Patent Publication Number: US-8122555-B2

Title: Apparatus for cleaning floor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2008-0041495, 10-2008-0041496, 10-2008-0041497, and 10-2008-0041498 filed on May 2, 2008, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for cleaning floor, and more particularly, to an apparatus for cleaning floor, which is capable of maximizing a user&#39;s convenience by an automatic operation, minimizing jolt or vibration generated for its operation, and realizing enhanced endurance and safety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, when cleaning the floor of house or office through the use of wet floorcloth, a conventional art cleaning method using the wet floorcloth largely depends on user&#39;s physical works. If the user tries to clean the floor with a conventional art cleaning apparatus using the wet floorcloth, the user has to apply a large physical force so as to reciprocate the conventional art cleaning apparatus using the wet floorcloth. Thus, if taking a long period of time to clean the floor with the conventional art cleaning apparatus, the user feels physical fatigue and the cleaning efficiency also becomes lowered. 
     Especially, if cleaning a tiled bathroom or veranda floor through the use of conventional art apparatus, it may cause an excessively heavy work for the user since the user repeatedly rubs the floor with a brush being pressed down on the floor by applying a physical force thereto, so as to remove stubborn dirt from the tiled bathroom or veranda floor. 
     In the meantime, there is a recent development of steam cleaner especially suitable for cleaning the floor. However, if the steam cleaner driven by an electric power is used for the tiled bathroom or veranda floor, an electric leakage or shock may occur. Also, this steam cleaner requires a user&#39;s heavy work to repeatedly rub the floor. 
     In order to overcome this problem of the steam cleaner, wheels are additionally provided in the bottom of steam cleaner so as to minimize a frictional force between the floor and the steam cleaner. However, in consideration of the fact that the dirt is removed from the floor by the frictional force between the floor and the steam cleaner, the minimized frictional force therebetween may cause the deterioration of cleaning efficiency. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for cleaning floor that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning floor which is capable of maximizing a user&#39;s convenience by an automatic operation. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning floor which is capable of minimizing jolt or vibration generated for its operation. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning floor which is capable of realizing enhanced endurance and safety. 
     Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
     To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus for cleaning floor comprises a support member; a driver positioned on the support member; a power converter for converting a rotary motion provided from the driver into a power for a rectilinear reciprocating motion; and first and second movable members rectilinearly reciprocating along the same straight line in opposite directions with each other through the use of power provided from the power converter, wherein the driver comprises a driving motor; a first interlocking pulley rotated by the driving motor; a second interlocking pulley; and an interlocking timing belt for transmitting a rotary motion of the first interlocking pulley to the second interlocking pulley. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate exploded perspective views of an apparatus for cleaning floor according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a course guiding means to guide a rectilinear reciprocating motion of a movable member according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a movable member and a Velcro fixed on the movable member in an apparatus for cleaning floor according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a movable member and a Velcro fixed on the movable member in an apparatus for cleaning floor according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     Hereinafter, an apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention includes a body  10 ; a cover  20  for covering the body  10 ; a power source  30  for supplying a power to the body  10 , wherein the power source  30  is pivotally connected with the cover  20 ; a grip  50  with an on-off switch  51  to turn on/off the apparatus for cleaning floor; and a connector  40  for connecting the power source  30  and the grip  50  with each other, wherein the connector  40  is adjustable in its length. 
     In order to operate the apparatus placed in water without an electric leakage, it is preferable that a battery provided in the power source  30  be a waterproof-type chargeable battery (not shown). When the switch  51  positioned in the grip  50  is turned-on, the power source  30  supplies the power to the body  10 . 
     Schematically, the body  10  of the apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention includes a support member; a driver positioned on the support member; a power converter for converting a rotary motion provided from the driver into a rectilinear reciprocating motion; a movable member rectilinearly reciprocated by the power provided from the power converter; a course guiding means to guide the rectilinear reciprocating motion of the movable member; a waterproofing part for waterproofing the driver; and a Velcro for detachably providing a cleaning member on the movable member. 
