JP7569149B2 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning robots are known that apply a cleaning solution from a spray nozzle to a surface to be cleaned and wipe or scrub the surface to be cleaned using a pad held in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

JP 2018-86423 A

When wiping or polishing using a cleaning liquid, the member that wipes the surface to be cleaned (hereinafter referred to as the "wiping member") is moistened with the cleaning liquid.

However, simply supplying the cleaning liquid to the wiping member can result in some areas being overly wet and others being insufficiently wet, resulting in uneven moisture distribution on the wiping member. This can lead to uneven wiping results.

The present invention proposes a vacuum cleaner that can efficiently wet the wiping member with liquid to wipe the surface to be cleaned evenly.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a storage tank capable of storing liquid, a wiping member attachment section to which a wiping member can be attached and detached, and a supply section which supplies the liquid from the storage tank to the wiping member, the supply section having a plurality of supply ports which supply the liquid to the wiping member at the wiping member attachment section, and the plurality of supply ports are arranged in a non- linear line that is convex toward the forward movement direction, with three or more supply ports spaced approximately equally apart in the width direction of the wiping member attachment section, without overlapping in the forward movement direction.

1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a right side view of the vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping unit of a first example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping unit of a second example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping unit of a second example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping unit of a third example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping unit of a third example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping unit of a fourth example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping unit of a fourth example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial and schematic bottom view of the cleaning member attachment portion and the wiping portion of the first example of the vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a partial and schematic cross-sectional view of a cleaning member attachment portion and a wiping portion of a first example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a partial and schematic bottom view of a cleaning member attachment portion and a wiping portion of a second example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 14. Note that the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals in the various drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called autonomous vacuum cleaner or robot cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 1 moves autonomously by consuming power from a secondary battery 6 mounted in the main body 5. The vacuum cleaner 1 travels to move over a surface to be cleaned f, i.e., a floor surface, of a cleaning area A, which is a place to be cleaned within a living room. The vacuum cleaner 1 moves around the surface to be cleaned f of the cleaning area A to perform cleaning. The vacuum cleaner 1 moves comprehensively over the cleaning area A to perform cleaning. When the vacuum cleaner 1 finishes cleaning the surface to be cleaned f, it returns autonomously to the station 7 (also called "homing") and waits for the next cleaning operation.

The vacuum cleaner 1 may be a non-autonomous type that can be connected to and stored in the station 7, such as a canister type, upright type, stick type, or handheld type.

The station 7 can be installed on the surface f to be cleaned in the area A to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner 1 can be smoothly connected to or disconnected from the station 7. The station 7 functions as a so-called charging station. The station 7 includes a power cord 8 that conducts power from a commercial AC power source, and a charging circuit 9 that converts the AC voltage supplied via the power cord 8 into a DC voltage to charge the secondary battery 6.

The vacuum cleaner 1 that has returned to the station 7 charges the secondary battery 6, for example, while waiting for the next cleaning operation. This saves the user the trouble of having to charge the vacuum cleaner 1, and allows the vacuum cleaner 1 to respond to sudden cleaning operations requested by the user.

Figure 2 is a right side view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Note that the solid arrow F in Figures 2 and 3 indicates the forward direction of the vacuum cleaner 1.

As shown in Fig. 1, as well as Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment includes a main body 5, a moving unit 11 that moves the main body 5, a cleaning unit 12 that cleans the surface to be cleaned f below the main body 5, a detection unit 13 that detects objects to be detected around the main body 5, a control unit 15 that controls the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1, and a secondary battery 6 that supplies power to each part of the vacuum cleaner 1.

The vacuum cleaner 1 also includes a storage tank 16 provided in the main body 5 for storing a liquid, for example, water, an electrolytic water generator 17 for generating electrolytic water by electrolyzing the water stored in the storage tank 16, a first supply unit 18 for supplying the liquid stored in the storage tank 16 to the outside of the main body 5, and a second supply unit 19 for supplying the liquid stored in the storage tank 16 to the inside of the main body 5. In other words, the vacuum cleaner 1 includes:

The main body 5 includes a main body case 21 made of, for example, synthetic resin, and a bumper 22 provided on the side of the main body case 21. The main body case 21 is the outer shell of the main body 5. The bumper 22 is provided on the side of the main body case 21.

The main body 5 has a flattened cylindrical shape, in other words, a disk shape. The main body 5, which is substantially circular in plan view, can reduce the turning radius during turning compared to other shapes. In addition, in plan view, the main body 5 may be shaped like a square, or may be shaped like a constant width figure whose diametric width is always constant, such as a Reuleaux triangle.

The main body case 21 and the storage tank 16 cooperate to define the outline of the main body 5 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the main body case 21 and the storage tank 16 have an arc-shaped outline cut by a chord in a plan view. The arc-shaped outline of the main body case 21 and the arc-shaped outline of the storage tank 16 combine with each other at their respective chords to draw the circular outline of the main body 5. Even if the main body 5 has a shape other than a circle, the outline of the main body case 21 and the outline of the storage tank 16 combine to draw the outline of the main body 5. It is preferable that the storage tank 16 is located inside the trajectory drawn by the outline of the main body case 21 when the main body 5 is turned (spin turn, neutral turn, counter-rotation turn).

The height of the main body case 21 and the height of the storage tank 16 are substantially the same. The height of the main body case 21 and the height of the storage tank 16 may be different. For example, the height of the storage tank 16 may be higher than the height of the main body case 21, and the storage tank 16 may protrude upward. The height of the storage tank 16 may be lower than the height of the main body case 21, and the storage tank 16 may be recessed. Furthermore, the height of the storage tank 16 may be lower than the height of the main body case 21, and the storage tank 16 may be mounted on the upper surface of the main body case 21. In such a case, the upper surface of the main body case 21 may have a step between the part where the storage tank 16 is mounted and the other parts. And, it is preferable that the height of the upper surface of the storage tank 16 and the upper surface of the main body case 21 are substantially the same when the storage tank 16 is mounted on the main body case 21.

The moving unit 11 includes a number of drive wheels 26, a number of electric motors 27 that individually drive each of the drive wheels 26, and driven wheels 28 that, together with the drive wheels 26, support the main body 5 on the surface to be cleaned f.

Each drive wheel 26 transmits the force that moves the main body 5 to the surface to be cleaned f. Each drive wheel 26 rotates about an axis that extends in the width direction (left-right width direction) of the main body 5. The multiple drive wheels 26 include at least a pair of drive wheels 26. The axles of the pair of drive wheels 26 are arranged substantially on the same line. The pair of drive wheels 26 enable the vacuum cleaner 1 to move straight and turn. The drive wheels 26 are pressed against the surface to be cleaned f by a suspension device (so-called suspension). The vacuum cleaner 1 may be equipped with caterpillars instead of the drive wheels 26.

