CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus that cleans a surface to be
cleaned while moving on the surface to be cleaned.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Heretofore, autonomously moving cleaning apparatuses referred to as cleaning robots
are known. This type of cleaning apparatus cleans a surface to be cleaned by sucking
in dust (objects to be sucked in) from the surface to be cleaned along with taking
air using an intake fan through a suction port of an intake nozzle oriented toward
the surface, while moving on the surface such as a floor surface. The dust that is
sucked in is guided to a dust collection box attached to the cleaning apparatus, separated
from air by a filter inside the dust collection box, and collected in the collection
box. The air from which dust is removed is discharged to the outside through an air
discharge duct.
[0004] A known cleaning robot is configured such that an intake fan is provided in an apparatus
body and a cleaning unit attached to a back face of the apparatus body is connected
to the intake fan by a hose. In this configuration, the air passed through the intake
fan is discharged to the outside from an outlet provided in the apparatus body through
an air discharge duct that extends from the air outlet of the intake fan to the outlet.
[0005] Note that cleaners are known that include a circulation structure for circulating
the air to be discharged inside the apparatus bodies by returning the air to intake
nozzles.
[0007] However, the cleaner described in
JP 7-222696B is configured such that the air to be discharged is returned to the intake nozzle,
and therefore a sufficient suction force cannot be obtained.
[0008] On the other hand, in the aforementioned known autonomously moving cleaning apparatus,
the air discharge duct is provided inside the apparatus body, and therefore the air
discharge duct needs to be laid out by bypassing other devices that are mounted inside
the apparatus body, such as a control unit, a movement unit, a battery, a power supply
unit, a motor, and a sensor. Therefore, the duct length increases, and the flow channel
resistance also increases, and as a result, the suction force of the intake fan may
decrease. Although the flow channel resistance can be reduced by increasing the inner
diameter of the air discharge duct, the size of the apparatus body needs to be increased
in order to provide the installation space of the air discharge duct, which hampers
the reduction in size of the apparatus.
[0009] Also, when a configuration is adopted in which air is discharged from an outlet provided
in the surface of the apparatus body, discharging air is sprayed around the cleaning
robot, and therefore the discharging air is blown against persons in the vicinity,
making those persons feel uncomfortable. Also, when the discharging air is blown against
an object in the vicinity, the state of the object may change. Therefore, the suction
force of the intake nozzle cannot be increased by increasing the blasting force of
the intake fan. Also, discharging air may contain fine particle substances that are
not removed by a filter, and therefore, if the discharging air is forcefully blasted
out to the outside, fine particle substances are scattered around the apparatus.
[0010] Also, when the configuration is such that air is discharged to the outside from the
outlet provided in a bottom face of the apparatus body, dust on the surface to be
cleaned is scattered, and the cleaning efficiency may degrade.
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus in which the
force of the discharging air flow to the outside can be reduced.
SUMMARY
[0012] (1) A cleaning apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
a moving body configured to move on a surface to be cleaned in a moving direction;
and a cleaning unit that is provided in the moving body and is configured to clean
the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning unit includes an intake nozzle; an intake
unit configured to suck in objects, along with air, from the surface to be cleaned
through the intake nozzle; a collection container configured to separate the objects
that are sucked in and collect the objects in its inside; an air discharge duct configured
to guide air sucked in by the intake unit from an air outlet of the intake unit to
an internal space sideward (i.e. on the side) of the collection container; and a cover
member that covers at least the air discharge duct, and is configured to form the
internal space with the air discharge duct.
[0013] As a result of this configuration, the air sucked in by the intake unit from the
collection container passes through the air discharge duct and is discharged to an
internal space of the cleaning unit. The internal space functions as a buffer chamber
for reducing the force of the discharging air flow. Therefore, when air is discharged
to the internal space, the force of the discharging air flow is reduced. Also, the
force of the discharging air flow to the internal space is also reduced by collision
with an inner face of the cover member. The air flow whose force has been reduced
moves toward every corner of the internal space while the force thereof is being further
reduced, and is finally gently discharged to the outside through gaps of attachment
portions such as the cleaning unit and the cover member. Accordingly, the influence
of the discharging air to the surrounding area of the cleaning apparatus can be minimized.
Also, scattering of dust on the floor surface, and scattering of fine particle substances
can be reduced. Also, air is discharged to the inside of the cleaning unit instead
of the inside of the moving body, and therefore discharging air is not blown against
electronic devices such as a control unit and electronic components that are provided
inside the moving body, and as a result, malfunction, failure, or the like of the
electronic devices due to discharging air being blown against them can be prevented.
