Patent Description:
A robot cleaner, which is mounted with a motor, various types of sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and the like, may be configured to clean an area required to be cleaned while autonomously moving in the area.

The robot cleaner may be configured to suck dust or the like with a vacuum, sweep dust from the floor, or wipe a cleaning target surface using a mop.

As a document related to the robot cleaner, <CIT> (hereinafter, referred to as 'Patent Document <NUM>') discloses 'Robot Cleaner and Method of Controlling the Same. ' The robot cleaner according to Patent Document <NUM> includes a main body, a drive part, a first rotary member, and a second rotary member. In addition, the robot cleaner according to Patent Document <NUM> includes first and second cleaners including fabrics, mops, non-woven fabrics, brushes, and the like. The first cleaner is coupled to a first fixing member of the first rotary member, and the second cleaner is coupled to a second fixing member of the second rotary member.

According to Patent Document <NUM>, the robot cleaner may remove foreign substances or the like adhering to the floor using friction, with the floor surface, generated when the first and second cleaners are rotated by the rotational motions of the first and second rotary members. When the frictional force with the floor surface is generated, the frictional force may be used as power for moving the robot cleaner. That is, Patent Document <NUM> discloses that the operation of cleaning the floor and the operation of moving the robot cleaner are simultaneously performed when the first and second cleaners rotate.

However, since the robot cleaner according to Patent Document <NUM> is configured such that the first and second cleaners are positioned inside a main body and wipe the floor while rotating, there is a problem in that the robot cleaner cannot clean an edge portion of an indoor area in which wall surfaces or pieces of furniture are disposed. That is, when the robot cleaner performs the cleaning operation while moving in a state of being in contact with the indoor wall surface, the first and second cleaners are spaced apart from the wall surface because the first and second cleaners are positioned inside the main body. As a result, there is a problem in that the robot cleaner cannot clean an edge portion of the wall surface.

Further, as a document related to a cleaning pad, <CIT> (hereinafter, referred to as 'Patent Document <NUM>') discloses 'Cleaning Pad using Water or Liquid Cleaning Agent.

The cleaning pad according to Patent Document <NUM> further includes a twisted fiber portion protruding outward along a periphery of a cleaning layer and thus clean an edge portion of an indoor wall surface or a piece of furniture.

However, the twisted fiber portion of the cleaning pad according to Patent Document <NUM> is fastened in parallel with the cleaning layer while surrounding the periphery of the cleaning layer. Because the twisted fiber portion is disposed in parallel with the floor surface while the cleaning layer wipes the floor surface, there is a problem in that the cleaning layer is not well in contact with the floor surface, which causes a deterioration in cleaning efficiency.

<CIT> discloses a rotary machine for carpet cleaning, which has a mop. <CIT> discloses a buffing pad for use in polishing automobiles. <CIT> discloses a power-driven buffer pad for use in polishing automobiles. <CIT> discloses a polishing buff, pile tufts of which are securely anchored in their backing sheet.

The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problems in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mop for a cleaner, which further includes a lateral cleaning part protruding outward along a periphery of a floor cleaning part configured to clean a floor surface, thereby expanding a cleaning area inside and outside the cleaner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mop for a cleaner, in which a lateral cleaning part is inclined toward a floor surface so that the lateral cleaning part is in close contact with the floor surface, thereby improving cleaning performance implemented by the lateral cleaning part.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mop for a cleaner, in which a lateral cleaning part may have a plurality of cleaning members stacked and disposed in multiple stages in a height direction, thereby improving cleaning performance implemented by the lateral cleaning part.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mop for a cleaner, in which cleaning members stacked in multiple stages may be disposed so that a spacing interval between the cleaning members increases outward, thereby increasing a contact area with a cleaning target and improving cleaning performance.

The present invention defined in the appended claims achieves the above-mentioned objects. A mop for a cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a lateral cleaning part protruding outward along a periphery of a floor cleaning part configured to clean a floor surface, thereby expanding a cleaning area.

More specifically, the mop for a cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to a rotary plate of the cleaner and used to clean a floor surface, and the mop for a cleaner includes: a floor cleaning part configured to come into contact with the floor surface; and a lateral cleaning part protruding outward along a periphery of the floor cleaning part and disposed to be inclined downward so that an end of the lateral cleaning part is positioned lower than the floor cleaning part.

Alternatively, the mop for a cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a floor cleaning part configured to come into contact with a floor surface; and a lateral cleaning part protruding outward along a periphery of the floor cleaning part and disposed to be inclined toward the floor surface.

In this case, the lateral cleaning part may include cleaning members stacked on one another in two stages.

Further, the stacked cleaning members may be disposed to be spaced apart from one another at an outer side thereof, and the cleaning member disposed at a lower end may be disposed to be inclined downward so that an end of the cleaning member is positioned lower than the floor cleaning part. The lateral cleaning part has the plurality of cleaning members disposed in multiple stages, thereby improving cleaning performance implemented by the lateral cleaning part.

