Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
  • A46B5/0095—Removable or interchangeable brush heads
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
  • A47L11/28—Floor-scrubbing machines, motor-driven
  • A47L11/282—Floor-scrubbing machines, motor-driven having rotary tools
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
  • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
  • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
  • A47L11/4002—Installations of electric equipment
  • A47L11/4005—Arrangements of batteries or cells; Electric power supply arrangements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
  • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
  • A47L11/4011—Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
  • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
  • A47L11/4027—Filtering or separating contaminants or debris
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
  • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
  • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
  • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
  • A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
  • A47L11/4083—Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
  • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
  • A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
  • A47L11/4088—Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
  • A46B2200/30—Brushes for cleaning or polishing
  • A46B2200/3033—Household brush, i.e. brushes for cleaning in the house or dishes

Definitions

• Embodiments of the disclosure provide a cleaner for cleaning a surface to be cleaned, by spraying water to the surface, and a mop brush head used therein.
• a cleaner is a device that performs cleaning, and there are various types of cleaners such as a vacuum cleaner that performs cleaning using suction power, a mop cleaner that performs cleaning using water, and a cleaner that uses suction power and water simultaneously or selectively.
• a cleaner that selectively uses suction power and water may be used by changing a brush head configured to contact the surface to be cleaned, depending on the cleaning purpose.
• a suction brush head may be mounted on the cleaner to use suction power
• a mop brush head may be mounted on the cleaner to use water.
• a cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a mop brush head.
• the mop brush head may include a head body, a water tank in the head body and configured to store water, a mop attachable to the mop brush head so as to be disposed below the head body to contact a surface to be cleaned, and being detachable from the mop brush head, and a sprayer configured to spray water toward the surface to be cleaned.
• the mop brush head may include a hot water tank having an inlet through which water stored in the water tank flows into the hot water tank, an outlet through which water in the hot water tank flows to the sprayer, and a channel structure having a plurality of channels inside the hot water tank so that water in the hot water tank moves along a preset path through the plurality of channels from the inlet to the outlet, and a heater configured to heat the water in the hot water tank.
• first may be named a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be named a first component without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
• the term "and/or” includes a combination of a plurality of related items or any one item among a plurality of related items.
• Terminology such as "at least one of A and B”, as used herein, includes any of the following: A, B, A and B.
• terminology such as "at least one of A, B, and C”, as used herein, includes any of the following: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, A and B and C.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a main body of the cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an extension tube 40 of the cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cleaner 1, in which a suction brush head 10 replaced with a mop brush head 100.
• the cleaner 1 may include a main body 20 that provides suction power, the suction brush head 10 that sucks in foreign substances from a surface to be cleaned, by using the suction power provided by the main body 20, and the extension tube 40 connecting the main body 20 to the suction brush head 10.
• the main body 20 may include a motor (not shown) that generates suction power and a dust collector 30 that accommodates foreign substances sucked in by the suction brush head 10.
• the dust collector 30 may use a cyclone method, but this is only an example, and the type of method applied to the dust collector 30 is not limited.
• the dust collector 30 is provided in the form of a container in which centrifuged foreign substances are accommodated.
• the dust collector 30 may be detachably coupled to the main body 20.
• the main body 20 may include a discharge portion 21 that discharges air sucked into the main body 20 to the outside.
• the discharge portion 21 includes a plurality of holes provided on the outside of the main body 20.
• the dust collector 30 is coupled to a lower portion of the discharge portion 21. When air is sucked into the main body 20 through a suction nozzle 50, dust contained in the air is collected and stored in the dust collector 30, and dust-filtered air is discharged out of the main body 20 through the discharge portion 21.
• the suction brush head 10 may be provided to suck in foreign substances from the surface to be cleaned, for example, the floor, together with air, by using suction power. While moving in contact with the surface to be cleaned, the suction brush head 10 is provided to suck in various foreign substances such as dust, fine dust, and hair present on the surface to be cleaned.
• the suction brush head 10 may include a brush and a motor for rotating the brush.
• the extension tube 40 transmits suction power generated by the main body 20 and transfers foreign substances sucked in from the suction brush head 10 to the main body 20.
• the extension tube 40 may have a length-adjustable structure.
• the extension tube 40 includes a first pipe 41 connected to the main body 20 and a second pipe 42 connected between the first pipe 41 and the suction brush head 10.
• the extension tube 40 has a double-pipe shape.
• a diameter of the first pipe 41 is smaller than a diameter of the second pipe 42, and as an end of the first pipe 41 slides while being accommodated in the second pipe 42, the entire length of the extension tube 40 may be adjusted.