[0014] (2) In the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, the cleaning unit is attached
to a back face of the moving body. The intake unit sucks in air inside the collection
container through an outlet provided in an upper portion of a front face of the collection
container on the moving direction side. The air discharge duct forms a discharging
air flow channel extending from the air outlet of the intake unit to an internal space
sideward of the collection container.
[0015] As a result of this configuration, air can be guided to a relatively large space
that is formed sideward of the collection container. As a result, the force of the
discharging air flow can be effectively reduced.
[0016] (3) In the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, the cleaning unit further
includes a distribution duct that is attached to an outlet of the air discharge duct
and is configured to distribute a discharging air flow from the outlet into a plurality
of air flows toward the internal space.
[0017] As a result of this distribution duct being provided, the discharging air flow is
distributed into a plurality of flow channels. Accordingly, the force of the discharging
air flow to the internal space is further reduced.
[0018] (4) In the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, the distribution duct has
a tubular shape whose inside is hollow, and includes a plurality of opening portions
in its outer circumferential surface.
[0019] (5) In the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of opening
portions are formed in portions, of the outer circumferential surface, that oppose
an inner face of the cover member.
[0020] As a result of this configuration, the air flow discharged from the opening portions
collides with the inner face of the cover member, and therefore the air flow is further
distributed due to collision.
[0021] (6) The collection container is arranged at the center, in a width direction, of
a back face of the moving body. The intake unit includes a first air outlet provided
in a side face of its casing on one side in the width direction, and a second air
outlet provided in a side face on the other side. The air discharge duct includes
a first air discharge duct and a second air discharge duct. The first air discharge
duct forms a first discharging air flow channel extending from the first air outlet
to a space formed between the cover member and an upper portion of a first side face
of the collection container on the one side. The second air discharge duct forms a
second discharging air flow channel extending from the second air outlet to a space
formed between the cover member and an upper portion of a second side face of the
collection container on the other side.
[0022] As a result of this configuration, the air sucked in by the intake unit is distributed
into two air flows that are guided to the internal spaces formed on both sides in
the width direction. Accordingly, the force of the discharging air flow in the internal
space can be further reduced.
[0023] (7) The cleaning apparatus according to the present invention further includes a
driving force transmission unit configured to move the moving body by transmitting
a driving force in the moving direction to the surface to be cleaned.
[0024] As a result of this configuration, the cleaning apparatus can move autonomously.
[0025] According to the present invention, the force of discharging air flow to the outside
can be reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior appearance, taken from the front,
of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the cleaning
apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior appearance, taken from the rear
side, of the cleaning apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a collection box is removed
in the perspective view in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view illustrating a state in which a back face cover
is removed in the perspective view in FIG. 4, and shows an internal structure of a
cleaning unit.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views of a rear portion of the cleaning apparatus, FIG. 6A
is a diagram illustrating a state in which the collection box of the cleaning apparatus
is attached, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the collection
box of the cleaning apparatus has been removed.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit when viewed from the front, and
shows an internal configuration of the cleaning unit.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit when viewed from the front, and
shows the internal configuration of the cleaning unit.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an intake unit included in the cleaning apparatus
when viewed from the rear.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the intake unit included in the cleaning apparatus
when viewed from the front.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a distribution duct included
in the intake unit.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cross section structure
obtained by horizontally sectioning an upper portion of the cleaning unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference
to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is merely a specific example of
the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Note that a vertical direction D1, a front-back direction D2, and a horizontal direction
or a width direction D3 that are shown in the drawings are used.
Cleaning apparatus 10
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior appearance, taken from the
front, of an autonomously moving cleaning apparatus 10 (an example of a cleaning apparatus
of the present invention) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the cleaning apparatus
10.
[0029] The cleaning apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an autonomous moving apparatus that
autonomously moves forward (in a moving direction) of a floor surface 23 (see FIG.
2) of a concourse of an airport, a station, a shopping mall, or the like, and is also
referred to as a mobile robot. The cleaning apparatus 10 sucks up waste matters (objects
to be sucked in) such as dust and filth on the floor surface 23, which is a surface
to be cleaned, while moving autonomously, separates the waste matters using a filter,
and collects the waste matters in a collection box 31 (see FIG. 2). The cleaning apparatus
10 automatically cleans the floor surface 23 while moving on the floor surface 23
based on various types of cleaning information such as a moving route, a cleaning
area, a cleaning time slot, or a home position to which the cleaning apparatus 10
returns for charging.
