CLEANING DOCKING STATION

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure is a continuation of copending PCT application No. PCT/CN2024/091534, filed on May 7, 2024, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application Nos. 202322318446.6 and 202322318575.5, filed on Aug. 25, 2023, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as a part of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of cleaning devices, and in particular to a cleaning docking station and a cleaning system.

BACKGROUND

With the development of technology, a variety of self-mobile devices have emerged, such as self-mobile cleaning devices. A self-mobile cleaning device, when receiving a cleaning instruction, automatically executes the cleaning instruction and complete the cleaning operation. This not only frees up labor but also saves labor costs.

When the self-mobile cleaning device completes the cleaning task or meets other conditions, the self-mobile cleaning device will return to the docking station to carry out corresponding maintenance operations, such as charging or dust collection. Currently, a cleaning device, such as a robotic vacuum cleaner, generally includes a dry cleaning system. After cleaning the floor, the cleaning device collects debris into the cleaning device's dust bag and then transfers the debris to the dust bag in the docking station through a dust collection channel, to ensure the cleaning effectiveness of the cleaning device for the next operation.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a cleaning docking station. The cleaning docking station includes: a main housing and a dust bag support, where the dust bag support is configured to install a dust bag, the dust bag support is configured to be detachably connected to the dust bag, the dust bag support is arranged on the main housing, and the dust bag support is detachably connected to the main housing.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a cleaning system, including an automatic cleaning device and the cleaning docking station described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings of the present disclosure are used herein as part of the embodiments of the present disclosure for understanding the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure and descriptions thereof are shown in the drawings to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a cleaning docking station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a dust bag support of a cleaning docking station installed on a main housing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a dust bag support in a dust bag of a cleaning docking station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a dust collection channel in a dust bag of a cleaning docking station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram showing the communication between a dust collection channel and a dust bag support in a dust bag of a cleaning docking station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an exposed dust collection channel in a dust bag of a cleaning docking station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an overall structure of a liquid storage tank according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a first housing of a liquid storage tank according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid storage tank according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional diagram of a liquid storage tank according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that orientational or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “central”, “longitudinal”, “transverse”, “length”, “width”, “thickness”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, “outer”, “clockwise”, and “counterclockwise”, are those shown on the basis of the drawings, and are merely intended to describe the present disclosure and simplify the description rather than indicate or imply that the indicated apparatus or element must have a specific orientation and be configured and operated according to the specific orientation. Such relationships should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

In addition, the terms “first” and “second” are used herein for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features described. Thus, features defined by “first” and “second” explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined, “plurality of” refers to two or more.

In the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, terms such as “install”, “interconnect”, “connect”, and “fix” should be understood in their broad sense. For example, they are fixed connection, detachable connection, or integrated connection; or mechanical connection or electric connection; or direct connection, indirect connection via an intermediate, or internal communication between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure are to be understood according to specific conditions.

The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are merely intended to illustrate and explain the present disclosure and do not limit the present disclosure.

When the self-mobile cleaning device completes the cleaning task or meets other conditions, the self-mobile cleaning device will return to the docking station to carry out corresponding maintenance operations, such as charging or dust collection. Currently, a cleaning device, such as a robotic vacuum cleaner, generally includes a dry cleaning system. After cleaning the floor, the cleaning device collects debris into the cleaning device's dust bag and then transfers the debris to the dust bag in the docking station through a dust collection channel, to ensure the cleaning effectiveness of the cleaning device for the next operation. In this way, when a large amount of debris is cleared by the cleaning device, there is a blockage of the dust collection channel by debris, which hinders the docking station from collecting debris, leading to inconvenient maintenance.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a cleaning docking station is provided. The cleaning docking station includes: a main housing and a dust bag support. The dust bag support is configured to install a dust bag, and the dust bag is detachably connected to the dust bag support. The dust bag support is arranged on the main housing, and the dust bag support is detachably connected to the main housing. By detachably connecting the dust bag support to the main housing, the dust bag support is disassembled and maintained. In the case of extreme dust accumulation blockage requiring unclogging, after removing the dust bag support, a larger maintenance operation space is created, which reduces maintenance difficulty, improves the convenience of operation, and enhances maintenance efficiency, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of the docking station's maintenance of the cleaning device. This, in turn, ensures the continuity and timeliness of the cleaning device's operation, enhancing user experience.

