Maintenance base station and cleaning robot system

The cleaning fluid supply system includes a first fluid storage device, a second fluid storage device, a pipeline assembly and at least one fluid drive device, and they are all mounted on the base. The pipeline assembly is provided with a main pipeline, a first branch and a second branch. The main pipeline is configured to supply the cleaning fluid to the cleaning robot. The first branch is communicated with the first fluid storage device, and the second branch is communicated with the second fluid storage device. The first branch and the second branch are both communicated with the main pipeline. The at least one fluid driving device is configured to drive the fluid in the first fluid storage device and the fluid in the second fluid storage device to flow to the first branch and the second branch, respectively.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application CN 202110163492.6, filed Feb. 5, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to cleaning devices, and more particular to a maintenance base station and a cleaning robot system.

BACKGROUND

With the development of economy and the improvement of living standards, various cleaning robots are widely used in household cleaning, such as sweeping robots, scrubbing robots, or glass cleaning robots. In some cases, the maintenance base station may be used to clean and maintain the cleaning robot. However, the current cleaning fluid supply system for the maintenance base station has a single structure and a low intelligence. Therefore, users have to manually match the proportion of the clear water and the cleaning fluid for cleaning and maintenance, or only add the clear water in that maintenance base station.

SUMMARY

There are provided a maintenance base station and a cleaning robot system according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The technical solution is as below:

According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a maintenance base station, for maintaining a cleaning robot, comprising:

a base; and

a cleaning fluid supply system comprising:a first fluid storage device, mounted on the base;a second fluid storage device, mounted on the base;a pipeline assembly, mounted on the base, and provided with a main pipeline, a first branch and a second branch, wherein the main pipeline is configured to supply a cleaning fluid to the cleaning robot, wherein an end of the first branch is communicated with the first fluid storage device, and an end of the second branch is communicated with the second fluid storage device, and wherein the other end of the first branch away from the first fluid storage device and the other end of the second branch away from the second fluid storage device are both communicated with an end of the main pipeline; and

at least one fluid driving device, mounted on the base, and configured to drive a fluid in the first fluid storage device to flow to the first blanch and drive a fluid in the second fluid storage device to flow to the second branch.

According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a cleaning robot system, comprising a cleaning robot and the above-mentioned maintenance base station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to make the objects, technical solutions, and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments as follows. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application, but not used to limit the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

It should be noted that if there is no conflict, various features in the embodiments of the present application may be combined with each other, and all are within the protection scope of the present application. In addition, although functional modules are divided in the schematic diagram of the device, and the logical sequence is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the module division in the device may be different, or the sequence of steps shown or described in the flowchart may be different. Furthermore, the terms such as “first”, “second” and “third” used in the present application do not limit the data and execution order, but only distinguish the identical or similar items with basically identical function and effect.

Referring toFIGS.1-3, an embodiment of the present application provides a cleaning robot system300, including a cleaning robot200and a maintenance base station100.

For the cleaning robot200provided in the embodiment of the present application, for example, the cleaning robot200may be any one of a sweeping robot, an sweeping and mopping integrated robot, and a mopping robot.

Referring toFIGS.1-3, for the maintenance base station100provided in the embodiment of the present application, the maintenance base station100is configured to maintain the cleaning robot200, and includes a base10and a cleaning fluid supply system20. The cleaning fluid supply system20includes a first fluid storage device21, a second fluid storage device22, a pipeline assembly23and at least one fluid driving device24. The first fluid storage device21, the second fluid storage device22and the at least one fluid driving device24are all mounted on the base10. Both the first fluid storage device21and the second fluid storage device22may be configured to store the fluid. The pipeline assembly23is provided with a main pipeline233, a first branch231, and a second branch232. The main pipeline233is configured to supply cleaning fluid to the cleaning robot200. An end of the first branch231is communicated with the first fluid storage device21. An end of the second branch232is communicated with the second fluid storage device22. The other end of the first branch231away from the first fluid storage device21and the other end of the second branch232away from the second fluid storage device22are both communicated with an end of the main pipeline233. The at least one fluid driving device24is configured to drive the fluid in the first fluid storage device21to flow to the first branch231and drive the fluid in the second fluid storage device22to flow to the second branch232. As an example and not limitation, the first fluid storage device21and the second fluid storage device22may be a tank for storing fluid or a fluid storage bag for storing fluid.

