DUST COLLECTION DEVICE AND DUST COLLECTION STATION INCLUDING THE SAME

Abstract

A dust collection device which includes a support plate comprising a protrusion rib formed to extend from one surface, and an opening; and an opening/closing cover configured to open or close the opening of the support plate while one side of the opening/closing cover is fixed to the support plate, the opening/closing cover being configured to be spaced apart from the protrusion rib to open the opening and to be in close contact with the protrusion rib to close the opening. The protrusion rib extends more at a first point that is further from the one side of the opening/closing cover fixed to the support plate than a second point closer to the one side of the opening/closing cover.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/KR2022/014974 designating the United States, filed on Oct. 5, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0178732, filed on Dec. 14, 2021, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Field

Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to a dust collection device and a dust collection station including the same.

Description of Related Art

Cleaning devices or cleaners such as e.g., vacuum cleaners or dust collection stations are usually equipped with a dust collection device for collecting dust. The dust collection device may have a closed structure so that foreign substances such as e.g., dust are collected when such a cleaning device is in operation and the foreign substances collected substantially do not escape to its outside air even after the cleaning operation is finished, in light of securing better hygiene. Therefore, the dust collection device commonly has a structure configured to be opened in one direction only when foreign substances enter a dust collecting bag.

An opening through which dust is guided into a dust collecting bag may be configured to be closed by an opening/closing cover. However, in case where any foreign substances get caught in between the opening/closing cover and the opening, a gap may be introduced between the opening/closing cover and the opening, thereby resulting in a reduced sealing force of the dust collection device. In such a case, the foreign substances or bacteria may leak out through the gap between the opening and the opening/closing cover into the ambient air.

SUMMARY

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a dust collection device comprises a support plate including a protrusion rib formed to extend from one surface of the support plate, and an opening, and an opening/closing cover configured to open or close the opening of the support plate while one side of the opening/closing cover is fixed to the support plate, the opening/closing cover being configured to be spaced apart from the protrusion rib to open the opening and to be in contact with the protrusion rib to close the opening, wherein the protrusion rib extends more at a first point that is further from the one side of the opening/closing cover fixed to the support plate than a second point closer to the one side of the opening/closing cover.

According to another example embodiment of the disclosure, a dust collection station comprises a seating portion to receive a dust collecting container of a vacuum cleaner, a dust collection device below the seating portion, the dust collection device being configured to allow a dust bag to be mounted, and a suction device below the dust collection device, the suction device configured to generate a suction airflow in a direction from the seating portion toward the dust collection device. The dust collection device comprises a support plate including a protrusion rib formed to extend from one surface to, and an opening through which the dust collecting container is connectable; and an opening/closing cover configured to open or close the opening of the support plate while one side of the opening/closing cover is fixed to the support plate, the opening/closing cover being configured to be spaced apart from the protrusion rib to open the opening and to be in contact with the protrusion rib to close the opening, wherein the protrusion rib extends more at a first point that is further from the one side of the opening/closing cover fixed to the support plate than a second point closer to the one side of the opening/closing cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view illustrating an example of a dust collection device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view illustrating an example of a dust collection device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an opening/closing cover of a dust collection device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view illustrating an example of a support plate according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a dust collection device when its opening/closing cover is in an open state, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a dust collection device when its opening/closing cover is in a closed state, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which a dust collecting container of a vacuum cleaner is connected to a dust collection station, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of an example of a dust collection station according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a dust collection station according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an example of the inside of a dust collecting housing according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, any specific details such as detailed configurations and components will be provided merely to aid a general understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Further, the descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for better clarity and conciseness.

Further, the same or like reference numerals or symbols presented in each drawing of the present disclosure indicate the same or like parts or components that perform substantially the same functions.

Further, the terms used herein are merely used to describe the embodiment and are not intended to limit and/or restrict the disclosed invention to specific embodiments. For example, an element expressed in a singular should be understood as a concept including a plurality of elements unless the context clearly means only the singular. It should be understood that the term ‘and/or’ as used herein is intended to encompass any and all possible combinations of one or more of the enumerated items. As used in the present disclosure, the terms such as ‘comprise(s)’, ‘include(s)’, ‘have/has’, etc. are only intended to designate that the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the present disclosure exist, and the use of these terms is not intended to exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more of other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Further, as used herein, the terms including ordinal numbers such as ‘first’, ‘second’, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms and the terms are used simply to distinguish a corresponding component from another corresponding component. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and likewise, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. It should be understood that the term ‘and/or’ as used herein is intended to encompass any and all possible combinations of one or more of the enumerated items.