Each electric motor 27 drives each drive wheel 26 independently. The vacuum cleaner 1 moves straight (forward or backward) by rotating the left and right drive wheels 26 in the same direction, and turns (right or left) by rotating the left and right drive wheels 26 in different directions. In addition, the vacuum cleaner 1 can adjust the forward or backward speed by increasing or decreasing the output of the left and right drive wheels 26, and can adjust the turning radius by differentiating the output of the left and right drive wheels 26.

The driven wheels 28 are located at the front and approximately the center in the width direction of the lower part of the main body 5. The driven wheels 28 are, for example, casters. The driven wheels 28 change direction following the forward movement, backward movement, and turning of the vacuum cleaner 1, stabilizing the movement of the vacuum cleaner 1. It is preferable that the center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner 1 supported by the drive wheels 26 and the driven wheels 28 is located inside the triangle formed by the pair of drive wheels 26 and the driven wheels 28. This allows the vacuum cleaner 1 to move stably.

The cleaning unit 12 cleans dust on the surface f to be cleaned directly below the main body 5 and around it. The cleaning unit 12 includes a suction cleaning unit 31 that creates negative pressure to suck in dust on the surface f to be cleaned, and a wiping cleaning unit 32 that wipes or polishes the surface f to be cleaned below the main body 5.

The suction cleaning unit 31 includes a suction port 34 provided on the bottom surface of the main body 5, a rotating brush 35 arranged at the suction port 34, a brush motor 36 that rotates the rotating brush 35, a dust container 37 provided in the main body 5 as a dust collection unit, and an electric blower 38 housed within the main body 5 and fluidly connected to the dust container 37.

The air passage that runs from the suction port 34 through the dust container 37 to the suction side of the electric blower 38 is the suction air passage 39 that is fluidly connected to the suction side of the electric blower 38. The suction air passage 39 includes an upstream air passage 39u that runs from the suction port 34 to the dust container 37, and a downstream air passage 39d that runs from the dust container 37 to the electric blower 38.

The air passage from the exhaust side of the electric blower 38 to the exhaust port of the main body 5 is an exhaust air passage 41 that is fluidly connected to the discharge side of the electric blower 38. The exhaust air from the electric blower 38 is exhausted to the outside of the main body 5 through the exhaust air passage 41.

The suction port 34 sucks in dust along with air due to the negative pressure generated by the electric blower 38. The suction port 34 is located forward of the wiping part 32 in the forward direction F. The suction port 34 extends in the width direction of the main body 5. In other words, the opening width of the suction port 34 in the left-right direction is greater than the opening width of the suction port 34 in the front-rear direction. Because the bottom surface of the main body 5 faces the surface f to be cleaned during autonomous movement, the suction port 34 can easily suck in dust on the surface f to be cleaned, or dust that the rotating brush 35 has swept up from the surface f to be cleaned.

The center line of rotation of the rotating brush 35 is oriented in the width direction of the vacuum cleaner 1. When the vacuum cleaner 1 is placed on the surface f to be cleaned in a movable state, the rotating brush 35 comes into contact with the surface f to be cleaned. Therefore, the rotating brush 35, which is driven to rotate, stirs up dust on the surface f to be cleaned. The stirred-up dust is efficiently sucked into the suction port 34.

The brush motor 36 rotates the rotating brush 35 in the forward or reverse direction. The forward direction of the rotating brush 35 is the rotation direction that assists the propulsive force of the vacuum cleaner 1 when moving forward. The reverse direction of the rotating brush 35 is the rotation direction that assists the propulsive force of the vacuum cleaner 1 when moving backward.

The dust container 37 is a part of the suction air passage 39. The dust container 37 accumulates dust sucked from the suction port 34 by the suction negative pressure generated by the electric blower 38. The dust container 37 is a filter that filters and collects dust, or a separation device that accumulates dust by inertial separation such as centrifugal separation (cyclone separation) or straight-line separation (a separation method that separates dust and air by the difference in inertial force between straight-line air and dust). The dust container 37 is detachable from the main body 5. The dust container 37 has a lid that can be opened and closed. A user can remove the dust container 37 from the main body 5 and open the lid of the dust container 37 to easily discard the dust accumulated in the dust container 37, or clean or wash the dust container 37.

The electric blower 38 is driven by consuming power from the secondary battery 6. The electric blower 38 draws in air from the dust container 37 to generate a negative suction pressure. The negative pressure generated in the dust container 37 acts on the suction port 34. The main body 5 has an exhaust port that allows the exhaust air from the electric blower 38 to flow outside the main body 5.

The wiping unit 32 is located at the bottom of the main body 5, behind the suction port 34.

In the forward direction of the vacuum cleaner 1 (solid arrow F in FIG. 2), the suction port 34 and the wiping member 43 are aligned from front to back, and the suction port 34 is positioned in front of the wiping member 43. In other words, the wiping member 43 is positioned behind the suction port 34. Therefore, when the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward, the suction port 34 moves ahead of the wiping member 43. Therefore, the wiping unit 32 wipes the surface to be cleaned after dust has been removed by the suction unit 31.

The wiping unit 32, for example, wipes or polishes the surface to be cleaned f below the main body 5. The wiping unit 32 includes a wiping member attachment portion 45 to which the wiping member 43 can be attached and detached, and the wiping member 43.

The wiping member attachment section 45 is a base on which the sheet-shaped wiping member 43 is attached using a hook-and-loop fastener, the sheet-shaped wiping member 43 is wrapped around it, or a part of the wiping member 43 is inserted into an insertion port. The wiping member attachment section 45 brings the wiping member 43 into contact with the surface to be cleaned f when the vacuum cleaner 1 is placed on the surface to be cleaned f. The wiping member attachment section 45 itself may also be detachable from the vacuum cleaner 1.

The wiping member 43 is a wiping sheet made of a fiber material such as a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. The wiping member 43 is a variety of cleaning tools that have moisture absorption properties, such as a wiper sheet, a duster cloth, a dusting cloth, or a mop (a mass of fibers at the tip excluding the handle). The material of the wiping member 43 is a synthetic fiber such as natural fiber such as cotton, regenerated fiber such as cellulose, polyester fiber, polyamide fiber such as nylon 6, nylon 66, or nylon 46, or polyolefin fiber such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The wiping member 43 may be a sponge. The wiping member 43 may also have a member made of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) as an integral part. The superabsorbent polymer is a so-called absorbent polymer, a superabsorbent resin, or a polymer absorbent. The wiping member 43 that has a member made of a superabsorbent polymer as an integral part can hold a larger amount of electrolytic water.

