Rotary gear mechanical cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus is capable of cleaning by using a drive force of rolling wheels without using an additional power supply. The cleaning apparatus includes a body provided with main rolling wheels. A rotary brush for cleaning is rotatably installed to the body in such a way that the outer circumferential surface of the brush is in contact with a surface to be cleaned. A dust collecting container is mounted to the body in such a way that a mouth of the dust collecting container is near to both the rotary brush and the floor. A power transmission unit transmits the drive force of the main rolling wheels to a shaft of the rotary brush.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 2002-49986, filed Aug. 23, 2002, in the Korean Industrial Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates, in general, to cleaning apparatuses and, more particularly, to a cleaning apparatus designed to clean by using the drive force of rolling wheels.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] As is well known to those skilled in the art, cleaning apparatuses for cleaning the floor of a room or a road surface are classified into three types, that is, a vacuum cleaner, a mechanical cleaner, and a combination-type cleaner. The vacuum cleaner is designed to clean by using a sucking force of a vacuum sucking unit. The mechanical cleaner is designed to clean by sweeping a road surface by a cleaning brush which is driven by the operation of a drive unit. The combination-type cleaner possesses the functions of the vacuum cleaner and the mechanical cleaner at the same time.

[0006] However, since such conventional cleaning apparatuses must be provided with a drive unit, such as a motor, for operating the vacuum sucking unit or the cleaning brush, the conventional cleaning apparatuses are complicated in their construction and their cost is undesirably high. Further, in order to operate the conventional cleaning apparatuses, a user must supply electric power to the drive unit or refuel the drive unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a cleaning apparatus, which is capable of cleaning by using the drive force of rolling wheels without supplying additional power to the cleaning apparatus.

[0008] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0009] The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a cleaning apparatus including a body provided with main rolling wheels, a rotary brush for cleaning, rotatably installed to the body in such a way that the outer circumferential surface of the brush is in contact with a floor to be cleaned, a dust collecting container mounted to the body in such a way that a mouth of the dust collecting container is near to both the rotary brush and the floor, and a power transmission unit transmitting a drive force of the main rolling wheels to a shaft of the rotary brush.

[0010] According to the present invention, the power transmission unit includes a plurality of gears engaging with each other so that an axle of the main rolling wheels is connected to the shaft of the rotary brush, and the gears are arranged to form an acceleration gear train such that a rotating speed of a gear mounted on the shaft of the rotary brush is higher than a rotating speed of a gear mounted on the axle of the main rolling wheels.

[0011] According to the present invention, the gears include a drive gear mounted on the axle of the main rolling wheels to be rotated with the main rolling wheels, a driven gear mounted on the shaft of the rotary brush, and at least one intermediate gear coupling the drive gear to the driven gear.

[0012] According to the present invention, a shaft of the intermediate gear is movable in a rotating direction of the drive gear within a predetermined range to control power transmitted from the drive gear to the driven gear according to the rotating direction of the drive gear.

[0013] According to the present invention, the power transmission unit includes a drive sprocket mounted on the axle of the main rolling wheels, a driven sprocket mounted on the shaft of the rotary brush and being smaller than the drive sprocket in diameter, and an endless chain wrapped around the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket, transmitting power between the drive and driven sprockets, either of the drive sprocket or driven sprocket being provided with a one-way clutch to control power transmitted from the drive sprocket to the driven sprocket according to a rotating direction of the drive sprocket.

[0014] According to the present invention, the power transmission unit includes a drive pulley mounted on the axle of the main rolling wheels, a driven pulley mounted on the shaft of the rotary brush and being smaller than the drive pulley in diameter, and an endless belt wrapped around the drive pulley and the driven pulley, transmitting power between the drive and driven pulleys, either of the drive pulley or driven pulley being provided with a one-way clutch to control power transmitted from the drive pulley to the driven pulley according to a rotating direction of the drive pulley.

[0015] According to the present invention, the body includes a cover covering the upper portion of the rotary brush.

[0016] According to the present invention, the main rolling wheels are rotatably installed to both sides of the body at symmetrical positions, and at least one sub-wheel is installed at a predetermined position spaced apart from the main rolling wheels to stably support the body.

[0017] According to the present invention, a handle having a predetermined length is provided on the body to allow a user to manipulate the body.