Meanwhile, the terms ‘upper’, ‘lower’, and ‘forward/backward direction’ used in the disclosure are defined on the basis of the drawings, and the shape and the position of each component are not limited by these terms.

Various embodiments of the disclosure aim to provide a dust collection device having a structure for facilitating a close contact with an opening when an opening/closing cover is opened and closed, and a dust collection station including the same.

According to various embodiments proposed in the disclosure, the dust collection device can be configured with an inclined rib structure extending from a circumferential surface of the opening, thereby improving sealing force between the opening and the opening/closing cover.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view illustrating an example of a dust collection device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view illustrating an example of a dust collection device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an opening/closing cover of a dust collection device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. And FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view illustrating an example of a support plate according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a dust collection device 100 may include a support plate 110, an opening/closing device 120 or a dust bag 130.

According to an embodiment, a support plate 110 may include an opening 111 or a protrusion rib 112. The support plate 110 may be configured to, for example, fix movement of the dust collection device 100 in a cleaning device (e.g., a vacuum cleaner, a robot cleaner or a dust collection station) that serves to suck or collect foreign substances such as e.g., dust. The support plate 110 may have, for example, at least one fastening groove 115 for a fastening member to be fixed in the cleaning device. As another example, the support plate 110 may be fixed by being fitted into the cleaning device.

According to an embodiment, the opening 111 may be formed passing through a portion of the support plate 110. The opening 111 may be substantially circular as shown in FIG. 1, but it is not limited thereto. Alternatively, it may be substantially polygonal. The opening 111 may serve as a flow path through which foreign substances such as dust pass. One side of the opening 111 may be coupled to the dust bag 130.

According to an embodiment, the protrusion rib 112 may be formed to extend from a circumferential surface of the opening 111 in a first direction (e.g., a direction {circle around (1)} in FIG. 5). Here, the first direction (e.g., the direction {circle around (1)} in FIG. 5) may be a direction facing the dust bag 130. The protrusion rib 112 may, for example, extend from a circumferential surface of the opening 111 in a direction perpendicular to the support plate 110. Accordingly, a cross-section of at least a portion of the protrusion rib 112 may be formed to correspond to a shape of the opening 111.

According to an embodiment, the protrusion rib 112 may be formed to have an end inclined in the first direction as shown in FIG. 5. In other words, the protrusion rib 112 may include an inclined portion 112a formed slantingly in the first direction as it goes farther away from a hinge 122, as shown in FIG. 5. The inclined portion 112a may be formed, for example, in a straight line, but is not limited thereto. More specifically, the inclined portion 112a may have a straight inclination when the dust collection device 100 is viewed from the side, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, it may also have a curved inclination. The protrusion rib 112 may be, for example, integrally formed and manufactured with a mold together with the support plate 110. As another example, the protrusion rib 112 may be integrally formed with the opening 111, although it is not limited thereto. Alternatively, they may be separately produced and then joined together into one piece. A diameter of the opening 111 may be smaller than a diameter of the protrusion rib 112. When the cleaning device operates, foreign substances such as dust may be collected in the dust bag 130, sequentially passing through the opening 111 and the protrusion rib 112. The inclined portion 112a may be, for example, formed slantingly so that an angle between the inclined portion 112a and a plane formed by the support plate 110 becomes an acute angle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the protrusion rib 112 may be formed with the shape of the inclined portion 112a at one end, thereby providing the structure allowing protrusion rib 112 to be in close contact with the opening/closing cover 121, which rotates about a rotation axis of the hinge 122.

According to an embodiment, the support plate 110 may include a transparent cover 113 through which light can be transmitted. The transparent cover 113 may be made of, for example, a material that does not transmit air. A light source (not shown) for radiating ultraviolet rays may be arranged on the transparent cover 113. Here, the light source may be of a UV-LED. The light source may irradiate light to the dust bag 130 through the transparent cover 113 so as to kill any bacteria therein. Therefore, it is possible to prevent proliferation of bacteria in the dust bag 130 using the light source unit.

