CLEANER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present disclosure relates to a cleaner, and more specifically, to a cleaner that can be easily manipulated.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]In general, a cleaner is a home appliance for suctioning small trash or dust in a manner of suctioning air using electricity and filling the same in a dust bin inside a product and is commonly called a vacuum cleaner.

[0003]The vacuum cleaner may be classified into a manual vacuum cleaner for allowing a user to directly perform cleaning while moving the cleaner, and an automatic vacuum cleaner for performing cleaning while traveling by itself. Depending on the type of the vacuum cleaner, the manual vacuum cleaner may be classified into a canister-type vacuum cleaner, an upright vacuum cleaner, a hand vacuum cleaner, a stick-type vacuum cleaner, etc.

[0004]In the past, the canister-type vacuum cleaner was widely used as the household vacuum cleaner, but recently, the hand vacuum cleaner and the stick-type vacuum cleaner, which provide improved convenience of use by integrally providing a dust bin and a cleaner body, are increasingly being used.

[0005]The canister-type vacuum cleaner has a main body and a suction port connected by a rubber hose or a pipe and in some cases, may be used by inserting a brush into the suction port.

[0006]The hand vacuum cleaner is designed to maximize portability and has lightweight and a short length, and thus can have a limited cleaning area. Accordingly, the hand vacuum cleaner is used to clean localized sites, such as on a desk, a sofa, or a vehicle interior. A user may use the hand vacuum cleaner while standing to enable cleaning without bending down. Accordingly, it is advantageous in cleaning a wide area while moving.

[0007]A cleaner head can rotate about a plurality of axes for steering. Hereinafter, the plurality of axes are defined assuming that a forward movement direction of the cleaner head is forward. Rolling refers to left and right ends vertically rotating about the axes of the cleaner head in a front-rear direction. Pitching refers to front and rear ends vertically rotating about the axes of the cleaner head in a left-right direction. Yawing refers to the left and right ends rotating about the vertical axis in the front-rear direction.

[0008]As Patent Document 1, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1814568 is presented. The Patent Document 1 relates to a cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner. The Patent Document 1 has a first crumb opening and a second crumb opening disposed above the first crumb opening. Accordingly, dust swept from an agitator is suctioned into a cleaner body through the first crumb opening or the second crumb opening. According to the Patent Document 1, a pitching axis and a yawing axis are disposed between the cleaner head and an extension pipe. The cleaner body can change its height by rotating about the pitching axis and change its position in a left-right direction by rotating about the yawing axis.

[0009]Generally, the cleaner head performs one of rolling or yawing rotation for steering in the left-right direction. In the Patent Document 1, when yawing rotation is performed instead of rolling and the cleaner head performs yawing, there is an advantage of good operability, but there is a disadvantage of poor straightness.

[0010]The cleaner head according to the Patent Document 1 does not have a configuration that resists movement on the yawing axis. Accordingly, when a floor surface is irregular, the cleaner head can often shake, and as the cleaner head shakes, the cleaner cannot move straight and instead shows movement that turns to the left or right. Accordingly, there has been a problem that a user needs to perform unnecessary manipulation to move the cleaner straight.

[0011]In addition, when a main body of the cleaner according to the Patent Document 1 is laid down as much as possible, the above problem becomes even more severe. When the main body of the cleaner is made upright and an angle between the yawing axis and the ground is low, the cleaner head can move forward to some extent even when it shakes due to the weight of the main body of the cleaner. However, when the main body of the cleaner is laid down and the angle between the yawing axis and the ground is high, even when the cleaner head shakes only a little, the cleaner head shakes severely about the yawing axis, resulting in a problem that it is very inconvenient when narrow and low gaps are cleaned.

[0012]As Patent Document 2, US Patent Publication No. 2007-0174994 is presented. The Patent Document 2 is an invention relating to a cleaner head of a canister cleaner and discloses a cleaner head having a rolling function and a pitching function. The Patent Document 2 is an invention relating to a cleaner in which a cleaner head can be fixed in a folded state centered on a pitching axis and mounted on a cleaner body and the cleaner head is unfolded to perform cleaning.

[0013]However, the Patent Document 2 discloses a structure in which the cleaner head is fixedly folded when the cleaner is mounted after cleaning and the cleaner head is fixedly unfolded when cleaning is done and does not disclose a structure for selectively limiting the rolling or pitching of the cleaner in use, and the cleaner head performs only rolling rather than yawing, and thus the advantage of excellent straightness sets asides, and there is the disadvantage of poor operability.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

[0014]The present disclosure is directed to providing a cleaner that can secure steering ability of a cleaner when an angle between the ground and the cleaner is high and at the same time, clean a low gap when the angle between the ground and the cleaner is low.

[0015]The present disclosure is also directed to providing a cleaner that can improve steering ability of a cleaner by yawing when an angle between the ground and the cleaner is high and at the same time, prevent degradation of the steering ability by yawing when the angle between the ground and the cleaner is low in the cleaner capable of yawing and rolling.

[0016]The present disclosure is also directed to providing a cleaner that can be easily assembled with other components and at the same time, cannot be easily disassembled arbitrarily when a cleaning module is assembled.

[0017]The present disclosure is also directed to providing a cleaner in which a yawing member can be easily assembled with other components and at the same time, which cannot be easily disassembled arbitrarily when a cleaning module is assembled.