Further, the mop for a cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention may include: a floor cleaning part configured to come into contact with the floor surface; a water absorbing part stacked on the floor cleaning part and configured to absorb supplied water and supply the water to the floor cleaning part; a water supply part stacked on the water absorbing part and configured to absorb water supplied from the cleaner and supply the water to the water absorbing part; an attachment part stacked on the water supply part and configured to be attached to a rotary plate of the cleaner; a coupling part provided in the form of a ring and having one side configured to surround the floor cleaning part and the other side configured to surround the attachment part; and a lateral cleaning part stacked on one side of the coupling part so as to be inclined toward the floor surface, fastened by stitching, and protruding outward in a radial direction of the floor cleaning part.

In this case, the lateral cleaning part may be fastened to the coupling part by stitching.

According to the mop for a cleaner according to the present invention, the lateral cleaning part may be fastened to be inclined toward the floor surface so that the lateral cleaning part is in close contact with the floor surface, thereby improving the cleaning performance implemented by the lateral cleaning part.

To this end, by setting optimum stitching positions, the lateral cleaning part may be disposed to be inclined toward the floor surface in the state in which the lateral cleaning part is fastened to the coupling part.

More specifically, the stitching may include: first stitching provided to couple the lateral cleaning part, one side of the coupling part, the floor cleaning part, the water absorbing part, the water supply part, the attachment part, and the other side of the coupling part; and second stitching provided to couple the lateral cleaning part, the floor cleaning part, the water absorbing part, the water supply part, and the attachment part.

Alternately, the stitching may include: first stitching provided to couple the lateral cleaning part, one side of the coupling part, the floor cleaning part, the water absorbing part, the water supply part, the attachment part, and the other side of the coupling part; and second stitching provided to couple the lateral cleaning part, the floor cleaning part, the water absorbing part, the water supply part, the attachment part, and the other side of the coupling part.

The floor cleaning part may be manufactured by using superfine fiber and have a central opening that penetrates a center of the floor cleaning part.

The water absorbing part may have a central opening that penetrates a center of the water absorbing part. The water absorbing part may be made of polyurethane (PU) and coupled to the floor cleaning part by thermal bonding.

In this case, the water absorbing part may include: a stitching area surrounded by the coupling part; and a cleaning area provided to be thicker than the stitching area and configured to press the floor cleaning part so that the floor cleaning part is in close contact with the floor surface.

The water supply part may be manufactured by using superfine fiber and have a central opening that penetrates a center of the water supply part.

The attachment part may have a Velcro fastener so as to be attached to or detached from the rotary plate of the cleaner.

Further, the attachment part may have a central opening that penetrates a center of the attachment part. The central opening of the attachment part may be larger in diameter than the central opening formed in the water supply part.

With this configuration, the water supplied from the cleaner may be supplied to the water supply part exposed through the central opening of the attachment part.

The mop for a cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a base member provided in the form of a ring and stacked on one side of the coupling part; and a plurality of cleaning members each provided in the form of a loop and fastened along a periphery of the base member.

The lateral cleaning part may be configured such that the base member is fastened to the coupling part by stitching and the cleaning member is disposed to be inclined toward the floor surface.

Further, the base member may include: a first base portion fastened to the coupling part by the first stitching; and a second base portion having a smaller thickness than the first base portion, provided in the first base portion in a radial direction, and fastened to the coupling part by the second stitching.

In addition, the lateral cleaning part may be configured such that the cleaning members are stacked on one another in multiple stages and fastened to the base member.

When the cleaning members are stacked in multiple stages as described above, the lateral cleaning part may be configured such that a spacing interval between the stacked cleaning members increases in a direction away from the base member.

The water supply part, the water absorbing part, and the floor cleaning part may be additionally fastened in a central area by first auxiliary stitching.

The first auxiliary stitching may be formed around central openings formed in the water supply part, the water absorbing part, and the floor cleaning part.

The attachment part may be additionally fastened in a central area by second auxiliary stitching.

Further, the second auxiliary stitching may be formed around a central opening of the attachment part and penetrate the water supply part, the water absorbing part, and the floor cleaning part.

The mop for a cleaner according to the present invention includes the lateral cleaning part protruding outward along the periphery of the floor cleaning part configured to clean the floor surface, thereby expanding the cleaning area inside and outside the cleaner and improving the cleaning performance.

Further, according to the mop for a cleaner according to the present invention, the lateral cleaning part is fastened to be inclined toward the floor surface so that the lateral cleaning part is in close contact with the floor surface, thereby improving the cleaning performance implemented by the lateral cleaning part.

In addition, the lateral cleaning part may have the plurality of cleaning members stacked and disposed in multiple stages in the height direction, thereby improving the cleaning performance implemented by the lateral cleaning part.

Further, the cleaning members stacked in multiple stages may be disposed so that the spacing interval between the cleaning members increases outward, thereby increasing the contact area with the cleaning target and improving the cleaning performance.

The present invention may be variously modified and may have various embodiments, and particular embodiments illustrated in the drawings will be specifically described below. The description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments, but it should be interpreted that the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the claim scope of the appended claims.

In the description of the present disclosure, the terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another component. For example, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be named the first component, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The term "and/or" may include any and all combinations of a plurality of the related and listed items.

When one component is described as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that one component can be coupled or connected directly to another component, and an intervening component can also be present between the components. When one component is described as being "coupled directly to" or "connected directly to" another component, it should be understood that no intervening component is present between the components.

The terms used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless clearly described as different meanings in the context.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "containing," "has," "having" or other variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The terms such as those defined in a commonly used dictionary may be interpreted as having meanings consistent with meanings in the context of related technologies and may not be interpreted as ideal or excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined in the present application.

