CLEANING DEVICE INCLUDING CLEANER AND DOCKING STATION AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
A cleaning device and a control method of the cleaning device are provided. The cleaning device includes a cleaner including a cleaner suction device that generates a suction force, a dust bin that collects dirt, a dust bin cover to open and close the dust bin, and a cleaner controller that controls an operation of the cleaner suction device; and a docking station, to which the cleaner is coupleable and decoupleable, to collect dirt in the dust bin based on the cleaner being coupled thereto, the docking station including a cover closing device provided to close the dust bin cover based on the predetermined cover closing condition. The cleaner control unit controls the cleaner suction device to generate a suction force to draw air into the dust bin based on the cover closing device closing the dust bin cover and the predetermined cover closing condition being met.
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This application is a continuation application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111 (a), of international application No. PCT/KR2024/001424, filed Jan. 30, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U. S. C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0038881, filed Mar. 24, 2023, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0071939, filed Jun. 2, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to a cleaning device and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a cleaning device including a cleaner and a docking station, and a control method thereof.
BACKGROUND ARTA vacuum cleaner is a device that includes a fan motor configured to generate suction force, so as to draw in foreign substances such as dust along with air using the suction force generated by the fan motor, to separate the foreign substances contained in the drawn air from the air, and then to collect the foreign substances to perform cleaning.
The vacuum cleaner includes a dustbin that collects foreign substances, and users must periodically separate the foreign substances collected in the dustbin from the vacuum cleaner and discharge the collected foreign substances from the dustbin.
DISCLOSURE Technical ProblemThe present disclosure is directed to providing a cleaning device including an improved structure to provide convenience to a user, and a control method thereof.
The present disclosure is directed to providing a cleaning device including an improved structure to stably close a dustbin cover, and a control method thereof.
The present disclosure is directed to providing a cleaning device including an improved structure to efficiently perform an operation of closing a dustbin cover, and a control method thereof.
Additional aspects of the disclosure 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 disclosure.
Technical SolutionAccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cleaning device may include: a cleaner including: a cleaner suction device configured to generate suction force; a dustbin configured to collect dirt; a dustbin cover configured to open and close the dustbin; and a cleaner controller configured to control an operation of the cleaner suction device; and a docking station, to which the cleaner is coupleable and decoupleable, the docking station configured to collect dirt that is collected in the dustbin based on the cleaner being coupled thereto, the docking station including: a cover closing device configured to close the dustbin cover based on a predetermined cover closing condition involving controlling of the cleaner suction device to generate the suction force. The cleaner controller may be configured to control the operation of the cleaner suction device so that the suction force is generated to draw air into the dustbin based on the cover closing device closing the dustbin cover and the predetermined cover closing condition being met.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a control method of a cleaning device may include: a cleaner coupleable to and decoupleable from a docking station which is configured to collect dirt based on the cleaner being coupled thereto, the control method including: opening a dustbin cover configured to open and close a dustbin of the cleaner configured to collect dirt; discharging dirt from the dustbin based on a predetermined dust discharge condition involving generation of suction force; and controlling a cleaner suction device of the cleaner to generate the suction force to draw air into the dustbin using a cleaner suction device of the cleaner based on the dustbin cover being closed using a cover closing device based on an operation, in which dirt is discharged from the dustbin, being completed and the predetermined dust discharge condition being met.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cleaning device may include: a cleaner including: a cleaner suction device configured to generate suction force; a dustbin configured to collect dirt; a dustbin cover configured to open and close the dustbin; a cleaner communication circuitry; and a cleaner controller electrically connectable to the cleaner suction device and the cleaner communication circuitry; and a docking station, to which the cleaner is coupleable and decoupleable, the docking station configured to collect dirt in the dustbin based on the cleaner being coupled thereto. The docking station may include: a cover closing device configured to close the dustbin cover; a station communication circuitry configured to communicate with the cleaner communication circuitry; and a station controller configured to control the cover closing device to close the dustbin cover based on a predetermined cover closing condition, and configured to control the station communication circuitry to transmit a cover closing signal, based on the predetermined cover closing condition being met, to the cleaner communication circuitry. The cleaner controller is configured to control the cleaner suction device to generate suction force to draw air into the dustbin based on the cover closing device closing the dustbin cover and the cover closing signal being received through the cleaner communication circuitry.
Embodiments described in the disclosure and configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the disclosure, and may be modified in various different ways at the time of filing of the present application to replace the embodiments and drawings of the disclosure.
In addition, the same reference numerals or signs shown in the drawings of the disclosure indicate elements or components performing substantially the same function.
Also, the terms used herein are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit and/or restrict the disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this disclosure, the terms “including”, “having”, and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, but elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, a first element may be termed as a second element, and a second element may be termed as a first element. The term of “and/or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.
In the following detailed description, the terms of “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be defined by the drawings, but the shape and the location of the component is not limited by the term.
The terms such as “unit”, “module”, “member” and “block” may be embodied as hardware or software. According to embodiments, a plurality of “unit”, “module”, and “member” may be implemented as a single component or a single “unit”, “module”, “member” and “block” may include a plurality of components
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” another element, it can be directly or indirectly connected to the other element, wherein the indirect connection includes “connection via a wireless communication network”.
Hereinafter exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The cleaner 2 may include a cleaner body 14, and a dustbin 10 configured to collect dirt moved to an inside of the cleaner 2. The dustbin 10 may be detachably coupled to the cleaner body 14.
The cleaner 2 may include a suction nozzle 13 provided to draw in foreign substances such as dust from a surface to be cleaned by suction force generated by the cleaner body 14.
The cleaner 2 may include a connecting pipe 12 provided to connect between the suction nozzle 13 and the cleaner body 14.
The suction nozzle 13 may include a suction brush (not shown) and provided to come into contact with the surface to be cleaned so as to draw in air and foreign substances on the surface to be cleaned. The suction nozzle 13 may be rotatably coupled to the connecting pipe 12.
The connecting pipe 12 may be formed with a flexible hose having a predetermined rigidity. The connecting pipe 12 may transmit the suction force generated by cleaner suction devices 2400 (refer to
The connecting pipe 12 may be detachably coupled to the cleaner body 14. The suction nozzle 13 may be detachably coupled to the connecting pipe 12.
The cleaner body 14 may include the cleaner suction devices 2400 (refer to
Particularly, the cleaner suction device of the cleaner body 14 may include a first suction fan 14b configured to be rotatable to generate suction force on the surface to be cleaned, and a first motor 14a configured to provide rotational force to the first suction fan 14b.
The first motor 14a may perform a function of converting electromagnetic force into mechanical rotational force. In order to perform the above function, the first motor 14a may include a stator 14ab in which a coil is provided, a rotor 14aa having magnetism and configured to rotate by electromagnetic force, and a rotor shaft 14ac to which the rotor 14aa is connected and configured to rotate. The first suction fan 14b may be connected to the rotor shaft 14ac of the first motor 14a.
In
The cleaner 2 may include a dust separator 18 configured to separate dust from the drawn air and collect the dust. The dust separator 18 may be configured to separate foreign substances from the air drawn into the cleaner body 14.
For example, as illustrated in
However, the dust separator provided in the cleaner 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the dust separator of the cyclone type, and various types of dust separators may be provided.
The cleaner 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a dustbin 10 configured to receive foreign substances drawn from a surface to be cleaned. The dustbin 10 may be configured to filter out and store dust or dirt from air that is drawn in through the suction nozzle 13. Particularly, the dustbin 10 may be provided to collect dirt separated from air, which is drawn in by suction force generated by the cleaner body 14, by the dust separator 18.
A dust collection chamber C, in which foreign substances separated from the air are collected, may be formed in the dustbin 10. That is, foreign substances separated by the dust separator 18 from the air drawn into the cleaner 2 may be collected in the dust collection chamber C. The dust collection chamber C may be defined as an internal space of the dustbin 10.
The dustbin 10 may be provided so as to be detachable from the cleaner body 14.
The cleaner 2 may include a coupling button 10a provided to detachably couple the dustbin 10 to the cleaner body 14. For example, as illustrated in
The coupling button 10a may be provided to be hooked to one side of the cleaner body 14. When the coupling button 10a is hooked to one side of the cleaner body 14, the dustbin 10 may be mounted on the cleaner body 14.
When a user presses the coupling button 10a while the dustbin 10 is mounted on the cleaner body 14, the coupling button 10a may be configured to release the coupling, and accordingly, the dustbin 10 may be separated from the cleaner body 14.
However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the dustbin 10 may be separated from the cleaner body 14 in various ways.
The cleaner body 14 may include a filter housing. The filter housing may be provided in a substantially donut shape. An exhaust filter 19 may be received inside the filter housing. There is no limitation on the type of filter of the exhaust filter 19, and the exhaust filter 19 may include a HEPA filter. The exhaust filter 19 may filter out ultrafine dust and the like that are not separated by the dust separator 18 and are not collected in the dustbin 10.
The cleaner body 14 may include a handle 15 provided to be held by a user so as to operate the cleaner 2. The user can move the cleaner 2 to clean by holding the handle 15.
The cleaner body 14 may further include a cleaner manipulator. A user can turn on/off the cleaner 2 or adjust the suction strength by operating a power button provided on the cleaner manipulator.
The cleaner 2 may further include a battery 16. The battery 16 may be detachably mounted on the cleaner 2.
Additionally, the battery 16 may be electrically connected to a charging terminal 170 provided in a cleaner holder or the docking station 3. The battery 16 may be charged by receiving power from the charging terminal 170 provided in the docking station 3.