[0018]Objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above objects, and other objects that are not described will be able to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Technical Solution

[0019]To achieve the objects, a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cleaning module configured to suction external air and a main body configured to provide a suction force to the cleaning module. The cleaning module includes a suction member configured to suction the air, a pitching member that is disposed between the suction member and the main body, has a pitching axis disposed in a left-right direction, and rotates the main body about the pitching axis, a rolling member that is disposed between the pitching member and the main body, has a rolling axis passing through the suction member and the main body, and rotates the main body about the rolling axis, and a rolling prevention assembly that has one side disposed on the pitching member and the other side disposed on the rolling member, blocks rotation of the rolling member when an angle formed by a ground and the rolling axis is more than a reference value, and allows the rotation of the rolling member when the angle is less than the reference value.

[0020]The rolling prevention assembly may include a rolling prevention block having one end rotatably coupled to the rolling member, and a block groove which is formed in the pitching member and into which at least a part of the rolling prevention block is inserted. The rolling prevention block may be inserted into the block groove when the angle is more than the reference value and withdrawn from the block groove when the angle is less than the reference value. In this case, the rolling prevention assembly may include a block cover configured to support the rolling prevention block.

[0021]The rolling prevention block may include a plurality of surfaces, and at least one surface may come into close contact with the block cover when the angle is more than the reference value, and at least one other surface may come into close contact with the block cover when the angle is less than the reference value.

[0022]The block cover may include a vertical portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the rolling axis, and an inclined portion extending from the vertical portion along the rolling axis and having an inclined surface having a predetermined angle with respect to the rolling axis.

[0023]In the cleaning module, the pitching member may be coupled to the rolling member and coupled to the rolling member while rotating more than a maximum stroke angle of the rolling member. In this case, the cleaning module may further include a first flange protruding radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the rolling member and extending in a circumferential direction, a rolling guider protruding from the pitching member, passing through the first flange from a front to a rear, and moving in the circumferential direction along a rear surface of the first flange when the rolling member rotates, and a rolling guider hole which is formed in the first flange and through which the rolling guider passes.

[0024]The cleaning module may include a rolling guider catch that is formed behind the first flange and prevents movement of the rolling guider at the maximum stroke angle of the rolling member. Alternatively, the cleaning module may include a front protrusion protruding forward from a front surface of the first flange, and a second flange protruding radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of the pitching member, extending in the circumferential direction, and coming into close contact with the front protrusion, and the front protrusion may move in the circumferential direction along a rear surface of the second flange when the rolling member rotates.

[0025]To achieve the objects, a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cleaning module configured to suction external air and a main body configured to provide a suction force to the cleaning module. The cleaning module includes a suction member configured to suction the air, a pitching member that has a front end rotatably coupled to the suction member, has a pitching axis disposed on the front end in a left-right direction, and rotates the main body about the pitching axis, a yawing member that has a front end rotatably coupled to a rear end of the pitching member, has a yawing axis disposed on the front end in a vertical direction, and rotates the main body about the yawing axis, a rolling member that has a front end rotatably coupled to a rear end of the yawing member, has a rolling axis passing through the yawing member and the main body, and rotates the main body about the rolling axis, and a rolling prevention assembly that has one side disposed on the yawing member and the other side disposed on the rolling member, blocks rotation of the rolling member when an angle formed by a ground and the rolling axis is more than a reference value, and allows the rotation of the rolling member when the angle is less than the reference value.

[0026]The rolling prevention assembly may include a rolling prevention block having one end rotatably coupled to the rolling member, and a block groove which is formed in the pitching member and into which at least a part of the rolling prevention block is inserted. The rolling prevention block may be inserted into the block groove when the angle is more than the reference value and withdrawn from the block groove when the angle is less than the reference value.

[0027]In the cleaning module, the rolling member may be coupled to the yawing member and coupled to the yawing member while rotating more than a maximum stroke angle of the rolling member.

[0028]In the cleaning module, the yawing member may be coupled to the pitching member and coupled to the pitching member while rotating more than a maximum stroke angle of the yawing member. In this case, the cleaning module may include a yawing shaft disposed on the yawing member and protruding along the yawing axis, a yawing shaft hole which is formed in the pitching member and through which at least a part of the yawing shaft passes, a yawing guider that protrudes from the yawing shaft in a direction intersecting the yawing axis and moves in a circumferential direction of the yawing axis along one side surface of the pitching member when the yawing member rotates, and a yawing guider hole which is formed in the pitching member and through which at least a part of the yawing guider passes.

[0029]To achieve the objects, a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cleaning module configured to suction external air and a main body configured to provide a suction force to the cleaning module. The cleaning module includes a suction member configured to suction the air, a fixed member having one end coupled to the suction member, a rotating member that has one end coupled to the other end of the fixed member and the other end connected to the main body, has a rotational axis passing through the fixed member and the main body, and rotates the main body about the rotational axis, and a rotation prevention assembly that has one side disposed on the fixed member and the other side disposed on the rotating member, blocks rotation of the rotating member when an angle formed by a ground and the rotational axis is more than a reference value, and allows the rotation of the rotating member when the angle is less than the reference value.

[0030]Detailed matters of other embodiments are included in a detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Advantageous Effects

[0031]According to the cleaner of the present disclosure, there are one or more effects as follows.

