CLEANING APPARATUS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of international application No. PCT/KR 2024/006676, filed May 16, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0093948, filed Jul. 19, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning apparatus for automatically performing a cleaning task, and more specifically, to a cleaning apparatus including a rotating drum that is rotatable about one axis.

BACKGROUND ART

Recent cleaning apparatuses are capable of providing various conveniences such as eliminating the need for the user to perform cleaning directly or allowing the user to arbitrarily set an operation mode, an operation time, etc. Due to these conveniences, in recent years, the demand for automatic cleaning apparatuses has been increasing. An automatic cleaning apparatus moves around indoors according to a preset method, and sucks in dust, small debris, or the like that is present on the floor. For this purpose, the automatic cleaning apparatus includes a motor for generating a suction force, a dust bin for storing the sucked-in dust or small debris, and a filter for purifying air sucked-in together into the dust bin and expelling the purified air.

Debris collected by the automatic cleaning apparatus may be in several forms. For example, the debris collected by the automatic cleaning apparatus may be of various sizes. Additionally, a surface to be cleaned by the automatic cleaning apparatus may have various shapes. For example, the surface to be cleaned by the automatic cleaning apparatus may be not only a flat surface having a uniform height but also a curved surface with varying heights along a traveling path. Depending on the form of debris collected and the shape of the surface to be cleaned, a suction area of a suction port corresponding to the size of the debris needs to be secured.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Solution to Problem

According to an embodiment, a cleaning apparatus may include a main body movable along a plane and a wheel assembly to be disposed on the main body to move the main body along the plane.

The cleaning apparatus may include a rotating drum assembly including a rotating drum arranged to be rotatable along a direction.

The cleaning apparatus may include a hinge portion to connect the rotating drum assembly to the wheel assembly such that while the hinge portion is connected to the rotating drum assembly, the rotating drum assembly is rotatable at a predetermined angle relative to the wheel assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a wheel assembly and a rotating drum assembly, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a wheel assembly and a rotating drum assembly, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a wheel assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rotating drum assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a rotating drum assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating drum assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating drum assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a projected side view of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of region N shown in FIG. 11 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of region N shown in FIG. 11 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of region N shown in FIG. 11 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of region N shown in FIG. 11 according to an embodiment.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a configuration and an operation according to the disclosure will be described in detail through embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Terms used in the present specification will now be briefly described and then the present disclosure will be described in detail.

The terms used in the present disclosure are general terms currently widely used in the art by taking into account functions described in the present disclosure, but may be changed according to an intention of a skilled person in the related art, precedent cases, advent of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, specific terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning of the selected terms will be described in detail in the relevant description of the disclosure. Thus, the terms used herein should be defined not by simple appellations thereof but based on the meaning of the terms together with the overall description of the present disclosure.

Throughout the specification, when a part “includes” or “comprises” an element, unless there is a particular description contrary thereto, it is understood that the part may further include other elements, not excluding the other elements.

Furthermore, the terms such as “first”, “second”, etc. are not intended to limit components but are used to distinguish one component from another component.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the embodiment may be easily implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in different forms and is not limited to an embodiment set forth herein. In addition, parts not related to descriptions of the present disclosure are omitted to clearly explain the present disclosure in the drawings, and like reference numerals denote like elements throughout.

Moreover, as used in the following description, the terms “top,” “bottom,” and “front and rear” are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

A cleaning apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is mainly described as a robot cleaning device capable of independently performing a cleaning operation according to a preset method without manual manipulation by a user. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cleaning apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may be applied to any cleaning apparatus operating according to manual manipulation by the user.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an embodiment, the cleaning apparatus 1 may include a main body 10 that is movable along a plane, a pair of wheel assemblies 20 disposed on the main body 10 to move the main body 10 along the plane, a rotating drum assembly 30 that sucks in foreign substances present on a surface (H of FIG. 13) to be cleaned, a pad portion 40 for removing contaminants adhering to the surface H to be cleaned by causing friction with the surface H to be cleaned, and a dust collection container (not shown) in which the foreign substances sucked in from the surface H to be cleaned are received.

