CLEANER STATION

The present disclosure relates to a cleaner station, in which a dust collecting part includes an air discharge port formed to allow air to be discharged, a mesh configured to cover the air discharge port, and a compression plate rotatably disposed in an internal space of a dust collecting body and configured to clean the mesh while rotating, such that a rotary plate may rotate in the dust collecting body and move dust to a space, which is not an air flow path, to ensure a smooth flow of air, the rotary plate may compress dust to additionally capture the dust, and the rotary plate may wipe away dust attached to the mesh to ensure a smooth flow of air.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cleaner station, and more particularly, to a cleaner station configured to capture dust in a cleaner and equipped with a bagless type dust collecting part.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a cleaner refers to an electrical appliance that draws in small garbage or dust by sucking air using electricity and fills a dust bin provided in a product with the garbage or dust. Such a cleaner is generally called a vacuum cleaner.

The cleaners may be classified into a manual cleaner which is moved directly by a user to perform a cleaning operation, and an automatic cleaner which performs a cleaning operation while autonomously traveling. Depending on the shape of the cleaner, the manual cleaners may be classified into a canister cleaner, an upright cleaner, a handy cleaner, a stick cleaner, a robot cleaner, and the like.

The canister cleaners were widely used in the past as household cleaners. However, recently, there is an increasing tendency to use the handy cleaner and the stick cleaner in which a dust bin and a cleaner main body are integrally provided to improve convenience of use.

In the case of the canister cleaner, a main body and a suction port are connected by a rubber hose or pipe, and in some instances, the canister cleaner may be used in a state in which a brush is fitted into the suction port.

The handy cleaner (hand vacuum cleaner) has maximized portability and is light in weight. However, because the handy cleaner has a short length, there may be a limitation to a cleaning region. Therefore, the handy cleaner is used to clean a local place such as a desk, a sofa, or an interior of a vehicle.

A user may use the stick cleaner while standing and thus may perform a cleaning operation without bending his/her waist. Therefore, the stick cleaner is advantageous for the user to clean a wide region while moving in the region. The handy cleaner may be used to clean a narrow space, whereas the stick cleaner may be used to clean a wide space and also used to a high place that the user's hand cannot reach. Recently, modularized stick cleaners are provided, such that types of cleaners are actively changed and used to clean various places.

In addition, recently, a robot cleaner, which autonomously performs a cleaning operation without a user's manipulation, is used. The robot cleaner automatically cleans a zone to be cleaned by sucking foreign substances such as dust from the floor while autonomously traveling in the zone to be cleaned.

In particular, because the robot cleaner is generally designed to have a small size to perform a cleaning operation while autonomously traveling, a capacity of a dust bin for storing the collected dust, which inconveniences the user because the user needs to empty the dust bin frequently.

A cleaner station has been developed to cope with the inconvenience. The cleaner station refers to a device configured to accommodate the robot cleaner, which has completed the cleaning operation, and to suck the dust collected by the robot cleaner. In general, the cleaner station is equipped with a dust collecting part much larger in size than the dust bin of the robot cleaner. That is, the dust collected by the robot cleaner is continuously captured in the dust collecting part of the cleaner station, and the user empties the dust collecting part of the cleaner station. The configuration using the cleaning station has an advantage in that the number of times the user empties the dust bin rapidly decreases in comparison with a case in which the user frequently empties the dust bin of the robot cleaner.

Meanwhile, the dust collecting parts are broadly classified into a bag type dust collecting part and a bagless type dust collecting part. The bag type dust collecting part is equipped with a separate bag, the bag captures dust, and a user separates only the bag from the cleaner station and discards the bag. In contrast, the bagless type dust collecting part is not equipped with a separate bag, the dust collecting part captures dust, and a user separates the dust collecting part from the cleaner station and eliminates the dust. In this case, because the bag is a single-use consumable component and is generally made of vinyl materials, costs are required to purchase the bag every time, and the bag causes an environmental problem such as environmental pollution. Therefore, the bagless type dust collecting part is often installed in the cleaner station in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

In general, a predetermined or larger amount of dust is collected in the cleaner, and the dust primarily collected by the cleaner is introduced into the cleaner station. For this reason, a large amount of dust may be introduced into the cleaner station at one time. In this case, in case that a large amount of dust is introduced into the bagless type dust collecting part at one time, there may occur a problem in that a flow path is instantaneously clogged, which degrades the dust capturing function of the cleaner station.

As Related Art 1, there is a discharge station configured to empty a dust bin of a robot cleaner. The station according to Related Art 1 includes a base configured to accommodate the robot cleaner equipped with the dust bin, and a canister in which a dust capturing part is disposed. The dust contained in air introduced into the station of Related Art 1 is primarily filtered out by a filter while moving radially inward and secondarily filtered out by a cyclone part.

However, in case that a large amount of dust is introduced into the station at one time from the cleaner as described above, there may occur a problem in that clumps of dust are trapped at an inlet end of the dust capturing part disclosed in Related Art 1, and the clumps of dust clog a flow path.

