HARD SURFACE CLEANING DEVICE

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a hard surface cleaning device. The hard surface cleaning device includes: a suction assembly configured to form a suction flow, the suction assembly including a suction blade and an electric motor for driving the suction blade; a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction assembly and configured to suck a liquid-air mixture from a hard surface; a flow path between the suction nozzle and the suction assembly; and a liquid storage tank configured to contain separated liquid. The flow path passes through the liquid storage tank and includes a separating component configured to separate liquid from the liquid-air mixture, the separating component extending into the liquid storage tank. The flow path further includes a receiving chamber between the suction nozzle and the separating component, the receiving chamber being independent of a shell of the hard surface cleaning device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of surface cleaning, and more particularly, to a hard surface cleaning device provided with a suction assembly configured to form a suction flow, a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction assembly and configured to suck a liquid-air mixture, a separating component configured to separate liquid from the sucked liquid-air mixture, and a liquid storage tank configured to contain the separated liquid.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A hard surface cleaning device is a device configured to clean hard surfaces such as glass surfaces. The hard surface cleaning device can perform cleaning and automatically absorb waste water and dirt produced during the cleaning at the same time, ensuring that the hard surface is clean and traceless.

[0003] By using such a hard surface cleaning device, surfaces such as floor surfaces or table surfaces, or tiled wall surfaces or for example glass surfaces, in particular for window glass, can be cleaned. The hard surface cleaning device may be guided along a surface to be cleaned and has a suction nozzle in fluid communication with a suction assembly and configured to suck a liquid-air mixture. The suction assembly generates a suction air flow, under the action of which the liquid-air mixture can be sucked from the surface to be cleaned or from a cleaning member of the hard surface cleaning device that is in contact with the surface, for example. For example, a scraper may be used as the cleaning member.

[0004] The suction assembly generally includes a suction turbine and an electric motor for driving the suction turbine. In order to prevent liquid such as waste water from reaching the suction assembly and being released from the suction assembly to the environment, a separating assembly is arranged in a flow path between the suction nozzle and the suction assembly, and the separating assembly is designed to separate sucked liquid from the liquid-air mixture. The separated liquid is collected into a liquid storage tank, which can be emptied when necessary.

[0005] The hard surface cleaning device is generally placed in an upright position during operation. However, in actual use, a user may rotate the hard surface cleaning device from the upright position to, for example, a lying position or even an inverted position. For example, patent document US 6691369 B1 describes a hard surface cleaning device in which a dirty liquid tank is separated from a flow path between a suction nozzle and a suction unit by means of a floating ball. In this way, a separation effect will not be affected by the water level in the dirty liquid tank. However, there is a risk that liquid in the dirty liquid tank will still come out of the suction nozzle if the hard surface cleaning device is oriented obliquely with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, particularly, when the hard surface cleaning device is transported after use, the user has to take care to keep the hard surface cleaning device in the predetermined position.

[0006] Therefore, there is still a need in the art for an improved hard surface cleaning device that facilitates a good cleaning effect, where the hard surface cleaning device can be operated in different positions while ensuring that the same suction air flow is formed without the risk of liquid in a liquid storage tank or in a dirty liquid tank coming out of the liquid storage tank or the dirty liquid tank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One of the obj ectives of the present application is to provide a hard surface cleaning device, which can effectively separate liquid and air and ensure that the liquid does not flow out of the hard surface cleaning device, thereby helping to achieve a good cleaning effect.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, in one aspect of the present application, a hard surface cleaning device is provided, including:

a suction assembly configured to form a suction flow, the suction assembly including a suction blade and an electric motor for driving the suction blade;

a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction assembly and configured to suck a liquid-air mixture from a hard surface;

a flow path between the suction nozzle and the suction assembly; and

a liquid storage tank configured to contain separated liquid,

wherein the flow path passes through the liquid storage tank and includes a separating component configured to separate liquid from the liquid-air mixture, the separating component extending into the liquid storage tank, characterized in that

the flow path further includes a receiving chamber between the suction nozzle and the separating component, the receiving chamber being independent of a shell of the hard surface cleaning device.