The main body 10 may form an exterior shape of the cleaning apparatus 1. For example, the main body 10 may be provided in the shape of a housing including a receiving space therein. In this case, the main body 10 may accommodate components for the cleaning apparatus 1 to perform cleaning operations in the receiving space. For example, the dust collection container to be described later may be removably accommodated in the main body 10. In this case, an inner space of the main body 10 may communicate with the outside. Accordingly, as the cleaning apparatus 1 travels, air or small debris collected via the rotating drum assembly 30 may pass through the inner space of the main body 10 and be collected in the dust collection container detachably coupled to the main body 10.

For example, the main body 10 may collide with various obstacles in an area where the cleaning apparatus 1 travels, e.g., an indoor area. Therefore, the main body 10 may include a material with high stiffness to prevent damage due to collision. In addition, the main body 10 may include a lightweight material. Accordingly, power required for the cleaning apparatus 1 to travel may be reduced. For example, the main body 10 may include a synthetic resin such as reinforced plastic or the like.

A user interface may be provided on outside of the main body 10. The user may control an operation of the cleaning apparatus 1 by manipulating the user interface. Additionally, the user interface may display information about the cleaning apparatus 1 and a condition of an area through which the cleaning apparatus 1 travels.

In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 10 may have a circular plate shape with a circular cross-section and a predetermined height in a longitudinal direction. Accordingly, when the cleaning apparatus 1 collides with various obstacles while traveling, the main body 10 may be rotated and moved in various directions.

The wheel assembly 20 may move the main body 10 along a plane, e.g., an XY plane. According to an embodiment, the wheel assembly 20 may include one or more drive wheels and a traveling motor for generating power transmitted to the drive wheels. For example, the wheel assembly 20 may be rotatably coupled to a bottom of the main body 10. According to an embodiment, a plurality of wheel assemblies 20 may be provided. For example, the wheel assembly 20 may include a first wheel assembly (21 of FIG. 3) and a second wheel assembly (22 of FIG. 3) that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along a first direction (an X direction). In this case, a rotation speed and a rotation direction of each of the first wheel assembly 21 and the second wheel assembly 22 may be controlled independently of each other. Accordingly, the main body 10 may be moved forward or rearward or turned left or right on the plane (the XY plane).

According to an embodiment, a sensor unit 90 may be provided to detect information about a path along which the cleaning apparatus 1 travels. For example, the sensor unit 90 may be located in a direction in which the cleaning apparatus 1 is to travel. For example, the sensor unit 90 may be positioned on the main body 10 to detect information about an environment in front of the cleaning apparatus 1. According to an embodiment, the sensor unit 90 may be provided in any form capable of detecting information about an environment around a path along which the cleaning apparatus 1 is traveling or is to travel. For example, the sensor unit 90 may include a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor for detecting a distance to an obstacle, etc., a camera capable of detecting image information, or the like.

The dust collection container (not shown) may store debris collected while the cleaning apparatus 1 travels. For example, contaminants present on the surface to be cleaned may be received in the dust collection container. According to an embodiment, the dust collection container may be detachably coupled to the main body 10. The user may detach the dust collection container from the main body 10 to easily remove contaminants received in the dust collection container.

According to an embodiment, the dust collection container may include a certain receiving space therein. The receiving space may communicate with a space formed inside the main body 10, e.g., a movement passage. Contaminants (K of FIG. 13) collected via the rotating drum assembly 30 may pass through the movement passage formed inside the main body 10 into the dust collection container.

The rotating drum assembly 30 is arranged to face the surface H to be cleaned to suction the contaminants K present on the surface H to be cleaned. In this case, the contaminants K sucked in through the rotating drum assembly 30 may have different sizes, shapes, and materials. In addition, the height of the surface H to be cleaned facing the rotating drum assembly 30 may vary depending on the shape of the surface H to be cleaned, such as a stepped shape of the surface H.

When the rotating drum assembly 30, positioned to face the surface H to be cleaned, is arranged to be fixed at a predetermined height along a third direction (a Z direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X direction), for example, along a direction (a Z direction) perpendicular to the surface H to be cleaned, the contaminants K of various sizes may be caught between the surface H to be cleaned and the rotating drum assembly 30, or the surface H to be cleaned and the rotating drum assembly 30 may come into contact with each other, causing damage to the rotating drum assembly 30.

