US20250339005A1

US20250339005A1 - Cleaner station

Info

Publication number: US20250339005A1
Application number: US19/265,661
Authority: US
Inventors: Ingyu CHOI; Hyunju Lee; Seungryong CHA; Seehyun KIM; Dongjin CHO; Junggyun HAN
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-01-25
Filing date: 2025-07-10
Publication date: 2025-11-06
Also published as: WO2024158123A1; KR20240117378A

Abstract

This cleaner station, including a suction device configured to draw in dust from a dust bin of a cleaner, includes a diverter in communication with the suction device. The diverter includes a diverter housing including a dust inlet through which dust in the dust bin is suctioned according to the operation of the suction motor; and an inlet cover accommodated in the diverter housing to open and close the dust inlet. The diverter includes a rotation shaft that is coupled to the inlet cover such that the inlet cover may rotate. The diverter housing includes a rotation shaft cover portion that covers the rotation shaft and is spaced apart from the rotation shaft to form a bypass path between the rotation shaft and the rotation shaft cover portion. The diverter housing includes a bypass hole through which outside air is suctioned such that air flow into the diverter is generated in the bypass path when dust is suctioned into the diverter housing via the dust inlet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. §111(a), of international application No. PCT/KR2023/019392, filed Nov. 29, 2023, which claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0009654, filed Jan. 25, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a cleaner station, and more specifically, to a cleaner station including a diverter capable of opening and closing a dust inlet of the cleaner station.

Background Art

In general, a vacuum cleaner is a device that includes a fan motor to generate suction force and draws in foreign substances, such as dust, along with air through an intake portion using the suction force generated by the fan motor. In addition, such a vacuum cleaner is a device that separates the foreign substances contained in the drawn-in air from the air and collects the debris in a dust bin such that cleaning is performed.
Conventionally, vacuum cleaners have been generally a stick-type cleaner that is manually operated by a user to perform cleaning, but in recent years, robot cleaners have become commercialized. A robot cleaner is a device that automatically cleans a cleaning space by moving through a cleaning space without a user's manipulation and drawing in debris such as dust accumulated on the floor. The robot cleaner moves through the cleaning space, collects dust, and collects the debris in a dust bin.
Recently, there has been a rapid increase in the simultaneous use of a stick-type cleaner and a robot cleaner. Accordingly, a user needs to periodically separate foreign substances collected in dust bins of a plurality of cleaners from the cleaners and dispose of the separated foreign substances.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cleaner station on which a plurality of cleaners are seated.
One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cleaner station capable of emptying dust bins of a plurality of cleaners.
One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cleaner station including a diverter that allows a dust storage chamber of a cleaner station to communicate with some of dust bins of a plurality of cleaners.
One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cleaner station capable of preventing damage to a diverter.
The technical objectives of the present disclosure are not limited to the above, and other objectives may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the following description.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a cleaner station including a suction motor configured to draw in dust from a dust bin of a cleaner includes a diverter in communication with the suction motor. The diverter includes a diverter housing including a dust inlet through which dust in the dust bin is drawn in upon operation of the suction motor. The diverter includes an inlet cover accommodated in the diverter housing and configured to open and close the dust inlet. The diverter includes a rotation shaft coupled to the inlet cover such that the inlet cover is rotatable. The diverter housing includes a rotation shaft cover portion configured to cover the rotation shaft, the rotation shaft cover portion spaced apart from the rotation shaft to form a bypass path between the rotation shaft and the rotation shaft cover portion. The diverter housing includes a bypass hole through which outside air is drawn in when dust is drawn into the diverter housing through the dust inlet, to form an air flow into an interior of the diverter along the bypass path.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a cleaner station including a suction motor configured to draw in dust from a dust bin of a cleaner includes a dust collection chamber in which the drawn-in dust is stored. The cleaner station includes a diverter that is in communication with the dust collection chamber and the suction motor, and includes a dust inlet through which dust in the dust bin is drawn in upon operation of the suction device. The diverter includes an inlet cover accommodated in the diverter and configured to open and close the dust inlet. The diverter includes a rotation shaft coupled to the inlet cover such that the inlet cover is rotatable. The diverter includes a rotation shaft cover portion configured to cover the rotation shaft, the rotation shaft cover portion being spaced apart from the rotation shaft to form a bypass path between the rotation shaft and the rotation shaft cover portion. The diverter includes a bypass hole through which outside air is drawn in when dust is drawn into the diverter through the dust inlet, to form an air flow into an interior of the diverter along the bypass path.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a cleaner station including a suction motor configured to draw in dust collected in a cleaner and a dust collection chamber in which the drawn-in dust is stored includes a diverter including a dust inlet through which dust stored in the cleaner is drawn in upon operation of the suction device. The cleaner station includes a suction path that allows communication between the dust inlet and the cleaner. The cleaner station includes a discharge path that allows communication between the dust collection chamber and the diverter. The diverter includes a diverter housing in which the dust inlet is formed. The diverter includes an inlet cover accommodated in the diverter housing and configured to open and close the dust inlet. The diverter includes a rotation shaft coupled to the inlet cover such that the inlet cover is rotatable. The diverter housing includes a rotation shaft cover portion configured to cover the rotation shaft, the rotation shaft cover portion being spaced apart from the rotation shaft to form a bypass path between the rotation shaft and the rotation shaft cover portion. The diverter housing includes a bypass hole formed in the rotation shaft cover portion such that, when dust is drawn into the diverter housing through the dust inlet, outside air is drawn in through the bypass hole to form a flow into an interior of the diverter along the bypass path.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a cleaning device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a cross-section of the cleaning device shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an enlarged view of region A shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a diverter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a state in which a diverter cover is separated from a diverter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a movement of an inlet cover of a diverter according to an embodiment moving.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the diverter shown in FIG. 4 taken along line B-B′.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view illustrating region C shown in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state after the inlet cover has