The cleaner 2 may include a dustbin cover 11 configured to open and close the dustbin 10. The dustbin cover 11 may be provided on one side of the dustbin 10 and configured to open and close the dust collection chamber C.
The dustbin cover 11 may be configured to be rotatable relative to a first dustbin 10 by a cover rotation shaft 11c.
The cleaner 2 may include a button 17 provided to open and close the dustbin cover 11. Particularly, when the button 17 is pressed, the dustbin cover 11 may be rotated downward and opened. With the configuration, a user can easily remove dirt inside the dust collection chamber C without separating the dustbin 10 from the cleaner body 14.
A detailed description of the structure or operation of the dustbin cover 11 to open or close the dustbin 10 will be described later.
The configuration of the cleaner 2 described above is only an example of the cleaner included in the cleaning device according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
The docking station 3 may be configured to allow the cleaner 2 to be stored or mounted thereon.
The docking station 3 may include a station body 100, and a supporter 200 provided to support the station body 100.
A connection port 101 may be formed on an upper portion of the station body 100. The connection port 101 may be formed in a portion of the station body 100 in which the cleaner 2 is mounted. The connection port 101 may be provided to be connected to the dustbin 10 when the cleaner 2 is mounted to the docking station 3. Dirt of the dustbin 10 may be introduced into a duct portion 120 through the connection port 101.
The station body 100 may include housings 111, 112, 113, and 114.
The station body 100 may include the duct portion 120, a collection portion 140, a station suction device 150, and an exhaust filter portion 160 received inside the housings 111, 112, 113, and 114.
When the cleaner 2 is coupled to the docking station 3, the suction nozzle 13 may be received in a receiving space 218 formed in the docking station 3.
A first housing 111 and a second housing 112 may form an upper exterior of the docking station 3. The first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may be coupled to each other to form the upper exterior of the docking station 3. The duct portion 120 and the collection portion 140 may be received inside the first housing 111 and the second housing 112. A dust bag for storing dust collected inside the dustbin 10 may be detachably mounted on the collection portion 140. Dust inside the dustbin 10 may pass through the duct portion 120 and be collected in the dust bag.
The first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may be provided to have a longitudinal axis extending in one direction. The longitudinal axes of the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may be provided to extend in an up and down direction. The first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may be formed to include a curved surface. The first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may be coupled to each other to form a substantially cylindrical shape.
A third housing 113 and a fourth housing 114 may form a lower exterior of the docking station 3. The third housing 113 and the fourth housing 114 may be coupled to each other to form the lower exterior of the docking station 3. The third housing 113 may be coupled to a lower portion of the first housing 111, and the fourth housing 114 may be coupled to a lower portion of the second housing 112. The station suction device 150 and the exhaust filter portion 160 may be received inside the third housing 113 and the fourth housing 114.
The third housing 113 and the fourth housing 114 may be provided to have a longitudinal axis extending in one direction. The longitudinal axes of the third housing 113 and the fourth housing 114 may be provided to extend in the up and down direction. The third housing 113 may be provided to correspond to the shape of the first housing 111, and the fourth housing 114 may be provided to correspond to the shape of the second housing 112. The third housing 113 and the fourth housing 114 may be coupled to each other to form a substantially cylindrical shape.
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the longitudinal axis of the third housing 113 may be provided to be shorter than the longitudinal axis of the first housing 111, and the longitudinal axis of the fourth housing 114 may be provided to be shorter than the longitudinal axis of the second housing 112. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the longitudinal axes of the third housing and the fourth housing may be provided to be equal to or longer than the longitudinal axes of the first housing and the second housing.
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the docking station 3 may include recessed portions 112b and 114b. The recessed portions 112b and 114b may include a first recessed portion 112b and a second recessed portion 114b.
The first recessed portion 112b may be formed in the second housing 112. The first recessed portion 112b may be provided to allow a portion of the second housing 112 to be recessed inward. The first recessed portion 112b may extend along the longitudinal axis of the second housing 112. A portion of the connecting pipe 12 of the cleaner 2 may be received in the first recessed portion 114b.
The second recessed portion 114b may be formed in the fourth housing 114. The second recessed portion 114b may be provided to allow a portion of the fourth housing 114 to be recessed inward. The second recessed portion 114b may extend along the longitudinal axis of the fourth housing 114. A portion of the connecting pipe 12 of the cleaner 2 may be received in the second recessed portion 112b.
As the second housing 112 and the fourth housing 114 are arranged vertically, the first recessed portion 112b and the second recessed portion 114b may be connected in the up and down direction. An upper portion of the connecting pipe 12 of the cleaner 2 may be received in the first recessed portion 112b, and a lower portion of the connecting pipe 12 of the cleaner 2 may be received in the second recessed portion 114b.
The third housing 113 may include a first exhaust hole 113a. The fourth housing 114 may include a second exhaust hole 114a. Because the third housing 113 and the fourth housing 114 receive the station suction device 150 therein, the drawn air needs to be discharged to the outside. Because the third housing 113 and the fourth housing 114 include the first exhaust hole 113a and the second exhaust hole 114a, the air drawn by the station suction device 150 may be discharged to the outside of the third housing 113 and the fourth housing 114 through the exhaust filter portion 160.
The station suction device 150 may be configured to generate suction force to discharge dirt from the dustbin 10. The station suction device 150 may be configured to move air from the dustbin 10 into the docking station 3 when the cleaner 2 is mounted on the docking station 3.
Particularly, the station suction device 150 may include a second suction fan 152 configured to be rotatable to generate suction force, and a second motor 151 configured to provide rotational force to the second suction fan 152.
The second motor 151 may perform a function of converting electromagnetic force into mechanical rotational force. In order to perform the above function, the second motor 151 may include a stator in which a coil is provided, a rotor having magnetism and configured to rotate by electromagnetic force, and a rotor shaft connected to the rotor and configured to rotate. The second suction fan 152 may be connected to the rotor shaft of the second motor 151.
The station body 100 may include a shutter (sh) configured to prevent dirt, which is discharged from the dustbin 10 and collected in the collection portion 140, from flowing back. The shutter (sh) may pass air, which flows in a direction from the dustbin 10 toward the collection portion 140, and block air, which flows in a direction from the collection portion 140 toward the dustbin 10, thereby preventing dirt collected in the collection portion 140 from flowing back.
Particularly, the shutter (sh) may be arranged between the duct portion 120 and the collection portion 140, to open a flow path between the duct portion 120 and the collection portion 140 by airflow from the duct portion 120 to the collection portion 140, and to close the flow path between the duct portion 120 and the collection portion 140 by airflow from the collection portion 140 to the duct portion 120.
The shutter (sh) may be disposed inside the first housing 111 and the second housing 112.
The shutter (sh) may be disposed adjacent to an entrance of the dust bag of the collection portion 140.
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the docking station 3 may include the supporter 200.
The supporter 200 may be coupled to the housings 111, 112, 113, and 114 of the station body 100. Particularly, the supporter 200 may be coupled to the third housing 113 and the fourth housing 114. The supporter 200 may be coupled to the lower portion of the station body 100. The supporter 200 may be coupled to the station body 100 to form the receiving space 218 in which the suction nozzle 13 of the cleaner 2 is received.
The supporter 200 may be configured to be rotatable with respect to the ground. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the supporter 200 may include a fixed portion fixed to the ground, and a rotating portion configured to be rotatable with respect to the fixed portion. The rotating portion may be coupled to the housings 111, 112, 113, and 114. As the rotating portion rotates with respect to the fixed portion, the housings 111, 112, 113, and 114 coupled to the rotating portion may rotate with respect to the fixed portion. Accordingly, the housings 111, 112, 113, and 114 may rotate with respect to the ground.
The configuration of the docking station 3 described above is only an example of the docking station included in the cleaning device according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
Referring to
Particularly, the cover opening device 300 may include a push lever 360. The push lever 360 may be rotated so as to press the button 17 of the cleaner 2. When the push lever 360 presses the button 17, the dustbin cover 11 may be opened.
The cover opening device 300 may include an opening drive motor 310 configured to provide driving force.
The cover opening device 300 may include a power transmission device configured to transmit the driving force generated by the opening drive motor 310 to the push lever 360.
For example, the power transmission device of the cover opening device 300 may include a first opening link 320 configured to rotate by receiving the driving force of the opening drive motor 310, a second opening link 330 configured to move up and down by the rotation of the first opening link 320, and a rotation opening guide 340 configured to rotate by the movement of the second opening link 330. The push lever 360 may be configured to be rotatable by the rotation opening guide 340. The push lever 360 may be rotated by the rotation opening guide 340 so as to press the button 17 of the cleaner 2.
The cover opening device 300 may include a switch 370 configured to limit a rotation range of the rotation opening guide 340 and configured to set a reference point, and a stopper 380 configured to physically limit the rotation range of the rotation opening guide 340.
A specific structure and operation of each component of the cover opening device 300 will be described later.
The docking station 3 of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cover closing device 400 configured to close the dustbin cover 11 of the cleaner 2. The cover closing device 400 may be configured to automatically close the dustbin cover 11 based on a predetermined cover closing condition. The cover closing device 400 may be provided in the station body 100.
The cover closing device 400 may be operated independently of the cover opening device 300.
Particularly, the cover closing device 400 may include a rotary lever 440. The rotary lever 440 may be rotated so as to move the dustbin cover 11 that is opening the dustbin 10. As the rotary lever 440 rotates while supporting the dustbin cover 11, the dustbin cover 11 may be moved to a position for closing the dustbin 10.
The cover closing device 400 may include a closing drive motor 410 configured to provide driving force. For example, the closing drive motor 410 may include a step motor.
The cover closing device 400 may include a power transmission device configured to transmit driving force generated by the closing drive motor 410 to the rotary lever 440.
