic field sensor 600 cannot detect a magnetic field or only detects a very small ambient magnetic field. Therefore, the complexity of the controller algorithm can be reduced through a binary logic determination mode of "present / absent magnetic field".

[0081] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the detection component satisfies at least one of the following: the magnetic field sensing device 600 is a Hall element; the magnetic field generating device 500 is a magnetic element.

[0082] As is understandable, Hall elements operate based on the Hall effect: when current flows through a semiconductor material (such as gallium arsenide or silicon), a perpendicularly applied magnetic field deflects the charge carriers, generating a Hall voltage. This voltage, after being amplified by a signal processing circuit, can be converted into a switching signal (such as high or low level) or a linear analog signal to determine the presence and strength of a magnetic field. The magnetic element can be a neodymium iron boron magnet.

[0083] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the cleaning appliance further includes a cleaning component 400 and a water supply component: the water supply component is configured to supply water to the cleaning component 400 when the cleaning appliance is in a wet cleaning mode, and is configured to stop supplying water to the cleaning component 400 when the cleaning appliance is in a dry cleaning mode.

[0084] It should be explained that the cleaning component 400 is a component that performs cleaning tasks; for example, in a floor scrubber, the cleaning component 400 may include a roller brush. The water supply component may be a water pump.

[0085] Understandably, in wet cleaning mode, the water pump supplies water to the roller brush, meaning the pump delivers clean water to the roller brush spray nozzles to meet the needs of wet cleaning. In dry cleaning mode, the water pump stops supplying water to the roller brush to avoid performing wet cleaning operations in dry cleaning mode.

[0086] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a second mounting portion is provided on the cleaning body 100, and the cleaning appliance includes a cleaning component 400, which includes at least two roller brushes that are fitted to the second mounting portion. The at least two roller brushes include a first roller brush and a second roller brush. The first roller brush is used in wet cleaning mode, and the second roller brush is used in dry cleaning mode. The cleaning appliance also has a self-cleaning mode. The controller is configured to determine whether the dirt collection container on the first mounting portion and the roller brush on the second mounting portion correspond to the same cleaning mode before activating the self-cleaning mode. If not, a prompt signal is output to remind the user.

[0087] It should be explained that the first roller brush can be a roller brush suitable for areas such as tile floors, and the second roller brush can be a roller brush suitable for areas such as carpets.

[0088] Understandably, before entering self-cleaning mode, the controller first determines whether the sludge collection container on the first mounting section and the roller brush on the second mounting section correspond to the same cleaning mode. If they do not correspond to the same mode—for example, the sludge collection container is designed for wet cleaning, but the installed roller brush is designed for dry cleaning—the controller will output a prompt signal to the user. The purpose of the prompt signal is to inform the user that the current configuration may be incompatible, potentially affecting the cleaning effect or the performance of the cleaning equipment. This helps the user adjust the configuration in a timely manner to ensure that the cleaning equipment operates in optimal condition.

[0089] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the self-cleaning mode is a wet cleaning mode, and the controller is further configured to detect whether the second dirt collection container 300 is on the first mounting part before starting the self-cleaning mode.

[0090] If so, output a prompt signal to remind the user to replace the sludge collection container;

[0091] Alternatively, if so, replace the self-cleaning mode with the dry cleaning mode.

[0092] Understandably, during the self-cleaning process, the cleaning appliance uses water or a moist medium to clean the roller brush or other related components. Before activating the self-cleaning mode, the controller not only checks the cleaning mode compatibility between the roller brush and the dust collection container but also detects the type of dust collection container installed on the first mounting unit. If the controller detects that a second dust collection container 300 (such as a dust cup) is installed on the first mounting unit, it will output a prompt signal to the user. The purpose of this prompt signal is to inform the user that the currently installed dust collection container is incompatible with the upcoming self-cleaning mode (wet cleaning) and may need to be replaced with a suitable dust collection container.

[0093] In addition to providing a warning signal, the controller can also select to switch the self-cleaning mode from wet cleaning to dry cleaning mode. This is to ensure that the cleaning appliance can still perform some form of self-cleaning function even if the sludge collection container is incompatible with the wet cleaning mode.

[0094] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the cleaning assembly 400 further includes a roller brush cleaning component disposed on one side of the roller brush and used to form an interference fit with the roller brush in the cleaning mode; the controller is used to adjust the interference fit between the roller brush cleaning component and the roller brush according to the type of cleaning mode.