[0032]First, in the cleaner that performs pitching and rolling, when the angle formed by the ground and the rolling axis is more than the reference value, the rotation of the rolling member can be blocked so that the cleaner can turn, and when the angle is less than the reference value, the rotation of the rolling member can be allowed to clean the low gap.

[0033]Second, in the cleaner that performs pitching, yawing, and rolling, when the angle formed by the ground and the rolling axis is more than the reference value, rolling can be prohibited and yawing can be allowed, thereby improving the steering ability of the cleaner by yawing, and when the angle is less than the reference value, rolling can be allowed and yawing can be prohibited so that the cleaning module does not shake, thereby preventing a degradation of the steering ability of the cleaner.

[0034]Third, when the rolling member is coupled to the yawing member, the rolling member can be assembled while rotating more than the maximum stroke angle, and thus the rolling member can be easily assembled with other components and at the same time, cannot be easily disassembled arbitrarily.

[0035]Fourth, when the yawing member is coupled to the pitching member, the yawing member can be assembled while rotating more than the maximum stroke angle, and thus the yawing member can be easily assembled with other components and at the same time, cannot be easily disassembled arbitrarily.

[0036]Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and other effects that are not described will be able to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaner according to the present disclosure.

[0038]FIG. 2 is a front view of a cleaning module according to the present disclosure.

[0039]FIG. 3 is a rear view of the cleaning module according to the present disclosure.

[0040]FIG. 4 is a view showing a yawed state of the cleaning module in FIG. 2.

[0041]FIG. 5 is a view showing a rolled state of the cleaning module in FIG. 2.

[0042]FIG. 6 is a view showing a pitched state of the cleaning module in FIG. 2.

[0043]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a pitching member, a yawing member, and a rolling member.

[0044]FIG. 8 is a right-side cross-sectional view of the cleaning module when an angle between the ground and a rolling axis is high.

[0045]FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a rolling coupling assembly part in FIG. 8.

[0046]FIG. 10 is a right-side cross-sectional view of the cleaning module when the angle between the ground and the rolling axis is low.

[0047]FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the rolling coupling assembly part in FIG. 10.

[0048]FIGS. 12A and 12B are enlarged views of an rolling prevention assembly when the angle between the ground and the rolling axis is high or low.

[0049]FIG. 13 is a rear view of the pitching member and an rolling prevention block.

[0050]FIG. 14 is a rear view of a block cover and the rolling prevention block.

[0051]FIG. 15 is a view showing a state before the rolling member and the yawing member are coupled.

[0052]FIG. 16 is a view showing a state after the rolling member and the yawing member are coupled.

[0053]FIG. 17 is a side view of the rolling member and the yawing member of FIG. 16.

[0054]FIG. 18 is a view showing a state before the yawing member and the pitching member are coupled.

[0055]FIG. 19 is a view showing a state after the yawing member and the pitching member are coupled.

[0056]FIGS. 20A to 20C are top views of the yawing member and the pitching member.

MODE FOR INVENTION

[0057]Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods for achieving them will become clear with reference to embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms, the embodiments are merely provided to make the disclosure of the present disclosure complete and fully inform those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains of the scope of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is only defined by the scope of the appended claims. The same reference number denotes the same components throughout the specification.

[0058]Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to describe a cleaner 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0059]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaner 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060]Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaner 100 includes a main body 110. The main body 110 may include a suction part 112 through which air containing dust is suctioned.

[0061]A direction of a cleaning module 160 positioned with respect to the main body 110 is forward. That is, the forward is a direction of the cleaner 100 moving forward.

[0062]A direction of the main body 110 positioned with respect to the cleaning module 160 is rearward. The rearward is a direction opposite to forward.

[0063]Right and left sides are defined with respect to a front surface of the cleaner 100 when viewed from the front. The right and left sides are opposite.

[0064]The cleaning module may rotate in various directions. More specifically, the cleaning module according to the present disclosure may rotate in at least three directions. The cleaning module may perform pitching about a first rotational axis y, yawing about a second rotational axis z, and rolling about a third rotational axis x.

[0065]The rolling axis x is a center axis about which the main body 110 rotates and is a virtual straight line disposed in a longitudinal direction of an extension pipe 150. The rolling axis x matches an extension direction of a suction member 161 of the main body 110. A rolling axis x mostly matches the center axis passing through a center of the main body 110 and a center of the cleaning module 160. However, when the rolling axis x rotates, the rolling axis may not match the center axis.

[0066]A pitching axis y is a center axis about which the main body 110 vertically rotates and is a virtual straight line disposed in a left-right direction of the cleaning module 160. A pitching axis y is orthogonal to the rolling axis x and rotates the rolling axis x. The pitching axis y is parallel to a rotational axis of an agitator 162 to be described below.

[0067]The yawing axis z is a center axis about which the main body 110 rotates in the left-right direction and is a virtual straight line disposed vertically. The yawing axis z is orthogonal to both the rolling axis x and the pitching axis y. The yawing axis z may be rotated by the pitching axis y.

[0068]The suction part 112 is a component that has a cylindrical shape with a hollow formed therein and suctions air containing dust. The suction part 112 provides a suction path along which the air containing dust may flow. The air containing dust is guided to the main body 110 through the suction part 112.

[0069]A suction motor 114 is a component that creates an air flow so that the air including dust may be introduced into the suction part 112.

