STATION FOR CLEANER AND CLEANING DEVICE INCLUDING SAME

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of international application No. PCT/KR2024/095283, filed Feb. 16, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U. S. C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0049673, filed Apr. 14, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cleaner station and a cleaning device having the same, and more specifically, to a cleaner station that supplies cleaning pads and a cleaning device having the same.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a cleaner includes a vacuum cleaner, and the vacuum cleaner is a device that generates a suction force by driving a fan motor, draws in foreign substances such as dust together with air through the suction force generated by the fan motor, separates the drawn foreign substances from the air, and collects the separated foreign substances so that cleaning is performed.

Such vacuum cleaners include canister type vacuum cleaners and upright type vacuum cleaners, and there are robot cleaners that autonomously travel in a cleaning area without user manipulation and perform a cleaning task by drawing in dirt such as dust from a surface to be cleaned.

Recently, robot cleaners that not only draw in dirt but also simultaneously perform mopping of a floor surface by mounting a cleaning pad such as a wet mop on the bottom surface have become popular. Since the cleaning pad serves as a mop, periodic replacement is required.

After finishing cleaning, the robot cleaner may be seated on a cleaner station to charge its battery or empty a dust container. The cleaner station may be provided with a function to automatically empty the dust container of the robot cleaner or to provide water to a cleaning pad of the robot cleaner.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a cleaner station that supplies a cleaning pad and a cleaning device having the same.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a cleaner station that supplies a cleaning pad to a seating surface and a cleaning device having the same.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a cleaner station that automatically supplies a cleaning pad to a seating surface and a cleaning device having the same.

The technical objectives of the present invention are not limited to the above, and other objectives that are not described above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.

Technical Solution

The cleaner station according to the concept of the present disclosure includes a container, configured to store one or more cleaning pads, arranged to be movable. The cleaner station includes a main body including a cleaning pad seating surface arrangeable below the container. The cleaner station includes a slide link configured to move along the container. The cleaner station includes a discharge link provided in the container, the discharge link including a support tip disposed to protrude toward an inner side of the container to support a cleaning pad, that is closest to the cleaning pad seating surface among the stored one or more cleaning pads. The discharge link includes a discharge hook configured to be pressed to move the support tip to an outer side of the container based on the container being moved toward the cleaning pad seating surface.

The cleaner station according to the concept of the present disclosure includes a container, configured to store one or more cleaning pads, arranged to be movable. The cleaner station includes a main body including a cleaning pad seating surface disposed below the container. The cleaner station includes a slide link configured to move along the container in association with movement of the container. The cleaner station includes a guide link rotatably connected to the container. The guide link includes a rotation shaft insertable into a rotation groove formed in the container. The guide link includes a hook body disposed at one end to be connected to the slide link. The guide link includes a support body provided at another end to support a cleaning pad accommodated in the container. When the container descends, the slide link may be stopped and may press the hook body to rotate the guide link so that the support body is directed toward the cleaning pad seating surface. When the container descends, the cleaning pad may be guided by the support body to fall onto the cleaning pad seating surface.

The cleaning device according to the concept of the present disclosure includes a cleaner station configured to provide a cleaning pad. The cleaner station includes a container configured to store one or more cleaning pads and arranged to be movable. The cleaner station includes a main body including a cleaning pad seating surface disposed below the container. The cleaner station includes a slide link configured to move along the container. The cleaner station includes a discharge link provided in the container. The discharge link includes a support tip disposed to protrude toward an inner side of the container to support a cleaner pad, among the stored cleaning pads, that faces the cleaning pad seating surface. The discharge link includes a discharge hook configured to be pressed to move the support tip to an outer side of the container so that the cleaning pad falls onto the cleaning pad seating surface. The cleaning device includes a cleaner configured to mount the cleaning pad provided on the cleaning pad seating surface.

Advantageous Effects

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning pad can be automatically supplied to a seating portion, thereby improving user convenience.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning pad can be supplied to a position corresponding to a pad mounting portion of a cleaner, thereby further improving user convenience.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other effects that are not described above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a cleaning device including a cleaner station on which a robot cleaner is seated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the cleaner station with a station cover removed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a container, a slide link, and a link cover in a disassembled state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 4, showing a state in which a cleaning pad is stored inside the container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which a cleaning pad is supported by a discharge link inside the container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of region A of the container of FIG. 4 with the link cover removed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which a discharge hook pressing portion shown in FIG. 8 presses a discharge hook to rotate a discharge link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which a loading hook pressing portion shown in FIG. 8 presses a loading hook to rotate a loading link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which a discharge link and a loading link are connected by a rotation shaft according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged top view of region B of the main body shown in FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which a cleaning pad falls and is supported by the discharge link as the loading hook is pressed by the loading hook pressing portion to rotate the loading link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which the container descends, the slide link descends, and a slide link stopper engages with a slide link catching portion to stop the slide link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a state in which, as the container of FIG. 14 further descends, a discharge hook is pressed by a discharge hook pressing portion to rotate the discharge link, causing the cleaning pad to fall onto a seating surface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a view showing the container, the slide link, the link cover, and a guide link in a disassembled state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a view showing the container, the slide link, the link cover, and the guide link of FIG. 16 in a coupled state, viewed from a different angle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a view showing a state in which a cleaning pad is supported by the guide link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a view showing a state in which, as the container of FIG. 18 further descends, a hook body is pressed by a slide link to rotate a guide link, and a cleaning pad is guided by a support body to fall onto a cleaning pad seating surface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a view showing a state in which a cleaning pad placed on a cleaning pad seating surface is mounted to a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only one preferred example of the disclosed disclosure, and there may be various modifications that can replace the embodiments and drawings in this specification at the time of filing of the present application.