[0095] It should be explained that an interference fit refers to a situation where, during assembly, one component is slightly larger than the reserved space of the other, thereby generating a certain clamping force. Roller brush cleaning components are mostly scrapers or similar structures that can form an interference fit with the roller brush in cleaning mode to remove dirt and residue from the brush.

[0096] Understandably, in wet cleaning mode, more dirt and residue may accumulate on the roller brush due to the use of water. Therefore, the controller adjusts the interference fit between the roller brush cleaning components and the roller brush to be greater than required in dry cleaning scenarios to ensure a more thorough cleaning effect. This typically means that in wet cleaning mode, the roller brush cleaning components will make closer contact with and compress the roller brush. When the controller determines whether the in-place container is the first dirt collection container 200 (indicating that wet cleaning may be needed) or the second dirt collection container 300 (indicating that dry cleaning may be needed), it adaptively adjusts the interference fit between the roller brush cleaning components (such as the scraper comb teeth) and the roller brush.

[0097] In some embodiments of this disclosure, please refer to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 shows a structural schematic diagram of the first sludge collection container 200 provided in this embodiment; Figure 6 shows a structural schematic diagram of the second sludge collection container 300 provided in this embodiment. The first sludge collection container 200 of this embodiment includes a first shell 210, a first filter 230, and a first cover 220. The first cover 220 and the first shell 210 enclose a first cavity, and the first filter 230 is disposed in the first cavity. The second sludge collection container 300 includes a second shell 310, a second filter 330, and a second cover 320. The second cover 320 and the second shell 310 enclose a second cavity, and the second filter 330 is disposed in the second cavity. The first shell 210 and the second shell 310 are the same shell.

[0098] It should be explained that the first cover 220 and the first housing 210 together enclose a closed space (first cavity). The first cavity is used to contain dirt or waste liquid collected during the cleaning process. A first filter 230 is installed in the first cavity to filter out impurities in the dirt or waste liquid, ensuring that the discharged or recycled liquid is relatively clean. The second cover 320 and the second housing 310 together enclose a second cavity for collecting dry waste such as dust.

[0099] It is understood that in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the first housing 210 and the second housing 310 are set as the same housing, which is beneficial to reduce manufacturing costs, and the user only needs to replace the components inside the first housing 210 / second housing 310 to switch between the first sludge collection container 200 and the second sludge collection container 300.

[0100] In some embodiments of this disclosure, please continue to refer to Figures 5 and 6. In this embodiment, the first filter 230 can be detached from the first cover 220 and the first housing 210, and the second filter 330 can be detached from the second cover 320 and the second housing 310. The first filter 230 is detachably connected to the first cover 220, and the second filter 330 is detachably connected to the second cover 320. The first cover 220 and the second cover 320 are the same cover.

[0101] Understandably, users only need to replace the first filter 230 and the second filter 330 to switch between the first sludge collection container 200 and the second sludge collection container 300.

[0102] In some embodiments of this disclosure, please continue to refer to Figures 5 and 6, and Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the second sludge collection container 300 provided in this embodiment; Figure 8 shows another schematic diagram of the structure of the second sludge collection container 300 provided in this embodiment. The first filter 230 of this embodiment is provided with a first air duct. The air inlet 232 of the first air duct is used to receive sludge, and the air outlet of the first air duct is used to transport sludge to the filter screen 231 of the first filter 230. The second filter 330 is provided with a second air duct. When the second filter 330 is installed on the second cover 320 and the second housing 310, the position of the air inlet 331 of the second air duct coincides with the position of the air inlet 232 of the first air duct when the first filter 230 is installed on the first cover 220 and the first housing 210.

[0103] Understandably, since the first waste collection container 200 is for wet waste separation, solid-liquid separation can be achieved simply by directly introducing the waste onto the filter screen 231. The second waste collection container 300 is for dry waste separation, which usually requires the use of a cyclone separator for centrifugal separation. Therefore, the air outlet 332 of the second air duct needs to be offset from the air inlet. By limiting the overlap between the air inlet 232 of the first air duct and the air inlet 331 of the second air duct, it is beneficial to increase the compatibility of the first filter 230 and the second filter 330 with the first housing 210 / second housing 310.

[0104] In some embodiments, the second filter 330 includes a cyclone separator that separates large solid waste particles from small dust particles. Specifically, the outlet 332 of the second air duct transports contaminants to the cyclone separator.