For example, the power transmission device of the cover closing device 400 may include a first closing link 420 configured to rotate by receiving driving force from the closing drive motor 410, and a second closing link 430 (refer to
A specific structure and operation of each component of the cover closing device 400 will be described later.
Referring to
The first opening link 320 may include one end 321 coupled to the opening drive shaft 311 and provided to rotate together with the opening drive shaft 311, and the other end 322 coupled to the one end 332 of the second opening link 320.
The second opening link 330 may include one end 332 coupled to the other end 322 of the first opening link 320, and an opening protrusion insertion hole 331 into which an opening rotation protrusion 344 of the rotation opening guide 340 is inserted. The opening protrusion insertion hole 331 may be provided at the other end of the second opening link 330.
The cover opening device 300 may include the rotation opening guide 340. The rotation opening guide 340 may include a first opening pressing portion 341 and a second opening pressing portion 342 provided to press the push lever 360. The first opening pressing portion 341 and the second opening pressing portion 342 may be provided to be connected to each other, and a thickness of the second opening pressing portion 342 may be provided to be greater than a thickness of the first opening pressing portion 341.
The rotation opening guide 340 may include an opening shaft coupling portion 343, to which an opening guide shaft 351 is coupled, the opening rotation protrusion 344 provided to be inserted into the opening protrusion insertion hole 331 of the second opening link 330, and a first opening limiting protrusion 345 and a second opening limiting protrusion 346. The opening shaft coupling portion 343 may be provided to allow the opening guide shaft 351 to be coupled thereto, and may rotate together with the opening guide shaft 351. The opening rotation protrusion 344 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening protrusion insertion hole 331 so as to be inserted into the opening protrusion insertion hole 331. After the opening rotation protrusion 344 is inserted into the opening protrusion insertion hole 331, the opening rotation protrusion 344 may perform a relative rotation with respect to the opening protrusion insertion hole 331.
The rotation opening guide 340 may include the first opening limiting protrusion 345 provided to limit a rotation range of the rotation opening guide 340 in a first direction, and the second opening limiting protrusion 346 provided to limit the rotation range of the rotation opening guide 340 in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
The dustbin cover 11 may be configured to be rotatable with respect to the cover rotation shaft 11c. According to one embodiment, the dustbin cover 11 may receive elastic force from an elastic member 11d (refer to
The cover closing device 400 may include the closing drive motor 410 configured to provide driving force and including a closing drive shaft 411 configured to rotate by the driving force, the first closing link 420 configured to rotate together with the closing drive shaft 411, and the second closing link 430 configured to rotate by the rotation of the first closing link 420.
The closing drive motor 410 may be provided to have a different drive shaft from the opening drive motor 310. Particularly, the drive shaft of the closing drive motor 410 may be provided to be orthogonal to the drive shaft of the opening drive motor 310.
The first closing link 420 may include one end 421 coupled to the closing drive shaft 411 and configured to rotate together with the closing drive shaft 411, and the other end 422 coupled to one end 432 of the second closing link 430.
The second closing link 430 may include the one end 432 coupled to the other end 422 of the first closing link 420 and a closing protrusion insertion portion 431 into which a closing rotary portion 444 of the rotary lever 440 is inserted. The closing protrusion insertion portion 431 may be provided at the other end of the second closing link 430.
The cover closing device 400 may include the rotary lever 440. The rotary lever 440 may include a body coupling portion 443 rotatably coupled to the station body 100, and the closing rotary portion 444 provided to be rotatably coupled to the closing protrusion insertion portion 431 of the second closing link 430. As the rotary lever 440 rotates with respect to the body coupling portion 443, the rotary lever 440 may close the dustbin cover 11.
An operation of the cover opening device 300 and the cover closing device 400 when the dustbin cover 11 is closed will be described with reference to
Referring to
As the opening drive shaft 311 rotates in the first direction, the first opening link 320 may rotate in the first direction. Particularly, the first opening link 320 may rotate in the first direction with respect to the one end 321 of the first opening link 320.
As the first opening link 320 rotates in the first direction together with the opening drive shaft 311, the second opening link 330 may move downward. The second opening link 330 may move downward while maintaining a state in which the one end 332 and the other end, in which the opening protrusion insertion hole 331 is arranged, are vertically arranged. The one end 332 of the second opening link 330 may be coupled to the other end 322 of the first opening link 320 so as to perform a relative rotation with respect to the other end 322. In addition, the other end of the second opening link 330 may be coupled to the opening rotation protrusion 344 of the rotation opening guide 340 so as to perform a relative rotation with respect to the opening rotation protrusion 344.
According to the downward movement of the second opening link 330, the rotation opening guide 340 may rotate in the first direction. The rotation opening guide 340 may rotate in the same direction as the first opening link 320. That is, the rotation opening guide 340 may rotate in the first direction in response to the rotation of the first opening link 320 in the first direction. The rotation opening guide 340 may rotate with respect to the opening shaft coupling portion 343. When the rotation opening guide 340 rotates in the first direction, the second opening limiting protrusion 346 may press a switching protrusion 371 of the switch 370. Accordingly, the switch 370 may reset the opening drive motor 310 to an initial position. In addition, the second opening limiting protrusion 346 may come into contact with the other end of the stopper 380.
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotation range of the rotation opening guide 340 in the first direction may be doubly limited. When the second opening limiting protrusion 346 of the rotation opening guide 340 presses the switching protrusion 371, the operation of the opening drive motor 310 may be stopped. In addition, when the second opening limiting protrusion 346 presses the switching protrusion 371, a reference position of the opening drive shaft 311 may be reset. When the rotation opening guide 340 rotates in the first direction, the second opening limiting protrusion 346 may come into contact with the other end of the stopper 380. When the second opening limiting protrusion 346 comes into contact with the other end of the stopper 380, the rotation opening guide 340 may no longer rotate in the first direction due to interference between the stopper 380 and the second opening limiting protrusion 346. That is, when the opening drive motor 310 operates even though the switching protrusion 371 is pressed, the rotation of the rotation opening guide 340 in the first direction may be stopped as the second opening limiting protrusion 346 comes into contact with the stopper 380.
Referring to
Referring to
When the opening drive shaft 311 rotates in the second direction, the first opening link 320 may rotate in the second direction together with the opening drive shaft 311. The second opening link 330 may move upward as the first opening link 320 rotates in the second direction. The rotation opening guide 340 may rotate in the second direction as the second opening link 330 moves upward. The rotation opening guide 340 may rotate in the same direction as the first opening link 320. That is, the rotation opening guide 340 may rotate in the second direction when the first opening link 320 rotates in the second direction.
In response to the rotation of the rotation opening guide 340 in the second direction, the rotation opening guide 340 may press the push lever 360. The push lever 360 may rotate with respect to a lever rotation shaft 363 by the rotation opening guide 340. As the push lever 360 rotates with respect to the lever rotation shaft 363, a push protrusion 361 of the push lever 360 may press the button 17. As the button 17 is pressed, the dustbin cover 11 may be opened. As described above, according to one embodiment, the dustbin cover 11 may receive elastic force in the direction in which the dustbin cover 11 is closed, and in this case, when the dustbin cover 11 is opened, suction force may be provided by the station suction device 150.
As the rotation opening guide 340 rotates in the second direction, the first opening limiting protrusion 345 of the rotation opening guide 340 may come into contact with one end of the stopper 380. The rotation of the rotation opening guide 340 in the second direction may be limited as the first opening limiting protrusion 345 comes into contact with the one end of the stopper 380. That is, the rotation range of the rotation opening guide 340 in the second direction may be limited due to the physical contact between the first opening limiting protrusion 345 and the stopper 380. Alternatively, the opening drive motor 310 may be configure to rotate the opening drive shaft 311 to the second direction by a predetermined angle. For example, the opening drive motor 310 may be preset to rotate the opening drive shaft 311 to the second direction by a predetermined angle, and when the opening drive shaft 311 rotates in the second direction by the predetermined angle, the rotation opening guide 340 may be provided to press the push lever 360.
Referring to
When the opening drive shaft 311 is extended in a third direction, the first opening link 320, the second opening link 330, and the rotation opening guide 340 may each rotate with respect to a rotation axis parallel to the third direction. The push lever 360 may rotate with respect to the lever rotation shaft 363 extended in a fourth direction intersecting the third direction.
When the push protrusion 361 of the push lever 360 presses the button 17, the button 17 may rotate with respect to the button rotation shaft 17c that is parallel to the fourth direction. When the button 17 rotates with respect to the button rotation shaft 17c, the cover protrusion 11a of the dustbin cover 11 may be withdrawn from the button groove 17b, and the button protrusion 17a may be withdrawn from the cover groove 11b. The dustbin cover 11 may be opened as the cover protrusion 11a is withdrawn from the button groove 17b and the button protrusion 17a is withdrawn from the cover groove 11b. The button rotation shaft 17c may be provided parallel to the lever rotation shaft 363. That is, the button rotation shaft 17c may extend in a direction parallel to the fourth direction described above.
An operation in which the cover closing device 400 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure closes the dustbin cover 11 will be described with reference to
Referring to
Referring to
The rotary lever 440 may rotate in a direction of closing the dustbin cover 11 as the second closing link 430 moves. The rotary lever 440 may rotate counterclockwise with respect to the body coupling portion 443. The rotary lever 440 may rotate clockwise with respect to the second closing link 430.
The rotary lever 440 may press the dustbin cover 11 in a direction of closing the dustbin cover while being rotated by the second closing link 430. The dustbin cover 11 may be pressed by the rotary lever 440 and rotated with respect to the cover rotation shaft 11c. The dustbin cover 11 may be closed by the rotary lever 440.