According to an embodiment, the opening/closing device 120 may include a hinge 122 or an opening/closing cover 121. The opening/closing device 120 may open and close the opening 111 of the support plate 110, by rotating about the rotation axis of the hinge 122 with one side coupled to the support plate 110.

According to an embodiment, the hinge 122 may be coupled to the support plate 110. The hinge 122 may be, for example, coupled by being fittingly inserted to a fitting part 116 of the support plate 110. One surface of the hinge 122 may be fittingly inserted into the fitting part 116, and the remaining part may be fixed by a fixing part 114. The fixing part 114 may be formed to surround the hinge 122. The hinge 122 may be made of, for example, an elastic material. Therefore, when the opening/closing cover 121 is opened, the hinge 122 is fixed by the fitting part 116 and the fixing part 114, so that the opening/closing device 120 can rotate about the rotation axis of the hinge 122. According to some embodiments, a separate elastic member (not shown) may be arranged on a lower surface 121b of the opening/closing cover 121 or the hinge 122 to bring the opening/closing cover 121 into close contact with the protrusion rib 112. The hinge 122 may be positioned adjacent to the opening 111, for example.

According to an embodiment, the opening/closing cover 121 may be connected to the hinge 122 to open and close the opening 111. The opening/closing cover 121 may be formed integrally with the hinge 122, for example. A shape of a portion of the opening/closing cover 121 may be formed to substantially correspond to a shape of the inclined portion 112a. For example, in case where the shape of the opening 111 is circular, the inclined portion 112a may have a substantially elliptical shape. Therefore, the opening/closing cover 121 may have a shape (e.g., an oval) that partially corresponds to the shape of the inclined portion 112a in order to cover the entirety of the inclined portion 112a. Further, the area of the opening/closing cover 121 may be larger than the area formed by the inclined portion 112a.

In case where the protrusion rib 112 is not provided, the opening/closing cover 121 may form a sealed structure by making close contact with the support plate 110 around the opening 111. In this case, a portion of the surface of the support plate 110 and a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the opening/closing cover 121 may come into contact with each other, thereby forming a sealed structure of face-to-face contact. In case where the protrusion rib 112 is provided, the opening/closing cover 121 may come into contact with the inclined portion 112a of the protrusion rib 112. The protrusion rib 112 may have a line-to-face contact rather than a face-to-face contact in between the support plate 110 and the opening/closing cover 121, thereby providing a reduced area in contact with the opening/closing cover 121. That is to say, the area of the protrusion rib 112 in contact with the opening/closing cover 121 can be reduced when the opening/closing cover 121 is closed, and thus, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of dust that may get caught between the opening/closing cover 121 and the inclined portion 112a of the protrusion rib 112.

According to an embodiment, the opening/closing cover 121 may be made of an elastic material. The opening/closing cover 121 may achieve better sealing performance with the elastic material on the opening/closing cover 121, for example, when the upper surface 121a of the opening/closing cover 121 comes into contact with the inclined portion 112a of the protrusion rib 112. According to some embodiments, the opening/closing cover 121 may have an elastic material only for a surface corresponding to the portion of the upper surface 121a that is in contact with the inclined portion 112a of the protrusion rib 112. According to some embodiments, an elastic member may be arranged on one surface of the opening/closing cover 121. According to some embodiments, an elastic member may be provided only on a portion of the surface corresponding to the portion where the opening/closing cover 121 is in contact with the inclined portion 112a of the protrusion rib 112. In addition, when the upper surface 121a of the opening/closing cover 121 comes into contact with the inclined portion 112a of the protrusion rib 112, the elastic material may be formed in various shapes to increase air-tightness.

According to an embodiment, the dust bag 130 may be provided in the form of a dust collecting bag or a dust collecting container. The dust bag 130 may be fastened to a part of the support plate 110, for example. The dust bag 130 may serve to collect foreign substances such as dust introduced through the opening 111 and the protrusion rib 112. The dust bag 130 may be made of, for example, an air-permeable and foreign matter-impermeable material. The dust bag 130 may be arranged to be detachable from the support plate 110, for example.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the dust collection device according to an embodiment of the disclosure when the opening/closing cover is in an open state. Further, FIG. 6 is a side view of the dust collection device according to an embodiment of the disclosure when the opening/closing cover is in a closed state.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the dust collection device 100 may include a support plate 110, an opening/closing device 120 or a dust bag 130. The support plate 110, the opening/closing device 120 or the dust bag 130 as illustrated may be the same as all or part of the support plate 110, the opening/closing device 120 or the dust bag 130 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