In addition, the same reference numerals or numerals presented in each drawing in this specification indicate parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

In addition, the terms used in the present specification are used to describe embodiments and are not intended to limit and/or limit the disclosed disclosure. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless they are explicitly meant differently in the context. In this specification, the term “including” or “have” is intended to specify that features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or a combination of them exist, and does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features or numbers, steps, components, parts, or a combination thereof.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” used herein may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, and the terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The term “and/or” includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

On the other hand, the terms “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” and “lower” used in the following description are not intended to limit the shape and position of each component.

When it is stated that one component is “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact” with another component, this includes not only a case where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other, but also a case where they are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other through a third component.

When it is stated that one component is disposed “on” another component, this includes not only a case where the one component is in contact with the other component but also a case where another component is interposed between the two components.

In referring to a rotational direction, a clockwise direction may be expressed as a first direction, and a counterclockwise direction opposite to the first direction may be expressed as a second direction. Such expressions may be used for convenience in describing specific embodiments of the present disclosure, but the rotational directions of the components of the present disclosure are not limited by these terms.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of a cleaner station according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a view showing a cleaning device including a cleaner station on which a robot cleaner is seated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cleaning device 1 may include a cleaner 20. The cleaner 20 may be provided as a robot cleaner 20. Hereinafter, the cleaner 20 will be illustrated and described as the robot cleaner 20, but the type of the cleaner 20 is not limited thereto.

The robot cleaner 20 may clean a floor surface L while moving along the floor surface L. The floor surface L cleaned by the robot cleaner 20 may be referred to as a surface to be cleaned L.

The robot cleaner 20 may include a cleaner main body 21. The cleaner main body 21 may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The cleaner main body 21 may form a side surface of the robot cleaner 20.

The robot cleaner 20 may include a cleaner bottom surface 22. The cleaner bottom surface 22 may be coupled to the cleaner main body 21. The cleaner bottom surface 22 may form a lower portion of the robot cleaner 20 by being coupled to the cleaner main body 21.

The robot cleaner 20 may include wheels 23 for moving the robot cleaner 20. The wheels 23 may be disposed to protrude from the cleaner bottom surface 22. The wheels 23 may be provided as a pair of wheels of the same size. The pair of wheels 23 may rotate in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The pair of wheels 23 may rotate while being in contact with the surface to be cleaned L. The pair of wheels 23 may be arranged parallel to each other.

The robot cleaner 20 may include a suction port 25 covered by a suction port cover 24. When the robot cleaner 20 performs cleaning, the suction port cover 24 may be opened to expose the suction port 25. The robot cleaner 20 may include a suction device (not shown). When the suction device operates, a flow from the surface to be cleaned into the robot cleaner 20 may occur through the suction port 25. Accordingly, the robot cleaner 20 may draw in dust on the surface to be cleaned L through the suction port 25. The robot cleaner 20 may include a dust container (not shown). The suction port 25 may be formed to communicate with the dust container. Dust drawn through the suction port 25 may move to the dust container and be collected in the robot cleaner 20.

The robot cleaner 20 may include a pad mounting portion 26 to which a cleaning pad P is mounted. The pad mounting portion 26 may be formed in a substantially circular shape. The pad mounting portion 26 may be formed on the cleaner bottom surface 22. The pad mounting portion 26 may be provided as a pair of pad mounting portions of the same size, but the shape and the number of the pad mounting portions 26 are not limited thereto.

The cleaning device 1 may include a cleaner station 10. The robot cleaner 20 may move to the cleaner station 10 when charging is required or when the dust container is full of foreign substances and needs to be emptied. The cleaner station 10 illustrated and described below may be provided to automatically empty a dust container of the robot cleaner 20 or to supply water to a cleaning pad P of the robot cleaner 20.

The cleaner station 10 may include a main body 110 forming an exterior. The main body 110 may include a bottom surface 114 on which the robot cleaner 20 is seated. The robot cleaner 20 may move to ascend onto the bottom surface 114 to be seated on the cleaner station 10.

The bottom surface 114 may include a cleaning pad seating surface 115 on which the cleaning pad P is seated. The cleaning pad P may be provided as a wet mop. Before the robot cleaner 20 is seated on the cleaner station 10, the cleaning pad P may be seated on the cleaning pad seating surface 115.

The robot cleaner 20 may be seated on the bottom surface 114 such that the pad mounting portion 26 faces the cleaning pad seating surface 115. More specifically, the robot cleaner 20 may be seated on the bottom surface 114 such that the pad mounting portion 26 faces the cleaning pad P seated on the cleaning pad seating surface 115. The robot cleaner 20 may move from the cleaner station 10 back to the surface to be cleaned L after the cleaning pad P is coupled to the pad mounting portion 26 to perform cleaning again.