[0105] In some embodiments, the cleaning appliance may be a floor scrubber, a robot vacuum cleaner, or other household cleaning equipment.

[0106] To better implement the cleaning apparatus in any of the above embodiments, based on the above-described cleaning apparatus, this disclosure also provides a control method for the cleaning apparatus, which is applied to the cleaning apparatus described above; please refer to FIG9, which shows a schematic diagram of the steps of the control method provided in this embodiment; the control method of this disclosure includes:

[0107] S100: After the first sludge collection container 200 or the second sludge collection container 300 is installed in the first mounting part, a corresponding detection signal is generated according to the installation state of the first sludge collection container 200 or the second sludge collection container 300 in the first mounting part; specifically, the detection component can generate a corresponding detection signal according to the installation state of the first sludge collection container 200 or the second sludge collection container 300 in the first mounting part.

[0108] S200: The cleaning appliance enters the corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal. Specifically, the controller of the cleaning appliance can control the cleaning appliance to enter the corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal.

[0109] It is understood that, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the installation status of the sludge collection container in the first mounting part can be detected, and the cleaning equipment can be controlled to enter the corresponding cleaning mode, which helps to prevent the performance of the sludge collection container from deteriorating in the inappropriate mode.

[0110] In some embodiments of this disclosure, S200 includes:

[0111] S210: If the cleaning appliance enters the wet cleaning mode, control the water supply component of the cleaning appliance to supply water; specifically, in the wet cleaning mode, the water pump supplies water to the roller brush, that is, the water pump delivers clean water to the spray nozzle of the roller brush to meet the needs of wet cleaning.

[0112] S220: If the cleaning appliance enters dry cleaning mode, the water supply component of the cleaning appliance is controlled to stop supplying water. Specifically, in dry cleaning mode, the water pump stops supplying water to the roller brush to avoid performing wet cleaning operations in dry cleaning mode.

[0113] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the control method includes:

[0114] A100: Determine whether the sludge collection container on the first mounting part and the roller brush on the second mounting part correspond to the same cleaning mode; specifically, the cleaning body 100 is provided with a second mounting part, the cleaning appliance includes a cleaning component 400, the cleaning component 400 includes at least two roller brushes, the roller brushes are installed and adapted to the second mounting part; the at least two roller brushes include a first roller brush and a second roller brush, the first roller brush is the roller brush used in the wet cleaning mode, and the second roller brush is the roller brush used in the dry cleaning mode.

[0115] A200: If not, output a prompt signal to remind the user; if yes, the cleaning appliance enters self-cleaning mode.

[0116] Specifically, before entering self-cleaning mode, the controller first determines whether the sludge collection container on the first mounting section and the roller brush on the second mounting section correspond to the same cleaning mode. If they do not correspond to the same mode—for example, the sludge collection container is designed for wet cleaning, but the installed roller brush is designed for dry cleaning—the controller will output a prompt signal to the user. The purpose of the prompt signal is to inform the user that the current configuration may be incompatible, which may affect the cleaning effect or the performance of the cleaning equipment. This helps the user adjust the configuration in a timely manner to ensure that the cleaning equipment operates in optimal condition.

[0117] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the process further includes the following steps prior to S200:

[0118] Check whether the second sewage collection container 300 is located on the first installation section;

[0119] If yes, output a prompt signal to remind the user to replace the sludge collection container; or, if yes, control the cleaning equipment to switch to dry cleaning mode.

[0120] Understandably, during the self-cleaning process, the cleaning appliance uses water or a moist medium to clean the roller brush or other related components. Before activating the self-cleaning mode, the controller not only checks the cleaning mode compatibility between the roller brush and the dust collection container but also detects the type of dust collection container installed on the first mounting unit. If the controller detects that a second dust collection container 300 (such as a dust cup) is installed on the first mounting unit, it will output a prompt signal to the user. The purpose of this prompt signal is to inform the user that the currently installed dust collection container is incompatible with the upcoming self-cleaning mode (wet cleaning) and may need to be replaced with a suitable dust collection container.

[0121] In addition to providing a warning signal, the controller can also select to switch the self-cleaning mode from wet cleaning to dry cleaning mode. This is to ensure that the cleaning appliance can still perform some form of self-cleaning function even if the sludge collection container is incompatible with the wet cleaning mode.