For example, when pressure is applied in a direction to press the upper surface 121a of the opening/closing cover 121, that is, the direction {circle around (1)} in FIG. 5, the dust collection device 100 may be configured to cause the opening/closing cover 121 to open. At this time, the opening/closing cover 121 may be spaced apart from the inclined portion 112a of the protrusion rib 112, rotating in the direction toward the dust bag 130 (e.g., the direction {circle around (1)} in FIG. 5). The opening/closing cover 121 may be opened, for example, by rotating about the rotation axis of the hinge 122. The opening/closing cover 121 may have a force applied to come into close contact with the inclined portion 112a of the protrusion rib 112 (e.g., elastic force or restoring force applied by the hinge 122 or the opening/closing cover 121). Therefore, in order to open the opening/closing cover 121, the pressure of pressing the upper surface 121a of the opening/closing cover 121 should be greater than the force of the opening/closing cover 121 coming into close contact with the inclined portion 112a of the protrusion rib 112. The opening/closing cover 121 may be opened, for example, when a cleaning device such as a vacuum cleaner or a dust collection station initiates its operation.

The dust collection device 100 may be configured, for example, such that when the pressure applied to the upper surface 121a of the opening/closing cover 121 decreases below a certain level, the opening/closing cover 121 is closed again in the direction {circle around (2)} as shown in FIG. 6. The opening/closing cover 121 may return to the closed state, for example, by the elastic force of the hinge 122 or the opening/closing cover 121, which is made of an elastic material. As another example, the opening/closing cover 121 may return to the closed state by the elastic force of a separate elastic member (not shown) arranged on the lower surface 121b of the opening/closing cover 121 or the hinge 122.

The dust collection device 100 may be configured so that the opening/closing cover 121 does not open, for example, when pressure is applied in the direction of pressing the lower surface 121b of the opening/closing cover 121 from below (e.g., in the direction {circle around (2)} of FIG. 6). That is, the opening/closing cover 121 may be configured to open only in one direction.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Here, a dust collection station 1000 may be a device for automatically discharging foreign substances collected in a dust collecting container 15 of a vacuum cleaner 10.

Referring to FIG. 7, the cleaning device may include a vacuum cleaner 10 or a dust collection station 1000. The vacuum cleaner 10 may absorb the foreign substances on a floor surface to be cleaned and accommodate them into a dust collecting container 15, and the dust collection station 1000 may remove the foreign substances from the dust collecting container 15 to collect them in a dust collection device (e.g., a dust collection device 1910 of FIG. 10).

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 10 may include a main body 11, an extension tube (not shown), a suction unit (not shown), a filter housing 12 or a dust collecting container (or dust collecting bin) 15.

According to an embodiment, the main body 11 may include a handle 14 to allow its user to grip and operate the vacuum cleaner 10. The user may move the vacuum cleaner 10 in either one of front, rear, left, or right directions by means of gripping the handle 14. A receiving space may be formed inside the main body 11.

According to an embodiment, a battery 16 may be provided in the main body 11. The battery 16 may be arranged, for example, to provide a driving force to the vacuum cleaner 10. The battery 16 may be detachably mounted to the main body 11, for example.

According to an embodiment, a control unit 17 may be arranged in the main body 11. The control unit 17 may have, for example, at least a portion protruding to the outside of the main body 11, and the user may operate a power button or the like provided on the protruding portion to turn on/off the vacuum cleaner 10 or increase its suction power.

According to one embodiment, the main body 11 may include a dust collection guide 30 for guiding the foreign substances sucked from the surface to be cleaned by the suction unit to the dust collecting container 15. The dust collection guide 30 may, for example, be coupled with an extension tube. As another example, the dust collection guide 30 may be arranged to be coupled directly to the suction unit or to be coupled with other components such as an auxiliary suction unit.

According to an embodiment, the filter housing 12 may be provided in a substantially donut shape to accommodate at least one filter (not shown) therein. A HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter may be arranged in the filter housing 12, but is not limited thereto. The filter (e.g., HEPA filter) can filter ultra-fine dust that is not filtered through the dust collecting container 15. The filter housing 12 may include, for example, a discharge port 13 configured so that air that has passed through the filter is discharged to the outside of the vacuum cleaner 10.