The main body 110 may include a side housing 116. The side housing 116 may be disposed above the bottom surface 114. The main body 110 may include a front housing 112. The front housing 112 may form a front portion of the main body 110 by being coupled to the side housing 116. The main body 110 may include a station cover 111. The station cover 111 may be coupled to the side housing 116. The station cover 111 may be coupled to the front housing 112. The station cover 111 may be detachably provided. The station cover 111 may be formed to cover components accommodated inside the main body 110. The main body 110 may include a rear housing 113. The rear housing 113 may form a rear portion of the main body 110. The rear housing 113 and the bottom surface 114 may contact the surface to be cleaned L. The cleaner station 10 may be supported on the surface to be cleaned L by the rear housing 113 and the bottom surface 114.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the cleaner station with a station cover removed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a view showing a container, a slide link, and a link cover in a disassembled state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 4, showing a state in which a cleaning pad is stored inside the container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which a cleaning pad is supported by a discharge link inside the container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, the cleaner station 10 may include a container 200. One or more cleaning pads P may be stored in the container 200. The cleaning pad P may be mounted to the robot cleaner 20. The cleaning pad P may be a wet mop.

The container 200 may be formed in a shape in which a plurality of substantially cylindrical components are attached to each other. The container 200 may include a container inlet 214. The cleaning pad P may be inserted into the container 200 through the container inlet 214. A diameter of the container inlet 214 may be formed to correspond to a diameter of the cleaning pad P.

The container 200 may include a container outlet 217. The container outlet 217 may communicate with the container inlet 214. The cleaning pad P may be discharged to the outside of the container 200 through the container outlet 217. The container inlet 214 may be formed to face the cleaning pad seating surface 115.

The main body 110 may include a main body opening 126. The main body opening 126 may be formed above the cleaning pad seating surface 115 to face the cleaning pad seating surface 115. The container 200 may be accommodated in the main body 110 to protrude to the outside through the main body opening 126. The cleaning pad seating surface 115 may be disposed below the container 200.

The main body 110 may include a driving motor 121. The main body 110 may include gears 122 and 123 connected to the driving motor 121. Hereinafter, as illustrated (see FIG. 3), three gears will be described, but the number and arrangement of the gears 122 and 123 are not limited as long as power of the driving motor 121 can be transmitted to the container 200.

The gears 122, 123, and 125 may include a first gear 122 and a second gear 123 interlocked with the first gear 122. The main body 110 may include an extension bar 124. The extension bar 124 may be connected to the second gear 123 and may rotate according to rotation of the second gear 123. The main body 110 may include a third gear 125. The third gear 125 may be coupled to an opposite side of the extension bar 124 to which the second gear 123 is connected. That is, the second gear 123 and the third gear 125 may be configured to rotate in the same direction as a rotation direction of the extension bar 124.

The container 200 may include a rail 211. The rail 211 may be formed to extend along a longitudinal direction of the container 200. The rail 211 may be formed to interlock with the second gear 123. That is, the rail 211 may be arranged to engage with the second gear 123.

According to rotation of the second gear 123 generated by operation of the driving motor 121, the rail 211 may be configured to move vertically. As the rail 211 moves vertically, the container 200 attached to the rail 211 may ascend or descend.

The container 200 may include a guide bar 215. The container 200 may include a guide bar fixing member 216. The guide bar fixing member 216 may be coupled to the container 200. The guide bar 215 may extend in a vertical direction. The guide bar 215 may be coupled to the guide bar fixing member 216. The guide bar 215 may be disposed to extend in a longitudinal direction of the container 200.

The main body 110 may include a guide member 131. The guide member 131 may guide movement of the container 200. A description regarding the guide member 131 will be provided below.

The cleaner station 10 may include a slide link 220. The slide link 220 may be positioned on an outer circumferential side of the container 200. The slide link 220 may move along the container 200 in association with movement of the container 200. The slide link 220 may be provided in plurality along an outer circumferential surface 213 of the container 200. The slide link 220 may be configured to move separately from the container 200. As illustrated (see FIG. 4), the slide link 220 is shown as a total of six slide links, but the number of the slide links 220 may be variously provided.

The container 200 may include ascending protrusion tips 218a and 218b. The ascending protrusion tips 218a and 218b may be formed to protrude from an outer circumferential surface 213 of the container 200. The slide link 220 may include ascending protrusion tip receiving grooves 224a and 224b. The ascending protrusion tip receiving grooves 224a and 224b may be formed to extend in a longitudinal direction of the slide link 220.

The ascending protrusion tips 218a and 218b of the container 200 may be arranged to be inserted into the ascending protrusion tip receiving grooves 224a and 224b of the slide link 220, respectively. Accordingly, when the container 200 ascends, the slide link 220 may be pressed by the ascending protrusion tips 218a and 218b and may ascend.

The container 200 may include a descending protrusion tip 226. The descending protrusion tip 226 may be formed to protrude from the outer circumferential surface 213 of the container 200. The slide link 220 may include a descending protrusion tip receiving groove 225. The descending protrusion tip receiving groove 225 may be formed to extend in a longitudinal direction of the slide link 220.

The container 200 may include an elastic member 227. The elastic member 227 may be positioned in the descending protrusion tip receiving groove 225.

The descending protrusion tip 226 of the container 200 may be arranged to be inserted into the descending protrusion tip receiving groove 225 of the slide link 220. The elastic member 227 may be positioned between the descending protrusion tip 226 and a lower side of the descending protrusion tip receiving groove 225. That is, when the descending protrusion tip 226 descends, the descending protrusion tip 226 may press the elastic member 227, and the elastic member 227 may press the descending protrusion tip receiving groove 225 to press the slide link 220 downward. Accordingly, the slide link 220 may descend.