     Hereinafter, the body  10  of the apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention will be explained in detail as follows. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate exploded perspective views of an apparatus for cleaning floor according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     The body  10  of the apparatus for cleaning floor includes a support member  100 ; and a driver positioned on the support member  100 . The driver includes a driving motor  210 . As the switch  51  of the grip  50  is turned-on, the power is supplied from the power source  30  to the driving motor  210 . A motor pulley  220  connected with a shaft of the driving motor  210  rotates together with the operation of the driving motor  210 . 
     The driver of the apparatus for cleaning floor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a speed-reduction pulley  240  which receives the rotary motion of the motor pulley  220  through a motor timing belt  230 , and rotates by the received rotary motion. Herein, a rotation speed of the speed-reduction pulley  240  is slower than a rotation speed of the motor pulley  220  since the speed-reduction pulley  240  is larger in diameter than the motor pulley  220 . 
     A first interlocking pulley  261  is connected with the speed-reduction pulley  240  on the same rotation axis so that the first interlocking pulley  261  rotates together with the speed-reduction pulley  240 . Selectively, the speed-reduction pulley  240  and the first interlocking pulley  261  may be formed as one body. The driver according to the present invention includes a second interlocking pulley  262  which rotates by the rotary motion of the first interlocking pulley  261  received through an interlocking timing belt  250 . In this case, it is important that the first and second interlocking pulleys  261  and  262  should have the same diameter so as to secure the same rotation speed when rotating the first and second interlocking pulleys  261  and  262 . 
     The driver according to the present invention can transmit the rotary motion of the driving motor  210  through the use of a gear instead of the pulley and timing belt. In order to minimize noises generated during the operation of the apparatus, the method using the pulley and timing belt is preferable to the method using the gear. 
     A first interlocking pulley shaft  271  is connected with the center of the first interlocking pulley  261  so that the first interlocking pulley shaft  271  rotates in association with the first interlocking pulley  261 . Also, a second interlocking pulley shaft  272  is connected with the center of the second interlocking pulley  262  so that the second interlocking pulley shaft  272  rotates in association with the second interlocking pulley  262 . The first and second interlocking pulley shafts  271  and  272  are connected with a power converter through a shaft hole  110  formed in the support member  100 . 
     There are first and second upper bearings  281  and  282  respectively provided on the upper portions of the first and second interlocking pulley shafts  271  and  272  so as to reduce a frictional resistance against a waterproofing cover  610 . Also, there are first and second lower bearings  291  and  292  respectively provided on the lower portions of the first and second interlocking pulley shafts  271  and  272  so as to reduce a frictional resistance against the support member  100 . 
     The power converter of the apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention includes a first power converting member  310  and a second power converting member  320 . At this time, the first power converting member  310  converts the rotary motion of the first interlocking pulley shaft  271  into the rectilinear reciprocating motion, to thereby reciprocate the first movable member  410  rectilinearly. Also, the second power converting member  320  converts the rotary motion of the second interlocking pulley shaft  272  into the rectilinear reciprocating motion, to thereby reciprocate the second movable member  420  rectilinearly. 
     The first power converting member  310  includes a first cam  311 , a first cam rod  312 , and a first fixation member  313 . One side of the first cam  311  is connected with the first interlocking pulley shaft  271  passing through the shaft hole  110  of the support member  100  so that the first cam  311  and the first interlocking pulley shaft  271  rotate on the same rotation axis. One side of the first cam rod  312  is rotatably connected with the other side of the first cam  311 . The first fixation member  313  is rotatably connected with the other side of the first cam rod  312  and is fixedly connected with the first movable member  410 . 
     The second power converting member  320  includes a second cam  321 , a second cam rod  322 , and a second fixation member  323 . One side of the second cam  321  is connected with the second interlocking pulley shaft  272  passing through the shaft hole  110  of the support member  1   00  so that the second cam  321  and the second interlocking pulley shaft  272  rotate on the same rotation axis. One side of the second cam rod  322  is rotatably connected with the other side of the second cam  321 . The second fixation member  323  is rotatably connected with the other side of the second cam rod  322  and is fixedly connected with the second movable member  420 . 