Further, the following embodiments are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and shapes and sizes of elements illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated for a more apparent description.

A mop for a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a cleaner when being used with the cleaner. The mop for a cleaner may be used by being attached to a robot cleaner or a stick cleaner that a user directly manipulates.

Hereinafter, a robot cleaner to which the mop for a cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached will be specifically described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the robot cleaner to which the mop for a cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached, and <FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating that rotary plates and the mops for a cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention are separated from the robot cleaner illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the robot cleaner <NUM> includes a body <NUM>, a first rotary plate <NUM>, a second rotary plate <NUM>, and cleaner mops <NUM>. Further, the robot cleaner <NUM> may further include a control part (not illustrated), a bumper <NUM>, a first sensor <NUM>, and a second sensor <NUM> so as to autonomously move.

The control part may be configured to control operations of first and second actuators <NUM> and <NUM> to be described below based on preset information or real-time information. The robot cleaner <NUM> may be provided with a storage medium that stores an application program for the control operation of the control part. The control part may be configured to control the robot cleaner <NUM> by executing the application program based on information inputted to the robot cleaner <NUM> and information outputted from the robot cleaner <NUM>.

The bumper <NUM> is coupled along the rim of the body <NUM> and configured to move relative to the body <NUM>. For example, the bumper <NUM> may be coupled to the body <NUM> so as to be reciprocally movable in a direction toward the center of the body <NUM>.

The bumper <NUM> may be coupled along a part of the rim of the body <NUM> or coupled along the entire rim of the body <NUM>.

The bumper <NUM> may be equal to or lower in height than the body <NUM>. Therefore, an obstacle positioned at a comparatively low position may collide with the bumper <NUM>, and the bumper <NUM> may detect the obstacle.

The first sensor <NUM> may be coupled to the body <NUM> and configured to detect a motion (relative movement) of the bumper <NUM> relative to the body <NUM>. The first sensor <NUM> may be a microswitch, a photo-interrupter, a tact switch, or the like.

When the bumper <NUM> of the robot cleaner <NUM> comes into contact with an obstacle, the control part may control the robot cleaner <NUM> to allow the robot cleaner <NUM> to avoid the obstacle. The control part may control the operation of the first actuator <NUM> and/or the second actuator <NUM> based on information detected by the first sensor <NUM>. For example, when the bumper <NUM> comes into contact with an obstacle while the robot cleaner <NUM> moves, the first sensor <NUM> may recognize a position at which the bumper <NUM> comes into contact with the obstacle, and the control part may control the operations of the first actuator <NUM> and/or the second actuator <NUM> so that the robot cleaner <NUM> departs from the contact position.

The second sensor <NUM> may be coupled to the body <NUM> and configured to detect a relative distance to an obstacle. The second sensor <NUM> may be a distance sensor.

When a distance between the robot cleaner <NUM> and the obstacle is a predetermined value or less based on information detected by the second sensor <NUM>, the control part may control the operations of the first actuator <NUM> and/or the second actuator <NUM> so that the movement direction of the robot cleaner <NUM> is changed or the robot cleaner <NUM> moves away from the obstacle.

The body <NUM> may define an entire external shape of the robot cleaner <NUM> or may be provided in the form of a frame. Components constituting the robot cleaner <NUM> may be coupled to the body <NUM>, and some of the components constituting the robot cleaner <NUM> may be accommodated in the body <NUM>. The body <NUM> may be divided into a lower body 100a and an upper body 100b. The components of the robot cleaner <NUM> may be provided in a space defined by coupling the lower body 100a and the upper body 100b.

The body <NUM> may be configured such that a width (or diameter) in a horizontal direction (X-axis and Y-axis directions) thereof is larger than a height in a vertical direction (Z-axis direction) thereof. The body <NUM> may provide an advantageous structure that lowers a center of gravity of the robot cleaner <NUM> to assist a stable operation and avoid an obstacle while the robot cleaner moves (travels).

The body <NUM> may have various shapes such as a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a quadrangular shape when viewed from above or below.

The first rotary plate <NUM> has a predetermined area and is provided in the form of a flat plate, a flat frame, or the like. The first rotary plate <NUM> coupled to the body <NUM> may be parallel to the floor surface or inclined with respect to the floor surface.

The first rotary plate <NUM> may be provided in the form of a circular plate, and a bottom surface of the first rotary plate <NUM> may be approximately circular.

The first rotary plate <NUM> may entirely have a rotationally symmetrical shape.

The first rotary plate <NUM> may include a first central plate <NUM>, a first outer peripheral plate <NUM>, and first spokes <NUM>.

The first central plate <NUM> defines a center of the first rotary plate <NUM> and is rotatably coupled to the body <NUM>. The first central plate <NUM> may be coupled to the lower portion of the body <NUM>. The first central plate <NUM> may be coupled to the body <NUM> in such a way that an upper surface of the first central plate <NUM> is directed toward the bottom surface of the body <NUM>.

A rotary shaft <NUM> of the first rotary plate <NUM> may be provided in a direction that penetrates the center of the first central plate <NUM>. In addition, the rotary shaft <NUM> of the first rotary plate <NUM> may be provided in a direction orthogonal to the floor surface or inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction orthogonal to the floor surface.

