Nozzle for cleaner

A nozzle for a cleaner includes a nozzle body having a suction passage in which air flows. A water tank is detachably mounted on the nozzle body, and a rotation cleaning part is rotatably supported at a lower side of the nozzle body to receive water from the water tank for cleaning a floor. The water tank includes an outlet through which water is discharged, a valve configured to open and close the outlet, and an air hole configured to introduce outside air into the water tank. An air hole operation part is movably installed on the water tank to open and close the air hole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0050043, filed on Apr. 30, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD

The present specification relates to a nozzle for a cleaner.

BACKGROUND

A cleaner is a device for suctioning in or wiping dust or foreign materials in an area to be cleaned.

Such a cleaner may be divided into a manual cleaner for performing cleaning while a user directly moves the cleaner and an automatic cleaner for performing cleaning while autonomously traveling.

In addition, the manual cleaner may be divided into a canister-type cleaner, an upright-type cleaner, a handy-type cleaner and a stick-type cleaner, according to the shape of the cleaner.

Such a cleaner may clean a floor using a nozzle. In general, the nozzle may be used to suction in air and dust. According to the type of the nozzle, a mop may be attached to a nozzle to wipe a floor.

In the related art, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0405244 discloses a suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner.

The suction port assembly of the related art includes a suction body provided with a suction port.

The suction body includes a first suction path located at the front side thereof, a second suction path located at the rear side thereof, and a guide passage formed between the first suction path and the second suction path.

A mop is rotatably provided on a lower end of the suction body and a rotation driving part for driving the mop is provided inside the suction body.

However, in the related art, since a structure for supplying water to the mop is not provided, when a user wants to perform cleaning using the mop with water, the user needs to directly supply water to the mop.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a nozzle for a cleaner capable of not only suctioning in foreign materials on a floor but also rotating a mop to wipe the floor and supplying water to the mop.

Embodiments provide a nozzle for a cleaner capable of controlling the amount of water supplied to a mop.

In one embodiment, a nozzle for a cleaner includes a nozzle body including a suction passage in which air flows, a water tank detachably mounted in the nozzle body, and a rotation cleaning part rotatably provided at a lower side of the nozzle body to receive water of the water tank and to clean a floor. The water tank includes an outlet, through which water is discharged, a valve configured to open and close the outlet, an air hole configured to introduce outside air into the water tank, and an air hole operation part movably provided on the water tank to open and close the air hole.

The nozzle body may include a valve operation part configured to operate the valve to open the outlet in a process of mounting the water tank in the nozzle body, and

When the air hole is opened by operating the air hole operation part in a state in which the valve opens the outlet, water of the water tank may be discharged through the outlet.

The water tank may include a plurality of air holes, and the air hole operation part may open some or all of the plurality of air holes according to an operation position of the air hole operation part.

The water tank may include a plurality of air holes having different sizes, and the air hole operation part may selectively open the plurality of air holes according to an operation position of the air hole operation part.

For example, some of the plurality of air holes may be opened when the air hole operation part moves in a first direction and the others of the plurality of air holes may be opened when the air hole operation part moves in a direction opposite to the first direction.

In another example, some of the plurality of air holes may be opened when the air hole operation part moves in a first direction and all of the plurality of air holes may be opened when the air hole operation part further moves in the first direction.

The water tank may be coupled with a gasket including the air hole, and an air passage, in which air flows, may be formed in the gasket. A portion where the air hole is formed in the gasket is located inside the water tank.

The gasket may be formed such that a cross-sectional area thereof decreases from one point to the portion where the air hole is formed.

A shape of the gasket may be able to be changed by external force, and, when an outer shape of the gasket is deformed by operation of the air hole operation part, outside air may be introduced into the water tank through the air passage and the air hole.

The air hole may include a first air hole and a second air hole formed at a higher position with respect to gravity than the first air hole. The air hole operation part may open and close the first air hole, and the water tank may further include an air passage configured to enable communication between the first air hole and the second air hole.