[0030] Note that the cleaning apparatus 10 is merely an example of a cleaning apparatus
of the present invention, and the present invention can also be applied to a cleaning
apparatus that cleans an indoor floor surface 23 while autonomously moving thereon,
a cleaning apparatus that cleans road surfaces of an outdoor footway and a road while
autonomously moving thereon, and the like. Also, the cleaning apparatus 10 need only
be an autonomously moving mobile robot that has at least a cleaning function, and
is not limited to a cleaning apparatus 10 that has only a cleaning function. For example,
the present invention may also be applied to an autonomously moving mobile robot that
has other functions for the purpose of other applications, in addition to the cleaning
function. For example, the present invention can also be applied to autonomously moving
apparatuses such as a mobile robot that has a guarding function while autonomously
moving, a mobile robot that has a caretaking function, a mobile robot that has a load
carriage function, and a mobile robot that has a display and guide function, in addition
to the cleaning function. Also, the present invention can also be applied to a manual
type cleaning apparatus that cleans a floor surface 23 while being moved by manual
pushing by a worker, for example, in addition to mobile robots that move autonomously.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning apparatus 10 includes an apparatus body 11, which
is an example of a moving body, and a cleaning unit 30 provided in the apparatus body
11. The apparatus body 11 is provided with a moving unit 12 (an example of a driving
force transmission unit of the present invention), motors 13, a battery 14, a console
unit 20, a display panel 21, an operating handle 22, a control unit 40, and the like.
The cleaning apparatus 10 also includes a sliding mechanism 50 (see FIG. 2) that supports
the cleaning unit 30 so that it is movable in the vertical direction D1, and a position
adjustment mechanism 60 (see FIG. 7) that can adjust the height position of the cleaning
unit 30, and keeps the cleaning unit 30 at the adjusted position.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus body 11 includes an exterior cover 11A that constitutes
the exterior thereof. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus body 11 includes a chassis
11B in its lower portion. The chassis 11B is provided substantially in parallel to
the floor surface 23. Also, support frames for supporting the aforementioned functional
units are provided, as appropriate, inside the apparatus body 11.
[0033] The apparatus body 11 is configured to move on the floor surface 23, which is a surface
to be cleaned, in a predetermined moving direction. In the present embodiment, the
apparatus body 11 can move using the moving unit 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the moving
unit 12 is provided in a lower portion of the apparatus body 11. The moving unit 12
is for transmitting the driving force, in the moving direction, to the floor surface
23 while keeping the moving posture of the apparatus body 11, and is attached to the
chassis 11B. The moving unit 12 includes a pair of wheels 121 for movement and four
casters 122.
[0034] The wheels 121 are attached rotatably on both sides of the chassis 11B in the horizontal
direction D3 (width direction), at the center in the front-back direction. The four
casters 122 are for keeping the moving posture of the apparatus body 11, and are attached
rotatably on both sides at the forward end of the chassis 11B, and on both sides at
the rear end of the chassis 11B. The outer circumferential surfaces of the wheels
121 and the casters 122 are supported by the floor surface 23 in a state in which
the cleaning apparatus 10 is placed on the floor surface 23. Accordingly, the apparatus
body 11 is kept in the moving posture, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0035] Rotating shafts of the wheels 121 are respectively connected to output shafts of
the motors 13 via transmission mechanisms such as reduction gears. Therefore, when
the motors 13 are driven, and rotational driving forces are output from the output
shafts, the rotational driving forces of the motors 13 are transmitted to the wheels
121. In the present embodiment, the motors 13 are provided individually to the two
wheels 121. Therefore, the rotating speeds of the wheels 121 are controlled by individually
controlling the driving of the motors 13. For example, when the rotating speeds of
the wheels 121 are controlled to be the same, the cleaning apparatus 10 moves straight,
and when the rotating speeds of the wheels 121 are controlled to be different, the
cleaning apparatus 10 turns to the side of the wheel 121 that rotates more slowly.
[0036] The battery 14 is provided in a central portion of the apparatus body 11. The battery
14 supplies driving power to the motors 13 and motors 74 of intake fans 72 of an intake
unit 70 (see FIG. 10), which will be described later.
[0037] The console unit 20 is provided in an upper portion of the apparatus body 11. The
console unit 20 is attached to the exterior cover 11A. The console unit 20 is a device
to be operated by a worker, and is a terminal apparatus including a touch panel on
which a touch operation can be performed, for example. Various types of registration
information (information such as a moving route, a cleaning area, a cleaning time
slot, and home position information) for the cleaning apparatus 10 can be input through
the console unit 20. The input registration information is transferred to the control
unit 40, and is used for movement control performed by the control unit 40.