For example, when a dust collection structure inside the main housing is severely blocked, the dust bag is first removed from the support, and then the dust bag support is removed from the main housing, so as to reduce the occupation of the internal space of the main housing by the dust bag support. In this way, there is a greater operation space within the main housing, and meanwhile, injury to the hand by sharp parts of the dust bag support during maintenance is avoided, thus enhancing the user experience.

As one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the dust bag support is connected and fixed to the main housing by a fastener. By fixing the dust bag support to the main housing via a fastener, the dust bag support is pressed tightly against the main housing, preventing gaps between the dust bag support and the main housing component, ensuring the dust bag support is properly installed, and thereby preventing abnormal noise caused by collision between the dust bag support and the main housing during vacuuming, which ensures the quality of the product after maintenance.

Furthermore, at least two fasteners are provided to fix the dust bag support at multiple points, improving the strength of the fixation of the dust bag support. In addition, the fasteners are arranged close to the edge of the dust bag support to prevent the edges of the dust bag support from warping, further enhancing the stability and reliability of the fixation of the dust bag support.

As shown in FIG. 3, an installation hole is provided on the dust bag support, and a threaded hole is provided on the main housing. After the fastener passes through the installation hole, the fastener is embedded into the threaded hole and threadedly connected to the threaded hole. By providing a threaded hole on the main housing, it is only necessary to align the installation hole with the threaded hole and then allow the fastener to pass through the installation hole to be threadedly connected to the threaded hole, such that the dust bag support is pressed and fixed onto the main housing. The installation is quick and convenient, thereby improving the installation efficiency of the dust bag support after maintenance and enhancing the continuity of the product's operation.

Specifically, the fastener is a bolt, screw, or other fasteners that meet the requirements, which serves the functions of locking and preventing loosening, thus ensuring the firmness of the connection between the dust bag support and the main housing. Additionally, the fastener is quickly removable using common tools, making the dust bag support easy and efficient to assemble and disassemble.

As another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the dust collection channel is arranged inside the main housing, and the dust collection channel is in communication with the dust bag support. By enabling the dust collection channel to be in communication with the dust bag support, dust in the dust collection channel enters the dust bag through the dust bag support. After detaching the dust bag support, foreign objects in the dust collection channel are manually cleaned out, thus clearing the dust collection channel and ensuring smooth communication between the dust collection channel and the dust bag. As a result, debris temporarily stored in the cleaning device are smoothly sucked into the dust bag of the cleaning docking station, thereby realizing the function of cleaning the internal debris of the cleaning device and ensuring the cleaning effectiveness of the cleaning device for the next operation.

In the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, an entry end and a discharge end of the dust collection channel are both provided on the main housing. When the cleaning device enters the docking station, the entry end is in communication with the cleaning device, and the discharge end is in communication with the dust bag support, thereby forming a dust collection channel inside the main housing. In this way, debris within the cleaning device enters the dust bag through the main housing, thereby cleaning the cleaning device.

Furthermore, a guide channel is provided within the dust bag support. An air inlet of the guide channel is in communication with the discharge end of the dust collection channel, and an air outlet of the guide channel is in communication with the dust bag. The guide channel is arc-shaped to prevent foreign objects from blocking the guide channel and to ensure that debris is smoothly collected into the dust bag of the docking station.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the dust collection channel is a dust collection duct. A rounded transition structure is provided in the dust collection channel, such that a smooth transition is formed between the dust collection channel and the main housing. By providing a rounded transition structure in the dust collection channel, accumulation of foreign objects at dead corners of the dust collection duct is prevented, thereby preventing the blocking of foreign objects in the dust collection duct, ensuring the smoothness of the dust collection duct, and allowing debris in the cleaning device to be smoothly sucked into the dust bag of the docking station.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the dust collection channel includes an entry section, a guide section, and a discharge section. The entry section is arc-shaped, and a first end of the entry section is connected to the main housing. A first end of the guide section is connected to a second end of the entry section, such that there is a smooth transition between the guide section and the entry section. The discharge section is arc-shaped, a first end of the discharge section is connected to a second end of the guide section, and a second end of the discharge section is connected to the main housing, such that there is a smooth transition between the guide section and the discharge section. By arranging two arc-shaped bent pipes—the entry section and the discharge section—at both ends of the guide section, a smooth transition between the guide section and the main housing is realized, thereby avoiding dead corners in the dust collection duct. This prevents blockage of the dust collection channel caused by the continuous accumulation of foreign objects in the dust collection channel and ensures the unobstructed flow within the dust collection channel.