According to an embodiment, the dust collecting container 15 may be detachably coupled to the main body 11. The dust collecting container 15 may be, for example, arranged more upstream of an air flow than a suction motor arranged in the body 11 to filter and collect dust or foreign substances in the air introduced through the suction unit.

According to an embodiment, a part of the dust collecting container 15 of the vacuum cleaner 10 may be docked into the dust collection station 1000. When the dust collecting container 15 is docked into the dust collection station 1000, the dust collecting container 15 may get opened to discharge the foreign substances therein to the outside.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which a dust collecting container of a vacuum cleaner is connected to a dust collection station according to an embodiment of the disclosure. And FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a dust collection station according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the dust collection station 1000 may include a body housing 1010, a dust collecting housing 1900, a seating portion (e.g., a seating portion 1810 of FIG. 10), a suction device 1500 or a dust collection device (e.g., a dust collection device 1910 of FIG. 10). The dust collection device (e.g., the dust collection device 1910 of FIG. 10) included in the dust collection station 1000 as illustrated may be all or partly the same as the dust collection device 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The dust collection device 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 may be incorporated not only into the dust collection station 1000, but also into any devices with a configuration for collecting and storing external foreign substances in sealing, such as the vacuum cleaner 10. Further, the collecting housing 1900 illustrated above may be arranged in not only the dust collection station 1000 but also various cleaning devices to collect and seal any foreign substances such as e.g., dust. Hereinafter, description is made of an exemplary case that the dust collection device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 is incorporated in the dust collection station 1000.

According to an embodiment, the body housing 1010 may include a receiving space therein and form an exterior of the dust collection station 1000. The body housing 1010 may be configured to, for example, protect various components disposed therein from any external impact. The body housing 1010 may be formed with, for example, a column type with a specific form of bottom surface. The body housing 1010 may have, for example, a long column type of housing, allowing the user to easily insert the dust collecting container 15 into the seating portion (e.g., the seating portion 1810 of FIG. 10) without lowering his/her posture or bending his/her own waist.

According to an embodiment, an input unit 1200 to receive an input from the user may be arranged on an outer side of the body housing 1010. The input unit 1200 may be arranged, for example, on an upper part of the body housing 1010, but is not limited thereto. The input unit 1200 may be, for example, configured to turn ON/OFF electronic devices in the dust collection station 1000 by the user's input.

According to an embodiment, the body housing 1010 may include a panel 1040 that is detachably arranged on a front surface. The panel 1040 may, for example, be disposed on the front surface as well as a side surface or rear side of the body housing 1010 to be detachably coupled with the body housing 1010. The panel 1040 may, for example, be separated from the body housing 1010 to open a dust collecting housing 1900 or a dust collection device (for example, the dust collection device 1910 of FIG. 10) to be described later, thereby enabling a dust bag 1913 of the dust collection device (for example, the dust collection device 1910 of FIG. 10) to be replaced with each.

According to an embodiment, a display unit 1700 displaying an operation state of the dust collection station 1000 may be arranged in the body housing 1010. The display unit 1700 may correspond to, for example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel emitting light. The position and type of the display unit 1700 are not limited to the aforementioned description.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the dust collection station according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the inside of a dust collecting housing according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the dust collection station 1000 may include a body housing 1010, a dust collecting housing 1900, a seating portion 1810, a suction device 1500 or a dust collection device 1910. The body housing 1010, the dust collecting housing 1900 or the suction device 1500 as illustrated above may be all or partly the same as the body housing 1010, the dust collecting housing 1900 or the suction device 1500 of FIG. 8.