[0038] The display panel 21 is provided in a front face of the apparatus body 11. The display
panel 21 is a liquid crystal panel, for example. Various types of announcement information
are displayed in the display panel 21 by the control unit 40 while cleaning is performed.
The announcement information is information indicating the fact that cleaning is underway,
guidance information regarding the floor on which cleaning is performed, and the like.
[0039] The operating handle 22 is provided in an uppermost portion of a back face of the
apparatus body 11. The operating handle 22 is an operation member that is held by
a worker when the worker performs cleaning by manually operating the cleaning apparatus
10, or when the worker performs a teaching operation (instructing operation) for instructing
the moving route to the cleaning apparatus 10. The operating handle 22 is provided
with various operation buttons for receiving driving operations from a worker. Information
regarding operations performed on the operation buttons is transferred to the control
unit 40, and is used for movement control performed by the control unit 40.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 40 is provided in the upper portion of the apparatus
body 11. The control unit 40 controls movement of the cleaning apparatus 10, driving
of the motors 74 of the intake unit 70, screen display of the display panel 21, and
the like. The control unit 40 includes a control board (control circuit board) in
which control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM are mounted on a circuit board,
storage devices such as an HDD and a flash memory, a GPS receiver, and the like. The
CPU is a processor that executes various types of computational processes. The ROM
is a nonvolatile memory in which control programs such as a BIOS and an OS for causing
the CPU to execute various types of processes are stored in advance. The RAM is a
volatile or nonvolatile memory for storing various types of information, and is used
as a temporary memory (work area) for the various types of processes to be executed
by the CPU. The control unit 40 controls movement of the cleaning apparatus 10, driving
of the motors 74 of the intake fans 72, screen display of the display panel 21 and
the like by causing the CPU to execute the various types of control programs that
are stored in the ROM or a storage apparatus in advance.
Cleaning unit 30
[0041] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior appearance of, taken from the
rear side, the cleaning apparatus 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cleaning unit
30 is provided on the back face of the apparatus body 11. The cleaning unit 30 is
supported by a back face frame 11C included in the apparatus body 11 via the sliding
mechanism 50 and is movable in the vertical direction D1.
[0042] The cleaning unit 30 includes a collection box 31 (an example of a collection container
of the present invention), a support holder 32, an intake nozzle 33, an extension
nozzle 34 (see FIG. 3), the intake unit 70 (an example of an intake unit of the present
invention), an air discharge duct 80, and a cover 35 (an example of a cover member
of the present invention).
[0043] The support holder 32 is provided on the back face of the apparatus body 11. The
support holder 32 is a supporting member that supports the collection box 31 such
that the collection box 31 can be attached and removed. The collection box 31 is attached
to the support holder 32 and is removable.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the collection box 31
is removed from the support holder 32, and FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view illustrating
a state in which the cover 35 is removed in the perspective view in FIG. 4.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a housing portion 322 that can accommodate the collection
box 31 is provided at the center, with respect to the horizontal direction D3 (width
direction), of the support holder 32. The collection box 31 can be attached to the
housing portion 322. That is, the collection box 31 is arranged at the center, with
respect to the width direction D3, of the back face of the apparatus body 11.
[0046] The cover 35 is attached to the support holder 32. As a result of the cover 35 being
attached to the support holder 32, components provided inside the cleaning unit 30
such as the air discharge duct 80 and a distribution duct 85, which will be described
later, are covered, and an internal space is formed between the support holder 32
and an inner face of the cover 35.
[0047] In a state in which the cover 35 is attached to the support holder 32, the housing
portion 322, together with the cover 35, forms a recessed housing space extending
in the vertical direction D1. The collection box 31 is attached removably to the housing
portion 322, and is accommodated in the recessed housing space of the housing portion
322 when it is attached to the housing portion 322.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the intake nozzle 33 is provided in a lower portion of the support
holder 32. In the present embodiment, the intake nozzle 33 is integrally formed with
the support holder 32. Also, the extension nozzle 34 is provided in a side portion
of the support holder 32.
[0049] The intake nozzle 33 is a portion for sucking up waste matters such as dust from
the floor surface 23 along with air when the intake fans 72 operate. The intake nozzle
33 includes a suction port 331 at a position separated from the floor surface 23 upward
by a gap ΔT. The intake nozzle 33 extends in the width direction D3, and is constituted
by a rectangular tube-shaped outer circumferential wall 332 that protrude downward
from an outer circumferential portion of a bottom plate 324 of a base portion 321.