The first outer peripheral plate <NUM> is spaced apart from the first central plate <NUM> and disposed to surround the first central plate <NUM>.

The first spokes <NUM> connect the first central plate <NUM> and the first outer peripheral plate <NUM>. The first spokes <NUM> are provided in plural and repeatedly disposed in a circumferential direction of the first central plate <NUM>. The first spokes <NUM> may be arranged at an equal interval. A plurality of holes <NUM> penetratively formed in the vertical direction is provided between the first spokes <NUM>, and a liquid (e.g., water) discharged from a water supply tube <NUM> to be described below may be delivered to the cleaner mop <NUM> through the holes <NUM>.

The second rotary plate <NUM> has a predetermined area and is provided in the form of a flat plate, a flat frame, or the like. The second rotary plate <NUM> is laid approximately horizontally, such that a width (or a diameter) in the horizontal direction is sufficiently larger than a height in the vertical direction thereof. The second rotary plate <NUM> coupled to the body <NUM> may be parallel to the floor surface or inclined with respect to the floor surface.

The second rotary plate <NUM> may be provided in the form of a circular plate, and a bottom surface of the second rotary plate <NUM> may be approximately circular.

The second rotary plate <NUM> may entirely have a rotationally symmetrical shape.

The second rotary plate <NUM> may include a second central plate <NUM>, a second outer peripheral plate <NUM>, and second spokes <NUM>.

The second central plate <NUM> defines a center of the second rotary plate <NUM> and is rotatably coupled to the body <NUM>. The second central plate <NUM> may be coupled to the lower portion of the body <NUM>. The second central plate <NUM> may be coupled to the body <NUM> in such a way that an upper surface of the second central plate <NUM> is directed toward the bottom surface of the body <NUM>.

A rotary shaft <NUM> of the second rotary plate <NUM> may be provided in a direction that penetrates the center of the second central plate <NUM>. In addition, the rotary shaft <NUM> of the second rotary plate <NUM> may be provided in a direction orthogonal to the floor surface or inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction orthogonal to the floor surface.

The second outer peripheral plate <NUM> is spaced apart from the second central plate <NUM> and disposed to surround the second central plate <NUM>.

The second spokes <NUM> connect the second central plate <NUM> and the second outer peripheral plate <NUM>. The second spokes <NUM> are provided in plural and repeatedly disposed in a circumferential direction of the second central plate <NUM>. The second spokes <NUM> may be arranged at an equal interval. A plurality of holes <NUM> penetratively formed in the vertical direction is provided between the second spokes <NUM>, and a liquid (e.g., water) discharged from the water supply tube <NUM> to be described below may be delivered to the cleaner mop <NUM> through the holes <NUM>.

In the robot cleaner <NUM>, the second rotary plate <NUM> may be identical to the first rotary plate <NUM> or the second rotary plate <NUM> and the first rotary plate <NUM> may be provided symmetrically. When the first rotary plate <NUM> is positioned at a left side of the robot cleaner <NUM> based on the front side toward which the robot cleaner <NUM> moves, the second rotary plate <NUM> may be positioned at a right side of the robot cleaner <NUM>. In this case, the first rotary plate <NUM> and the second rotary plate <NUM> may be vertically symmetric.

A bottom surface of the cleaner mop <NUM>, which is directed toward the floor, has a predetermined area, and the cleaner mop <NUM> has a flat shape. The cleaner mop <NUM> is configured such that a width (or a diameter) in the horizontal direction thereof is sufficiently larger than a height in the vertical direction thereof. When the cleaner mop <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM>, the bottom surface of the cleaner mop <NUM> may be parallel to the floor surface B or inclined with respect to the floor surface B.

The bottom surface of the cleaner mop <NUM> may be approximately circular.

The cleaner mop <NUM> may entirely have a rotationally symmetrical shape.

The cleaner mop <NUM> may be made of various materials capable of wiping the floor while being in contact with the floor. To this end, the bottom surface of the cleaner mop <NUM> may have a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a non-woven fabric, and/or a brush having a predetermined area.

In the robot cleaner <NUM>, the cleaner mops <NUM> are attached to or detached from the bottom surfaces of the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM>. The cleaner mops <NUM> are coupled to the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM> and rotate together with the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM>. The cleaner mops <NUM> may be coupled to and in close contact with the bottom surfaces of the first and second outer peripheral plates <NUM> and <NUM> or coupled to and in close contact with the bottom surfaces of the first and second central plates <NUM> and <NUM> and the bottom surfaces of the first and second outer peripheral plates <NUM> and <NUM>.

The cleaner mops <NUM> may be attached to or detached from the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM> by various devices and various methods. As an embodiment, at least a part of the cleaner mop <NUM> may be coupled to each of the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM> by being caught by or fitted with each of the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM>. As another embodiment, a separate device such as a clamp may be provided to couple the cleaner mop <NUM> to each of the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM>. As still another embodiment, a pair of fastening devices (specific examples of the fastening devices include a pair of magnets configured to apply attractive forces to each other, a pair of Velcro fasteners configured to be coupled to each other, a pair of buttons (a female button and a male button) configured to be coupled to each other, or the like), which is configured to be coupled to or separated from each other, may be provided. One fastening device may be fixed to the cleaner mop <NUM>, and the other fastening device may be fixed to each of the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM>.