• a wire 43 for electrical connection between the main body 20 and the suction brush head 10 may be arranged in the extension tube 40.
• the wire 43 may be used for electrical connection between the mop brush head 100 and the main body 20, which will be described later.
• the wire 43 may be arranged such that it is not exposed to the outside of the extension tube 40.
• a portion 431 of the wire 43 may be arranged inside a first receiving portion 411 of the first pipe 41, and another portion 432 of the wire 43 may be disposed inside a second receiving portion 421 of the second pipe 42.
• the length of the other portion 432 of the wire 43 disposed in the second receiving portion 421 may be longer than the length of the second pipe 42.
• the wire 43 disposed in the second receiving portion 421 may be bent.
• the other portion 432 of the wire 43 disposed in the second receiving portion 421 may be bent into a coil shape.
• the size of the second receiving portion 421 may be limited. Accordingly, in order for the wire 43 disposed in the second receiving portion 421 of a limited size to be bent, the size, diameter, or allowable current of the wire 43 may be limited.
• the standard of the wire 43 may be AWG 19 or larger.
• the diameter of the wire 43 may be 1 mm or less.
• the allowable current of the wire 43 may be 5 A (ampere) or less.
• the extension tube 40 having a length-adjustable structure is illustrated, but is not necessarily limited thereto.
• the extension tube 40 may have a structure with a fixed length.
• the extension tube 40 may be composed of a pipe of a fixed length and the wire 43 disposed inside the pipe.
• the wire 43 may be freely selected.
• the main body 20 includes the suction nozzle 50 to which the extension tube 40 is connected.
• the suction nozzle 50 has a suction port formed therethrough so that the extension tube 40 may be inserted, and the air sucked in from the extension tube 40 is delivered to the inside of the main body 20 through this suction port.
• the suction nozzle 50 is formed by inserting and connecting the extension tube 40 in a longitudinal direction of the extension tube 40.
• the suction nozzle 50 includes a nozzle connector 60 to which the extension tube 40 may be detachably connected.
• the main body 20 includes a handle 70 that may be held by a user. The user may hold the handle 70 and move the main body 20 and the suction brush head 10.
• the main body 20 may include a battery 80 that supplies power to the cleaner 1.
• the cleaner 1 including the battery 80 may be used wirelessly without a wired connection. That is, the cleaner 1 may be a wireless cleaner.
• the cleaner 1 may be used by replacing the suction brush head 10 with the mop brush head 100 for cleaning of the surface to be cleaned, with water. A detailed description of the mop brush head 100 will be described later.
• the suction brush head 10 may be replaceably coupled to a front end of the extension tube 40, for example, to a front end of the second pipe 42.
• the suction brush head 10 may be separated from the front end of the extension tube 40, and the mop brush head 100, which will be described later, may be installed instead.
• the main body 20 includes a manipulation unit 90 that allows a user to control the operation of the cleaner 1.
• the manipulation unit 90 is an input interface that may be operated by a user and is implemented as a mechanical or electronic button. The user may control the suction operation or the cleaning operation with water, of the cleaner 1, by manipulating the manipulation unit 90.
• the cleaner 1 may switch between a suction cleaning mode and a mop cleaning mode, according to which brush head is coupled to the extension tube 40. Depending on the operation mode of the cleaner 1, the same button operation of the manipulation unit 90 may perform different operations.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the mop brush head 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mop brush head 100 of FIG. 5 , which is partially separated.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view for describing a bottom surface of the mop brush head 100 of FIG. 5 .
• FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a portion of the mop brush head 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 9 is a front view of a heating module 200 of the mop brush head 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure
• FIG. 10 is an example of an exploded perspective view of the heating module 200 of FIG. 9 .
• the mop brush head 100 sprays water to a surface to be cleaned, and a mop 123 repeatedly contacts the surface to be cleaned, to perform cleaning on the surface to be cleaned, with water.
• the mop brush head 100 may include a head body 110, at least one mop 123 disposed to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned, under the head body 110, a sprayer 140 disposed in front of the head body 110, a water tank 150 configured to store water, and a pump 160 disposed between the sprayer 140 and the water tank 150 and providing pressure so that the sprayer 140 sprays water.
• the head body 110 may include a brush body 120 and a brush connection portion 130 provided to be mounted at the front end of the extension tube 40.
• the brush connection portion 130 may be connected to the brush body 120 such that its angle is adjustable.
• the brush body 120 may include a pair of rotating disks 121 provided on lower surfaces of both left and right sides thereof.
• the rotating disks 121 may include a mop attachment portion 122 for detachably attaching the mop 123 to a lower surface thereof facing the floor.