The wiping member 43 can be attached and detached to the bottom surface of the wiping member attachment portion 45. When the vacuum cleaner 1 is placed in a movable state on the surface f to be cleaned, the wiping part 32 comes into contact with the surface f to be cleaned. It is preferable that the wiping part 32 is pressed against the surface f to be cleaned with a pressure that does not cause the drive wheels 26 to spin freely on the surface f to be cleaned. An elastic member such as foamed resin is provided between the wiping part 32 and the bottom surface of the main body 5. This elastic member presses the wiping part 32 against the surface f to be cleaned with a uniform pressure.

The wiping member 43 is also one aspect of the first supply unit 18 that supplies electrolytic water to the outside of the main body 5. The wiping member 43 wipes the surface to be cleaned f while being wet with electrolytic water supplied from the electrolytic water generator 17.

Furthermore, when the electrolytic water is supplied to the surface to be cleaned f without passing through the wiping member 43, the wiping member 43 can also wipe off the electrolytic water sprayed on the surface to be cleaned f.

In other words, the wiping member 43 can be used for wet wiping, in which the electrolytic water is absorbed and applied to the surface f to be cleaned, and can also be used for dry wiping, in which the electrolytic water sprayed on the surface f to be cleaned is wiped off. In other words, the vacuum cleaner 1 sprays or applies electrolytic water containing hypochlorous acid to the surface f to be cleaned as it moves, disinfecting the surface f to be cleaned.

Whether the wiping by the wiping member 43 is a dry wipe or a wet wipe depends on the amount of electrolytic water sprayed from the electrolytic water generator 17 onto the surface to be cleaned f and the amount of electrolytic water supplied from the electrolytic water generator 17 to the wiping member 43. For example, if the amount of electrolytic water sprayed on the floor surface is small, the electrolytic water evaporates before it moistens the wiping member 43. In such a case, the dry wiping by the wiping member 43 continues. If the amount of electrolytic water sprayed on the floor surface is large, the electrolytic water moistens the wiping member 43 without evaporating completely. In such a case, the dry wiping by the wiping member 43 will eventually transition from a dry wipe to a wet wipe.

The detection unit 13 detects a detected object approaching the main body 5 as the main body 5 moves, or a detected object coming into contact with the main body 5. The detection unit 13 includes a camera unit 51 provided on the main body 5 for capturing images of the surroundings of the vacuum cleaner 1, a proximity detection unit 52 provided on the main body 5 for detecting that the main body 5 has approached an object other than the vacuum cleaner 1, i.e., a detected object, and a contact detection unit 53 provided on the main body 5 for detecting that the main body 5 has come into contact with an object other than the vacuum cleaner 1, i.e., a detected object.

The camera unit 51 is located on the front of the main body 5 and captures images of the area in front of the vacuum cleaner 1, i.e., the direction in which it travels when moving forward.

In place of or in addition to the camera unit 51, the vacuum cleaner 1 may be equipped with a distance measuring device 55 that obtains depth information in the shooting range using a different principle than that of a stereo camera.

The proximity detection unit 52 is, for example, an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. A proximity detection unit 52 that uses an infrared sensor includes a light-emitting element that emits infrared rays and a light-receiving element that receives the light and converts it into an electrical signal. The proximity detection unit 52 emits infrared rays from the light-emitting element, receives the infrared rays reflected by the detected object with the light-receiving element and converts it into electricity, and when the converted electricity reaches a certain level or more, it detects that the detected object has come within a certain distance before the main body 5 comes into contact with the detected object. A proximity detection unit 52 that uses an ultrasonic sensor detects the detected object using ultrasonic waves instead of infrared rays.

The contact detection unit 53 is a so-called bumper sensor. The contact detection unit 53 is linked to the bumper 22, which absorbs the impact on the main body 5 when the moving main body 5 comes into contact with a detected object. When the bumper 22 comes into contact with a detected object, it displaces or moves so as to be pushed inward into the main body 5. The contact detection unit 53 detects the displacement or movement of the bumper 22 and detects that the main body 5 has come into contact with the detected object. The contact detection unit 53 includes, for example, a microswitch that is turned on or off by the displacement or movement of the bumper 22, or an infrared sensor or ultrasonic sensor that measures the amount of displacement or movement of the bumper 22 without contact.

The secondary battery 6 stores the power consumed by each part of the vacuum cleaner 1, including the moving unit 11, the cleaning unit 12, the detection unit 13, the control unit 15, and the power supply unit 57 of the electrolytic water generating device 17. The secondary battery 6 supplies power to each part of the vacuum cleaner 1, including the moving unit 11, the cleaning unit 12, the detection unit 13, and the control unit 15. The secondary battery 6 is, for example, a lithium ion battery, and has a control circuit that controls charging and discharging. This control circuit outputs information related to the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 6 to the control unit 15.

The storage tank 16 is a container for storing water or an aqueous solution such as salt water. The water stored in the storage tank 16 may be tap water. It is preferable that the storage tank 16 is detachable from the main body 5 to increase the convenience of supplying water. The storage tank 16 has a lid that can be opened and closed. The storage tank 16 can easily be supplied with water or salt water by opening the lid.

The electrolytic water generating device 17, for example, electrolyzes water to generate electrolytic water in which ozone is dissolved, or electrolyzes salt water to generate electrolytic water in which hypochlorous acid (HClO, Hypochlorous Acid) is dissolved. In Japan, the Water Supply Act stipulates that tap water that is readily available at home contains chlorine. In Japan's Water Supply Act, the chlorine concentration in tap water is set at 1/10 ppm (parts per million by mass, milligrams per liter) or more (Article 17, item 3 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Water Supply Act (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Ordinance) based on Article 22 of the Water Supply Act). The electrolytic water generating device 17 can easily generate electrolytic water containing hypochlorous acid by electrolyzing water that contains chlorine, such as tap water in Japan, or an aqueous solution in which chlorides are dissolved. The chloride may be, for example, salt, which is easily available at ordinary households. In other words, the aqueous solution in which chlorides are dissolved may be salt water. The electrolytic water generating device 17 includes multiple electrodes 61, including positive and negative electrodes, and a power supply unit 57 that supplies DC power to the multiple electrodes 61 using power supplied from a secondary battery 6.

The electrode 61 of the electrolytic water generating device 17 is made of a material that does not easily dissolve in water, such as titanium or platinum. To promote electrolysis, the electrode 61 may support a platinum group metal such as iridium, platinum, or ruthenium, or an oxide thereof. Chemical species such as hydrogen peroxide, active oxygen, and OH radicals are generated in the electrolytic water. The electrode 61 is provided in the storage tank 16. The electrode 61 applies a direct current supplied from the power supply unit 57 to the water.