Furthermore, the guide section is a straight pipe, and the guide section is vertically arranged within the main housing, to reduce the total length and volume of the dust collection channel and enable the guide section to be arranged closely against the side wall of the main housing, thereby reducing the occupation of space within the main housing and decreasing the overall volume of the docking station.

As shown in FIG. 6, after the dust bag support is detached, the inner wall of the dust collection channel is exposed. By enabling the inner wall of the dust collection duct to be exposed after the dust bag support is detached, it is convenient to directly remove foreign objects blocking the dust collection duct during maintenance. A user performs manual maintenance directly by removing the dust bag, without the need for professional personnel for repair, thus saving complicated after-sales procedures and enhancing the usage experience of the product.

Furthermore, after the dust bag support is detached, the inner wall of the dust collection channel is viewable from the front. By allowing the inner wall of the dust collection channel to be exposed from the front, it is advantageous for a tool to be promptly inserted into the dust collection channel, making it easier for the tool to reach the depth of the dust collection channel, thereby achieving a better cleaning effect.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a manual maintenance channel penetrates the side wall of the main housing. A first end of the manual maintenance channel is in communication with the dust collection channel, and a second end of the manual maintenance channel is in communication with the dust bag support, such that the dust collection channel is in communication with the dust bag support. By adding a section of the manual maintenance channel between the dust collection channel and the dust bag support and allowing the manual maintenance channel to penetrate the main housing, the manual maintenance channel is stably connected to the dust collection channel, ensuring the sealing performance between the manual maintenance channel and the dust collection channel. Furthermore, the manual maintenance channel is connected to the dust bag support, such that after the dust bag support is installed, the overall sealing effect between the dust bag support and the dust collection channel is ensured.

Furthermore, the manual maintenance channel perpendicularly penetrates the side wall of the main housing, such that when the dust bag support is installed, the air inlet of the dust bag support is directly inserted into the manual maintenance channel, thereby enabling communication between the dust bag support and the dust collection channel.

As shown in FIG. 6, a sealing connection part is arranged on the inner wall of the manual maintenance channel along the circumference of the manual maintenance channel, and the sealing connection part is configured to seal the manual maintenance channel and the dust bag support. By arranging the sealing connection part on the inner wall of the manual maintenance channel along the circumference of the manual maintenance channel, the joint between the manual maintenance channel and the dust bag support is sealed by means of the sealing connection part, ensuring that all dust-laden gas and debris discharged from the dust collection channel enter the dust bag through the dust bag support. This guarantees the sealing performance of the connection between the dust bag support and the manual maintenance channel, thereby avoiding secondary environmental pollution after cleaning.

Furthermore, the sealing connection part is elastic. The sealing connection part is arranged closely against the inner wall of the manual maintenance channel; the sealing connection part is cylindrical in shape and has a certain thickness, such that the guide channel of the dust bag support fits tightly with the sealing connection part, causing the sealing connection part to undergo elastic deformation and thereby making the air inlet and the manual maintenance channel form a sealed connection.

It should be noted that the air inlet of the guide channel is also arranged to protrude from the dust bag support, and the inner diameter of the sealing connection part is configured equal to the outer diameter of the air inlet of the dust bag support. When the air inlet of the dust bag support is inserted, the air inlet is connected with the sealing connection part in an inserted manner and compresses the sealing connection part, such that the sealing connection part is tightly wrapped around the outer side of the air inlet, which further improves the sealing effect between the dust bag support and the dust collection channel.

Specifically, the sealing connection part is a sealing foam, a sealing gasket, or other sealing members that meet the requirements.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an accommodating groove is provided on the main housing. The accommodating groove is located at one end of the main housing close to the dust collection channel and is configured for placing the dust bag. The dust bag support is embedded in the accommodating groove. By arranging the accommodating groove at a position on the main housing close to the dust collection channel, and detachably fixing the dust bag support within the accommodating groove, the distance between the dust bag support and the cleaning device is reduced, thereby shortening the length of the dust collection channel. This further reduces the possibility of foreign objects blocking the dust collection duct, and also facilitates the removal of foreign objects from the entry end of the dust collection channel during manual maintenance, making operation convenient.

