The present disclosure relates to a sterilizing system including a vacuum cleaner for bedding.

Vacuum cleaners use vacuum pressure generated by a motor installed therein, to suck air containing a dust such as dust, and remove the dust from the air.

Recently, vacuum cleaners for cleaning bedding are introduced. Such a vacuum cleaner for bedding includes a punching device for hitting bedding, as well as the components of a typical cleaner. Since a larger amount of mites or germs reside on bedding than on a typical floor, it is important to sterilize vacuum cleaners contacting bedding.

JP 2009 279229 (A) provides a handy vacuum cleaner that includes: a cleaner body; a holding base for fixing and holding the cleaner body, and an illumination means to attain rapid usage.

Embodiments provide a sterilizing system that can sterilize a vacuum cleaner for bedding.

In one embodiment, a sterilizing system for bedding, comprises: a vacuum cleaner (100) for cleaning a target; and a docking station (200) in which the vacuum cleaner (100) docks, the vacuum cleaner (100) further comprises: a sucking device for sucking dust from the target; and a punching member (135) for hitting the target, and the docking station (200) further comprises: a casing (210) defining an appearance thereof; and an ultraviolet generator (240) disposed in the casing (210) for sterilizing the docked vacuum cleaner (100).

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sterilizing system including a vacuum cleaner for bedding, according to a first embodiment.
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment.
• Fig. 3 is a bottom view illustrating the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment.
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a station according to the first embodiment.
• Fig. 5 is another perspective view illustrating the station according to the first embodiment.
• Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the station according to the first embodiment.
• Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a principal part of the station according to the first embodiment.
• Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the sterilizing system according to the first embodiment.
• Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the vacuum cleaner is sterilized according to the first embodiment.
• Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a sterilizing system including a vacuum cleaner for bedding, according to a second embodiment.
• Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a sterilizing system including a vacuum cleaner for bedding, according to a third embodiment.
• Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a sterilizing system including a vacuum cleaner for bedding, according to a fourth embodiment.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sterilizing system including a vacuum cleaner for bedding, according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a bottom view illustrating the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a station according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is another perspective view illustrating the station according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the station according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a principal part of the station according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the sterilizing system according to the first embodiment.

Referring to Fig. 1, a sterilizing system according to the current embodiment includes a vacuum cleaner 100 for bedding, and a docking station 200. The vacuum cleaner 100 is used to substantially clean bedding or the like. The vacuum cleaner 100 docks into the docking station 200.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, an appearance of the vacuum cleaner 100 (hereinafter, referred to as a cleaner for convenience in description) is constituted by a cleaner casing 110. Various parts constituting the cleaner 100, such as a sucking device 120 (refer to Fig. 8) for sucking a dust, are disposed in the cleaner casing 110.

A nozzle part 130 is disposed at a side of the cleaner casing 110. The nozzle part 130 contacts a cleaning target such as bedding to suck a dust. The nozzle part 130 includes a sucking opening 131. The sucking opening 131 functions substantially as an inlet for sucking a dust. The sucking opening 131 is formed by partially cutting the bottom surface of the cleaner casing 110.

The nozzle part 130 is provided with a brush 133. The brush 133 guides a dust to the sucking opening 131, or removes a dust from a surface of a cleaning target. Substantially, the brush 133 is rotatably installed on the bottom surface of the cleaner casing 110.

The nozzle part 130 is provided with a punching member 135. A driving source 137 (refer to Fig. 8) disposed in the cleaner casing 110 drives the punching member 135 to hit a cleaning target such as bedding. The punching member 135 is disposed at a side of the bottom surface of the cleaner casing 110, that is, at the front side of the sucking opening 131 in a moving direction of the cleaner 100.

The cleaner casing 110 is provided with a dust collecting part 140. Dust, sucked in the cleaner casing 110 through the sucking opening 131 by the sucking device 120, are collected in the dust collecting part 140. The dust collecting part 140 is removably installed on the cleaner casing 110. The dust collecting part 140 is vertically movable in the cleaner casing 110, and thus, can be removed upward from the cleaner casing 110.

The cleaner casing 110 is provided with a display part 150 and a handle 160. The display part 150 may display information about an operation of the cleaner 100. The handle 160 is held by a user who operates or moves the cleaner 100. The handle 160 may be provided with a manipulation part (not shown) receiving a signal for operating the cleaner 100. Alternatively, the display part 150 may be provided with the manipulation part.

A battery 170 (refer to Fig. 8) may be disposed in the cleaner casing 110. The battery 170 may be charged, e.g., when the cleaner 100 docks in the docking station 200. The battery 170 supplies power to various parts constituting the cleaner 100. Furthermore, regardless of the battery 170, a power cable (not shown) may be provided to the cleaner 100 to supply power.