[0018] According to the present invention, the dust collecting container is detachably mounted in the body in the form of a drawer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more appreciated from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II′ of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III′ of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a power transmission unit of the cleaning apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, when power is transmitted from a drive gear to a driven gear;

[0024] FIG. 5 shows the power transmission unit of the cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment FIG. 4, when power is not transmitted from the drive gear to the driven gear;

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a power transmission unit of the cleaning apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0026] FIG. 7 shows a power transmission unit of the cleaning apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a box-shaped body 10 which defines the appearance of the cleaning apparatus. Two main rolling wheels 11 are respectively installed to both sides of the body 10 so that the body 10 is movable through rotation of the main wheels 11. An axle 12, on which the two main wheels 11 are mounted, is rotatably supported at both sides of the body 10 by bearings 13 in such a way as to be rotated along with the main wheels 11. Two sub-wheels 14, each fabricated in the form of a caster which swivels in all directions, are installed to the corners on the bottom of the rear portion of the body 10 to be spaced apart from the two main wheels 11. The sub-wheels 14 cooperate with the main wheels 11 to movably support the body 10. A handle 15 having a predetermined length is provided on the body 10 to allow a user to manipulate the body 10.

[0029] A rotary brush 20 for cleaning is rotatably installed to a front portion of the body 10 at a position which is spaced apart from the main wheels 11 by a predetermined interval, and is used for cleaning the floor of a building or a road surface. The rotary brush 20 includes a shaft 21 and bristles 23. Both ends of the shaft 21 of the rotary brush 20 are rotatably supported at the both sides of the body 10. The shaft 21 of the rotary brush 20 is arranged to be parallel to the axle 12 of the main wheels 11. The bristles 23 are radially mounted on the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical member 22 which is concentrically and axially fitted over the shaft 21. The front portion of the body 10 where the rotary brush 20 is set is open at its bottom such that the outer circumferential surface of the rotary brush 20, while being rotated, is in contact with the floor of a building. A front cover 16 is provided at the front portion of the body 10 to cover the top of the rotary brush 20.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, a dust collecting container 30 is provided in the body 10 in such a way that the mouth 31 of the dust collecting container 30 is near to the rotary brush 20 and the floor of a building to collect dust swept by the rotating rotary brush 20. In this case, the dust collecting container 30 is manufactured in the form of a drawer. That is, when dust, collected in the dust collecting container 30, exceeds a predetermined amount, the dust collecting container 30 is detached from the body 10 through an opening 17 which is formed on the rear portion of the body 10, and the container 30 is then emptied. The dust collecting container 30 is designed such that the front end of its mouth 31 is near to the surface to be cleaned and the rear end of its mouth 31 is higher than the bottom surface 32 of the dust collecting container 30, thus allowing dust to easily enter the mouth 31 and preventing dust contained in the dust collecting container 30 from flowing backward to the outside.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a power transmission unit 40 comprising a plurality of gears 41, 42 and 43 is provided on a side of the body 10. When a user pushes the body 10 forward, the power transmission unit 40 is operated to transmit a drive force of the main wheels 11 to the shaft 21 of the rotary brush 20, so that the rotary brush 20 is rotated to collect dust from a target surface.

[0032] The power transmission unit 40 comprises a drive gear 41, a driven gear 42, and an intermediate gear 43. The drive gear 41 is mounted on the axle 12 of the main wheels 11 to be rotated along with the main wheels 11. The driven gear 42 is mounted on the shaft 21 of the rotary brush 20 to be rotated along with the rotary brush 20. The intermediate gear 43 couples the drive gear 41 to the driven gear 42. In this case, the power transmission unit 40 is arranged to form an acceleration gear train such that a rotating speed of the driven gear 42 is higher than a rotating speed of the drive gear 41. Thus, although the body 10 is moved at a low speed and the main wheels 11 are slowly rotated, the rotary brush 20 is rapidly rotated to collect dust from a target surface. In order to form the acceleration gear train, the drive gear 41 is designed to be larger in diameter than the driven gear 42.