As Related Art 2, there is a station configured to be docked with a cleaner and equipped with a detachable dust capturing bin. Related Art 2 provides a station housing, a bagless type dust capturing bin equipped with a cyclone part, and a detachable filter. According to Related Art 2, the dust capturing bin may be attached to or detached from the station.

However, Related Art 2 merely provides several embodiments related to the methods of docking the cleaner to the station or the methods of attaching or detaching the dust capturing bin but does not show a solution for solving the problem in that the flow path is clogged by a large amount of dust introduced into the station at one time.

That is, clumps of dust may be introduced into the station from the cleaner, and a large amount of dust may be introduced at one time. However, Related Arts 1 and 2 have a problem in that the flow path is clogged by the large amount of dust. In particular, in case that dust is accumulated on an upper portion of the filter in Related Art 2, there is a problem in that the dust hinders airflow, which degrades dust capturing performance of the station.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaner station equipped with a bagless type dust collecting part capable of preventing a flow path from being clogged even when an excessively large amount of dust is temporarily introduced at one time.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaner station equipped with a dust collecting part capable of capturing a maximum amount of dust when a capacity remains the same.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaner station equipped with a prefilter capable of ensuring a minimum airflow even when a predetermined or larger amount of dust is introduced.

Technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned technical problems, and other technical problems, which are not mentioned above, may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, a cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing, a coupling part disposed in the housing and including a coupling surface to which at least a part of a cleaner is coupled, and a dust collecting part accommodated in the housing and configured to capture dust in a dust bin of the cleaner. The dust collecting part includes a dust collecting body, a mesh, and a compression plate. The dust collecting body defines an external shape and has an internal space in which dust is collected. The dust collecting body has an air inlet port through which air is introduced into the internal space, and an air discharge port through which the air in the internal space is discharged. In addition, the dust collecting part includes the mesh configured to cover the air discharge port, and the compression plate rotatably disposed in the internal space of the dust collecting body and configured to clean the mesh while rotating.

The air inlet port may be formed in one of a bottom surface, an outer wall surface, and an upper surface of the dust collecting body, and the air discharge port may be formed in one of the bottom surface, the outer wall surface, and the upper surface of the dust collecting body, except for the surface in which the air inlet port is formed.

The air discharge port may be formed in the upper surface of the dust collecting body.

The dust collecting body may include a shaft disposed in the internal space and extending in a longitudinal direction, and the outer wall surface of the dust collecting body may be formed in a cylindrical shape based on the shaft. The compression plate may include a stationary plate extending from the outer wall surface of the dust collecting body toward the shaft, and a rotary plate rotatably coupled to the shaft and extending radially outward.

The dust collecting part may be disposed to be mounted or detached in a direction of one side of the housing.

The cleaner station may include a handle rotatably coupled to the dust collecting part. In this case, a rotation center axis of the handle may be disposed to be in parallel with a rotation center axis of the compression plate.

The cleaner station may include a prefilter disposed above the dust collecting part and configured to communicate with the air discharge port of the dust collecting part. In this case, the prefilter may be coupled or detached in a direction inconsistent with a direction in which the dust collecting part is coupled or detached.

The cleaner station may include a suction flow path having an inlet end communicating with the dust bin of the cleaner, and an outlet end communicating with the air inlet port of the dust collecting part. In this case, the outlet end of the suction flow path may be disposed above the inlet end of the suction flow path.

The cleaner station may include a discharge flow path having an inlet end communicating with the air discharge port of the dust collecting part, and an outlet end communicating with the outside at one side of the housing. In this case, the outlet end of the discharge flow path may be disposed below the inlet end of the discharge flow path.

The dust collecting part may include a cyclone part disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the dust collecting body and configured to communicate with the air discharge port and separate the dust from the air by using a centrifugal force.

The cleaner station may further include: a dust collecting motor configured to generate a flow of air and disposed between the cleaner and the dust collecting part when the cleaner is coupled.

Other detailed matters of the exemplary embodiment are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

Advantageous Effects

The cleaner station of the present disclosure has one or more of the following effects.

First, the rotary plate rotates in the dust collecting body and moves the dust to the space in which no air flows, such that the airflow in the dust collecting body is not hindered even when an excessively large amount of dust is temporarily introduced at one time.

Second, the rotary plate rotates in the dust collecting body and compresses the dust in the dust collecting body, such that the volume of the captured dust may be reduced, and the dust may be additionally captured.

Third, the rotary plate rotates in the dust collecting body and wipes away the dust attached to the mesh of the air discharge port, such that an air flow rate is maintained to a performed degree or higher in the mesh.