The water tank may include a tank body forming a chamber in which water is stored. The tank body may form the air passage, and the air passage may be covered by a body cover.

The first air hole may be formed in the body cover and the second air hole may be formed in the tank body.

The air hole operation part may be provided on the body cover.

The first air hole may be located at a lower position relative to gravity than a full water level of the water tank. The second air hole may be located at a higher position relative to gravity than a full water level of the water tank.

The first air hole and the second air hole may be spaced apart from each other in a forward-and-backward direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that when components in the drawings are designated by reference numerals, the same components have the same reference numerals as far as possible even though the components are illustrated in different drawings. Further, in description of embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of well-known configurations or functions disturb understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.

Also, in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms such as first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) may be used. Each of the terms is merely used to distinguish the corresponding component from other components, and does not delimit an essence, an order or a sequence of the corresponding component. It should be understood that when one component is “connected”, “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly connected or jointed to the latter or may be “connected”, coupled” or “joined” to the latter with a third component interposed therebetween.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a nozzle for a cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 2is a perspective view of the nozzle for the cleaner ofFIG. 1when viewed from the lower side thereof, andFIG. 3is a view showing arrangement of a driving device in the nozzle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, the nozzle1for the cleaner (hereinafter referred to as a “nozzle”) according to the embodiment of the present invention may comprise a nozzle body10and a connection pipe20movably connected to the nozzle body10.

The nozzle1of the present embodiment may be used in a state of being connected to a handy-type cleaner or a canister-type cleaner, for example.

The nozzle1may comprise a battery therein to supply power to a power consumption part or may operate by receiving power from the connected cleaner.

Since the cleaner connected to the nozzle1comprises a suction motor, suction force generated by the suction motor may be applied to the nozzle1to suction in foreign materials and air on a floor through the nozzle1.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the nozzle1may serve to suction and guide foreign materials and dust on the floor to the cleaner.

The connection pipe20may be connected to the center of the rear side of the nozzle body10to guide the suctioned air to the cleaner, without being limited thereto. The connection pipe20may be connected to the suction pipe of the cleaner.

The nozzle1may further comprise rotation cleaning parts40and41rotatably provided at the lower side of the nozzle body10.

For example, a pair of rotation cleaning parts40and are arranged from side to side. The pair of rotation cleaning parts40and41may independently rotate. For example, the nozzle1may comprise the first rotation cleaning part40and the second rotation cleaning part41. In the present embodiment, the nozzle1may comprise one rotation cleaning part.

For example, the mops420and421may comprise the first mop420and the second mop421. The first mop420and the second mop421may be arranged from side to side.

The rotation plates410and411may comprise the first rotation plate410attached with the first mop420and the second rotation plate411attached with the second mop421.

The first rotation plate410and the second rotation plate411may be arranged from side to side.

The rotation plates410and411may be formed in a disk shape, for example, and may be attached with the mops420and421.

The nozzle body10may comprise a nozzle housing100forming appearance thereof. The nozzle housing100may comprise suction passages112and114for suctioning in air.

The suction passages112and114may comprise a first passage112extending from the nozzle housing100in the left-and-right direction and a second passage114communicating with the first passage112and extending in a forward-and-backward direction.

The first passage112may be formed in the front end of the lower surface of the nozzle housing100, for example.

The second passage114may extend backward from the first passage112. For example, the second passage114may extend backward from the center of the first passage112toward the connection pipe20.

The nozzle housing100may comprise a nozzle base110and a nozzle cover130coupled to an upper side of the nozzle base110.

The nozzle base110may define the first passage112. A passage forming part (not shown) forming the second passage112with the nozzle base110may be coupled to the upper side of the nozzle base110.

The nozzle body10may further comprise a water tank200to supply water to the mops420and421.

The water tank200may be detachably connected to the nozzle housing100. In a state in which the water tank200is mounted on the nozzle housing100, water of the water tank200may be supplied to the mops420and421.