In the above embodiments, the accommodating groove is provided on the front surface of the main housing, and the dust bag is fixed on the dust bag support and then placed into the accommodating groove. The exterior of the accommodating groove is covered with a sealing cover plate, which is configured to prevent dust in the dust bag from overflowing and to ensure cleanliness when the docking station cleans the cleaning device.

Furthermore, the dust bag support is adapted in shape to the accommodating groove and is detachably connected within the accommodating groove. When installing the dust bag, the edge of the dust bag support abuts the inner wall of the accommodating groove, and the inner wall surface of the accommodating groove limits the dust bag support, ensuring proper installation of the dust bag support and facilitating the fixation of the dust bag support to the main housing. In addition, by positioning the dust bag support at the edge or corner of the accommodating groove, stacking of the dust bag above the dust bag support after installation is avoided, thereby providing a larger accommodating space for the dust bag.

Specifically, the accommodating groove is quadrilateral, and the dust bag support is triangular, thus facilitating the installation of the dust bag support in one corner of the accommodating groove. The two inner wall surfaces of the accommodating groove simultaneously limit the dust bag support, improving the accuracy of limiting the dust bag support. As a result, after the fastener passes through the installation hole, the fastener is smoothly embedded into the threaded hole, thereby improving the installation efficiency of the dust bag support.

In the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, a boss is provided within the accommodating groove. The manual maintenance channel passes through both the main housing and the boss, and after the dust bag support is installed, the dust bag support is fixedly connected to the boss by a fastener. The boss serves to reinforce the manual maintenance channel. In addition, by extending the manual maintenance channel, the length of the guide channel in the dust bag support is reduced, thereby reducing the weight and volume of the dust bag support and facilitating assembly and disassembly.

Specifically, the height of the boss is less than the depth of the accommodating groove.

In the above embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, several ribs are provided on the inner wall surface of the accommodating groove to form a channel for gas flow between the dust bag and the inner wall surface of the accommodating groove, thus preventing the dust bag from fitting with the inner wall surface of the accommodating groove. As a result, the flow rate of gas in the dust collection channel is accelerated, improving the cleaning efficiency for the cleaning device.

Furthermore, a vent is provided on the accommodating groove, and the ribs are arranged in a scattered pattern around the circumference of the vent on the main housing, thus preventing the dust bag from blocking the vent and ensuring the circulation of gas within the dust collection channel. This avoids the situation in which the airflow within the dust collection channel suddenly weakens, causing debris to fall back under its own weight and block the bottom of the dust collection channel, thereby further enhancing the anti-blocking capability of the dust collection channel.

Furthermore, the height of the ribs gradually increases from the end away from the vent to the end close to the vent, such that the distance between the dust bag and the inner wall of the accommodating groove gradually increases. This supports the dust bag and prevents the vent from being completely sealed by the dust bag, ensuring that gas quickly flows into the vent.

With the development of technology, intelligent cleaning robots have entered ordinary households and are gradually becoming widespread.

In current intelligent cleaning robots, there is a type of robot with an automatic mopping function. To keep the robot's mop moist, a liquid storage tank needs to be arranged inside the robot to automatically supplement cleaning liquids such as water. To facilitate smooth drainage and water filling of the liquid storage tank, an overflow port is usually provided near a liquid inlet of the liquid storage tank.

However, when cleaning liquid, such as water, is injected into the liquid storage tank through the liquid inlet, the water tends to flow along the top wall inside the liquid storage tank due to tension, resulting in the injected water easily being discharged from the liquid storage tank through the overflow port. This causes the liquid storage tank to fail to be properly replenished with water.

In view of this, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a liquid storage tank, an automatic cleaning device, and a cleaning docking station. The main purpose is to prevent the cleaning liquid from being discharged through the overflow port when the cleaning liquid is injected into the liquid storage tank, such that the liquid storage tank is properly replenished with liquid.

In the description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are provided to offer a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is implemented without one or more of these details. In other examples, to avoid confusion with the present disclosure, certain technical features well known in the art are not described.