According to an embodiment, the seating portion 1810 may be a space formed so that the dust collecting container 15 of the vacuum cleaner 10 is seated therein. The seating portion 1810 may be arranged such that the dust collecting container 15 of the vacuum cleaner 10 is inserted into a space opened upwardly from the body housing 1010 to be seated on the seating portion 1810. The seating portion 1810 may be formed so that the dust collecting container 15 is mounted in a vertical direction with respect to the ground, but it is not limited thereto. The dust collecting container 15 may be seated, for example, such that a door 19 of the dust collecting container 19 faces the seating portion 1810. When the dust collecting container 15 is seated on the seating portion 1810, docking of the dust collecting container 15 and the dust collection station 1000 can be completed. After the dust collecting container 15 is docked into the dust collection station 1000, the dust collecting container door 19 may be opened. A sensor to detect whether or not the dust collecting container 15 of the vacuum cleaner 10 is seated in place may be arranged inside the seating portion 1810. Accordingly, when the dust collecting container 15 is seated onto the seating portion 1810, the dust collection station 1000 may identify the state in which the dust collecting container and the dust collection station 1000 are docked, using an output value of the sensor. When the user places the dust collecting container 15 onto the seating portion 1810, the dust collecting container 15 may be seated after separating the same from the vacuum cleaner 10 and then seated, or the entire vacuum cleaner 10 may be seated without its separation. When the dust collecting container 15 is seated on the seating portion 1810, the dust collecting container door 19 may be opened.

According to an embodiment, a cover 1030 for opening and closing an upper portion of the body housing 1010 may be arranged on an upper portion of the seating portion 1810. The cover 1030 may serve to, for example, seal the inside of the dust collecting housing 1900 when the dust collection station 1000 is not operating to prevent the dust therein from leaking to the outside. The cover 1030 may be, for example, manually opened and closed by means of a user's physical force, but it may be opened or closed by a user's input or may be opened and closed automatically.

According to an embodiment, the suction device 1500 may be disposed in the body housing 1010 to generate an airflow. The suction device 1500 may be disposed at a lower side of the body housing 1010, for example. The airflow generated by the operation of the suction device 1500 may be transmitted to the dust collecting container 15 of the vacuum cleaner 10 through a suction flow path 1800. That is, the suction airflow generated by the suction device 1500 may be delivered into the dust collecting container 15 of the vacuum cleaner 10 along the dust collection device 1910 and the seating portion 1810 through the suction flow path 1800. The internal foreign substances may be discharged toward the seating portion 1810 along the stream of the airflow by the suction airflow delivered to the dust collecting container 15 of the vacuum cleaner 10, and then collected into the dust collection device 1910 through the suction flow path 1800. Here, the suction flow path 1800 may be a space that forms an airflow in between the suction device 1500 and the seating portion 1810.

According to an embodiment, the suction device 1500 may include a suction housing 1520, a suction fan 1530, or a suction motor 1510. The suction housing 1520 may have a receiving space capable of accommodating the suction fan 1530 or the suction motor 1510 therein. The suction housing 1520 may be disposed in the body housing 1010 at its lower part. According to an embodiment, the suction housing 1520 may include a suction device cover 1540 that opens and closes the inside of the suction device 1500. The suction device cover 1540 may be configured to discharge air sucked by the suction fan 1530, for example. The suction fan 1530 may move air, for example, by its rotation. The shaft of the suction fan 1530 may be, for example, connected to the suction motor 1510 to be rotated with the operation of the suction motor 1510. The suction airflow formed by the suction fan 1530 may be supplied to the dust collecting container 15 via the dust collection housing 1900 through the suction flow path 1800 in the inner space of the suction housing 1520. In this way, the suction device 1500 may supply the suction airflow to the dust collecting container 15 by rotating the suction fan 1530, and the airflow caused by the suction fan 1530 may move from the dust collecting container 15 through the housing 1900 to the outside.

According to an embodiment, the dust collecting housing 1900 may be disposed between the seating portion 1810 and the suction device 1500. The dust collecting housing 1900 may be, for example, provided with a dust collecting door 1920 on its one surface, the dust collecting door 1920 capable of being opened or closed. The dust collecting door 1920 may be arranged on the same surface as the panel 1040 of the body housing 1010. The user can easily replace the dust bag 1913 of the dust collection device 1910 by opening and closing the dust collecting door 1920. An upper surface of the dust collecting housing 1900 may be connected to the seating portion 1810, and a lower surface of the dust collecting housing 1900 may be connected to the suction device 1500. The dust collection device 1910 may be arranged on the upper surface of the dust collecting housing 1900. The dust collection device 1910 may be fastened to the upper surface of the dust collecting housing 1900 by screw coupling or the like.