With the configuration, the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may automatically close the dustbin cover 11 after the discharge of dirt from the dustbin 10 is completed. Accordingly, the convenience may be provided to a user and usability may be improved. In addition, as for the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cover closing device 400 may be provided separately from the cover opening device 300, and thus the cover closing device 400 may stably close the dustbin cover 11.
The cover closing device 400 may be configured to return to the state illustrated in
Particularly, referring to
When the closing drive shaft 411 rotates counterclockwise, the first closing link 420 may rotate counterclockwise together with the closing drive shaft 411. The second closing link 430 may rotate clockwise relative to the first closing link 420 as the first closing link 420 rotates counterclockwise.
As for the second closing link 430, the one end 432 may rotate clockwise relative to the first closing link 420 and the other end 431 may rotate clockwise relative to the rotary lever 440. The second closing link 430 may move in a direction that pulls down the rotary lever 440.
The rotary lever 440 may rotate to the position illustrated in
A position of the dustbin cover 11 illustrated in
A position of the rotary lever 440 illustrated in
The cover opening device and the cover closing device described above with reference to
Meanwhile, despite the configuration of the cover closing device 400 as described above, the dustbin cover 11 may not be completely closed during the process of automatically closing the dustbin 10 by the cover closing device 400. For example, the dustbin cover 11 may not rotate sufficiently in the direction of closing the dustbin 10 due to the self-weight of the dustbin cover 11, and thus the dustbin cover 11 may not completely close the dustbin 10. As another example, the dustbin cover 11 may be engaged with the button 17 to maintain the dustbin 10 in a completely closed position. However, when the cover closing device 400 does not have sufficient force to close the dustbin cover 11, the dustbin cover 11 may not rotate to a position in which the dustbin cover 11 is stably engaged with the button 17. Accordingly, the dustbin cover 11 may not completely close the dustbin 10. As another example, the dustbin cover 11 or the lower portion of the dustbin 10 may include a gasket provided to seal a gap between the dustbin cover 11 and the dustbin 10 when the dustbin cover 11 is in a closed position. However, the dustbin cover 11 may not sufficiently close the dustbin 10 due to frictional force caused by the gasket. In particular, when dirt is discharged from the dustbin 10, some of the dirt may stick to the gasket, and then the frictional force caused by the gasket may further increase.
Hereinafter the cleaning device 1 and a method for controlling the same according to one embodiment of the present disclosure to relieve the difficulty will be described.
Referring to
For example, the mounting detection sensor 2100 may be provided on one side of the dustbin 10. The mounting detection sensor 2100 may output different electrical signals when the dustbin 10 is mounted on the docking station 3 and when the dustbin 10 is not mounted on the docking station 3.
For example, the mounting detection sensor 2100 may be provided to include an infrared sensor, a piezoelectric sensor and the like, but is not limited thereto.
The cleaner 2 of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a dustbin sensor 2200 configured to detect a saturation level of the dustbin 10.
For example, the dustbin sensor 2200 may be provided on one side of the dustbin 10. The dustbin sensor 2200 may include various types of sensors such as a camera sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a pressure sensor, and may output different electrical signals depending on the saturation level of the dustbin 10.
Alternatively, the dustbin sensor 2200 may include a sensor, such as a current sensor or a hall sensor, configured to detect a change in operation of the first motor 14a caused by the saturation level of the dustbin 10.
The type and position of the dustbin sensor 2200 are not limited thereto.
The cleaner 2 of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cleaner communication module 2300 configured to communicate with an external electronic device. For example, the cleaner communication module 2300 may communicate with a station communication module 3300 (refer to
The cleaner communication module 2300 may be implemented using a communication chip, an antenna, and related components so as to be connected to at least one of a wired communication network and a wireless communication network. That is, the cleaner communication module 2300 may be implemented as various types of communication modules capable of short-range communication or long-range communication with an external electronic device such as the docking station 3.
The cleaner communication module 2300 may also be referred to by terms such as ‘cleaner communication circuitry’.
The cleaner 2 of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the cleaner suction device 2400 configured to generate suction force. The cleaner suction device 2400 may generate suction force for drawing foreign substances from a surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle 13. Alternatively, the cleaner suction device 2400 may generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin 10 when the cover closing device 400 closes the dustbin cover 11, as described below.
As described above, the cleaner suction device 2400 may include the first motor 14a, and the first suction fan 14b.
The cleaner 2 of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cleaner controller 2050 configured to control various components of the cleaner 2.
The cleaner controller 2050 may include a cleaner processor 2051 configured to generate a control signal regarding the operation of the cleaner 2, and a cleaner memory 2052 provided to store programs, applications, instructions, and/or data for the operation of the cleaner 2. The cleaner processor 2051 and the cleaner memory 2052 may be implemented as separate semiconductor devices or may be implemented as a single semiconductor device. In addition, the cleaner controller 2050 may include a plurality of processors or a plurality of memories.
The cleaner processor 2051 may include an arithmetic circuit, a memory circuit, and a control circuit. The cleaner processor 2051 may include one chip or may include a plurality of chips. In addition, the cleaner processor 2051 may include one core or may include a plurality of cores.
The cleaner processor 2051 may be electrically connected to the cleaner memory 2052. The cleaner processor 2051 may process data and/or signals using a program provided from the cleaner memory 2052, and may transmit control signals to each component of the cleaner 2 based on the processing result. Each component of the cleaner 2 may be operated based on the control signal of the cleaner processor 2051.
The cleaner memory 2052 may store various programs and data required for control, and may temporarily store temporary data generated during the control.
The cleaner memory 2052 may include volatile memory such as Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM) and Dynamic Random Access Memory (D-RAM), and nonvolatile memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM) and Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM). The cleaner memory 2052 may include one memory element or may include a plurality of memory elements.
The cleaner controller 2050 may be electrically connected to the mounting detection sensor 2100. The cleaner controller 2050 may receive an electrical signal output from the mounting detection sensor 2100. The cleaner controller 2050 may determine whether the cleaner 2 is mounted on the docking station 3 based on the electrical signal received from the mounting detection sensor 2100.
The cleaner controller 2050 may be electrically connected to the dustbin sensor 2200. The cleaner controller 2050 may receive an electrical signal output from the dustbin sensor 2200. The cleaner controller 2050 may determine the saturation level of the dirt collected inside the dustbin 10 based on the electrical signal received from the dustbin sensor 2200.
The cleaner controller 2050 may be electrically connected to the cleaner communication module 2300. The cleaner controller 2050 may receive various communication information from the cleaner communication module 2300 that receives communication information from an external electronic device (for example, the docking station 3). Alternatively, the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner communication module 2300 to transmit information about an operating status of the cleaner 2 to the external electronic device.
The cleaner controller 2050 may be electrically connected to the cleaner suction device 2400. The cleaner controller 2050 may generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the cleaner suction device 2400. For example, the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate or not generate suction force for the cleaner suction device 2400 to draw air into the dustbin 10. Alternatively, the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to change the suction force into the dustbin 10. Particularly, the cleaner controller 2050 may transmit a control signal for controlling the operation of the cleaner suction device 2400 to the first motor 14a.
The configuration of the cleaner 2 described above with reference to
Referring to
The user interface 3400 may include an input device 3410 for receiving user input. Types of user input that may be received through the input device 3410 may include turning on/off the power of the docking station 3, executing/stopping an operation of discharging dirt from the dustbin 10 (hereinafter referred to as a “dust discharging operation”), setting an operation of the docking station 3, and the like.
The input device 3410 may include various types of input devices such as a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, or a touch switch.
The input device 3410 may receive user input and output an electrical signal (voltage or current) corresponding to the user input to a station processor 3051. The station processor 3051 may receive user input based on the output signal of the input device 3410.
The user interface 3400 may include a display 3420 for displaying information related to the operation or status of the docking station 3.
The operation or status information of the docking station 3 that is displayed on the display 3420 may include a progress status of the dust discharge operation, whether the cleaner 2 is mounted on the docking station 3 or not, and whether the collection portion 140 is saturated or not.
The display 3420 may be provided to provide information through a display panel provided to display characters, images, and the like. Alternatively, the display 3420 may include a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) so as to provide information related to whether the light source emits light or not or the type of color of the emitted light.
However, the configuration of the user interface provided in the docking station of the cleaning device according to the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various types of user interfaces may be provided.
The docking station 3 of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a mounting detection sensor 3100 configured to detect whether the cleaner 2 is mounted on the docking station 3.
For example, the mounting detection sensor 3100 may be provided at a location adjacent to the connection port 101 of the docking station 3 to which the dustbin 10 is connected. The mounting detection sensor 3100 may output different electrical signals when the dustbin 10 is mounted on the docking station 3 and when the dustbin 10 is not mounted on the docking station 3.
For example, the mounting detection sensor 3100 may be provided to include an infrared sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and the like but is not limited thereto.
The docking station 3 of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a collection portion sensor 3200 configured to detect a saturation level of the collection portion 140.
For example, the collection portion sensor 3200 may include a pressure sensor and may detect a pressure, which is different from a normal operation, when the collection portion 140 is saturated and the suction airflow of the station suction device 150 is interrupted. In this case, the collection portion sensor 3200 may output an electrical signal corresponding to the pressure different from the normal operation, and a station controller 3050 may receive the electrical signal and determine that the collection portion 140 is saturated.
However, the type of the collection portion sensor 3200 is not limited thereto.
The docking station 3 of the cleaner device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the station communication module 3300 configured to communicate with an external electronic device. For example, the station communication module 3300 may communicate with the cleaner communication module 2300 of the cleaner 2. For example, the station communication module 3300 may communicate with a user terminal. As another example, the station communication module 3300 may communicate with an external server.