It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, it should be further understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “include” as used in the specification indicate the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or assemblies, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, assemblies, and/or combinations thereof.

Exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments are implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. It should be understood that these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present disclosure thorough and complete, and to fully convey the concepts of these exemplary embodiments to those of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a liquid storage tank, which is applied to a self-mobile cleaning device, such as a sweeping robot, a mopping robot, a floor polishing robot, or a weeding robot. The liquid storage tank includes a tank body 1. The tank body 1 includes: an accommodating cavity, as well as a liquid inlet 11, a liquid outlet 12, and an overflow port 13 that are in communication with the accommodating cavity, where the liquid inlet 11 and the overflow port 13 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the accommodating cavity includes a cavity wall opposite the liquid inlet 11; and a liquid-blocking member 2, where the liquid-blocking member 2 is arranged within the accommodating cavity and is located between the liquid inlet 11 and the overflow port 13, and the liquid-blocking member is configured to block liquid, flowing into the accommodating cavity from the liquid inlet 11, from flowing into the overflow port 13.

According to the liquid storage tank provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, a liquid-blocking member 2 is arranged between the liquid inlet 11 and the overflow port 13. In this way, during the process of injecting cleaning liquid such as water into the accommodating cavity of the tank body 1 via the liquid inlet 11, the liquid-blocking member 2 blocks water, which flows along the cavity wall of the accommodating cavity due to tension, from entering the overflow port 13. This prevents the injected water from being discharged from the tank body 1 through the overflow port 13, thereby ensuring normal water replenishment in the liquid storage tank, while also avoiding the waste of water.

Specifically, the liquid inlet 11 is arranged at one end of the tank body 1 and is configured for injecting cleaning liquid, such as water, into the accommodating cavity of the tank body 1. The liquid outlet 12 is arranged at the other end of the tank body 1 and is configured for discharging water from the accommodating cavity. The overflow port 13 is arranged adjacent to the liquid inlet 11 and is configured for outwardly discharging liquid when the liquid level in the accommodating cavity is too high, so as to maintain normal pressure in the accommodating cavity. The overflow port is also configured for venting and air intake during the injection or discharge of water from the tank body 1. Specifically, when water is injected into the accommodating cavity via the liquid inlet 11, the accommodating cavity discharges gas through the overflow port 13 to maintain pressure balance in the accommodating cavity, enabling smooth water injection. When the tank body 1 needs to discharge water outward, the liquid outlet 12 is connected to a water extraction apparatus, such as a water pump, to extract water from the accommodating cavity. In this process, air enters the accommodating cavity through the overflow port 13 to maintain pressure balance in the accommodating cavity, thereby enabling smooth drainage.

In some embodiments, the accommodating cavity includes a cavity wall opposite the liquid inlet 11; the liquid-blocking member 2 is connected to the cavity wall.

In the above embodiments, since the liquid-blocking member 2 is connected to the cavity wall opposite the liquid inlet 11, when water entering the accommodating cavity from the liquid inlet 11 flows along the cavity wall due to tension, the liquid-blocking member 2 directly blocks water entering from the liquid inlet 11 and flowing along the cavity wall, ensuring that water does not flow to the overflow port 13. This better prevents injected water from being discharged from the tank body 1 through the overflow port 13, thereby ensuring normal water replenishment in the liquid storage tank and also avoiding the waste of water.

The liquid-blocking member 2 has various structural forms, as long as such a structural form blocks liquid flowing into the accommodating cavity from the liquid inlet 11 from entering the overflow port 13.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the liquid-blocking member 2 is specifically of a plate structure. The liquid-blocking member 2 is vertically disposed between the liquid inlet 11 and the overflow port 13, and is arranged to extend along the flow direction of the liquid flowing into the accommodating cavity from the liquid inlet 11.

In the above embodiments, the liquid-blocking member 2 is of a plate structure and is arranged to extend along the flow direction of the liquid flowing into the accommodating cavity from the liquid inlet 11. In this way, when water injected into the accommodating cavity of the tank body 1 via the liquid inlet 11 flows along the cavity wall opposite the liquid inlet 11 due to tension, water that tends to flow to the overflow port 13 flows, under the blockage of the liquid-blocking member 2, along the liquid-blocking member 2, but is unable to flow to the overflow port 13 on the other side of the liquid-blocking member 2. This avoids water being discharged through the overflow port 13, effectively achieving the water blocking function with a simple structure and reliable use.