[0009] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the separating component includes an outer peripheral wall and a central tube in a centre of the outer peripheral wall, a gas discharge channel leading to the suction assembly is formed inside the central tube, and a liquid-air mixture intake channel is formed between the outer peripheral wall and the central tube.

[0010] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, when the hard surface cleaning device is vertically placed, a lowermost end of the gas discharge channel is located at a higher height than a lowermost end of the liquid-air mixture intake channel.

[0011] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the outer peripheral wall is laterally penetrated by a through portion at a lower portion thereof, such that the through portion and a gas discharge port at a lower end of the central tube are in a fluid communication with each other.

[0012] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the liquid-air mixture intake channel is formed on each of two sides of the central tube, and the liquid-air mixture intake channels are separated by a partition at a lower end.

[0013] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the suction assembly includes a suction shell, the suction shell including a throat portion sealingly connected to the receiving chamber.

[0014] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, a guide rib is provided inside the receiving chamber so as to form a circuitous flow path inside the receiving chamber.

[0015] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the guide rib is provided with a recess configured to receive the suction shell.

[0016] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the guide rib includes a plurality of baffles arranged in a staggered manner.

[0017] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the plurality of baffles include a first baffle extending towards a centre from left and right sides of the receiving chamber and forming a central groove.

[0018] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the plurality of baffles include a second baffle extending towards the left and right sides from the centre of the receiving chamber and forming side grooves on the left and right sides.

[0019] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, free ends of the first baffle and the second baffle are inclined downwardly.

[0020] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the receiving chamber includes a receiving interface configured to be sealingly connected to the suction nozzle, a separating interface configured to be sealingly connected to the separating component, and a discharge interface configured to be sealingly connected to the suction assembly.

[0021] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the separating interface includes a separating interface main body, an inner ring, and spokes for connecting the inner ring to the separating interface main body.

[0022] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the hard surface cleaning device further includes a connector for sealingly connecting the central tube of the separating component to the throat portion of the suction shell.

[0023] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the receiving chamber includes a receiving portion and a discharge portion, wherein the receiving portion includes a rib portion, the discharge portion includes a snap-fit lug portion, the receiving portion is capable of being sealingly engaged with the discharge portion through a snap-fit engagement between the rib portion and the snap-fit lug portion, and a sealing element is sealed between the receiving portion and the discharge portion.

[0024] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the suction nozzle includes a lower shell, an upper shell, a scraper, and an intermediate holder located between the lower shell and the upper shell.

[0025] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the scraper includes a lower scraper arranged on the lower shell.

[0026] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the scraper further includes an upper scraper clamped by the upper shell and the intermediate holder.

[0027] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the upper scraper includes a clamping portion extending along a length thereof, and each of the upper shell and the intermediate holder is provided with a recessed portion configured to have the clamping portion arranged therein in a form-fitting manner.

[0028] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, one or more flow guide ribs are provided on a surface of the intermediate holder facing the lower shell.

[0029] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, a stop strip is provided on a side face, on a surface of the intermediate holder facing the lower shell.

[0030] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, a suction channel is formed at the intermediate holder and the lower shell.

[0031] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present application, the lower scraper includes an upwardly extending protrusion at an end.

[0032] In the embodiments of the present application, the hard surface cleaning device according to the present invention can effectively separate liquid and air and ensure that the liquid does not flow out of the hard surface cleaning device, thereby helping to achieve a good cleaning effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Objectives and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are designed for illustration only, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hard surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a hard surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the hard surface cleaning device in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, for more clearly showing an internal structure of the hard surface cleaning device.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the hard surface cleaning device in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the hard surface cleaning device in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a receiving chamber of a flow path of a hard surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving chamber including a receiving portion and a discharge portion.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the receiving portion of the receiving chamber in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the discharge portion of the receiving chamber in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a separating component of a flow path of a hard surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the separating component of the flow path in FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a suction nozzle of a hard surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the suction nozzle of the hard surface cleaning device in FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The technical solutions of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings; obviously, the described embodiments are some rather than all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present invention without creative effort shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "arranged at" another element, it may be directly or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0036] It should be understood that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the present application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.