A contact terminal 180 (refer to Fig. 8) may be disposed at a side of the cleaner casing 110. When the cleaner 100 docks into the docking station 200 to charge the battery 170, the contact terminal 180 contacts a charging terminal 221 to be described later.

When docking in the docking station 200, the cleaner 100 may be just stored therein, or be charged. Referring to Figs. 4 to 7, the docking station 200 includes a casing 210, a charging part 220, a docking sensing device 230, an ultraviolet generator 240, an ultraviolet guiding part 260, and a display part 270.

The casing 210 constitutes the appearance of the docking station 200. The casing 210 includes an upper casing 211, a lower casing 217, and a base 219. Substantially, the upper casing 211 constitutes the upper appearance of the docking station 200, and the lower casing 217 constitutes the lateral appearance of the docking station 200. The base 219 constitutes the bottom appearance of the docking station 200.

The upper casing 211 is provided with a nest 212. The nest 212 is formed by downwardly recessing a portion of the upper casing 211. The cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212. The front surface of the nest 212 is inclined downward at a preset angle.

The upper casing 211 is provided with a nest support 213. The nest support 213 supports the cleaner 100 accommodated in the nest 212. Substantially, the nest support 213 is formed by upwardly protruding a portion of the upper casing 211 at the rear side of the nest 212. The front surface of the nest support 213 supports a portion of the bottom surface of the cleaner 100. The front surface of the nest support 213 may be flush with the front surface of the nest 212.

The upper casing 211 is provided with an irradiation opening 214. The irradiation opening 214 is formed by cutting a portion of the upper casing 211 as the front surface of the nest 212.

The upper casing 211 is provided with a cable arrangement part 215. The cable arrangement part 215 is formed by downwardly recessing a portion of the upper casing 211. The cable arrangement part 215 is disposed behind the nest 212. Substantially, the nest support 213 separates the nest 212 from the cable arrangement part 215 in the back-and-forth direction of the sterilizing system. The power cable is accommodated in the cable arrangement part 215.

The lower casing 217 is fixed to the bottom of the upper casing 211. The base 219 is fixed to the bottom of the lower casing 217. Substantially, the upper casing 211, the lower casing 217, and the base 219 define the inner space of the casing 210.

The charging part 220 (refer to Fig. 8) is used to charge the battery 170 in the cleaner 100. The charging part 220 includes the charging terminal 221. When the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212, the charging terminal 221 contacts the contact terminal 180 to charge the battery 170.

The docking sensing device 230 senses whether the cleaner 100 docks in the docking station 200, substantially, is accommodated in the nest 212. The docking sensing device 230 includes at least one switch 231. The switch 231 is turned on/off according to whether the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212. For example, when the switch 231 is turned on by the cleaner 100, it may be determined that the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212. In addition, when the switch 231 is turned off, it may be determined that the cleaner 100 is removed from the nest 212.

The ultraviolet generator 240 is disposed in the casing 210. The ultraviolet generator 240 generates ultraviolet rays for sterilizing the cleaner 100 docking in the docking station 200, that is, accommodated in the nest 212. Substantially, ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet generator 240 sterilize the bottom surface of the nozzle part 130, e.g., a bottom portion of the cleaner casing 110 near the sucking opening 131. Also, the ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet generator 240 sterilize the brush 133 and the punching member 135. Only when the docking sensing device 230 senses that the cleaner 100 docks in the docking station 200, that is, when the docking sensing device 230 senses that the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212, the ultraviolet generator 240 generates ultraviolet rays.

The ultraviolet guiding part 260 guides ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet generator 240, to the cleaner 100 accommodated in the nest 212. The ultraviolet guiding part 260 includes an irradiation guide 261 and an irradiation plate 263.

The irradiation guide 261 guides ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet generator 240, to the irradiation plate 263.. The irradiation guide 261 has an approximately cone shape with both open surfaces and a tetragonal cross-section. That is, the cross section of the irradiation guide 261 at a downstream side through which ultraviolet rays are emitted to the irradiation plate 263 is smaller than that at an upstream side through which ultraviolet rays are introduced from the ultraviolet generator 240.

The irradiation plate 263 is disposed over the irradiation opening 214. The irradiation plate 263 emits ultraviolet rays guided by the irradiation guide 261, to the cleaner 100, substantially, to the bottom surface of the nozzle part 130. To this end, the irradiation plate 263 includes a plurality of irradiation holes 264.