Different from the traditional art, the first fluid storage device21, the second fluid storage device22, and the at least one fluid driving device24are all mounted on the base10, and the pipeline assembly23is provided with the main pipeline233, the first branch231, and the second branch232. The main pipeline233is configured to supply cleaning fluid to the cleaning robot200. The main pipeline233is communicated with the first fluid storage device21through an end of the first branch231, and is communicated with the second fluid storage device22through an end of the second branch232. The other end of the first branch231away from the first fluid storage device21and the other end of the second branch232away from the second fluid storage device22are both communicated with an end of the main pipeline233, so that the at least one fluid driving device24can drive the fluid in the first fluid storage device21to flow to the first branch231and drive the fluid in the second fluid storage device22to flow to the second branch232, and then they are fully mixed in the main pipeline233to form a cleaning fluid with a certain composition ratio. The cleaning fluid supply system20of the maintenance base station100of the present application can automatically provide cleaning fluid with a certain composition ratio, which is beneficial to meet different degrees of cleaning requirements.

The maintenance base station100may provide the mixed cleaning fluid to the cleaning container37of the cleaning robot200through the cleaning fluid supply system20.

In this embodiment, the maintenance base station100further includes a docking mechanism40communicated with the main pipeline233, which is configured to dock with a docking valve38of the cleaning robot200to establish a fluid channel34for communicating the cleaning container37with the main pipeline233. The cleaning robot200is provided with a docking valve38for pneumatically communicating the cleaning container37with the cleaning container37. When the cleaning robot200moves closer to the maintenance base station100, the docking valve38of the cleaning robot200may be docked with the docking mechanism40, to establish a fluid channel34for communicating the cleaning container37with the main pipeline233. The at least one fluid driving device24may drive the fluid in the first fluid storage device21and the fluid in the second fluid storage device22to be transferred to the cleaning container37through the fluid channel34.

Referring toFIGS.4-6again, the docking mechanism40may be arranged on a longitudinal side of the base10, so that the docking mechanism40may be docked with a circumferential side of the cleaning robot200. Alternatively, the docking mechanism40may be arranged on a bearing surface of the base10(for carrying the cleaning robot), so that the docking mechanism40may be docked with a bottom of the cleaning robot200. Alternatively, the docking mechanism40may be arranged on an upper surface of the base10(opposite to the bearing surface), so that the docking mechanism40may be docked with a top of the cleaning robot200.

The docking valve38of the cleaning robot200may be a port provided with a one-way valve, or a port provided with a movable cover, which can prevent the fluid in the cleaning container37from leaking.

Referring toFIGS.1-3, in some embodiments, the docking mechanism40is telescopically connected to the base10. The maintenance base station100further includes a driving device50, which is fixed on the base10, and is drivingly connected to the docking mechanism40, so that the driving device50can drive the docking mechanism40to expand or contract relative to the base10. The driving device50can drive the docking mechanism40to extend relative to the base10to dock with the cleaning robot200, or contract relative to the base10to separate from the cleaning robot200. The driving device50can drive the docking mechanism40to expand and contract through any one of a rack and pinion mechanism, a screw mechanism or a link mechanism, which is not limited herein.

In other embodiments, the docking mechanism40is fixed on the base10. When the cleaning robot200moves to a preset alignment area, it actively docks with the docking mechanism40.