The station communication module 3300 may be implemented using communication chips, antennas, and related components so as to be connected to at least one of a wired communication network and a wireless communication network. That is, the station communication module 3300 may be implemented as various types of communication modules capable of short-range communication or long-range communication with external electronic devices such as the cleaner 2.
The station communication module 3300 may also be referred to by terms such as ‘station communication circuitry’.
The docking station 3 of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the station suction device 150 configured to generate suction force. The station suction device 150 may generate suction force for discharging dirt from the dustbin 10. That is, the station suction device 150 may be configured to move air from the dustbin 10 into the docking station 3 during the dust discharge operation in response to the cleaner 2 being mounted on the docking station 3.
As described above, the station suction device 150 may include the second motor 151, and the second suction fan 152.
As described above, the docking station 3 of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the cover opening device 300 including the opening drive motor 310.
As described above, the docking station 3 of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the cover closing device 400 including the closing drive motor 410.
The docking station 3 of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the station controller 3050 configured to control various components of the docking station 3.
The station controller 3050 may include a station processor 3051 configured to generate a control signal regarding the operation of the cleaner 2, and a station memory 3052 provided to store programs, applications, instructions, and/or data for the operation of the cleaner 2. The station processor 3051 and the station memory 3052 may be implemented as separate semiconductor devices or may be implemented as a single semiconductor device. In addition, the station controller 3050 may include a plurality of processors or a plurality of memories.
The station processor 3051 may include an arithmetic circuit, a memory circuit, and a control circuit. The station processor 3051 may include one chip or may include a plurality of chips. In addition, the station processor 3051 may include one core or may include a plurality of cores.
The station processor 3051 may be electrically connected to the station memory 3052. The station processor 3051 may process data and/or signals using a program provided from the station memory 3052, and may transmit control signals to each component of the docking station 3 based on the processing result. Each component of the docking station 3 may be operated based on the control signal of the station processor 3051.
The station memory 3052 may store various programs and data required for control, and may temporarily store temporary data generated during the control.
The station memory 3052 may include volatile memory such as Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM) and Dynamic Random Access Memory (D-RAM), and nonvolatile memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM) and Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM). The station memory 3052 may include one memory element or may include a plurality of memory elements.
The station controller 3050 may be electrically connected to the user interface 3400. That is, the station controller 3050 may be electrically connected to the input device 3410 to receive user input obtained by the input device 3410, and may be electrically connected to the display 3420 to control the display 3420 to display information on the operation or status of the docking station 3.
The station controller 3050 may be electrically connected to the mounting detection sensor 3100. The station controller 3050 may receive an electrical signal output from the mounting detection sensor 3100. The station controller 3050 may determine whether the cleaner 2 is mounted on the docking station 3 based on the electrical signal received from the mounting detection sensor 3100.
The station controller 3050 may be electrically connected to the collection portion sensor 3200. The station controller 3050 may receive an electrical signal output from the collection portion sensor 3200. The station controller 3050 may determine the saturation level of the dirt collected in the collection portion 140 based on the electrical signal received from the collection portion sensor 3200.
The station controller 3050 may be electrically connected to the station communication module 3300. The station controller 3050 may receive various communication information from the station communication module 3300 that receives communication information from an external electronic device. Alternatively, the station controller 3050 may control the station communication module 3300 to transmit information about the operating status of the docking station 3 to an external electronic device such as the cleaner 2.
The station controller 3050 may be electrically connected to the station suction device 150. The station controller 3050 may generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the station suction device 150. For example, the station controller 3050 may control the station suction device 150 to generate suction force to move air from the dustbin 10 into the docking station 3 during the dust discharge operation, or to terminate the dust discharge operation and not generate the suction force. Particularly, the station controller 3050 may transmit a control signal for controlling the operation of the station suction device 150 to the second motor 151.
The station controller 3050 may be electrically connected to the cover opening device 300. The station controller 3050 may generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the cover opening device 300. For example, the station controller 3050 may control the cover opening device 300 to execute the cover opening operation for opening the dustbin cover 11 based on the predetermined cover opening condition. Alternatively, the station controller 3050 may control the cover opening device 300 not to execute the cover opening operation based on the cover opening condition not being satisfied. Particularly, the station controller 3050 may transmit a control signal for controlling the operation of the cover opening device 300 to the opening drive motor 310.
The station controller 3050 may be electrically connected to the cover closing device 400. The station controller 3050 may generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the cover closing device 400. For example, the station controller 3050 may control the cover closing device 400 to execute the cover closing operation for closing the dustbin cover 11 based on the predetermined cover closing condition. Alternatively, the station controller 3050 may control the cover closing device 400 not to execute the cover closing operation based on the cover closing condition not being satisfied. Particularly, the station controller 3050 may transmit a control signal for controlling the operation of the cover closing device 400 to the closing drive motor 410.
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the cleaner 2 is mounted on the docking station 3, the station controller 3050 may be electrically connected to the cleaner controller 2050. The meaning of ‘the station controller 3050 and the cleaner controller 2050 are electrically connected’ includes a case in which the station controller 3050 and the cleaner controller 2050 are connected wired or wirelessly via the station communication module 3300 and the cleaner communication module 2300. With the configuration, when the station controller 3050 generates a control signal for the cover closing operation while the cleaner 2 is mounted on the docking station 3, the station controller 3050 may control the station communication module 3300 to transmit a communication signal for the cover closing operation to the cleaner communication circuitry 2300, and the cleaner controller 2050 may receive the communication signal for the cover closing operation through the cleaner communication module 2300. As described below, the cleaner controller 2050 may generate a control signal for controlling the cleaner suction device 2400 based on the received communication signal for the cover closing operation. With the configuration, it may be possible to synchronize the operation of the cleaner suction device 2400 and the operation of the cover closing device 400 with each other.
The configuration of the docking station 3 described above with reference to
Referring to
The control method of the cleaning device 1 may include executing the cover opening operation for opening the dustbin cover 11 based on a predetermined cover opening condition (1020). Particularly, the station processor 3050 may control the cover opening device 300 to open the dustbin cover 11 based on the predetermined cover opening condition. The cover opening condition may include detecting that the cleaner 2 is mounted on the docking station 3 (yes in 1010), as illustrated in
The control method of the cleaning device 1 may include starting the dust discharge operation for discharging dirt from the dustbin 10 based on a predetermined dust discharge condition (1030). Particularly, the station processor 3050 may control the station suction device 150 to start the dust discharge operation based on the predetermined dust discharge condition. The dust discharge condition may include that the cleaner 2 is mounted on the docking station 3 and that the dustbin 10 is opened.
The dust discharge operation may be performed for a predetermined operation time. In response to the predetermined operation time not elapsed after the dust discharge operation starts (no in 1040), the dust discharge operation may continue to be performed unless other conditions exist. In response to the lapse of the predetermined operation time after the dust discharge operation starts (yes in 1040), the dust discharge operation may be stopped (1050). Based on the lapse of the predetermined operation time after the station suction device 150 starts the dust discharge operation (yes in 1040), the station processor 3050 may control the station suction device 150 to stop the dust discharge operation (1050).
The operation time of the dust discharge operation may be set to a time required to completely discharge the dirt from the dustbin 10. For example, the operation time of the dust discharge operation may be set to about 20 seconds, but is not limited thereto. The operation time of the dust discharge operation may be set experimentally or empirically. Data on the operation time of the dust discharge operation may be stored in the station memory 3052.
The control method of the cleaning device 1 may include closing the dustbin cover 11 and operating the cleaner suction device 2400 (1060) based on the termination of the operation of discharging dirt into the dustbin 10. Particularly, the station controller 3050 may control the cover closing device 400 to close the dustbin cover 11 based on the termination of the dust discharge operation. The cleaner controller 2050 may operate the cleaner suction device 2400 in response to the station controller 3050 closing the dustbin cover 11 using the cover closing device 400 based on the termination of the dust discharge operation (1060). In other words, the cleaner controller 2050 may operate the cleaner suction device 2400 based on the lapse of the dust discharge operation time (yes in 1040).
The meaning of “the cleaner controller 2050 operates the cleaner suction device 2400” may represent that the cleaner controller 2050 controls the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force that draws air into the dustbin 10.
Particularly, the station controller 3050 may control the cover closing device 400 to close the dustbin cover 11 based on the predetermined cover closing condition, and at this time, the station controller 3050 may control the station communication circuitry 3300 to transmit a cover closing signal corresponding to the satisfaction of the cover closing condition to the cleaner communication circuitry 2300. Based on receiving the cover closing signal through the cleaner communication circuitry 2300, the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin 10 during the cover closing operation in which the cover closing device 400 closes the dustbin cover 11.
According to the control method, in response to the termination of the dust discharge operation and the dustbin cover 11 being closed using the cover closing device 400, the cleaner suction device 2400 may generate suction force toward the inside of the dustbin 10 to more stably close the dustbin cover 11.
A graph illustrated in
Referring to
After the dustbin cover 11 is opened, the dust discharge operation may be performed. When power is supplied to the second motor 151 of the station suction device 150, the second suction fan 152 may rotate to generate suction force, and the dirt inside the dustbin 10 may be moved to the inside of the docking station 3. That is, the dust discharge operation may be started in response to the power supply to the second motor 151, and the dust discharge operation may be terminated in response to the stop of the power supply.
Based on the termination of the dust discharge operation, the cover closing operation for closing the dustbin cover 11 may be started. As described above, the cover closing operation may be executed by the cover closing device 400 and the first motor 14a of the cleaner 2. During the cover closing operation, power may be supplied to the closing drive motor 410, and power may be supplied to the first motor 14a of the cleaner 2.