The container 200 may include a loading link 231. The loading link 231 may support a cleaning pad P stored in the container 200. The loading link 231 may be pressed and rotated by a loading hook pressing portion 132 (described later) disposed in the main body 110. When the loading link 231 rotates, the cleaning pad P may fall and be supported by a discharge link 241. A detailed description of the loading link 231 will be provided later.

The container 200 may include a discharge link 241. The discharge link 241 may support a cleaning pad P stored in a position facing the cleaning pad seating surface 115 among the cleaning pads P stored in the container 200. More specifically, the discharge link 241 may include a support tip 2411 protruding toward an inner side of the container 200 and configured to move outward during discharge. The support tip 2411 may support the cleaning pad P. When the discharge link 241 rotates, the support tip 2411 may move to an outer side of the container 200. In such a case, the cleaning pad P may fall from the container 200 and be seated on the cleaning pad seating surface 115. A detailed description of the discharge link 241 will be provided later.

The container 200 may include a link cover 212. The link cover 212 may be attached to the container 200 to cover the discharge link 241 and the loading link 231. The link cover 212 may be arranged such that a discharge hook 2412 protrudes from the link cover 212. The container 200 may include a link cover connecting member 219. The link cover 212 may be attached to the container 200 by being coupled to the link cover connecting member 219.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of region A of the container of FIG. 4 with the link cover removed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which a discharge hook pressing portion shown in FIG. 8 presses a discharge hook to rotate a discharge link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which a loading hook pressing portion shown in FIG. 8 presses a loading hook to rotate a loading link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which a discharge link and a loading link are connected by a rotation shaft according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 11, the loading link 231 may be disposed above the discharge link 241. The loading link 231 and the discharge link 241 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other. A distance between the loading link 231 and the discharge link 241 may be spaced apart by a height corresponding to a height of the cleaning pad P so that the cleaning pad P can be positioned between the loading link 231 and the discharge link 241.

The discharge link 241 may include a discharge hook 2412. The discharge hook 2412 may be formed at the other end opposite to one end of the discharge link 241 at which the support tip 2411 is formed.

The slide link 220 may include a discharge hook pressing portion 223 at one end to be positioned below the discharge hook 2412. The discharge hook 2412 may be pressed by the discharge hook pressing portion 223 formed in the slide link 220 to rotate the discharge link 241. More specifically, when the container 200 moves toward the cleaning pad seating surface 115, the discharge hook 2412 may move to a position of the discharge hook pressing portion 223, and the discharge hook pressing portion 223 may press the discharge hook 2412.

When the discharge hook 2412 is pressed by the discharge hook pressing portion 223, the discharge link 241 may rotate. When the discharge link 241 rotates, the support tip 2411 may move to an outer side of the container 200. In such a case, the support tip 2411 may no longer support the cleaning pad P, and the cleaning pad P may fall. The fallen cleaning pad P may fall onto the cleaning pad seating surface 115.

The loading link 231 may include a loading tip 2311 disposed to protrude toward an inner side of the container 200 to support remaining cleaning pads P other than the cleaning pad P supported by the discharge link 241 among the cleaning pads P stored in the container 200. Accordingly, one or more cleaning pads P stored in the container 200 may be classified into a cleaning pad P supported by the discharge link 241 and a cleaning pad P supported by the loading link 231.

The loading link 231 may include a loading hook 2312. The loading hook 2312 may be formed at the other end opposite to one end of the loading link 231 at which the loading tip 2311 is formed.

The main body 110 may include a loading hook pressing portion 132 positioned above the loading hook 2312. The loading hook 2312 may be pressed by the loading hook pressing portion 132 to rotate the loading link 231. More specifically, when the container 200 moves in a direction away from the cleaning pad seating surface 115, the loading hook 2312 may move to a position of the loading hook pressing portion 132, and the loading hook pressing portion 132 may press the loading hook 2312.

When the loading hook 2312 is pressed by the loading hook pressing portion 132, the loading link 231 may rotate. When the loading link 231 rotates, the loading tip 2311 may move to an outer side of the container 200. In such a case, the loading tip 2311 may no longer support the cleaning pad P, and the cleaning pad P may fall. The fallen cleaning pad P may be supported by the support tip 2411 of the discharge link 241.

The container 200 may include a container opening 2131. The container opening 2131 may be formed on an outer circumferential surface 213 of the container 200. The container opening 2131 may be formed on a part of the outer circumferential surface 213 of the container 200. The container opening 2131 may be formed on a side of the container outlet 217.

The support tip 2411 may be arranged to protrude toward an inner side of the container 200 through the container opening 2131. That is, the support tip 2411 may protrude into the inner side of the container 200 through the container opening 2131. Accordingly, the support tip 2411 may support a cleaning pad P stored inside the container 200.

The loading tip 2311 may be arranged to protrude toward an inner side of the container 200 through the container opening 2131. That is, the loading tip 2311 may protrude into the inner side of the container 200 through the container opening 2131. Accordingly, the loading tip 2311 may support a cleaning pad P stored inside the container 200.

The container 200 may include a rotation shaft 250. The rotation shaft 250 may be arranged to extend across the container opening 2131. The rotation shaft 250 may be arranged to extend in a direction parallel to a direction in which the container 200 extends.

The discharge link 241 may be coupled to the rotation shaft 250. The discharge link 241 may rotate about the rotation shaft 250. The loading link 231 may be coupled to the rotation shaft 250. The loading link 231 may rotate about the rotation shaft 250.