Fourth, the air flows upward in the filtering member of the prefilter, such that the dust is filtered out by the lower surface of the filtering member, and the dust having a predetermined weight or heavy is dropped to the lower portion of the filtering member by gravity. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the minimum airflow in the prefilter.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned effects, and other effects, which are not mentioned above, will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the claims.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods of achieving the advantages and features will be clear with reference to embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein but will be implemented in various forms. The embodiments of the present disclosure are provided so that the present disclosure is completely disclosed, and a person with ordinary skill in the art can fully understand the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure will be defined only by the scope of the appended claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same constituent elements.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining a cleaner station100according to embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a cleaner station according to the present disclosure,FIG.2is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a cover inFIG.1is opened,FIG.3is an exploded view of the cleaner station according to the present disclosure,FIGS.4A and4Bare views illustrating states made before and after a handle of a dust collecting part inFIG.2is rotated,FIG.5is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cleaner station inFIG.1when viewed in direction A,FIG.6is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cleaner station inFIG.1when viewed in direction B,FIGS.7A and7Bare perspective views of the dust collecting part according to the present disclosure,FIG.8is a view illustrating the dust collecting part in a state in which a discharge cover inFIG.7is opened,FIG.9is an exploded view of the dust collecting part according to the present disclosure,FIGS.10A and10Bare cross-sectional views illustrating the dust collecting part inFIGS.7A and7Bwhen viewed in direction C,FIG.11is a cross-sectional view illustrating the dust collecting part inFIG.10Awhen viewed in direction D,FIG.12is a perspective view of a prefilter according to the present disclosure, andFIG.13is a cross-sectional view illustrating the prefilter inFIG.12when viewed in direction E.

A cleaner system is divided into a cleaner200and the cleaner station100. The cleaner200is a movable component, and the cleaner200sucks dust present in a cleaning region while moving and collects the dust in a dust bin provided in the cleaner200. The cleaner station100is a fixed, non-movable component, and the cleaner station100sucks dust from the cleaner200, which has completed the cleaning operation, and collects the dust in a dust collecting part140provided in the cleaner station100.

The cleaner200according to the present disclosure may be a robot cleaner. The robot cleaner refers to a cleaner equipped with a drive motor and configured to be operated by the drive motor. The cleaner200is disposed adjacent to a lower side of one side of the cleaner station100and coupled to the cleaner station100.

The configuration in which the cleaner200is coupled to the cleaner station100may include a configuration in which the cleaner200is fixed and coupled mechanically to the cleaner station100, a configuration in which a terminal of the cleaner200and a terminal of the cleaner station100come into contact with each other and are electrically coupled, and a configuration in which a dust bin of the cleaner200and a dust collecting part140of the cleaner station100communicate with each other so that air flows therebetween.

The cleaner200includes driving wheels (not illustrated). The driving wheels receive power from a drive motor of the cleaner200and move the cleaner200. The driving wheels are disposed on a bottom of the cleaner200. The driving wheels may be provided as a pair of driving wheels disposed at left and right sides. Gear teeth are formed on outer peripheral surfaces of the driving wheels, such that the cleaner may climb an inclined surface of a coupling part120.

The cleaner200includes a caster (not illustrated). The caster is a component for steering the cleaner200. The caster is disposed to be rotatable about a central axis defined in an upward/downward direction. The caster is disposed between the left driving wheel and the right driving wheel. The caster is disposed at a front end of the cleaner200. When the caster rotates, the cleaner200may turn.

The cleaner200includes a discharge port (not illustrated) configured to communicate with the dust bin. Dust collected in the dust bin moves to the cleaner station100through the discharge port. The discharge port of the cleaner200is formed in a bottom surface of the cleaner200. The discharge port of the cleaner200communicates with a suction port124formed in the coupling part120. Specifically, the discharge port of the cleaner200and the suction port124of the coupling part120are disposed to overlap each other in the upward/downward direction.

The cleaner200includes a brush (not illustrated). The brush is a component that wipes away dust attached to a floor so that the dust may be more easily sucked. The brush is disposed at one side of the bottom of the cleaner200. The brush rotates about a central axis extending upward and downward.

The cleaner200includes a rag (not illustrated). The rag is a component that contains moisture and is used to clean the floor by wiping away dust attached to the floor. The rag is disposed at one side of the bottom of the cleaner200. The rag is disposed opposite to the caster based on an imaginary line that connects the left driving wheel and the right driving wheel.

The cleaner station100is a component coupled to the cleaner200and configured to charge the cleaner200, suck the dust collected in the dust bin of the cleaner200, and safely store the cleaner200that has completed the cleaning operation.

A housing110defines an external appearance of the cleaner station100and provides a space in which the components are accommodated.

A height of the housing110in the upward/downward direction may be larger than a width in a leftward/rightward direction or a width in a forward/rearward direction. This arrangement may minimize a space of a room in which the cleaner station100is installed.

The housing110may include an upper cover111and lateral covers112and113.

The upper cover111is disposed at an upper side of the housing110.

With reference toFIG.2, the upper cover111may be opened or closed. Specifically, a rear end of the upper cover111is coupled to a body of the housing110by means of a hinge. When the upper cover111rotates upward, an upper side of the housing110is opened or closed. When the upper cover111is opened, a prefilter161may be separably mounted.

The first lateral cover112is disposed at a lateral side of the housing110. Specifically, the first lateral cover112is disposed at the left and front sides of the housing110.