[0037] The various specific technical features and embodiments described in this section may be combined in any suitable manner unless there is a contradiction. For example, different implementations may be formed by combining different specific technical features/embodiments/implementations. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the various possible combinations of the specific technical features/embodiments/implementations in the present application will not be described separately.

[0038] Various embodiments of a hard surface cleaning device according to the present invention are schematically showed in the drawings, where the hard surface cleaning device is generally indicated by reference numeral 1000. In the shown embodiments, the hard surface cleaning device 1000 is designed as a manually guided hard surface cleaning device with which liquid can be sucked up from a hard surface, for example, from window glass or from a table surface, or, for example, from a tiled wall or from a wall or glass of a shower room.

[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hard surface cleaning device 1000 includes a suction assembly configured to form a suction flow, a suction nozzle 3 in fluid communication with the suction assembly and configured to suck a liquid-air mixture, a flow path between the suction nozzle 3 and the suction assembly, a separating component 500 configured to separate liquid from the sucked liquid-air mixture, and a liquid storage tank 2 configured to contain the separated liquid. In the embodiments of the present invention, the flow path includes a receiving chamber 200 between the suction nozzle 3 and the separating component 500. The receiving chamber 200 is independent of a shell 1 of the hard surface cleaning device 1000.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the hard surface cleaning device 1000 includes the shell 1. The suction nozzle 3 and the liquid storage tank 2 are detachably held on the shell 1. In an embodiment of the present invention, the shell 1 includes a left half-shell 11 and a right half-shell 12. In an embodiment of the present invention, the shell 1 is configured to have a handle 5. A user can grip the handle 5 with one hand during operation to guide the hard surface cleaning device 1000 along a surface to be cleaned. In an embodiment of the present invention, a switch 6 is provided at an upper portion of the handle 5, and the user can start the hard surface cleaning device 1000 by, for example, pressing the switch 6 with a thumb. In an embodiment of the present invention, the shell 1 may preferably receive at least one rechargeable battery 4, in particular lithium-ion battery. The suction assembly can be supplied with energy by the battery 4. In an embodiment of the present invention, the shell 1 may further include a charging port (not shown) for charging the hard surface cleaning device 1000, so as to charge the storage battery of the hard surface cleaning device 1000 as required. In an embodiment of the present invention, the shell 1 further includes a discharge opening 13 to facilitate discharge of air or gas sucked by the hard surface cleaning device 1000 to the ambient environment.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a hard surface cleaning device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, a suction assembly is arranged above the handle 5 in the shell 1, and the suction assembly includes a suction turbine or blade 110, and an electric motor 120 for driving the suction turbine 110. The suction assembly can suck air so that the sucked air, liquid and even solid dirt can be sucked into the flow path (e.g., the receiving chamber 200) through the suction nozzle 3, and air is separated by the separating component 500 and then discharged by the suction turbine 110 to the ambient environment through the discharge opening 13. In an embodiment of the present invention, the suction assembly further includes a suction shell 130. The suction shell 130 surrounds and supports the suction turbine 110 and the electric motor 120. In an embodiment of the present invention, the suction shell 130 includes a throat portion 135. An outer periphery of the throat portion 135 is sealingly connected to the receiving chamber 200.