The power supply unit 57 appropriately adjusts the voltage of the DC power supplied from the secondary battery 6 and applies it to the electrode 61.

The electrolytic water generator 17 may be a single-chamber type with no partition between the positive and negative electrodes, or a multi-chamber type including a two-chamber type with a partition between the positive and negative electrodes, or a three-chamber type. The single-chamber electrolytic water generator 17 neutralizes the acidic ionized water generated on the positive electrode side and the alkaline ionized water generated on the negative electrode side to generate electrolytic water containing an appropriate concentration of hypochlorous acid. On the other hand, the multi-chamber electrolytic water generator 17 generates acidic ionized water in the chamber housing the positive electrode and alkaline ionized water in the chamber housing the negative electrode.

In addition, with a multi-chamber electrolyzed water generator 17, the amount of acidic ionized water and alkaline ionized water used may be uneven, which may result in the burden of disposing of the remaining ionized water. With a single-chamber electrolyzed water generator 17, unlike the multi-chamber type, the burden of disposing of the remaining ionized water does not arise, and in some cases this may be more convenient for users than the multi-chamber type.

The inventors have found that the surface to be cleaned f can be disinfected by diffusing or spraying electrolytic water with a hypochlorous acid concentration of 5 ppm or more at a supply rate of 1/10 microliter per square centimeter or more to the surface to be cleaned f. The electrolytic water generating device 17 has the ability to generate electrolytic water with a hypochlorous acid concentration of 5 ppm or more by electrolyzing water with a chlorine concentration of 1/10 ppm or more, that is, water that meets the requirements for tap water under the Japanese Water Supply Act. Note that if the chlorine concentration of tap water is low and it is difficult to generate electrolytic water with a hypochlorous acid concentration of 5 ppm or more even by electrolyzing the tap water, a chloride, for example, salt, can be dissolved in the tap water.

The vacuum cleaner 1 does not have to be equipped with an electrolytic water generating device 17. In other words, the vacuum cleaner 1 may store generated electrolytic water in the storage tank 16 and use it to disinfect the area A to be cleaned.

The first supply unit 18 supplies electrolytic water to the surface f to be cleaned at a supply rate of at least 1/10 microliter per square centimeter so that the electrolytic water can be diffused or sprayed. The first supply unit 18 supplies electrolytic water to at least one of the wiping member 43 and the surface f to be cleaned. The first supply unit 18 includes a pipe 62 that guides electrolytic water from the storage tank 16, a first supply mechanism 65 that supplies electrolytic water from the storage tank 16 to the wiping member 43, and a second supply mechanism 66 that supplies electrolytic water from the storage tank 16 to the surface f to be cleaned.

The first supply mechanism 65 supplies electrolytic water directly to the wiping member 43 to moisten the wiping member 43, while the second supply mechanism 66 sprinkles electrolytic water on the surface to be cleaned f, thereby indirectly supplying the electrolytic water to the wiping member 43 via the surface to be cleaned f to moisten the wiping member 43.

The first supply mechanism 65 includes a wetting supply port 71 that supplies electrolytic water to the rear surface of the wiping member 43, and a first opening/closing valve 72 that is provided midway through the piping 62 and that switches between supplying and cutting off the supply of electrolytic water to the wetting supply port 71.

There may be multiple wetting supply ports 71. For example, the wetting supply ports 71 are arranged in a row in the width direction of the main body 5, i.e., in the width direction of the wiping member 43. The wetting supply ports 71 arranged in this manner can wet a wide area of the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water. The wetting supply port 71 may also be an elongated, flat opening with a long side extending in the width direction of the main body 5.

The first on-off valve 72 is a so-called solenoid valve. The first supply mechanism 65 opens the first on-off valve 72 to supply electrolytic water at the height difference between the water level of the electrolytic water in the storage tank 16 and the wetting supply port 71, that is, the head difference. The first supply mechanism 65 may be equipped with a pump that draws up the electrolytic water in the storage tank 16 instead of the first on-off valve 72. The first supply mechanism 65 may also be a flow path that simply drains the electrolytic water in the storage tank 16, such as a thin tube or an orifice. In such a case, the inner diameter of the thin tube or the diameter of the orifice is appropriately set to obtain the required supply amount of electrolytic water (supply amount per unit time).

The second supply mechanism 66 includes a spray supply port 73 that sprays electrolytic water onto the surface to be cleaned f, and a second opening/closing valve 74 that is provided midway along the piping 62 and that switches between supplying and cutting off the supply of electrolytic water to the spray supply port 73.

The spray supply port 73 is, for example, a nozzle capable of spraying electrolytic water. The electrolytic water is supplied to the surface f to be cleaned that is sandwiched between the suction port 34 and the wiping member 43. In other words, the first supply unit 18 supplies electrolytic water to the surface f to be cleaned that is sandwiched between the suction port 34 and the wiping member 43 from the spray supply port 73 that is located forward of the wiping member 43 and the wiping member attachment portion 45 in the traveling direction of the vacuum cleaner 1.

There may be multiple spray supply ports 73. For example, the spray supply ports 73 are arranged in a row in the width direction of the main body 5, i.e., in the width direction of the wiping member 43. The spray supply ports 73 arranged in this manner spray electrolytic water over a wider area as the main body 5 moves forward. The spray supply port 73 may also be an elongated, flat nozzle having a long side extending in the width direction of the main body 5.

The second on-off valve 74 is a so-called solenoid valve. The second supply mechanism 66 opens the second on-off valve 74 to supply electrolytic water at the height difference between the water level in the storage tank 16 and the spray supply port 73, that is, the head difference. The second supply mechanism 66 may be equipped with a pump that draws up the electrolytic water in the storage tank 16 instead of the second on-off valve 74. The second supply mechanism 66 may also be a flow path that simply drains the electrolytic water in the storage tank 16, such as a thin tube or an orifice. In such a case, the inner diameter of the thin tube or the diameter of the orifice is appropriately set to obtain the required supply amount of electrolytic water (supply amount per unit time).

The first supply unit 18 also includes a third supply mechanism 67 that supplies electrolytic water from the storage tank 16 to the atmosphere surrounding the main body 5. The third supply mechanism 67 includes a first atomization device 75 that atomizes the electrolytic water and supplies it to the atmosphere surrounding the main body 5, and a first water guide path 76 that guides the electrolytic water to the first atomization device 75.

The first atomization device 75 is provided at the top of the storage tank 16. The first atomization device 75 diffuses or sprays the atomized electrolytic water from the top of the storage tank 16 into the atmosphere surrounding the main body 5.