The technical features of the rotating drum assembly 30 are described in more detail below, wherein the rotating drum assembly 30 is capable of not only suctioning various types of contaminants K but also moving in response to the surface H to be cleaned having various shapes by varying the height thereof along the direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the surface H to be cleaned according to the type of contaminants K and the shape of the surface H.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of wheel assembly and a rotating drum assembly, according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a wheel assembly and a rotating drum assembly, according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side view of a wheel assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rotating drum assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a side view of a rotating drum assembly according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, according to an embodiment, the rotating drum assembly 30 may include a rotating drum 310 extending along the first direction (X direction), a rotating drum support 320 supporting the rotating drum 310, and a rotating drum cover 330 arranged to surround the rotating drum 310.

According to an embodiment, the rotating drum 310 may be connected to the main body 10 to be rotatable about an axis 311 extending along the first direction (X direction). According to an embodiment, both ends of the rotating drum 310 may be rotatably supported on the rotating drum support 320 supported on the main body 10, so that the rotating drum 310 is rotatable about the axis 311 in a predetermined rotation direction, e.g., in either clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

For example, a rotation speed at which the rotating drum 310 rotates around the axis 311 in the predetermined rotation direction may be at least 500 revolutions per minute (rpm) but not more than 1500 rpm. According to an embodiment, a rotating drum driver 300 may generate power and transmit the power to the rotating drum 310 so that the rotating drum 310 may rotate about the axis 311. In this case, a controller (91 of FIG. 12) may control a driver 340 to control the rotation speed and rotation direction of the rotating drum 310.

The rotating drum support 320 may be arranged at a bottom of the rotating drum 310 to support the rotating drum 310. According to an embodiment, the rotating drum support 320 may include a support frame shape with an opening 322 arranged to face the surface H to be cleaned. For example, the rotating drum support 320 may be provided as a support frame structure with the opening 322 having a rectangular shape extending along the first direction (X direction) so as to correspond to the rotating drum 310. The contaminants K may pass through the opening 322 provided in the rotating drum support 320.

The rotating drum cover 330 is arranged to surround the rotating drum 310, thereby preventing the contaminants K introduced through the rotating drum 310 from being discharged to the outside. For example, the rotating drum cover 330 may be arranged to face the rotating drum support 320 and may be coupled to the rotating drum support 320. Accordingly, a receiving space in which the rotating drum 310 may be accommodated may be formed by the rotating drum support 320 and the rotating drum cover 330. In the above-described example, the rotating drum support 320 and the rotating drum cover 330 are described as separate components, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, the rotating drum support 320 and the rotating drum cover 330 may be integrally formed.

According to an embodiment, a discharge hole 331 through which the contaminants K are allowed to pass may be provided in one surface of the rotating drum cover 330. The contaminants K sucked in using the rotating drum 310 may be discharged outside the rotating drum assembly 30 through the discharge hole 331 provided in the rotating drum cover 330. According to an embodiment, the discharge hole 331 may be connected to a dust collection container (not shown) provided inside the main body portion 10 so as to be in fluid communication therewith. Accordingly, the contaminants K collected from the rotating drum 310 may be stored in the dust collection container.

A connecting assembly 800 may be arranged between the discharge hole 331 provided in the rotating drum cover 330 and the dust collection container, and may serve as a passage through which the contaminants K moves between the discharge hole 331 and the dust collection container. According to an embodiment, one end 810 of the connecting assembly 800 may be arranged to be fixed to the discharge hole 331, and the other end 820 of the connecting assembly 800 may be arranged to be fixed to the dust collection container. In this case, the connecting assembly 800 may include an intermediate connecting portion 830 having a conduit shape, positioned between the one end 810 and the other end 820, through which the contaminants K may move.

According to an embodiment, the intermediate connecting portion 830 may include an elastic body that is deformable in response to external pressure. Accordingly, even when the rotating drum assembly 30 rotates about a hinge portion 500 to be described below, a fluid communication path may be maintained with the discharge hole 331 and the dust collection container becoming misaligned. Details related to the intermediate connecting portion 830 that is deformed according to the rotation of the rotating drum assembly 30 are described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

The hinge portion 500 may connect the rotating drum assembly 30 to the wheel assembly 20 such that the rotating drum assembly 30 rotates a predetermined angle relative to the wheel assembly 20. For example, the hinge portion 500 may be arranged to extend along the first direction (X direction) and be inserted into connecting holes 212 and 222 provided in the wheel assembly 20. According to an embodiment, the hinge portion 500 may be arranged forward along a travelling direction of the cleaning apparatus 1, and the rotating drum assembly 30 may be arranged rearward of the hinge portion 500. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the positions of the hinge portion 500 and the rotating drum assembly 30 may be changed.