been rotated from the state shown in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating region D shown in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a diverter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of the diverter shown in FIG. 11 , taken along line E-E′.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a diverter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of the diverter shown in FIG. 13 , taken along line F-F′.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments described in the disclosure and the configurations shown in the drawings are only examples of the disclosure, and various modifications may be made at the time of filing of the disclosure to replace the embodiments and drawings of the disclosure.
In the description of the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the drawings.
The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to restrict and/or to limit the disclosure. The singular expressions herein may include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, the terms “comprises”, “includes”, and “has” are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the disclosure, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. used in the disclosure may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The term “and/or” includes combinations of one or all of a plurality of associated listed items.
Further, as used in the disclosure, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of each component.
It will be understood that when a certain component is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another component, it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component. When a component is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another component, it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component through a third component.
It will also be understood that when a component is referred to as being “on” another component, it may be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.
When referring to the direction of rotation, the clockwise direction may be referred to as a first direction, and the counterclockwise direction, which is the opposite direction of the first direction, may be referred to as a second direction. Such expressions may be commonly used to describe specific contents for performing the disclosure, but it should not be construed as limiting the direction of rotation of the components of the present disclosure.
Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a cleaning device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a cross-section of the cleaning device shown in FIG. 1 .
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cleaning device 1 may include a cleaner and a cleaner station 4 provided for the cleaner to be seated thereon. The cleaner may include a stick- type cleaner 2. The cleaner may include a robot cleaner 5. A plurality of the cleaners 2 and 5 may be seated on the cleaner station 4.
The stick-type cleaner 2 may include a stick-type cleaner body 2. The stick-type cleaner 2 may include a dust bin 23 that is detachably coupled to the stick-type cleaner body 2. The dust bin 23 may be provided to collect foreign substances that have been moved into the interior of the stick-type cleaner 2. The stick-type cleaner 2 may include an intake portion 25 and an extension tube 27.
The intake portion 25 may be provided to draw in external foreign substances into the stick-type cleaner 2. The extension tube 27 may be provided to connect the stick-type cleaner body 2 and the intake portion 25 to form a path through which foreign substances move.
The drawn-in foreign substances may pass through the stick-type cleaner body 2 and be collected by a dust collecting portion 24. The collected foreign substances may be moved to the dust bin 23 and collected in the dust bin 23. That is, the extension tube 27 may be provided to connect the intake portion 25 and the dust bin 23.
The stick-type cleaner 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described and illustrated as having the stick-type cleaner body 2 mounted at the front of the extension tube 27. In addition, the dust bin 23 connected to the stick-type cleaner body 2 may also be disposed at the front of the extension tube 27. In this case, the front may be defined as a direction facing forward of the user when the user grips the stick-type cleaner 2. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the stick-type cleaner body 2, the extension tube 27, and the dust bin 23 may be arranged at various positions.
The stick-type cleaner 2 may include a handle 21 connected to the stick-type cleaner body 2 and the extension tube 27. The handle 21 may be coupled to upper portions of the stick-type cleaner body 2 and the extension tube 27. A user may grip the handle 21 to move the stick-type cleaner 2 and perform cleaning on a cleaning surface. The arrangement of the handle 21 may also be provided in various positions.
When the stick-type cleaner 2 is seated on the cleaner station 4, the extension tube 27 may be docked to the cleaner station 4 such that the longitudinal direction of the extension tube 27 is aligned substantially with the vertical direction.
The cleaner may include a robot cleaner 5. The robot cleaner 5 may move along the floor surface and draw in debris on the floor surface. The path along which the robot cleaner 5 moves may be provided according to user designation, or may be automatically provided by a detection sensor of the robot cleaner 5.
The robot cleaner 5 may include a robot cleaner housing 54 having an accommodation space formed therein, and a robot cleaner cover 52 covering an open upper surface of the robot cleaner housing 54. Electrical components may be arranged inside the robot cleaner housing 54. The robot cleaner cover 52 may be detachably coupled to the robot cleaner housing 54.
