FLOOR BRUSH, CLEANING DEVICE, AND CLEANING SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001]The present application is a bypass continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN 2024/104518 filed on Jul. 9, 2024, which claims the benefit of and priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202322422206.0 filed on Sep. 6, 2023, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as a part of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002]The present disclosure relates to the field of cleaning technologies and, in particular, to a floor brush, a cleaning device, and a cleaning system.

BACKGROUND

[0003]With the continuous development of science and technology, cleaning devices, e.g., floor-cleaning machines, sweeping and mopping integrated machines, have been widely adopted in households. The floor-cleaning machines are more time-saving and labor-saving than traditional manual cleaning. Some floor-cleaning machines are configured to wash a floor.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004]An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a floor brush, a cleaning device, and a cleaning system. Specific solutions are as follows.

[0005]According to embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, the present disclosure provides a floor brush, which includes: a base, including a water tank groove, the water tank groove being configured to assemble a water tank; a roller brush, the roller brush being rotatably mounted at one end of the base, and the roller brush being internally provided with an accommodating cavity; and a driving apparatus, the driving apparatus being arranged in the accommodating cavity, and the driving apparatus being configured to drive the roller brush to rotate; where in a height direction of the floor brush, the water tank groove overlaps the roller brush.

[0006]In one optional embodiment, the floor brush further includes a top cover, orthographic projections of the base and the roller brush on a surface to be cleaned being within a range of an orthographic projection of the top cover on the surface to be cleaned.

[0007]In one optional embodiment, the top cover includes: a base cover configured as a top cover plate of the base; and a roller brush cover configured as a top cover plate of the roller brush, the roller brush cover being fixedly and/or detachably connected to the base cover.

[0008]In one optional embodiment, the floor brush further includes a water tank fixedly and/or detachably connected to the base cover;

[0009]when the top cover is assembled on the base, the water tank is assembled in the water tank groove.

[0010]In one optional embodiment, the water tank groove includes a first groove and a second groove, the first groove and the second groove being arranged in a direction parallel to an axis of the roller brush.

[0011]In one optional embodiment, the water tank includes: a first water storage chamber, the first water storage chamber being configured to be assembled in the first groove; and a second water storage chamber, the second water storage chamber being configured to be assembled in the second groove.

[0012]In one optional embodiment, the first water storage chamber and the second water storage chamber communicate with or are isolated from each other.

[0013]In one optional embodiment, a groove bottom of the first groove is provided with a first water nozzle, the first water nozzle being configured such that when the first water storage chamber is assembled in the first groove, a cleaning solution in the first water storage chamber flows from the first water nozzle to the roller brush; and a groove bottom of the second groove is provided with a second water nozzle, the second water nozzle being configured such that when the second water storage chamber is assembled in the second groove, a cleaning solution in the second water storage chamber flows from the second water nozzle to the roller brush.

[0014]In one optional embodiment, the floor brush further includes a drain pipe, the drain pipe being rotatably mounted at one end of the base away from the roller brush, and the drain pipe being located between the first groove and the second groove.

[0015]In one optional embodiment, the floor brush further includes a water pump, the water pump being arranged between the roller brush and the drain pipe, and the water pump being located between the first groove and the second groove.

[0016]In one optional embodiment, the floor brush further includes a water pump, the water pump being arranged inside the roller brush and in communication with the water tank.

[0017]According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, in another aspect, the present disclosure provides a cleaning device, which includes the floor brush according to any one of the above technical solutions.

[0018]In one optional embodiment, the cleaning device further includes: a machine body; and a handle assembly, the machine body being fixed to the handle assembly, and one end of the handle assembly being fixed to the base.

[0019]In one optional embodiment, the water tank is a clean water tank, and the machine body includes: a drain fan arranged inside the machine body and in communication with the drain pipe; and a wastewater tank arranged on the machine body and configured to contain wastewater.

[0020]According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, in yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a cleaning system, which includes: the cleaning device according to any one of the above technical solutions; and a maintenance station providing a maintenance function to the cleaning device.

[0021]Compared with the prior art, the above solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide at least the following beneficial effects.

[0022]In the floor brush provided by the present disclosure, the motor (the driving apparatus) is mounted inside the roller brush, which can reduce the utilization of the space on the base, avoid the motor from occupying the space of the water tank, and thus achieve the higher space utilization and aesthetic appearance of the floor brush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]The drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and are used in conjunction with the specification to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Apparently, the drawings in the following description are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and those of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0024]FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a floor-cleaning machine floor brush in the related art.