The water tank200may comprise an air hole operation part270operated by a user to discharge water from the water tank200. When the air hole operation part270is operated in one direction, water may be discharged from the water tank200, and, when the air hole operation part270is operated in the other direction, discharging of water from the water tank200may be stopped. The air hole operation part270may be located at a lower position relative to gravity than a maximum water level of the water tank200.

In order to rotate the rotation plates410and411, the nozzle body10may further comprise a driving device.

The driving device may comprise a first driving device170for rotating the first rotation plate410and a second driving device171for rotating the second rotation plate411.

The driving devices170and171may be provided at the upper side of the nozzle base110may be spaced apart from each other in the left-and-right direction.

The second passage114may be located between the first driving device170and the second driving device171.

The driving devices170and171may comprise driving motors172and174and motor housings173and175respectively accommodating the driving motors172and174, respectively.

A plurality of gears for transmitting power of the driving motors172and174to the rotation plates410and411may be provided inside the motor housings173and175. The last gear of the plurality of gears may be connected to the rotation plates410and411.

A water passage hole117, through which water discharged from the water tank200passes, may be formed in the nozzle base110. A blocking rib119for preventing water discharged from the water tank200toward the driving devices170and171before passing through the water passage hole117may be formed in the nozzle base110.

The blocking rib119may be formed in a closed loop shape, for example, and the water passage hole117may be located in an area in which the blocking rib119is formed.

FIG. 4is a view showing a water tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the lower side thereof, andFIG. 5is a perspective view of a nozzle cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 5, the water tank200may be mounted at the upper side of the nozzle housing100.

For example, the water tank200may be seated on an upper side of the nozzle cover130. In a state in which the water tank200is seated on the nozzle cover130, the water tank200may define a portion of the appearance of the nozzle body10.

The water tank200may comprise a tank body defining a chamber in which water is stored. The tank body may be formed such that the front side thereof has a low height and the rear side thereof has a high height.

The rear side of the tank body is located adjacent to the connection pipe20. In this case, the front side of the nozzle1may have a low height and the rear side thereof may have a high height. When the height of the front side of the nozzle1is low, the nozzle may enter a narrow gap, thereby increasing a cleanable region.

The tank body may comprise a first body210and a second body250coupled to the first body210to define the chamber with the first body210.

The water tank200may further comprise an inlet (not shown) for introducing water into the chamber and an inlet cover213covering the inlet.

The water tank200may further comprise an outlet214for discharging water. For example, the water tank200may comprise a plurality of outlets214to supply water to the rotation cleaning parts40and41. The plurality of outlets214may be spaced apart from each other in the left-and-right direction.

The outlets214may be opened and closed by the valve (see230ofFIG. 6) located inside the water tank200.

The water tank200may further comprise a first coupling part245for coupling with the nozzle body10.

In addition, the water tank200may further comprise a coupling rib246coupled with the nozzle body10before the first coupling part245is coupled to the nozzle body10.

The nozzle cover130may comprise driving-part covers142and144that is configured to cover the upper sides of the driving devices170and171.

The driving-part covers142and144are portions protruding upward from the nozzle cover130. The driving-part covers142and144may surround the upper sides of the driving devices170and171provided in the nozzle base110.

The water tank200may comprise receiving spaces242and244in which the driving-part covers142and144are received in a state in which the water tank200is mounted in the nozzle body10. The receiving spaces242and244may be formed by depressing a portion of the water tank200upward.

In addition, when the water tank200is seated on the nozzle cover130, the driving-part covers142and144are respectively received in the receiving spaces242and244, thereby preventing interference between components.

When the water tank200is mounted in the nozzle body10, the water tank200surrounds the driving-part covers142and144. Accordingly, by the water tank200, it is possible to increase the storage capacity of water in the water tank200while minimizing increase in height of the nozzle1.

The nozzle cover130may further comprise a button support part150that is configured to support an operation button160operated by the user in order to detach the water tank200from the nozzle body10.