With reference toFIG.2, the first lateral cover112may be opened or closed. Specifically, a rear end of the first lateral cover112is coupled to a body of the housing110by means of a hinge. When the first lateral cover112rotates leftward, a front side of the housing110is opened or closed. When the first lateral cover112is opened, the dust collecting part140may be separably mounted.

The second lateral cover113is disposed at a lateral side of the housing110. Specifically, the second lateral cover113is disposed at right and rear sides of the housing110.

The second lateral cover113covers a suction flow path130and a discharge flow path170. A sound-absorbing material may be provided on an inner surface of the second lateral cover113and prevent noise, which is generated in the housing110, from being dispersed to the outside.

The coupling part120is a component configured to be coupled to the cleaner200and connected to at least any one of the components of the cleaner200. The coupling part120is disposed in the housing110and includes a coupling surface to which at least a part of the cleaner200is coupled.

The coupling part120may cover a lower side of the housing110and extend forward from the housing110.

The coupling part120may define an inclined surface having a low front end and a high rear end. Therefore, the cleaner200may enter the coupling part120while moving rearward from a front side of the coupling part120.

The coupling part120includes driving wheel seating portions121. The driving wheels of the cleaner200are seated on upper portions of the driving wheel seating portions121. The driving wheel seating portions121are recessed downward from the coupling surface of the coupling part120. The driving wheel seating portions121are provided as a pair of left and right driving wheel seating portions121corresponding to the driving wheels.

The coupling part120includes a rag seating portion122. When the cleaner200is coupled to the cleaner station100, the rag seating portion122is disposed below the rag of the cleaner200.

The coupling part120includes a caster guide123. The caster guide123is formed along a trajectory along which the caster of the cleaner200moves when the cleaner200is coupled to the cleaner station100. The caster guide123is formed in a groove shape recessed downward. The caster guide123extends in the forward/rearward direction, i.e., a direction in which the cleaner200enters.

The coupling part120includes the suction port124. The suction port124of the coupling part120is connected to an inlet end of the suction flow path130. The suction port124of the coupling part120communicates with the discharge port of the dust bin of the cleaner200.

The coupling part120includes charging terminals125. The charging terminal125is disposed at a front end of the coupling part120and protrudes upward. The charging terminal125of the coupling part120comes into contact with a charging terminal (not illustrated) of the cleaner, such that the cleaner200and the cleaner station100are electrically connected.

The housing110has a dust collecting part installation space114. The dust collecting part installation space114is a part of an internal space of the housing110. The dust collecting part installation space114is isolated from an external space by the first lateral cover112and the second lateral cover113. When the first lateral cover112rotates, the dust collecting part installation space114is opened, such that the dust collecting part140may be mounted or detached.

The inlet end of the suction flow path130communicates with the dust bin (not illustrated) of the cleaner, and an outlet end of the suction flow path130communicates with an air inlet port1411of the dust collecting part140. The suction flow path130extends forward in the coupling part120. The inlet end of the suction flow path130is connected to the suction port124of the coupling part120and communicates with the dust bin of the cleaner, such that dust in the dust bin of the cleaner may be introduced into the suction flow path130.

The outlet end of the suction flow path130is disposed above the inlet end of the suction flow path130. The suction flow path130extends upward in the cleaner station100. The outlet end of the suction flow path130is connected to the air inlet port1411of the dust collecting part140, such that the dust flows in the suction flow path130may flow to the dust collecting part140.

The air in the suction flow path130flows upward from a lower side of the suction flow path130. The inside of the suction flow path130is provided in the form of a simply cylindrical structure, such that almost no air resistance occurs in the suction flow path130. Therefore, the dust contained in the air may flow to the outlet end of the suction flow path130without air resistance.

The dust collecting part140is a component configured to capture dust in the dust bin of the cleaner. The dust collecting part140is accommodated in the housing110.

The dust collecting part140according to the present disclosure is a bagless type dust collecting part. The types of dust collecting parts are broadly classified into a bag type dust collecting part and a bagless type dust collecting part. The bag type dust collecting part140is equipped with a separate bag, the bag captures dust, and a user separates only the bag from the cleaner station100and discards the bag. In contrast, the bagless type dust collecting part140is not equipped with a separate bag, the dust collecting part140captures dust, and a user separates the dust collecting part140from the cleaner station and eliminates the dust.

In general, a predetermined or larger amount of dust is collected in the cleaner200, and the dust primarily collected by the cleaner200is introduced into the cleaner station100. For this reason, a large amount of dust may be introduced into the cleaner station100at one time. In this case, in case that a large amount of dust is introduced into the bagless type dust collecting part140at one time, there may occur a problem in that a flow path is clogged, which degrades the dust capturing function of the cleaner station100. Therefore, the cleaner station100according to the present disclosure may be equipped with a means for removing dust trapped in the discharge port and compressing the captured dust, thereby ensuring the dust capturing function of the cleaner station100.

The dust collecting part140includes a dust collecting body141, a mesh144, and a compression plate142.

The dust collecting body141defines an external shape of the dust collecting part140and has an internal space in which dust may be collected.