For example, as illustrated in
In addition, as illustrated in
The cover closing operation may be terminated by stopping the power supply to the closing drive motor 410 and the first motor 14a.
In the graph illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
The control method of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include determining whether a predetermined time elapses after the cleaner 2 is separated from the docking station 3 (1011). In response to the lapse of the predetermined time after the cleaner 2 is separated from the docking station 3 (yes in 1011), the dustbin cover 11 may be opened (1020) and discharging dirt from the dustbin 10 may be performed (1030). The description of the cover opening operation and the dust discharging operation is the same as described above with reference to
In response to the predetermined time not elapsed after the cleaner 2 is separated from the docking station 3 (no in 1011) and in response to a separate user input for starting the dust discharge operation not being obtained (no in 1012), the cover opening operation and the dust discharge operation may not be executed. Conversely, even when the predetermined time does not elapse after the cleaner 2 is separated from the docking station 3 (no in 1011), the cover opening operation and the dust discharge operation may be performed (1020 and 1030) based on the user input for starting the dust discharge operation being obtained (yes in 1012). The description of the cover opening operation and the dust discharge operation is the same as described above with reference to
For example, the user input for starting the dust discharge operation may be obtained through the input device 3410. Alternatively, the user input for starting the dust discharge operation may be input into the user terminal and received through the station communication module 3300.
In the determination of whether the predetermined time elapses after the cleaner 2 is separated from the docking station 3 (1011), the predetermined time corresponding to a reference time may be set to a time for which it is expected that dirt is not sufficiently collected to an extent that it is necessary to discharge the dirt again into the dustbin 10 after discharging the dirt from the dustbin 10 of the cleaner 2. For example, the predetermined time may be set to approximately 1 minute, but is not limited thereto. The predetermined time may be set experimentally or empirically. Data for the predetermined time may be stored in the station memory 3052.
With the control method, it is possible to prevent the dust discharge operation from being unnecessarily performed again when the cleaner 2 is simply mounted back onto the docking station 3 after a short period of time elapses since the dust discharge operation is completed, and it is possible to perform the dust discharge operation again when a user chooses to discharge the dirt inside the dustbin 10 again.
The dust discharge operation may be performed for the predetermined operation time (1040) as described in
Meanwhile, in response to the predetermined operation time not elapsed after the start of the dust discharge operation (no in 1040), and in response to a separate user input for stopping the dust discharge operation not being obtained (no in 1041), the dust discharge operation may continue to be performed. Conversely, even when the predetermined operation time does not elapse after the start of the dust discharge operation (no in 1040), the dust discharge operation may be stopped (1050) based on the user input for stopping the dust discharge operation being obtained (yes in 1041).
A description of controlling the station suction device 150 to stop the dust discharge operation (1050) based on the conditions for stopping the dust discharge operation (the lapse of the operation time of the dust discharge operation (yes in 1040) or the user input for stopping the dust discharge operation being obtained (no in 1041)) being satisfied, is the same as that described in
In addition, a description of controlling the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin 10 (1060) in response to the cover closing device 400 closing the dustbin cover 11 based on the cover closing condition as described above, is the same as described in
With the control method, when a user does not want the dust discharge operation to proceed for the predetermined operation time, the user can choose to terminate the dust discharge operation during the progress of the dust discharge operation.
Referring to
In other words, the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin 10 when the cover closing device 400 closes the dustbin cover based on the predetermined cover closing condition.
When the cleaner suction device 2400 operates during the cover closing operation in which the cover closing device 400 closes the dustbin cover 11, the dustbin cover 11 may receive pressure in a direction of closing the dustbin 10.
With the configuration and operation, it is possible to relieve a difficulty in which the dustbin cover 11 of the cleaner 2 is not stably closed when the dustbin cover 11 is closed only by using the cover closing device 400 of the docking station 3, and the cleaning device 1 may stably close the dustbin cover 11 by using the cover closing device 400 and the cleaner suction device 2400.
As illustrated in
For example, during the cover closing operation, power consumption of approximately 100 watts or more and 160 watts or less may be input to the cleaner suction device 2400, but is not limited thereto.
In
When the cover closing operation is started first by the cover closing device 400 and then the cleaner suction device 2400 starts an operation later, the dirt inside the docking station 3 may be more efficiently prevented from flowing back into the dust collection chamber C by the suction force of the cleaner suction device 2400. In addition, in a position in which the dustbin cover 11 opens the dustbin 10 at the maximum angle, the suction force of the cleaner suction device 2400 may not efficiently rotate the dustbin 10. Accordingly, a method of controlling the cleaner suction device 2400 to allow the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force after the dustbin cover 11 rotates from the cover opening position toward the cover closing position by a predetermined angle may be more appropriate in terms of energy efficiency.
Alternatively, the first cover position CP1 may be almost the same as the cover opening position, and in this case, a point in time at which the cover closing device 400 starts to close the dustbin cover 11 and a point in time at which the cleaner suction device 2400 generates suction force may be almost the same.
As described above, by including the shutter (sh), the docking station 3 according to one embodiment may prevent the dirt collected in the collection portion 140 from flowing back. Therefore, even when the cleaner 2 is mounted on the docking station 3 and the dustbin 10 is open, the shutter (sh) may prevent the dirt collected in the collection portion 140 from flowing back by the suction airflow by the cleaner suction device 2400.
Stopping the dust discharge operation and executing the cover closing operation in the control method of the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to
Referring to
Particularly, the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate the first magnitude of suction force based on the dustbin cover 11 being positioned at the first cover position CP1 (1061).
As described above, the first cover position CP1 may be an angle at which the dustbin cover 11 is moved by a predetermined angle from the cover opening position, in which the dustbin cover 10 is opened at the maximum angle, toward the cover closing position. Alternatively, the first cover position CP1 may be a position that is almost the same as the cover opening position.
The cover closing device 400 may be configured to rotate the dustbin cover 11 from the first cover position CP1 to a second cover position CP2 (refer to
The cleaner controller 2050 may determine that the dustbin cover 11 reaches the second cover position CP2 based on the lapse of a predetermined time after the start of the cover closing operation. The predetermined time may be set as a period of time taken for the dustbin cover 11 to rotate to the second cover position CP2.
Alternatively, the station controller 3050 may determine that the dustbin cover 11 reaches the second cover position CP2 by receiving a position value of the rotor of the closing drive motor 410 or may control the station communication module 3300 to transmit a signal, which corresponds to the dustbin cover 11 reaching the second cover position CP2, to the cleaner communication module 2300 based on data on a driving current input to the closing drive motor 410 provided with a step motor. The cleaner controller 2050 may determine that the dustbin cover 11 reaches the second cover position CP2 based on the received signal.
The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and whether the dustbin cover 11 reaches the second cover position CP2 may be determined by various methods.
Based on the dustbin cover 11 being positioned at the second cover position (that is, based on the dustbin cover 11 moving from the first cover position to the second cover position) (yes in 1062), the cleaner suction device 2400 may be controlled to generate a second magnitude of suction force stronger than the first magnitude (1063).
Further, the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to allow the suction force for drawing air into the dustbin 10 to increase as an angle, at which the cover closing device 400 rotates the dustbin cover 11 from the first cover position CP1 to the second cover position CP2, increases. That is, the suction force by the cleaner suction device 2400 may continuously increase during the cover closing operation. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 so as to gradually increase the suction force.
The magnitude of the suction force provided by the cleaner suction device 2400 may increase as the power consumption input to the cleaner suction device 2400 increases. The power consumption that is required to input to the cleaner suction device 2400 may increase when the cleaner suction device 2400 generates the second magnitude of suction force compared to when the cleaner suction device 2400 generates the first magnitude of suction force. The magnitude of the suction force provided by the cleaner suction device 2400 may have a roughly linear relationship with the power consumption input to the cleaner suction device 2400.
During the cover closing operation, the operation in which the cleaner suction device 2400 generates suction force may continue until the dustbin cover 11 is closed (1065). Thereafter, the operation of closing the dustbin cover 11 may be stopped (1066) based on the dustbin cover 11 being closed (yes in 1065). That is, the station controller 3050 may control the cover closing device 400 to stop the operation of closing the dustbin cover 11 based on the dustbin cover 11 reaching the cover closing position. In addition, the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to stop the operation of drawing air into the dustbin 10 based on the completion of the closing of the dustbin cover 11 by the cover closing device 400 (1066).
As described above, the rotary lever 440 of the cover closing device 400 may be configured to be movable between the first lever position LP1 and the second lever position LP2. The second lever position LP2 may be a position of the rotary lever 440 when the dustbin cover 11 closes the dustbin 10 by moving from the first lever position LP1 to a direction of closing the dustbin cover 11.
The station controller 3050 may control the cover closing device 400 to stop the operation of closing the dustbin cover 11 based on the rotary lever 440 rotating from the first lever position LP1 to reach the second lever position LP2 (1066).
The station controller 3050 may determine that the rotary lever 440 reaches the second lever position LP2 by receiving a position value of the rotor of the closing drive motor 410, or may determine that the rotary lever 440 reaches the second lever position LP2 based on data on the driving current input to the closing drive motor 410 provided with a step motor.
The cleaner controller 3050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to stop the operation of drawing air into the dustbin 10 based on the rotary lever 440 rotating from the first lever position LP1 to reach the second lever position LP2 (1066).
At this time, based on the rotary lever 440 reaching the second lever position LP2, the station controller 3050 may control the station communication module 3300 to transmit the corresponding communication information to the cleaner communication module 2300, and the cleaner controller 3050 may stop the operation of the cleaner suction device 2400 based on the received communication information.