Referring to Fig. 7, the irradiation holes 264 are inclined at a preset angle from both surfaces of the irradiation plate 263. Accordingly, ultraviolet rays are substantially prevented from being emitted upward through the irradiation holes 264, so that the ultraviolet rays can be maximally prevented from being emitted out of the nest 212. That is, the front surface of the nest 212 is inclined at a preset angle to stably accommodate the cleaner 100. Thus, if the irradiation holes 264 are perpendicular to both the surfaces of the irradiation plate 263, ultraviolet rays may be emitted upward through the irradiation holes 264, and thus, be emitted out of the nest 212. Accordingly, the ultraviolet rays emitted out of the nest 212 may be harmful to a user's health. However, according to the current embodiment, the irradiation holes 264 are inclined at a preset angle from both the surfaces of the irradiation plate 263 to emit ultraviolet rays horizontally or downward at a preset angle.

The display part 270 is exposed through a side of the casing 210, e.g., through a side of the upper casing 211. The display part 270 may display an operation state of the docking station 200, e.g., display whether a charging operation or an ultraviolet generating operation is performed.

Hereinafter, an operation of the sterilizing system according to the first embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the vacuum cleaner is sterilized according to the first embodiment.

First, when the cleaner 100 docks into the docking station 200, the cleaner 100 is sterilized. At this point, when the battery 170 is provided to the cleaner 100, the battery 170 is charged.

In more detail, the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212. Then, the bottom surface of the nozzle part 130 contacts the front surface of the irradiation plate 263. However, the bottom surface of the nozzle part 130 is intentionally spaced apart from the front surface of the irradiation plate 263 in Fig. 9 in order to clearly describe the operation of ultraviolet rays for sterilizing the cleaner 100. In addition, when the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212, the contact terminal 180 contacts the charging terminal 221.

When the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212, the docking sensing device 230 senses that the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212. Then, the cleaner 100 is sterilized, and the battery 170 is charged.

That is, when the ultraviolet generator 240 generates ultraviolet rays, the irradiation guide 261 guides the ultraviolet rays. The guided ultraviolet rays pass through the irradiation plate 263, substantially, through the irradiation holes 264, and sterilize the bottom surface of the nozzle part 130. At this point, the ultraviolet rays pass horizontally or obliquely downward through the irradiation holes 264. Accordingly, the ultraviolet rays passing through the irradiation holes 264 can be prevented from being emitted out of the nest 212.

Hereinafter, a vacuum cleanser for bedding according to second to fourth embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a sterilizing system including a vacuum cleaner for bedding, according to the second embodiment. Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a sterilizing system including a vacuum cleaner for bedding, according to the third embodiment. Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a sterilizing system including a vacuum cleaner for bedding, according to the fourth embodiment. Like reference numerals denote like elements in the first to fourth embodiments, and a description of the same components as those of the first embodiment will be omitted in the second to fourth embodiments.

Referring to Fig. 10, a docking sensing device 230 according to the second embodiment includes a touch sensor 232. The touch sensor 232 is disposed at a side of a docking station 200, substantially, at a side of a nest 212. The touch sensor 232 is turned on/off by contacting a cleaner 100 accommodated in the nest 212. Whether the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212 may be determined according to an on/off operation of the touch sensor 232.

Referring to Fig. 11, a docking sensing device 233 according to the third embodiment includes a light generating part 233 for generating light, and a photo sensor 234 for sensing the light generated from the light generating part 233. The light generating part 233 and the photo sensor 234 are installed within a nest 212, substantially in opposite positions. The light generating part 233 and the photo sensor 234 are disposed in a moving path of a cleaner 100 accommodated in the nest 212. The photo sensor 234 selectively senses light generated from the light generating part 233 according to whether the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212, so as to determine whether the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212. In more detail, when the cleaner 100 is not accommodated in the nest 212, the photo sensor 234 cannot sense light generated from the light generating part 233. Accordingly, it is determined that the cleaner 100 is not accommodated in the nest 212. When the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212, the cleaner 100 prevents the photo sensor 234 from sensing light generated from the light generating part 233. Accordingly, it is determined that the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212.

Referring to Fig. 12, a sterilizing system according to the fourth embodiment includes a magnet 190 forming a magnetic field, and a hall sensor 280 sensing the magnetic field from the magnet 190. The magnet 190 and the hall sensor 280 are provided to a cleaner 100 and a docking station 200, respectively. For example, the magnet 190 is disposed at a side of the cleaner 100, and the hall sensor 280 is disposed at a side of the docking station 200, that is, at a side of a nest 212. When the hall sensor 280 senses the magnetic field from the magnet 190, it may be determined that the cleaner 100 is accommodated in the nest 212. On the contrary, when the hall sensor 280 does not sense the magnetic field from the magnet 190, it may be determined that the cleaner 100 is not accommodated in the nest 212.

According to the embodiments, a sterilizing system including a vacuum cleaner for bedding uses ultraviolet rays to sterilize the vacuum cleaner. Thus, the vacuum cleaner can be used in a more sanitary state.

In addition, the ultraviolet rays are guided to be converged only on the vacuum cleaner. Thus, the vacuum cleaner can be sterilized more safely.