According to an embodiment, the dust collection device 1910 may include a support plate 1911, an opening/closing device 1912 or a dust bag 1913. The support plate 1911, the opening/closing device 1912 or the dust bag 1913 of the dust collection device 1910 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 may be, all or partially, substantially the same as the support plate 110, the opening/closing device 120 or the dust bag 130 of the dust collection device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. Hereinafter, description of any overlapping contents of the opening/closing device 1910 may be omitted.

The dust collection device 1910 may be arranged, for example, between the seating portion 1810 and the suction device 1500. The dust collection device 1910 may be disposed more upstream of the air flow than the suction device 1500, for example. In the dust collecting apparatus 1910, for example, an opening 1911b may be opened when the dust collection station 1000 is operating, and the opening 1911b may be closed when the dust collection station 1000 stops operating. For the dust collecting apparatus 1910, for example, the opening 1911b may be closed in a normal state when the dust collection station 1000 is not in operation.

The support plate 1911 may be fixedly disposed in the body housing 1010, for example. The opening 1911b formed in the support plate 1911 may form, for example, a part of the suction flow path 1800. That is, the foreign substances in the dust collecting container 15 of the vacuum cleaner 10 may pass through the opening 1911b by the airflow generated by the suction device 1500. The opening 1911b may be, for example, a circular shape, but is not limited thereto. The support plate 1911 may be formed integrally with the body housing 1010, or may be separately manufactured to be fastened to the body housing 1010. The support plate 1911 may be fitted in the body housing, for example, in a sliding manner, so that it can be simply replaced from the body housing 1010.

In the opening 1911b may be formed, for example, a protrusion rib 1911a with an inclined end. The opening/closing device 1912 may seal the dust bag 1913 by coming into contact with the end of the protrusion rib 1911a when it is closed.

The dust bag 1913 may be disposed, for example, on the suction flow path 1800. When the suction device 1500 is operated, the foreign substances discharged from the dust collecting container 15 may be sucked into the dust bag 1913 through the suction flow path 1800.

According to an embodiment, the dust collection device 1910 may include a plurality of fastening grooves 1911c for coupling with the dust collecting housing 1900.

According to an embodiment, the dust collection station 1000 may further include a flow rate controller 1600. The flow rate controller 1600 may be arranged to selectively change the amount of suction airflow supplied to the dust collecting container 15, for example.

According to an embodiment, the flow rate controller 1600 may include a flow path valve 1630 or a flow rate control motor 1610. The flow path valve 1630 may be arranged to open or close the suction flow path 1800, for example. The flow rate control motor 1610 may be provided, for example, to transmit power to the flow path valve 1630.

The flow rate controller 1600 may be disposed in the body housing 1010, for example. Specifically, the flow rate controller 1600 may be arranged between the dust collection device 1910 and the suction device 1500. Accordingly, the flow rate controller 1600 may connect the dust collection device 1910 and the suction device 1500, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. The flow rate controller 1600 may be disposed between the dust collection device 1910 and a portion to which the seating portion 1810 is connected. The flow rate controller 1600 may open or close the suction flow path 1800 by, for example, adjusting the flow path valve 1630 by the power of the flow rate control motor 1610.

According to an embodiment, the dust collecting container 15 of the vacuum cleaner 10 may include a multi-cyclone 18, a first portion 15a, or a second portion 15b. The dust collecting container 15 may include, for example, a first portion 15a in which a primary collection is made with a relatively larger dimension of foreign substances being collected, and a second portion 15b in which a secondary collection is made by the multi-cyclone 18 with a relatively smaller dimension of foreign substances being collected. The space of the first part 15a and the second part 15b may be physically divided into two or more. The first portion 15a and the second portion 15b may be arranged to open to the outside when the dust collection device door 19 is opened. Accordingly, the foreign substances in the first portion 15a and the second portion 15b may be easily discharged to the seating portion 1810.

As apparent from the foregoing, specific examples have been illustrated and described. However, it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the claims below.

Claims

1. A dust collection device, comprising:

a support plate including a protrusion rib formed to extend from one surface of the support plate, and an opening; and

an opening/closing cover configured to open or close the opening of the support plate while one side of the opening/closing cover is fixed to the support plate, the opening/closing cover being configured to be spaced apart from the protrusion rib to open the opening and to be in contact with the protrusion rib to close the opening,

wherein the protrusion rib extends more at a first point that is further from the one side of the opening/closing cover fixed to the support plate than a second point closer to the one side of the opening/closing cover.