[0042] With reference to FIGS. 11-12, the suction nozzle 3 includes a lower shell 31, an upper shell 35, and a scraper located between the lower shell 31 and the upper shell 35. In an embodiment of the present invention, the suction nozzle 3 includes a lower scraper 32 and an upper scraper 34. In an embodiment of the present invention, the suction nozzle 3 further includes an intermediate holder 33 located between the lower shell 31 and the upper shell 35. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower shell 31, the first scraper 32 and the intermediate holder 33 can be moulded into a single piece, that is, they jointly constitute the lower shell 31. The suction nozzle 3 includes a hollow insertion portion 311. The insertion portion 311 defines a suction channel 30 and is configured to convey the liquid-air mixture scraped from the surface to be cleaned through the suction channel 30. In an embodiment, a circumferential groove 312 is defined on an outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 311, and a sealing element 230 (see FIG. 2) such as an O-shaped ring is arranged in the circumferential groove 312, so as to facilitate sealing mounting of the suction nozzle 3 to the suction assembly and easy detachment from the suction assembly.

[0043] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the hard surface cleaning device 1000 further includes a flow path configured to receive the liquid-air mixture from the suction nozzle 3 and separate liquid and gas therein from each other. In an embodiment of the present invention, the flow path includes a receiving chamber 200. The receiving chamber 200 receives the liquid-air mixture from the suction nozzle 3. The flow path further includes a separating component 500 located downstream of the receiving chamber 200, and the separating component 500 is configured to separate liquid and gas in the liquid-air mixture from each other, as will be described in detail below. In an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving chamber 200 has a receiving interface 201 for sealing connection with the suction channel 30 of the suction nozzle 3. The receiving chamber 200 further has a separating interface 202 for sealing connection with the separating component 500, so as to guide the liquid-air mixture received from the suction nozzle 3 to the separating component 500. In an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving chamber 200 further includes a discharge interface 203. The discharge interface 203 is connected to the suction assembly for sucking and discharging the separated gas or air into the ambient environment. In an embodiment of the present invention, a sealing element 240 such as an O-shaped ring is provided between the discharge interface 203 and the throat portion 135 of the suction shell 130 of the suction assembly, so as to prevent the liquid-air mixture sucked into the receiving chamber 200 from overflowing or leaking from the discharge interface 203.

[0044] A liquid storage tank 2 for containing the liquid separated in the separating component 500 is detachably held in the shell 1. In an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid storage tank 2 is made of a transparent material so that a user can see how much liquid is stored in the liquid storage tank 2. In an embodiment of the present invention, a holding member 7 includes a collar portion 73. The holding member 7 is arranged between the liquid storage tank 2 and the separating component 500 in a vertical axial direction by means of the collar portion 73, and the holding member 7 is nested on the separating component 500 from a lower side. In an embodiment of the present invention, the holding member further includes an arm portion 71 extending downwardly. The arm portion 71 includes a projection 72 protruding towards the liquid storage tank 2. A corresponding drainage outlet 21 is provided on an outer periphery of an upper portion of a wall portion 20 of the liquid storage tank 2. The projection 72 can be inserted into the drainage outlet 21, so that the holding member 7 can be detachably connected to an upper portion of the liquid storage tank 2 and hold the liquid storage tank 2 in the shell 1. When the projection 72 is moved away from the drainage outlet 21, the liquid in the liquid storage tank 2 can be discharged through the drainage outlet 21.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the separating component 500 can be inserted into the liquid storage tank 2 from an upper side. The separating component 500 has a circumferential groove 515 on an outer periphery of an upper portion thereof, and a sealing element 250 such as an O-shaped ring can be arranged in the circumferential groove 515. When the separating component 500 is inserted into the liquid storage tank 2, the sealing element 250 abuts against an inner wall of a neck of the liquid storage tank 2, so as to seal the liquid storage tank 2 relative to the separating component 500. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing element 250 is further used for frictional fit between the liquid storage tank 2 and the separating component 500, so as to facilitate sealing mounting of the liquid storage tank 2 to the hard surface cleaning device 1000 and easy detachment from the hard surface cleaning device 1000.