The link cover 212 may include springs 2313 and 2413. The springs 2313 and 2413 may include a first spring 2313 connected to the discharge link 241. The springs 2313 and 2413 may include a second spring 2413 connected to the loading link 231.

The first spring 2313 may be arranged to be connected to the discharge link 241. That is, the first spring 2313 may be arranged such that both ends thereof are supported by the link cover 212 and the discharge link 241.

The first spring 2313 may be connected to the discharge link 241 on a side of the support tip 2411 about the rotation shaft 250. When the discharge link 241 is pressed and rotated, the first spring 2313 may apply a force to the discharge link 241 for the discharge link 241 to rotate in a direction opposite to a direction in which the discharge link 241 has rotated. Accordingly, even if the discharge hook pressing portion 223 and the discharge hook 2412 are brought into contact with each other so that the discharge hook 2412 is pressed and the discharge link 241 rotates, when the contact between the discharge hook pressing portion 223 and the discharge hook 2412 disappears, the discharge link 241 may rotate so that the support tip 2411 protrudes back into an inner side of the container 200 to support the cleaning pad P.

The second spring 2413 may be arranged to be connected to the loading link 231. That is, the second spring 2413 may be arranged such that both ends thereof are supported by the link cover 212 and the loading link 231.

The second spring 2413 may be connected to the loading link 231 on a side of the loading tip 2311 about the rotation shaft 250. When the loading link 231 is pressed and rotated, the second spring 2413 may apply a force to the loading link 231 for the loading link 231 to rotate in a direction opposite to a direction in which the loading link 231 has rotated. Accordingly, even if the loading hook pressing portion 132 and the loading hook 2312 are brought into contact with each other so that the loading hook 2312 is pressed and the loading link 231 rotates, when the contact between the loading hook pressing portion 132 and the loading hook 2312 disappears, the loading link 231 may rotate so that the loading tip 2311 protrudes back into an inner side of the container 200 to support the cleaning pad P.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged top view of region B of the main body shown in FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, the main body 110 may include a guide member 131. The guide member 131 may be provided to be fixed to the main body 110. The guide bar 215 may be inserted into the guide member 131. The guide bar 215 may be arranged to pass through the guide member 131. The guide bar 215 may move while being inserted into the guide member 131. The guide bar 215 may be supported by the guide member 131 to guide movement of the container 200.

The main body 110 may include a slide link catching portion 117. The slide link catching portion 117 may be positioned to be fixed to the main body 110. The slide link catching portion 117 may be provided along the main body opening 126. The slide link catching portion 117 may be provided to protrude toward an inner side of the main body 110 from the main body opening 126. As will be described later, the slide link catching portion 117 may be positioned to contact a slide link stopper 221 (see FIG. 14) of the slide link 220 which has moved along the container 200 in response to the container 200 moving toward the cleaning pad seating surface 115 through the main body opening 126.

The main body 110 may include a loading hook pressing portion 132. The loading hook pressing portion 132 may be positioned to be fixed to the main body 110. The loading hook pressing portion 132 may be positioned at a point corresponding to a point where the slide link 220 is positioned on the container 200. Accordingly, when the container 200 ascends, the loading link 231 may ascend, and the loading hook 2312 may be pressed by the loading hook pressing portion 132.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which a cleaning pad falls and is supported by the discharge link as the loading hook is pressed by the loading hook pressing portion to rotate the loading link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a process in which a cleaning pad P supported by the loading link 231 is transferred to the discharge link 241 when the container 200 ascends will be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 13, the driving motor 121 may rotate to rotate the first gear 122 and the second gear 123. When the second gear 123 rotates, the rail 211 engaged with the second gear 123 may ascend. As the rail 211 ascends, the container 200 may ascend.

When the container 200 ascends, an ascending protrusion tip 218 formed on the container 200 may ascend. As the ascending protrusion tip 218 ascends, the ascending protrusion tip 218 inserted into the ascending protrusion tip receiving groove 224 may press the slide link 220. The slide link 220 pressed by the ascending protrusion tip 218 may ascend or descend along the container 200.

As the container 200 ascends, the loading link 231 may ascend. Subsequently, the loading hook 2312 of the loading link 231 may contact the loading hook pressing portion 132 positioned to be fixed to the main body 110. Since the container 200 continues to ascend, the ascending loading hook 2312 may eventually be pressed by the fixed loading hook pressing portion 132.

When the loading hook 2312 is pressed, the loading hook 2312 may rotate. When the loading hook 2312 rotates, the loading tip 2311 may move to an outer side of the container 200.

As the loading tip 2311 moves to the outer side of the container 200, the cleaning pad P supported by the loading tip 2311 may fall. The fallen cleaning pad P may be supported by the discharge tip of the discharge link 241.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which the container descends, the slide link descends, and a slide link stopper engages with a slide link catching portion to stop the slide link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a view showing a state in which, as the container of FIG. 14 further descends, a discharge hook is pressed by a discharge hook pressing portion to rotate the discharge link, causing the cleaning pad to fall onto a seating surface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the slide link 220 may include a slide link stopper 221. The slide link stopper 221 may be formed on a side opposite to the discharge hook pressing portion 223 with respect to the ascending protrusion tip receiving groove 224. The slide link stopper 221 may be formed to protrude from the slide link 220. More specifically, the slide link stopper 221 may protrude in a direction corresponding to a direction in which the ascending protrusion tip 218 protrudes. The slide link 220 may move along the container 200, and may stop as the slide link stopper 221 is caught by a slide link catching portion 117 formed in the main body 110. More specifically, when the slide link 220 descends, the slide link stopper 221 may be caught by the slide link catching portion 117.