The first atomization device 75 uses various atomization methods, such as a heating type that heats electrolytic water to atomize it, an ultrasonic type that vibrates electrolytic water with ultrasonic waves to atomize it, a spray using the Venturi effect, for example, a method of atomizing electrolytic water with a spray bottle, electrostatic atomization that atomizes electrolytic water using corona discharge, and a water crushing type that disperses electrolytic water with a high-speed rotating propeller or the like to crush the water molecules. In any method, the first atomization device 75 atomizes the electrolytic water to include fine particles with a diameter of 100 micrometers or less, and more preferably, the electrolytic water to include fine particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.

The first water conduction path 76 is a rope or cord that draws up the electrolytic water in the storage tank 16, for example, by capillary action.

The second supply unit 19 supplies the electrolytic water stored in the storage tank 16 to the suction air duct 39. The second supply unit 19 may supply the electrolytic water to the upstream air duct 39u connecting the suction port 34 and the dust container 37, may supply the electrolytic water stored in the storage tank 16 to the dust container 37, or may supply the electrolytic water to the downstream air duct 39d connecting the dust container 37 and the electric blower 38. In other words, the second supply unit 19 supplies the electrolytic water stored in the storage tank 16 to at least one of the upstream air duct 39u connecting the suction port 34 and the dust container 37, the inside of the dust container 37, and the downstream air duct 39d connecting the dust container 37 and the electric blower 38.

The second supply unit 19 vaporizes the electrolytic water and supplies the electrolytic water to at least one of the upstream air passage 39u connecting the suction port 34 and the dust container 37, the inside of the dust container 37, and the downstream air passage 39d connecting the dust container 37 and the electric blower 38. The second supply unit 19 is provided with a second atomization device 77 that atomizes the electrolytic water and supplies it to at least one of the upstream air passage 39u, the dust container 37, and the downstream air passage 39d connecting the dust container 37 and the electric blower 38, and a second water guide path 78 that guides the electrolytic water from the storage tank 16 to the second atomization device 77.

The second mist device 77 may be exposed to the upstream air passage 39u itself or a space connected to the upstream air passage 39u, the dust container 37 itself or a space connected to the dust container 37, or the downstream air passage 39d itself or a space connected to the downstream air passage 39d. The second mist device 77 diffuses or sprays the atomized electrolytic water to at least one of the upstream air passage 39u, the dust container 37, and the downstream air passage 39d.

Here, the "space connected to the upstream air passage 39u," "space connected to the dust container 37," and "space connected to the downstream air passage 39d" include areas where the negative suction pressure generated by the electric blower 38 acts to create sufficient air flow, and also include areas where the negative suction pressure generated by the electric blower 38 acts but the air does not flow sufficiently due to the negative suction pressure, causing the air flow to stagnate.

The second atomization device 77 uses various atomization methods, such as a heating type that heats electrolytic water to atomize it, an ultrasonic type that vibrates electrolytic water with ultrasonic waves to atomize it, a spray using the Venturi effect, for example, a method of atomizing electrolytic water with a spray bottle, electrostatic atomization that atomizes electrolytic water using corona discharge, and a water crushing type that disperses electrolytic water with a high-speed rotating propeller or the like to crush the water molecules. In any method, the second atomization device 77 atomizes the electrolytic water to include fine particles with a diameter of 100 micrometers or less, and more preferably, the electrolytic water to include fine particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.

The second water guide path 78 may be, for example, a pipe connecting the storage tank 16 and the second atomization device 77, or it may be a rope or cord that sucks up the electrolytic water in the storage tank 16, for example, by capillary action, and guides it to the second atomization device 77.

In addition, instead of or in addition to the second atomization device 77, the second supply unit 19 may be provided with a water holding body 79 that vaporizes electrolytic water in at least one of the upstream air passage 39u connecting the suction port 34 and the dust container 37, the inside of the dust container 37, and the downstream air passage 39d connecting the dust container 37 and the electric blower 38.

The water holding body 79 is connected to the storage tank 16 via the same or different water conducting path as the second atomization device 77. The water holding body 79 absorbs the electrolytic water supplied through the water conducting path and becomes moist with the electrolytic water. A part of the water holding body 79 is in contact with the electrolytic water passing through the water conducting path connecting the storage tank 16 and the water holding body 79. A part of the water holding body 79 may be in direct contact with the electrolytic water in the storage tank 16 without passing through the water conducting path. The other part of the water holding body 79 may be exposed to the upstream air duct 39u itself or a space connected to the upstream air duct 39u, the dust container 37 itself or a space connected to the dust container 37, or the downstream air duct 39d itself or a space connected to the downstream air duct 39d.

The water-retaining body 79 retains electrolytic water by its water-absorbing property. In addition, the water-retaining body 79 absorbs electrolytic water from the water-conducting path connecting the storage tank 16 and the water-retaining body 79 by its water-absorbing property. In other words, the vacuum cleaner 1 supplies electrolytic water to at least one of the upstream air duct 39u connecting the suction port 34 and the dust container 37, the inside of the dust container 37, and the downstream air duct 39d connecting the dust container 37 and the electric blower 38 by bringing a water-absorbing member into contact with the electrolytic water. The water-retaining body 79 can suck up and move the liquid by capillary action even if the supply location of the electrolytic water (the upstream air duct 39u, the dust container 37, or the downstream air duct 39d) is located higher than the storage tank 16. By changing the degree of water absorption and size of the water-retaining body 79, it is possible to adjust the suction force and height and avoid oversupply. The water-retaining body 79 may be located lower than the storage tank 16. In this case, the electrolytic water is easily supplied to the water holding body 79 due to the head difference.

The water-retaining body 79 is, for example, a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. The material of the water-retaining body 79 is natural fiber such as cotton, regenerated fiber such as cellulose, synthetic fiber such as polyester fiber, polyamide fiber such as nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 46, polyolefin fiber such as polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. The water-retaining body 79 may be a sponge. The water-retaining body 79 may also have an integral member made of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The water-retaining body 79 having an integral member made of a superabsorbent polymer can better retain the electrolytic water of the target.

The electrolytic water vaporizes until the vapor pressure of the gas in the intake duct 39 reaches the saturated vapor pressure. The vaporized electrolytic water reaches the dust container 37 through the intake duct 39 and sterilizes the dust accumulated in the dust container 37.