When the cleaner mop <NUM> is coupled to each of the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM>, the cleaner mop <NUM> may overlap each of the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM>. Alternately, the cleaner mop <NUM> may be coupled to each of the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM> in such a way that a center of the cleaner mop <NUM> is coincident with a center of each of the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM>.

The robot cleaner <NUM> may rectilinearly move along the floor surface. For example, the robot cleaner <NUM> may rectilinearly move forward (in the X-axis direction) while performing the cleaning operation and may rectilinearly move rearward to avoid an obstacle or a cliff.

The robot cleaner <NUM> may move while rotating in a left-right direction (Y-axis direction) as the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM> rotate at different rotational speeds. That is, when the rotational speed of the first rotary plate <NUM> is higher than the rotational speed of the second rotary plate <NUM> or when the first rotary plate <NUM> rotates but the second rotary plate <NUM> does not rotate, the robot cleaner <NUM> may move while rotating in the right direction to the direction in which the robot cleaner <NUM> moves. Alternately, when the rotational speed of the second rotary plate <NUM> is higher than the rotational speed of the first rotary plate <NUM> or when the second rotary plate <NUM> rotates but the first rotary plate <NUM> does not rotate, the robot cleaner <NUM> may move while rotating in the left direction to the direction in which the robot cleaner <NUM> moves.

The robot cleaner <NUM> includes the first actuator <NUM>, the second actuator <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a water container <NUM>, and a water supply tube <NUM>.

The first actuator <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM> and configured to rotate the first rotary plate <NUM>.

The first actuator <NUM> may include a first casing <NUM>, a first motor <NUM>, and one or more first gears <NUM>.

The first casing <NUM> is fixedly coupled to the body <NUM> and supports components constituting the first actuator <NUM>.

The first motor <NUM> may be an electric motor.

The plurality of first gears <NUM> meshes with each other and rotates together. The plurality of first gears <NUM> connects the first motor <NUM> and the first rotary plate <NUM> and transmits rotational power from the first motor <NUM> to the first rotary plate <NUM>. Therefore, the first rotary plate <NUM> rotates when a rotary shaft of the first motor <NUM> rotates.

The second actuator <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM> and configured to rotate the second rotary plate <NUM>.

The second actuator <NUM> may include a second casing <NUM>, a second motor <NUM>, and one or more second gears <NUM>.

The second casing <NUM> is fixedly coupled to the body <NUM> and supports components constituting the second actuator <NUM>.

The second motor <NUM> may be an electric motor.

The plurality of second gears <NUM> meshes with each other and rotates together. The plurality of second gears <NUM> connects the second motor <NUM> and the second rotary plate <NUM> and transmits rotational power from the second motor <NUM> to the second rotary plate <NUM>. Therefore, the second rotary plate <NUM> rotates when a rotary shaft of the second motor <NUM> rotates.

As described above, in the robot cleaner <NUM>, the first rotary plate <NUM> and the cleaner mop <NUM> may be rotated by the operation of the first actuator <NUM>, and the second rotary plate <NUM> and the cleaner mop <NUM> may be rotated by the operation of the second actuator <NUM>.

The first actuator <NUM> may be disposed directly on the first rotary plate <NUM>. This configuration may minimize a loss of power transmitted from the first actuator <NUM> to the first rotary plate <NUM>. In addition, a load of the first actuator <NUM> may be applied to the first rotary plate <NUM>, such that the cleaner mop <NUM> may perform the mopping operation while generating sufficient friction with the floor.

In addition, the second actuator <NUM> may be disposed directly on the second rotary plate <NUM>. This configuration may minimize a loss of power transmitted from the second actuator <NUM> to the second rotary plate <NUM>. In addition, a load of the second actuator <NUM> may be applied to the second rotary plate <NUM>, such that the cleaner mop <NUM> may perform the mopping operation while generating sufficient friction with the floor.

The second actuator <NUM> and the first actuator <NUM> may be symmetric (vertically symmetric).

The battery <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM> and configured to supply power to the other components constituting the robot cleaner <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may supply power to the first actuator <NUM> and the second actuator <NUM>. In particular, the battery <NUM> supplies power to the first motor <NUM> and the second motor <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> may be charged with external power. To this end, a charging terminal for charging the battery <NUM> may be provided at one side of the body <NUM> or provided on the battery <NUM>.

In the robot cleaner <NUM>, the battery <NUM> may be coupled to the body <NUM>.

The water container <NUM> is provided in the form of a container having an internal space that stores therein a liquid such as water. The water container <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the body <NUM> or detachably coupled to the body <NUM>.

The water supply tube <NUM> is provided in the form of a tube or a pipe and connected to the water container <NUM> so that the liquid in the water container <NUM> may flow through the inside of the water supply tube <NUM>. An end of the water supply tube <NUM>, which is opposite to the side at which the water supply tube <NUM> is connected to the water container <NUM>, is provided above the first rotary plate <NUM> and the second rotary plate <NUM>, such that the liquid in the water container <NUM> may be supplied to the cleaner mops <NUM>.

In the robot cleaner <NUM>, the water supply tube <NUM> may be provided in a shape having two tube portions diverged from a single tube portion. In this case, an end of one diverged tube portion may be positioned above the first rotary plate <NUM>, and an end of the other diverged tube portion may be positioned above the second rotary plate <NUM>.