[0046] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the hard surface cleaning device in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the hard surface cleaning device in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, an outer peripheral depression 2023 is provided on an outer periphery of the separating interface 202 of the receiving chamber 200, and a moulded sealing member 270 is provided on the outer peripheral depression 2023. After assembly, the moulded sealing member 270 is located between the separating interface 202 and an upper end of the separating component 500 to sealingly connect the receiving chamber 200 to the separating component 500, so as to guide the liquid-air mixture received from the suction nozzle 3 to the separating component 500. In an optional embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the separating interface 202 includes an inner ring 2021 and spokes 2022 for connecting the inner ring 2021 to a separating interface main body. In an operation state, the liquid-air mixture will flow through a space between the spokes 2022. A connector 260 is provided on the inner ring 2021 of the separating interface 202 in an engaged manner. The connector 260 is preferably made of an elastomeric material to have a certain degree of elasticity. The connector 260 couples the separating component 500 to the throat portion 135 of the suction shell 130. Of course, the connector 260 may not be connected to the separating component 200 or the separating interface 202, but directly couple the separating component 500 to the suction shell 130. Preferably, the connector 260 couples a central tube 555 (refer to FIG. 10) of the separating component 500 to the throat portion 135 of the suction shell 130, so that the separated air or gas is sucked into the suction shell 130 from the separating component 500 and then discharged into the ambient environment. In addition, the liquid-air mixture in the receiving chamber 200 and the separated gas or air in the central tube 555 of the separating component 500 and in the throat portion 135 of the suction shell 130 are isolated from each other by the connector 260, which helps to prevent liquid from flowing into the suction shell 130 and causing contamination.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a receiving chamber 200 of a flow path of a hard surface cleaning device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a receiving portion 210 of the receiving chamber 200 in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a discharge portion 220 of the receiving chamber 200 in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The receiving chamber 200 includes the receiving portion 210 and the discharge portion 220. In an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving portion 210 includes a circumferential groove 214. The circumferential groove 214 is configured to receive a sealing element 280 such as an O-shaped ring (refer to FIG. 5). The receiving portion 210 further includes a rib portion 212, and the discharge portion 220 includes a snap-fit lug portion 222. The receiving portion 210 is engaged with the discharge portion 220 through a snap-fit engagement between the rib portion 212 and the snap-fit lug portion 222, and the sealing element 280 is sealed between the receiving portion 210 and the discharge portion 220, thereby forming a good sealing engagement. In an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving portion 210 further includes a receiving tube portion 211. The receiving tube portion 211 is configured to receive the insertion portion 311 of the suction nozzle 3, so as to receive the liquid-air mixture sucked from the suction nozzle 3 into the receiving chamber 200. A guide rib 213 is provided in an inner portion of the receiving portion 210 facing the discharge portion 220. The guide rib 213 is configured to guide the flow of the liquid-air mixture, as will be described in more detail below.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, a guide rib 221 is provided inside the discharge portion 220. In a mounted state, for example, referring to FIG. 5, the throat portion 135 of the suction shell 130 is inserted inside the receiving chamber 200 through the discharge interface 203, so that the throat portion 135 is surrounded by the guide rib 213 and the guide rib 221, thereby forming a circuitous flow path inside the receiving chamber 200 to facilitate extension of the flow path for the liquid-air mixture inside the receiving chamber 200. In addition, foam may be formed within the extended flow path in the receiving chamber 200, which facilitates the reduction of possible foam formation in the liquid storage tank 2 and slows down the flow of foam into the liquid storage tank 2.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the guide rib is provided with a recess configured to receive the suction shell. For example, in the embodiment in FIG. 8, the guide rib 221 is provided with a recess 223 for receiving the throat portion 135. In an embodiment of the present invention, the guide rib 221 includes a plurality of baffles 2211 and 2212 arranged in a staggered manner. The plurality of baffles facilitate the formation of the circuitous flow path inside the receiving chamber 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of baffles include a first baffle 2211. The first baffle 2211 extends towards a centre from left and right sides of the receiving chamber 220 and forms a central groove 2210. In an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-air mixture flows through the central groove 2210 in the receiving chamber 220. In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of baffles include a second baffle 2212. The second baffle 2212 extends towards the left and right sides from the centre of the receiving chamber 220 and forms side grooves 2213 on the left and right sides. The liquid-air mixture flows through the side grooves 2213 in the receiving chamber 220. In an embodiment of the present invention not shown, free ends of the first baffle 2211 and the second baffle 2212 are inclined downwardly to facilitate the promotion of flow of the liquid-air mixture.