     In order to make the first and second movable members  410  and  420  rectilinearly reciprocate along the same straight line in opposite directions with each other, a structure of connecting the first cam  311  with the first interlocking pulley shaft  271  is symmetric to a structure of connecting the second cam  321  with the second interlocking pulley shaft  272 . That is, owing to the symmetric connection structure and the same diameter of the first and second interlocking pulleys  261  and  262 , the first and second movable members  410  and  420  rectilinearly reciprocate along the same straight line on opposite directions with each other. This enables the offset of jolt or vibration generated by the frictional force against the floor during the rectilinear reciprocating motions of the first and second movable members  410  and  420 . As a result, there is very little vibration in the entire apparatus including the support member  100 . In addition, a user can change a moving direction of the apparatus with easiness, resulting in enhanced convenience. 
     To secure the precise rectilinear reciprocating motion of the first and second movable members  410  and  420 , the apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention includes course guiding means  500  to guide the rectilinear reciprocating motion. According to one embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each of the first and second movable members  410  and  420  is provided with the two course guiding means  500  so as to secure the rectilinear reciprocating motion. However, the number of course guiding means is not limited to this, that is, the number of course guiding means for each movable member may be variable. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a course guiding means to guide the rectilinear reciprocating motion of movable member in the apparatus for cleaning floor according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the course guiding means  500  includes a sliding member  510  and a guide member  520 . As the sliding member  510  is mounted on the first or second movable member  410  or  420 , the sliding member  510  rectilinearly reciprocates together with the first or second movable member  410  or  420 . The guide member  520 , which is fixed in the support member  100 , guides the rectilinear reciprocating motion of the sliding member  510 . 
     The sliding member  510  includes a first damper  512  for decreasing the noise generated due to a friction against the shaft  511  and movable members  410  and  420 . The first damper  512  is provided for each of the both ends of the shaft. 
     The guide member  520  includes a hollow cylinder  521  and a bracket  523 . In this case, the shaft  511  is inserted into the hollow cylinder  521 . Also, the bracket  523  fixes the hollow cylinder  521  in the support member  100 , and the bracket  523  is connected with the support member  100  through the use of a screw. On the lower surface of the support member  100 , there is a part  120  for containing the guide member  520 , that is, the guide member  520  is inserted into the part  120  provided on the lower surface of the support member  100 , so as to prevent the guide member  520  from being moved. 
     Preferably, a second damper  524  is provided between the hollow cylinder  521  and the bracket  523  so as to decrease the vibration and noise generated by the rectilinear reciprocating motion of the shaft  511 . 
     In order to make the shaft  511 , inserted into the hollow cylinder  521 , smooth to reciprocate rectilinearly, a bearing  522  for reducing the frictional force is inserted into each of both ends of the hollow cylinder  521 , preferably. 
     As the sliding member  510  passes through an insertion hole  421 , provided at the lateral side of the movable members  410  and  420 , and the hollow cylinder  521  in sequence, the sliding member  510  is mounted on the movable member  410  and  420 . Then, the insertion hole  421  is closed by a fixation bar  430  so as to prevent the sliding member  510  from sliding out of the insertion hole  421 . 
     The apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention additionally includes a waterproofing part for waterproofing the driver so that the apparatus can be efficiently operated without the electric leakage even in a case of that the body  10  of the apparatus for cleaning floor is placed in water. 
     The waterproofing part includes a waterproofing cover  610  connected with the support member  100 . According as the waterproofing cover  610  is connected with the support member  100 , the driver is positioned between the support member  100  and the waterproofing cover  610 . In order to prevent the inflow of water through a small gap between the waterproofing cover  610  and the support member  100 , the waterproofing cover  610  and the support member  100  are connected with a waterproofing ring  620  such as O-ring interposed therebetween. 