[0050] An elastic sheet-like seal member 335 extending toward the floor surface 23 is provided
on an edge portion, on the rear side, of the suction port 331 of the intake nozzle
33. The seal member 335 is rectangular and elongated in the width direction D3. The
gap ΔT between the edge portion of the suction port 331 on the rear side and the floor
surface 23 is closed by the seal member 335.
[0051] A pair of rotary brushes 26 (see FIG. 2) that are arranged side by side in the front-back
direction D2 are rotatably provided in the intake nozzle 33. The rotary brushes 26
rotate by a rotational driving force of a motor (not illustrated) included in the
cleaning unit 30, the driving force being transmitted via a transmission mechanism
39 such as belts and pulleys (see FIG. 5). As a result of the rotation of the rotary
brushes 26 when the cleaning apparatus 10 moves, waste matters on the floor surface
23 can be collected well.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the extension nozzle 34 is provided on the left of the
support holder 32, when the cleaning apparatus 10 is viewed from the front. The housing
space 38 is provided on the left of the support holder 32, and the extension nozzle
34 can be housed in the housing space 38. The extension nozzle 34 is supported by
the support holder 32 and is turnable. Specifically, the extension nozzle 34 is supported
by the support holder 32 such that its orientation can be changed between a housed
orientation (orientation shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) in which the extension nozzle 34
is housed in the housing space 38 and a side cleaning orientation (not illustrated)
that is achieved by turning the extension nozzle 34 leftward from the housing space
38 and in which the floor surface 23 on the left of the apparatus body 11 can be cleaned.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the support holder 32 is provided on the back face side of the
cleaning apparatus 10. A plate-shaped back face frame 11C that extends upward from
the rear end portion of the chassis 11B is provided inside the apparatus body 11.
The support holder 32 is attached to the back face frame 11C. In the present embodiment,
the support holder 32 is supported by the back face frame 11C of the apparatus body
11 and is movable in the vertical direction D1 by the sliding mechanism 50 (see FIG.
2). Accordingly, the cleaning unit 30 itself can be moved in the vertical direction
D1. A known slide rail can be used as the sliding mechanism 50, for example.
[0054] The support holder 32 includes a plate-shaped base portion 321 extending in the vertical
direction D1. The base portion 321 is attached to the back face frame 11C (see FIG.
2) via the sliding mechanism 50 (see FIG. 2).
[0055] The housing portion 322 is integrally formed in the base portion 321. The housing
portion 322 is provided on a face 321A on the rear side of the base portion 321, and
is arranged at the center, with respect to the width direction D3, of the base portion
321. The housing portion 322 includes a pair of side plates 322A and a retaining board
322B. The two side plates 322A are spaced apart from each other in the width direction
D3 by a predetermined distance. The retaining board 322B, which extends in the width
direction D3, is attached to the rear end portions of the lower portions of the side
plates 322A. Also, a bottom plate 324 that forms an upper face of the intake nozzle
33 is provided in a lower portion of the base portion 321. The collection box 31 is
housed in a housing space that is surrounded by the pair of side plates 322A, the
retaining board 322B, and the bottom plate 324.
[0056] The rear side of the housing portion 322 is open in a state in which the cover 35
is attached, and the upper side is also open (see FIG. 4). Therefore, as shown in
FIGS. 6A and 6B, the collection box 31 can be attached to or removed from the housing
portion 322 from or to a region obliquely upward and rearward of the housing portion
322. Here, FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views of the rear portion of the cleaning apparatus
10, FIG. 6A shows a state in which the collection box 31 is housed in the housing
portion 322, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which the collection box 31 is removed from
the housing portion 322.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, two intake ports 73 are exposed in the support holder 32 in a
state in which the collection box 31 is removed. The two intake ports 73 are through
holes formed in the base portion 321, and function as inlets of a fan body 71 included
in the intake unit 70, which will be described later. The two intake ports 73 are
spaced apart from each other in the width direction D3 by a predetermined distance.
[0058] In the present embodiment, in a state in which the collection box 31 is attached
to the housing portion 322, two outlets (not illustrated) provided in a side face
on the front side (front face) of the collection box 31 are connected to the intake
ports 73. Accordingly, the intake unit 70 is connected to the collection box 31 such
that air can be sucked from the collection box 31.
[0059] An air filter for capturing and removing waste matters such as dust from the air
discharged from the outlet is provided inside the collection box 31. In other words,
the collection box 31 separates the dust or the like with this air filter. As a result,
clean air is obtained. A chemical filter, a HEPA filter, an ULPA filter, or the like
can be used as the air filter.
