ROTARY TYPE DUSTING DEVICE

Abstract

A rotary type dusting device, detachably assembled to an automatic cleaning machine, the rotary type dusting device includes a connecting base, a rotary disc, an affixing element, and a dusting element. The connecting base is driven by the cleaning machine to rotate and includes a plurality of interference portions and mounting portions for mounting bristles. The rotary disc is detachably connected to a bottom of the connecting base and is rotatable in conjunction with the connecting base. The rotary disc includes a plurality of positioning portions spaced apart from each other for correspondingly engaging the interference portions. The affixing element is fixed onto a bottom of the rotary disc for attaching the dusting element, so that the dusting element is rotatable in conjunction with the rotary disc and the bristles to carry out dusting and sweeping work.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dusting device and, more particularly, to a rotary type dusting device which is rotatable to perform sweeping as well as dusting.

2. Related Art

The prerequisite step of floor dusting is to sweep the floor. The ways to sweep as known is performed with a sweep or a rag by humans. However, both ways as mentioned above are time-consuming and laborious. Although a vacuum cleaner can be used to suck up dust and dirt, it is still needed to be controlled manually for its moving.

To increase the efficiency of the prerequisite cleaning step, automatic cleaning machines which collect dust by suction were developed. These machines are configured to suck in dust from the bottom while moving, or are equipped with a bristled tool for brushing the floor being vacuum-cleaned. A traditional automatic cleaning machine typically operates on a built-in motor, which drives a rotary element into rotation. The rotary element is provided with plural bundles of bristles, generally made of nylon. Once the rotary element starts rotating, the bristles in contact with the floor sweep and clean the floor. However, the bristles do not work effectively, especially for dirt or splotches on the floor. An improved rotary element, therefore, includes plural strips of cloth in position of bristles. When rotated, the rotary element drives the strips of cloth to provide an enhanced cleaning effect. Since the strips of cloth are fixed to the rotary element, the entire rotary element must be detached in order to wash the strips. Moreover, the rotary element itself must not come into contact with water while the strips are washed, and this makes it difficult to wash the strips. In addition, the strips are likely to fall off when rotated and, if happening, will hinder the floor cleaning process. Also, the strips alone cannot be replaced after they have been used for a while; the rotary element must be replaced together with the strips, which incurs a considerable cost. Moreover, a traditional automatic cleaning machine is equipped with wheels at a bottom thereof for moving, and the rotary element is generally configured in front of the wheels. However, the cleaning machine is not moving in a fixed direction, and the wheels are likely to leave dirt from itself on the floor when the cleaning machine is moving. Therefore, the rotary element configured in front of the wheels cannot efficiently clean the dirt left by the wheels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary type dusting device that is detachably assembled to an automatic cleaning machine, and is capable of simultaneously providing sweeping and dust-absorbing effect, so as to achieve twice the result with half the effort into dusting work.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary type dusting device which is equipped with dusting components being easily and quickly detachable in order to provide low cost and high efficiency dusting work.

To achieve the above-mentioned objects, the rotary type dusting device of the present invention comprises a connecting base pivotably connected to a bottom of the automatic cleaning machine so that the connecting base is capable of being driven to rotate by the automatic cleaning machine, the connecting base comprising a plurality of interference portions spaced apart from each other. A rotary disc is detachably connected to a bottom of the connecting base, the rotary disc being coaxial to the connecting base and being rotatable in conjunction with the connecting base, the rotary disc comprising a plurality of positioning portions spaced apart from each other for correspondingly engaging the plurality of interference portions. An affixing element has an upper surface fixed onto a bottom of the rotary disc, and an affixing portion at a bottom of the affixing element. A dusting element comprises a first layer and a second layer, the first layer attached to the affixing portion so that the dusting element is rotatable in conjunction with the rotary disc to enable the second layer to dust a surface to be cleaned.

In one aspect of the present invention, the connecting base further comprises a plurality of mounting portions arranged around the connecting base, each said mounting portion mounting a bundle of bristles, the bundle of bristles extending out of a periphery of the dusting element for contact with the surface to be cleaned so as to carry out sweeping.

In another aspect of the present invention, the rotary disc further comprises a plurality of restraining portions, each said restraining portion configured between any two adjacent of the bundles of bristles near a periphery of the rotary disc and corresponding to the positioning portion in position for restraining transverse displacement of each said bundle of bristles, so as to prevent the bundles of bristles from being deformed by rotation of the connecting base.

