Patent Description:
A cleaner such as a sweeping robot typically has two operating modes (i.e., a sweeping mode and a mopping mode) when cleaning the floor. For the sweeping and mopping modules, different cleaning assemblies are used. Specifically, the sweeping cleaning assembly may include a cleaning brush or rubber roller, and the mopping cleaning assembly may include a planar structure or roller structure with a mop. In general, it is required to lift the mopping module in the sweeping-only mode and lift the sweeping module in the mopping-only mode, to improve the cleaning effect in a single mode. As such, how to attain a compact lifting apparatus occupying a small space within the cleaner is a challenge to designers.

<CIT> discloses an automated cleaning robot according to the preamble of independent claim <NUM>, which includes a robot body capable of realizing automatic walking and a mop mechanism provided at a rear end of the robot body. The mop mechanism includes a mount support rotatably connected to the robot body, a rotation component received in and rotatably connected to the mount support, a crawlertype wiping cloth sleeving outside the rotation component, and a lifting mechanism being in transmission connection with the mount support, for driving a rear end of the mount support to ascend or descend relative to a front end of the mount support.

<CIT> relates to a lifting structure which is used for driving a mop structure to ascend and descend relative to a robot body. The lifting structure comprises: a base which is provided with a pull rod used for being connected with the mop structure; a transmission screw rod arranged on the base, wherein the transmission screw rod and the base move synchronously; and a lifting driving part and a transmission wheel assembly, wherein the transmission wheel assembly is connected with the lifting driving part and the transmission screw rod, the lifting driving part drives the transmission screw rod to move through the transmission wheel assembly, so that the transmission screw rod drives the base to move, a pull rod on the base is connected with the mop cloth structure to drive the mop structure to ascend and descend relative to the robot body. A robot comprises the robot body, the mop structure and the lifting structure.

<CIT> discloses a sweeping robot, which is characterized in that a motor and a side brush are mounted on a first lifting device and a second lifting device at the front end of a casing. First and second stacks of cloth boxes are mirror-mounted on the housing. A pressure plate lifting device and a monitoring lifting device are arranged between the first and the second cloth stacking boxes. The camera is mounted on the monitoring lifting device. A wide rolling plate which exceeds the width of the casing is arranged under the lifting device of the pressing plate. One end of the strip cloth exceeding the width of the shell is arranged in the first cloth stacking box, and the other end of the strip cloth bypasses the wide rolling plate and is arranged in the second cloth stacking box. Therefore, the ground can be cleaned through the side brush and the ultra-wide strip cloth can be continuously moved forwards to be replaced with new ones for large-area mopping without dead angles, and the ground can be cleaned. Simultaneously, the sweeping robot can automatically go to the sweeping robot base station to complete charging and cleaning after sweeping the ground, so that the cleaning efficiency is greatly improved.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a lifting apparatus for a cleaner, so as to solve the problem of the lifting apparatus for the cleaner existing in the prior art.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lifting apparatus for a cleaning assembly adapted to be mounted in the cleaning assembly, comprising: a motor comprising an output shaft; a roller coupled to the output shaft and configured, with rotation of the output shaft, to rotate about an axis of the output shaft along a first rotation direction or a second rotation direction, the first rotation direction being opposite to the second rotation direction; further comprising: a boss fixedly disposed on an end on a side adjacent to the roller and away from the output shaft, and configured to lift the roller when the roller rotates along the first rotation direction.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the motor is used to drive the roller to rotate along the first rotation direction so that the roller abuts against and rolls on the boss, for example, fixed onto a housing of the cleaner, thereby causing the roller to be lifted with the boss as a support as an effect of the interaction of the roller and boss. In the way, a simple structure is attained, and fewer parts are involved. Therefore, the lifting apparatus occupies a small structural space of the cleaner, has a higher reliability, and incurs a low cost.

In some embodiments, the roller comprises: a side end surface located at the end; and a flange disposed on the side end surface and configured to abut against a boss surface of the boss when the roller rotates along the first rotation direction. In those embodiments, the roller can abut against the boss surface by means of a flange extending out of the side surface, thereby causing the roller to move.

In some embodiments, the flange is configured to be spaced apart from or in direct contact with the boss in an axial direction parallel to the axis when the roller rotates along the second rotation direction at an operating position of the cleaning assembly. In those embodiments, in a circumstance where the flange rotates with the roller along the second rotation direction, a cleaning operation is performed for a surface to be cleaned when the roller rotates along the second rotation direction at the operating position; at this time, no movement is required, and by spacing apart the flange and the boss, the roller can be maintained at the operating position. Relatively, the flange does not rotate with the roller along the second rotation direction.

In some embodiments, the flange is further configured to move towards the boss along the axial direction when the roller rotates along the first rotation direction at the operating position spaced apart from the boss, to abut against the boss surface. The flange is also configured to move away from the boss along the axial direction when the roller rotates along the second rotation direction at a receiving position. In those embodiments, when switched from the operating mode to the receiving mode, the flange can move from the position spaced apart from the boss towards the boss so that the roller can operate independently in each mode. When switched from the receiving mode to the operating mode, the flange moves away from the boss, not abutting against the boss surface of the boss, so that the roller can move to the operating position.

In some embodiments, an end surface of the flange facing the boss comprises a contact surface and a guide surface, the contact surface being parallel to the side end surface and the guide surface extending from the contact surface to the side end surface along the second rotation direction. In those embodiments, when the flange moves towards the boss, the contact surface of the flange contacts the end surface of the boss, the flange then continues to rotate to cause the boss to contact the guide surface, and guided by the guide surface, the boss moves smoothly to the end surface, to avoid the impact of the boss on the end side surface.

In some embodiments, the contact surface and the guide surface are arc-shaped about the axis, a width of the guide surface in a radial direction is tapered from the contact surface to the side end surface, and a width of an end portion of the guide surface away from the contact surface in the radial direction is flared along the second rotation direction. In those embodiments, the contact surface and the guide surface are entirely of an arc shape, and its outer peripheral surface is a cylindrical surface accordingly, to enable smooth rolling on the boss surface.

In some embodiments, a plurality of flanges are disposed on the side end surface, which are equidistant in the first rotation direction. In those embodiments, since the rotation position of the roller during the switching mode is uncertain, the relative positions of the flanges and the boss are not fixed. In this way, the flange closest to the boss in the plurality of flanges can abut against the boss surface of the boss as fast as possible to implement rapid switching.

In some embodiments, the roller comprises a receiving cavity extending along an axial direction parallel to the axis, where the motor is disposed in the receiving cavity. In those embodiments, by arranging the motor within the roller, the space of the lifting apparatus can be further reduced.

In some embodiments, a guide slot is opened on an inner wall of the receiving cavity, which extends along a direction inclined relative to the axial direction and comprises a first limit part at an end of the guide slot and a second limit part at the other end, and wherein the receiving cavity receives therein a rotary pin coupled to the output shaft, the rotary pin comprises a pin shaft disposed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and the rotary shaft extends into the guide slot.

In those embodiments, the guide slot extends on the inner wall from an end proximal to the motor along an inclined direction away from the motor. For example, the first limit part is disposed on an end of the guide slot proximal to the motor, and the second limit part is disposed on the other end. The rotary pin rotates with the output shaft along the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction opposite thereto, and simultaneously drives the pin shaft located within the guide slot to rotate. When the pin shaft abuts against the second limit part and rotates along the second rotation direction, the pin shaft is fixed relative to the roller, and drives the roller to rotate along the second rotation direction. At this time, the roller and the flange thereon are spaced apart from the boss, and the roller is located at the operating position and performs the cleaning operation. When the motor rotates reversely and drives the rotary pin to rotate along the first rotation direction, the pin shaft does not abut against the second limit part, nor does it drive the roller to rotate. As the action of the pin shaft and the guide slot, the roller moves towards the boss so that the pin shaft moves towards the first limit part relative to the guide slot, and finally abuts against the first limit part. At this time, the pin shaft continues to rotate and drives the roller to rotate along the first rotation direction, so that the roller moves towards the receiving position as the action of the flange and the boss. In the way, with the arrangement of the pin shaft of the rotary pin and the guide slot, predetermined actions of the roller can be implemented.

In some embodiments, the flange is further configured to rotate with the roller when the roller rotates along the first rotation direction, and directly contact the boss and remain stationary when the roller rotates along the second rotation direction. In those embodiments, by enabling the flange to remain stationary when the roller rotates along the second rotation direction (e.g. the cleaning assembly performs the cleaning operation), the operation of the cleaning assembly can maintain stable.

In some embodiments, the roller further comprises: a transmission part extending from the side end surface to an interior of the roller along an axial direction parallel to the axis; and a one-way bearing comprising an inner ring and an outer ring, the inner ring fixedly coupled to an outer periphery of the transmission part, the outer ring fixedly coupled to the roller, the inner ring and the outer ring configured to lock each other when the roller rotates along the first rotation direction, and to slide relative to each other when the roller rotates along the second rotation direction. In those embodiments, a one-way bearing is disposed between the roller and the flange as the transmission part so that the roller and the flange rotate together only in a direction, to attain a predetermined lifting mechanism.

In some embodiments, the roller cleans a surface to be cleaned, and a speed of rotation along the second rotation direction is greater than a speed of rotation along the first rotation speed. In those embodiments, the roller includes, for example, a cleaning component disposed on its periphery, to clean the surface to be cleaned.

In some embodiments, the motor is configured to stop rotating in response to determining the roller moves to the receiving position of the cleaning assembly. In those embodiments, after the roller moves to the receiving position, the motor stops rotating, causing the roller not to rotate but stably stay at the receiving position.

In some embodiments, the motor is coupled to a position sensor disposed on the end side adjacent to the roller, and the motor is further configured to receive a position signal from a position sensor and determine the position of the roller based on the position signal. In those embodiments, the motor can be controlled based on the position of the roller, so as to more accurately control the movement of the roller.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly is adapted to be mounted on a body of a cleaner and configured to move between an operating position of abutting against a surface to be cleaned relative to the body and a receiving position away from the surface to be cleaned, and the cleaning assembly comprises the lifting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaner. The cleaner is adapted to operate on a surface to be cleaned and comprises: a body comprising a boss; and the cleaning assembly of the second aspect of the present invention adapted to be mounted on the body so that a side end surface of a lifting apparatus of the cleaning assembly is adjacent to the boss. It would be appreciated that the description and advantages of the first aspect of the present invention are also applicable to the cleaning assembly of the second aspect and the cleaner of the third aspect of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the body comprises a receiving cavity for a lifting apparatus, which is opened towards the surface to be cleaned. In those embodiments, by arranging the lifting apparatus within the receiving cavity opened towards the surface to be cleaned, the space occupied by the lifting apparatus can be reduced, and the entire volume of the cleaner can be decreased accordingly.

In some embodiments, the receiving cavity comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall, where the first sidewall is proximal to the side end surface of the lifting apparatus, the second sidewall is opposite to the first sidewall in the axial direction, and the second sidewall is provided thereon with a position sensor for detecting a position of the roller. In those embodiments, by arranging a position sensor at the sidewall of the receiving cavity of the roller, the position of the roller can be determined efficiently.

The above and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, multiple embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated in an exemplary way, without limitation, where:.

Reference will now be made to the various example embodiments shown in the drawings to illustrate the principle of the present invention. It would be appreciated that the description on those embodiments are provided merely to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and further carry out the present invention, without suggesting any limitation to the scope of the present invention. It is worth nothing that similar or same reference symbols are used in the drawings if possible, and they are used to denote the similar or same functions. Those skilled in the art could easily realize that the alternative embodiments of the structure and method illustrated in the following description could be employed without departing from the principle of the present invention described here.

Conventionally, when some cleaners such as sweeping robots are switched between a sweeping mode and a mopping mode, it is required to manually replace their assemblies by a user, causing much inconvenience to the user. In some other cleaners, an additional motor is provided for controlling lifting of a cleaning assembly, so as to implement switching between different operating modes. In addition, the conventional lifting mechanism occupies a large structural space as having the additional motor. Besides, the conventional lifting mechanism, for example, ropes for lifting, screws, and the like, typically has two motion trajectories, namely active rising and falling, and rising or falling of the lifting mechanism drives the cleaning assembly up or down. This indicates that a large activity space should be spared within the cleaner, which is not conductive to overall spatial structure design of the cleaner and increases the cost and the system control complexity. The above-mentioned disadvantages are more apparent for lifting of a long-shaft cleaning assembly such as a roller or a rolling brush.

To this end, the present invention provides a lifting apparatus for a cleaning assembly so as to at least partly solve the problem of the lifting apparatus existing in the prior art. The lifting apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention shares the drive mechanism of the rolling brush as the power source, and can move the roller of the lifting apparatus from the operating position to the receiving position in a passively lifting fashion, with the aid of the interaction between the flange on the flange of the roller end side of the lifting apparatus and the boss on the body. No extra parts are required in the lifting mechanism, making it possible to attain a compact structure while reducing the cost.

Hereinafter, reference will be made to <FIG> and <FIG> to describe the structure and the work principle of the lifting apparatus and the cleaner according to some example embodiments of the present invention.

<FIG> is a partial sectional view of a cleaner according to example embodiments of the present invention. As shown therein, the cleaner <NUM> can move along a direction D on a surface to be cleaned and perform a cleaning operation. The cleaner <NUM> includes a cleaning assembly <NUM> for performing the cleaning operation, which is mounted on a body of the cleaner <NUM>. The body <NUM> includes a receiving cavity <NUM> opened towards the ground. The cleaning assembly <NUM> is mounted within the receiving cavity <NUM> and movable relative to the body <NUM> between an operating position abutting against a surface to be cleaned and a receiving position (i.e., within the receiving cavity <NUM>) away from the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning assembly <NUM> includes a bracket <NUM> mounted on the body <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> has a lifting apparatus <NUM> mounted thereon. A roller <NUM> of the lifting apparatus <NUM> is rotatably provided on the bracket <NUM>. The lifting apparatus <NUM> further includes a motor <NUM> extending along an axis A. The roller <NUM> is sheathed onto the motor <NUM> and can be driven by the motor <NUM> to rotate about the axis A extending along a direction parallel to the ground. As shown in <FIG>, since the cleaner <NUM> is switched to the operating mode, the roller <NUM> in the lifting apparatus <NUM> rotates along a first rotation direction R1 and starts to be lifted to move away from the surface to be cleaned. In the embodiment as shown, the roller <NUM> as a part of the lifting apparatus <NUM> drives the cleaning assembly <NUM> to move, and is simultaneously sheathed onto a cleaning component, for example, for mopping or sweeping, to perform the cleaning operation. It would be appreciated that the roller <NUM> may also be a component specifically for lifting, not for the cleaning operation.

<FIG> is a partial sectional view of the cleaner <NUM> according to example embodiments of the present invention. The roller <NUM> is lifted to the receiving position as an effect of the interaction between the flange of the roller <NUM> and the boss of the body <NUM> to be fully received within the receiving cavity <NUM>. Therefore, the roller <NUM> does not affect other operating modes of the cleaner <NUM>, nor does it hinder the cleaner <NUM> from moving on the ground. Hereinafter, reference will be made to <FIG> to introduce the lifting apparatus <NUM> from the perspective of the interior of the cleaner <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the interior of the cleaner <NUM> when the cleaning assembly <NUM> is at the operating position. As shown therein, the cleaning assembly <NUM> is at the operating position and is at least partly located in the receiving cavity <NUM> along the roller extending along an axial direction parallel to the axis A. In order to implement the lifting function of the cleaning assembly <NUM>, a flange <NUM> is disposed on an end side surface <NUM> of the roller <NUM> in an axial direction F, on one hand. The flange <NUM> extends outwards from the end surface <NUM> along the axial direction F. On the other end, a boss <NUM> is disposed on a first sidewall <NUM> of the body <NUM> proximal to the end surface <NUM> in the receiving cavity <NUM>. In addition, the receiving cavity <NUM> further includes a sidewall <NUM> opposing the first sidewall <NUM> in the axial direction F. On the sidewall <NUM> is also disposed a position sensor <NUM> for detecting a position of the roller <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the cleaning assembly <NUM> is located at the operating position, the flange <NUM> is spaced apart a certain distance from the boss <NUM> in the axial direction F. In the switching mode, the roller <NUM> has to move towards the first sidewall <NUM> so that the flange <NUM> abuts against a boss surface <NUM> of the boss <NUM> facing the receiving position.

<FIG> is a view of the interior of the cleaner <NUM> when the flange <NUM> abuts against the boss <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the roller <NUM> moves in the axial direction F so that the flange <NUM> abuts against the boss surface <NUM> of the boss <NUM>. Subsequently, the roller <NUM> rotates about the axis A along a first rotation direction, and as the outer peripheral surface of the flange rolls on the boss surface <NUM>, the roller <NUM> is lifted and moved towards the receiving position. In other words, the movement of the roller <NUM> from the operating position to the receiving position includes two stages. In the first stage, the roller <NUM> is driven to rotate along the first rotation direction, and such rotation results in movement along the axial direction F to cause the flange <NUM> to abut against the boss <NUM>. In the second stage, the roller <NUM> is driven to continue to rotate along the first rotation direction, and is lifted and moved towards the receiving position as an effect of the interaction between the flange <NUM> and the boss <NUM>. Hereinafter, reference will be made to <FIG> to describe in detail the structure of the lifting apparatus <NUM> and the structural principle of the movement in the first stage, and reference will be made to <FIG> and <FIG> to describe in detail the principle of the lifting movement of the lifting apparatus <NUM> in the second stage.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the lifting apparatus <NUM> according to example embodiments of the invention. As shown therein, the cleaning assembly <NUM> incudes a bracket <NUM> coupled to the body <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates one side of the bracket <NUM> facing the surface to be cleaned. A motor <NUM> is mounted on one end of the bracket <NUM>. The motor <NUM> includes an output shaft <NUM> extending along the axial direction F. A rotary pin <NUM> is sheathed on one end of the output shaft <NUM>. The rotary pin <NUM> can rotate about the axis A with the output shaft <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a schematic view of the rotary pin <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the rotary pin <NUM> includes cylindrical pin shafts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> disposed on the outer peripheral surface <NUM> of the cylindrical body and extending radially outwards, and the pin shafts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are symmetrical about the axis A. The rotary pin <NUM> further includes a hole for receiving the output shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, a flange <NUM> is disposed on the end surface <NUM> of the roller <NUM> of the lifting apparatus <NUM> away from the motor <NUM>. In the assembled state, the roller <NUM> is sheathed outside of the motor <NUM> and coupled to the rotary pin <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic view of the roller <NUM>. As shown therein, the roller <NUM> includes two flanges <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> distributed on the end surface <NUM> center-symmetrically about the axis A. It would be appreciated that the number of flanges described here is provided only as an example, and other numbers of flanges may be disposed on the end surface. This is not limited in the present invention.

<FIG> is a sectional view of the roller <NUM> when the rotary pin <NUM> has not been assembled. The roller <NUM> includes a receiving cavity <NUM> for receiving the motor <NUM>, which extends along the axial direction F. A guide slot <NUM> extending along a direction inclined relative to the axial direction F is opened on the inner wall <NUM> of the receiving cavity <NUM>. The guide slot <NUM> includes a first limit part <NUM> at an end proximal to the end surface <NUM> and a second limiting part <NUM> at the other end proximal to the motor <NUM>. When the rotary pin <NUM> is assembled in situ, the pin shaft <NUM> is guided to extend into the guide slot <NUM>, and can move within the guide slot <NUM> relative to the roller <NUM> as an effect of the first or second rotation direction, which is limited by the first limiting part <NUM> or the second limiting part <NUM> so that the pin shaft <NUM> cannot leave the guide slot due to the effect of the first or second rotation direction.

When the roller <NUM> moves towards and away from the boss <NUM> in the axial direction F, the positions of the motor <NUM> and the rotary pin <NUM> remain unchanged. With the rotation of the output shaft along the first rotation direction R1 or second rotation direction R2, the rotary pin <NUM> drives the pin shaft <NUM> to rotate. When the pin shaft <NUM> rotates between the first limit part <NUM> and the second limit part <NUM> within the guide slot <NUM>, the pin shaft <NUM> and the guide slot <NUM> move relative to each other in the axial direction F, and the relative movement of the pins shaft <NUM> and the guide slot <NUM> will be converted into axial movement of the roller <NUM> in the axial direction F since the position of the pin shaft <NUM> in the axial direction F is relatively fixed. When the pin shaft <NUM> moves to the limit part, if still rotating along the same direction, the pin shaft <NUM> drives the roller <NUM> to rotate.

<FIG> is an axial sectional view when the rotary pin <NUM> is located at the first limit part <NUM>. When the roller <NUM> is located at the operating position as shown in <FIG>, the pin shaft <NUM> of the rotary pin <NUM> is located at an end of the guide slot <NUM> away from the motor <NUM> and abuts against the first limit part <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the rotary pin <NUM> includes two pin shafts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> (the pin shaft <NUM>-<NUM> and the pin shaft <NUM>-<NUM> are collectively referred to as pin shaft <NUM>). The pin shaft <NUM>-<NUM> abuts against a first limit part <NUM>-<NUM>, and the pin shaft <NUM>-<NUM> abuts against a first limit part <NUM>-<NUM> (the first limit part <NUM>-<NUM> and the first limit part <NUM>-<NUM> are collectively referred to as first limit part <NUM>). <FIG> is a radial sectional view when the rotary pin <NUM> is located at the first limit part <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the pin shaft <NUM>-<NUM> and the pin shaft <NUM>-<NUM> abut against the first limit part <NUM>-<NUM> and the first limit part <NUM>-<NUM>, respectively. Therefore, when the rotary pin <NUM> rotates with the output shaft <NUM> along the second rotation direction R2, the pin shaft <NUM> pushes the roller <NUM> to rotate along the second rotation direction R2 to perform a cleaning operation for a surface to be cleaned. As would be appreciated, the second rotation direction R2 is a rotation direction of the roller <NUM> when the cleaner <NUM> is cleaning a surface; in the circumstance, the roller <NUM> rotates at the fixed position, and the roller flange <NUM> and the boss <NUM> are spaced apart a certain distance in the axial direction F.

When it is required to switch the cleaner <NUM> to the operating mode, the motor <NUM> is converted from the rotation along the second rotation direction R2 to the rotation along the first rotation direction R1, i.e., it rotates reversely. At this time, the pin shaft <NUM> is also converted to rotate along the first rotation direction R1, and as the action of the guide slot <NUM> disposed obliquely, the pin shaft <NUM> does not abut against the first limit part <NUM> but moves within the guide slot <NUM>, with the rotation along the first rotation direction R1, to the second limit part <NUM> at most. It would be appreciated that the force that is applied by the pin shaft <NUM> to the inclined surface of the guide slot <NUM> during movement pushes the roller <NUM> to move along the axial direction F towards the boss <NUM>. When the pin shaft <NUM> moves to the second limit part <NUM>, the roller <NUM> moves a preset distance to the boss <NUM>, so that the flange <NUM> abuts against the boss surface <NUM>. It would be appreciated that, at a certain stage of the process where the pin shaft <NUM> moves from the first limit part <NUM> to the second limit part <NUM>, the flange <NUM> can abut against the boss surface <NUM>, and this is provided here only for illustrating the principle, without limitation.

<FIG> is an axial sectional view when the rotary pin <NUM> is located at the second limit part <NUM>, where the pin shaft <NUM> of the rotary pin <NUM> is located at an end of the guide slot <NUM> away from the flange <NUM> and abuts against the second limit part <NUM>. As shown therein, the pin shaft <NUM>-<NUM> abuts against the second limit part <NUM>-<NUM>, and the pin shaft <NUM>-<NUM> abuts against the second limit part <NUM>-<NUM>. <FIG> is a radial sectional view when the rotary pin <NUM> is located at the second limit part <NUM>. As shown therein, the pin shaft <NUM>-<NUM> and the pin shaft <NUM>-<NUM> abut against the second limit part <NUM>-<NUM> and the second limit part <NUM>-<NUM> in the first rotation direction R1, respectively. Therefore, when the rotary pin <NUM> rotates with the output shaft <NUM> along the first rotation direction R1, the pin shaft <NUM> pushes the roller <NUM> to rotate along the first rotation direction R1, so that the outer peripheral surface of the flange <NUM> rolls on the boss surface <NUM>, to drive the roller <NUM> to move upwards to the receiving position.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the flange <NUM>. Identical to the embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the roller <NUM> includes two flanges <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> distributed on the end side surface <NUM> center-symmetrically relative to the axis A. The flanges <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are substantially arc-shaped, namely two segments of a ring extending about the axis A. The flange <NUM>-<NUM> includes a contact surface <NUM>-<NUM> and a guide surface <NUM>-<NUM>, and the flange <NUM>-<NUM> includes a contact surface <NUM>-<NUM> and a guide surface <NUM>-<NUM>. The contact surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are parallel to the roller end surface <NUM>. Accordingly, it would be appreciated that the flange <NUM> protruding and disposed at the end surface <NUM> includes a step portion that protrudes a certain height and is substantially perpendicular to the end side surface <NUM>, and the step portion is located on one side proximal to the contact surface. The guide surface <NUM>-<NUM> is gradually inclined from the contact surface <NUM>-<NUM> along the second rotation direction R2 and extends to the end surface <NUM>, and the guide surface <NUM>-<NUM> is gradually inclined from the contact surface <NUM>-<NUM> along the second rotation direction R2 and extends to the end surface <NUM>.

The contact surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> and guide surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are all arc-shaped. In addition, the widths of the guide surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in the radial direction are tapered from the contact surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> to the side end surface <NUM>. The widths of the end portions of the contact surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> away from the guide surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are tapered along the first rotation direction R1. Such shape design is beneficial to the interaction between the flange <NUM> and boss <NUM>. For example, when the roller <NUM> rotates along the first rotation direction R1 and moves closer to the boss <NUM>, there are two situations. In the first situation, the boss <NUM> is just located on the end surface <NUM> between the flange <NUM>-<NUM> and the flange <NUM>-<NUM>. Since the widths of the end portions of the contact surface <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are tapered along the first rotation direction R1 (i.e., gradually narrowed a distance in an inner diameter direction) so that, when contacting the step portion of the flange <NUM>, the surface of the boss <NUM> directly comes into contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the contact surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, rather than being in contact with the edge of the outer peripheral surface, which more probably causes the flange <NUM> to roll onto the boss <NUM>. It would be appreciated that, when the roller <NUM> moves closer to the boss <NUM> to cause the boss <NUM> to locate between the two flanges, the surface of the boss <NUM> comes into contact with the step portion of the flange <NUM> as the roller <NUM> continues to rotate along the first rotation direction R1. The following is the same as the first situation. In the second situation, when the roller <NUM> moves closer to the boss <NUM>, the contact surface <NUM> of the flange <NUM> contacts the end surface of the boss <NUM>, and the end surface of the boss <NUM> slides along the contact surface <NUM> to the guide surface <NUM>, then slides to a gap between two flanges under the guidance of the inclined guide surface <NUM>, and finally comes into contact with the next flange <NUM>, thereby lifting it up.

<FIG> is a schematic view when the end surface of the flange <NUM> abuts against the end surface of the boss <NUM>. As shown therein, when the roller <NUM> moves towards the boss <NUM>, the contact surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the flange <NUM>-<NUM> abuts against the end surface of the boss <NUM>, and the roller <NUM> continues to rotate along the first rotation direction R1, so that the contact surface <NUM>-<NUM> continues to slide when abutting against the end surface of the boss <NUM>, and transitions to the guide surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the flange <NUM>-<NUM> and abuts against the end surface of the boss <NUM> to slide. Guided by the inclined guide surface <NUM>-<NUM>, the roller <NUM> continues to move towards the boss <NUM>, to cause the end surface of the boss <NUM> to abut against the end surface <NUM> of the roller <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view when the flange <NUM>-<NUM> just abuts against the boss surface <NUM> of the boss <NUM>. As shown therein, the front end of the flange <NUM>-<NUM>, namely the step portion, abuts against the boss surface <NUM>. At this time, the distance of the center of the roller <NUM> away from the boss surface <NUM> is less than the radius of the outer peripheral surface of the flange <NUM>. The roller <NUM> continues to rotate along the first rotation direction R1, to cause the outer peripheral surface of the flange <NUM>-<NUM> to roll on the boss surface <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view when the roller <NUM> is lifted to the receiving position. As shown therein, after the outer peripheral surface of the flange <NUM>-<NUM> rolls on boss surface <NUM>, the distance of the center of the roller <NUM> away from the boss surface <NUM> is equal to the radius of the outer peripheral surface of the flange <NUM>. At this time, the roller <NUM> is located at the position distant furthest away from the boss surface <NUM>, and stops rotating. For example, when the roller <NUM> is lifted to the receiving position, the position sensor <NUM> sends a position signal of the roller <NUM> to the controller of the motor <NUM>, causing the controller to control the motor <NUM> to stop rotation.

Correspondingly, when the cleaner <NUM> is switched to the operating mode again, the motor <NUM> rotates along the second rotation direction R2. According to the work principle described in the embodiment as depicted in <FIG>, upon the action of the rotary pin <NUM>, the roller <NUM> at the receiving position moves along a direction away from the boss <NUM> in the axial direction F, so that the flange <NUM> slides therewith on the boss surface <NUM> along the direction away from the boss <NUM>, and eventually slides off the boss surface <NUM>. After the flange <NUM> slides off, the roller <NUM> falls back to the operating position as an effect of the gravity, to perform the cleaning operation.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the roller <NUM> according to some embodiments of the present invention. In those embodiments, the flange <NUM> and the end side surface <NUM> are not integral with the body <NUM> of the roller <NUM>, but coupled to the body <NUM> via a transmission part <NUM> (not shown in detail). The transmission part <NUM> extends along the axial direction F from the end side surface <NUM> to the interior of the body <NUM>, and is coupled to the body <NUM> via a one-way bearing <NUM> (not shown in detail). Hereinafter, reference will be made to <FIG> to describe the structure of the roller <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic sectional view of the roller in <FIG>. As shown therein, the motor <NUM> is fixed at one end onto the bracket <NUM>, and includes at the other end an outer shaft <NUM> extending along the axis A. The roller <NUM> includes a cylindrical body <NUM> extending along the axis A. The body <NUM> is fixedly connected to the output shaft <NUM> and can thus rotate along the first rotation direction R1 and second rotation direction as driven by the output shaft <NUM>. The body <NUM> at an end away from the bracket <NUM> along the axis A includes an end side surface <NUM>. On the end side surface <NUM> is disposed a flange <NUM>.

In addition, the roller <NUM> further includes a transmission part <NUM>. The transmission part <NUM> extends along the axis A from the end side surface <NUM> to the interior of the body <NUM> of the roller <NUM>. Within the body <NUM>, the transmission part <NUM> is connected to the inner wall of the body <NUM> via the one-way bearing <NUM>. Specifically, the transmission part <NUM> is coupled to the inner ring of the one-way bearing <NUM>, and the body <NUM> is coupled to the outer ring of the one-way bearing <NUM>. The inner ring and the outer ring are locked to each other when the roller <NUM> rotates along the first rotation direction R1, and slide relative to each other when the roller <NUM> rotates along the second rotation direction R2. As such, the flange <NUM> rotates with the roller <NUM> when the roller <NUM> rotates along the first rotation direction R1, and is stationary relative to the boss <NUM> when the roller <NUM> rotates along the second rotation direction R2.

Returning to <FIG>, only one flange <NUM> is disposed on the end side surface <NUM> of the roller <NUM>. The flange <NUM> in the embodiment is identical to the flange <NUM> in <FIG> (e.g. a structural contact surface <NUM> and a guide surface <NUM>) and have the same function. As discussed above, the flange <NUM> can rotate with the roller <NUM> along the first rotation direction R1 when the roller <NUM> rotates along the first rotation direction R1. Accordingly, the flange <NUM> as shown in <FIG> can implement the movement process as shown in <FIG>, i.e., by abutting against the boss surface and rolling on the boss surface <NUM>, the flange <NUM> drives the whole cleaning assembly <NUM> to move towards the receiving position. Once the cleaning assembly <NUM> reaches the receiving position, the motor <NUM> stops driving the roller <NUM>, to retain the cleaning assembly <NUM> at the receiving position.

Claim 1:
A lifting apparatus (<NUM>) for a cleaning assembly (<NUM>) adapted to be mounted in the cleaning assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a motor (<NUM>) comprising an output shaft (<NUM>);
a roller (<NUM>) coupled to the output shaft (<NUM>) and configured, with rotation of the output shaft (<NUM>), to rotate about an axis (A) of the output shaft (<NUM>) along a first rotation direction (R1) or a second rotation direction (R2), the first rotation direction (R1) being opposite to the second rotation direction (R2);
characterized by further comprising:
a boss (<NUM>) fixedly disposed on an end on a side adjacent to the roller (<NUM>) and away from the output shaft (<NUM>), and configured to lift the roller (<NUM>) when the roller (<NUM>) rotates along the first rotation direction (R1).