Dust Collecting Apparatus and Cleaning Equipment

The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410316172.3, filed on Mar. 19, 2024. The entire contents of the above-listed application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

With the rapid development of computer technology and artificial intelligence science, intelligent equipment has gradually entered every household. The cleaning equipment taking a robot vacuum cleaner as an example is a kind of the intelligent equipment, and the robot vacuum cleaner is also called a sweeping vacuum cleaner, an intelligent vacuum cleaner, etc., and is a kind of intelligent home. The robot vacuum cleaner can automatically complete a floor sweeping task in a room by means of certain artificial intelligence. When the robot vacuum cleaner works, rubbish dust is usually swept into a dust inlet through a rolling brush, a draught fan generates negative pressure to suck the rubbish into a dust collecting apparatus, and the floor sweeping work is completed through cooperation of the rolling brush and the draught fan.

The disclosure relates to the technical field of cleaning equipment, in particular to a dust collecting apparatus and cleaning equipment.

According to a first aspect of an example of the disclosure, a dust collecting apparatus is provided, applied to cleaning equipment, including: a shell, the shell having a first side wall and a second side wall intersecting each other, the first side wall and the second side wall enclosing and defining the shell, and the first side wall having an exhaust inlet and a dust collecting opening which are oppositely arranged; and a compressing mechanism, located in the shell, having a fixed end and a free end which are far away from each other, the fixed end being connected in the shell, and the free end being configured to be movable in the shell to one side close to the second side wall to extrude rubbish in the shell.

According to a second aspect of an example of the disclosure, cleaning equipment is provided, including: the dust collecting apparatus according to any one embodiment of the first aspect.

It is to be understood that the general description above and the following detailed description are merely illustrative and explanatory, and cannot limit the disclosure.

Examples will be described in detail here, as exemplified in accompanying drawings. When the description below refers to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar elements. Embodiments described in the following examples do not represent all embodiments consistent with the disclosure. Rather, the embodiments are merely examples of apparatuses and methods that are consistent with some aspects of the disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

With the rapid development of computer technology and artificial intelligence science, intelligent equipment has gradually entered every household. The cleaning equipment taking a robot vacuum cleaner as an example is a kind of the intelligent equipment, and the robot vacuum cleaner is also called a sweeping vacuum cleaner, an intelligent vacuum cleaner, etc., and is a kind of intelligent home. The robot vacuum cleaner can automatically complete a floor sweeping task in a room by means of certain artificial intelligence. When the robot vacuum cleaner works, rubbish dust is usually swept into a dust inlet through a rolling brush, a draught fan generates negative pressure to suck the rubbish into a dust collecting apparatus, and the floor sweeping work is completed through cooperation of the rolling brush and the draught fan.

In the related art, the robot vacuum cleaner mostly uses a dust box as a dust collecting apparatus, due to a small distance from a dust inlet of the dust collecting apparatus to the ground and other reasons, a use ratio of dust collecting space in the dust collecting apparatus is not high, a user needs to frequently dump the rubbish, and clean the dust collecting apparatus, and thus, the rubbish in the dust collecting apparatus needs to be compressed, however, currently the compressed rubbish is prone to blocking the exhaust inlet, affecting the effect of the dust collecting apparatus collecting the rubbish, and bring a poor use experience to the user.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the disclosure provides a dust collecting apparatusand cleaning equipment.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a dust collecting apparatusis provided, and applied to cleaning equipment. As shown in, the dust collecting apparatusincludes: a shelland a compressing mechanism.

The shellhas a first side walland a second side wallintersecting each other, the shellis enclosed and defined by the first side walland the second side wall, the first side wallhas an exhaust inletand a dust collecting openingwhich are oppositely arranged, a compressing mechanismis located in the shell, the compressing mechanismhas a fixed endand a free endwhich are far away from each other, the fixed endis connected in the shell, and the free endis arranged to be movable in the shelltoward one side close to the second side wallto extrude rubbish in the shell.

The shellserves as a housing of the dust collecting apparatus, is mainly used for providing a storage space for accommodating rubbish. A material of the shellmay be plastic, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic (ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET), etc., so as to reduce the weight of the dust collecting apparatusfor facilitating taking and putting. Certainly, the disclosure is not limited to this, in other examples, the material of the shellmay also be metal, for example, an aluminous material, an aluminum alloy material, a copper material, a copper alloy material, a ferrous material, and a stainless steel material, so as to improve the strength of the shellto prolong its service life.

Specifically, the shape and construction of the shellmay be designed according to practical needs, which is not specifically limited in the disclosure here.