According to an embodiment, when the wheel assembly 20 includes the first wheel assembly 21 and the second wheel assembly 22 spaced apart along the first direction (X direction), a plurality of hinge portions 500 may be provided. For example, the hinge portion 500 may include a first hinge portion 510 coupled to the first wheel assembly 21 and a second hinge portion 520 coupled to the second wheel assembly 22. Because details related to the first hinge portion 510 coupled to the first wheel assembly 21 are substantially the same as those related to the second hinge portion 520 coupled to the second wheel assembly 22, for convenience of description, the description here focuses on the first hinge portion 510 coupled to the first wheel assembly 21.

According to an embodiment, the first hinge portion 510 may be arranged to be inserted into a first connecting hole 212 provided in the first wheel assembly 21. In this case, the first connecting hole 212 may be arranged at a lower portion of the first wheel assembly 21. For example, the first wheel assembly 21 may include a first drive wheel 210 that rotates about an axis. The first connecting hole 212, into which the first hinge portion 510 is inserted, may be positioned downward at a predetermined distance W along the third direction (Z direction), which is perpendicular to the first direction (X direction), from a center portion 213 of the first drive wheel 210, as illustrated in FIG. 5. For example, the first connecting hole 212, into which the first hinge portion 510 is inserted, may be positioned downward at a distance of at least 80 millimeters (mm) but not more than 200 mm along the third direction (Z direction) from the center portion 213 of the first drive wheel 210.

As described above, because the first connecting hole 212, which allows insertion of the first hinge portion 510, is positioned at the lower portion of the first wheel assembly 21 along the third direction (Z direction), a rotation center axis of the rotating drum assembly 30 may be located lower relative to the first wheel assembly 21. Accordingly, a change in height by which the rotating drum assembly 30 is lifted or lowered along the third direction (Z direction) may be adjusted relatively significantly compared to a rotation angle) of the rotating drum assembly 30 rotating about the first hinge portion 510.

A connecting unit 600 may be arranged between the rotating drum assembly 30 and the hinge portion 500 to connect the rotating drum assembly 30 to the hinge portion 500. For example, the connecting unit 600 may be provided to extend along a second direction (a Y direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X direction), thereby connecting the rotating drum assembly 30 to the hinge portion 500. According to an embodiment, when the wheel assembly 20 includes the first wheel assembly 21 and the second wheel assembly 22 spaced apart along the first direction (X-direction), a plurality of connecting units 600 may be provided. For example, the connecting unit 600 may include a first connecting portion 610 connecting the rotating drum assembly 30 to the first hinge portion 510, and a second connecting portion 620 connecting the rotating drum assembly 30 to the second hinge portion 520. Because details related to the first connecting portion 610 connecting the first hinge portion 510 to the rotating drum assembly 30 are substantially the same as those related to the second connecting portion 620 connecting the second hinge portion 520 to the rotating drum assembly 30, for convenience of description, the description here will focus on the first connecting portion 610 connecting the first hinge portion 510 to the rotating drum assembly 30.

According to an embodiment, one end of the first connecting portion 610 may be arranged to be fixed to the rotating drum assembly 30, and the other end of the first connecting portion 610 may be arranged to be fixed to the first hinge portion 510. For example, one end of the first connecting portion 610 may be arranged to be fixed to the rotating drum cover 330. Although in the present disclosure, the first connecting portion 610 is provided integrally with the rotating drum cover 330, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first connecting portion 610 may be provided integrally with the rotating drum support 320 or connected as a separate component from the rotating drum assembly 30. In addition, the other end of the first connecting portion 610 may be arranged to be fixed to one end of the first hinge portion 510.

For example, the first connecting portion 610 may extend a predetermined length L along the second direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X direction), as illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, the first connecting portion 610 may extend along the second direction (Y direction) by a length of at least 25 mm but not more than 50 mm. As the first connecting portion 610 extends the predetermined length L along the second direction (Y direction) as described above, a rotation radius of the rotating drum assembly 30 rotating about the first hinge portion 510 may be reduced. Accordingly, a change in height by which the rotating drum assembly 30 is lifted or lowered along the third direction (Z direction) may be adjusted relatively significantly compared to a rotation angle of the rotating drum assembly 30 rotating about the first hinge portion 510. A structure in which the rotating drum assembly 30 is lifted or lowered along the third direction (Z direction) when the rotating drum assembly 30 rotates about the hinge portion 500 is described in more detail below.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating drum assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating drum assembly according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, according to an embodiment, the rotating drum assembly 30 may rotate about the hinge portion 500 at a predetermined angle clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the wheel assembly 20. According to an embodiment, when the wheel assembly 20 includes the first wheel assembly 21 and the second wheel assembly 22 spaced apart along the first direction (X direction), the rotating drum assembly 30 may rotate about the first hinge portion 510 and the second hinge portion 520, which are connected to the first and second wheel assemblies 21 and 22, respectively, at a predetermined angle θ, e.g., an angle of at least 1 degree but not more than 50 degrees, relative to the first wheel assembly 21 and the second wheel assembly 22.