In another embodiment, the maintenance base station100may provide a mixed cleaning fluid for cleaning and maintaining a part to be cleaned of the cleaning robot200. In this embodiment, the base10is provided with a cleaning groove for accommodating the part to be cleaned of the cleaning robot200. Apart of the main pipeline233is located in the cleaning groove, and the main pipeline233may provide a mixed cleaning fluid to the part to be cleaned of the cleaning robot200, so that the cleaning fluid fully wets the part to be cleaned of the cleaning robot200, which is beneficial to improve the cleaning effect. The part to be cleaned of the cleaning robot200may be a mopping cloth, and the cleaning robot200may drive the part to be cleaned to rotate, vibrate or reciprocate, so that the part to be cleaned and a scraping part on the maintenance base station100squeeze and rub against each other to achieve a cleaning function. Alternatively, a cleaning device is provided on the maintenance base station100, and the cleaning device can actively clean the part to be cleaned of the cleaning robot200to achieve a cleaning effect.

Referring toFIG.7again, in this embodiment, the first fluid storage device21and the second fluid storage device22are detachably mounted on the base10. The base10is provided with a first mounting groove11and a second mounting groove12. The first mounting groove11is configured to accommodate the first fluid storage device21, and the second mounting groove12is configured to accommodate the second fluid storage device22. For example, by opening a flip cover on the base10, the user can take out the first fluid storage device21from the first mounting groove11of the base10, and take out the second fluid storage device22from the second mounting groove12of the base10. In other embodiments, the first fluid storage device21may be fixedly connected to the base10by means of screw connection, snap connection or pin connection, or the first fluid storage device21is integrated with the base10. The second fluid storage device22may be fixedly connected to the base10by means of screw connection, snap connection or pin connection. Or, the second fluid storage device22is integrated with the base10.

The first fluid storage device21is provided with a first inner cavity, a first fluid filling port communicated with the first inner cavity and a first fluid draining port communicated with the first inner cavity. The first fluid filling port and the first fluid draining port both go throughout an inner side wall of the first fluid storage device21. Water, detergent, disinfectant or other types of cleaning solutions may be added into the first fluid storage device21through the first fluid filling port. The first branch231is communicated with the first fluid draining port. A sealing cover or a sealing plug may be arranged at the first filling port.

The second fluid storage device22is provided with a second inner cavity, a second fluid filling port communicated with the second inner cavity and a second fluid draining port communicated with the second inner cavity. The second fluid filling port and the second fluid draining port both go throughout an inner side wall of the second fluid storage device22. Water, detergent, disinfectant or other types of cleaning solutions may be added into the second fluid storage device22through the second fluid filling port. The second branch232is communicated with the second fluid draining port. A sealing cover or a sealing plug may be arranged at the second filling port.

A volume of the first inner cavity and a volume of the second inner cavity may be the same or may be different, which is not limited herein.

The base10is provided with a first fluid draining opening13at a position corresponding to the first fluid draining port, and the base10is provided with a second fluid draining opening14at a position corresponding to the second fluid draining port. An end of the first branch231is fixedly communicated with the first fluid draining opening13. The second branch232is fixedly communicated with the second fluid draining opening14. When the first fluid storage device21is mounted on the base10, the first fluid draining port of the first fluid storage device21is docked with the first fluid draining opening13. When the second fluid storage device22is mounted on the base10, the second fluid draining port of the second fluid storage device22is docked with the second fluid draining opening14. It can be understood that a sealing ring may be provided at a junction between the first fluid draining port of the first fluid storage device21and the first fluid draining opening13, and a sealing ring may be provided at a junction between the second fluid draining port of the second fluid storage device22and the second fluid draining opening14, so as to improve the sealing performance.

A groove wall of the first mounting groove11is provided with the first fluid draining opening13docked and communicated with the first fluid storage device21. The first branch231is communicated with the first fluid storage device21through the first fluid draining opening13. A groove wall of the second mounting groove12is provided with the second fluid draining port14docked and communicated with the second fluid storage device22. The second branch232is communicated with the second fluid storage device22through the second fluid draining opening14.