[0122] In some embodiments of this disclosure, S200 includes: adjusting the interference fit between the roller brush cleaning component and the roller brush of the cleaning appliance according to the type of cleaning mode.

[0123] Understandably, in wet cleaning mode, more dirt and residue may accumulate on the roller brush due to the use of water. Therefore, the controller adjusts the interference fit between the roller brush cleaning components and the roller brush to be greater than required in dry cleaning scenarios to ensure a more thorough cleaning effect. This typically means that in wet cleaning mode, the roller brush cleaning components will make closer contact with and compress the roller brush. When the controller determines whether the in-place container is the first dirt collection container 200 (indicating that wet cleaning may be needed) or the second dirt collection container 300 (indicating that dry cleaning may be needed), it adaptively adjusts the interference fit between the roller brush cleaning components (such as the scraper comb teeth) and the roller brush.

[0124] The beneficial effects of this disclosure are as follows: In a cleaning appliance and its control method disclosed herein, the cleaning appliance has a wet cleaning mode and a dry cleaning mode. The cleaning appliance includes a cleaning body, a first waste collection container, a second waste collection container, a detection component, and a controller. A first mounting part is provided on the cleaning body. The first waste collection container is used to collect wet cleaning waste generated by the cleaning appliance in the wet cleaning mode. The second waste collection container is used to collect dry cleaning waste generated by the cleaning appliance in the dry cleaning mode. Either the second waste collection container or the first waste collection container is selectively installed and adapted to the first mounting part. The detection component is used to generate a corresponding detection signal based on the installation status of the first and second waste collection containers on the first mounting part. The controller is electrically connected to the detection component and is used to control the cleaning appliance to enter the corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal. This disclosure, on the one hand, allows for the replacement of the first and second waste collection containers to achieve wet and dry cleaning modes, meeting the needs of the cleaning appliance in different cleaning scenarios. On the other hand, by detecting the installation status of the waste collection containers on the first mounting part and controlling the cleaning appliance to enter the corresponding cleaning mode, it helps prevent performance degradation of the waste collection containers due to incompatible modes.

[0125] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts that are not described in detail or recorded in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0126] The basic concepts have been described above. It is obvious that the detailed disclosure above is merely illustrative and does not constitute a limitation of this disclosure. Although not explicitly stated herein, various modifications, improvements, and corrections may be made to this disclosure by those skilled in the art. Such modifications, improvements, and corrections are suggested in this disclosure and therefore remain within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

[0127] Furthermore, this disclosure uses specific terms to describe embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, "an embodiment," "one embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that references to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "an alternative embodiment" in different locations throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, certain features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be appropriately combined.

[0128] Similarly, it should be noted that, in order to simplify the description of this disclosure and thus aid in the understanding of one or more embodiments of the invention, the foregoing description of embodiments of this disclosure may sometimes combine multiple features into a single embodiment, drawing, or description thereof. However, this disclosure method does not imply that the subject matter of this disclosure requires more features than those mentioned in the claims. In fact, the embodiments contain fewer features than all the features of a single embodiment disclosed above.

[0129] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this disclosure, and are not intended to limit it. Although this disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, and should all be included within the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A cleaning appliance, characterized in that, The cleaning appliance has a wet cleaning mode and a dry cleaning mode, and the cleaning appliance includes: A cleaning body, wherein a first mounting part is provided on the cleaning body; A first waste collection container is used to collect wet cleaning waste generated by the cleaning appliance in the wet cleaning mode. The second waste collection container is used to collect the dry cleaning waste generated by the cleaning appliance in the dry cleaning mode; wherein, the second waste collection container and the first waste collection container are selectively installed and adapted to the first mounting part; A detection component, wherein the detection component is configured to generate corresponding detection signals based on the installation status of the first sludge collection container and the second sludge collection container at the first mounting portion; and A controller, electrically connected to the detection component, is used to control the cleaning appliance to enter a corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal.

2. The cleaning appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection component includes: A magnetic field generating device is disposed on at least one of the first sludge collection container and the second sludge collection container; A magnetic field sensing device is disposed on the cleaning body; the magnetic field sensing device is used to output the detection signal according to the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device.

3. The cleaning appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that, The magnetic field generating device is disposed on the second sludge collection container, and when the second sludge collection container is disposed on the first mounting part, the magnetic field sensor outputs a first detection signal based on the sensing of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device; When the first sludge collection container is installed on the first mounting part, the magnetic field sensor loses its ability to sense the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device and outputs a second detection signal.