[0070]The suction motor 114 may be a brushless DC (BLDC) motor. The BLDC motor is a brushless type DC motor. Since the BLDC motor does not have a brush, which is a wearable part, the BLDC motor has the advantages of not only having less electrical and mechanical noise, but also having no problems with high-speed rotation and having less rotation noise.

[0071]A handle 116 is a component that is gripped by a user to move the cleaner 100 and may include a gripping part that is a part disposed in a direction opposite to the suction part 112 with respect to a dust bin 120 and gripped by the user's hand. Here, the gripping part may have a substantial cylindrical shape.

[0072]Referring to FIG. 1, the main body 110 includes a manipulation part 118. The manipulation part 118 is a component for the user to input a command to the cleaner 100.

[0073]The manipulation part 118 may be disposed on an extension line of the handle 116 in the longitudinal direction. With this arrangement, the user may input a command by touching the manipulation part 118 with his/her thumb while gripping the handle 116.

[0074]Referring to FIG. 1, the main body 110 includes the dust bin 120 that stores dust separated from the air. The dust bin 120 includes a cylindrical dust collection body. Since the dust bin 120 communicates with the suction part 112, the dust contained in the air suctioned through the suction part 112 is separated from the air and collected in the dust bin 120.

[0075]Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaner 100 includes a battery 140. The battery 140 is a component that supplies power to the main body 110. A storage for storing the battery 140 may be formed in the main body 110, and the battery 140 is inserted and installed in the storage.

[0076]The battery 140 is disposed below the handle 116. The battery 140 may be disposed on the extension line of the handle 116 in the longitudinal direction. With this arrangement, the battery 140 may be disposed so as not to be biased to one side in the left-right direction, and the user may grip and easily carry the cleaner 100.

[0077]Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaner 100 includes the extension pipe 150. The extension pipe 150 is a component that allows the main body 110 to communicate with the cleaning module 160.

[0078]A lower end of the extension pipe 150 is coupled to the cleaning module 160 and communicates with the cleaning module 160. According to the present disclosure, the extension pipe 150 may be coupled to the pitching member to rotate about the pitching axis y and coupled to the yawing member 164 to rotate about the yawing axis z.

[0079]The lower end of the extension pipe 150 communicates with a corrugated pipe 166.

[0080]An upper end of the extension pipe 150 is coupled to the suction part 112 of the main body 110 and communicates with the suction part 112.

[0081]The extension pipe 150 may be divided into a lower pipe and an upper pipe. The upper pipe has a variable length by being inserted into or withdrawn from the lower pipe. The lower pipe is connected to the cleaning module 160, and the upper pipe is connected to the suction part 112 of the main body 110.

[0082]Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaner 100 includes the cleaning module 160. The cleaning module 160 is a component for suctioning external air.

[0083]Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaning module 160 communicates with the extension pipe 150. Accordingly, external air is introduced into the main body 110 of the cleaner 100 through the cleaning module 160 and the extension pipe 150 by a suction force generated by the main body 110 of the cleaner 100.

[0084]Referring to FIG. 2, the cleaning module 160 includes the suction member 161. The suction member 161 is a component that suctions external air. The suction member 161 forms an appearance of the cleaning module 160 and forms a space therein. A path along which air flows is formed in an internal space of the suction member 161.

[0085]A pitching member 163 is rotatably coupled to a rear end of the suction member 161.

[0086]A suction port through which air is suctioned is formed on the suction member 161. The suction port is formed on a bottom surface of the suction member 161.

[0087]Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaning module 160 includes the agitator 162. The agitator 162 is a component that rubs dust attached to the floor and separates the dust from the floor.

[0088]The agitator 162 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the rotational axis. The rotational axis of the agitator 162 is disposed in the left-right direction.

[0089]The agitator 162 is rotatably coupled to the suction member 161.

[0090]The agitator 162 is disposed in front of the suction port. The agitator 162 sweeps away dust adsorbed on the floor at a front end of the suction port. By the agitator 162, the dust adsorbed on the floor may be separated from the floor and can be more easily suctioned into the suction port.

[0091]Referring to FIGS. 8 to 11, the agitator 162 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the right.

[0092]The cleaning module 160 may further include a motor (not shown) for rotating the agitator 162. Although not shown, referring to FIG. 2, the motor may be disposed at an inner right side of the cleaning module 160. With this arrangement, a center of gravity 160G of the cleaning module 160 may be disposed to be biased to the right.

[0093]Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the cleaner 100 includes the pitching member 163. The pitching member 163 is a component that rotates the main body 110 and changes a height of the main body 110.

[0094]The pitching member 163 is disposed between the suction member 161 and the main body 110, has the pitching axis y disposed in the left-right direction, and rotates the main body 110 about the pitching axis y.

[0095]A front end of the pitching member 163 is rotatably connected to the suction member 161. A rear end of the pitching member 163 is rotatably connected to the yawing member 164.

[0096]The pitching member 163 has a hollow formed therein, and the corrugated pipe 166 passes through the pitching member 163.

[0097]Referring to FIG. 6, the pitching member 163 rotates counterclockwise, and the height of the main body 110 increases, and an angle between the extension pipe (or the rolling axis) and the ground increases. On the contrary, the pitching member 163 rotates clockwise, the height of the main body 110 decreases, and the angle between the extension pipe (or the rolling axis) and the ground decreases.