[0025]FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a floor brush according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026]FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a floor brush with a water tank according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027]FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a connection between a clean water tank and a top cover according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028]FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a top cover according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029]FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of the assembly of a top cover and a base according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

In the Related Art

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032]For a more clear description of the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is further described in detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings. Understandably, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

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

[0034]It should be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein is merely a description of an association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships may exist. For example, “A and/or B” can represent: the presence of A alone, the simultaneous presence of A and B, and the presence of B alone. In addition, the character “/” herein generally indicates an “or” relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0035]It should be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and the like may be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure to describe the structures, such structures should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish structures of the same type. For example, the first structure may also be referred to as the second structure, and similarly, the second structure may also be referred to as the first structure, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036]Depending on the context, the term “if” as used herein may be interpreted as “when”, or “in response to determining”, or “in response to detecting”. Similarly, depending on the context, the phrases “if it is determined” or “if (a stated condition or event) is detected” may be interpreted as “when it is determined” or “in response to determining”, or “when (a stated condition or event) is detected” or “in response to detecting (a stated condition or event)”.

[0037]It should be further noted that the terms “comprise”, “include”, or any other variants thereof are intended to encompass a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a commodity or an apparatus including a list of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed or inherent to such commodity or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase “comprising a/an . . . ” or “including a/an . . . ” does not exclude the presence of other identical. . . elements in the commodity or apparatus including the element.

[0038]In the related art, for a floor-cleaning machine, the grounding portion is a floor brush, and a motor is arranged on a base of the floor brush to drive a roller brush through transmission by a transmission member, causing the motor to occupy the space of the water tank. At the same time, a water pump is also placed on one side of the motor, which also occupies the space of the water tank, resulting in that the volume of the lower portion of the water tank is small. In this way, the volume can only be increased by increasing the height of the water tank, which will bring the problems of poor appearance and raised center of gravity. At the same time, since the motor and the water pump are placed at the bottom of one side of the water tank, the problem of uneven weight on the left and right sides of the base will be caused, which affects the stability of the floor-cleaning machine during operation.

[0039]FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a floor-cleaning machine floor brush in the related art.

[0040]As shown in FIG. 1, in a floor-cleaning machine floor brush 200 in the related art, a motor 210, a water pump 220, and a circuit are all arranged on a base 230. The motor 210 drives a roller brush 240 through transmission by a transmission member, causing the motor 210 to occupy the space of a clean water tank. At the same time, the water pump 220 is also placed on one side of the motor 210, which also occupies the space of the clean water tank, resulting in that the volume of the lower portion of the clean water tank is small. In this way, the volume can only be increased by increasing the height of the clean water tank, which will bring the problems of poor appearance and raised center of gravity. At the same time, in order to facilitate the arrangement of the lines, power-on devices are located in one place as much as possible, and the motor 210 and the water pump 220 are placed at the bottom of one side of the clean water tank, which will cause the problem of uneven weight on the left and right sides of the base 230 and thus affect the stability of the floor-cleaning machine during operation.

[0041]The present disclosure provides a floor brush 100, a cleaning device, and a cleaning system. The floor brush 100 may include: a base 120, where the base 120 may include: a water tank groove 121, the water tank groove 121 being configured to assemble a clean water tank 130; a roller brush 110, the roller brush 110 being rotatably mounted at one end of the base 120, and the roller brush 110 being internally provided with an accommodating cavity; and a driving apparatus, the driving apparatus being arranged in the accommodating cavity, and the driving apparatus being configured to drive the roller brush 110 to rotate; where the water tank groove 121 may include: a first groove 1211 and a second groove 1212, the first groove 1211 and the second groove 1212 being arranged in a direction parallel to an axis of the roller brush 110. In the floor brush 100 provided by the present disclosure, the motor (the driving apparatus) is mounted inside the roller brush 110, which can reduce the utilization of the space on the base 120, avoid the motor from occupying the space of the clean water tank 130, and thus achieve the higher space utilization and aesthetic appearance of the floor brush 100. In some embodiments, in the height direction of the floor brush 100, the water tank groove 121 overlaps the roller brush 110. By arranging the driving apparatus in the roller brush 110, the space of the base 120 within the height range of the roller brush 110 can be saved, such that the water tank can be arranged within the height range, thereby reducing the overall height of the floor brush 100 and improving the aesthetics.