When describing a control method of the cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to
Referring to
In other words, during the operation in which the cleaner suction device 2400 generates suction force in response to the cover closing device 400 closing the dustbin cover 11 based on the predetermined cover closing condition, the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to continuously increase the suction force over time (1064).
That is, while the above operation is in progress, the power consumption input to the cleaner suction device 2400 may continuously increase over time.
The cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to continuously increase the suction force until the dustbin cover 11 is completely closed.
A description of the subsequent process will be omitted.
Referring to
Further, the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to allow the suction force for drawing air into the dustbin 10 to increase as the angle, at which the cover closing device 400 rotates the dustbin cover 11 from the first cover position CP1 to the second cover position CP2, increases.
Alternatively, as described with reference to
As the angle, at which the dustbin cover 11 opens the dustbin 10, decreases, the suction force generated by the cleaner suction device 2400 may be applied more efficiently to the dustbin cover 11. Therefore, by the control method described above, the cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to allow the suction force of the cleaner suction device 2400 to increase as the operation of closing the dustbin cover 11 progresses, thereby allowing the dustbin cover 11 to be closed more efficiently.
In describing a control method of the cleaner device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to
Referring to
Particularly, the cover closing operation may be stopped based on the completion of the operation in which the dustbin cover 11 closes the dustbin 10 (1066), and accordingly, the inspection operation for checking the operating status of the cleaner 2 may be started (1071). In response to the start of the inspection operation, the cleaner suction device 2400 may operate to generate the magnitude of suction force, which is reduced from the suction force generated during the cover closing operation, for the predetermined time (1072).
Based on a condition for executing the inspection operation being satisfied, the cleaner controller 2050 may control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate the reduced magnitude of suction force for the predetermined time. The cleaner controller 2050 may execute an inspection process for checking the operating status of the cleaner 2 while the cleaner suction device 2400 is operating, and for example, the inspection process may be executed by a trained artificial intelligence model. In response to the lapse of the predetermined time set for executing the inspection operation, the inspection operation may be terminated (1073).
Even when the cleaner suction device 2400 operates, air may not move from the docking station 3 into the inside of the dustbin 10 because the dustbin cover 11 completely closes the dustbin 10. As illustrated in
The cleaner controller 2050 may check the status of the cleaner 2 based on data on the operation of the first motor 14a when the cleaner suction device 2400 operates. In this way, a program for checking the status of the cleaner 2 may be stored in the cleaner memory 2052 and processed by the cleaner processor 2051.
For example, during the operation to check the status of the cleaner 2 in this manner, power consumption of approximately 140 watts or more and 150 watts or less may be input to the cleaner suction device 2400, but is not limited thereto.
Referring to
When the dust discharge operation is terminated, the cover closing operation by the cover closing device 400 may be started almost immediately. That is, a point in time when the cover closing device 400 starts may be almost the same as the reference time t0 or slightly later.
Thereafter, power consumption may be input to the cleaner suction device 2400 at a first time t1. That is, at the first time t1 during the cover closing operation is in progress, the cleaner suction device 2400 may generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin 10, thereby closing the dustbin cover 11 together with the cover closing device 400.
At a second time t2, which is the time immediately before the dustbin cover 11 is closed, a maximum power consumption PM may be input to the cleaner suction device 2400. That is, at the second time t2, the cleaner suction device 2400 may generate the maximum suction force.
For example, the maximum power consumption PM at the second time t2 may be approximately 150 watts, but is not limited thereto.
As illustrated in
The cover closing operation may be terminated immediately after the second time t2 elapses. Immediately after the cover closing operation is terminated after the second time t2 elapses, reduced power consumption may be input to the cleaner suction device 2400 for a period of time up to a third time t3, and thus the operation for checking the status of the cleaner 2 may be performed.
Thereafter, the power consumption input to the cleaner suction device 2400 may decrease after the third time t3 elapses, and may converge to 0 (zero) when a fourth time t4 elapses, and the operation of the cleaning device 1 may be terminated.
The cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the cleaner 2 including: the cleaner suction device 2400 configured to generate suction force, the dustbin 10 configured to collect dirt, the dustbin cover 11 configured to open and close the dustbin, and the cleaner controller 2050 configured to control an operation of the cleaner suction device; and the docking station 3, on which the cleaner 2 is detachably mounted, the docking station 3 configured to collect dirt in the dustbin 10 in response to the cleaner being mounted thereon, the docking station including: the cover closing device 400 configured to close the dustbin cover 11 based on the predetermined cover closing condition. The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin in response to the cover closing device closing the dustbin cover based on the cover closing condition.
The cover closing device 400 may be configured to rotate the dustbin cover from the first cover position CP1, in which the dustbin cover opens the dustbin, to the second cover position CP2 in which the dustbin cover opens the dustbin at a smaller angle than the first cover position. The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate the first magnitude of suction force based on the dustbin cover being positioned at the first cover position CP1, and configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate the second magnitude of suction force stronger than the first magnitude based on the dustbin cover being positioned at the second cover position CP2.
The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to allow the suction force for drawing air into the dustbin to increase as an angle, at which the cover closing device 400 rotates the dustbin cover 11 from the first cover position CP1 to the second cover position CP2, increases.
The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to allow the suction force to continuously increase over time during an operation in which the cleaner suction device generates the suction force in response to the cover closing device 400 closing the dustbin cover 11 based on the cover closing condition.
The docking station 3 may further include the station suction device 150 configured to move air from the dustbin into the docking station during a dust discharge operation that discharges dirt from the dustbin in response to the cleaner being mounted on the docking station, and the station controller 3050 electrically connected to the station suction device 150 and the cover closing device 400 respectively, and electrically connected to the cleaner controller 2050 in response to the cleaner being mounted on the docking station. The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin based on the dust discharge operation by the station suction device 150 being stopped.
The station controller 3050 may be configured to control the station suction device 150 to discharge dirt from the dustbin for the predetermined dust discharge operation time based on the predetermined dust discharge condition, and configured to control the cover closing device 400 to close the dustbin cover based on the lapse of the dust discharge operation time. The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin based on the lapse of the dust discharge operation time.
The docking station 3 may further include the input device 3410 configured to obtain user input and electrically connected to the station controller. The station controller 3050 may be configured to control the station suction device to stop the dust discharge operation based on the user input for stopping an operation of the station suction device being obtained through the input device during the dust discharge operation, and configured to control the cover closing device 400 to close the dustbin cover. The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin based on the station controller obtaining the user input for stopping the operation of the station suction device through the input device.
The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to stop the operation of drawing air into the dustbin based on the completion of closing the dustbin cover 11 by the cover closing device 400.
The cover closing device 400 may include the rotary lever 440 configured to be movable between the first lever position LP1 and the second lever position LP2 at which the dustbin cover is positioned to close the dustbin by moving from the first lever position to a direction that closes the dustbin cover, and the closing drive motor 410 configured to generate power for moving the rotary lever. The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to stop the operation of drawing air into the dustbin based on the rotary lever 440 rotating from the first lever position LP1 and reaching the second lever position LP2.
The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force having a magnitude, which is reduced from the suction force generated by the cleaner suction device into the dustbin during an operation of closing the dustbin cover, for the predetermined time based on the dustbin cover closing the dustbin.
The cleaner 2 may further include the cleaner communication circuitry 2300. The docking station 3 may further include the station communication circuitry 3300 configured to perform communication with the cleaner communication circuitry, and the station controller 3050 configured to control the station communication circuitry to transmit a cover closing signal to the cleaner communication circuitry based on the cover closing condition. The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin based on the cover closing signal being received through the cleaner communication circuitry.
The control method of the cleaning device including: the cleaner including: the dustbin configured to collect dirt; and the docking station, on which the cleaner is detachably mounted, the docking station configured to collect dirt in the dustbin in response to the cleaner being mounted thereon, the control method may include opening the dustbin cover configured to open and close the dustbin based on the predetermined cover opening condition (1020); discharging dirt from the dustbin based on the predetermined dust discharge condition (1030); and generating suction force for drawing air into the dustbin using the cleaner suction device of the cleaner in response to the dustbin cover being closed using the cover closing device based on an operation, in which dirt is discharged from the dustbin, being completed (1060).
The generation of the suction force for drawing air into the dustbin using the cleaner suction device may be generating the first magnitude of suction force using the cleaner suction device based on the dustbin cover being positioned at the first cover position in which the dustbin cover opens the dustbin (1061), and generating the second magnitude of suction force stronger than the first magnitude using the cleaner suction device based on the dustbin cover being positioned at the second cover position in which the dustbin cover opens the dustbin at a smaller angle than the first cover position (1063).
The generation of the suction force for drawing air into the dustbin using the cleaner suction device may include controlling the cleaner suction device to allow the suction force for drawing air into the dustbin to continuously increase as an angle, at which the cover closing device rotates the dustbin cover from the first cover position to the second cover position, increases.
The generation of the suction force for drawing air into the dustbin using the cleaner suction device may include controlling the cleaner suction device to allow the suction force to continuously increase over time during an operation in which the cleaner suction device generates suction force in response to the cover closing device closing the dustbin cover (1064).
The discharge of dirt from the dustbin may be moving air from the dustbin to the docking station and discharging dirt from the dustbin by using the station suction device of the docking station for the predetermined dust discharge operation time. The generation of the suction force for drawing air into the dustbin using the cleaner suction device of the cleaner in response to the dustbin cover being closed by the cover closing device may be controlling the cleaner suction device for generating suction force for drawing air into the dustbin based on the lapse of the dust discharge operation time.