The dust collecting body141is formed in a cylindrical shape defined based on a shaft1414. The shaft1414is disposed in the internal space of the dust collecting body141and extends in a longitudinal direction. The shaft1414may be disposed in parallel with a longitudinal direction of the suction flow path130. Specifically, the shaft1414may be disposed in the upward/downward direction. A rotary plate1422is rotatably coupled to the shaft1414.

The dust collecting body141has the air inlet port1411through which the air is introduced into the internal space, and an air discharge port1412through which the air in the internal space is discharged. The air inlet port1411communicates with the suction flow path130, and the air discharge port1412communicates with the discharge flow path170.

The air inlet port1411is formed in one of a plurality of surfaces that constitutes the dust collecting body141and excludes a surface in which the air discharge port1412is formed. For example, the air inlet port1411may be formed in one of a bottom surface, an outer wall surface, and an upper surface of the dust collecting body141, and the air discharge port1412may be formed in one of the bottom surface, the outer wall surface, and the upper surface of the dust collecting body141, except for the surface in which the air inlet port1411is formed. With reference toFIG.7, the air inlet port1411is formed in the outer wall surface of the dust collecting body141, and the air discharge port1412is formed in the upper surface of the dust collecting body141.

A direction in which the air is introduced into the air inlet port1411may be inconsistent with a direction in which the air is discharged from the air discharge port1412. The air may be introduced into the air inlet port1411in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the shaft1414, and the air may be discharged from the air discharge port1412in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shaft1414. With this arrangement, a flow direction of the air may change at least one or more times in the dust collecting body141, such that the dust may be separated from the air by inertia.

The air discharge port1412is formed in the upper surface of the dust collecting body141. The air in the air discharge port1412is discharged to the outside of the dust collecting body141while flowing upward. Therefore, the dust contained in the air in the air discharge port1412is moved downward by gravity without being discharged to an upper side of the dust collecting body141.

An upper cover146of the dust collecting part covers at least a part of the upper side of the dust collecting body141. The upper cover146of the dust collecting part is disposed to be spaced apart from an upper side of the air discharge port1412, and at least a part of the upper cover146is disposed to overlap the air discharge port1412in the upward/downward direction.

The upper cover146of the dust collecting part may be divided into a first upper cover1461and a second upper cover1462.

The first upper cover1461and the second upper cover1462may be disposed in parallel. The first upper cover1461and the second upper cover1462may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. The first upper cover1461is disposed above the second upper cover1462.

The first upper cover1461has through-holes through which the air may be discharged.

A cyclone part145may be connected to the second upper cover1462.

The dust collecting body141has a dust discharge port1413through which the captured dust is discharged. With reference toFIG.7, the dust discharge port1413is formed in a lower surface of the dust collecting body141.

A discharge cover143covers the dust discharge port1413. With reference toFIG.7, the discharge cover143is disposed on the lower surface of the dust collecting body141. The discharge cover143is coupled to the dust collecting body141by means of a hinge and opens or closes the dust discharge port1413while rotating.

A power transmission member1425may be disposed on the discharge cover143.

The mesh144is a component configured to filter out dust from the air discharged from the dust collecting body141. The mesh144covers the air discharge port1412.

The mesh144has a plurality of holes. The plurality of holes of the mesh144may be formed by interweaving a plurality of wires.

The mesh144filters out dust from the air by means of a physical method. That is, the dust, which has a smaller size than the hole of the mesh144, passes through the mesh144, but the dust, which has a larger size than the hole of the mesh144, cannot pass through the mesh144. The dust, which cannot pass through the mesh144, moves downward to the lower side of the dust collecting body141or is attached to a lower surface of the mesh144.

The mesh144is disposed to be spaced apart radially outward from the shaft1414.

The mesh144may be formed in a shape similar to a semicircle. In this case, the mesh144may be formed to be convex radially outward.

The compression plate142is a component configured to compress the dust collected in the internal space of the dust collecting body141. The compression plate142is rotatably disposed in the internal space of the dust collecting body141and cleans the mesh144while rotating.

The compression plate142has a first function of compressing the dust collected in the internal space of the dust collecting body141, and a second function of wiping away the dust attached to the mesh144.

The compression plate142may include a stationary plate1421, the rotary plate1422, and a mesh cleaner1423.

With reference toFIGS.10A and10B, the stationary plate1421extends toward the shaft1414from the outer wall surface of the dust collecting body141.

The stationary plate1421may be integrated with the dust collecting body141. The stationary plate1421protrudes from the dust collecting body141and extends radially inward. An inner end of the stationary plate1421is disposed adjacent to the shaft1414and spaced apart from the shaft1414. Therefore, the stationary plate1421does not hinder a rotation of the rotary plate1422.

The stationary plate1421extends in the longitudinal direction of the shaft1414.

The stationary plate1421may be formed in a flat plate shape.

With reference toFIGS.10A and10B, the rotary plate1422is rotatably coupled to the shaft1414and extends radially outward.

The rotary plate1422surrounds at least a part of an outer peripheral surface of the shaft1414. The rotary plate1422may include a cylindrical shape having a hollow portion, and the shaft1414may be inserted into the hollow.