The exhaust inletmay be used to communicate with a dust pumping mechanism of the cleaning equipment, for example, the dust pumping mechanism may be specifically an exhaust fan, after the dust pumping mechanism is started, the shellis pumped through the exhaust fan, such that negative pressure is formed in the shellto generate suction, and dust and other rubbish are sucked into the shellfor being collected and temporarily stored.

The compressing mechanismis used to extrude the rubbish in the shell, the compressing mechanismhas the fixed endand the free endwhich are far away from each other, the fixed endis connected in the shell, the free endmoves in the shellto one side close to the second side wallto extrude the rubbish in the shell, and the rubbish is extruded by the compressing mechanismin the shellin a direction avoiding the exhaust inletand/or the dust collecting opening.

In the disclosure, by arranging the compressing mechanismin the shell, the limited space in the dust collecting apparatusis efficiently used, the frequency of a user dumping the rubbish is effectively reduced, by making the free endof the compressing mechanismmoves in the shellto one side close to the second side wallto extrude the rubbish in the shell, the situation that the compressed rubbish blocks the exhaust inletand the effect of the dust collecting apparatuscollecting the rubbish is affected is avoided, and the use experience of the user is greatly improved.

In some possible embodiments, as shown inand, the first side wallincludes a first sub-side walland a second sub-side wallwhich are oppositely arranged, the exhaust inletis located in the first sub-side wall, and the dust collecting openingis located in the second sub-side wall.

The first sub-side wallmay be a cuboid or a square, such that its shape is relatively regular for facilitating molding and manufacturing. Certainly, in other examples, the first sub-side wallmay also be of a structure with other shapes, and the specific shape of the first sub-side wallis not limited in the examples of the disclosure.

The second sub-side wallmay be a cuboid or a square, such that its shape is relatively regular for facilitating molding and manufacturing. Certainly, in other examples, the second sub-side wallmay also be of a structure with other shapes, and the specific shape of the second sub-side wallis not limited in the examples of the disclosure.

In the example of the disclosure, the exhaust inletand the dust collecting openingare respectively arranged in the opposite first sub-side walland second sub-side wallof the shell, such that the rubbish is conveniently collected by the dust collecting apparatusinto the shellfrom the dust collecting opening.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in, the second side wallincludes a third sub-side walland a fourth sub-side wallwhich are oppositely arranged in a first direction, the first sub-side walland the second sub-side wallare oppositely arranged in a second direction, and the first direction is different from the second direction.

As shown inand, the first direction may be an up-down direction of the dust collecting apparatus, the second direction may be a left-right direction of the dust collecting apparatus, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

The third sub-side wallmay be a cuboid or a square, such that its shape is relatively regular for facilitating molding and manufacturing. Certainly, in other examples, the third sub-side wallmay also be of a structure with other shapes, and the specific shape of the third sub-side wallis not limited in the examples of the disclosure.

The fourth sub-side wallmay be a cuboid or a square, such that its shape is relatively regular for facilitating molding and manufacturing. Certainly, in other examples, the fourth sub-side wallmay also be of a structure with other shapes, and the specific shape of the fourth sub-side wallis not limited in the examples of the disclosure.

In the example of the disclosure, the third sub-side wallmay be an upper side wall of the shell, the fourth sub-side wallmay be a bottom side wall of the shell, by making the free endof the compressing mechanismmoves in the shelltoward one side close to the third sub-side walland/or the fourth sub-side wallto extrude the rubbish in the shell, the situation that the compressed rubbish blocks the exhaust inletand the effect of the dust collecting apparatus collecting the rubbish is affected is avoided, and the use experience of the user is greatly improved.

In some possible embodiments, the fixed endis connected to the fourth sub-side wall, the free endis arranged to be able rotate in the shelltoward one side close to the fourth sub-side wall, and/or, the fixed endis connected to the third sub-side wall, and the free endis arranged to be able move in the shelltoward one side close to the fourth sub-side wall.

For example, as shown in, the fixed endis connected to the fourth sub-side wall, the free endis arranged to be able rotate in the shelltoward one side close to the fourth sub-side wall, such that the limited space in the dust collecting apparatusis efficiently used, the frequency of the user dumping the rubbish is effectively reduced, meanwhile, the situation that the compressed rubbish blocks the exhaust inletand the effect of the dust collecting apparatus collecting the rubbish is affected is avoided, and the use experience of the user is greatly improved.

For example, as shown inand, the fixed endis connected to the third sub-side wall, the free endis arranged to be able move in the shelltoward one side close to the fourth sub-side wall, such that the limited space in the dust collecting apparatusis efficiently used, the frequency of the user dumping the rubbish is effectively reduced, meanwhile, the situation that the compressed rubbish blocks the exhaust inletand the effect of the dust collecting apparatus collecting the rubbish is affected is avoided, and the use experience of the user is greatly improved.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in,, and, the compressing mechanismincludes a pressure applying member, one end of the pressure applying memberis the fixed end, the other end of the pressure applying memberis the free end, when the pressure applying memberis in a first state in the shell, and the free endmoves in the shelltoward one side close to the fourth sub-side wallto extrude the rubbish in the shell; and when the pressure applying memberis in a second state in the shell, the free endmoves in the shelltoward one side close to the third sub-side wall, and negative pressure is formed in the shellto collect the rubbish at the dust collecting opening.