According to an embodiment, when the rotating drum assembly 30 rotates about the first hinge portion 510 and the second hinge portion 520 relative to the first wheel assembly 21 and the second wheel assembly 22, the rotating drum assembly 30 may move along the third direction (Z direction), perpendicular to the first direction (X direction), by a predetermined distance M, for example, at least 0.1 mm but not more than 35 mm. For example, when the rotating drum assembly 30 rotates counterclockwise about the first hinge portion 510 and the second hinge portion 520 relative to the first wheel assembly 21 and the second wheel assembly 22, a rotation center of the rotating drum 310 included in the rotating drum assembly 30, i.e., the axis 311 of the rotating drum 310, may move upward along the third direction (Z direction). In this case, because the rotating drum 310 also moves upward along the third direction (Z direction), a clearance space between the rotating drum 310 and the surface H to be cleaned may increase. On the other hand, when the rotating drum assembly 30 rotates clockwise about the first hinge portion 510 and the second hinge portion 520 relative to the first wheel assembly 21 and the second wheel assembly 22, the rotation center of the rotating drum 310 included in the rotating drum assembly 30, i.e., the axis 311 of the rotating drum 310, may move downward along the third direction (Z direction). In this case, because the rotating drum 310 also moves downward along the third direction (Z direction), the separation space between the rotating drum 310 and the surface H to be cleaned may decrease.

For example, when the rotating drum assembly 30 rotates clockwise about the first hinge portion 510 and the second hinge portion 520 relative to the first wheel assembly 21 and the second wheel assembly 22, the connecting assembly 800 may be arranged between the discharge hole 331 provided in the rotating drum cover 330 and the dust collection container to serve as a passage for movement of the contaminants K. According to an embodiment, the one end 810 of the connecting assembly 800 may be arranged to be fixed to the discharge hole 331, while the other end 820 of the connecting assembly 800 may be arranged to be fixed to the dust collection container. Accordingly, the positions of the one end 810 and the other end 820 of the connecting assembly 800 may be fixedly aligned to the main body 10 where the rotating drum assembly 30 and the dust collection container are arranged. Therefore, when the rotating drum assembly 30 rotates about the first hinge portion 510 and the second hinge portion 520, relative positions of the one end 810 of the connecting assembly 800 and the other end 820 thereof may change.

The intermediate connecting portion 830 is arranged between the one end 810 and the other end 820 of the connecting assembly 800 and may be provided in a conduit shape to form a fluid communication path through which the contaminants K can move. According to an embodiment, the intermediate connecting portion 830 may include an elastic body that is deformable according to external pressure, or may be provided as a structure whose shape changes according to external pressure, such as a bellows-type structure. Accordingly, even when the relative positions of the one end 810 and the other end 820 of the connecting assembly 800 change as the rotating drum assembly 30 rotates about the first hinge portion 510 and the second hinge portion 520, the fluid communication path may be maintained without the discharge hole 331 and the dust collection container becoming misaligned.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the first connecting portion 610 may extend along the second direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X direction) by the predetermined length L, e.g., a length of at least 25 mm but not more than 50 mm. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first connecting hole 212, into which the first hinge portion 510 is inserted, may be positioned downward from the center portion 213 of the first drive wheel 210 at the predetermined distance W along the third direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X direction), e.g., at a distance of at least 80 mm but not more than 200 mm. Because the first connecting portion 610 extends along the second direction (Y direction) by the predetermined length L, and the first hinge portion 510 is positioned downward at a predetermined distance W along the third direction (Z direction) from the center portion 213 of the first drive wheel 210, a rotation radius and a rotation path of the rotating drum assembly 30 rotating about the first hinge portion 510 may be reduced. Accordingly, a change in height by which the rotating drum assembly 30 is lifted or lowered along the third direction (Z direction) may be adjusted relatively significantly compared to a rotation angle of the rotating drum assembly 30 rotating about the first hinge portion 510.