The button support part150is disposed between the driving-part covers142and144and is located above the second passage114.

In the button support part150, a second coupling part162for coupling with the first coupling part245of the water tank200may be provided below the operation button160.

When the operation button160is operated in a state in which the first coupling part245is coupled to the second coupling part162, the second coupling part162may be decoupled and spaced apart from the first coupling part245.

The nozzle cover130may further comprise a valve operation part122for operating the valve230while the water tank200is seated.

The valve operation part122may protrude upward from the nozzle cover130and have a passage therein.

FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a valve opens an outlet in a state in which a water tank is mounted in a nozzle body.

The fixing part232may be fixed to a fixing rib215protruding upward from the first housing210.

The fixing part232restricts movement of the opening/closing part234to a certain height in a state of being coupled to the fixing rib215.

The opening/closing part234may move upward and downward and open the outlet214while moving upward.

The opening/closing part234may be elastically supported by an elastic member236. The elastic member263is a coil spring, for example, one end thereof is supported by the fixing part232and the other end thereof is supported by the opening/closing part234.

The elastic member236applies force to the opening/closing part234such that the opening/closing part234moves downward.

The diameter of at least a portion of the opening/closing part234may be greater than that of the outlet214, thereby preventing the opening/closing part234from blocking the discharge part214.

Alternatively, a packing part220made of rubber may be coupled to the outlet214and an opening222may be formed in the packing part220. The opening/closing part234may open or close the opening222.

The valve operation part122may enter the water tank200through the opening222of the packing part220, when the water tank200is mounted in the nozzle body10.

When the valve operation part122passes through the opening222of the packing part220, the valve operation part122raises the opening/closing part234. Then, the opening/closing part234is spaced apart from the opening222.

The valve operation part122may be formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. A water passage124may be formed inside the valve operation part122and one or more slots123may be formed in the circumference of the valve operation part.

Accordingly, water in the water tank200flows into the water passage214through the slots123and flow downward along the water passage214.

Meanwhile, a blocking rib149may be provided on the nozzle cover130at a position corresponding to the blocking rib119of the nozzle base110.

The blocking rib149of the nozzle cover130may be seated on the blocking rib119of the nozzle base110. The blocking ribs119and149form a guide passage118in which water discharged from the water tank200flows.

A sealing member133may be provided in inner areas of the blocking ribs119and149such that water of the guide passage118is not leaked. The sealing member133may prevent water from being leaked through a contact surface of the blocking ribs119and149.

At this time, the valve operation part122and the water passage hole117of the nozzle base110are disposed not to overlap in an upward-and-downward direction.

Accordingly, water passing through the valve operation part122may drop onto the upper surface110aof the nozzle base110and then flow toward the water passage hole117.

At this time, the upper surface110amay be inclined downward toward the water passage hole117at a point where water drops, such that water dropping onto the upper surface110aof the nozzle base110smoothly flows toward the water passage hole117.

Alternatively, the guide passage118may be provided with an absorption part (not shown) for absorbing water. The absorption part may absorb water discharged from the water tank200. When the amount of supplied water increases, water of the absorption part may drop toward the water passage hole117.

When the amount of water in the water tank200is large, water is smoothly supplied to the mop by water pressure of water discharged from the water tank200. However, when the amount of water decreases, water pressure is weak and thus the amount of water decreases. The absorption part may serve as a damper for continuously supplying water to the mop during the cleaning process.

The rotation plates410and411may comprise openings414, through which water discharged from the water passage hole117passes.

Since the rotation plates410and411rotate, a plurality of openings414may be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction, such that water smoothly passes through the openings414.

The openings414may be located outside the water passage hole117in a radial direction. When centrifugal force is generated when the rotation plates410and411rotate, water moves by centrifugal force outward in the radial direction.

Accordingly, when the openings414are located outside the water passage hole117in the radial direction, water passing through the water passage hole117may easily move to the openings414.