• the mop attachment portion 122 may be implemented in various structures such as an adhesive pad or Velcro.
• the mop 123 may include various fiber or plastic materials designed for cleaning. While being in contact with the surface to be cleaned, the mop 123 is rotated by the rotating disk 121, thereby performing cleaning by the mop 123 in the process.
• a structure in which the mop 123 is rotated is illustrated, but the structure is not necessarily limited thereto.
• the mop 123 may be fixed to the brush body 120 without being rotated.
• the brush body 120 may include a base frame 125 that supports the rotating disk 121 and an upper cover 126 that is detachably coupled to the base frame 125.
• the base frame 125 rotatably supports the rotating disk 121, and the heating module 200 to be described later may be installed on the base frame 125.
• the upper cover 126 has a function of covering components installed on the base frame 125, such as the heating module 200, so that the components are not exposed, and may form the upper exterior of the mop brush head 100.
• An edge frame 127 may be disposed between the base frame 125 and the upper cover 126, and a controller 273 may be supported on the edge frame 127.
• the shape and structure of the brush body 120 are an example and may be modified in various manners as needed.
• the water tank 150 may be arranged in the head body 110.
• the water tank 150 may be detachably coupled to the brush connection portion 130 of the head body 110.
• Water stored in the water tank 150 may be greater than a water spray amount sprayed once by the sprayer 140 (hereinafter referred to as 'water spray amount').
• a storage capacity of water that may be stored in the water tank 150 may be 30 times or more the water spray amount.
• the storage capacity of the water tank 150 may be 50 times or more the water spray amount.
• the storage capacity of the water tank 150 may be 100 times or less the water spray amount.
• the sprayer 140 may be disposed in front of the brush body 120.
• the sprayer 140 may be arranged in front of the mop 123.
• the sprayer 140 may spray water directly to the surface to be cleaned.
• the sprayer 140 may spray water ahead of a movement path of the mop 123.
• the pump 160 that provides pressure to move water from the water tank 150 to the sprayer 140 may be disposed in the brush body 120.
• a water supply pipe that provides at least a portion of a movement path of water from the water tank 150 to the sprayer 140 may be disposed in the brush body 120.
• the water supply pipe may include a first water supply pipe 171 connected between the water tank 150 and the pump 160, and a second water supply pipe 172 connected between the pump 160 and the sprayer 140.
• the mop brush head 100 may further include the heating module 200 that heats water supplied from the water tank 150.
• the heating module 200 may be disposed between the pump 160 and the sprayer 140 in the brush body 120.
• the heating module 200 is disposed between the water tank 150 and the sprayer 140 and may be configured to heat water supplied from the water tank 150.
• the heating module 200 may be configured to heat water before the water is sprayed by the sprayer 140.
• high-temperature water may be sprayed from the sprayer 140 onto the surface to be cleaned.
• High-temperature water sprayed on the surface to be cleaned may quickly soak foreign substances on the surface to be cleaned, and the soaked foreign substances may be easily removed using the mop 123.
• the heating module 200 may be arranged close to the sprayer 140.
• the heating module 200 may be disposed close to the sprayer 140 between the water tank 150 and the sprayer 140.
• the heating module 200 may be disposed between the pump 160 and the sprayer 140.
• the second water supply pipe 172 may include a third water supply pipe 173 connecting the pump 160 and the heating module 200 to each other, and a fourth water supply pipe 174 connecting the heating module 200 and the sprayer 140 to each other.
• the heating module 200 may include a module case 210 and a heater 250 disposed inside the module case 210.
• the module case 210 supports the heater 250, and a hot water tank 201 may be provided thereinside.
• the module case 210 may include a lower case 230, an upper case 220 coupled to the lower case 230, and a gasket 240 disposed between the lower case 230 and the upper case 220.
• the upper case 220 may be coupled to the lower case 230 with the heater 250 therebetween.
• the heater 250 may be disposed in the lower case 230.
• the heater 250 may be fixed to the lower case 230 by using fixing members 2341 and 2342.
• fixing members 2341 and 2342 bolts and nuts are described as examples, but are not limited thereto, and the structure for fixing the heater 250 to the lower case 230 may be modified in various manners.
• a power connection portion 231 for supplying current to the heater 250 and a power cutoff portion 232, which will be described later, may be provided below the heater 250.
• the power connection portion 231 may be connected to the controller 273 (see FIG. 6 ) through a second wire 233.
• the heater 250 may form the bottom surface of the hot water tank 201.
• the hot water tank 201 may be defined by an upper surface of the heater 250, an inner surface of the gasket 240, and an inner peripheral surface of the upper case 220.
• the structure for forming the hot water tank 201 is not limited thereto, and may be modified in various manners as long as the structure is to provide a space for heating certain water inside the module case 210.
• the module case 210 may be provided with an inlet 202 for supplying water to the hot water tank 201 and an outlet 203 for discharging water from the hot water tank 201.
• the inlet 202 and the outlet 203 may be provided at a higher position than the heater 250.
• the inlet 202 and the outlet 203 may be provided in the upper case 220.
• the arrangement of the inlet 202 and the outlet 203 is not limited thereto, and may be modified in various manners as long as the arrangement is for supplying and discharging water to the hot water tank 201.
• An end of the third water supply pipe 173 may be connected to the inlet 202, and an end of the fourth water supply pipe 174 may be connected to the outlet 203.
• the hot water tank 201 stores water supplied from the water tank 150, and the water stored in the hot water tank 201 may be heated by the heater 250.
• a storage capacity of the hot water tank 201 may be designed to be smaller than that of the water tank 150 in consideration of the power usage of the heater 250.
• the storage capacity of the hot water tank 201 may be 1/30 times or less the storage capacity of the water tank 150.
• the storage capacity of the hot water tank 201 may be 1/50 times or less the storage capacity of the water tank 150.
• the storage capacity of the hot water tank 201 may be equal to or greater than the spray amount of the sprayer 140.
• the storage capacity of the hot water tank 201 may be twice or more the spray amount of the sprayer 140.
• the heater 250 may be arranged below the hot water tank 201.
• the heater 250 may have a flat plate shape.
• the heater 250 may have a flat upper surface.
• the heater 250 may have a relatively small thickness.
• the thickness of the heater 250 may be 2 mm or less.
• the thickness of the heater 250 may be 1.5 mm or less.
• the thickness of the heater 250 may be about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm.
• the heater 250 may include a heat source 251 and a conductive plate 252.
• the heat source 251 may be in the form of a metal wire.
• the heat source 251 may include a metal material and may have a certain pattern.
• the heat source 251 is not limited thereto.
• the heat source 251 may be a carbon nanotube film.
• the thickness of the heat source 251 may be 0.5 mm or less.
• the thickness of the heat source 251 may be smaller than the thickness of the conductive plate 252.
• the thickness of the heat source 251 may be equal to or less than 1/2 the thickness of the conductive plate 252.
• the conductive plate 252 may perform a function of transferring heat generated from the heat source 251, to the hot water tank 201.
• the conductive plate 252 may block contact between water in the hot water tank 201 and the heat source 251.
• the conductive plate 252 may be disposed between the heat source 251 and the hot water tank 201.
• the conductive plate 252 may have a flat upper surface. Because the conductive plate 252 is exposed to water, the conductive plate 252 may include a material that does not rust. For example, the conductive plate 252 may include stainless steel. The thickness of the conductive plate 252 may be 2 mm or less. The thickness of the conductive plate 252 may be about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm.
• the heater 250 may be installed in the module case 210 such that the upper surface of the conductive plate 252 forms the bottom surface of the hot water tank 201.
• the maximum temperature of the heater 250 may be 200 °C or less.
• the normal operating temperature of the heater 250 may be 120 °C or less.
• the normal operating temperature of the heater 250 may be 100 °C or less.
• the temperature of the heater 250 may rise to 200 °C.
• the water stored in the hot water tank 201 may be heated by the heater 250.
• the temperature of the water stored in the hot water tank 201 may be high.
• the temperature of water stored in the hot water tank 201 may be higher than room temperature.
• the temperature of water stored in the hot water tank 201 may be 40 °C or higher.
• the temperature of water stored in the hot water tank 201 may be 50 °C or higher.
• the temperature of the water stored in the hot water tank 201 may be equal to or lower than a certain temperature to prevent damage to the surface to be cleaned or burns to the human body due to the water sprayed by the sprayer 140.
• the temperature of water stored in the hot water tank 201 may be 60 °C or lower.
• the temperature of water stored in the hot water tank 201 may be about 50 °C to about 60 °C.
• the current used by the heater 250 may be determined by considering the allowable current of the wire 43.
• the current used by the heater 250 may be equal to or less than 70 % of the allowable current of the wire 43. For example, when the allowable current of the wire 43 is 4.5 A, the current used by the heater 250 may be 3.0 A or less.
• the heating module 200 may include a component to prevent overheating of the heater 250.
• the heating module 200 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 271, a water level sensor 272, and the power cutoff portion 232.
• the heating module 200 may include the temperature sensor 271 that detects the internal temperature of the hot water tank 201.
• the temperature sensor 271 may detect the temperature of water stored in the hot water tank 201.
• the temperature sensor 271 may be provided at a higher position than the heater 250.
• the temperature sensor 271 may be provided in the upper case 220.
• the arrangement of the temperature sensor 271 is not limited thereto and may be provided in various locations.
• the heating module 200 may further include the water level sensor 272 for detecting the water level of the hot water tank 201.
• the water level sensor 272 may be provided at a higher position than the heater 250.
• the water level sensor 272 may be provided in the upper case 220.
• the arrangement of the water level sensor 272 is not limited thereto, and may be provided in various locations.
• the controller 273 may control the operation of the heater 250 based on the temperature of the water detected by the temperature sensor 271. For example, when the temperature of the water in the hot water tank 201 is outside a predetermined range, the operation of the heater 250 may be stopped. For example, when the temperature of the water in the hot water tank 201 exceeds a reference temperature, the operation of the heater 250 may be stopped. For example, when the temperature of the hot water tank 201 exceeds 60 °C, the operation of the heater 250 may be stopped.
• the controller 273 may control the operation of the heater 250 based on the water level of the hot water tank 201 detected by the water level sensor 272. For example, when the water level sensor 272 determines that the hot water tank 201 is not filled with water, the controller 273 may not operate the heater 250. Accordingly, overheating of the heater 250, which may occur when the heater 250 is operated while the hot water tank 201 is not filled with water, may be prevented.
• the heating module 200 may further include the power cutoff portion 232 to prevent overheating of the heater 250.
• the power cutoff portion 232 may cut off power supplied to the heater 250 when the temperature of the heater 250 rises above a predetermined temperature.
• the power cutoff portion 232 may include a bimetal having a shape that changes depending on the temperature of the heater 250. The shape of the bimetal of the power cutoff portion 232 may change according to the temperature of the heater 250, and thus, the power cutoff portion 232 may physically block power transmitted to the heater 250.
• the heating module 200 has been described as including all of the temperature sensor 271, the water level sensor 272, and the power cutoff portion 232, but is not limited thereto.
• some of the temperature sensor 271, the water level sensor 272, and the power cutoff portion 232 may be omitted, when necessary.
• the water stored in the hot water tank 201 of the heating module 200 is heated by the heater 250.
• heated water may be sprayed by the sprayer 140 via the outlet 203 and the fourth water supply pipe 174.
• a portion of heated water (hereinafter referred to as 'high-temperature water HW) flows out from the hot water tank 201 through the outlet 203, and at the same time, unheated water (hereinafter referred to as 'low-temperature water LW) flows through the inlet 202 in an equal amount to the amount of the water flowed out through the outlet 203.
• 'high-temperature water HW heated water
• 'low-temperature water LW unheated water
• newly introduced low-temperature water LW is mixed with high-temperature water HW, and the temperature of the water stored in the hot water tank 201 may drop.
• the temperature of the water sprayed at the end of the spraying process may be lower than the temperature of the water sprayed at the beginning of the spraying process.
• the temperature difference in the water may be 10 °C or more.
• the heating module 200 may include a channel structure 260 that guides a movement path of water inside the hot water tank 201.
• FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section of the heating module 200 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, cut in a horizontal direction.
• FIGS. 12A to 12D are diagrams for describing the process of water inflow, water heating, and water outflow from the hot water tank 201, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams for describing a modified example of filter structures 221A and 221B in the heating module 200 of FIG. 11 .
• the channel structure 260 may be configured such that low-temperature water LW and high-temperature water HW do not immediately mix. In other words, the channel structure 260 may delay the mixing time of low-temperature water LW and high-temperature water HW. For example, the channel structure 260 may reduce the contact area between low-temperature water LW and high-temperature water HW.
• the channel structure 260 may include a plurality of channels CH arranged in parallel with each other.
• Each of the plurality of channels CH may extend in a first direction and may be arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
• the plurality of channels CH may extend in a width direction of the hot water tank 201 and may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the hot water tank 201.
• a width W1 of each of the plurality of channels CH may be smaller than a width WO of the hot water tank 201.
• a channel CH may be connected to an adjacent channel CH thereto.
• Adjacent channels CH may be connected to each other to allow water to move in a certain direction.
• An end of the channel CH may be connected to an adjacent channel CH.
• the channel structure 260 may have channels CH that meander from the inlet 202 toward the outlet 203.
• the channel structure 260 may be provided in the upper case 220.
• the channel structure 260 may have a shape that protrudes from the inner surface of the upper case 220.
• the channel structure 260 may include at least one channel wall 261 forming the channel CH through which water flowing in through the inlet 202 moves toward the outlet 203.
• the channel wall 261 may extend in a vertical direction.
• the channel wall 261 may extend toward the heater 250.
• the channel wall 261 may extend from an upper portion of the inner surface of the upper case 220 toward a lower portion thereof.
• the plurality of channel walls 261 may be arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the hot water tank 201. As another example, the plurality of channel walls 261 may be arranged in parallel in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hot water tank 201. The plurality of channel walls 261 may be arranged in a staggered pattern with respect to each other. However, the number of channel walls 261 is not limited to a plurality, and there may be a single channel wall 261.
• the low-temperature water LW stored in the water tank 150 passes through the first water supply pipe 171 and the third water supply pipe 173 and flows into the inlet 202 of the hot water tank 201, and the high-temperature water HW stored in the hot water tank 201 is discharged through the outlet 203.
• the high-temperature water HW discharged through the outlet 203 of the hot water tank 201 passes through the fourth water supply pipe 174 and is sprayed through the sprayer 140.
• the low-temperature water LW flows into the hot water tank 201 through the inlet 202.
• the heater 250 may operate to heat the low-temperature water LW.
• the low-temperature water LW flowing into the hot water tank 201 may be heated and converted into the high-temperature water HW, as illustrated in FIG. 12B .
• the inside of the hot water tank 201 may be filled with the high-temperature water HW.
• the high-temperature water HW filled in the hot water tank 201 is discharged through the outlet 203, as illustrated in FIG. 12C .
• the water filled in the channel CH adjacent to the outlet 203 is first discharged through the outlet 203.
• the low-temperature water LW is introduced through the inlet 202 as much as the high-temperature water HW is discharged through the outlet 203.
• the introduced low-temperature water LW is mixed with the high-temperature water HW inside the hot water tank 201, but because the contact area is limited by the width of the channel CH, the time that the low-temperature water LW and high-temperature water HW are mixed with each other may be delayed.
• the temperature drop of the sprayed high-temperature water HW may be minimized.
• the temperature difference may not be large.
• the temperature difference may be within 10% of the temperature of the high-temperature water HW filled in the first position P1.
• the temperature of the high-temperature water HW filled in the second position P2 may be 55 °C.
• the temperature of the water sprayed by the sprayer 140 may be kept constant at a high temperature.
• the temperature difference of the water sprayed by the sprayer 140 may be within 10 % of the maximum temperature.
• the initial temperature when the initial temperature is 60 °C, the latter temperature may be 55 °C.
• the temperature deviation is 5 °C, which may be within 10 % of 60 °C.
• a filter structure 221 may be provided inside the hot water tank 201 to block foreign substances generated in the process of heating water, from moving to the outlet 203.
• limescale may be formed when the water is heated.
• the filter structure 221 may filter out limescale generated in the process of heating water. Through this, clogging of the sprayer 140 due to foreign substances such as limescale may be prevented.
• the filter structure 221 may have a structure surrounding the outlet 203.
• the filter structure 221 may include a plurality of ribs 2210 arranged at certain intervals.
• the plurality of ribs 2210 may be spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction.
• the shape of the filter structure 221 is not limited thereto, and may be modified in various manners depending on the location of the outlet 203, the flow of fluid, etc. For example, as illustrated in FIGS.
• the filter structures 221A and 221B may have the plurality of ribs 2210 arranged in a semicircular shape, a straight line shape, etc., so that the filter structures 221A and 221B are disposed on a movement path toward the outlet 203.
• FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the heating module 200 according to the embodiment of the disclosure, cut in a vertical direction.
• FIG. 14 illustrates an enlarged portion of the heating module 200.
• the channel structure 260 may be spaced apart from the heater 250.
• the channel structure 260 and the heater 250 may not be in contact with each other.
• the channel structure 260 may be spaced apart from the heater 250 in a vertical direction.
• the channel structure 260 may be spaced apart from a lower end of the channel wall 261 and the heater 250. Because a surface of the heater 250 is considerably hot, the channel structure 260 may be damaged or deformed when the channel structure 260 contacts the surface of the heater 250.
• problems that occur when the channel structure 260 contacts the heater 250 may be eliminated.
• a gap G between the channel structure 260 and the heater 250 may be relatively small.
• the gap G between the channel structure 260 and the heater 250 may be about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm.
• the movement of water between the channel structure 260 and the heater 250 may be reduced. Accordingly, most of the water in the hot water tank 201 may move along the longitudinal direction of the channel CH.
• air bubbles may exist in the hot water tank 201.
• bubbles may be introduced, or as the water is heated, gas contained in the water may rise and form bubbles.
• Air bubbles may be located in an upper portion of the hot water tank 201. When these bubbles are around the temperature sensor 271, they may cause measurement errors in the temperature sensor 271. In addition, when these bubbles intermittently move to the outlet 203, water may not be continuously sprayed from the sprayer 140, which may deteriorate spray quality.
• the height of at least a portion of an upper surface 2601 of the channel structure 260 may vary in order to induce gas movement inside the hot water tank 201.
• the upper surface 2601 of the channel structure 260 may increase in height along the flow path through which water moves.
• the upper surface 2601 of the channel structure 260 may have a certain inclination ⁇ with respect to a horizontal direction.
• the upper surface 2601 of the channel structure 260 may be inclined toward the outlet 203.
• the upper surface 2601 of the channel structure 260 may increase in height toward the outlet 203.
• the height of upper surfaces of the plurality of channels CH may increase along the flow path through which water moves.
• the upper surface 2601 of the channel structure 260 may be entirely inclined toward the outlet 203, but is not limited thereto, and may be partially inclined toward the outlet 203.
• air bubbles in the hot water tank 201 may be induced to move toward the outlet 203, and the air bubbles moved toward the outlet 203 may be induced to be collected around the outlet 203.
• the air bubbles may be prevented from unintentionally being located around the temperature sensor 271, and accordingly, measurement errors in the temperature sensor 271 due to the air bubbles may be reduced.
• the sprayer 140 may discharge the air bubbles at once, thereby reducing the phenomenon of intermittent spraying of air bubbles from the sprayer 140.
• the heating module 200 may be supplied with power by a battery 80.
• the wire 43 disposed in the extension tube 40 may be electrically connected to the mop brush head 100.
• the heating module 200 and the battery 80 may be electrically connected by the wire 43, the controller 273, and the second wire 233.
• the wire 43 disposed within the extension tube 40 may have a diameter of a certain size or less such that the wire 43 may be bent, in consideration of adjusting the length of the extension tube 40.
• the current or power that may flow through the wire 43 may vary.
• the wire 43 according to the embodiment of the disclosure may have an allowable current of 4.5 A or less.
• the current or power consumption of the heating module 200 of the mop brush head 100 may be less than or equal to a certain amount.
• the current used by the mop brush head 100 according to the embodiment of the disclosure may be 4.5 A or less.
• the current used by the mop brush head 100 may include at least one of a current for rotating the mop 123, a current for operating the heater 250, and a current for operating the pump 160.
• the sum of the current for rotating the mop 123, the current for operating the heater 250, and the current for operating the pump 160 may be greater than the current used by the mop brush head 100.
• the current for rotating the mop 123 is 1.5 A or less
• the current for operating the heater 250 is 3 A or less
• the current for operating the pump 160 is 0.5 A or less
• the maximum value of the sum of the currents may be 5 A.
• the heater 250 and the pump 160 may be operated at different times. In other words, the heater 250 and pump 160 may be operated sequentially.
• the controller 273 first operates the heater 250 to heat the water in the hot water tank 201. Then, the controller 273 may stop the operation of the heater 250 and operate the pump 160 to spray heated high-temperature water.
• heated high-temperature water is discharged from the hot water tank 201, and unheated low-temperature water is introduced. Even when low-temperature water flows into the hot water tank 201, the temperature of the water in the hot water tank 201 may be prevented from rapidly decreasing because the width of the channel CH is narrow. Accordingly, the water sprayed by the sprayer 140 may have little temperature difference between the beginning and the end of spraying.
• the channel CH of the channel structure 260 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hot water tank 201 and the plurality of channels CH are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the hot water tank 201 is described.
• the shape of the channel structure 260 is not limited thereto and may be modified in various manners.
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a heating module 200A according to an embodiment of the disclosure
• FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the heating module 200A of FIG. 15 , cut in a horizontal direction
• FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the heating module 200A, cut in a vertical direction
• FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a heating module 200B according to an embodiment of the disclosure, cut in the vertical direction.
• the heating module 200A may include a channel structure 260A. Because other configurations of the heating module 200A are substantially the same as the heating module 200 of the above-described embodiment of the disclosure, repeated description will be omitted.
• the channel structure 260A may include a plurality of channels CH extending in the longitudinal direction of the hot water tank 201, and the plurality of channels CH may be arranged in the width direction of the hot water tank 201.
• the plurality of channels CH may be connected to each other so that water flowing in through the inlet 202 moves toward the outlet 203.
• the channel structure 260A may be provided in an upper case 220A of the heating module 200A.
• An upper surface 2601A of the channel structure 260A may increase in height toward the outlet 203.
• the upper surface 2601A of the channel structure 260A may increase in height in the direction of water movement in the channel CH. Accordingly, air bubbles in the hot water tank 201 may move toward the outlet 203 along the inclined upper surface 2601A of the channel structure 260A.
• the shape of the upper surface 2601A of the channel structure 260A is not limited thereto and may vary according to the arrangement of the outlet 203 and the inlet 202.
• the outlet 203 may be disposed in a center portion of the hot water tank 201 rather than at an end portion thereof.
• an upper surface 2601B of the channel structure 260B may increase in height toward the center portion.
• the cleaner 1 is used by selectively mounting the suction brush head 10 or the mop brush head 100 .
• the cleaner according to the embodiment of the disclosure is not limited thereto.
• the cleaner 1 according to the embodiment of the disclosure may be a mop cleaner from which the mop brush head 100 is not detachable.
• the cleaner 1 according to the embodiment of the disclosure may include the mop brush head 100, and the main body 20 may be in a form that does not provide suction power.
• a cleaner and a mop brush head that can quickly clean a surface to be cleaned, by spraying high-temperature water on the surface to be cleaned may be provided.
• a cleaner and a mop brush head that can quickly clean a surface to be cleaned, by spraying high-temperature water with a small temperature difference may be provided.
• a cleaner and a mop brush head which are supplied with power from a battery and can quickly clean a surface to be cleaned, with water may be provided.
• a cleaner may include a mop brush head
• the mop brush head may include a head body, a mop attachable to the mop brush head so as to be disposed below the head body to contact a surface to be cleaned, and being detachable from the mop brush head, a sprayer configured to spray water toward the surface to be cleaned, a water tank in the head body and configured to store water, a hot water tank having an inlet through which water stored in the water tank flows into the hot water tank, an outlet through which water in the hot water tank flows to the sprayer, and a channel structure having a plurality of channels inside the hot water tank so that water in the hot water tank moves along a preset path through the plurality of channels from the inlet to the outlet, and a heater configured to heat the water in the hot water tank.
• the hot water tank, the channel structure, and the heater may be configured so that water in the hot water tank is heated by the heater as the water moves along the preset path through the plurality of channels of the channel structure, and a temperature difference in the water sprayed by the sprayer is within 10 % of a maximum temperature of the sprayed water.
• the plurality of channels may be parallel with each other, and adjacent channels of the plurality of channels may be connected to each other.
• a width of each channel of the plurality of channels may be smaller than a width of the hot water tank.
• the channel structure may include a channel wall extending in a vertical direction, and a lower end of the channel wall may be spaced apart from the heater.
• an upper surface of the channel structure may have a varying height in order to induce gas movement inside the hot water tank.
• heights of upper surfaces of the plurality of channels respectively may increase along at least a portion a flow path through which water moves in the hot water tank from the inlet to the outlet.
• the mop brush head may further include a lower case supporting the heater, an upper case coupled to the lower case, with the heater and the hot water tank therebetween, and a gasket between the lower case and the upper case to provide a seal between the lower case and the upper case.
• the heater may have a flat upper surface.
• the mop brush head may further include at least one of a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of water in the hot water tank, a water level sensor configured to measure a level of water in the hot water tank, and a power cutoff portion configured to selectively adjust power supplied to the heater according to temperature of the heater.
• a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of water in the hot water tank
• a water level sensor configured to measure a level of water in the hot water tank
• a power cutoff portion configured to selectively adjust power supplied to the heater according to temperature of the heater.
• the cleaner may further include a main body, a battery in the main body, an extension tube configured to connect the main body and the mop brush head to each other, and a wire having at least a portion disposed in the extension tube and configured to transmit power of the battery to the mop brush head to power the heater.
• a mop brush head is for use with a cleaner, and the mop brush head may include a head body, a mop attachable to the mop brush head so as to be disposed below the head body to contact a surface to be cleaned, and being detachable from the mop brush head, a sprayer configured to spray water toward the surface to be cleaned, a water tank in the head body and configured to store water, a hot water tank having an inlet through which water stored in the water tank flows into the hot water tank, an outlet through which water in the hot water tank flows to the sprayer, and a channel structure having a plurality of channels inside the hot water tank so that water in the hot water tank moves along a preset path through the plurality of channels from the inlet to the outlet, and a heater configured to heat the water in the hot water tank.
• the cleaner and mop brush head according to the embodiment of the disclosure can quickly clean the surface to be cleaned by spraying high-temperature water on the surface.
• the cleaner and mop brush head according to the embodiment of the disclosure can quickly clean the surface to be cleaned by spraying high-temperature water with a small temperature difference.
• the cleaner and the mop brush head according to the embodiment of the disclosure are supplied with power from a battery and can quickly clean, with water, the surface to be cleaned.

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• 2024
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