As described above, the clearance space between the rotating drum 310 and the surface H to be cleaned may increase or decrease. Therefore, when contaminants K of relatively different sizes are located between the rotating drum assembly 30 and the surface H to be cleaned, the rotating drum assembly 30 may rotate about the first hinge portion 510 and the second hinge portion 520 in accordance with the size of the contaminants K. Accordingly, by moving the rotating drum assembly 30 along the third direction (Z direction), damage to the rotating drum assembly 30 caused by interference between the contaminants K and the rotating drum assembly 30 may be prevented. Furthermore, even when the surface H to be cleaned, over which the cleaning apparatus 1 travels, has a curved shape with different heights along the third direction (Z direction), the rotating drum assembly 30 may rotate about the first hinge portion 510 and the second hinge portion 520 in response to the shape of the surface H to be cleaned. Accordingly, by moving the rotating drum assembly 30 along the third direction (Z direction), damage to the rotating drum assembly 30 caused by interference between the surface H to be cleaned and the rotating drum assembly 30 may be prevented.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a projected side view of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of region N shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of region N shown in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 14, according to an embodiment, the main body 10 may move along the surface H to be cleaned by using the wheel assembly 20. In this case, the rotating drum assembly 30 disposed on the main body 10 may perform a cleaning operation of sucking in contaminants K while moving along a plane (an XY plane). For example, the sensor unit 90 may be disposed on the main body 10 to detect information about an environment in front of the cleaning apparatus 1. For example, the sensor unit 90 may detect information about the shape of the surface H to be cleaned or the size of the contaminants K along a path where the cleaning apparatus 1 is traveling or is to travel.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, when the contaminants K of a predetermined size is located on the surface H to be cleaned, which has a planar shape (XY plane), the sensor unit 90 may detect information about the shape of the surface H to be cleaned and the size of the contaminants K. The information about the shape of the surface H to be cleaned or the size of the contaminants K, which is detected by the sensor unit 90, may be transmitted to the controller 91.

The controller 91 may determine a rotation angle of the rotating drum assembly 30 based on the detected information about the shape of the surface H to be cleaned or the size of the contaminants K. The controller 91 may control a rotation driver 93 based on the determined rotation angle of the rotating drum assembly 30. According to an embodiment, the rotation driver 93 may be any driving device capable of rotating the rotating drum assembly 30 clockwise or counterclockwise.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the controller 91 controls the rotation driver 93 to generate a driving force, thereby allowing the rotating drum assembly 30 to rotate counterclockwise at a first rotation angle θ₁ about the first hinge portion 510. In this case, the first connecting portion 610 extends the predetermined length L, e.g., a length of at least 25 mm but not more than 50 mm, and the first connecting hole 212 is arranged at a lower end of the first wheel assembly 21, such that the rotation radius and rotation path of the rotating drum assembly 30 rotating about the first hinge portion 510 may be reduced.

As the rotating drum assembly 30 rotates counterclockwise at the first rotation angle θ₁, a gap between the surface H to be cleaned and the rotating drum 310 may increase. Accordingly, the contaminants K having a predetermined size may be sucked into the rotating drum assembly 30 without interference from the surface H to be cleaned and the rotating drum 310. The contaminants K sucked into the rotating drum assembly 30 may pass through the connecting assembly 800, for example, the other end 820 connected to the discharge hole 331, the intermediate connecting portion 830, and the one end 810 connected to the dust collection container, and may be collected in the dust collection container.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of region N shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of region N shown in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, 15 and 16, according to an embodiment, the main body 10 may move along the surface H to be cleaned by using the wheel assembly 20. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, when contaminants K of a predetermined size is located on the surface H to be cleaned, which has a curved shape and a predetermined height, the sensor unit 90 may detect information about the shape of the surface H to be cleaned and the size of the contaminants K. The information about the shape of the surface H to be cleaned or the size of the contaminants K, which is detected by the sensor unit 90, may be transmitted to the controller 91.

The controller 91 may determine a rotation angle of the rotating drum assembly 30 based on the detected information about the shape of the surface H to be cleaned or the size of the contaminants K. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the controller 91 controls the rotation driver 93 to generate a driving force, thereby allowing the rotating drum assembly 30 to rotate counterclockwise at a second rotation angle θ₂ about the first hinge portion 510.