A water blocking rib415may be formed on the upper surfaces of the rotation plates410and410outside the openings414in the radial direction. The water blocking rib415may be consecutively formed in a circumferential direction. That is, each of the plurality of openings414may be located in the inner areas of the water blocking rib415.

By the water blocking rib415, water passing through the water passage hole117may be prevented from flowing to the outside without passing through the openings414.

FIGS. 7A-7Care views showing a process of opening and closing an air hole by an operation part according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7Ais a view showing a state in which the operation part closes the air hole,FIG. 7Bis a view showing a state in which the operation part opens the first air hole, andFIG. 7Cis a view showing a state in which the operation part opens the first air hole and the second air hole.

Referring toFIGS. 7A-7C, in order to discharge water of the water tank200to the outside in a state in which water is stored in the water tank200, the pressure of the internal space of the water tank200should be equal or similar to atmospheric pressure.

In the present embodiment, even when the valve operation part122operates the valve230of the water tank200to supply water to the water tank200, the internal space of the water tank200cannot communicate with the external space and thus water is not discharged.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, one or more air holes274and276for introducing outside air may be formed in the water tank200. Hereinafter, assume that two air holes274and276may be formed in the water tank200.

The water tank200may comprise an installation part272in which the air hole operation part270is movably installed. The air hole operation part270may be slidably located in the installation part272, for example. Alternatively, the air hole operation part270may be rotatably configured.

In addition, the air holes274and276may be opened or closed according to the position of the air hole operation part270.

As shown inFIG. 7A, in a state in which the air hole operation part270moves to a first position, the air hole operation part270closes the air holes274and276. In this state, water is not discharged from the water tank200.

In order to supply water to the mops420and421before cleaning or during cleaning, the air hole operation part270operates to move to a second position as shown inFIG. 7B. Then, the first air hole274may be opened.

When the first air hole274is opened, the internal space of the water tank200may be in the atmospheric pressure state, thereby discharging water from the water tank200.

Since water is continuously discharged from the water tank200in a state in which the first air hole274is opened, water may be stably supplied to the mops420and421.

In order to increase the amount of water discharged from the water tank200, the air hole operation part270may move to a third position as shown inFIG. 7C. Then, not only the first air hole274but also the second air hole276may be opened, thereby increasing the amount of air introduced into the water tank200and increasing the amount of water discharged from the water tank200.

The size of the second air hole276may be less than, equal to or greater than that of the first air hole274.

In order to discharge water from the water tank200, the diameter of the first air hole274may be 1.5 mm or more, without being limited thereto.

As another example, the air hole operation part270may be configured to selectively open two air holes having different sizes. For example, the two air holes are closed when the air hole operation part270is at a neutral position, any one of the two air holes may be opened when the air hole operation part270moves to the first position, and the other of the two air holes may be opened when the air hole operation part270moves to the second position.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to suction in foreign materials on the floor and to rotate the mops to wipe the floor.

In particular, since the nozzle comprises the water tank and water of the water tank can be continuously supplied to the mops by operating the operation part, it is possible to improve user convenience.

In addition, since the amount of water discharged from the water tank can be controlled by operating the operation part, it is possible to further improve user convenience.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of a nozzle for a cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 9is a cross-sectional view showing a gasket portion of a water tank according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment is equal to the first embodiment except for the structure of the water tank. Accordingly, hereinafter, only the characteristic portions of the present embodiment will be described. For the same portions as the first embodiment, refer to the first embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, the water tank200aaccording to the present embodiment may comprise an air hole operation part270and a gasket280.

The gasket280may guide outside air into the internal space of the water tank200a.

The gasket280may be formed of a material, the shape of which is deformed by external force. For example, the gasket280may be formed of a polyethylene material, without being limited thereto.

The gasket280may be formed in a cylindrical shape, for example, and a portion thereof may protrude from the installation part272.

An air passage282in which air flows may be formed in the gasket280and a slit284may be formed in an end thereof. At this time, the end of the gasket280may be in contact with water in the water tank200.