The robot cleaner 5 may include a display 53. The display 53 may display an operating state of the robot cleaner 5. The display 53 may be provided as a touch screen to receive a user command.
The display 53 may be located at an end of the robot cleaner 5 opposite to a side that faces a direction in which the robot cleaner 5 is docked to the cleaner seating portion 340. Specifically, as the robot cleaner 5 is docked to the cleaner seating portion 340 by moving backward, the display 53 located at the front end of the robot cleaner 5 may be exposed to the user even when the robot cleaner 5 is docked to the cleaner seating portion 340.
The robot cleaner 5 may include a dust bin 55. The dust bin 55 may be provided in an internal space of the robot cleaner housing 54. A dust collection chamber 51 may be provided inside the dust bin 55. Debris collected by the robot cleaner 5 may be drawn into the dust bin 55 and accommodated in the dust collection chamber 51. When the robot cleaner 5 is docked to the cleaner seating portion 340, the debris collected in the dust collection chamber 51 may be removed.
The robot cleaner 5 may include a dust bin cover 57. The dust bin cover 57 may be provided at a lower side of the robot cleaner 5. That is, the dust bin cover 57 may be provided to face the cleaner seating portion 340 when the robot cleaner 5 is seated on the cleaner seating portion 340. The dust bin cover 57 may be detached from the robot cleaner 5. When the dust bin cover 57 is detached, a dust bin opening 56 may be formed in a lower portion of the robot cleaner 5. The dust bin opening 56 may be provided to communicate with the dust collection chamber 51, and thus dust collected in the dust collection chamber 51 may be discharged to the outside through the dust bin opening 56.
The cleaning device 1 may include a cleaner station 4. The cleaner station 4 may be provided for a plurality of cleaners 2 and 5 to be seated thereon. The cleaner station 4 may include a dust storage chamber 370. The cleaner station 4 may draw in dust contained in the dust bins 23 and 55 provided in the plurality of cleaners 2 and 5, respectively. Dust drawn in from the dust bins 23 and 55 of the plurality of cleaners 2 and 5 may be stored in the dust storage chamber 370 of the cleaner station 4. Through this, the plurality of cleaners 2 and 5 may empty the dust bins 23 and 55 by being seated on the cleaner station 4.
The cleaner station 4 may include a first suction path 351. The first suction path 351 may be provided to communicate with the dust bin 23 of the cleaner. More specifically, the first suction path 351 may be provided to communicate with the dust bin 23 of the stick-type cleaner 2. When the suction device 380 of the cleaner station 4 described below operates, dusts contained in the dust bin 23 of the stick-type cleaner 2 may be drawn in toward the cleaner station 4 along the first suction path 351. Dusts from the dust bin 23 of the stick-type cleaner 2 drawn through the first suction path 351 may pass through the diverter 400 described below. The dusts that have passed through the diverter 400 may move to the dust storage chamber 370 communicating with the diverter 400 and be finally stored in the dust storage chamber 370.
The cleaner station 4 may include a second suction duct 412. A second suction path 425 may be formed inside the second suction duct 412. The cleaner station 4 may include an extension duct 428. An extension duct path 427 may be formed inside the extension duct 428. The extension duct 428 may be connected to the second suction duct 412. Such a configuration allows communication between the second suction path 425 and the extension duct path 427.
The extension duct 428 may be provided to extend the second suction duct 412 toward the cleaner seating portion 340. More specifically, one end of the extension duct 428 may be connected to one end of the second suction duct 412. The other end of the extension duct 428 may be connected to the cleaner seating portion 340.
While the robot cleaner 5 is seated on the cleaner seating portion 340, the dust bin cover 57 of the robot cleaner 5 may be in an open state. While the dust bin cover 57 of the robot cleaner 5 is in an open state, the dust bin opening 56 and the other end of the extension duct 428 may communicate with each other. Thereafter, when the suction device 380 operates, dusts accommodated in the dust bin 55 of the robot cleaner 5 may flow into the extension duct 428 through the dust bin opening 56. The dusts that have flowed into the extension duct 428 may pass through the diverter 400 to be described below. The dusts that have passed through the diverter 400 may move to the dust storage chamber 370 communicating with the diverter 400 and be finally stored in the dust storage chamber 370. Through this, dusts stored in the dust bin 55 of the robot cleaner 5 may be removed.
The cleaner station 4 may include the diverter 400. The first suction path 351 through which dust is drawn in from the dust bin 23 of the stick-type cleaner 2 may communicate with the diverter 400. The second suction path 425 through which dust is drawn in from the dust bin 55 of the robot cleaner 5 may communicate with the diverter 400. The diverter 400 may allow one of the first suction path 351 and the second suction path 425 to communicate with the dust storage chamber 370. A detailed process of the diverter 400 allowing one of the first suction path 351 and the second suction path 425 to communicate with the dust storage chamber 370 will be described below.
