Automatic cleaning apparatus

• US 20060185690A1
• Filed: 11/09/2005
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Song, Jeong-gon, Lim, Kwang-soo, Ko, Jang-youn, Jeung, Sam-jong, Lee, Ju-sang, Kim, Ki-man
• Application Number:
  US11/269,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20060185690A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/21
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4086 Arrangements for steam generation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation

Abstract

An automatic cleaning apparatus has a cleaner body having at least one driving wheel, and in certain disclosed embodiments, a vapor spray means installed in the cleaner body for generating water vapor during operation, and spraying the generated water vapor toward a lower part of the cleaner body.

Claims

1. An automatic cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a cleaner body having at least one driving wheel; and

a vapor spray means installed in the cleaner body, for generating a water vapor during operation, and spraying the generated water vapor toward a lower part of the cleaner body.

2. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vapor spray means comprises:

a water tank detachably mounted to the cleaner body; and

a vapor generating module installed in the cleaner body in fluid connection with the water tank, for converting a water from the water tank into a vapor and spraying the converted vapor toward a lower part of the cleaner body.

3. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaner body comprises a first mounting location to detachably mount the vapor generating module, and a second mounting location to mount the water tank, with the first and the second mounting location being connected with each other.

4. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cleaner body comprises a door provided to an upper part of the cleaner body to open and close the second mounting location.

5. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vapor generating module comprises:

a housing in fluid connection with the water tank, and storing a supplied water therein;

a vapor generating element provided inside the housing, for generating a vapor while in operation; and

a vapor spray part in fluid connection with the housing, for spraying the vapor generated from the housing toward a lower part of the cleaner body.

6. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vapor spray part comprises a vapor conveyance path in fluid connection with the housing, and one or more vapor spray nozzles in fluid connection with the vapor conveyance path, which are exposed toward a lower part of the cleaner body.

7. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 6, wherein there is a fan installed on the vapor conveyance path to force the vapor against a surface to be cleaned.

8. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vapor generating element comprises a carbon rod which is positioned under the water of the housing, and generates a vapor when electricity is applied to the rod.

9. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vapor generating element comprises a heater which is positioned under the water of the housing, and electrically generates heat.

10. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vapor generating element comprises a vibrator which is positioned under the water of the housing, and generates a vapor while in operation.

11. The automatic cleaning apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a wet floor-cloth which is rotatably mounted to a lower part of the automatic cleaning apparatus.