[0060] A rectangular opening 323 elongated in the width direction D3 is formed in a bottom
face of the housing portion 322. The opening 323 is in communication with the intake
nozzle 33, which will be described later. In a state in which the collection box 31
is attached to the housing portion 322, an inlet 311 provided in a bottom face of
the collection box 31 is aligned to the opening 323. Accordingly, the intake nozzle
33 is brought into communication with the collection box 31. When air is sucked in
by driving the intake fans 72, the pressure inside the collection box 31 decreases,
and as a result, waste matters such as dust are sucked up through the intake nozzle
33 along with air. Then, the sucked up waste matters flow into the collection box
31 through the inlet 311, and are collected in the collection box 31.
Position adjustment mechanism 60
[0061] FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views when the cleaning unit 30 is viewed from the
front, and the internal structure of the cleaning unit 30 is shown. As shown in FIGS.
7 and 8, the position adjustment mechanism 60 is broadly separated into a support
shaft 61 provided in the apparatus body 11 and a dial unit 62 provided in the cleaning
unit 30. Note that the support shaft 61 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 for the sake of
description, but the support shaft 61 is not provided in the cleaning unit 30, but
is a member provided in the apparatus body 11.
[0062] The support shaft 61 is a member for positioning the cleaning unit 30 to a cleaning
position when cleaning is performed. Downward movement of the cleaning unit 30 from
the cleaning position is restricted as a result of a rotating cam (not illustrated)
included in the dial unit 62 engaging with the support shaft 61.
[0063] The support shaft 61 is a horizontal shaft member extending in the width direction
D3, and is fixed to a support frame or the like of the apparatus body 11. As a result
of the rotating cam included in the dial unit 62 being supported by an upper face
of the support shaft 61, the cleaning unit 30 supported by the sliding mechanism 50
is kept at the cleaning position.
[0064] Two dial units 62 are provided in the cleaning unit 30. The two dial units 62 are
attached to a bracket 325 that is fixed to a face 321B on the forward side of the
base portion 321. The two dial units 62 are arranged side by side in the width direction
D3.
[0065] The dial units 62 include adjustment dials 69 (see FIG. 5) that are provided on the
face 321A of the base portion 321 and are rotatable. The rotating cams are attached
to the rotating shafts of the adjustment dials 69. When the adjustment dials 69 are
operated by a worker, the rotating cams rotate according to the directions and the
amounts of operations performed on the adjustment dials 69. Accordingly, the cleaning
unit 30 moves upward or downward according to the lift amounts at the cam faces that
are in contact with the support shaft 61. Note that the adjustment dials 69 are locked
to the position after adjustment by a lock mechanism, which is not illustrated.
Intake unit 70
[0066] The intake unit 70 is provided in an upper portion of the cleaning unit 30, and specifically
is attached to the base portion 321 of the support holder 32. The intake unit 70 is
for generating a suction force for causing air to be sucked in through the intake
nozzle 33 of the cleaning unit 30, and sucks in waste matters such as dust (objects
to be sucked in) from the floor surface 23 through the intake nozzle 33 along with
air.
[0067] FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the intake unit 70. As shown in FIGS. 9 and
10, the intake unit 70 includes a fan body 71 including the intake fans 72 (72A, 72B),
and the motors 74 (74A, 72B) for causing the intake fans 72 to rotate. The fan body
71 includes a rectangular box-shaped casing 711 that is elongate in the width direction
D3, and the two intake fans 72 are rotatably supported inside the casing 711. The
two intake fans 72 are arranged inside the casing 711, spaced apart from each other
by a predetermined distance in the width direction D3.
[0068] The driving of the motors 74 is controlled by the control unit 40 provided in the
apparatus body 11. As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the fan body 71 on the forward
side and the entirety of the motors 74 are brought into the inside of the apparatus
body 11 through an opening (not illustrated) formed in the back face frame 11C, and
therefore the air to be discharged from an air discharge duct 80, which will be described
later, will not be blown against the motors 74 and the like.
[0069] The intake fans 72 are centrifugal fans or sirocco fans (multiblade fans) that blast
air in a direction perpendicular to an intake direction D11, for example. The intake
fans 72 are arranged such that their inlets face the intake ports 73. Rotation support
portions are provided at the respective centers of the intake fans 72, and the output
shafts of the motors 74 are attached to the respective rotation support portions.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an intake fan 72A and a motor 74A that are arranged on
the left side are coupled, and an intake fan 72B and a motor 74B that are arranged
on the right side are coupled.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 9, a partition plate 712 for suppressing turbulent flows that are
generated when the intake fans 72 are operated is provided between the two intake
fans 72. The partition plate 712 is positioned at the center, with respect to the
width direction, of the casing 711, and extends in the vertical direction D1.