[0033] The power transmission unit 40 is designed such that a shaft 44 of the intermediate gear 43 is movable in a rotating direction of the drive gear 41 within a predetermined range. Therefore, when the drive gear 41 is rotated in a direction shown by the arrow ‘A’ of FIG. 4 by the forward movement of the body 10, power is transmitted from the drive gear 41 to the driven gear 42. On the other hand, when the drive gear 41 is rotated in a reverse direction shown by the arrow ‘B’ of FIG. 5 by the rearward movement of the body 10, power is not transmitted from the drive gear 41 to the driven gear 42. In order to allow the shaft 44 of the intermediate gear 43 to be moved in the rotating direction of the drive gear 41 within a predetermined range, two shaft guide slots 45, having a predetermined length, are formed along a rotating direction of the drive gear 41, on each side of the body 10 and on each side cover 46 covering the power transmission unit 40. The two shaft guide slots 45 movably support each end of the shaft 44 of the intermediate gear 43. Such a construction allows the cleaning apparatus to be operated only when the cleaning apparatus moves forward.

[0034] The operation and use of the cleaning apparatus according to the present invention is as follows.

[0035] When a user pushes the body 10 forward, the main rolling wheels 11 are rotated to move the body 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotating force of the main wheels 11 is transmitted to the drive gears 41 which are mounted on an end of the axle 12. Each drive gear 41 is rotated in a direction shown by the arrow ‘A’ of FIG. 4, and the shaft 44 of each intermediate gear 43 is moved along the shaft guide holes 45 in the rotating direction of the drive gear 41 by a predetermined distance. At this time, the intermediate gear 43 engages with the drive gear 41 and the driven gear 42 at the same time. The rotating force of the drive gear 41 is thus transmitted to the driven gear 42 while being accelerated, so the rotary brush 20 is rapidly rotated to clean the floor. As shown in FIG. 3, dust sucked by the rotation of the rotary brush 20 is collected in the dust collecting container 30. When dust contained in the dust collecting container 30 exceeds a predetermined amount, a user detaches the dust collecting container 30 from the body 10 to empty the container 30.

[0036] On the contrary, when a user pulls the body 10 rearward, as shown in FIG. 5, each drive gear 41 mounted on the axle 12 of the main wheels 11 is rotated in a direction shown by the arrow ‘B’ of FIG. 5. At this time, since the shaft 44 of each intermediate gear 43 is moved along the shaft guide holes 45 in the rotating direction of the drive gear 41 by a predetermined distance, the intermediate gear 43 disengages from the driven gear 42. Although the main wheels 11 are rotated under such a condition, the rotary brush 20 is not rotated. At this time, a cleaning process is discontinued. When discontinuing cleaning as such, a user may move the body 10 to a desired place. The cleaning apparatus according to the present invention is designed such that the body 10 may be connected to a robot which moves on the floor to be cleaned by itself or to a moving, in place of the handle 15 provided on the body 10.

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a power transmission unit of the cleaning apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The power transmission unit 50 includes several sprockets 51 and 52 and an endless chain 53. As shown in FIG. 6, the drive sprocket 51 mounted on the axle 12 is larger in diameter than the driven sprocket 52 mounted on the shaft 21 of the rotary brush 20. The chain 53 is wrapped around the two sprockets 51 and 52 for transmitting power between the two sprockets 51 and 52. Since the driven sprocket 52 is mounted on the shaft 21 of the rotary brush 20 via a one-way clutch 54, the rotary brush 20 is rotated to collect dust from a target surface only when the drive sprocket 51 is rotated in a predetermined direction.

[0038] FIG. 7 shows a power transmission unit of the cleaning apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The power transmission unit 60 includes several pulleys 61 and 62 and an endless belt 63. In this case, the drive pulley 61 mounted on the axle 12 is larger in diameter than the driven pulley 62 mounted on the shaft 21 of the rotary brush 20. The belt 63 couples the two pulleys 61 and 62 for transmitting power between the two pulleys 61 and 62. Since the driven pulley 62 is mounted on the shaft 21 of the rotary brush 20 via a one-way clutch 64, the rotary brush 20 is rotated to collect dust from a target surface only when the drive pulley 61 is rotated in a predetermined direction.

[0039] In the same manner as the power transmission unit 40 using several gears according to the first embodiments of the present invention, the power transmission unit 50 and 60 according to the second and third embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 are designed such that the rotary brush 20 is more rapidly rotated than the main wheels 11, and power is transmitted in only one direction so that the rotary brush 20 is rotated to collect dust from a target surface only when the cleaning apparatus is moved forward.

[0040] As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, which is designed such that drive force of main rolling wheels is transmitted to a rotary brush, thus easily cleaning a surface without using an additional power supply.

[0041] Furthermore, a power supply source is not required for the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, so the construction of the cleaning apparatus is simpler than those of conventional cleaning apparatuses, thus making it easy to manufacture and reducing its manufacturing cost.