In the robot cleaner <NUM>, a separate pump may be provided to move the liquid through the water supply tube <NUM>.

With this configuration, in the robot cleaner <NUM>, when the liquid stored in the water container <NUM> is sprayed to the first and second rotary plate <NUM> from above through the water supply tube <NUM>, the liquid may be supplied to the cleaner mops <NUM> through the holes <NUM> and <NUM> formed in the first and second rotary plates <NUM> and <NUM>. The liquid may be periodically supplied to prevent the cleaner mop <NUM> from being dried, thereby improving the cleaning performance.

Hereinafter, the mop for a cleaner according to the specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The cleaner mop <NUM> is used by being attached to the above-mentioned rotary plate of the robot cleaner. Of course, the application of the cleaner mop to the robot cleaner is just an example, and the cleaner mop may be attached to various devices, such as a stick cleaner configured to be directly manipulated by a user, which is capable of performing the cleaning operation.

<FIG> and <FIG> are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the mop for a cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' in <FIG>. <FIG> are enlarged views schematically illustrating part A in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the cleaner mop <NUM> includes a floor cleaning part <NUM>, a water absorbing part <NUM>, a water supply part <NUM>, an attachment part <NUM>, a coupling part <NUM>, and a lateral cleaning part <NUM>.

The floor cleaning part <NUM> is in contact with the floor surface to clean the floor surface.

The floor cleaning part <NUM> has a circular or polygonal shape and may have a central opening <NUM> that penetrates a center of the floor cleaning part <NUM>. The floor cleaning part <NUM> may be manufactured by using superfine fiber (microfiber) to effectively wipe the floor.

The water absorbing part <NUM> may be stacked on the floor cleaning part <NUM> and configured to absorb the water supplied from the cleaner and supply the water to the floor cleaning part <NUM>.

The water absorbing part <NUM> has a circular or polygonal shape and may have a central opening <NUM> that penetrates a center of the water absorbing part <NUM>. The water absorbing part <NUM> may have the same size as the floor cleaning part <NUM> and thus be stacked on the floor cleaning part <NUM> so as to overlap the floor cleaning part <NUM>.

The water absorbing part <NUM> may be made of polyurethane (PU) and coupled to the floor cleaning part <NUM> by thermal bonding. When the water absorbing part <NUM> is made of polyurethane, the water absorbing part <NUM> may absorb and retain a predetermined amount of water. Further, since the water absorbing part <NUM> has elasticity, the water absorbing part <NUM> may bring the floor cleaning part <NUM> into close contact with the floor surface.

Further, referring to <FIG>, the water absorbing part <NUM> may be divided into a stitching area <NUM> surrounded by the coupling part <NUM>, and a cleaning area <NUM> provided to be thicker than the stitching area <NUM> and configured to press the floor cleaning part <NUM> so that the floor cleaning part <NUM> is in close contact with the floor surface.

Because the stitching area <NUM> needs to be stacked on and fastened to other components by stitching, the stitching area <NUM> has a relatively small thickness.

Further, the cleaning area <NUM> protrudes toward the floor surface and is provided to be thicker than the stitching area <NUM>. Therefore, the cleaning area <NUM> may absorb and retain a larger amount of water and maintain a flat cleaning surface of the floor cleaning part <NUM> while preventing the cleaning surface from being distorted.

The water supply part <NUM> may be stacked on the water absorbing part <NUM> and configured to absorb the water supplied from the cleaner and supply the water to the water absorbing part <NUM>.

The water supply part <NUM> has a circular or polygonal shape and may have a central opening <NUM> that penetrates a center of the water supply part <NUM>. The water supply part <NUM> may have the same size as the water absorbing part <NUM> and thus be stacked on the water absorbing part <NUM> so as to overlap the water absorbing part <NUM>.

Further, the water supply part <NUM> may be made of the same material as the floor cleaning part <NUM>. For example, the water supply part may be manufactured by using superfine fiber. Of course, the material of the water supply part <NUM> is not limited thereto, and the water supply part <NUM> may be made of any material as long as the water supply part <NUM> may absorb the water supplied from the cleaner and supply the water to the water absorbing part <NUM>.

The attachment part <NUM> may be stacked on the water supply part <NUM> and attached to the rotary plate to the cleaner.

The attachment part <NUM> has a circular or polygonal shape and may have a central opening <NUM> that penetrates a center of the attachment part <NUM>. The attachment part <NUM> may have the same size as the water supply part <NUM> and thus be stacked on the water supply part <NUM> so as to overlap the water supply part <NUM>.

The central opening <NUM>, which penetrates the center of the attachment part <NUM>, may be larger in diameter than the central opening <NUM> formed in the water supply part <NUM>. This is to supply the water, supplied from the cleaner, directly to the water supply part <NUM> exposed through the central opening <NUM> of the attachment part <NUM>.

Further, the attachment part <NUM> may be manufactured to have a Velcro fastener so as to be attached to or detached from the rotary plate of the cleaner. For example, one of the pair of Velcro fasteners, which has hooks, may be fastened to the rotary plate of the cleaner, and the Velcro fastener, which has loops, may be attached to the attachment part <NUM>. On the contrary, one of the pair of Velcro fasteners, which has loops, may be fastened to the rotary plate of the cleaner, and the Velcro fastener, which has hooks, may be attached to the attachment part <NUM>. Of course, the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration in which the attachment part <NUM> has the Velcro fastener, and the attachment part <NUM> may have any component as long as the attachment part <NUM> may be attached to or detached from the rotary plate of the cleaner.