[0050] FIGS. 9-10 respectively show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a separating component 500 of a flow path. Referring to FIGS. 9-10, the separating component 500 includes a mixture inlet 580 at an upper end, a liquid discharge port 530 at a lower end, and a gas discharge port 550 arranged at a higher height than the liquid discharge port 530. In an embodiment of the present invention, the separating component 500 includes a collar interface portion 510, an outer peripheral wall 520 axially extending downwardly from the collar interface portion 510, and a central tube 555 in a centre of the outer peripheral wall 520. A liquid-air mixture intake channel 525 is formed between the outer peripheral wall and the central tube. The collar interface portion 510 is configured to be connected to the receiving chamber 200, more specifically to the separating interface 202 of the receiving chamber 200, and to be connected to the liquid storage tank 2. As described above, the moulded sealing member 270 is located between the separating interface 202 and the upper end of the separating component 500. More specifically, the moulded sealing member 270 is radially located between the separating interface 202 and the collar interface portion 510 of the separating component 500 to ensure the sealing between the separating component 500 and the receiving chamber 200. Likewise, a sealing element 250 is provided between the collar interface portion 510 and the inner wall of the neck of the liquid storage tank 2 to seal the liquid storage tank 2 relative to the separating component 500, so as to prevent the leakage of the liquid from the liquid storage tank 2.

[0051] With continued reference to FIGS. 9-10, the central tube 555 is hollow, that is, a gas discharge channel 590 is formed inside the central tube 555. In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas discharge port 550 is the lowermost end of the gas discharge channel 590. In an embodiment of the present invention, the central tube 555 forms the gas discharge port 550 at a lower portion and a gas exit outlet 570 at an upper portion. In an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid-air mixture intake channel 525 is formed on one or either side of the central tube 555 in the outer peripheral wall 520. The liquid-air mixture intake channel 525 extends downwardly beyond the gas discharge port 550 and terminates at the liquid discharge port 530. In an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid discharge port 530 is the lowermost end of the liquid-air mixture intake channel 525. The mixture intake channel 525 includes a mixture inlet 580 inside the collar interface portion 510. The mixture inlet 580 preferably extends circumferentially around the central tube 555 to facilitate easier entry of the liquid-air mixture into the mixture intake channel 525. In an embodiment of the present invention, the outer peripheral wall 520 is laterally penetrated by a through portion 560 at a lower portion thereof, that is, the through portion 560 intersects with the central tube 555 at the gas discharge port 550, such that the through portion 560 is in communication with the gas discharge port 550. The mixture intake channel 525 extends beyond the through portion 560 and reaches the liquid discharge port 530. The liquid discharge port 530 arranged on two sides of the central tube 555 is separated by a partition 540 at a lower portion of the central tube 555. In the embodiments of the present invention, in the mounted state, the lowermost end of the partition 540 does not contact the bottom of the liquid storage tank 2. In this way, the liquid-air mixture enters the liquid storage tank 2 from the liquid discharge port 530, then the air or gas flows from the space inside the liquid storage tank 2 through the through portion 560 into the gas discharge port 550, then flows through the gas discharge channel 590 by means of suction to enter the suction assembly, especially enter the suction shell 130 of the suction assembly, and is then discharged into the ambient environment through the discharge opening 13 of the shell 1.