The water holding body 79 can vaporize electrolytic water by the air flow in the upstream air passage 39u and inside the dust container 37, and supply the electrolytic water to the dust container 37. The electrolytic water vaporized by the air flow sterilizes the dust accumulated in the dust container 37. In addition, a part of the electrolytic water passes through the dust container 37 by the suction negative pressure, reaches the electric blower 38, and sterilizes the exhaust air of the electric blower 38. In addition, the water holding body 79 vaporizes electrolytic water by the air flow in the downstream air passage 39d, passes through the dust container 37, reaches the electric blower 38, and sterilizes the exhaust air of the electric blower 38. In addition, the water holding body 79 can vaporize electrolytic water in the upstream air passage 39u, inside the dust container 37, and downstream air passage 39d when the electric blower 38 is stopped, and supply the electrolytic water to the dust container 37. The vaporized electrolytic water diffuses within the intake air duct 39 and sterilizes the dust accumulated in the dust container 37.

When the second supply unit 19 is provided in the downstream air passage 39d, the exhaust air from the electric blower 38 can be disinfected by vaporizing the electrolytic water while the electric blower 38 is operating. In other words, when the second supply unit 19 is provided in the downstream air passage 39d, the entire amount of vaporized electrolytic water can be used to disinfect the exhaust air blown out from the vacuum cleaner 1 while the electric blower 38 is operating, and the dust accumulated in the dust container 37 can be disinfected while the electric blower 38 is stopped.

On the other hand, when the second supply unit 19 is provided in the upstream air duct 39u or the dust container 37, the second supply unit 19 can vaporize the electrolytic water by the air flow in the suction air duct 39 and supply the electrolytic water to the dust container 37. The electrolytic water vaporized by the air flow in the suction air duct 39 sterilizes the dust accumulated in the dust container 37. In addition, a portion of the electrolytic water that reaches the dust container 37 passes through the dust container 37 by the suction negative pressure and reaches the electric blower 38 to sterilize the exhaust air from the electric blower 38.

The vacuum cleaner 1 is provided with a moisture absorbing section 80 that is provided in the suction air duct 39 and absorbs electrolytic water (moisture) sucked into the suction air duct 39 by the suction negative pressure. When electrolytic water is sucked into the suction air duct 39, the moisture absorbing section 80 absorbs the electrolytic water before it reaches the electric blower 38, thereby preventing the electrolytic water from reaching the electric blower 38. The moisture absorbing section 80 is, for example, a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. The material of the moisture absorbing section 80 is a synthetic fiber such as natural fiber such as cotton, regenerated fiber such as cellulose, polyester fiber, polyamide fiber such as nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 46, and polyolefin fiber such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The moisture absorbing section 80 may be a sponge. The moisture absorbing section 80 may also have a member made of a superabsorbent polymer (superabsorbent polymer, SAP, so-called absorbent polymer, superabsorbent resin, polymer absorbent) as an integral part. The moisture absorbing part 80, which has an integral member made of highly absorbent polymer, can hold a larger amount of electrolytic water.

The moisture absorbing unit 80 may be provided in the upstream air passage 39u of the suction air passage 39, or in the downstream air passage 39d. The moisture absorbing unit 80 may be provided in the dust container 37. The moisture absorbing unit 80 may be provided downstream of the air flow from the second mist making device 77 and the water holding body 79. In other words, the moisture absorbing unit 80 is closer to the electric blower 38 in the suction air passage 39 than the second mist making device 77 and the water holding body 79. The moisture absorbing unit 80 may also serve as a filter for the dust container 37 that separates dust from the dust-laden air sucked into the suction air passage 39.

Next, the first supply unit 18 will be described in detail. Note that in the first supply unit 18A of the first example (hereinafter simply referred to as "first supply unit 18A"), the first supply unit 18B of the second example (hereinafter simply referred to as "first supply unit 18B"), the first supply unit 18C of the third example (hereinafter simply referred to as "first supply unit 18C"), and the first supply unit 18D of the fourth example (hereinafter simply referred to as "first supply unit 18D") described in each example, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

Figure 4 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply section and a wiping section of a first example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first supply unit 18A of the first example of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment has at least one wet supply port 71A. The wet supply port 71A has a first supply port 82a that supplies electrolytic water to the wiping member 43 at the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45. The solid arrow F in FIG. 4 indicates the forward movement direction of the vacuum cleaner 1, the wiping member attachment portion 45, and the wiping member 43.

The first supply port 82a supplies electrolytic water to the wiping member 43 at the center in the width direction of the wiping member attachment part 45. It is preferable that the center in the width direction of the wiping member attachment part 45 coincides with the center of the main body 5.

In addition, instead of the wetting supply port 71A, the vacuum cleaner 1 may supply electrolytic water from the spreading supply port 73 of the second supply mechanism 66 to the surface to be cleaned f forward of the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment part 45 to moisten the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment part 45.

The amount of electrolyzed water supplied per unit time from the first supply unit 18A is sufficient to moisten the wiping member 43, and is preferably adjusted so that a large amount of electrolyzed water does not remain on the surface to be cleaned f in the form of droplets or puddles after the wiping member 43 has passed.

When the vacuum cleaner 1 is moving forward, the wiping member 43 is in contact with the surface f to be cleaned. The part of the wiping member 43 that is in firm contact with the surface f to be cleaned is the part sandwiched between the wiping member attachment part 45 and the surface f to be cleaned. This part of the wiping member 43 sandwiched between the wiping member attachment part 45 and the surface f to be cleaned is called the wiping contributing part 85. The maximum range of the wiping contributing part 85 is the projected shape of the wiping member attachment part 45 onto the surface f to be cleaned, and the wiping contributing part 85 may be smaller than the projected shape of the wiping member attachment part 45.

Therefore, the electrolytic water supplied to the wiping member 43 at the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 immediately moistens the front edge of the wiping-contributing portion 85. This moisture at the front edge of the wiping-contributing portion 85 spreads toward the rear of the wiping member 43 as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

The electrolytic water supplied to the wiping member 43 at the center of the width of the wiping member attachment portion 45 immediately moistens the center of the front edge of the wiping member 85. This moisture at the center of the front edge of the wiping member 85 spreads toward the rear of the wiping member 43 as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

At this time, the part of the wiping member 43 that is not yet wet wipes off excess electrolytic water from the surface to be cleaned f.

In this way, the first supply unit 18A in the first example can instantly moisten the front edge or the center of the front edge of the wiping-contributing portion 85, efficiently wetting the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water to wipe the surface f to be cleaned evenly.

Figures 5 and 6 are schematic bottom views of a first supply section and a wiping section of a second example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first supply section 18B of the second example of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment has multiple wet supply ports 71B. In addition to the first supply port 82a like the wet supply port 71A of the first example, the multiple wet supply ports 71B include multiple second supply ports 82b that supply electrolytic water to the wiping member 43 behind the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment section 45 and at each of the left and right side portions 45b of the wiping member attachment section 45.

The multiple wet supply ports 71B are arranged in a U-shape that opens toward the rear of the vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in FIG. 5, or in a V-shape that opens toward the rear of the vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in FIG. 6. The arrangement of the wet supply ports 71B includes a first supply port 82a and a second supply port 82b. The multiple second supply ports 82b are arranged substantially symmetrically toward the rear of the vacuum cleaner 1, with the first supply port 82a at the apex. In other words, the second supply ports 82b that are arranged at positions farther away from the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 are closer to the left and right side portions 45b of the wiping member attachment portion 45.

In other words, the multiple wetting supply ports 71B supply electrolytic water to the wiping member 43 at locations rearward of the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 and away from the center line C that bisects the wiping member attachment portion 45 in the width direction toward each of the left and right edges of the wiping member attachment portion 45.

The amount of electrolyzed water supplied per unit time from the first supply unit 18B is sufficient to moisten the wiping member 43, and is preferably adjusted so that a large amount of electrolyzed water does not remain on the surface to be cleaned f in the form of droplets or puddles after the wiping member 43 has passed.

The electrolytic water supplied from the first supply port 82a to the wiping member 43 at the center of the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 immediately moistens the center of the front edge of the wiping member 85. This moisture at the center of the front edge of the wiping member 85 spreads toward the rear of the wiping member 43 as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

In addition, the electrolytic water supplied from the second supply port 82b immediately moistens a wide area of the sides of the wiping member 85 behind the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 and at the left and right side portions 45b of the wiping member attachment portion 45. This moistness of the sides of the wiping member 85 spreads toward the rear of the wiping member 43 as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

In this way, the first supply unit 18B of the second example can instantly moisten a wide area of the center and sides of the front edge of the wiping-contributing portion 85, efficiently wetting the wiping member with electrolytic water to wipe the surface to be cleaned f evenly.

The intervals between the first supply port 82a and the multiple second supply ports 82b are preferably set so that the wetted area of the electrolytic water supplied to the wiping member 43 from each of the supply ports 82a, 82b is continuous without interruption. The wetted area of the electrolytic water differs depending on the material and weaving method of the wiping member 43, and is therefore set appropriately according to the characteristics of the wiping member 43.

7 and 8 are schematic bottom views of a first supply section and a wiping section of a third example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the first supply section 18C of the third example of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment has multiple wet supply ports 71C. In addition to the second supply port 82b like the wet supply port 71B of the second example, the multiple wet supply ports 71C include multiple third supply ports 82c that supply electrolytic water to the front edge 45a of the wiping member 43 and to the left and right side portions 45b of the wiping member attachment portion 45.

The multiple wet supply ports 71C are arranged in a U-shape that opens toward the front of the vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in FIG. 7, or in a V-shape that opens toward the front of the vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in FIG. 8. The arrangement of these wet supply ports 71C includes multiple third supply ports 82c and multiple second supply ports 82b. The multiple second supply ports 82b are arranged substantially symmetrically toward the rear of the vacuum cleaner 1, with a pair of left and right third supply ports 82c as end points. In other words, the second supply ports 82b arranged at a location farther from the front edge portion 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 are closer to the center line C that divides the wiping member attachment portion 45 in the width direction. The multiple second supply ports 82b may be arranged rearward of the front edge portion 45a of the wiping member 43 and also in the center portion in the width direction of the wiping member attachment portion 45.

The amount of electrolyzed water supplied per unit time from the first supply unit 18C is sufficient to moisten the wiping member 43, and is preferably adjusted so that a large amount of electrolyzed water does not remain on the surface to be cleaned f in the form of droplets or puddles after the wiping member 43 has passed.

The electrolytic water supplied from the third supply port 82c to the wiping member 43 at the end of the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 instantly moistens the front edge of the wiping member 85. This moisture at the front edge of the wiping member 85 spreads toward the rear of the wiping member 43 as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

In addition, the electrolytic water supplied from the second supply port 82b immediately moistens a wide area of the sides of the wiping member 85 behind the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 and at the left and right side portions 45b of the wiping member attachment portion 45. This moistness of the sides of the wiping member 85 spreads toward the rear of the wiping member 43 as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

In this way, the first supply unit 18C of the third example can instantly moisten the front edge end and a wide area of the side of the wiping-contributing portion 85, efficiently wetting the wiping member with electrolytic water to wipe the surface to be cleaned f evenly.

The intervals between the third supply port 82c and the second supply ports 82b are preferably set so that the wetted area of the electrolytic water supplied to the wiping member 43 from each of the supply ports 82c, 82b is continuous without interruption. The wetted area of the electrolytic water varies depending on the material and weaving method of the wiping member 43, and is therefore set appropriately according to the characteristics of the wiping member 43.

Figures 9 and 10 are schematic bottom views of a first supply section and a wiping section of a fourth example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 and 10, the first supply section 18D of the fourth example of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment has a plurality of wet supply ports 71D. The plurality of wet supply ports 71D include a first supply port 82a such as the wet supply port 71A of the first example, a third supply port 82c such as the wet supply port 71B of the second example, and a third supply port 82c such as the wet supply port 71C of the third example.

The multiple wet supply ports 71D are arranged in two continuous U shapes that open toward the front of the vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in FIG. 9, or in two continuous V shapes that open toward the front of the vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in FIG. 10. The arrangement of these wet supply ports 71D includes a first supply port 82a that supplies electrolytic water to the wiping member 43 at the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45, as in the first supply section 18A of the first example, and a second supply port 82b. The multiple second supply ports 82b are arranged substantially symmetrically toward the rear of the vacuum cleaner 1, with the first supply port 82a as the apex.

The amount of electrolyzed water supplied per unit time from the first supply unit 18D is sufficient to moisten the wiping member 43, and is preferably adjusted so that a large amount of electrolyzed water does not remain on the surface to be cleaned f in the form of droplets or puddles after the wiping member 43 has passed.

The electrolytic water supplied from the first supply port 82a to the wiping member 43 at the center of the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 immediately moistens the center of the front edge of the wiping member 85. This moisture at the center of the front edge of the wiping member 85 spreads toward the rear of the wiping member 43 as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

In addition, the electrolytic water supplied from the second supply port 82b immediately moistens a wide area of the sides of the wiping member 85 behind the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 and at the left and right side portions 45b of the wiping member attachment portion 45. This moistness of the sides of the wiping member 85 spreads toward the rear of the wiping member 43 as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

Furthermore, the electrolytic water supplied from the third supply port 82c to the wiping member 43 at the end of the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 instantly moistens the front edge of the wiping member 85. This moisture at the front edge of the wiping member 85 spreads toward the rear of the wiping member 43 as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

In this way, the first supply unit 18D of the fourth example can instantly moisten a wide area of the front edge center, front edge end, and side of the wiping-contributing portion 85, efficiently wetting the wiping member with electrolytic water to wipe the surface to be cleaned f evenly.