To facilitate the smooth inflow of water into the accommodating cavity of the tank body 1 under the action of the liquid-blocking member 2, in some embodiments, referring to FIG. 9, the liquid-blocking member 2 includes a first end 21 and a second end 22 that are arranged in sequence along the flow direction of the liquid flowing into the accommodating cavity from the liquid inlet 11, with the second end 22 being bent in the direction toward the overflow port 13 relative to the first end 21.

In the above embodiments, the second end 22 of the liquid-blocking member 2 is bent in the direction toward the overflow port 13 relative to the first end 21 of the liquid-blocking member. In this way, when water, under the blockage of the liquid-blocking member 2, flows along the liquid-blocking member 2 to the second end 22, the water smoothly flows into the accommodating cavity under the guidance of the second end 22, thereby further ensuring the smooth injection of water into the tank body 1.

Further, the surface of one side of the liquid-blocking member 2 facing the liquid inlet 11 is provided with a rounded transition at the junction between the first end 21 and the second end 22, thereby further improving the guiding effect of the second end 22 on the water.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 7 and 10, the tank body 1 includes a first housing 14 and a second housing 15. The first housing 14 and the second housing 15 are snap-connected and together enclose the accommodating cavity of the tank body 1; the liquid inlet 11, the liquid outlet 12, and the overflow port 13 are respectively provided on the first housing 14; the inner surface of the second housing 15 is opposite the liquid outlet 12, and the inner surface of the second housing 15 serves as the cavity wall mentioned above. One side of the liquid-blocking member 2 is connected to the inner surface of the second housing 15, while the other side of the liquid-blocking member 2 is either connected to the inner surface of the first housing 14 or has a gap with the inner surface of the first housing 14.

In the above embodiments, the inner surface of the second housing 15 is opposite the liquid outlet 12, and one side of the liquid-blocking member 2 is connected to the inner surface of the second housing 15. In this way, when water flows along the inner surface of the second housing 15 due to tension, the water is to be blocked by the liquid-blocking member 2 connected to the inner surface of the second housing 15, causing the water to flow along the liquid-blocking member 2 without flowing to the overflow port 13, therefore avoiding water discharge through the overflow port 13.

When water is injected into the tank body 1 via the liquid inlet 11, the water will flow along the inner surface of the second housing 15 due to tension. Therefore, the connection between the liquid-blocking member 2 and the inner surface of the second housing 15 serves to block water from flowing to the overflow port on the other side of the liquid-blocking member 2. The relationship between the liquid-blocking member 2 and the first housing 14 does not affect the blocking of water flow to the overflow port 13 by the liquid-blocking member 2. For example, the liquid-blocking member 2 is directly or indirectly connected to, or abutted against, the inner surface of the first housing 14, or there is a gap between the liquid-blocking member 2 and the inner surface of the first housing 14; all these situations will not affect the blocking function of the liquid-blocking member 2. Therefore, the relationship between the liquid-blocking member 2 and the first housing 14 is to be selected as needed in specific implementations, and the present disclosure does not impose limitations thereon. To enhance the structural strength of the tank body 1, the liquid-blocking member 2 is directly connected to or abutted against the inner surface of the first housing 14.

In the above embodiments, the tank body 1 is formed by a sealing connection between the first housing 14 and the second housing 15, which facilitates the processing and manufacturing of the tank body 1. Moreover, when the liquid storage tank is specifically in use, the first housing 14 is disposed at the lower part, and the second housing 15 is disposed at the upper part, thus facilitating water injection and drainage of the tank body 1.

In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 10, the liquid-blocking member 2 is integrally formed with the second housing 15. On the one hand, this improves the reliability of the liquid-blocking member 2 in blocking water; on the other hand, this also enhances the strength of the second housing 15, thereby increasing the overall strength of the tank body 1.