The coupling part <NUM> may be provided in the form of a ring and configured such that one side <NUM> thereof surrounds the floor cleaning part <NUM> and the other side <NUM> surrounds the attachment part <NUM>. For example, the coupling part <NUM> may have a cross-section having two opposite ends bent inward, i.e., a cross-section having a '<IMG>' shape.

With this configuration, the coupling part <NUM> may be disposed to surround all the floor cleaning part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, the water supply part <NUM>, and the attachment part <NUM> which are stacked. In this case, one side <NUM> of the coupling part <NUM> may be disposed to overlap a predetermined area of a circumference at a radial outer end of the floor cleaning part <NUM>, and the other side <NUM> of the coupling part <NUM> may be disposed to overlap a predetermined area of a circumference at a radial outer end of the attachment part <NUM>.

Further, the coupling part <NUM>, together with the lateral cleaning part <NUM> to be described below, may be fastened, by stitching, to the floor cleaning part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, the water supply part <NUM>, and the attachment part <NUM> which are stacked inside the coupling part <NUM>.

The coupling part <NUM> may be made of a non-woven fabric. Of course, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the coupling part <NUM> may be made of any material as long as the coupling part <NUM> may be fastened to the stacked components by stitching and maintain predetermined strength.

In addition, since the cleaning area <NUM> of the water absorbing part <NUM> protrudes, the coupling part <NUM> may be positioned at a position higher than a position of the central area in which the floor cleaning part <NUM> is in contact with the floor surface P, such that it is possible to prevent damage caused by abrasion of the stitching caused by the friction with the floor surface.

Further, the water supply part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, and the floor cleaning part <NUM> may be additionally fastened by first auxiliary stitching <NUM>.

The first auxiliary stitching <NUM> may be formed around the central openings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> formed in the water supply part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, and the floor cleaning part <NUM>.

The radially outer peripheries of the water supply part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, and the floor cleaning part <NUM> are fastened by stitching by the coupling part <NUM>. However, since the water supply part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, and the floor cleaning part <NUM> are not coupled to one another in the central area, rotational friction or torsion may occur between the components when the mop rotates. Therefore, the first auxiliary stitching <NUM> may be applied to additionally fasten the components in the central area, thereby improving the coupling force between the components.

Further, the attachment part <NUM> may also be fastened additionally in the central area by the second auxiliary stitching <NUM>.

The second auxiliary stitching <NUM> may be formed around the central opening <NUM> of the attachment part <NUM> and penetrate the water supply part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, and the floor cleaning part <NUM>.

The attachment part <NUM> is configured to be attached to or detached from the rotary plate of the cleaner. Since the attachment part <NUM> is periodically attached and detached, a repetitive load is applied to the attachment part <NUM> during the process of attaching and detaching the attachment part <NUM>.

Therefore, the attachment part <NUM> may be damaged or separated from the coupling part <NUM> due to the repetitive load periodically applied. Therefore, second auxiliary stitching <NUM> may be additionally formed to increase a fastening force. In this case, in order to further increase the fastening force, the second auxiliary stitching <NUM> may be provided to fasten the attachment part <NUM>, the water supply part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, and the floor cleaning part <NUM> while penetrating the attachment part <NUM>, the water supply part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, and the floor cleaning part <NUM>.

The lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be stacked on one side <NUM> of the coupling part <NUM> and protrude radially outward from the floor cleaning part. Since the lateral cleaning part <NUM> protrudes outward from the floor cleaning part <NUM>, the robot cleaner may effectively clean the floor surface and an edge portion of a sidewall or a piece of furniture.

The lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be fastened to the coupling part <NUM> by stitching. In this case, the stitching may be performed multiple times in the radial direction.

For example, the stitching may be formed in two lines in the radial direction, i.e., the first stitching <NUM> may be formed at an outer side in the radial direction and the second stitching 372a and 372b may be formed at an inner side in the radial direction.

In this case, the first stitching <NUM> may be provided to couple the lateral cleaning part <NUM>, one side <NUM> of the coupling part <NUM>, the floor cleaning part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, the water supply part <NUM>, the attachment part <NUM>, and the other side <NUM> of the coupling part <NUM>.

Further, the second stitching 372a and 372b may be formed by two embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the second stitching 372a according to the first embodiment may be formed to couple the lateral cleaning part <NUM>, the floor cleaning part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, the water supply part <NUM>, and the attachment part <NUM>. That is, unlike the first stitching <NUM>, the second stitching 372a may be formed without sewing the coupling part <NUM>.

When the second stitching 372a is formed as described above, the portion having the second stitching 372a may be relatively smaller in thickness than the portion having the first stitching <NUM>. Therefore, an inner end of the lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be coupled and inserted at a higher position in the height direction, the lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be disposed to be inclined toward the floor surface. Therefore, the lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be effectively in contact with the floor surface, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency.

Referring to <FIG>, the second stitching 372b according to the second embodiment may be formed to couple the lateral cleaning part <NUM>, the floor cleaning part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, the water supply part <NUM>, the attachment part <NUM>, and the other side <NUM> of the coupling part <NUM>.