[0052] With continued reference to FIGS. 11-12, in order to scrape off liquid from the hard surface to be cleaned, the suction nozzle 3 has the upper scraper 34 and the lower scraper 32 in the region of a suction opening. In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper scraper 34 is a replaceable scraper 34, and the lower scraper 32 is a non-replaceable scraper 32. The non-replaceable scraper 32 includes a plurality of comb teeth 321 at an end thereof to facilitate the flow of liquid therethrough. The non-replaceable scraper 32 is moulded onto the lower shell 31 and forms, together with the lower shell 31, a co-injection moulded part which has two components, namely a hard component forming the lower shell 31 and an elastomeric component forming the non-replaceable scraper 32. The replaceable scraper 34 is designed to be symmetrical with respect to a transverse central plane of the suction nozzle 3, and has a clamping portion. In an embodiment of the present invention, the clamping portion is formed by a protuberance 341 of which a cross-section is substantially circular. The clamping portion 341 extends along the entire length of the replaceable scraper 34 and forms a rear end region of the replaceable scraper. A front end region of the replaceable scraper 34 is formed by a first scraping edge 342 and a second scraping edge 343. The first scraping edge 342 and the second scraping edge 343 extend along an end of the replaceable scraper 34 away from the clamping portion 341.

[0053] In order to fix the replaceable scraper 34, the upper shell 35 and the intermediate holder 33 are provided with recessed portions 351 and 333, respectively, and the clamping portion 341 is locked in the recessed portions 351 and 333 in a form-fitting manner. One or more flow guide ribs 332 are centrally provided on a surface of the intermediate holder 33 facing the non-replaceable scraper 32, and the flow guide ribs 332 can facilitate support of the intermediate holder 33 and the non-replaceable scraper 32, and can also guide the suction flow with a very low flow loss, so that a mixture of liquid and sucked air can flow between the flow guide ribs 332 only with a very small flow loss.

[0054] During surface cleaning, the replaceable scraper 34 is in, for example, a first in-use position, in which the first scraping edge 342 faces the non-replaceable scraper 32, for example, as shown in FIG. 12. When cleaning a hard surface, the first scraping edge 342 is guided along the hard surface to be cleaned in the first use position. In particular, the first scraping edge 342 may be worn where the hard surface is rough or after the first scraping edge is used many times. When a maximum degree of wear is reached, the cleaning effect achieved with the first scraping edge 342 may be affected. Then, the user may pull out the replaceable scraper 34 in a lateral direction, turn the scraper 34 by 180 degrees, and then insert the scraper 34 between the upper shell 35 and the intermediate holder 33 and fix the scraper in place. In this case, the replaceable scraper 34 is in a second in-use position not shown, in which the second scraping edge 343 faces the non-replaceable scraper 32 and can be guided along the hard surface to be cleaned. Therefore, a service life of the replaceable scraper 34 can be significantly prolonged, for example, even almost doubled.

[0055] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the replaceable scraper is securely held at the suction opening both in the first in-use position and in the second in-use position, and a very good cleaning effect can be achieved with the replaceable scraper in the two in-use positions.

[0056] With continued reference to FIGS. 11-12, a stop strip 331 is provided on a side face, on a surface of the intermediate holder facing the lower shell 31, for guiding the liquid-air mixture into the suction channel 30. In an embodiment of the present invention, the non-replaceable scraper 32 includes a protrusion 322, extending towards the replaceable scraper 34, on the comb teeth 321, so as to facilitate good contact between the non-replaceable scraper 32 and the replaceable scraper 34 during operation. This further helps to achieve a good cleaning effect.

[0057] Although the description herein is based on various embodiments, it is by no means the case that each embodiment includes only one independent technical solution. This manner of presentation is adopted herein purely for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification in its entirety; the technical solutions in the various embodiments may also be suitably combined to form other embodiments understandable to those skilled in the art. The scope of the present invention is defined by the attached claims, rather than by the above description. Thus, it is intended that all modifications falling within the meaning and scope of equivalent elements of the claims shall be included in the present invention.