[0098]When the angle between the extension pipe (or the rolling axis) and the ground decreases, the corrugated pipe 166 can be deformed to be convex upward. According to the present disclosure, the suction member 161 and the pitching member 163 may be connected by the pitching axis y, thereby minimizing the height from the ground to an upper surface of the extension pipe 150 and may be inserted into the lower gap to perform cleaning.

[0099]Referring to FIG. 2, the center of gravity 160G of the cleaning module is disposed on the pitching axis y. With this arrangement, the cleaning module 160 may not shake about the yawing axis z when moving forward. Accordingly, the user can manipulate the cleaning module 160 more easily.

[0100]Referring to FIG. 2, the pitching axis y is disposed at the front end of the pitching member 163, and the pitching member 163 is hinge-coupled to the rear end of the suction member 161 through the pitching axis y.

[0101]Referring to FIG. 2, the suction member 161 has a recess of which rear surface is recessed forward, and the pitching axis y and the pitching member 163 are disposed in the recess. A hole through which the pitching axis y passes is formed in an inner wall of the recess, and a hinge that matches the pitching axis y is rotatably inserted into the hole.

[0102]Since the pitching axis y is disposed at the front end of the pitching member 163, the pitching member 163 has a fixed front end and a circularly rotatable rear end.

[0103]With this arrangement, a height of a connection member between the cleaning module 160 and the extension pipe 150 can be made lower. In particular, according to the present disclosure, when the extension pipe 150 maximally rotates clockwise in FIG. 6, a height of the cleaning module 160 and a height of the pitching member 163 become almost the same. Accordingly, cleaning may be performed by entering a narrow gap of a lower end of a sofa or the like.

[0104]Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the cleaner 100 includes the yawing member 164. The yawing member 164 is a component that rotates the main body 110 to change the position of the main body 110 in the left-right direction.

[0105]The yawing member 164 is disposed between the suction member 161 and the main body 110, has the yawing axis z disposed vertically, and rotates the main body 110 about the yawing axis z.

[0106]Referring to FIG. 4, the yawing axis z is disposed at the front end of the yawing member 164, the yawing member 164 is hinge-coupled to the rear end of the pitching member 163 through the yawing axis z, and a rear end of the yawing member 164 is coupled to front ends of rolling member 165 and 167.

[0107]Referring to FIG. 7, the yawing member 164 is formed in a U-shape with an open front. An upper surface of the yawing member 164 covers an upper surface of the pitching member 163, and a lower surface of the yawing member 164 covers a lower surface of the pitching member 163.

[0108]The yawing member 164 has a hollow formed therein. The corrugated pipe 166 passes through the yawing member 164 and is connected to the extension pipe 150. With this arrangement, even when the yawing member 164 rotates in the left-right direction, dust can be smoothly suctioned through the corrugated pipe 166.

[0109]The yawing axis z is disposed at the front end of the yawing member 164. The yawing axis z is disposed in the vertical direction of the yawing member 164. The yawing axis z is disposed in the vertical direction of the pitching member 163. The yawing axis z passes through a center of a yawing shaft 191 of a yawing coupling assembly 190.

[0110]The yawing axis z extends vertically. Referring to FIG. 4, since the yawing member 164 is rotatably connected to the pitching axis y, the yawing axis z is not fixed vertically with respect to the ground.

[0111]The yawing axis z is perpendicular to the pitching axis y. Referring to FIG. 2, since the pitching axis y is disposed in the left-right direction and the yawing axis z is disposed vertically, the yawing axis z is perpendicular to the pitching axis y in a front view. Referring to FIG. 4, since the yawing axis z is disposed behind the pitching axis y, the yawing axis z and the pitching axis y do not intersect each other.

[0112]The yawing axis z is perpendicular to the straight line of the extension pipe 150 in the longitudinal direction. Since the extension pipe 150 is disposed rotatably with respect to the pitching axis y, the yawing axis z is always perpendicular to the straight line of the extension pipe 150 in the longitudinal direction.

[0113]According to the present disclosure, the yawing axis z is disposed behind the pitching axis y. Since the pitching axis y is disposed in the left-right direction, a connection portion of the pitching axis y has a lower height than a connection portion of the yawing axis z. Accordingly, by arranging the connection portion of the pitching axis y in front of the connection portion of the yawing axis z, it is possible to minimize a height of the connection portion between the cleaning module 160 and the extension pipe 150 so that the cleaning module 160 may enter a narrow gap. In addition, with this arrangement, the axis may be disposed as far forward as possible, and in particular, unlike the center of gravity 160G of the cleaning module of the conventional cleaner 100 being disposed in front of the pitching axis y or the yawing axis z, the center of gravity 160G of the cleaning module of the present disclosure may be disposed on the pitching axis y.

[0114]A coupling structure between the yawing axis and the pitching axis will be described below.

[0115]Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the cleaner includes the rolling members 165 and 167. The rolling members 165 and 167 are components that rotate the main body.

[0116]The rolling members 165 and 167 are disposed between the pitching member 163 and the main body, have the rolling axis x that passes through the suction member 161 and the main body, and rotate the main body about the rolling axis x.

[0117]Referring to FIG. 5, the rolling axis x is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the rolling members 165 and 167. That is, the rolling axis x is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the extension pipe. On the rolling axis x, the suction member 161, the pitching member 163, the yawing member 164, the rolling members 165 and 167, the extension pipe, and the main body are disposed.