Hereinafter, a process in which a cleaning pad P supported by the discharge link 241 falls onto the cleaning pad seating surface 115 when the container 200 descends will be described in detail.

The driving motor 121 may rotate to rotate the first gear 122 and the second gear 123. When the second gear 123 rotates, the rail 211 engaged with the second gear 123 may descend. As the rail 211 descends, the container 200 may descend.

When the container 200 descends, a descending protrusion tip 226 formed on the container 200 may descend. As the descending protrusion tip 226 descends, the descending protrusion tip 226 inserted into the descending protrusion tip receiving groove 225 may press the elastic member 227 downward. This may be defined as a first compression of the elastic member 227. As the elastic member 227 is compressed in the first compression, the descending protrusion tip receiving groove 225 may be pressed to press the slide link 220. Accordingly, the slide link 220 may descend along the container 200.

As the container 200 descends, the discharge link 241 may descend. As the slide link 220 descends, the slide link stopper 221 may descend. Subsequently, the slide link stopper 221 may contact the slide link catching portion 117 positioned to be fixed to the main body 110. The position of the slide link catching portion 117 may be defined as a first position H1.

When the descending slide link stopper 221 is caught by the fixed slide link catching portion 117, the slide link 220 may stop. At this time, the position of the discharge hook pressing portion 223 formed in the slide link 220 may be defined as a second position H2. (The position at which the loading hook pressing portion 132 is fixed as described above may be defined as a third position H3.)

Even if the slide link 220 stops, the driving motor 121 may continue to operate to further lower the container 200. Accordingly, the descending protrusion tip 226 of the container 200 may further compress the elastic member 227 while descending. This may be defined as a second compression of the elastic member 227.

The container 200 may descend as the elastic member 227 is compressed in the second compression. Accordingly, the discharge link 241 of the container 200 may descend. As the discharge link 241 descends while the slide link 220 is stopped, the discharge hook 2412 may move to the second position H2. Therefore, the discharge hook 2412 may be pressed by the discharge hook pressing portion 223 of the slide link 220 positioned at the second position H2.

As the discharge hook 2412 is pressed, the discharge hook 2412 may rotate. When the discharge hook 2412 rotates, the support tip 2411 of the discharge link 241 may move to an outer side of the container 200.

As the support tip 2411 moves to the outer side of the container 200, the cleaning pad P supported by the support tip 2411 may fall. The fallen cleaning pad P may be seated on the cleaning pad seating surface 115.

FIG. 16 is a view showing the container, the slide link, the link cover, and a guide link in a disassembled state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a view showing the container, the slide link, the link cover, and the guide link of FIG. 16 in a coupled state, viewed from a different angle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 is a view showing a state in which a cleaning pad is supported by the guide link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 is a view showing a state in which, as the container of FIG. 18 further descends, a hook body is pressed by a slide link to rotate a guide link, and a cleaning pad is guided by a support body to fall onto a cleaning pad seating surface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A description of contents overlapping with the above will be omitted hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 16 to 19, a cleaner station 30 may include a guide link 300.

The guide link 300 may include rotation shafts 310a and 310b. The container 200 may include rotation grooves 260a and 260b. The rotation grooves 260a and 260b may be provided in plurality. The rotation grooves 260a and 260b may be formed along an outer circumference of the container outlet 217. The rotation shafts 310a and 310b of the guide link 300 may be inserted into the rotation grooves 260a and 260b of the container 200. Through this, the guide link 300 may be rotatably connected to the container 200.

The guide link 300 may include hook bodies 320. The hook bodies 320 may be provided as a pair. The hook bodies 320 may be formed at one end of the guide link 300. The guide link 300 may include a latching bar 321. The latching bar 321 may be provided to connect the pair of hook bodies 320 to each other.

The guide link 300 may include a support body 330. The support body 330 may be formed at the other end of the guide link 300. That is, the hook bodies 320 and the support body 330 may be formed at one end and the other end of the guide link 300, respectively, so as to extend in directions opposite to each other with respect to the rotation shafts 310a and 310b. The support body 330 may be arranged to support a cleaning pad P accommodated in the container 200. A manner in which the support body 330 is arranged will be described later.

The slide link 220 may include a pressing portion 428. The pressing portion 428 may be provided at one end of the slide link 220. The pressing portion 428 may be formed to protrude in a direction intersecting a direction in which the slide link 220 extends. The slide link 220 may be arranged such that the pressing portion 428 is positioned on a side of the container outlet 217.

The slide link 220 may include a latching hole 429. The latching hole 429 may be provided to pass through the pressing portion 428. More specifically, the latching hole 429 may be formed in the pressing portion 428. The latching hole 429 may be formed to have a cross-section longer in a direction parallel to a direction in which the pressing portion 428 protrudes.

The hook bodies 320 may be provided to be connected to the slide link 220. More specifically, the pressing portion 428 of the slide link 220 may be arranged to be positioned between the pair of hook bodies 320. The latching bar 321 connecting the pair of hook bodies 320 may be arranged to pass through the latching hole 429 formed in the slide link 220. Through this, the hook bodies 320 may be connected to the slide link 220.