[0058] To those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and may be implemented in other specific forms without deviating from the spirit or basic features of the present invention. Therefore, the above embodiments should be considered as exemplary and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A hard surface cleaning device, comprising:

a suction assembly configured to form a suction flow, the suction assembly comprising a suction blade and an electric motor for driving the suction blade;

a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction assembly and configured to suck a liquid-air mixture from a hard surface;

a flow path between the suction nozzle and the suction assembly; and

a liquid storage tank configured to contain separated liquid,

wherein the flow path passes through the liquid storage tank and comprises a separating component configured to separate liquid from the liquid-air mixture, the separating component extending into the liquid storage tank, characterized in that

the flow path further comprises a receiving chamber between the suction nozzle and the separating component, the receiving chamber being independent of a shell of the hard surface cleaning device.

2. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating component comprises an outer peripheral wall and a central tube in a centre of the outer peripheral wall, a gas discharge channel leading to the suction assembly is formed inside the central tube, and a liquid-air mixture intake channel is formed between the outer peripheral wall and the central tube.

3. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that when the hard surface cleaning device is vertically placed, a lowermost end of the gas discharge channel is located at a higher height than a lowermost end of the liquid-air mixture intake channel.

4. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer peripheral wall is laterally penetrated by a through portion at a lower portion thereof, such that the through portion and a gas discharge port at a lower end of the central tube are in a fluid communication with each other.

5. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that the liquid-air mixture intake channel is formed on each of two sides of the central tube, and the liquid-air mixture intake channels are separated by a partition at a lower end.

6. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the suction assembly comprises a suction shell, the suction shell comprising a throat portion sealingly connected to the receiving chamber;

further preferably, a guide rib is provided inside the receiving chamber so as to form a circuitous flow path inside the receiving chamber;

further preferably, the guide rib is provided with a recess configured to receive the suction shell.

7. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide rib comprises a plurality of baffles arranged in a staggered manner;

further preferably, the plurality of baffles comprise a first baffle extending towards a centre from left and right sides of the receiving chamber and forming a central groove;

further preferably, the plurality of baffles comprise a second baffle extending towards the left and right sides from the centre of the receiving chamber and forming side grooves on the left and right sides;

further preferably, free ends of the first baffle and the second baffle are inclined downwardly.

8. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 6, characterized in that the receiving chamber comprises a receiving interface configured to be sealingly connected to the suction nozzle, a separating interface configured to be sealingly connected to the separating component, and a discharge interface configured to be sealingly connected to the suction assembly.

9. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 8, characterized by further comprising a connector for sealingly connecting the central tube of the separating component to the throat portion of the suction shell; and/or
characterized in that the separating interface comprises a separating interface main body, an inner ring, and spokes for connecting the inner ring to the separating interface main body.

10. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiving chamber comprises a receiving portion and a discharge portion, wherein the receiving portion comprises a rib portion, the discharge portion comprises a snap-fit lug portion, the receiving portion is capable of being sealingly engaged with the discharge portion through a snap-fit engagement between the rib portion and the snap-fit lug portion, and a sealing element is sealed between the receiving portion and the discharge portion.

11. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the suction nozzle comprises a lower shell, an upper shell, a scraper, and an intermediate holder located between the lower shell and the upper shell;

further preferably, the scraper comprises a lower scraper arranged on the lower shell;

further preferably, the scraper further comprises an upper scraper clamped by the upper shell and the intermediate holder;

further preferably, the upper scraper comprises a clamping portion extending along a length thereof, and each of the upper shell and the intermediate holder is provided with a recessed portion configured to have the clamping portion arranged therein in a form-fitting manner.

12. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 11, characterized in that one or more flow guide ribs are provided on a surface of the intermediate holder facing the lower shell.

13. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 11, characterized in that a stop strip is provided on a side face, on a surface of the intermediate holder facing the lower shell.

14. The hard surface cleaning device according to claim 13, characterized in that a suction channel is formed at the intermediate holder and the lower shell.

15. The hard surface cleaning device of claim 11, characterized in that the lower scraper comprises an upwardly extending protrusion at an end.

Drawing