[0118]Referring to FIG. 7, the rolling members 165 and 167 may include a first rolling member 165 and a second rolling member 167.

[0119]A front end of the first rolling member 165 is rotatably coupled to the rear end of the yawing member 164, and a rear end of the first rolling member 165 is fixedly coupled to a front end of the second rolling member 167.

[0120]A front end of the second rolling member 167 is fixedly coupled to a rear end of the first rolling member 165, and a rear end of the second rolling member 167 is fixedly coupled to the extension pipe 150 or the main body 110.

[0121]The first rolling member 165 and the second rolling member 167 are coupled and rolled simultaneously.

[0122]The front ends of the rolling members 165 and 167 are rotatably coupled to the rear end of the yawing member 164. Specifically, the front end of the first rolling member 165 is rotatably coupled to the rear end of the yawing member 164.

[0123]The rear ends of the rolling members 165 and 167 are coupled to the main body or the extension pipe. Specifically, the rear end of the second rolling member 167 is coupled to the extension pipe or the main body.

[0124]The coupling structure between the rolling members 165 and 167 and the yawing member 164 will be described below.

[0125]Referring to FIGS. 7 to 14, the rolling prevention assembly 170 will be described.

[0126]The cleaner includes the rolling prevention assembly 170. The rolling prevention assembly 170 is a component that allows or prohibits rolling of the rolling members 165 and 167 and the main body depending on predetermined conditions.

[0127]The rolling prevention assembly 170 has one side disposed on the pitching member 163 and the other side disposed on the rolling members 165 and 167, blocks the rotation of the rolling members 165 and 167 when the angle formed by the ground and the rolling axis x is more than the reference value, and allows the rotation of the rolling members 165 and 167 when the angle is less than the reference value.

[0128]When the angle formed by the ground and the rolling axis x is more than the reference value, it means that the angle is high. In this case, the rolling prevention assembly 170 blocks the rotation of the rolling members 165 and 167. Accordingly, when the user manipulates the main body, the cleaning module 160 may move or rotate in a dependent manner, thereby manipulating the entire cleaner. Alternatively, when the cleaning module 160 includes all of the pitching member 163, the yawing member 164, and the rolling members 165 and 167, rolling is prohibited and yawing is allowed, thereby improving steering ability by the yawing.

[0129]When the angle formed by the ground and the rolling axis x is less than the reference value, it means that the angle is low. In this case, the rolling prevention assembly 170 allows the rotation of the rolling members 165 and 167. Since the main body of the cleaner according to the present disclosure has a vertical height larger than a horizontal width, the user may roll the main body at 90 degrees and insert the cleaner into the lower gap to perform cleaning. In addition, when the cleaning module 160 includes all of the pitching member 163, the yawing member 164, and the rolling members 165 and 167, rolling may be allowed and yawing may be prohibited, thereby preventing steering ability from being degraded by the cleaning module 160 being arbitrarily shaken by the yawing.

[0130]The rolling prevention assembly 170 may be composed of a rolling prevention block 171, a block groove 172, and a block cover 173.

[0131]The rolling prevention block 171 is a component that is inserted into the block groove 172 and allows or prohibits the rotation of the rolling members 165 and 167 with respect to the yawing member 164. Specifically, at a high angle, the rolling prevention block 171 is inserted into the block groove 172 to prohibit rolling, and at a low angle, the rolling prevention block 171 is not inserted into the block groove 172 to allow rolling.

[0132]The rolling prevention block 171 may be formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped bar. However, the rolling prevention block 171 is not limited to the rectangular parallelepiped shape and may be formed in other shapes within a range that can be easily adopted by those skilled in the art.

[0133]The rolling prevention block 171 has one end rotatably coupled to the rolling members 165 and 167. Specifically, a lower end of the rolling prevention block is hinge-coupled to the rolling members 165 and 167, and an upper end thereof moves and rotates using the lower end as a rotational axis. More specifically, the lower end of the rolling prevention block 171 may be rotatably coupled to the block cover 173.

[0134]The block groove 172 is formed in the yawing member 164, and at least apart of the rolling prevention block 171 is inserted into the block groove 172. When the cleaning module 160 does not include the yawing member 164 and includes only the pitching member 163 and the rolling members 165 and 167, the block groove 172 is formed in the pitching member 163, and at least a part of the rolling prevention block 171 is inserted into the block groove 172.

[0135]The block groove 172 is formed by being recessed forward from a rear surface of the yawing member 164. Specifically, the block groove 172 may be formed by recessing a part of a second flange 187.

[0136]The block groove 172 is formed in a lower end of the second flange 187, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0137]The rolling prevention block 171 is inserted into the block groove 172 when the angle is more than the reference value and is withdrawn from the block groove 172 when the angle is less than the reference value. Specifically, at a high angle, the rolling prevention block 171 is inserted into the block groove 172 to prohibit rolling, and at a low angle, the rolling prevention block 171 is withdrawn from the block groove 172 to allow rolling.

[0138]The block cover 173 supports the rolling prevention block 171. Specifically, the block cover 173 guides movement of the rolling prevention block 171 and prevents the rolling prevention block 171 from being detached.

[0139]The lower end of the rolling prevention block 171 is rotatably coupled to the block cover 173.