Hereinafter, a process in which a cleaning pad P supported by the support body 330 falls onto the cleaning pad seating surface 115 when the container 200 descends will be described in detail.

When the container 200 descends by rotation of the driving motor 121, the slide link 220 may descend along the container 200 by the descending protrusion tip 226 formed on the container 200.

At this time, the support body 330 may be arranged to extend in a radial direction toward a center of the container 200. Through this, the support body 330 may support the cleaning pad P accommodated in the container 200.

As the slide link 220 descends, the slide link stopper 421 may descend. Subsequently, the slide link stopper 421 may contact the slide link catching portion 117 positioned to be fixed to the main body 110. When the descending slide link stopper 421 is caught by the fixed slide link catching portion 117, the slide link 220 may stop.

Even if the slide link 220 stops, the driving motor 121 may continue to operate to further lower the container 200. That is, the descending protrusion tip 226 of the container 200 may further compress the elastic member 427 while descending.

When the slide link 220 stops, the latching hole 429 formed in the pressing portion 428 of the slide link 220 may stop. However, since the container 200 continues to descend, the latching bar 321 arranged to pass through the latching hole 429 may be pressed upward by the pressing portion 428.

When the latching bar 321 is pressed upward, the hook body 320 may rotate upward with respect to the rotation shafts 310a and 310b. When the latching bar 321 is pressed upward, the support body 330 may rotate downward with respect to the rotation shafts 310a and 310b. More specifically, the support body 330 may rotate toward the cleaning pad seating surface 115. The cleaning pad P supported by the support body 330 may fall toward the cleaning pad seating surface 115. That is, the support body 330 may guide the cleaning pad P to fall toward the cleaning pad seating surface 115.

FIG. 20 is a view showing a state in which a cleaning pad placed on a cleaning pad seating surface is mounted to a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 20, the cleaner 20 may include a pad mounting portion 26. The cleaner 20 may mount a cleaning pad P seated on the cleaning pad seating surface 115. More specifically, the cleaner 20 may move to the cleaning pad seating surface 115 and mount the cleaning pad P to the pad mounting portion 26.

Although not illustrated, various methods may be provided for mounting the cleaning pad P to the cleaner 20. For example, the pad mounting portion 26 and the cleaning pad P may each include Velcro, and when the cleaner 20 moves onto the cleaning pad seating surface 115, the cleaning pad P may be mounted to the pad mounting portion 26 by Velcro. However, the mounting method is not limited thereto.

According to the concept of the present disclosure, a cleaner station 10 includes a container 200 configured to store one or more cleaning pads P and provided to be movable. The cleaner station 10 includes a main body 110 including a cleaning pad seating surface 115 disposed below the container 200. The cleaner station 10 includes a slide link 220 configured to move along the container 200 in association with movement of the container 200. The cleaner station 10 includes a discharge link 241 provided in the container 200, the discharge link 241 including a support tip 2411 disposed to protrude toward an inner side of the container 200 to support a cleaning pad P, among the stored cleaning pads P, that faces the cleaning pad seating surface 115. The discharge link 241 includes a discharge hook 2412 configured to be pressed to move the support tip 2411 to an outer side of the container 200.

The slide link 220 may include a discharge hook pressing portion 223 formed at one end to be positioned below the discharge hook 2412. The slide link 220 may further include a slide link stopper 221 formed at the other end. When the container 200 moves toward the cleaning pad seating surface 115, the discharge hook pressing portion 223 may be arranged to be stopped as the slide link stopper 221 is caught by a slide link catching portion 117 provided in the main body 110. When the container 200 moves toward the cleaning pad seating surface 115, the discharge hook pressing portion 223 may press the discharge hook 2412 so that the cleaning pad P falls onto the cleaning pad seating surface 115.

The discharge hook 2412 may be configured to move to a position where the discharge hook pressing portion 223 is stopped and to be pressed by the discharge hook pressing portion 223.

The container 200 may include a descending protrusion tip 226 configured to press the slide link 220 downward. The slide link 220 may further include a receiving groove 225 in which the descending protrusion tip 226 is accommodated and an elastic member 227 positioned in the receiving groove 225. The elastic member 227 may be arranged such that the descending protrusion tip 226 presses the elastic member 227 to press the slide link 220.

The cleaner station 10 may include a loading link 231 provided in the container 200, the loading link 231 including a loading tip 2311 disposed above the discharge link 241 and disposed to protrude toward an inner side of the container 200 to support remaining cleaning pads P among the stored cleaning pads P. The loading link 231 may include a loading hook 2312 configured to be pressed to move the loading tip 2311 to an outer side of the container 200.

The main body 110 may further include a loading hook pressing portion 132 disposed above the loading hook 2312. The loading hook pressing portion 132 may be configured to press the loading hook 2312 as the container 200 ascends so that the loading tip 2311 moves and the cleaning pad P falls onto the support tip 2411.

The container 200 may include an ascending protrusion tip 218 configured to press the slide link 220 upward.

The container 200 may further include a container opening 2131 formed on an outer circumferential surface 213. The support tip 2411 and the loading tip 2311 may be disposed to protrude toward an inner side of the container 200 through the container opening 2131.

The support tip 2411 may be configured to move as the discharge link 241 rotates when the discharge hook 2412 is pressed. The loading tip 2311 may be configured to move as the loading link 231 rotates when the loading hook 2312 is pressed.