Referring toFIGS.1-3, in the first embodiment, the at least one fluid driving device24includes a first fluid driving device124pneumatically communicated with the first fluid storage device21or the first branch231, which is configured to drive the fluid in the first fluid storage device21to flow to the first branch231. The first fluid driving device124is a first fluid pumping device, and is pneumatically communicated with the first branch231. The first fluid driving device124may be a peristaltic pump or a water pump, which can suck the fluid in the first fluid storage device21. Alternatively, the first fluid driving device124is a first air pump device pneumatically communicated with the first fluid storage device21, which can input the air into the first fluid storage device21to squeeze the fluid in the first fluid storage device21into the first branch231.

The at least one fluid driving device24further includes a second fluid driving device224pneumatically communicated with the second fluid storage device22or the second branch232, which is configured to drive the fluid in the second fluid storage device22to flow to the second branch232. The second fluid driving device224is a second fluid pumping device, and is pneumatically communicated with the second branch232. The second fluid driving device224may be a peristaltic pump or a water pump, which can suck the fluid in the second fluid storage device22. Alternatively, the second fluid driving device224is a second air pump device pneumatically communicated with the second fluid storage device22, which can input the air into the second fluid storage device22to squeeze the fluid in the second fluid storage device22into the second branch232.

The first fluid driving device124and the second fluid driving device224may work independently. A first flow rate output from the first fluid storage device21to the first branch231may be adjusted by a working parameter of the first fluid driving device124. A second flow rate output from the second fluid storage device22to the second branch232may be adjusted by a working parameter of the second fluid driving device224. Since the first flow rate and the second flow rate are both adjustable, a composition ratio of the cleaning fluid provided by the cleaning fluid supply system20may be adjusted freely, thereby meeting more diverse cleaning requirements.

For example, one of the first fluid storage device21and the second fluid storage device22is configured to store cleaning water, and the other is configured to store detergent. By adjusting the working parameters of the first fluid driving device124and the second fluid driving device224, the first flow rate and the second flow rate may be adjusted separately, so that the maintenance base station100may automatically adjust the ratio of the cleaning water and the detergent. In other embodiments, one of the first fluid storage device21and the second fluid storage device22is configured to store detergent of a first concentration, and the other is configured to store detergent of a second concentration. The first concentration and the second concentration are not the same.

Of course, in other embodiments, there may be one or more than two fluid driving devices24, which may be set by those skilled in the art according to practice needs.

Referring toFIGS.1-3and8, in some embodiments, the maintenance base station100includes a control circuit board30and a first communication component31electrically connected to the control circuit board30. The control circuit board30is electrically connected to the at least one fluid driving device24. The cleaning robot200further includes a controller39and a second communication component40electrically connected to the controller39.

When the cleaning robot200is docked with the maintenance base station100, the controller39controls the second communication component40to send preset cleaning fluid demand information to the first communication component31of the maintenance base station100, so the control circuit board30determines the working parameter according to the preset cleaning fluid demand information received by the first communication component31, and controls the at least one fluid driving device24to operate according to the working parameter, so that the maintenance base station100can reasonably supply a suitable dosage of cleaning fluid for the cleaning robot200, thereby avoiding the situation of excessive supply or insufficient supply, and effectively improving the supply efficiency.

The first communication component31may be any one or a combination of a WiFi module, a Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module, an infrared sensor, an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) module, and a 2G/3G/4G/4G/5G module.

The second communication component40may be any one or a combination of a WiFi module, a Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module, an infrared sensor, an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) module, and a 2G/3G/4G/4G/5G module.

Referring toFIGS.1-3and8, in this embodiment, the control circuit board30is fixed on the base10, and is electrically connected to the first fluid driving device124and the second fluid driving device224. The first communication component31is configured to be communicatively connected to the cleaning robot200to obtain preset cleaning fluid demand information. The control circuit board30determines the first working parameter and the second working parameter according to the preset cleaning fluid demand information received by the first communication component31, and controls the first fluid driving device124to operate according to the first working parameter, and controls the second fluid driving device224to operate according to the second working parameter. When the cleaning robot200moves to dock with the maintenance base station100, the control circuit board30determines the first working parameter and the second working parameter according to the preset cleaning fluid demand information. The first working parameter is configured to instruct the first fluid driving device124to drive the fluid in the first fluid storage device21to deliver to the first branch231at the first flow rate, and the second working parameter is configured to instruct the second fluid driving device224to drive the fluid in the second fluid storage device22to deliver to the second branch232at the second flow rate. The first flow rate of fluid and the second flow rate of fluid are mixed in the main pipeline233, so as to provide the cleaning fluid with a certain ratio matching the preset cleaning fluid demand information for the cleaning robot200.