[0042]Optional embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

[0043]FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a floor brush according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a floor brush with a water tank according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, the present disclosure provides a floor brush 100, which may include: a base 120, where the base 120 may include: a water tank groove 121, the water tank groove 121 being configured to assemble a clean water tank 130; a roller brush 110, the roller brush 110 being rotatably mounted at one end of the base 120, and the roller brush 110 being internally provided with an accommodating cavity; and a driving apparatus, the driving apparatus being arranged in the accommodating cavity, and the driving apparatus being configured to drive the roller brush 110 to rotate; where the water tank groove 121 may include: a first groove 1211 and a second groove 1212, the first groove 1211 and the second groove 1212 being arranged in a direction parallel to an axis of the roller brush 110. In the floor brush 100 provided by the present disclosure, the motor (the driving apparatus) is mounted inside the roller brush 110, which can reduce the utilization of the space on the base 120, avoid the motor from occupying the space of the clean water tank 130, and thus achieve the higher space utilization and aesthetic appearance of the floor brush 100.

[0044]It should be noted that both ends of the roller brush 110 in the axial direction are provided with a connecting part 111, one end of the connecting part 111 is fixed to the base 120, and the other end thereof is rotatably connected to the roller brush 110. In one optional embodiment, the driving apparatus is a motor, a stator of the motor is fixed to the connecting part 111, and a rotor of the motor is fixedly connected to the roller brush 110, where the rotor is concentric and coaxial with the roller brush 110. Specifically, the motors are fixed to the connecting parts 111 on both sides of the roller brush 110, where the two motors rotate synchronously and in opposite directions; and rotors of the motors on the two connecting parts 111 are arranged opposite to each other. In this case, the two motors need to rotate synchronously and in opposite directions, such that both ends of the roller brush 110 can rotate in the same direction. The motor is wired inside the connecting part 111, or a wiring groove is formed on the side close to the roller brush 110.

[0045]The water tank groove 121 is divided into two grooves (i.e., the first groove 1211 and the second groove 1212), and the first groove 1211 and the second groove 1212 are arranged in a direction parallel to the axis of the roller brush 110. In actual use, the weight of the floor brush 100 on the left and right sides can be substantially the same, and the floor brush 100 is uniformly stressed, thereby avoiding the case that the center of gravity of the floor brush 100 shifts or even the floor brush rolls over, such that the traveling direction of the floor brush 100 of the present disclosure does not shift.

[0046]In one optional embodiment, the base 120 may include: a bottom plate 122; and a side wall 123. The side wall 123 and the roller brush 110 enclose the water tank groove 121 on the bottom plate 122, and the water tank groove 121 is configured to assemble the clean water tank 130. In one optional embodiment, the floor brush 100 may further include rollers 124. The rollers 124 are arranged at the end of the base 120 away from the roller brush 110, and a rotation direction of the rollers 124 is consistent with that of the roller brush 110. There are two sets of rollers 124, which are arranged along the distribution direction of the first groove 1211 and the second groove 1212. An auxiliary wheel is rotatably mounted on the bottom of the base 120 to support the base 120.

[0047]In some embodiments, the floor brush 100 may further include a top cover 133. The orthographic projections of the base 120 and the roller brush 110 on a surface to be cleaned are within a range of the orthographic projection of the top cover 133 on the surface to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the top cover 133 includes: a base cover 1331 configured as a top cover plate of the base 120; and a roller brush cover 1332 configured as a top cover plate of the roller brush 110. The roller brush cover 1332 is fixedly connected to the base cover 1331. In some embodiments, the roller brush cover 1332 is detachably connected to the base cover 1331; or the roller brush cover and the base cover may be partially fixedly connected and partially detachably connected. The top cover 133 may include two parts: a base cover 1331 and a roller brush cover 1332. The base cover 1331 matches the base 120 in size and shape, and when the clean water tank 130 is mounted on the base 120, the base cover 1331 completely covers the base 120. The roller brush cover 1332 matches the roller brush 110 in size and shape. When the clean water tank 130 is mounted on the base 120, the roller brush cover 1332 completely covers the roller brush 110.