[0140]The block cover 173 may be composed of a vertical portion 1731 and an inclined portion 1732. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 12A, at a high angle, a front surface of the rolling prevention block 171 is inserted into the block groove 172 while coming into close contact with a rear surface of the vertical portion 1731. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 12B, at a low angle, a lower surface of the rolling prevention block 171 is withdrawn from the block groove 172 while coming into close contact with an inclined surface of the inclined portion 1732.

[0141]The vertical portion 1731 extends in a direction perpendicular to the rolling axis x. Specifically, the vertical portion extends radially outward from the rolling axis x and extends in a circumferential direction of the rolling axis x.

[0142]An upper end of the vertical portion 1731 may come into close contact with the second flange 187 and may be supported by the second flange 187. Accordingly, the rolling portion can rotate smoothly.

[0143]The inclined portion 1732 extends from the vertical portion 1731 along the rolling axis x and has the inclined surface having a predetermined angle with respect to the rolling axis x.

[0144]The inclined portion 1732 is formed to protrude rearward from a lower end of the vertical portion 1731. Specifically, the inclined portion 1732 extends so that the inclined surface is formed to move away from the rolling axis x.

[0145]The rolling prevention block 171 includes a plurality of surfaces. In this case, when the angle is more than the reference value, at least one surface comes into close contact with the block cover 173, and when the angle is less than the reference value, at least one other surface comes into close contact with the block cover 173. For example, at a high angle, the front surface of the rolling prevention block 171 is inserted into the block groove 172 while coming into close contact with the rear surface of the vertical portion 1731, and at a low angle, the lower surface of the rolling prevention block 171 is withdrawn from the block groove 172 while coming into close contact with the inclined surface of the inclined portion 1732.

[0146]The coupling structure of the rolling members 165 and 167 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17.

[0147]The cleaning module 160 may include a rolling coupling assembly 180. By the rolling coupling assembly 180, in the cleaning module 160, the rolling members 165 and 167 are coupled to the yawing member 164 and coupled to the yawing member 164 while rotating more than the maximum stroke angles of the rolling members 165 and 167. When the cleaning module 160 does not include the yawing member 164 and includes only the pitching member 163 and the rolling members 165 and 167, in the cleaning module 160, the pitching member 163 may be coupled to the rolling members 165 and 167 and coupled to the rolling members 165 and 167 while rotating more than the maximum stroke angles of the rolling members 165 and 167.

[0148]The rolling coupling assembly 180 may be composed of a first flange 182, a rolling guider 181, a rolling guider hole 183, a front protrusion 184, a rolling guider catch 186, and a second flange 187.

[0149]The rolling guider 181 protrudes from the yawing member 164, passes through the first flange 182 from the front to the rear, and moves circumferentially along a rear surface of the first flange 182 when the rolling members 165 and 167 rotate. When the cleaning module 160 does not include the yawing member 164 and includes only the pitching member 163 and the rolling members 165 and 167, the rolling guider 181 protrudes from the pitching member 163, passes through the first flange 182 from the front to the rear, and moves circumferentially along the rear surface of the first flange 182 when the rolling members 165 and 167 rotate.

[0150]Referring to FIG. 13, the rolling guider 181 may have a protrusion shape protruding downward from a pipe of the yawing member 164.

[0151]The first flange 182 protrudes radially inward from inner circumferential surfaces of the rolling members 165 and 167 and extends in the circumferential direction.

[0152]The pipe of the yawing member 164 is inserted into the rolling members 165 and 167, and the inner circumferential surface of the first flange 182 comes into close contact with an outer circumferential surface of the pipe of the yawing member 164 to assist the rotation of the rolling members 165 and 167.

[0153]During the operation of the cleaner, the rolling guider 181 comes into close contact with the rear surface of the first flange 182 and is supported by the first flange to assist the rotation of the rolling members 165 and 167.

[0154]The rolling guider hole 183 is formed in the first flange 182, and the rolling guider 181 passes through the rolling guider hole 183. Referring to FIG. 16, the rolling guider hole 183 may be formed in an upper end of the first flange 182.

[0155]The rolling guider catch 186 is formed behind the first flange 182 and prevents the movement of the rolling guider 181 at the maximum stroke angles of the rolling members 165 and 167.

[0156]Referring to FIGS. 7 and 17, the rolling guider catch 186 is formed on the second rolling member 167.

[0157]The yawing member 164 is inserted into the rolling members 165 and 167 while rolling 180 degrees. In this case, the rolling guider 181 is disposed on an upper end of the pipe of the yawing member 164, and when the pipe of the yawing member 164 is inserted into the rolling members 165 and 167, the rolling guider 181 passes through the rolling guider hole 183. After the rolling guider 181 passes through the rolling guider hole, the yawing member 164 rolls 180 degrees. Then, since the rolling guider 181 is disposed on a lower end of the pipe of the yawing member 164, while the rolling guider hole 183 is disposed in the upper end of the first flange 182, the rolling members 165 and 167 and the yawing member 164 are not separated.

[0158]During the operation of the cleaner, since the rolling members 165 and 167 may rotate only 90 degrees clockwise or 90 degrees counterclockwise, which is the maximum rolling angle, the rolling members 165 and 167 and the yawing member 164 are not separated arbitrarily against the user's will.