The first state may be understood as a state in which the pressure applying memberis located when the rubbish in the shellis compressed, and the second state may be understood as a state in which the pressure applying memberis located when the rubbish at the dust collecting openingis collected into the shell.

In the example of the disclosure, the free endof the pressure applying membermoves in the shelltoward one side close to the fourth sub-side wallto extrude the rubbish in the shell, such that the limited space in the dust collecting apparatus is efficiently used, the frequency of the user dumping the rubbish is effectively reduced, meanwhile, the situation that the compressed rubbish blocks the exhaust inletand the effect of the dust collecting apparatus collecting the rubbish is affected is avoided, and the use experience of the user is greatly improved.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in, the dust collecting apparatusincludes: a driving mechanism.

The driving mechanismis mounted on the shell, and the driving mechanismis used to drive the free endof the pressure applying memberto move.

In the example of the disclosure, the driving mechanismis used to drive the free endof the pressure applying memberto move in the shelltoward one side close to the fourth sub-side wallto extrude the rubbish in the shell, such that the limited space in the dust collecting apparatus is efficiently used, the frequency of the user dumping the rubbish is effectively reduced, meanwhile, the situation that the compressed rubbish blocks the exhaust inletand the effect of the dust collecting apparatus collecting the rubbish is affected is avoided, and the use experience of the user is greatly improved.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in, the free endof the pressure applying memberis driven by the driving mechanismto perform a lifting-descending motion in the shell; and/or, the free endof the pressure applying memberis driven by the driving mechanismto perform a rotation motion in the shell.

For example, as shown in, the driving mechanismis connected to the fourth sub-side wall, the free endof the pressure applying memberis driven by the driving mechanismto rotate in the shelltoward one side close to the fourth sub-side wall, such that the limited space in the dust collecting apparatus is efficiently used, the frequency of the user dumping the rubbish is effectively reduced, meanwhile, the situation that the compressed rubbish blocks the exhaust inletand the effect of the dust collecting apparatus collecting the rubbish is affected is avoided, and the use experience of the user is greatly improved.

For example, as shown inand, the driving mechanismis connected to the third sub-side wall, the free endof the pressure applying memberis driven by the driving mechanismto perform the lifting-descending motion in the shelltoward one side close to the fourth sub-side wall, such that the limited space in the dust collecting apparatus is efficiently used, the frequency of the user dumping the rubbish is effectively reduced, meanwhile, the situation that the compressed rubbish blocks the exhaust inletand the effect of the dust collecting apparatus collecting the rubbish is affected is avoided, and the use experience of the user is greatly improved.

In some possible embodiments, as shown inand, the pressure applying memberis a first pressure applying member, the driving mechanismis a first driving member, the first driving member is connected with the first pressure applying member through a first pipe orifice, that is, in, the driving mechanismas the first driving member is connected to the pressure applying memberas the first pressure applying member through the first pipe orifice, the first driving member communicates with the outside through a second pipe orifice, the first pressure applying member is inflated by the first driving member, the first pressure applying member is in an unfolded state in the shell, and the free end of the first pressure applying member moves in the shell toward one side close to the fourth sub-side wall; and the first pressure applying member is deflated by the first driving member, the first pressure applying member is in a retracted state in the shell, and the free end of the first pressure applying member moves in the shell toward one side close to the third sub-side wall.

In the example of the disclosure, the first pressure applying member may be a flexible air bag, the first driving member may be a peristaltic pump, an air inlet/outlet may be arranged in the third sub-side wall, the peristaltic pump is connected with the air inlet/outlet through the second pipe orifice, such that the peristaltic pump communicates with the outside, and the flexible air bag is unfolded and retracted through inflation and deflation of the peristaltic pump to the flexible air bag. Specifically, when the dust collecting apparatus completes dust collection, the peristaltic pump works in a forward direction to inflate the flexible air bag, the flexible air bag is unfolded and may press the rubbish in the shell, the function of compressing the rubbish is achieved, the space use ratio in the shellis improved, and the user is prevented from frequently dumping the rubbish; and when dust collection is started again, the peristaltic pump works in a reverse direction to deflate the flexible air bag, the flexible air bag is retracted, and the situation that the rubbish is blocked from entering the shellthrough the dust collecting openingis avoided.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in, the pressure applying memberis a second pressure applying member, the driving mechanismis a second driving member, the second pressure applying member is driven by the second driving member, the second pressure applying member is in an unfolded state in the shell, and the free endof the second pressure applying member moves in the shelltoward one side close to the fourth sub-side wall; and the second pressure applying member is driven by the second driving member, the second pressure applying member is in a retracted state in the shell, and the free endof the second pressure applying member moves in the shelltoward one side close to the third sub-side wall.