     A hole  611  is formed in the waterproofing cover  610 . In this case, a wire (not shown) for supplying the power to the driving motor  210  passes through the hole  611  of the waterproofing cover  610 . To prevent the inflow of water into the hole  611 , an elastic member  630  is fixedly inserted into the hole  611  through a press bracket  640 . The elastic member  630  includes a hole  631  through which wire is passed. In this case, an original diameter of the hole  631  is smaller than a diameter of the wire, when the hole  631  is observed before the insertion of the wire. 
     The waterproofing part according to the present invention includes a shaft waterproofing member  650  to prevent the inflow of water into the driver through the shaft hole  110  formed on the support member  100 . The shaft waterproofing member  650  includes a hole through which interlocking pulley shafts  271  and  272  are passed. 
     The apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention includes a Velcro  700  to detachably provide a cleaning member (not shown) on the movable member  410  and  420 . The Velcro  700  is fixed on the movable member  410  and  420 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a movable member and a Velcro fixed on the movable member in an apparatus for cleaning floor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     To prevent the Velcro  700  from being detached from the movable members  410  and  420  when operating the apparatus being placed in water, first and second holes  412  and  413  are formed in the movable members  410  and  420 , respectively. Also, there is a combining rib  414  between the first and second holes  412  and  413 . By leading the Velcro  700  along the way from an inlet of the first hole  412  to an outlet of the second hole  413 , the Velcro  700  is connected with each movable member  410  and  420 . According as the Velcro  700  is fixed by the combining rib  414 , it is possible to prevent the Velcro  700  from being detached from the movable members  410  and  420  by a physical force. Preferably, one Velcro  700  is fixed by the plurality of combining ribs  414 . 
     Preferably, a groove  416  for holding the Velcro  700  therein is formed in the lower surface of each of the first and second movable members  410  and  420 . 
     Also, a fixation hole  415  is formed at each of both ends of the movable members  410  and  420 . Both ends of the Velcro  700  are fixed on the opposite surfaces of the movable members  410  and  420  through the fixation hole  415 . Both ends of the Velcro  700  may be fixed on the opposite surfaces of the movable members  410  and  420  through the use of an adhesive. 
     If the apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention is operated while placed in water, the adhesive strength may be weakened between the Velcro  700  and the movable members  410  and  420 . In this aspect, as shown in  FIG. 6 , preferably, the both ends of the Velcro  700  are fixed to the opposite surfaces of the movable members  410  and  420  through the use of press members  800 . Each of the press members  800  includes an uneven part  810  so as to increase a contact area with the Velcro  700 . 
     Also, the movable member  410  and  420  includes a holding part  440  for holding the press member  800 . The holding part  440  is provided with a projection  441  to prevent the press part  800  from being separated from the movable member  410  and  420 . That is, the press member  800  is slidingly inserted into the holding part  400 , but the pressing member  800  can not be separated from the holding part  400 . 
     As explained above, the apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention has the following advantages. 
     First, the apparatus for cleaning floor whose floorcloth or brush rectilinearly reciprocates on the floor automatically, resulting in good cleaning performance without a user&#39;s heavy work. Also, in the case of the apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention, it is capable of changing its moving direction without user&#39;s inconvenience caused by jolts or vibration generated when the floorcloth or brush automatically reciprocates in a straight line on the floor. 
     In the case using the pulley and pulley belt according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to minimize the noise generated when operating the apparatus for cleaning floor. 
     The apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention, which includes the waterproofing part, can perform the wet cleaning of tiled floor without the danger such as electric shock. Also, the apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention enables easy washing of floorcloth or brush without being touched. 
     The apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention, which includes the course guiding means, can secure the high preciseness in rectilinear reciprocating motion of the movable member by preventing the deviation of movable member when the movable with the floorcloth or brush attached thereon reciprocates rectilinearly, to thereby minimize the vibration and noise generated when operating the apparatus. 
     Also, the Velcro for detachably providing the cleaning member such as floorcloth or brush is fixed on the apparatus for cleaning floor by the physical force. Accordingly, even though the apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention is operated for a long time so as to perform the wet cleaning for the tiled floor or the automatic cleaning of the movable member, the Velcro is not detached from the apparatus for cleaning floor according to the present invention, thereby realizing the enhanced endurance. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.