The rotary type dusting element of the present invention firstly utilizes the rotation of the bundles of bristles to sweep the surface to be cleaned and bring the dust to be sucked into the automatic cleaning machine, and then utilizes the rotation of the dusting element to clean and remove remaining dust from the surface to be cleaned, whereby providing dual-effect dusting work. Furthermore, the plurality of restraining portions are capable of preventing the bundles of bristles from being deformed by rotation of the connecting base, and the dusting element is easily and quickly to be attached to or detached from the rotary disc, whereby lowering a cost of assembly and overcoming drawbacks of conventional vacuum cleaners that are inconvenient to replace cleaning elements and providing only one effect of cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a rotary type dusting device of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective assembled view of the rotary type dusting device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the rotary type dusting device is to be assembled to an automatic cleaning machine;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan perspective view showing the assembly of the rotary type dusting device and the automatic cleaning machine;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the rotary type dusting device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the rotary type dusting device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6 showing a preferred embodiment of a rotary type dusting device 1 of the present invention, the rotary type dusting device 1 is detachably assembled to an automatic cleaning machine 6. The automatic cleaning machine 6 functions as a vacuum cleaner and is equipped with two wheels 61 at a bottom thereof for allowing the automatic cleaning machine 6 to move automatically without manual control.

The rotary type dusting device 1 comprises a connecting base 2, a rotary disc 3, an affixing element 4, and a dusting element 5. The connecting base 2 is pivotably connected to the bottom of the automatic cleaning machine 6 through a drive shaft (not shown) connected to a built-in motor (not shown) so as to be driven by the drive shaft to rotate. In this embodiment, the connecting base 2 has a round shape and comprises a plurality of interference portions 21 and mounting portions 22 arranged around the connecting base 2. The interference portions 21 are arranged around a bottom of the connecting base 2 and are evenly spaced apart from each other. Two opposite sides of each of the interference portions 21 respectively adjoin one mounting portion 22. In other words, each of the interference portions 21 is configured between any two of adjacent mounting portions 22, and is recessed from the periphery of the connecting base 2 to form an oblique curved face (not labeled). Each of the plurality of mounting portions 22 is configured to mount a bundle of bristles 23 being made of, but not limited to, flexible fiber strips. In particular, each bundle of bristles 23 tilts downward and extends out of a periphery of the dusting element 5 in order to contact a surface to be cleaned (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6).

The rotary disc 3 has a round shape where an upper surface thereof is larger than the bottom of the connecting base 2. The rotary disc 3 is detachably connected to the bottom of the connecting base 2 in a manner of screwing, adhering or fastening. The rotary disc 3 is coaxial to the center of the connecting base 2 and is rotatable in conjunction with the connecting base 2. The rotary disc 3 comprises a plurality of positioning portions 31 spaced apart from each other, each positioning portion 31 protruding upward from the upper surface of the rotary disc 3 and forms an oblique guiding face 311 for correspondingly engaging the recessed interference portion 21, so as to position the rotary disc 3 onto the connecting base 2. In other words, the positioning portion 31 is located in between two mounting portions 22 after being engaged with the interference portion 21 (as shown in FIG. 2). Additionally, the rotary disc 3 further comprises a plurality of restraining portions 32 evenly spaced apart from each other around the rotary disc 3. Each of the restraining portions 32 is configured to fit between any two adjacent bundles of bristles 23 near a periphery of the rotary disc 3 so as to strengthen the structural strength of the rotary disc 3 at peripheral portions. The restraining portions 32 are disposed corresponding to the positioning portions 31 such that the positioning portions 31 as a whole are surrounded by the restraining portions 32. Furthermore, each of the restraining portions 32 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rotary disc 3 and has a thickness that is equal to or larger than a thickness of the bundle of bristles 23. In this manner, the restraining portions 32 are capable of restraining transverse displacement of each bundle of bristles 23, so as to prevent the bundles of bristles 23 from being deformed by rotation of the connecting base 2.

The affixing element 4 has an upper surface fixed onto a bottom of the rotary disc 3, and an affixing portion 41 at a bottom of the affixing element 4, the affixing portion 41 having a hook-and-loop structure (i.e., Velcro). The dusting element 5 comprises a first layer 51 and a second layer 52. The first layer 51 has a hook-and-loop structure for being attached to the affixing portion 41 so that the bottom of the rotary disc 3 is entirely covered by the dusting element 5. The second layer 52 and the first layer 51 are made of non-woven fabric. The dusting element 5 has multiple curved portions 53 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8) which are continuously curved and connected to form the periphery of the dusting element 5. When the dusting element 5 rotates, the curved portions 53 being concave are capable of retaining dust and bringing the dust to be sucked in the automatic cleaning machine so as to improve efficiency of dusting.

It is noted that the periphery of the rotary disc 3 is not over the dusting element 5 in relation to position so as to avoid the rotary disc 3 contacting the surface to be cleaned, and thus affecting the dusting work. In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the number of the rotary type dusting device is 4, and the rotary type dusting devices 1 are peripherally arranged around the bottom of the automatic cleaning machine 6. More specific, the rotary type dusting devices 1 are disposed in front of and behind the two wheels 61 at the bottom of the automatic cleaning machine 6. In practice, dust and dirt are very likely to be attached to the two wheels 61 along the moving of the automatic cleaning machine 6, and are therefore left on the surface to be cleaned. As a result, the arrangement of the four rotary type dusting devices 1 are capable of cleaning the dust and dirt left by the wheels 61.