2. The dust collection device of claim 1,

wherein the protrusion rib comprises an inclined portion formed to connect the first point and the second point, and

wherein the opening is closed while the inclined portion is in contact with one surface of the opening/closing cover.

3. The dust collection device of claim 2, wherein a shape of a portion of the opening/closing cover is formed to correspond to a shape of the inclined portion.

4. The dust collection device of claim 2, wherein a portion of the opening/closing cover in contact with the inclined portion is made of an elastic material.

5. The dust collection device of claim 2, wherein a portion of the opening/closing cover in contact with the inclined portion is provided with an elastic member.

6. The dust collection device of claim 1, wherein the opening/closing cover opens the opening of the support plate upon pressure being applied along a protruding direction of the protrusion rib.

7. The dust collection device of claim 1, wherein the opening/closing cover closes the opening of the support plate upon pressure being applied along a direction opposite to a protruding direction of the protrusion rib.

8. The dust collection device of claim 1, wherein the opening/closing cover is made of an elastic material.

9. The dust collection device of claim 1, wherein the support plate comprises a transparent portion configured to allow light to pass therethrough.

10. The dust collection device of claim 1, wherein the opening has a circular shape.

11. The dust collection device of claim 1, wherein the dust collection device is configured to enable a dust bag to be coupleable to and decouplable from the dust collection device, and

a direction in which the protrusion rib extends is along a direction facing the dust bag while the dust bag is coupled to the dust collection device.

12. A dust collection station, comprising:

a seating portion to receive a dust collecting container of a vacuum cleaner;

a dust collection device below the seating portion, the dust collection device being configured to allow a dust bag to be mounted; and

a suction device below the dust collection device, the suction device being configured to generate a suction airflow in a direction from the seating portion toward the dust collection device,

wherein the dust collection device comprises: a support plate including a protrusion rib formed to extend from one surface of the support plate, and an opening through which the dust collecting container is connectable; and an opening/closing cover configured to open or close the opening of the support plate while one side of the opening/closing cover is fixed to the support plate, the opening/closing cover being configured to be spaced apart from the protrusion rib to open the opening and to be in contact with the protrusion rib to close the opening,

wherein the protrusion rib extends more at a first point that is further from the one side of the opening/closing cover fixed to the support plate than a second point closer to the one side of the opening/closing cover.

13. The dust collection station of claim 12, wherein the opening/closing cover opens the opening while the suction device operates.

14. The dust collection station of claim 12,

wherein the protrusion rib comprises an inclined portion formed to connect the first point and the second point, and

wherein the opening is closed while the inclined portion is in contact with one surface of the opening/closing cover.

15. The dust collection station of claim 12, wherein the opening/closing cover is made of an elastic material.

16. The dust collection station of claim 12, wherein the support plate comprises a transparent portion configured to allow light to pass therethrough.

17. A cleaning device comprising:

a vacuum cleaner including a dust collecting container in which a foreign substance is to be collected; and

a dust collecting station connectable to the dust collecting container of the vacuum cleaner so as to allow the foreign substance collected in the dust collecting container to be removed,

wherein the dust collection station comprises: a seating portion to receive the dust collecting container; a dust collection device below the seating portion, the dust collection device being configured to allow a dust bag to be mounted; and a suction device below the dust collection device, the suction device being configured to generate a suction airflow in a direction from the seating portion toward the dust collection device,

wherein the dust collection device comprises: a support plate including a protrusion rib formed to extend from one surface of the support plate, and an opening through which the dust collecting container is connectable; and an opening/closing cover configured to open or close the opening of the support plate while one side of the opening/closing cover is fixed to the support plate, the opening/closing cover being configured to be spaced apart from the protrusion rib to open the opening and to be in contact with the protrusion rib to close the opening,

wherein the foreign substance collected in the dust collecting container pass through the opening to be collected into the dust bag, while the opening/closing cover operates to be open the opening in response to generation of the suction airflow.

18. The cleaning device of claim 17, wherein the protrusion rib extends more at a first point that is further from the one side of the opening/closing cover fixed to the support plate than a second point closer to the one side of the opening/closing cover.

19. The cleaning device of claim 17, wherein the support plate comprises a transparent portion configured to allow light to pass therethrough.

20. The cleaning device of claim 17, wherein the opening/closing cover is made of an elastic material.