The rotary plate1422extends radially outward. An outer end of the rotary plate1422is disposed adjacent to an inner peripheral surface of the dust collecting body141and spaced apart from the dust collecting body141. Therefore, the rotary plate1422may rotate about the shaft1414as a rotation center axis.

When the rotary plate1422has rotated, the rotary plate1422may be disposed in an imaginary space defined by the air inlet port, the central axis of the shaft, and the stationary plate1421. With this arrangement, the dust is moved to a space in which the air does not flow when the rotary plate1422has rotated, such that the airflow in the dust collecting body may not be hindered.

An operation of the compression plate142will be described with reference toFIG.10.

FIG.10Ais a view illustrating a state made before the compression plate142moves, andFIG.10Bis a view illustrating a state made after the compression plate142moves.

With reference toFIG.10A, based on the shaft1414, the stationary plate1421is disposed in the 3-o'clock direction, and the compression plate142is disposed in the 6-o'clock direction. The air inlet port1411is disposed in the 1-o'clock direction of the shaft1414. Although not illustrated, the air discharge port1412is disposed in the 9-o'clock direction of the shaft1414. Therefore, the dust may exist from the 1-o'clock direction to the 9-o'clock direction based on the shaft1414.

With reference toFIG.10B, the rotary plate1422may rotate clockwise (CW) about the shaft1414and finally rotate to the 2-o'clock direction of the shaft1414. In this case, the dust in the dust collecting body141is compressed and positioned between the rotary plate1422and the stationary plate1421.

After the state inFIG.10B, the rotary plate1422may return back to the state inFIG.10A. In the state inFIG.10B, the dust introduced into the dust collecting body141is positioned in the space in the 4-o'clock direction of the shaft1414. The dust may be compressed as the rotary plate1422rotates counterclockwise (CCW), and the dust may be finally positioned in the 4-o'clock direction of the shaft1414.

The mesh cleaner1423is a component configured to wipe away the dust attached to the mesh144. The mesh cleaner1423is disposed at an upper end of the rotary plate1422.

An inner end of the mesh cleaner1423may extend to an inner end of the rotary plate1422, and an outer end of the mesh cleaner1423may extend to the outer end of the rotary plate1422.

The mesh cleaner1423extends upward from the upper end of the rotary plate1422. An upper end of the mesh cleaner1423may come into contact with the mesh144and wipe away the dust attached to the lower surface of the mesh144when the rotary plate1422rotates.

The mesh cleaner1423may include a material having flexibility. For example, a part of the mesh cleaner1423may be made of a rubber material.

The rotary plate1422is operated by a compression motor1424and the power transmission member1425.

The compression motor1424is a component configured to generate power for operating the rotary plate1422. The compression motor1424is disposed at one side of the dust collecting part140, provided at a side opposite to the air discharge port1412, and configured to transmit power to the rotary plate1422.

With reference toFIG.6, the compression motor1424is disposed below the dust collecting part140. The compression motor1424is disposed outside the discharge cover143and passes through the discharge cover143. The compression motor1424transmits power to the rotary plate1422disposed in the internal space of the dust collecting part140.

The compression motor1424may rotate in two directions.FIG.10Aillustrates a state in which the compression motor1424rotates in a first direction, andFIG.10Billustrates a state in which the compression motor1424rotates in a second direction.

The shaft1414connected to the compression motor1424may be disposed in parallel with the shaft1414connected to a dust collecting motor150. Specifically, the shaft1414connected to the compression motor1424and the shaft1414connected to the dust collecting motor150may be disposed coaxially. Therefore, the single motor may simultaneously serve as the compression motor1424and the dust collecting motor150.

The power transmission member1425is a component configured to transmit power of the compression motor1424to the rotary plate1422.

The power transmission member1425may include at least one gear.

The power transmission member1425may be disposed on the discharge cover143. In this case, the power transmission member1425may include a sealer (not illustrated) in order to isolate the internal space of the dust collecting part140from the external space.

The dust collecting part140may be disposed to be attachable or detachable in a direction of one side of the housing110.

A direction in which the dust collecting part140is inserted into the housing110intersects a direction in which the prefilter161is inserted into the housing110. With reference toFIG.2, the dust collecting part140is mounted by being inserted into the rear side of the housing110from the front side of the housing110, and the dust collecting part140is detached by being withdrawn forward. This configuration is compared to the configuration in which the prefilter161is inserted into the lower side of the housing110from the upper side of the housing110.

A handle181is a component gripped by the user when the user separates the dust collecting part140from the housing110. The handle181is rotatably coupled to the dust collecting part140.

The handle181is rotated at the time of detaching the dust collecting part140. With reference toFIG.4B, at the time of detaching the dust collecting part140, the handle181is rotated clockwise and disposed to protrude forward from the dust collecting part140. The user may grip the handle181and detach the dust collecting part140by pulling the handle181forward. The handle181is rotatably coupled to the dust collecting part, and the handle181is rotated and protrudes forward only at the time of detaching the dust collecting part. Therefore, when the handle181is mounted, the handle181occupies only a minimum space of the internal space of the cleaner station100, such that the internal space may be efficiently used.