[0159]The front protrusion 184 and the second flange 187 will be described with reference to FIG. 15. The front protrusions 184 formed on the rolling members 165 and 167 come into close contact with the second flange 187 formed on the yawing member 164 and are supported by the second flange 187. During rolling, the front protrusion 184 moves along the outer circumferential surface of the second flange 187 and assists the rotation of the rolling members 165 and 167.

[0160]The front protrusion 184 protrudes forward from a front surface of the first flange 182.

[0161]The front protrusion 184 may have a step formed thereon to come into contact with an outer circumferential surface and a rear surface of the second flange 187 at the same time.

[0162]The second flange 187 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the pitching member 163, extends in the circumferential direction, and comes into contact with the front protrusion 184.

[0163]When the rolling members 165 and 167 rotate, the front protrusion 184 moves in the circumferential direction along the rear surface of the second flange 187.

[0164]Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20, the coupling structure of the yawing member 164 will be described.

[0165]The cleaning module 160 may include the yawing coupling assembly 190. By the yawing coupling assembly 190, in the cleaning module 160, the yawing member 164 is coupled to the pitching member 163 and coupled to the pitching member 163 while rotating more than the maximum stroke angle of the yawing member 164.

[0166]The yawing coupling assembly 190 may be composed of the yawing shaft 191, a yawing guider 192, a yawing shaft hole 194, and a yawing guider hole 195.

[0167]The yawing shaft 191 is disposed on the pitching member 163 and protrudes along the yawing axis z. Referring to FIG. 18, the yawing shaft 191 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the pitching member 163 along the yawing axis z. Although not shown, the yawing shaft 191 may protrude downward from the lower surface of the pitching member 163.

[0168]The yawing guider 192 protrudes from the yawing shaft 191 in a direction intersecting the yawing axis z and moves in the circumferential direction of the yawing axis z along one side surface of the pitching member 163 when the yawing member 164 rotates. Referring to FIG. 18, the yawing guider 192 protrudes radially outward from an upper end of the yawing shaft 191.

[0169]The yawing shaft 191 and the yawing guider 192 may be formed in an omega shape.

[0170]The yawing guider 192 is caught in the yawing shaft hole 194 and prevents the yawing member 164 from being separated from the pitching member 163.

[0171]The yawing shaft hole 194 is formed in the yawing member 164, and at least a part of the yawing shaft 191 passes through the yawing shaft hole 194.

[0172]The yawing shaft hole 194 vertically passes through one side of the yawing member.

[0173]The yawing shaft hole 194 may be formed on the upper surface of the yawing member 164, formed on the lower surface of the yawing member 164, or formed on the upper and lower surfaces at the same time.

[0174]The yawing guider hole 195 is formed in the yawing member 164, and at least a part of the yawing guider 192 passes through the yawing guider hole 195.

[0175]The yawing guider hole 195 is formed by being further recessed radially in an end portion of the yawing shaft hole 194.

[0176]Referring to FIG. 18, the yawing shaft 191 and the yawing guider 192 are formed on the pitching member 163, and the yawing shaft hole 194 and the yawing guider hole 195 are formed in the yawing member 164. However, unlike that shown in FIG. 18, the yawing shaft 191 and the yawing guider 192 may be formed on the yawing member 164, and the yawing shaft hole 194 and the yawing guider hole 195 may be formed in the pitching member 163.

[0177]Referring to FIG. 20, a first reference line L1 disposed in the longitudinal direction of the yawing guider 192 and a second reference line L2 disposed in the longitudinal direction of the yawing guider hole 195 are defined.

[0178]Referring to FIG. 20A, when the pitching member 163 rotates 90 degrees, the first reference line L1 matches the second reference line L2, and the yawing guider 192 may pass the yawing guider hole 195. Referring to FIG. 20B, after the yawing guider 192 passes the yawing guider hole 195, the pitching member 163 rotates 90 degrees.

[0179]Accordingly, in FIG. 20C, even when the yawing member 164 rotates the maximum stroke angle, the yawing member 164 rotates less than 90 degrees, and thus the yawing member 164 is not arbitrarily separated.

[0180]In this case, the maximum stroke angle of the yawing member 164 is 90-θ″. When the yawing member 164 is coupled to the pitching member 163, the yawing member 164 is coupled to the pitching member 163 while rotating more than the maximum stroke angle of the yawing member 164, and thus the pitching member 163 is easily assembled to the yawing member 164 and at the same time, is not easily disassembled arbitrarily.

[0181]The cleaning module 160 may include the suction member 161, a fixed member, a rotating member, and a rotation prevention assembly.

[0182]The suction member 161 suctions air.

[0183]The fixed member has one end coupled to the suction member 161. The fixed member may be the yawing member 164 or the pitching member 163 among the above components.

[0184]The rotating member has one end coupled to the other end of the fixed member and the other end connected to the main body, has the rotational axis passing through the fixed member and the main body, and rotates the main body about the rotational axis. The rotating member may be the rolling members 165 and 167 among the above components.

[0185]The rotation prevention assembly has one side disposed on the fixed member and the other side disposed on the rotating member, blocks the rotation of the rotating member when the angle formed by the ground and the rotational axis is more than the reference value, and allows the rotation of the rotating member when the angle is less than the reference value. The rotation prevention assembly may be the rolling prevention assembly 170 among the above components.

[0186]Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present disclosure can be modified in various ways by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure claimed by the appended claims, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present disclosure.