The cleaner station 4 may include a dust storage chamber 370. Dust drawn in from a plurality of cleaners 2 and 5 may be stored in the dust storage chamber 370. The dust storage chamber 370 may communicate with the diverter 400, and thus the dust drawn in from the plurality of cleaners 2 and 5 may flow therein. A dust bag (not shown) or the like installed to be separable from the dust storage chamber 370 may be provided inside the dust storage chamber 370, and the drawn-in dust may be stored inside the dust bag (not shown) and easily removed from the cleaner station 4.
The cleaner station 4 may include a first outer housing 373. The first outer housing 373 may be provided to surround the first suction path 351 from the outside. The first outer housing 373 may be provided to surround the diverter 400 from the outside. The first outer housing 373 may be provided to surround the dust storage chamber 370 from the outside. The first outer housing 373 may be attached to a dust storage chamber housing 371 to be detachable from the dust storage chamber housing 371.
A filtering portion 374 may be provided in the dust storage chamber 370. The filtering portion 374 may be arranged at a lower portion of the dust storage chamber 370. Foreign substances that have not been introduced into the dust bag may accumulate in the filtering portion 374. For example, a filter may be mounted in the filtering portion 374. Through this, the filtering portion 374 may be provided to prevent foreign substances from entering the suction device 380 to be described below.
The cleaner station 4 may include a suction device 380. The suction device 380 may form a suction airflow that allows foreign substances collected in the dust bin 55, 23 of the cleaner to flow into the cleaner station 4 and be stored in the dust storage chamber 370.
The suction device 380 may be disposed at a lower side of the dust storage chamber 370. The suction device 380 may include a suction motor cover 382. The suction motor cover 382 may include an air flow hole 381. Air drawn in toward the dust storage chamber 370 may flow to the suction device 380 through the air flow hole 381.
The suction device 380 may include a driving device 383. The driving device 383 may provide power to generate suction force. The driving device 383 may include components such as a motor and a fan. The driving device 383 may include a driving shaft 384. The driving device 383 may be provided to rotate about on the driving shaft 384. That is, a suction airflow inside the cleaner station 4 may be formed by the rotation of the driving device 383.
The cleaner station 4 may include a suction device cover 385. The suction device cover 385 may be arranged to surround the suction device 380 from the outside. The suction device cover 385 may be attached to be detachable.
The cleaner station 4 may include a filter portion 390. The filter portion 390 may include a filter therein. When the driving device 383 of the suction device 380 forms an airflow that draws in air into the cleaner station 4, air that has passed through the suction device 380 may pass through the filter portion 390. The filter portion 390 may be provided at a lower portion of the dust storage chamber 370 to filter air that has passed through the dust storage chamber 370. The air that has passed through the filter portion 390 may be discharged to the outside of the housing through a discharge port 392 described below.
The cleaner station 4 may include a filter portion cover 391 that covers the filter portion 390 from the outside. The filter portion cover 391 may include the discharge port 392 that is provided to discharge the suction airflow to the outside.
The suction airflow may pass through the filter portion 390 and then be discharged to the outside through the discharge port 392. This is to prevent a contaminated airflow from being discharged to the outside of the cleaner station 4.
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an enlarged view of region A shown in FIG. 2 .
Referring to FIG. 3 , the diverter 400 may include a diverter housing 410. A diverter path 421 may be formed in an internal space of the diverter housing 410. The diverter 400 may include dust inlets through which dust from the dust bins 55 and 23 is drawn in according to the operation of the suction device 380. The dust inlets 422 and 423 may be formed in the diverter housing 410.
The dust inlets 422 and 423 may include a first dust inlet 422. The first dust inlet 422 may be provided to communicate with the first suction path 351. Through this, the debris from the dust bin 23 of the cleaner 2 communicating with the first suction path 351 may be drawn into the diverter 400 through the first dust inlet 422.
The dust inlets 422 and 423 may include a second dust inlet 423. The second dust inlet 423 may be provided to communicate with the second suction path 425. Through this, the debris from the dust bin 55 of the cleaner communicating with the second suction path 425 may be drawn into the inside of the diverter 400 through the second dust inlet 423.
The diverter 400 may include a dust outlet 424. The dust outlet 424 may be provided to communicate with the dust storage chamber 370. The debris drawn into the diverter 400 through the first dust inlet 422 and the second dust inlet 423 may move to the dust storage chamber 370 through the dust outlet 424.
The diverter 400 may include an inlet cover 441. The diverter 400 may include a rotation shaft 440. The rotation shaft 440 may be arranged inside the diverter 400. The rotation shaft 440 may be configured to rotate with both ends thereof coupled to the diverter housing 410.
The inlet cover 441 may be rotatably coupled to the rotation shaft 440. The inlet cover 441 may be accommodated in the diverter housing 410 to open and close the dust inlets 422 and 423.
The inlet cover 441 may be coupled to the rotation shaft 440 and rotate, to cover one of the first dust inlet 422 and the second dust inlet 423. For example, the first dust inlet 422 may be covered by the inlet cover 441. When the first dust inlet 422 is covered by the inlet cover 441, even when the suction device 380 operates and generates a suction airflow, dust in the cleaner dust bin 23 may not be drawn in toward the first dust inlet 422. Therefore, only the dust in the dust bin 55 of the cleaner communicating with the second dust inlet 423 may be drawn into the diverter 400.