In use of the rotary type dusting device 1, turn on the automatic cleaning machine 6 to drive the connecting base 2 to rotate. At the same time, the bundles of the bristles 23, the rotary disc 3, and the dusting element 5 simultaneously rotate on the same axis. Along with the moving of the automatic cleaning machine 6, the second layer 52 of the dusting element 5 is in contact with the surface to be cleaned to carry out dusting, while the bundles of bristles 23 sweep the dust on the surface to be cleaned and bring the dust to be sucked into the automatic cleaning machine 6. In this manner, the rotation of the bundles of bristles 23 and the dusting element 5 in combination successfully improves the efficiency of dusting and sweeping of the automatic cleaning machine 6. Furthermore, once the dusting element 5 is needed to be replaced, it can be quickly and easily to be detached by means of the hook-and-loop structure, whereby efficiently lowering a cost of assembly.

Referring to FIG. 7 showing another embodiment of the present invention, the dusting element 5 in this embodiment is shaped as a bag and is capable of being mounted around the rotary disc 3 through an elastic opening. In this manner, the bag-like dusting element 5 is also capable of being detached and assembled quickly and easily, and does not affect the operation of the bundles of bristles 23. Referring to FIG. 8 showing another embodiment of the present invention, a rear of the bottom of the automatic cleaning machine 6 is further equipped with a cleaning cloth 62 for wiping or mopping the surface to be cleaned.

Accordingly, the rotary type dusting element 1 of the present invention firstly utilizes the rotation of the bundles of bristles 23 to sweep the surface to be cleaned and bring the dust to be sucked into the automatic cleaning machine 6, and then utilizes the rotation of the dusting element 5 to clean and remove remaining dust, dirt or splotches from the surface to be cleaned, whereby providing dual-effect dusting work. Furthermore, the plurality of restraining portions 32 are capable of preventing the bundles of bristles 23 from being deformed by rotation of the connecting base 2, and the dusting element 5 is easily and quickly to be attached to or detached from the rotary disc 3, whereby lowering a cost of assembly and overcoming drawbacks of conventional vacuum cleaners that are inconvenient to replace cleaning elements and not capable of providing dual-effect cleaning.

It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the claims. Thus the present examples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive, of the invention defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A rotary type dusting device, detachably assembled to an automatic cleaning machine, the rotary type dusting device comprising:

a connecting base pivotably connected to a bottom of the automatic cleaning machine so that the connecting base is capable of being driven to rotate by the automatic cleaning machine, the connecting base comprising a plurality of interference portions spaced apart from each other;

a rotary disc detachably connected to a bottom of the connecting base, the rotary disc being coaxial to the connecting base and being rotatable in conjunction with the connecting base, the rotary disc comprising a plurality of positioning portions spaced apart from each other for correspondingly engaging the plurality of interference portions;

an affixing element having an upper surface fixed onto a bottom of the rotary disc, and an affixing portion at a bottom of the affixing element; and

a dusting element comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first layer attached to the affixing portion so that the dusting element is rotatable in conjunction with the rotary disc to enable the second layer to dust a surface to be cleaned.

2. The rotary type dusting device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interference portions of the connecting base are recessed from a periphery of the connecting base, and the positioning portions protrude upward from an upper surface of the rotary disc for engaging the interference portions.

3. The rotary type dusting device of claim 1, wherein the connecting base further comprises a plurality of mounting portions arranged around the connecting base, each said mounting portion mounting a bundle of bristles, the bundle of bristles extending out of a periphery of the dusting element for contact with the surface to be cleaned so as to carry out sweeping.

4. The rotary type dusting device of claim 3, wherein the rotary disc further comprises a plurality of restraining portions, each said restraining portion configured to fit between any two adjacent bundle of bristles near a periphery of the rotary disc and corresponding to the positioning portion in position for restraining transverse displacement of each said bundle of bristles, so as to prevent the bundle of bristles from being deformed by rotation of the connecting base.

5. The rotary type dusting device of claim 4, wherein each said restraining portion protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rotary disc and has a thickness that is equal to or larger than a thickness of the bundle of bristles.

6. The rotary type dusting device of claim 1, wherein the rotary disc has an area equal to or less than that of the dusting element such that the bottom of the rotary disc is entirely covered by the dusting element.

7. The rotary type dusting device of claim 1, wherein the affixing portion of the affixing element has a hook-and-loop structure for attaching the dusting element to the rotary disc, and the second layer of the dusting element is made of non-woven fabric.

8. The rotary type dusting device of claim 1, wherein the dusting element has multiple curved portions being continuously curved and connected to form a periphery of the dusting element for improving efficiency of dusting.

9. The rotary type dusting device of claim 1, wherein the automatic cleaning machine are equipped with a plurality of the rotary type dusting devices that are peripherally arranged around the bottom of the automatic cleaning machine and disposed in front of and behind at least a wheel at the bottom of the automatic cleaning machine.

10. The rotary type dusting device of claim 1, wherein a rear of the bottom of the automatic cleaning machine is equipped with a cleaning cloth for wiping or mopping the surface to be cleaned.