In some embodiments, the first housing 14 and the second housing 15 are connected by ultrasonic welding or bonded with sealant. The first housing 14 and the second housing 15 are connected together by ultrasonic welding. Ultrasonic welding not only enables the first housing 14 and the second housing 15 to be connected and assembled together, but also provides a moisture-proof and waterproof sealing effect, thereby improving the connection and sealing performance between the first housing 14 and the second housing 15. The first housing 14 and the second housing 15 are also bonded with sealant, which likewise ensures the connection and sealing performance between the first housing 14 and the second housing 15.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, the liquid inlet 11 includes a first tube column 111 and a second tube column 112. The first tube column 111 is located within the accommodating cavity, with one end of the first tube column connected to the inner surface of the first housing 14; the second tube column 112 is located outside the accommodating cavity, with one end of the second tube column connected to the outer surface of the first housing 14. The first tube column 111 is in communication with the second tube column 112; the other end of the first tube column 111 is opposite the cavity wall.

In the above embodiments, the first tube column 111 of the liquid inlet 11 is located within the accommodating cavity, and the other end of the first tube column 111 is disposed at the highest position of the accommodating cavity; that is, there is a relatively small distance between the other end of the first tube column 111 and the inner surface of the second housing 15 to avoid water in the accommodating cavity flowing out due to water pressure issues. The second tube column 112 is located outside the accommodating cavity and is configured to be connected to an external water source to enable water injection into the accommodating cavity.

It is to be understood that the first housing 14 is provided with a through hole between the first tube column 111 and the second tube column 112 to realize communication between the first tube column 111 and the second tube column 112.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, the overflow port 13 includes a third tube column 131 and a fourth tube column 132. The third tube column 131 is located within the accommodating cavity, with one end of the third tube column connected to the inner surface of the first housing 14, and the other end of the third tube column 131 being opposite the cavity wall. The fourth tube column 132 is located outside the accommodating cavity, with one end of the fourth tube column connected to the outer surface of the first housing 14. The third tube column 131 is in communication with the fourth tube column 132. The liquid-blocking member 2 is arranged between the first tube column 111 and the third tube column 131.

In the above embodiments, the third tube column 131 of the overflow port 13 is located within the accommodating cavity, and the other end of the third tube column 131 is disposed at the highest position of the accommodating cavity; that is, there is a relatively small distance between the other end of the third tube column 131 and the inner surface of the second housing 15 to avoid water in the accommodating cavity flowing out due to water pressure issues. The fourth tube column 132 is located outside the accommodating cavity and is configured for air intake or venting to achieve drainage or water injection into the accommodating cavity.

It is to be understood that the first housing 14 is also provided with a through hole between the third tube column 131 and the fourth tube column 132 to realize communication between the third tube column 131 and the fourth tube column 132.

The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an automatic cleaning device. The automatic cleaning device includes the liquid storage tank described above. Specifically, the automatic cleaning device is a sweeping robot, a mopping robot, a floor polishing robot, or a weeding robot. Specifically, when the automatic cleaning device is a mopping robot, cleaning liquid such as water overflowing from the overflow port 13 of the tank body 1 flows to the mop of the robot, or to a dedicated collection apparatus.

The automatic cleaning device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure includes the liquid storage tank described above; therefore, the automatic cleaning device possesses all the beneficial effects of the liquid storage tank, which will not be repeated here.

The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a cleaning docking station. The cleaning docking station includes the liquid storage tank described above, or the automatic cleaning device described above. In such a case, cleaning liquid such as water overflowing from the overflow port 13 flows through pipelines to a cleaning tank, a drainpipe, a wastewater tank, or a dedicated collection apparatus, and also flows into a cleaning tray of the docking station to be pumped away by a wastewater pump.

The cleaning docking station provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure includes the automatic liquid storage tank or the automatic cleaning device described above; therefore, the cleaning docking station possesses all the beneficial effects of the liquid storage tank, which will not be repeated here.

The present disclosure has been described with reference to the above embodiments. It should be understood that, however, the above embodiments are only for the purpose of illustration and description and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the scope of the embodiments described. In addition, those skilled in the art understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. More variations and modifications are to be made according to the teachings of the present disclosure, and these variations and modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. The protection scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Those skilled in the art easily understand that the above advantageous methods are to be freely combined and superimposed on the premise of no conflict.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be taken as limiting the present disclosure, and any modifications, equivalents, improvements, and the like that are made within the spirit and principle of the present disclosure should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure. The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that those of ordinary skill in the technical field may make several improvements and variations without departing from the technical principles of the present disclosure, and such improvements and variations shall also be deemed to fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.