[0042] Furthermore, the cleaning apparatus of the present invention is designed such that a rotary brush is rotated to clean a target surface when a body of the apparatus moves forward, but is not rotated when the body moves rearward, thus being convenient to use.

[0043] Although a few preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a body provided with main rolling wheels;

a rotary brush which cleans, rotatably installed to the body so that an outer circumferential surface of the brush is in contact with a floor to be cleaned;

a dust collecting container mounted to the body so that a mouth of the dust collecting container is near to both the rotary brush and the floor; and

power transmission unit, transmitting a drive force of the main rolling wheels to a shaft of the rotary brush.

2. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said power transmission unit comprises a plurality of gears engaging with each other so that an axle of the main rolling wheels is connected to the shaft of the rotary brush.

3. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said gears are arranged to form an acceleration gear train such that a rotating speed of one of the gears mounted on the shaft of the rotary brush is higher than a rotating speed of another one of the gears mounted on the axle of the main rolling wheels.

4. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said gears comprise:

a drive gear mounted on the axle of the main rolling wheels to be rotated with the main rolling wheels;

a driven gear mounted on the shaft of the rotary brush; and

at least one intermediate gear coupling the drive gear to the driven gear.

5. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein a shaft of the intermediate gear is movable in a rotating direction of the drive gear within a predetermined range to control power transmitted from the drive gear to the driven gear according to the rotating direction of the drive gear.

6. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said power transmission unit comprises:

a drive sprocket mounted on the axle of the main rolling wheels;

a driven sprocket mounted on the shaft of the rotary brush, said driven sprocket being smaller in diameter than the drive sprocket; and

an endless chain wrapped around the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket, transmitting power between the drive and driven sprockets.

7. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein either said drive sprocket or driven sprocket is provided with a one-way clutch to control power transmitted from the drive sprocket to the driven sprocket according to a rotating direction of the drive sprocket.

8. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said power transmission unit comprises:

a drive pulley mounted on the axle of the main rolling wheels;

a driven pulley mounted on the shaft of the rotary brush, said driven pulley being smaller in diameter than the drive pulley; and

an endless belt wrapped around the drive pulley and the driven pulley, transmitting power between the drive and driven pulleys.

9. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein either of said drive pulley or driven pulley is provided with a one-way clutch to control power transmitted from the drive pulley to the driven pulley according to a rotating direction of the drive pulley.

10. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body comprises a cover covering an upper portion of the rotary brush.

11. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main rolling wheels are respectively rotatably installed to both sides of the body at symmetrical positions, and at least one sub-wheel is installed at a predetermined position spaced apart from the main rolling wheels to stably support the body.

12. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a handle having a predetermined length and positioned on the body to allow a user to manipulate the body.

13. The cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said dust collecting container is detachably mounted in the body in the form of a drawer.

14. A cleaning device comprising:

a rotary brush which cleans, rotatably installed to a housing with main wheels in such a way that an outer circumferential surface of the brush is in contact with a floor to be cleaned;

a dust collecting container mounted to the housing in such a way that a mouth of the dust collecting container is proximate to both the rotary brush and the floor; and

a multiple gear unit which transmits a drive force of the main wheels to a shaft of the rotary brush to rotate the rotary brush when the main wheels move forward and which disengages from the shaft of the rotary brush to cease rotation of the rotary brush when the main wheels move backward.

15. The cleaning device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the multiple gear unit comprises a plurality of gears engaging with each other so that an axle of the main wheels is connected to the shaft of the rotary brush.

16. The cleaning device as set forth in claim 15, wherein one of the gears mounted on the shaft of the rotary brush provides a higher rotating speed than a rotating speed of another one of the gears mounted on the axle of the main wheels.

17. The cleaning device as set forth in claim 15, wherein said plurality of gears comprises:

a drive gear mounted on the axle of the main wheels;

a driven gear mounted on the shaft of the rotary brush; and

at least one intermediate gear coupling the drive gear to the driven gear.

18. The cleaning device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the multiple gear unit includes a plurality of gears, wherein a driven gear is mounted on the shaft of the rotary brush via a one-way clutch, an intermediate gear is located on a shaft that moves along shaft guide slots on each side of the housing in correspondence with moving the main wheels forward and backward, and a drive gear is mounted on an axle of the main wheels.