As the rotating drum assembly 30 rotates counterclockwise at the second rotation angle θ₂, a gap between the surface H to be cleaned and the rotating drum 310 may increase. Accordingly, the contaminants K having a predetermined size may be sucked into the rotating drum assembly 30 without interference from the surface H to be cleaned and the rotating drum 310. The contaminants K sucked into the rotating drum assembly 30 may pass through the connecting assembly 800, for example, the other end 820 connected to the discharge hole 331, the intermediate connecting portion 830, and the one end 810 connected to the dust collection container, and may be collected in the dust collection container.

A cleaning apparatus capable of suctioning contaminants regardless of the shape of a surface to be cleaned or the size of contaminants is provided.

A cleaning apparatus is provided that prevents damage to a rotating drum assembly due to contaminants interfering between a surface to be cleaned and the rotating drum assembly.

A cleaning apparatus is provided that can improve design convenience by minimizing a rotation angle of the rotating drum assembly in relation to the lifting or lowering of the rotating drum assembly.

A cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment may include a main body movable along a plane, a wheel assembly disposed on the main body to move the main body along the plane, a rotating drum assembly including a rotating drum arranged to be rotatable relative to the main body about an axis extending in a first direction, and a hinge portion connecting the rotating drum assembly to the wheel assembly such that the rotating drum assembly rotates at a predetermined angle relative to the wheel assembly.

The rotating drum assembly may move by at least one 0.1 mm but not more than 35 mm in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction.

The rotating drum assembly may rotate at an angle of at least 1 degree but not more than 50 degrees relative to the wheel assembly.

The rotating drum assembly may further include a connecting unit arranged between the rotating drum assembly and the hinge portion to connect the rotating drum assembly to the hinge portion, wherein the connecting unit extends a predetermined length along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

The connecting unit may have a length of at least 25 mm but not more than 50 mm.

Connecting holes into which the hinge portion is inserted may be arranged at a lower portion of the wheel assembly.

The wheel assembly may include drive wheels rotating about an axis, and the connecting holes into which the hinge portion is inserted may be each arranged downward at a predetermined distance along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction from a center portion of the drive wheels.

The connecting holes into which the hinge portion is inserted may be each arranged at a distance of at least 80 mm but not more than 200 mm along the third direction.

The rotating drum assembly may further include a rotating drum cover arranged to surround the rotating drum, and a discharge hole arranged in the rotating drum cover.

The cleaning apparatus may further include a dust collection container storing contaminants collected from the rotating drum, and a connecting assembly arranged between the dust collection container and the discharge hole to connect the dust collection container and the discharge hole.

The connecting assembly may include an intermediate connecting portion arranged between one end and another end of the connecting assembly and including an elastic body deformable according to external pressure, wherein the one end of the connecting assembly may be arranged to be fixed to the discharge hole, and the other end of the connecting assembly may be arranged to be fixed to the dust collection container.

The wheel assembly may include a first wheel assembly and a second wheel assembly that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the first direction, and the hinge portion may include a first hinge portion connecting the first wheel assembly to the rotating drum assembly, and a second hinge portion connecting the second wheel assembly to the rotating drum assembly.

The cleaning apparatus may further include a sensor unit configured to detect a shape of a surface to be cleaned or a size of the contaminants.

The cleaning apparatus may further include a rotation driver configured to apply a driving force to rotate the rotating drum assembly relative to the wheel assembly, and a controller configured to control driving of the rotation driver.

The controller may be configured to control the rotation driver to adjust a rotation angle of the rotating drum assembly that rotates relative to the wheel assembly, according to the shape of the surface to be cleaned or the size of the contaminants, which is detected by the sensor unit.

According to an embodiment, the cleaning apparatus may suck in contaminants regardless of a shape of a surface to be cleaned or a size of the contaminants.

According to an embodiment, the cleaning apparatus may prevent damage to the rotating drum assembly caused by the contaminants interfering between the surface to be cleaned and the rotating drum assembly.

According to an embodiment, a cleaning apparatus may improve design convenience by minimizing a rotation angle of the rotating drum assembly in relation to the lifting or lowering of the rotating drum assembly.

The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications and other equivalent embodiments may be derived therefrom by one of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present disclosure will be defined by the technical spirit of the disclosure as indicated by the following claims.