Automatic cleaning device

An automatic cleaning device includes a main body and an operating unit. The operating unit is disposed on the lower side of the main body and includes several wheels. At least one of these wheels tilts downward with respect to the main body and the wheels may cause the automatic cleaning device to move around. In addition, with the aid of a piece of fabric, brush or dust removal paper attached to each wheel, the automatic cleaning device of the present invention can freely move around and clean up all corners of a flat floor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to a cleaning device. More particularly, the invention relates to an automatic cleaning device that can move around in all directions to reach each corner of a flat floor.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As population density becomes higher and higher, available space in a home becomes smaller and smaller. Home appliances become more automated, smarter and smarter, more lightweight and more compact. A good example would be a self-propelled automatic cleaning machine, which propels itself on a floor to clean up the floor after it is turned on.

As of now, most of automatic cleaning machines on the market can only move in straight lines; therefore, they can not reach corners and areas around the legs of desks and chairs. In addition, because cleaning units of most of these machines are fixedly disposed on these machines and hence these cleaning units are easily worn out, their service life is relatively short and they have to be replaced within a relatively short period.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic cleaning device. The automatic cleaning device of the present invention comprises a main body and an operating unit. The operating unit is disposed on the lower side of the main body and includes several wheels. At least one of these wheels tilts downward with respect to the main body and the wheels may cause the automatic cleaning device to move around.

A cleaning unit is provided on each wheel. Friction between the cleaning unit and a floor may cause the automatic cleaning device to move around. The cleaning unit may be fabric, brush or dust removal paper.

The main body comprises a base portion and an upper portion. Several speed reducing units are provided on the base portion. Each speed reducing unit is linked up with a corresponding wheel and causes the latter to rotate. The upper portion is disposed on top of the base portion to enclose the speed reducing units.

A control unit is provided inside the main body and is connected with the operating unit. The control unit serves to control the rotational speed of each wheel and hence the direction of movement of the automatic cleaning device.

A charging and discharging unit is provided inside the main body and may provide electricity to power up the operating unit and the control unit.

At least one of these wheels tilts downward with respect to the main body and the wheels may cause the automatic cleaning device to move around.

The operating unit includes a first wheel and a second wheel and both of the wheels tilt downward with respect to the main body. In use, the two wheels rotate in opposite direction and friction caused by such rotation may cause the automatic cleaning device to move around.

In comparison to conventional cleaning devices, the automatic cleaning device of the present invention has the following advantages:1. Unlike the conventional cleaning devices, which move in straight lines, the automatic cleaning device of the present invention can move in all directions to reach all corners of a flat floor.2. Unlike the conventional cleaning devices, in the automatic cleaning device of the present invention, its contact area with a floor may be altered at any time. Therefore, corners may be reached and cleaned up effectively with the automatic cleaning device.

In addition, the automatic cleaning device of the present invention can move around in all directions and its cleaning unit, which is fabric, brush or dust removal paper is replaceable. Therefore, the automatic cleaning device of the present invention has a longer service life and is more economical because there is no need to replace most of its parts.

These features and advantages of the present invention will be fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of the accompanying Drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First, please seeFIG. 1, which is a perspective view of the automatic cleaning device of the present invention. The automatic cleaning device of the present invention comprises a main body1and an operating unit2. The operating unit2is disposed on the lower side of the main body1and includes several wheels21.

Next, please refer toFIG. 2, which is a side view of the automatic cleaning device of the present invention. The operating unit2also includes a first wheel211and a second wheel212. Both wheels211and212tilt downward with respect to the main body1.FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate the automatic cleaning device in use. In use, the two wheels211and212lie flat on a floor and because the two wheels211and212rotate in opposite direction, friction caused by such rotation and the weight of the automatic cleaning device may cause the automatic cleaning device to move around.

Please seeFIG. 5, which is an exploded view showing the inner structure of the automatic cleaning device of the present invention. The main body1comprises a base portion11and an upper portion12. The operating unit2is disposed on the lower side of the base portion11and the upper portion12is disposed on top of the base portion11.

Next, please seeFIG. 6, which is another exploded view showing the inner structure of the automatic cleaning device of the present invention. Several speed reducing units3are provided on the base portion11. Each speed reducing unit3is linked up with a corresponding wheel21and causes the latter21to rotate. The upper portion12and the base portion11can enclose or house the speed reducing units3. A control unit4is provided inside the main body1and is connected with the operating unit2. The control unit4serves to control the rotational speed of each wheel21and hence the automatic cleaning device may move around to reach each corner of a flat floor. A charging and discharging unit5is provided inside the main body1and may provide electricity to power up the operating unit2and the control unit4.

Please refer toFIGS. 7 and 8, which illustrate the automatic cleaning device attached with a cleaning unit6in use. In use, the cleaning unit6is sandwiched between each wheel21and a floor. The friction between the cleaning unit6and the floor may cause the automatic cleaning device to move around. The cleaning unit6may be fabric, brush, dust removal paper, etc. as according to the actual need.

In comparison to other cleaning devices of the prior art, the automatic cleaning device of the present invention can move around in all directions and the cleaning unit6of the automatic cleaning device is replaceable. Therefore, the automatic cleaning device of the present invention has a longer service life and is more economical because there is no need to replace most of its parts.