In the example of the disclosure, the second pressure applying member may be a shear lifting mechanism, and the shear lifting mechanism is driven by the second driving member to descend and lift. When the dust collecting apparatus works and collects dust, at intervals the shear lifting mechanism is driven by the second driving member to descend to press the rubbish in the shell, the function of compressing the rubbish is achieved, the space use ratio in the shellis improved, and the user is prevented from frequently dumping the rubbish; and after pressing is completed, the shear lifting mechanism is driven by the second driving member to lift, and normal dust collection of the shellis not affected.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in, the second pressure applying member includes: a fixed member-and a moving member-which are parallelly arranged and a plurality of connecting members-.

The fixed member-is mounted on the third sub-side wall, and the moving member-is located below the fixed member-; and two of the connecting members-intersect each other and are rotatably connected, one ends of the connecting members-on the same side are rotatably connected with the moving member-, the other ends of the connecting members-on the same side are connected with a sliding block-, the other ends of the connecting members-are rotatably connected with the sliding block-, the sliding block-is configured to be movable in a second direction relative to the fixed member-, or, one ends of the connecting members-on the same side are rotatably connected with the fixed member-, the other ends of the connecting members-on the same side are connected with a sliding block-, the other ends of the connecting members-are rotatably connected with the sliding block-, the sliding block-is configured to be movable in a second direction relative to the moving member-, and the moving member-moves in a first direction.

In the example of the disclosure, the moving member-moves in the first direction relative to the fixed member-through the connecting members-, the rubbish in the shellis pressed, the function of compressing the rubbish is achieved, the space use ratio in the shellis improved, and the user is prevented from frequently dumping the rubbish.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in, the second driving member includes: a first motor, a screw rodand a sliding rail.

One end of the screw rodis rotatably mounted to the moving member-or the fixed member-, the other end of the screw rodis coaxially connected with the first motor, and the sliding block-is in threaded connection with the screw rod; and the sliding railis arranged at the moving member-and/or the fixed member-, and the sliding railis used to limit the sliding block-to moving in the second direction.

In the example of the disclosure, the first motormay be a reversible motor, the screw rodmay be a ball screw, and the first motoris connected with the screw rodthrough a coupler. The first motorstarts to drive the screw rodto rotate, such that the sliding block-performs a relative linear motion along the sliding rail, so as to drive the connecting members-to move. One ends of the connecting members-are fixed to a rotating shaft positioning block and can merely rotate, and the other ends of the connecting members-are fixed to the sliding block-, so as to perform rotation and linear motions. The sliding block-performs a reciprocating motion in the sliding rail, and the connecting members-may retract and stretch, so as to drive the moving member-to press the rubbish downwards and recover. The function of compressing the rubbish is achieved, the space use ratio in the shellis improved, the user is prevented from frequently dumping the rubbish, and meanwhile, normal dust collection of the dust collecting apparatus is not affected.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in, the pressure applying memberis a third pressure applying member, the driving mechanism is a third driving member, the third pressure applying member is driven by the third driving member, the third pressure applying member rotates in the shelltaking the fixed endof the third pressure applying member as a rotary shaft, the third pressure applying member is in a first state in the shell, and the free endof the third pressure applying member rotates in the shelltoward one side close to the fourth sub-side wall; and the third pressure applying member is in a second state in the shell, the free endmoves in the shelltoward one side close to the first sub-side wall, and negative pressure is formed in the shellto collect the rubbish at the dust collecting opening.

In the example of the disclosure, after the dust collecting apparatus sucks the rubbish into the shell, as shown in, the third pressure applying member is driven by the third driving member, the third pressure applying member rotates in the shelltaking the fixed endof the third pressure applying member as the rotary shaft, the third pressure applying member rotates and compresses the rubbish, the function of compressing the rubbish is achieved, the space use ratio in the shellis improved, and the user is prevented from frequently dumping the rubbish; and after the rubbish is compressed, as shown in, the third pressure applying member rotates in the shelltaking the fixed endof the third pressure applying member as the rotary shaft, the free endmoves in the shelltoward one side close to the first sub-side wall, the third pressure applying member rotates back to a position parallel to an exhaust inlet, normal dust collection of the shellis not affected, and the next motion of rotatably pressing the rubbish is carried out after another dust collection for a certain time.