[0048]FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a connection between a clean water tank and a top cover according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a top cover according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the floor brush 100 may further include: a clean water tank 130 arranged on the base cover 1331. When the top cover 133 is assembled on the base 120, the clean water tank 130 is assembled in the water tank groove 121. In one optional embodiment, the clean water tank 130 is fixedly and/or detachably connected to the base cover 1331. In one optional embodiment, the clean water tank 130 is detachably connected to the base 120 by a snap-fit member. The top cover 133 of the clean water tank 130 of the present disclosure is the cover plate of the floor brush (the floor brush 100), and can be directly removed by unlocking the snap-fit member right above, such that the installation and disassembly are convenient. This design is not constrained by the rear wheels, and does not require any avoidance for the rear wheels. In one optional embodiment, the top cover 133 and the clean water tank 130 are integrally formed. When the clean water tank 130 is disassembled, the top cover 133 may be disassembled together. The clean water tank 130 of the present disclosure has a simple structure, is easy to clean, and is convenient for a user to operate.

[0049]In some embodiments, the clean water tank 130 may include: a first water storage chamber 131, the first water storage chamber 131 being configured to be assembled in the first groove 1211; and a second water storage chamber 132, the second water storage chamber 132 being configured to be assembled in the second groove 1212. In one optional embodiment, the first water storage chamber 131 and the second water storage chamber 132 are substantially the same in shape and size. In the related art, since the motor and the water pump are placed at the bottom of one side of the clean water tank, the problem of uneven weight on the left and right sides of the base will be caused, which affects the stability of the floor-cleaning machine during operation. In the present disclosure, due to the accommodation of the first groove 1211 and the second groove 1212, the clean water tank 130 may be as thin as possible, have a low center of gravity, and be aesthetically pleasing. Meanwhile, the clean water tank 130 is bilaterally symmetrical, and thus the center of gravity of the base 120 is easily controlled at a central position.

[0050]FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of the assembly of a top cover and a base according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the groove bottom of the first groove 1211 is provided with a first water nozzle 125, and the first water nozzle 125 is configured such that when the first water storage chamber 131 is assembled in the first groove 1211, a cleaning solution in the first water storage chamber 131 flows from the first water nozzle 125 to the roller brush 110. The groove bottom of the second groove 1212 is provided with a second water nozzle 126, and the second water nozzle 126 is configured such that when the second water storage chamber 132 is assembled in the second groove 1212, a cleaning solution in the second water storage chamber 132 flows from the second water nozzle 126 to the roller brush 110. It should be noted that the cleaning solution in the first water storage chamber 131 flows from the first water nozzle 125 to the roller brush 110, which does not mean that the first water nozzle 125 is in direct communication with the roller brush 110. The cleaning solution in the first water storage chamber 131 may flow to the roller brush 110 through the first water nozzle 125. In actual use, the water pump 140 may be arranged between the roller brush 110 and the first water nozzle 125, and the cleaning solution is pumped to the roller brush 110 by pressure generated by the water pump 140. The cleaning solution in the second water storage chamber 132 flows from the second water nozzle 126 to the roller brush 110, which does not mean that the second water nozzle 126 is in direct communication with the roller brush 110. The cleaning solution in the second water storage chamber 132 may flow to the roller brush 110 through the second water nozzle 126. In actual use, the water pump 140 may be arranged between the roller brush 110 and the second water nozzle 126, and the cleaning solution is pumped to the roller brush 110 by pressure generated by the water pump 140. In one optional embodiment, the first water nozzle 125 and the second water nozzle 126 lead to the same water pump 140. In one optional embodiment, the first water storage chamber 131 and the second water storage chamber 132 may be in liquid communication or isolated from each other. When the first water storage chamber 131 is in liquid communication with the second water storage chamber 132, only one water nozzle may be arranged. For example, only the first water nozzle 125 may be arranged at the groove bottom of the first groove 1211, or only the second water nozzle 126 may be arranged at the groove bottom of the second groove 1212.

[0051]In some embodiments, the floor brush 100 may further include a drain pipe 150. The drain pipe 150 is rotatably mounted at the end of the base 120 away from the roller brush 110, and the drain pipe 150 is located between the first groove 1211 and the second groove 1212. In actual use, the distribution direction of the first groove 1211 and the second groove 1212 is substantially perpendicular to the forward or backward direction of the floor brush 100; that is, the first groove and the second groove are arranged horizontally. Moreover, the drain pipe 150 is located between the first groove 1211 and the second groove 1212 (i.e., a horizontal middle position), such that the weight of the floor brush 100 on the left and right sides can be substantially the same, and the overall force on the floor brush 100 is uniform, thereby avoiding the case that the center of gravity of the floor brush 100 shifts or even the floor brush rolls over, and preventing the traveling direction of the floor brush 100 of the present disclosure from shifting. In one optional embodiment, the base cover 1331 may be provided with a pipe groove, and the pipe groove matches the drain pipe 150 in shape and the size. When the clean water tank 130 is mounted on the base 120, an avoidance is provided for a position of the drain pipe 150.