In other embodiments, the control circuit board30only controls a single fluid driving device24for fluid supply.

In some embodiments, the user may set the preset cleaning fluid demand information on a software interface of a smart terminal (smartphone, smart tablet, laptop, etc.). The preset cleaning fluid demand information may be any one or a combination of the total cleaning fluid demand, the composition ratio of the cleaning fluid and cleaning requirement, which is sent to the cleaning robot200through a wireless network. The cleaning robot200may send the preset cleaning fluid demand information to the maintenance base station100through the first communication component31, so that the maintenance base station100may automatically mix the cleaning fluid according to the preset cleaning fluid demand information. For example, the user may set the preset cleaning fluid requirement information including a deep cleaning requirement on a software interface of the smart terminal, and the preset cleaning fluid requirement information may instruct the maintenance base station100to mix the cleaning fluid with the first concentration for a cleaning task for the cleaning robot200, thereby achieving the deep cleaning effect. Alternatively, the user may set the preset cleaning fluid demand information including a moderate cleaning requirement on the software interface of the smart terminal, and the preset cleaning fluid demand information may instruct the maintenance base station100to mix the cleaning fluid with the second concentration for the cleaning task for the cleaning robot200, and the second concentration is less than the first concentration. Alternatively, the user may set preset cleaning solution demand information including a mildness cleaning requirement on the software interface of the smart terminal, and the preset cleaning fluid demand information may instruct the maintenance base station100to mix the cleaning fluid with a third concentration for the cleaning task for the cleaning robot200. The third concentration is less than the second concentration. Therefore, it can not only reduce a residual amount of cleaning fluid in the environment, but also meet the cleaning requirements at the same time.

Referring toFIGS.1-3and8, in other embodiments, the cleaning robot200may set the preset cleaning fluid demand information by itself. The cleaning robot200includes a water volume detection device41configured to detect the water volume state of the cleaning container37, so that the cleaning robot200determines the preset cleaning fluid demand information according to a detection signal of the water volume detection device41. For example, if the water volume detection device41detects that the cleaning container37is in a waterless state, the cleaning robot200may determine that the supply amount of the cleaning fluid included in the preset cleaning fluid demand information is equal to the capacity of the cleaning container37. If the water volume detection device41detects that the cleaning container37is in a half full state, the cleaning robot200can determine that the supply amount of the cleaning fluid included in the preset cleaning fluid demand information is half of the capacity of the cleaning container37. The water volume detection device41may be any one of a capacitive water volume detection device, an inductive water volume detection device and an electrode water volume detection device.

Referring toFIG.9, in the second embodiment, the at least one fluid driving device24includes a fluid pumping device32pneumatically communicated with the main pipeline233, which is configured to drive the fluid in the first fluid storage device21to flow to the first branch231and drive the fluid in the second fluid storage device22to flow to the second branch232. A ratio of a cross-sectional area of the first branch231to a cross-sectional area of the second branch232meets a preset flow rate ratio of the cleaning fluid. The fluid pumping device32may be a peristaltic pump or a water pump, which may generate a suction effect on the fluid in the first fluid storage device21and the fluid in the second fluid storage device22, so that the fluid in the first fluid storage device21enters the first branch231, and the fluid in the second fluid storage device22enters the second branch232.

Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, but not to limit the technical solutions of the present application. Under the idea of the present application, the above embodiments or the technical features in different embodiments may also be combined, in which the steps may be implemented in any order, and there are many other changes in different aspects of the application as described above. For the sake of brevity, they are not provided in the details. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacements to some of the technical features. These modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.