Mop module and robot cleaner having the same

• US 10,117,557 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2015
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Jihwan, Kim, Hwang, Park, Sungil
• Primary Examiner(s): Hail, Joseph J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Milanian, Arman
• Application Number:
  US14/956,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20160150934A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 296 108, 403329
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/20 combined with vacuum cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0686 Nozzles with cleaning cloths, e.g. using disposal fabrics for covering the nozzle

Abstract

A mop module for a robot cleaner may include a module body detachably coupled to a cleaner body; and a mop mounted to the module body, and configured to wipe a floor as the cleaner body moves. The module body may include a hook protruding from the module body, and detachably mounted to the cleaner body by being elastically deflected; and a pressing member installed at the module body so as to be moveable in opposing directions, and configured to elastically deflect the hook.

Claims

1. A mop module for a robot cleaner, comprising:

a module body configured to be detachably coupled to a cleaner body; and

a mop mounted to the module body,

wherein the module body includes;

a hook protruding from the module body, and detachably mounted to the cleaner body by being elastically deflected; and

a pressing member provided at the module body so as to be moveable in opposing directions, and configured to elastically deflect the hook when pressed in a first direction.

2. The mop module for a robot cleaner of claim 1, wherein the hook includes:

a hook body protruding from the module body; and

an elastic extension connected to the hook body,

wherein when the pressing member is moved to the first direction, the elastic extension is deflected toward the hook body.

3. The mop module for a robot cleaner of claim 2, wherein the pressing member includes:

a rod extending in the first direction;

a first tab protruding from the rod; and

a second tab provided at one end of the rod and exposed to the outside.

4. The mop module for a robot cleaner of claim 3, wherein the module body further includes:

a guide groove which extends along the first direction so as to guide movement of the rod; and

an opening which is open at the guide groove toward a first surface of the module body such that the first tab is exposed to the first surface of the module body where the hook is formed.

5. The mop module for a robot cleaner of claim 4, wherein the first tab is formed to move in a second direction by restoration of the elastic extension, and to be locked to an inner wall of the module body which forms the opening when pressure on the second tab is released.

6. The mop module for a robot cleaner of claim 5, wherein the first tab is configured to contact the elastic extension in a locked state to the inner wall of the module body which forms the opening.

7. The mop module for a robot cleaner of claim 3, wherein the hook include at least one of first hook or second hook at the module body.

8. The mop module for a robot cleaner of claim 7, wherein the first tab is provided to correspond to at least one of the first hook or the second hook, so as to elastically deflect at least one of the first hook or the second hook when the second tab is pressed.

9. The mop module for a robot cleaner of claim 2, wherein the elastic extension includes first and second elastic extensions disposed at two sides of the hook body, and

wherein the first tab is a first pressing member configured to elastically deflect the first elastic extension, and a second pressing member configured to elastically deflect the second elastic extension.

10. The mop module for a robot cleaner of claim 9, wherein the first and second pressing members are configured to press the first and second elastic extensions toward the hook body by moving in opposing directions when the second tab is pressed.

11. The mop module for a robot cleaner of claim 1, wherein an opening communicated with an empty space inside the module body is formed at an upper surface of the module body, such that water is provided into the module body through the opening,

wherein a cap is configured to open and close the opening, and

wherein a discharge hole, through which water contained in the module body is discharged out, is formed on a bottom surface of the module body where the mop is mounted.

12. The mop module for a robot cleaner of claim 11, wherein a heating unit, configured to heat water contained in the module body such that steam is discharged out through the discharge hole, is provided in the module body.

13. A robot cleaner, comprising:

a cleaner body configured to autonomously move over a predetermined region; and

a mop module including a module body detachably coupled to the cleaner body, and a mop mounted to the module body,

wherein the module body includes;

a hook protruding from the module body, and detachably mounted to the cleaner body by being elastically deflected; and

first and second slides provided at the module body such that the first and second slides are moveable in opposing directions, and configured to elastically deflect the hook when the first and second slides are moved in the opposing directions,

wherein the cleaner body is provided with at least one air flow guide tube configured to guide air sucked through a suction unit to a suction opening of a cyclone unit, and

wherein the hook is detachably mounted to the at least one air flow guide tube.

14. The robot cleaner of claim 13, wherein the at least one air flow guide tube includes first and second air flow guide tubes spaced from each other and connected to the cyclone unit, and

wherein the hook is one of first and second hooks detachably mounted to the first and second air flow guide tubes, respectively.

15. The robot cleaner of claim 13, wherein a groove extends from an upper surface of the module body in back and forth directions, and

wherein a rib corresponding to the groove protrudes from the cleaner body, thereby guiding mounting of the module body.