The dust collecting body141has a handle insertion groove1415. The handle insertion groove1415defines a space into which the handle181is inserted when the handle181is mounted. The handle insertion groove1415is recessed inward at one side of the dust collecting body141. When the handle181is mounted, the handle181is rotated laterally about a rotation center axis and inserted into the handle insertion groove1415.

The handle181is coupled to the dust collecting body141by means of a hinge. A handle hinge182protrudes at one side of the dust collecting body141. The handle hinge182is inserted into one side of the handle181or penetrates the handle181. In case that the handle hinge182penetrates the handle181, a fastening member183may be fastened to an end of the handle hinge182.

The rotation center axis of the handle181is disposed in parallel with the rotation center axis of the compression plate142. With reference toFIG.4, the rotation center axis of the handle181is disposed in the upward/downward direction. With reference toFIG.4A, when the dust collecting part140is mounted, the handle181is rotated counterclockwise about the rotation center axis and inserted into the handle insertion groove1415. In addition, with reference toFIG.4B, at the time of detaching the dust collecting part140, the handle181is rotated clockwise and protrudes forward from the dust collecting part140.

The handle181may be divided into a horizontal portion1811and a vertical portion1812. The horizontal portion1811of the handle extends radially outward from the dust collecting body141when viewed in one aspect. The handle hinge182is inserted into or penetrates an inner end of the horizontal portion1811of the handle. The vertical portion1812of the handle is bent from an outer end of the horizontal portion1811of the handle and extends in a direction different from the extension direction of the horizontal portion1811. Specifically, the vertical portion1812of the handle extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the horizontal portion1811extends.

The prefilter161is a component configured to filter out dust from the air. Specifically, the prefilter161is disposed at an upstream side of a HEPA filter and primarily filters out large dust contained in the air introduced into the HEPA filter.

The prefilter161is disposed above the dust collecting part140and communicates with the air discharge port1412of the dust collecting part140.

Because the prefilter161is disposed above the dust collecting part140, the dust positioned between the prefilter161and the dust collecting part140is lowered by gravity and deposited on the dust collecting part140. According to the present disclosure, because a capacity of the prefilter161is smaller than a capacity of the dust collecting part140, the dust collecting part140is configured to capture as much dust as possible to ensure a maximum dust capturing capacity of the cleaner station100.

A prefilter casing1611defines an external shape of the prefilter161and defines therein a space for accommodating a filtering member1614.

The filtering member1614of the prefilter is a component configured to separate the dust from the air introduced into the prefilter161. The filtering member1614of the prefilter separates the dust from the air by means of a physical method. That is, the filtering member1614of the prefilter has a plurality of through-holes, such that the dust smaller in size than the through-hole passes through the filtering member1614, and the dust larger in size than the through-hole is filtered out.

The prefilter161is configured such that the air is introduced in a direction parallel to the direction in which the air is discharged from the air discharge port1412of the dust collecting body141, and the air is discharged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the air is discharged from the air discharge port1412of the dust collecting body141. With reference toFIG.11, an inlet port1612is formed in a lower surface of the prefilter161, and a discharge port1613is formed in a lateral surface of the prefilter161. Therefore, the air is introduced upward toward the prefilter161and discharged laterally from the prefilter161. With this arrangement, the direction in which the air flows in the prefilter161may change one or more times, and the air may pass through a surface of the filtering member1614equally as a whole.

The inlet port1612of the prefilter may be disposed to be biased toward one side based on an imaginary centerline that divides the prefilter161into left and right sides. The discharge port1613of the prefilter may be elongated in one direction.

The prefilter161is mounted or detached in a direction inconsistent with the direction in which the dust collecting part140is mounted or detached. The direction in which the prefilter161is mounted in or detached from the housing110intersects the direction in which the prefilter161is mounted in or detached from the housing110. With reference toFIG.2, when the upper cover111is opened, the prefilter161is mounted while moving downward toward the upper side of the housing110. On the contrary, the prefilter161is detached while moving upward from the housing110. This configuration is compared to the configuration in which the dust collecting part140is mounted or detached forward or rearward from the housing110.

A front end of the prefilter161is disposed above a rear end of the prefilter161. More specifically, with reference toFIG.12, a front end of the filtering member1614of the prefilter is disposed above a rear end of the filtering member1614of the prefilter. With this arrangement, the direction in which the air flows in the prefilter161may be disposed to be close to a direction perpendicular to a surface of the filtering member1614.

The inlet port of the prefilter161faces a lower surface of the filtering member1614, and the discharge port of the prefilter161faces an upper surface of the filtering member1614. Therefore, in case that a large amount of dust is filtered out by the filtering member1614, the dust is dropped onto the lower portion of the filtering member1614by gravity. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a predetermined or larger amount of dust from being attached to the filtering member1614and to ensure the minimum airflow.

An inlet end of the discharge flow path170communicates with the air discharge port1412of the dust collecting part140, and an outlet end of the discharge flow path170communicates with the outside at one side of the housing110.