The discharge link 241 and the loading link 231 may be rotatably connected to a rotation shaft 250 disposed across the container opening 2131.

The container 200 may further include a link cover 212 formed to cover portions of the discharge link 241 and the loading link 231. The link cover 212 may include springs 2313 and 2413 configured to press the rotated discharge link 241 and the rotated loading link 231 to rotate back in a direction opposite to a rotated direction.

The link cover 212 may be disposed such that the discharge hook 2412 and the loading hook 2312 protrude from the link cover 212.

The container 200 may further include a guide bar 215 extending in a vertical direction. The main body 110 may further include a guide member 131 into which the guide bar 215 is inserted and which is fixed to the main body 110. The guide bar 215 may be supported by the guide member 131 to guide movement of the container 200.

The main body 110 may further include a driving motor 121 and a gear 123 configured to rotate by the driving motor 121. The container 200 may further include a rail 211 interlocked with the gear 123. The container 200 may be configured to move by operation of the driving motor 121.

The discharge hook pressing portion 223 may be configured to be stopped at a second position H2 as the slide link stopper 221 is caught by a slide link catching portion 117 provided at a first position H1 of the main body 110. The discharge hook 2412 may be configured to move to the second position H2 and to be pressed by the discharge hook pressing portion 223 so that the support tip 2411 moves and the cleaning pad P falls onto the cleaning pad seating surface 115.

The container 200 may include a descending protrusion tip 226 configured to press the slide link 220 downward. The slide link 220 may further include a receiving groove 225 in which the descending protrusion tip 226 is accommodated and an elastic member 227 positioned in the receiving groove 225. When the discharge hook pressing portion 223 is positioned at the second position H2, the elastic member 227 may be compressed in a first compression. When the discharge hook 2412 is positioned at the second position H2, the elastic member 227 may be configured to be compressed in a second compression.

According to the concept of the present disclosure, a cleaner station 30 includes a container 200 configured to store one or more cleaning pads P and to be movable. The cleaner station 30 includes a main body 110 including a cleaning pad seating surface 115 disposed below the container 200. The cleaner station 30 includes a slide link 220 configured to move along the container 200 in association with movement of the container 200. The cleaner station 30 includes a guide link 300 rotatably connected to the container 200. The guide link 300 includes a rotation shaft 310 inserted into a rotation groove 260 formed in the container 200. The guide link 300 includes a hook body 320 disposed at one end of the guide link 300 to be connected to the slide link 220. The guide link 300 includes a support body 330 provided at the other end to support a cleaning pad P accommodated in the container 200. When the container 200 descends, the slide link 220 may be stopped, and the hook body 320 may be pressed to rotate the guide link 300 so that the support body 330 is directed toward the cleaning pad seating surface 115. The cleaning pad P may be guided by the support body 330 to fall onto the cleaning pad seating surface 115.

According to the concept of the present disclosure, a cleaning device 1 includes a cleaner station 10 configured to provide a cleaning pad P. The cleaner station 10 includes a container 200 configured to store one or more cleaning pads P and to be movable. The cleaner station 10 includes a main body 110 including a cleaning pad seating surface 115 disposed below the container 200. The cleaner station 10 includes a slide link 220 configured to move along the container 200 in association with movement of the container 200. The cleaner station 10 includes a discharge link 241 provided in the container 200. The discharge link 241 includes a support tip 2411 disposed to protrude toward an inner side of the container 200 to support a cleaning pad P, among the stored cleaning pads P, that faces the cleaning pad seating surface 115. The discharge link 241 includes a discharge hook 2412 configured to be pressed to move the support tip 2411 to an outer side of the container 200 so that the cleaning pad P falls onto the cleaning pad seating surface 115. The cleaning device 1 includes a cleaner 20 configured to mount the cleaning pad P provided on the cleaning pad seating surface 115.

The cleaner 20 may include a pad mounting portion 26 to which the cleaning pad P is mounted. The cleaner 20 may move to the cleaning pad seating surface 115 to mount the cleaning pad P to the pad mounting portion 26.

The slide link 220 may include a discharge hook pressing portion 223 formed at one end to be positioned below the discharge hook 2412. The slide link 220 may further include a slide link stopper 221 formed at the other end. When the container 200 moves toward the cleaning pad seating surface 115, the discharge hook pressing portion 223 may be arranged to be stopper as the slide link stopper 221 is caught by a slide link catching portion 117 provided in the main body 110, and the discharge hook 2412 may be configured to move to a position where the discharge hook pressing portion 223 is stopped and to be pressed by the discharge hook pressing portion 223.

The cleaner station 10 may further include a loading link 231 provided in the container 200, the loading link 231 including a loading tip 2311 disposed above the discharge link 241 and disposed to protrude toward an inner side of the container 200 to support remaining cleaning pads P among the stored cleaning pads P. The loading link 231 may include a loading hook 2312 configured to be pressed to move the loading tip 2311 to an outer side of the container 200.

The cleaner station 10 may further include a loading hook pressing portion 132 disposed in the main body 110 above the loading hook 2312. The loading hook pressing portion 132 may be configured to press the loading hook 2312 as the container 200 ascends so that the loading tip 2311 moves and the cleaning pad P falls onto the support tip 2411.

Specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings have been described above. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains may make various changes thereto without departing from the gist of the technical spirit of the disclosure defined in the claims below.