The diverter housing 410 may include a rotation shaft cover portion 430. The rotation shaft cover portion 430 may be provided to protrude from the diverter housing 410 to cover the rotation shaft 440. The rotation shaft cover portion 430 may be arranged to be concentric with the rotation shaft 440. The rotation shaft cover portion 430 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the rotation shaft 440. Through this, even when the rotation shaft 440 rotates, the rotation shaft 440 may not come into contact with the rotation shaft cover portion 430.
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a diverter according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a state in which a diverter cover 416 is separated from a diverter according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a movement of an inlet cover 441 of a diverter according to an embodiment moving. Hereinafter, descriptions overlapping with the above will be omitted.
Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6 , the diverter cover 416 may be included. The diverter cover 416 may be arranged to cover the front of the diverter 400. More specifically, the diverter cover 416 may be arranged to cover a diverter opening 426.
The cleaner station 4 may include a rotary motor 480. The rotary motor 480 may be a motor that generates rotational force in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. More specifically, the rotary motor 480 may be a servomotor, but is not limited thereto.
The diverter 400 may include motor support portions 414 and 415. The motor support portions 414 and 415 may be formed to protrude from the diverter 400. The rotary motor 480 may be provided to be coupled to the motor support portions 414 and 415. The rotary motor 480 may be coupled to the motor support portions 414 and 415 by a screw, but this is merely an example, and the manner in which the rotary motor 480 is coupled to the motor support portions 414 and 415 may be provided in various ways.
The rotary motor 480 may be connected to one end of the rotation shaft 440. As a rotary force is generated from the rotary motor 480, the rotation shaft 440 may rotate. As the rotation shaft 440 rotates, the inlet cover 441 coupled to the rotation shaft 440 may rotate. According to the rotation of the rotary motor 480, the first dust inlet 422 or the second dust inlet 423 may be selectively opened and closed by the inlet cover 441.
The diverter cover 416 may include a cover coupling portion 4161. The cover coupling portion 4161 may be formed in a shape that protrudes from the diverter cover 416. The cover coupling portion 4161 may be arranged to correspond to the other end of the rotation shaft 440. Therefore, when the diverter cover 416 is coupled to the diverter 400, the cover coupling portion 4161 may be coupled to face the other end of the rotation shaft 440.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the diverter shown in FIG. 4 taken along line B-B′. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view illustrating region C shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state after the inlet cover has been rotated from the state shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating region D shown in FIG. 9 .
Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 10 , the inlet cover 441 may be in a state of closing the first dust inlet 422. When the first dust inlet 422 is in a closed state, the suction flow generated by the suction device 380 may only occur at the second dust inlet 423.
The diverter 400 may include a bypass hole 450. More specifically, the bypass hole 450 may be formed in the diverter housing 410 of the diverter 400. The bypass hole 450 may be a hole through which outside air F1 is drawn in when the suction device 380 operates and dust is drawn into the diverter housing 410 through the dust inlet 422 or 423. That is, the outside air F1 may be drawn in from the outside through the bypass hole 450 into the diverter 400 by the suction force of the suction device 380.
The diverter 400 may include bypass paths 4211 and 4212. The bypass paths 4211 and 4212 may be formed between the rotation shaft 440 and the rotation shaft cover portion 430. The bypass paths 4211 and 4212 may be formed in a form surrounding the rotation shaft 440. The bypass paths 4211 and 4212 may communicate with the inside of the diverter 400.
The outside air F1 drawn in through the bypass hole 450 may flow in a direction of being introduced into the diverter 400 along the bypass paths 4211 and 4212. That is, the bypass hole 450 and the bypass paths 4211 and 4212 may be communicate with each other.
The bypass hole 450 may be formed in the rotation shaft cover portion 430 to communicate with the bypass paths 4211 and 4212. That is, the drawn-in outside air F1 may pass through the bypass hole 450 and flow toward the inside of the diverter 400 through the bypass paths 4211 and 4212. According to the formation of the suction flow of the suction device 380, foreign substances caused by eddy currents may accumulate on a side of the bypass paths 4211 and 4212, which may damage the diverter 400. However, the outside air F1 drawn in through the bypass hole 450 may flow through the bypass paths 4211 and 4212 into the diverter 400, thereby pushing the accumulated foreign substances toward the inside of the diverter 400. Through this, damage to the diverter 400 may be prevented.