The gasket280may be formed such that a cross-sectional area thereof decreases from one point to the end thereof, thereby blocking the slit284formed in the end of the gasket280by the pressure of water.

According to the present embodiment, since water pressure is applied to the end of the gasket280to block the slit284in a state in which external force is not applied to the gasket280, water of the water tank200is prevented from being leaked to the outside through the slit284.

In addition, since the slit284is blocked by the water pressure of the water tank200, air is not supplied into the water tank200through the slit284in a state in which external force is not applied to the gasket280.

In order to supply water to the mops420and421before cleaning or during cleaning, it is possible to operate the air hole operation part270.

For example, the air hole operation part270is moved to press the gasket280. The gasket280may be deformed by pressing the gasket280by the pressing force of the air hole operation part270, thereby opening the slit274.

In a state in which the slit274is opened, outside air may be supplied into the water tank200through the slit274. Accordingly, the slit274may be an air hole.

In contrast, in a state in which the slit274is opened, surface tension of water around the slit274and force of the introduced outside air become greater than the water pressure of the water tank200such that water is not discharged from the water tank200through the slit274.

According to the present embodiment, in a state in which the air hole operation part270is not operated, it is possible to prevent water of the water tank200from being discharged to the outside through the gasket280.

In a state of operating the air hole operation part270, since air may be introduced into the water tank200through the slit284of the gasket280, water may be stably supplied to the mops420and421.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of a nozzle according to a third embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 11is a view showing an air passage according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment is equal to the first embodiment except for the structure of the water tank. Accordingly, hereinafter, only the characteristic portions of the present embodiment will be described. For the same portions as the first embodiment, refer to the first embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, the nozzle1bof the present embodiment may be formed such that the front side thereof is lower than the rear side thereof, in order to clean a narrow space using the nozzle1b.

The water tank200baccording to the present embodiment may comprise an air hole operation part270and an air passage296in which air to be supplied to the water tank200bflows.

The water tank200bmay comprise a tank body defining a chamber in which water is stored. The tank body may comprise a first body210and a second body250aforming the chamber.

The tank body may be partially recessed in order to define the air passage296and the air passage296may be covered by a body cover290.

For example, inFIG. 11, for example, the second body250adefines the air passage196.

The air passage296may extend in the forward-and-backward direction of the water tank200b.

The nozzle of the present embodiment may be formed such that the front side thereof is lower than the rear side thereof, in order to clean a narrow space using the nozzle.

The air hole operation part270may be movably provided in the body cover290.

In order for the user to easily recognize and operate the air hole operation part270, the air hole operation part270may be located at the front side of the center of the water tank200b.

A first air hole292for introducing air may be formed in the body cover290. The air hole operation part270may open and close the first air hole292.

When the air hole operation part270opens the first air hole292, air may be introduced through the first air hole292and the introduced air may flow along the air passage296.

The tank body (e.g., the second body250a) may be provided with a second air hole294for introducing air of the air passage296into the water tank200b.

The first air hole292and the second air hole294may be spaced apart from each other in a forward-and-backward direction.

Since the front side of the nozzle1bis lower than the rear side thereof, the first air hole292is located at a position lower than the full water level of the water tank200bby the position of the air hole operation part270.

In contrast, the second air hole294may be located at a higher position than the full water level of the water tank200b.

Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, even when the first air hole292is located at a lower position than the full water level of the water tank200b, since the second air hole294is located at a higher position than the full water level of the water tank200b, water of the water tank200bmay be prevented from being discharged through the second air hole194.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to suction in foreign materials on a floor and to rotate the mops to wipe the floor.

In particular, since the nozzle includes the water tank and water of the water tank can be continuously supplied to the mops by operating the operation part, it is possible to improve user convenience.

In addition, since the amount of water discharged from the water tank can be controlled by operating the operation part, it is possible to further improve user convenience.

In addition, by installing the gasket in the water tank, it is possible to prevent water from being leaked from the water tank to the outside when air is supplied to the water tank.