When the second stitching 372b is formed as described above, the portion having the second stitching 372a may be relatively smaller in thickness than the portion having the first stitching <NUM>. Therefore, an inner end of the lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be coupled and inserted at a higher position in the height direction, the lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be disposed to be inclined toward the floor surface. Therefore, the lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be effectively in contact with the floor surface, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency.

Referring to <FIG>, in comparison with the second stitching 372b, when the second stitching 372c couples the lateral cleaning part <NUM>, one side <NUM> of the coupling part <NUM>, the floor cleaning part <NUM>, the water absorbing part <NUM>, the water supply part <NUM>, the attachment part <NUM>, and the other side <NUM> of the coupling part <NUM>, like the first stitching <NUM>, the lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be disposed to be parallel to the floor surface P. In this case, since the position of the coupling part <NUM> is higher than the position of the floor surface P, the lateral cleaning part <NUM> is not well in contact with the floor surface P when the lateral cleaning part <NUM> is disposed in parallel with the floor surface P in the state in which the lateral cleaning part <NUM> is fastened to the coupling part <NUM>, and as a result, the cleaning efficiency deteriorates.

Therefore, as illustrated in <FIG>, since the lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be inclined toward the floor surface P by the second stitching 372a according to the first embodiment and the second stitching 372b according to the second embodiment, and the lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be in effective close contact with the floor surface P, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency.

For example, the lateral cleaning part <NUM> includes a base member <NUM> provided in the form of a ring and stacked on one side <NUM> of the coupling part <NUM>, and a plurality of cleaning members <NUM> each provided in the form of a loop and fastened along a periphery of the base member <NUM>. That is, in the lateral cleaning part <NUM>, the plurality of cleaning members <NUM> each having a loop shape may be fastened radially along the periphery of the base member <NUM> having a ring shape. In this case, the base member <NUM> may be fastened to the coupling part <NUM> by stitching, and the cleaning members <NUM> may be disposed inclined toward the floor surface P.

Further, the base member <NUM> may be divided into two areas having different thicknesses and thus include a first base portion 361a and a second base portion 361b.

More specifically, the first base portion 361a is fastened to the coupling part <NUM> by the first stitching <NUM>, and the second base portion 361b provided inside in the radial direction of the first base portion 361a and fastened to the coupling part <NUM> by the second stitching 372a and 372b.

In this case, the second base portion 361b may have a smaller thickness than the first base portion 361a. Therefore, since the second base portion 361b has a smaller thickness than the first base portion 361a, the second base portion 361b may be pulled by the second stitching 372a and 372b when the second base portion 361b is fastened by the second stitching 372a and 372b. Therefore, the first base portion 361a may be positioned at a higher position, and the cleaning member <NUM> may be easily disposed to be inclined toward the floor surface P.

Further, the plurality of cleaning members <NUM> may be stacked in the height direction, such that the plurality of cleaning members <NUM> may be fastened, in multiple stages, to the base member <NUM>.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning members <NUM> may be disposed in two stages in the height direction.

With this configuration, the floor cleaning part <NUM> is disposed to be inclined toward the floor surface P by the second stitching 372a and 372b, such that the stacked cleaning members <NUM> may be disposed in such a way that the spacing interval between the cleaning members <NUM> increases in a direction away from the base member <NUM>. Therefore, as the interval between the vertically stacked cleaning members <NUM> increases, the contact area with the floor surface P and the edge portion of the wall surface or the piece of furniture may increase, thereby further improving the cleaning efficiency.

Since the lateral cleaning part <NUM> protrudes outward along the periphery of the floor cleaning part <NUM>, the cleaning area may be expanded, and particularly, an edge or gap portion may be effectively cleaned to improve the cleaning performance during the process of cleaning the floor surface using the cleaner mop <NUM>.

In addition, by setting optimum stitching positions, the lateral cleaning part <NUM> may be disposed to be inclined toward the floor surface in the state in which the lateral cleaning part <NUM> is fastened to the coupling part <NUM>. Therefore, the lateral cleaning part may be in effective contact with the floor surface, and the cleaning operation may be effectively performed with the higher close-contact force, thereby improving the cleaning performance.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments, the specific embodiments are only for specifically explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments. It is apparent that the present invention may be modified or altered by those skilled in the art without departing from the claim scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A mop (<NUM>) for a cleaner, the mop (<NUM>) comprising:
a floor cleaning part (<NUM>) configured to come into contact with a floor surface when the mop (<NUM>) is mounted at the cleaner performing a cleaning operation;
a lateral cleaning part (<NUM>) protruding outward along a periphery of the floor cleaning part (<NUM>) and disposed to be inclined toward the floor surface when the mop (<NUM>) is mounted at the cleaner performing the cleaning operation, and
a coupling part (<NUM>) having a ring shape and disposed to surround the floor cleaning part (<NUM>), and plurality of cleaning members (<NUM>) each provided in the form of a loop,
characterized in that the lateral cleaning part (<NUM>) comprises:
a base member (<NUM>) having a ring shape and stacked on one side of the coupling part (<NUM>); and
wherein the plurality of cleaning members (<NUM>) are fastened along a periphery of the base member (<NUM>).