The bypass hole 450 may include a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft cover portion 430. The plurality of holes may be formed to have the same size. In the drawings, the plurality of holes are illustrated as two holes each having a diameter of W, but this is only an example, and the number and diameter of the holes may be variously provided.
The bypass paths 4211 and 4212 may include a first bypass path 4211 leading to one side 4411 of the inlet cover 441. The bypass paths 4211 and 4212 may include a second bypass path 4212 leading to the other side 4412 of the inlet cover 441. In each of the first bypass path 4211 and the second bypass path 4212, a flow from the bypass hole 450 toward the inside of the diverter 400 may be formed. The outside air F1 drawn into the diverter 400 from the bypass hole 450 along the bypass paths 4211 and 4212 may flow into the dust storage chamber 370 through the discharge path 352 by the suction force of the suction device 380.
Thereafter, the rotation shaft 440 may be rotated by the operation of the rotary motor 480, and the inlet cover 441 may close the second dust inlet 423. While the second dust inlet 423 is in a closed state, the suction flow generated by the suction device 380 may only occur at the first dust inlet 422. Even when the suction flow occurs only at the first dust inlet 422, outside air F1 drawn in through the bypass hole 450 may flow in the first bypass path 4211 and the second bypass path 4212 and then flow into the diverter 400.
FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a diverter according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of the diverter shown in FIG. 11 , taken along line E-E′.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , the diverter 400 may include a bypass slit 550. More specifically, the bypass slit 550 may be a plurality of slits formed in the cover of the rotation shaft 440 of the diverter housing 410.
The plurality of slits may include slits 550 extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the rotation shaft cover portion 430 extends.
The slit 550 may be provided with a length N in a direction intersecting the direction in which the rotation shaft cover portion 430 extends. The length N may be provided longer than W. Since the slit 550 extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the rotation shaft cover portion 430 extends, the length of the bypass path on the side of the slit 550 may be reduced. The amount of foreign substances accumulated in the bypass on the side of the slit 550 may be reduced, and as the length is shortened, the accumulated foreign substances may be more easily removed by the flow of outside air F1.
FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a diverter according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of the diverter shown in FIG. 13 , taken along line F-F′.
Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , the diverter 400 may include a bypass slit 650. More specifically, the bypass slit 650 may be a plurality of slits formed in the cover of the rotation shaft 440 of the diverter housing 410.
The plurality of slits may include slits 650 extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft cover portion 430.
The slit 650 may be provided with a length L in a direction intersecting the direction in which the rotation shaft cover portion 430 extends. The length L may be provided shorter than W. However, since the slit 650 extends in a direction parallel to the direction in which the rotation shaft cover portion 430 extends, outside air F1 may be allowed to flow to contact the entire bypass path formed between the rotation shaft 440 and the cover of the rotation shaft 440 along the direction in which the rotation shaft 440 extends. Through this, foreign substances accumulated in the bypass path may be removed more effectively.
A cleaner station 4 according to an embodiment including a suction device 380 configured to draw in dust from a dust bin 23, 55 of a cleaner includes a diverter 400 in communication with the suction device 380. The diverter 400 includes a diverter housing 410 including a dust inlet 422, 423 through which dust in the dust bin 23, 55 is drawn in upon operation of the suction device 380. The diverter 400 includes an inlet cover 441 accommodated in the diverter housing 410 and configured to open and close the dust inlet 422, 423. The diverter 400 includes a rotation shaft 440 coupled to the inlet cover 441 such that the inlet cover 441 is rotatable. The diverter housing 410 includes a rotation shaft cover portion 430 configured to cover the rotation shaft 440, the rotation shaft cover portion 430 spaced apart from the rotation shaft 440 to form a bypass path 4211, 4212 between the rotation shaft 440 and the rotation shaft cover portion 430. The diverter housing 410 includes a bypass hole 450 through which outside air F1 is drawn in when dust is drawn into the diverter housing 410 through the dust inlet 422, 423, to form a flow into an interior of the diverter 400 along the bypass path 4211, 4212.
The bypass hole 450 may be formed in the rotation shaft cover portion 430 to communicate with the bypass path 4211, 4212.
The bypass path 4211, 4212 may include a first bypass path 4211 leading to one side 4411 of the inlet cover 441. The bypass path 4211, 4212 may include a second bypass path 4212 leading to the other side 4412 of the inlet cover 441, and a flow from the bypass hole 450 into an interior of the diverter 400 may be formed in each of the first bypass path 4211 and the second bypass path 4212.
The bypass hole 450 may include a plurality of holes 450 spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft cover portion 430.
The plurality of holes may include slits 550 extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the rotation shaft cover portion 430 extends.
The bypass hole 450 may include slits 650 extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft cover portion 430.