The control method of the cleaning device may further include stopping the operation of discharging dirt from the dustbin and closing the dustbin cover using the cover closing device based on the user input for stopping the operation of discharging dirt from the dustbin being obtained through the input device during the operation of discharging dirt from the dustbin. The generation of the suction force for drawing air into the dustbin using the cleaner suction device may be generating suction force for drawing air into the dustbin based on the docking station obtaining the user input, which is for stopping the operation of discharging dirt from the dustbin, through the input device.
The control method of the cleaning device may further include stopping the operation of drawing air into the dustbin based on the completion of closing the dustbin cover by the cover closing device (1066).
The control method of the cleaning device may further include controlling the cleaner suction device to generate suction force having a magnitude, which is reduced from the suction force generated by the cleaner suction device into the dustbin during an operation of closing the dustbin cover, for the predetermined time based on the dustbin cover closing the dustbin (1072).
The cleaning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the cleaner 2 including: the cleaner suction device 2400 configured to generate suction force, the dustbin 10 configured to collect dirt, the dustbin cover 11 configured to open and close the dustbin, the cleaner communication circuitry 2300, and the cleaner controller 2050 electrically connected to the cleaner suction device and the cleaner communication circuitry; and the docking station 3, on which the cleaner is detachably mounted, the docking station configured to collect dirt in the dustbin in response to the cleaner being mounted thereon. The docking station 3 may include the cover closing device 400 configured to close the dustbin cover, the station communication circuitry 3300 configured to communicate with the cleaner communication circuitry, and the station controller 3050 configured to control the cover closing device to close the dustbin cover based on the predetermined cover closing condition, and configured to control the station communication circuitry to transmit the cover closing signal corresponding to the satisfaction of the cover closing condition to the cleaner communication circuitry. The cleaner controller 2050 may be configured to control the cleaner suction device 2400 to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin in response to the cover closing device closing the dustbin cover based on the cover closing signal being received through the cleaner communication circuitry.
Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be embodied as a computer-readable recording medium.
The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording media in which instructions which can be decoded by a computer are stored. For example, there may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, and an optical data storage device.
Storage medium readable by machine, may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. “Non-transitory storage medium” means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic wave), and this term includes a case in which data is semi-permanently stored in a storage medium and a case in which data is temporarily stored in a storage medium. For example, “non-transitory storage medium” may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.
The method according to the various disclosed embodiments may be provided by being included in a computer program product. Computer program products may be traded between sellers and buyers as commodities. Computer program products are distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or are distributed directly or online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) between two user devices (e.g., smartphones) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or created temporarily in a device-readable storage medium such as the manufacturer's server, the application store's server, or the relay server's memory.
According to the present disclosure, a cleaning device may automatically open or close a dustbin cover of a cleaner, thereby providing convenience to a user.
Further, a cleaning device may stably close a dustbin cover of a cleaner by using a cover closing device and a cleaner suction device.
Further, a cleaning device may be configured to allow suction force of a cleaner suction device to increase as an operation of closing a dustbin cover is in progress, and thus the operation of closing the dustbin cover may be performed efficiently.
Additional aspects of the disclosure 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 disclosure
While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A cleaning device comprising:
- a cleaner including: a cleaner suction device configured to generate suction force; a dustbin configured to collect dirt; a dustbin cover configured to open and close the dustbin; and a cleaner controller configured to control an operation of the cleaner suction device; and
- a docking station, to which the cleaner is coupleable and decoupleable, the docking station configured to collect dirt that is collected in the dustbin based on the cleaner being coupled thereto, the docking station including: a cover closing device configured to close the dustbin cover based on a predetermined cover closing condition involving controlling of the cleaner suction device to generate the suction force,
- wherein the cleaner controller is configured to control the operation of the cleaner suction device so that the suction force is generated to draw air into the dustbin based on the cover closing device closing the dustbin cover and the predetermined cover closing condition being met.
2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein
- the cover closing device is configured to rotate the dustbin cover from a first cover position, in which the dustbin cover opens the dustbin, to a second cover position in which the dustbin cover opens the dustbin at a smaller angle than the first cover position,
- wherein the cleaner controller is configured to: control the cleaner suction device such that the suction force that is generated is at a first magnitude based on the dustbin cover being positioned at the first cover position; and control the cleaner suction device such that the suction force that is generated is at a second magnitude which is stronger than the first magnitude based on the dustbin cover being positioned at the second cover position.
3. The cleaning device of claim 2, wherein
- the cleaner controller is configured to control the cleaner suction device to allow the suction force to draw air into the dustbin to increase as an angle, at which the cover closing device rotates the dustbin cover from the first cover position to the second cover position, increases.
4. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein
- the cleaner controller is configured to control the cleaner suction device to allow the suction force to continuously increase over time during an operation in which the cleaner suction device generates the suction force based on the cover closing device closing the dustbin cover based on the predetermined cover closing condition.
5. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein
- the docking station further comprises: a station suction device configured to move air from the dustbin into the docking station during a dust discharge operation that discharges dirt from the dustbin based on the cleaner being mounted on the docking station; and a station controller electrically connected to the station suction device and the cover closing device respectively, and electrically connected to the cleaner controller based on the cleaner being mounted on the docking station, wherein the cleaner controller is configured to control the cleaner suction device to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin based on the dust discharge operation by the station suction device being stopped.
6. The cleaning device of claim 5, wherein
- the station controller is configured to control the station suction device to discharge dirt from the dustbin for a predetermined dust discharge operation time based on a predetermined dust discharge condition, and configured to control the cover closing device to close the dustbin cover based on lapse of the predetermined dust discharge operation time,
- wherein the cleaner controller is configured to control the cleaner suction device to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin based on the lapse of the predetermined dust discharge operation time.
7. The cleaning device of claim 5, wherein
- the docking station is configured to electrically connect to the station controller and the docking station further comprises: an input device configured to obtain a user input,
- wherein the station controller is configured to: control the station suction device to stop the dust discharge operation based on the user input that is obtained through the input device being to stop an operation of the station suction device during the dust discharge operation, and control the cover closing device to close the dustbin cover,
- wherein the cleaner controller is configured to control the cleaner suction device to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin based on the station controller obtaining the user input for stopping the operation of the station suction device through the input device.
8. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein
- the cleaner controller is configured to control the cleaner suction device to stop the operation of drawing air into the dustbin based on completion of closing the dustbin cover by the cover closing device.
9. The cleaning device of claim 8, wherein
- the cover closing device comprises:
- a rotary lever configured to be movable between a first lever position and a second lever position at which the dustbin cover is positioned to close the dustbin by moving from the first lever position to a direction that closes the dustbin cover; and
- a closing drive motor configured to generate power for moving the rotary lever,
- wherein the cleaner controller is configured to control the cleaner suction device to stop the operation of drawing air into the dustbin based on the rotary lever rotating from the first lever position and reaching the second lever position.
10. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein
- the cleaner controller is configured to control the cleaner suction device to generate suction force having a magnitude, which is reduced from the suction force generated by the cleaner suction device into the dustbin during an operation of closing the dustbin cover, for a predetermined time based on the dustbin cover closing the dustbin.
11. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein
- the cleaner further comprises: a cleaner communication circuitry,
- wherein the docking station further comprises: a station communication circuitry configured to perform communication with the cleaner communication circuitry; and a station controller configured to control the station communication circuitry to transmit a cover closing signal to the cleaner communication circuitry based on the predetermined cover closing condition, wherein the cleaner controller is configured to control the cleaner suction device to generate suction force for drawing air into the dustbin based on the cover closing signal being received through the cleaner communication circuitry.
12. A control method of a cleaning device including a cleaner coupleable to and decoupleable from a docking station which is configured to collect dirt based on the cleaner being coupled thereto, the control method comprising:
- opening a dustbin cover configured to open and close a dustbin of the cleaner configured to collect dirt;
- discharging dirt from the dustbin based on a predetermined dust discharge condition involving generation of suction force; and
- controlling a cleaner suction device of the cleaner to generate the suction force to draw air into the dustbin based on the dustbin cover being closed using a cover closing device based on an operation, in which dirt is discharged from the dustbin, being completed and the predetermined dust discharge condition being met.
13. The control method of claim 12, wherein
- the controlling of the cleaner suction device to generate the suction force to draw the air into the dustbin includes:
- controlling the cleaner suction device such that the suction force that is generated is at a first magnitude of suction force based on the dustbin cover being positioned at a first cover position in which the dustbin cover opens the dustbin; and
- controlling the cleaner suction device such that the suction force that is generated is at a second magnitude of suction force stronger than the first magnitude based on the dustbin cover being positioned at a second cover position in which the dustbin cover opens the dustbin at a smaller angle than the first cover position.
14. The control method of claim 13, wherein
- the generation of the suction force to draw air into the dustbin using the cleaner suction device comprises: controlling the cleaner suction device to allow the suction force for drawing air into the dustbin to continuously increase as an angle, at which the cover closing device rotates the dustbin cover from the first cover position to the second cover position, increases.
15. The control method of claim 12, wherein
- the generation of the suction force to draw air into the dustbin using the cleaner suction device comprises: controlling the cleaner suction device to allow the suction force to continuously increase over time during an operation in which the cleaner suction device generates suction force based on the cover closing device closing the dustbin cover.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 8, 2025
Publication Date: Nov 27, 2025
Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. (Suwon-si)
Inventors: Yunsoo JANG (Suwon-si), Kihwan KWON (Suwon-si), Dokyung LEE (Suwon-si), Junggyun HAN (Suwon-si), Wonmin LEE (Suwon-si), Hyunho LEE (Suwon-si)
Application Number: 19/294,682