[0071] An opening 713 is formed in a face on the rear side of the casing 711, and a seal
member 714 is provided at circumferential edges of the opening 713. In the present
embodiment, the casing 711 is fixed to the base portion 321 such that the opening
713 is closed by the face 321B of the base portion 321 of the support holder 32. When
the motors 74 are driven in this state and the intake fans 72 rotate, the air inside
the collection box 31 is sucked in through the intake ports 73, and is conveyed to
the later-described air discharge ducts 80. Also, the partition plate 712 is provided
in the casing 711, and therefore, when the intake fan 72A rotates, air will not flow
to the intake fan 72B side, but be conveyed toward an air discharge duct 80A located
on the left side. Also, when the intake fan 72B rotates, air will not flow to the
intake fan 72A side, but be conveyed toward an air discharge duct 80B located on the
right side.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 10, the intake unit 70 is provided with two air discharge ducts
80 (80A, 80B). The air discharge ducts 80 are integrally formed with the casing 711.
Note that the configuration may also be such that the air discharge ducts 80 are members
that are different from the casing 711 and are attached to the casing 711.
[0073] The air discharge ducts 80 are duct members that guide air that is sucked into the
inside of the casing 711 by the intake unit 70 to an internal space of the cleaning
unit 30 through air discharge ports 76 (air outlets, see FIG. 12) of the casing 711.
The two air discharge ducts 80 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction
D3, an air discharge duct 80A located on the left side guides air from an air discharge
port 76A provided in a left side face of the casing 711 to an upper portion of the
internal space of the cleaning unit 30, and an air discharge port 76 provided in a
right side face of the casing 711 to an upper portion of the internal space of the
cleaning unit 30.
[0074] As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, in the internal space of the cleaning unit 30, an
upper space 39A is laid out on an upper left side of the collection box 31, and an
upper space 39B is laid out on an upper right side thereof. The upper spaces 39A,
39B are bounded by the cover 35 and the support holder 32. Specifically, the upper
space 39A is a space formed between a left side face (first side face) of the collection
box 31 and an inner face of the cover 35. Also, the upper space 39B is a space formed
between a right side face (second side face) of the collection box 31 and the inner
face of the cover 35.
[0075] In the present embodiment, the air discharge duct 80A guides air to the upper space
39A. That is, the air discharge duct 80A is a duct member that forms an air flow channel
(first discharging air flow channel) that extends from the air discharge port 76A
to the upper space 39A. Also, the air discharge duct 80B guides air to the upper space
39B. That is, the air discharge duct 80B is a duct member that forms an air flow channel
(second discharging air flow channel) that extends from the air discharge port 76
in the right side face of the casing 711 to the upper space 39B. Note that the air
discharge ports 76 are examples of a first air outlet and a second air outlet of the
present invention. Also, the air discharge ducts 80A, 80B are examples of a first
air discharge duct and a second air discharge duct of the present invention.
[0076] As a result of these air discharge ducts 80 being provided, as shown in FIG. 12,
the air sucked in from the collection box 31 by the intake unit 70 passes the air
discharge ducts 80 and is discharged to the upper spaces 39A, 39B through distribution
ducts 85, which will be described later (see white arrows). The upper spaces 39A,
39B function as buffer chambers for reducing the flow force of discharging air. Therefore,
when air is discharged to the upper spaces 39A, 39B, the air flow force is reduced.
Also, the flow of air discharged to the upper spaces 39A, 39B collides with the inner
face of the cover 35, as a result, the flow force is reduced. The air flow whose force
has been reduced is directed from the upper spaces 39A, 39B to the entire internal
space of the cleaning unit 30 while the force is being further reduced, and is finally
discharged to the outside through a gap between the cover 35 and the support holder
32, a gap between the support holder 32 and the back face frame 11C, and the like.
[0077] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the air discharge ducts 80 (80A, 80B) are provided with
the respective distribution ducts 85. The distribution ducts 85 are attached to outlets
81 (see FIG. 12) of the air discharge ducts 80. The distribution ducts 85 are members
for distributing the air flows that pass through the air discharge ducts 80 and are
discharged from the outlets 81 into a plurality of flows toward the upper spaces 39A,
39B.