The discharge flow path170may pass through the prefilter161, a suction motor, and the HEPA filter and communicate with the outside of the cleaner station100.

The discharge flow path170may be disposed in parallel with the suction flow path130.

An outlet end of the discharge flow path170is disposed below an inlet end of the discharge flow path170. That is, the air in the discharge flow path170moves downward from the upper side of the discharge flow path170.

A diameter of a cross-section of the discharge flow path170in the first direction may be larger than a diameter of the cross-section of the discharge flow path170in the second direction. The cross-section of the discharge flow path170may be formed in an elliptical shape, unlike a circular cross-section of the suction flow path130.

The cyclone part145may be disposed in the dust collecting part140. The cyclone part145is a component configured to separate the dust from the air by using a centrifugal force. The cyclone part145is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the dust collecting body141and communicates with the air discharge port1412.

The cyclone part145is disposed at a downstream side of the air inlet port1411of the dust collecting body141and disposed at an upstream side of the air discharge port1412.

The cyclone part145is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the dust collecting body141. With reference toFIG.7, the dust collecting body141is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the cyclone part145may be disposed to surround at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the dust collecting body141.

The cyclone part145may be integrated with the dust collecting body141. Although not illustrated, unlike the above-mentioned description, the cyclone part145and the dust collecting body141may be separately provided and then coupled.

The cyclone part145may be divided into an outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube of the cyclone part145is integrated with the dust collecting body141. The inner tube of the cyclone part145may be formed on the upper cover146of the dust collecting part140, and specifically formed on the second upper cover1462.

A central axis of the inner tube of the cyclone part145is disposed on the same line as a central axis of the outer tube of the cyclone part145. Therefore, the air introduced into the cyclone part145spirally flows in a space between the inner tube and the outer tube, such that the dust is separated from the air by a centrifugal force. The separated dust moves downward toward a lower side of the cyclone part145, and the air is discharged through an internal space of the inner tube.

The air discharged from the cyclone part145is directed toward the prefilter161through the air discharge port1412formed in the first upper cover1461.

The dust collecting motor150is a component configured to generate a flow of air in the cleaner station100. When the cleaner200is coupled, the dust collecting motor150is disposed between the cleaner200and the dust collecting part140.

The dust collecting motor150is disposed above the cleaner200and disposed below the dust collecting part140.

The dust collecting motor150is disposed above the HEPA filter and disposed below the prefilter161.

The dust collecting motor150is disposed below the compression motor1424.

The prefilter161is disposed opposite to the dust collecting motor150based on the dust collecting part140.

The prefilter161and the HEPA filter are disposed to be spatially spaced apart from each other. Specifically, the prefilter161is disposed opposite to the HEPA filter based on the dust collecting part140. The prefilter161is disposed opposite to the HEPA filter based on the dust collecting motor150.

The compression motor1424is disposed at the same side as the dust collecting motor150based on the dust collecting part140. That is, the compression motor1424and the dust collecting motor150may be disposed adjacent to each other. Both the compression motor1424and the dust collecting motor150are component that generate noise. Therefore, the compression motor1424and the dust collecting motor150may be disposed in the single space, and a noise absorbing member is disposed to surround the space, such that the noise member may be disposed to a minimum degree, and the occurrence of noise in the cleaner station100may be maximally suppressed.

The airflow in the cleaner station100according to the present disclosure configured as described above will be described below. When the cleaner200is coupled to the cleaner station100, the dust bin of the cleaner200communicates with the suction flow path130of the cleaner station100. When the dust collecting motor150operates, the air passes through the suction flow path130, the dust collecting part140, the cyclone part, the prefilter161, the discharge flow path170, the dust collecting motor150, and the HEPA filter and is discharged to the outside of the cleaner station100. In this case, an upward flow path is formed from the suction flow path130to the prefilter161, and a downward flow path is formed from the prefilter161to the HEPA filter.

The operation of the cleaner station100according to the present disclosure configured as described above will be described below.

The dust collecting part140according to the present disclosure separates dust from the introduced air. The air discharge port1412is formed in the upper surface of the dust collecting part140, and the mesh144is disposed in the air discharge port1412, such that the air passes through the mesh144, but the dust cannot pass through the mesh144.

The compression plate142is disposed in the dust collecting part140. The compression plate142is rotatably coupled to the shaft1414of the dust collecting body141. Specifically, when the rotary plate1422rotates, the dust captured in the dust collecting body141is compressed by the rotary plate1422and the stationary plate1421. As the dust is compressed and a volume of the dust is reduced, the dust collecting part140may additionally capture a larger amount of dust, such that the operating time of the cleaner station100may be improved.

The mesh cleaner1423is disposed on the compression plate142. The mesh cleaner1423is disposed at the upper end of the rotary plate1422and wipes away the dust attached to the mesh144when the rotary plate1422rotates. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the dust attached to the mesh144from hindering the airflow and to prevent the deterioration in performance of the cleaner station100.

While the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific exemplary embodiments, and various modifications can of course be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the subject matter of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims. Further, the modifications should not be appreciated individually from the technical spirit or prospect of the present disclosure.