4. The cleaning appliance according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The detection component satisfies at least one of the following: The magnetic field sensing device is a Hall element; The magnetic field generating device is a magnetic element.

5. The cleaning appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The cleaning equipment also includes: Cleaning components; A water supply component configured to supply water to the cleaning appliance when the cleaning appliance is in the wet cleaning mode, and configured to stop supplying water to the cleaning appliance when the cleaning appliance is in the dry cleaning mode.

6. The cleaning appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The cleaning body is provided with a second mounting part, and the cleaning appliance includes a cleaning component. The cleaning component includes at least two roller brushes, and the roller brushes are installed and adapted to the second mounting part. The at least two roller brushes include a first roller brush and a second roller brush. The first roller brush is used in the wet cleaning mode, and the second roller brush is used in the dry cleaning mode. The cleaning appliance also has a self-cleaning mode. The controller is configured to determine whether the dirt collection container on the first mounting part and the roller brush on the second mounting part correspond to the same cleaning mode before activating the self-cleaning mode. If not, it outputs a prompt signal to remind the user.

7. The cleaning appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that, The self-cleaning mode is the wet cleaning mode, and the controller is further configured to detect whether the second dirt collection container is on the first mounting part before starting the self-cleaning mode; If so, output a prompt signal to remind the user to replace the sludge collection container; Alternatively, if so, the self-cleaning mode can be replaced with the dry cleaning mode.

8. The cleaning appliance according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The cleaning assembly also includes a roller brush cleaning component, which is disposed on one side of the roller brush and is used to form an interference fit with the roller brush in the cleaning mode. The controller is used to adjust the interference fit between the roller brush cleaning component and the roller brush according to the type of cleaning mode.

9. The cleaning appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first sludge collection container includes a first shell, a first filter, and a first cover. The first cover and the first shell together form a first cavity, and the first filter is disposed in the first cavity. The second sludge collection container includes a second shell, a second filter, and a second cover. The second cover and the second shell together form a second cavity, and the second filter is disposed in the second cavity. The first housing and the second housing are the same housing.

10. The cleaning appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first filter can be detached from the first housing along with the first cover, and the second filter can be detached from the second housing along with the second cover; The first filter is detachably connected to the first cover, the second filter is detachably connected to the second cover, and the first cover and the second cover are the same cover.

11. The cleaning appliance according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first filter is provided with a first air duct, the air inlet of the first air duct is used to receive dirt, and the air outlet of the first air duct is used to transport dirt to the filter screen of the first filter. The second filter is provided with a second air duct. When the second filter is installed on the second cover and the second housing, the position of the air inlet of the second air duct coincides with the position of the air inlet of the first air duct when the first filter is installed on the first cover and the first housing.

12. A method for controlling a cleaning appliance, characterized in that, The control method is applied to the cleaning appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 11; the control method includes: After the first sludge collection container or the second sludge collection container is installed in the first mounting part, a corresponding detection signal is generated according to the installation status of the first sludge collection container or the second sludge collection container in the first mounting part. The cleaning device enters the corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal.

13. The control method for cleaning appliances according to claim 12, characterized in that, The cleaning appliance enters the corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal, including: If the cleaning appliance enters the wet cleaning mode, the water supply component of the cleaning appliance is controlled to supply water. If the cleaning appliance enters the dry cleaning mode, the water supply component of the cleaning appliance is controlled to stop supplying water.

14. The control method for cleaning appliances according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The control method includes: Determine whether the sludge collection container on the first mounting part and the roller brush on the second mounting part correspond to the same cleaning mode; If not, a prompt signal is output to alert the user; if yes, the cleaning appliance enters self-cleaning mode.

15. The control method for cleaning appliances according to claim 14, characterized in that, The self-cleaning mode is the wet cleaning mode, and the following is included before the cleaning appliance enters the self-cleaning mode: Detect whether the second sludge collection container is mounted on the first mounting part; If so, output a prompt signal to remind the user to replace the sludge collection container; or, if Then the cleaning appliance is switched to the dry cleaning mode.

16. The method for controlling a cleaning appliance according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, The cleaning appliance enters the corresponding cleaning mode based on the detection signal, including: Adjust the interference fit between the roller brush cleaning component and the roller brush of the cleaning device according to the type of cleaning mode.

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