[0078] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a left half of the intake unit
70, and shows the structure of one distribution duct 85. As shown in FIG. 11, the
distribution duct 85 is formed as a tubular shape extending rearward from the outlet
81 (see FIG. 12). The inside of the distribution duct 85 is hollow, and is a flow
channel for air. A plurality of opening portions 86 are formed in an outer circumferential
surface of the distribution duct 85. Note that a rear wall 88 is provided at the rear
end of the distribution duct 85, and the distribution duct 85 is closed by the rear
wall 88.
[0079] In the present embodiment, the distribution duct 85 is cylindrical, and four opening
portions 86 are formed in its outer circumferential surface. Also a sheet-like filter
87 (see FIG. 9) is attached to the distribution duct 85, covering its outer circumferential
surface. The filter 87 is constituted by a non-woven fabric, a porous member such
as a sponge member, or the like. Note that FIG. 11 shows a state in which the filter
87 is removed.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 11, two opening portions 86, of the four opening portions 86, on
one side (left side) in the width direction D3 are arranged side by side in the front-back
direction D2, and the remaining two opening portions 86 on the other side (right side)
in the width direction D3 are arranged side by side in the front-back direction D2.
The filter 87 is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the distribution
duct 85, closing these opening portions 86.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the plurality of opening portions
86 are formed in the outer circumferential surface of the distribution duct 85, in
at least a portion opposing the inner face of the cover 35. Note that not all of the
plurality of opening portions 86 need to oppose the inner face of the cover 35, and
it is sufficient if at least one opening portion 86 is arranged to oppose the inner
face of the cover 35.
[0082] As a result of these distribution ducts 85 being attached to the air discharge ducts
80, the flow of air flowing into the distribution ducts 85 from the air discharge
ducts 80 is distributed toward the plurality of opening portions 86, and the distributed
flow is blasted out from the opening portions 86 (see white arrows). Accordingly,
as a result of the air flow passing through the distribution ducts 85 being distributed
into a plurality of flow channels, the force thereof can be reduced. Also, the force
of the air blasted out from the opening portions 86 is further reduced in the upper
spaces 39A, 39B, as described above, and is yet further reduced by collision with
the inner face of the cover 35, and the air is finally discharged to the outside through
a gap between the cover 35 and the support holder 32, the gap between the support
holder 32 and the back face frame 11C, and the like.
[0083] Accordingly, the influence of the discharging air flow to the surrounding area of
the cleaning apparatus 10 can be minimized. Also, scattering of dust on the floor
surface 23, and scattering of fine particle substances included in the discharging
air can be suppressed.
[0084] Also, since the air discharge ducts 80 are laid out inside the cleaning unit 30,
the flow channel resistance can be reduced compared to the case where the duct is
laid out from the cleaning unit 30 to the apparatus body 11, and therefore the suction
efficiency of the intake fan 72 can be prevented from decreasing. Also, even if the
inner diameter of the air discharge duct is increased in order to increase the suction
force of the intake fan 72, a small-sized cleaning apparatus 10 can be realized without
increasing the size of the cleaning unit 30 or the apparatus body 11.
[0085] Also, as a result of discharging air to the inside of the cleaning unit 30 instead
of the inside of the apparatus body 11, the discharging air will not be blown against
electronic devices such as a control unit and electronic components that are provided
inside the apparatus body 11. Also, the motors 74 are arranged inside the apparatus
body 11 through openings of the back face frame 11C, and therefore, even if air is
discharged to the inside of the cleaning unit 30, malfunction or failure due to discharging
air will not occur in the motors 74.
[0086] Note that, in the present embodiment, a configuration in which a plurality of air
discharge ducts 80 are provided in the cleaning unit 30 is illustrated, but the present
invention can also be applied to other configurations. For example, the present invention
can also be applied to a configuration in which one air discharge duct 80 is provided,
or a configuration in which three or more air discharge ducts 80 are provided.
INDEX TO THE REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0087]
- 10
- Cleaning apparatus
- 11
- Apparatus body
- 11C
- Back face frame
- 12
- Moving unit
- 13
- Motor
- 14
- Battery
- 15
- Intake unit
- 23
- Floor surface
- 30
- Cleaning unit
- 31
- Collection box
- 32
- Support holder
- 33
- Intake nozzle
- 35
- Cover
- 39A
- Upper space
- 39B
- Upper space
- 40
- Control unit
- 70
- Intake unit
- 71
- Fan body
- 72
- Intake fan
- 73
- Intake port
- 74
- Motor
- 76
- Air discharge port
- 80
- Air discharge duct
- 81
- Outlet
- 85
- Distribution duct
- 86
- Opening portion
- 87
- Filter
- 88
- Rear wall