[0052]In some embodiments, the floor brush 100 may further include a water pump 140. The water pump 140 is arranged between the roller brush 110 and the drain pipe 150, and the water pump 140 is located between the first groove 1211 and the second groove 1212. Specifically, the water pump 140 may be a diaphragm pump. The water pump 140 of the present disclosure is arranged between the roller brush 110 and the drain pipe 150, which can make space for the bottoms of the left and right sides of the base 120 to increase the space of the water tank groove 121, thereby increasing the capacity of the clean water tank 130. In some embodiments, the water pump 140 may be arranged inside the roller brush 110. For example, the water pump 140 may be arranged in the accommodating cavity of the roller brush 110 together with the driving apparatus, or the water pump 140 may be separately arranged in the accommodating cavity of the roller brush 110.

[0053]According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, in still another aspect, the present disclosure provides a cleaning device, which may include: the floor brush 100 according to any one of the above technical solutions.

[0054]In some embodiments, in the cleaning system, the cleaning device may further include: a machine body; and a handle assembly, the machine body being fixed to the handle assembly, and one end of the handle assembly being fixed to the base 120.

[0055]In some embodiments, the machine body may include: a drain fan arranged inside the machine body and in communication with the drain pipe; and a wastewater tank arranged on the machine body and configured to contain wastewater. When the cleaning device is in operation, the drain fan communicates with the drain pipe, and the drain fan pumps the wastewater on the roller brush 110 into the wastewater tank through the drain pipe.

[0056]In the above embodiments, the water tank of the floor brush 100 is the clean water tank 130. In some optional embodiments, the water tank of the floor brush 100 may also be a wastewater tank; that is, the clean water tank 130 in the above embodiments may be replaced with the wastewater tank. The wastewater tank is configured to contain wastewater. When the clean water tank 130 in the above embodiments is replaced with the wastewater tank, the clean water tank is arranged on the machine body, and the wastewater tank is in communication with the drain pipe 150. The wastewater tank is arranged on the floor brush 100, such that the water in the wastewater tank can be prevented from entering the fan when the machine body is lying flat.

[0057]According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, in still another aspect, the present disclosure provides a cleaning system, which may include: the floor brush 100 according to any one of the above technical solutions; and a maintenance station providing a maintenance function to the floor brush 100.

[0058]In some embodiments, the maintenance station may be a mobile maintenance station, and the mobile maintenance station is connected to the floor brush 100 through a connecting pipe. At least the drain pipe 150 and a circuit are arranged in the connecting pipe.

[0059]In some embodiments, the maintenance station may include: a waste collection device configured to collect wastewater and debris of the floor brush 100. In one optional embodiment, the waste collection device includes a waste collection fan. When the waste collection fan is turned on, the waste collection fan acts on the wastewater tank to pump wastewater and debris in the wastewater tank into a waste collection box of the waste collection device.

[0060]The present disclosure is intended to protect a floor brush 100 and a cleaning system. The floor brush 100 may include: a base 120, where the base 120 may include: a water tank groove 121, the water tank groove 121 being configured to assemble a clean water tank 130; a roller brush 110, the roller brush 110 being rotatably mounted at one end of the base 120, and the roller brush 110 being internally provided with an accommodating cavity; and a driving apparatus, the driving apparatus being arranged in the accommodating cavity, and the driving apparatus being configured to drive the roller brush 110 to rotate. In the floor brush 100 provided by the present disclosure, the motor (the driving apparatus) is mounted inside the roller brush 110, which can reduce the utilization of the space on the base 120, avoid the motor from occupying the space of the clean water tank 130, and thus achieve the higher space utilization and aesthetic appearance of the floor brush 100.

[0061]Finally, it should be noted that the embodiments in the specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on differences from other embodiments, and reference may be made to each other for the same or similar parts. Since the system or apparatus disclosed in the embodiments corresponds to the method disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and reference may be made to the description of the method part.

[0062]The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present disclosure, but not to limit them; although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure.