KR-20260067181-A - STATION FOR ROBOT CLEANER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE STATION

KR20260067181AKR 20260067181 AKR20260067181 AKR 20260067181AKR-20260067181-A

Abstract

A station for a robot vacuum cleaner is disclosed. A station for a robot vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body, a first supply path, a flow control valve, and a heater. The station for a robot vacuum cleaner further comprises a temperature sensor. As the flow rate moving through the first supply path is controlled by the flow control valve, the water in the first supply path can be heated by the heater, thereby controlling the required temperature of the hot water and/or the amount of steam. Additionally, the flow control valve can be controlled while sensing the temperature of the first supply path by the temperature sensor, thereby allowing for more accurate control of the required temperature of the hot water and/or the amount of steam.

Inventors

이동재
한승우
권현중

Assignees

엘지전자 주식회사

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20241105

Claims (19)

As a station combined with a robot vacuum cleaner equipped with a mop, A main body forming the body of the above-mentioned station and equipped with a spraying area; A first supply channel forming a channel through which water moves from the main body toward the injection area; A flow control valve provided in the first supply path; and A heater configured to heat water passing through the first supply channel; comprising Robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 1, In the first supply path above, the flow control valve is positioned upstream of the heater, Robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 2, The above-mentioned robot vacuum cleaner station is, A temperature sensor positioned downstream of the heater in the first supply path; including The valve opening amount of the flow control valve is controlled according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. Robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 2, The above-mentioned robot vacuum cleaner station is, A temperature sensor positioned downstream of the heater in the first supply path; including When the temperature detected by the above temperature sensor is lower than the set temperature, the valve opening amount of the above flow control valve decreases, and When the temperature detected by the above temperature sensor is higher than the set temperature, the valve opening amount of the above flow control valve increases. Robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned robot vacuum cleaner station is, A second supply channel forming a channel through which water moves from the main body toward the injection area; and A flow path control valve comprising: a raw water inlet into which raw water flows; a first outlet connected to or blocked from the raw water inlet and connected to the first supply path; and a second outlet connected to or blocked from the raw water inlet and connected to the second supply path. Robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 5, A first step in which the above raw water inlet and the above first outlet are connected, the above flow control valve is opened to a first level, and the above heater is operated; A second step in which the above raw water inlet and the above second outlet are connected; A third step in which the above raw water inlet and the above first outlet are connected, the above flow control valve opens to a second level smaller than the first level, and the heater operates; and A fourth step in which the above raw water inlet and the above first outlet are connected, the above flow control valve opens to a third level smaller than the above second level, and the heater operates; is performed sequentially. Robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 5, The above-mentioned robot vacuum cleaner station is, A water treatment filter provided upstream of the heater in the first supply path; comprising Robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 5, The above-mentioned robot vacuum cleaner station is, A detergent channel connected to the first supply channel or the second supply channel and forming a channel through which the detergent travels; comprising Robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned robot vacuum cleaner station is, It includes a drainage channel forming a channel for water to move outside from the above-mentioned spray area; and Hot water or steam heated by the above heater is configured to move through the above drainage channel, Robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 3, The above robot vacuum cleaner is configured to be positioned above the spraying area, and The above temperature sensor is provided at the nozzle, which is the end of the first supply path, Robot vacuum cleaner station.
A control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station comprising: a main body having a spray area; a first supply channel forming a channel for water to move toward the spray area; a flow control valve provided in the first supply channel; a heater configured to heat water passing through the first supply channel; and a temperature sensor disposed in the first supply channel. (a) a step of detecting the temperature by the temperature sensor; and (b) a step in which the valve opening amount of the flow control valve is controlled according to the temperature detected in step (a) above; comprising, Control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station.
In Paragraph 11, In the first supply path above, the temperature sensor is positioned downstream of the heater, and the flow control valve is positioned upstream of the heater. Control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station.
In Paragraph 11, The above-mentioned robot vacuum cleaner station is, It includes a second supply channel forming a channel through which water moves from the main body toward the injection area; The movement of water through the first supply channel and the movement of water through the second supply channel are selectively carried out. Control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station.
In Paragraph 13, (c) a step in which water moves to the first supply channel, the flow control valve opens to a first level, and the heater operates; (d) A step in which water moves to the second supply channel; (e) a step in which water moves to the first supply channel, the flow control valve opens to a second level smaller than the first level, and the heater operates; and (f) a step in which water moves to the first supply channel, the flow control valve opens to a third level smaller than the second level, and the heater operates; comprising, Control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station.
In Paragraph 11, (c) A step in which raw water is heated to a first temperature by the heater and supplied to the injection area; (d) A step in which raw water is supplied to the injection area; (e) a step in which raw water is heated to a second temperature higher than the first temperature by the heater and supplied to the injection area; and (f) a step in which raw water is heated by the heater to a third temperature higher than the second temperature and transformed into steam and supplied to the injection area; comprising, Control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 15, In step (d) above, the detergent is supplied together to the spray area, Control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 15, (g) a step of supplying hot air to the injection area between the above step (e) and the above step (f); further comprising, Control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station.
In paragraph 15, (h) a step of supplying dry air to the injection area after the above step (f); further comprising, Control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station.
In Paragraph 11, The above-mentioned robot vacuum cleaner station is, It includes a second supply channel forming a channel through which water moves from the main body toward the injection area; (i) a step of operating the heater to heat the water in the first supply channel; (j) A step of draining water from the above-mentioned spray area; (k) a step of supplying raw water through the second supply channel and supplying hot water through the first supply channel; and (l) a step of blocking the supply of raw water through the second supply channel and supplying hot water or steam through the first supply channel; comprising, Control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station.

Description

Station for Robot Cleaner and Method for Controlling the Station The present invention relates to a station for a robot vacuum cleaner and a method for controlling the same, and more specifically, to a station for a robot vacuum cleaner and a method for controlling the same in which, when a robot vacuum cleaner including a mop is coupled to the station, charging of the robot vacuum cleaner, collection of dust, and washing of the mop can be performed through the station. A robot vacuum cleaner comprising a motor, various sensors, a battery, and artificial intelligence (AI) can be configured to drive autonomously and clean the area requiring cleaning. A robot vacuum cleaner can be configured to suck up dust, etc. by vacuuming, sweep up dust, and/or wipe the cleaning surface using a mop. The robot vacuum cleaner station is typically placed in a designated location, and after the robot vacuum cleaner finishes cleaning, it approaches the station and docks with it. When the robot vacuum cleaner docks with the station, the charging terminals of the robot vacuum cleaner and the station become connected, allowing the robot vacuum cleaner to be charged through the station, and the station can collect dust from the robot vacuum cleaner's dustbin. Chinese Utility Model Registration CN 218922468 U (hereinafter referred to as 'Prior Art 1') discloses a cleaning station in which a robot vacuum cleaner is coupled to the lower side of a washing machine to charge the robot vacuum cleaner, collect dust, and clean the mop of the robot vacuum cleaner. However, the above prior art document 1 does not take into account the cleaning of the mop by steam, so improvement is required. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a robot vacuum cleaner and a station for a robot vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a station in which a robot vacuum cleaner is stored according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a station in which a robot vacuum cleaner is stored according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the movement of liquid or steam in a robot vacuum cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5a and FIGS. 5b are schematic diagrams illustrating the flow of water and air in a station for a robot vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a graph showing the relationship between flow rate, heater power, and temperature change. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a graph showing a control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the operation of a heater, the supply of raw water, and the supply of hot water (and/or steam) over time. FIG. 10 is a graph showing a control method for a robot vacuum cleaner station according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the temperature change over time and the power of the heater at a predetermined location of the station and the robot vacuum cleaner. Hereinafter, in order to explain the present invention more specifically, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the detailed description, the same reference numerals indicate the same components. The X, Y, and Z directions indicated on the drawing are mutually orthogonal directions. The X direction can be understood as the direction facing forward, the Y direction as the direction facing left, and the Z direction as the direction facing upward. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a robot vacuum cleaner (3) and a station (2) for a robot vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. The term 'station' as used in the present invention means a 'station for a robot vacuum cleaner', except where otherwise specifically limited. A robot vacuum cleaner system (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a robot vacuum cleaner (3) and a station (2). A robot vacuum cleaner (3) according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to be placed on a floor surface (B) and to move along the floor surface (B). The floor surface (B) may be the object of cleaning. Accordingly, the following description will define the vertical direction based on the state in which the robot vacuum cleaner (3) is placed on the floor surface (B) to enable cleaning according to its intended use. The station (2) according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured such that when a robot vacuum cleaner (3) is coupled to the station (2), the robot vacuum clea