The bypass hole 450 may include a plurality of the slits 550, 650 extending in a same length.
The plurality of holes may be formed to have a same size (W).
The rotation shaft 440 may be configured to rotate with both side ends thereof coupled to the diverter housing 410.
The cleaner station may further include a rotation motor 480, wherein the rotation motor 480 may be provided to be coupled to one end of the rotation shaft 440 to rotate the inlet cover 441.
The rotation shaft cover portion 430 may be arranged to be concentric with the rotation shaft 440.
A cleaner station 4 according to an embodiment including a suction device 380 configured to draw in dust from a dust bin 23, 55 of a cleaner includes a dust collection chamber 370 in which the drawn-in dust is stored. The cleaner station 4 includes a diverter 400 that is in communication with the dust collection chamber 370 and the suction device 380, and includes a dust inlet 422, 423 through which dust in the dust bin 23, 55 is drawn in upon operation of the suction device 380. The diverter 400 includes an inlet cover 441 accommodated in the diverter 400 and configured to open and close the dust inlet 422, 423. The diverter 400 includes a rotation shaft 440 coupled to the inlet cover 441 such that the inlet cover 441 is rotatable. The diverter 400 includes a rotation shaft cover portion 430 configured to cover the rotation shaft 440, the rotation shaft cover portion 430 being spaced apart from the rotation shaft 440 to form a bypass path 4211, 4212 between the rotation shaft 440 and the rotation shaft cover portion 430. The diverter 400 includes a bypass hole 450 through which outside air F1 is drawn in when dust is drawn into an interior of the diverter 400 through the dust inlet 422, 423, to form a flow into the diverter 400 along the bypass path 4211, 4212.
The bypass hole 450 may be formed in the rotation shaft cover portion 430 to communicate with the bypass path 4211, 4212.
The bypass path 4211, 4212 may include a first bypass path 4211 leading to one side 4411 of the inlet cover 441 and a second bypass path 4212 leading to the other side 4412 of the inlet cover 441. A flow from the bypass hole 450 into an interior of the diverter 400 may be formed in each of the first bypass path 4211 and the second bypass path 4212.
The bypass hole 450 may include a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft cover portion 430.
The plurality of holes may include slits 550 extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the rotation shaft cover portion 430 extends.
The bypass hole may include slits 650 extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft cover portion 430.
The cleaner station 4 may further include a rotation motor 480. The rotation motor 480 may be configured to be coupled to one end of the rotation shaft 440 to rotate the inlet cover 441. The rotation shaft 440 may be arranged to be concentric with the rotation shaft cover portion 430 and rotate.
A cleaner station 4 according to including a suction device 380 configured to draw in dust collected in a cleaner and a dust collection chamber 370 in which the drawn-in dust is stored includes a diverter 400 including a dust inlet 422, 423 through which dust stored in the cleaner is drawn in upon operation of the suction device 380. The cleaner station 4 includes a suction path 351, 425 that allows communication between the dust inlet 422, 423 and the cleaner. The cleaner station 4 includes a discharge path 352 that allows communication between the dust collection chamber 370 and the diverter 400. The diverter 400 includes a diverter housing 410 in which the dust inlet 422, 423 is formed. The diverter 400 includes an inlet cover 441 accommodated in the diverter housing 410 and configured to open and close the dust inlet 422, 423. The diverter 400 includes a rotation shaft 440 coupled to the inlet cover 441 such that the inlet cover 441 is rotatable. The diverter housing 410 includes a rotation shaft cover portion 430 configured to cover the rotation shaft 440, the rotation shaft cover portion 430 being spaced apart from the rotation shaft 440 to form a bypass path 4211, 4212 between the rotation shaft 440 and the rotation shaft cover portion 430. The diverter housing 410 includes a bypass hole 450 formed in the rotation shaft cover portion 430 such that, when dust is drawn into the diverter housing 410 through the dust inlet 422, 423, outside air F1 is drawn in through the bypass hole 450 to form a flow into an interior of the diverter 400 along the bypass path 4211, 4212.
The bypass path 4211, 4212 may include a first bypass path 4211 leading to one side 4411 of the inlet cover 441 and a second bypass path 4212 leading to the other side 4412 of the inlet cover 441. A flow from the bypass hole 450 into the interior of the diverter 400 may be formed in each of the first and second bypass paths.
According to the concept of the present disclosure, the cleaner station can accommodate a plurality of cleaners at the same time.
According to the concept of the present disclosure, the cleaner station can empty dust bins of a plurality of cleaners, thereby improving user convenience.
According to the concept of the present disclosure, foreign substances accumulated in a diverter can be removed by an external airflow through a bypass hole, thereby preventing damage to the diverter.
The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other effects that are not described above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.
The foregoing has illustrated and described specific embodiments. However, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the technical idea of the present disclosure described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A cleaner station including a suction device configured to draw in dust from a dust bin of a cleaner, the cleaner station comprising:

a diverter in communication with the suction device, the diverter including:

a diverter housing including a dust inlet through which the dust in the dust bin is drawn in upon operation of the suction device;

an inlet cover accommodated in the diverter housing and configured to open and close the dust inlet; and

a rotation shaft coupled to the inlet cover such that the inlet cover is rotatable,

wherein the diverter housing includes:

a rotation shaft cover portion configured to cover the rotation shaft, the rotation shaft cover portion spaced apart from the rotation shaft to form a bypass path between the rotation shaft and the rotation shaft cover portion, and

a bypass hole through which air from outside is drawn in when dust is drawn into an interior of the diverter housing through the dust inlet, to form an air flow from the outside through the bypass hole and into the interior of the diverter housing along the bypass path.

2. The cleaner station of claim 1, wherein the bypass hole is formed in the rotation shaft cover portion to communicate with the bypass path.

3. The cleaner station of claim 1, wherein

the bypass path includes a first bypass path leading to one side of the inlet cover and a second bypass path leading to an other side of the inlet cover, and

the air flow from the bypass hole into the interior of the diverter housing is formed in each of the first bypass path and the second bypass path.

4. The cleaner station of claim 2, wherein the bypass hole includes a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft cover portion.

5. The cleaner station of claim 4, wherein the plurality of holes include slits extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft cover portion.

6. The cleaner station of claim 4, wherein the plurality of holes include slits extending in the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft cover portion.

7. The cleaner station of claim 6, wherein the slits extend in a same length, respectively.

8. The cleaner station of claim 4, wherein the plurality of holes are formed to have a same size.

9. The cleaner station of claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft is configured to rotate with both side ends thereof coupled to the diverter housing.

10. The cleaner station of claim 1, further comprising a rotation motor,

wherein the rotation motor is provided to be coupled to one end of the rotation shaft to rotate the inlet cover.

11. The cleaner station of claim 10, wherein the rotation shaft cover portion is arranged to be concentric with the rotation shaft.