The intervals between the first supply port 82a and the multiple second supply ports 82b are preferably set so that the wetted area of the electrolytic water supplied to the wiping member 43 from each of the supply ports 82a, 82b is continuous without interruption. The wetted area of the electrolytic water differs depending on the material and weaving method of the wiping member 43, and is therefore set appropriately according to the characteristics of the wiping member 43.

The multiple wet supply ports 71D may also be arranged in a reversed front-to-back configuration, opening toward the rear of the vacuum cleaner 1 and forming two continuous U shapes, or opening toward the rear of the vacuum cleaner 1 and forming two continuous V shapes.

Next, the wiping member attachment portion 45 will be described in detail. Note that in the wiping member attachment portion 45A of the first example (hereinafter simply referred to as the "wiping member attachment portion 45A") and the wiping member attachment portion 45B of the second example (hereinafter simply referred to as the "wiping member attachment portion 45B") described in each example, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

Figure 11 is a partial and schematic bottom view of the cleaning member attachment section and wiping section of a first example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a partial and schematic cross-sectional view of the cleaning member attachment section and wiping section of a first example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the wiping member attachment part 45A of the first example of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment has a first water guide part 86 that guides electrolytic water from the supply point of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in the width direction of the wiping member attachment part 45.

The first water guide section 86 can be combined with any of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D of each example of the first supply section 18 (i.e., first supply sections 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D).

The first water guide 86 is, for example, a groove provided on the surface of the wiping member attachment 45 where the wiping member 43 is attached. This groove extends in the width direction of the wiping member attachment 45 from the supply points of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D as base points. The first water guide 86 guides all or a portion of the electrolytic water flowing out of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in the width direction of the wiping member attachment 45 by the surface tension of the electrolytic water or by capillary action.

The wiping member attachment portion 45A receives the electrolytic water flowing out from the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D like a drain pan, and then guides the electrolytic water in the width direction of the wiping member attachment portion 45 by the first water guide portion 86 to supply it to the wiping member 43. Therefore, the wiping member attachment portion 45A can spread the electrolytic water supplied from the supply points of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in the width direction of the wiping member attachment portion 45A, and supply the electrolytic water to a wider range of the wiping member 43. Then, the electrolytic water supplied to the wiping member 43 by spreading in the width direction of the wiping member attachment portion 45A from the supply points of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D instantly moistens a wide range of the wiping member contribution portion 85. This widespread moisture in the wiping portion 85 spreads toward the rear of the wiping member 43 as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

The first water guide 86 may guide a portion of the electrolytic water supplied directly to the wiping member 43 through a hole provided in the wiping member attachment portion 45A in the width direction of the wiping member attachment portion 45 before being absorbed by the wiping member 43.

In addition to or in place of the first water guide 86 of the wiping member attachment 45A, the vacuum cleaner 1 may be provided with a wiping member 43 including fibers oriented and woven to spread electrolytic water from at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in the width direction of the wiping member 43. In this case, the wiping member 43 is a woven fabric woven with a single fiber material, or a woven fabric woven with multiple fiber materials with different water absorbencies. When the wiping member 43 is woven with multiple fiber materials, it is preferable that the woven fabric contains polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and fibers that are more absorbent than polyester, such as plant fibers such as cotton, hemp, and rayon. Plant fibers are mainly composed of cellulose and have many hydroxyl groups, so they are more absorbent than polyester.

Figure 13 is a partial and schematic bottom view of the cleaning member attachment section and wiping section of a second example of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 13, the wiping member attachment portion 45B of the second example of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a second water guide portion 87 that spreads electrolytic water radially from the supply point of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D.

The second water guide section 87 can be combined with any of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D of each example of the first supply section 18 (i.e., first supply sections 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D).

The second water guide 87 is, for example, a plurality of grooves provided on the surface of the wiper member attachment 45 on which the wiper member 43 is attached. The plurality of grooves extend radially from the supply points of the wet supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D as base points. The plurality of grooves extend mainly toward the left and right sides of the vacuum cleaner 1 and toward the rear of the vacuum cleaner 1 from the supply points of the wet supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D as base points. The cross-sectional shape of each groove conforms to the first example of the wiper member attachment 45A shown in FIG. 12, so it is not shown in the figure. The second water guide 87 radially guides all or part of the electrolytic water flowing out from the wet supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D by the surface tension of the electrolytic water or by capillary action.

The wiping member attachment 45B receives the electrolytic water flowing out from the moistening supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D like a drain pan, and then guides the electrolytic water radially by the second water guide 87 to supply it to the wiping member 43. Therefore, the wiping member attachment 45B can spread the electrolytic water supplied from the supply points of the moistening supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in various directions to supply the electrolytic water to a wider range of the wiping member 43. The electrolytic water radially spreads from the supply points of the moistening supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D and is supplied to the wiping member 43, instantly moistening a wide range of the wiping member 85. This wide range of moisture from the wiping member 85 spreads backward of the wiping member 43 as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

The second water guide section 87 may also radially guide a portion of the electrolytic water that is supplied directly to the wiping member 43 through a hole provided in the wiping member attachment section 45B before being absorbed by the wiping member 43.

In addition, the vacuum cleaner 1 may be provided with a wiping member 43 containing woven fibers oriented so as to spread electrolytic water radially from the supply point of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D, instead of or in addition to the second water guide portion 87 of the wiping member attachment portion 45B.

Figure 14 is a block diagram of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 14 in addition to FIG. 2 to FIG. 3, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment includes the motor 27 of the moving part 11, the brush motor 36 and the electric blower 38 of the suction cleaning part 31, the detection part 13, the control part 15, the secondary battery 6, the electrolytic water generating device 17, and the first supply part 18, as well as the communication part 101.

The vacuum cleaner 1 also includes an identifier 102 that records identification information and is provided on the wiping member 43, and an identification unit 103 that reads the identification information from the identifier 102 and determines the authenticity of the wiping member 43.

The communication unit 101 includes a transmission unit 101a that transmits infrared signals to the station 7, and a reception unit 101b that receives infrared signals transmitted by the station 7 or a remote controller. The transmission unit 101a includes, for example, an infrared light emitting element. The reception unit 101b includes, for example, a phototransistor.

The camera unit 51 of the detection unit 13 is, for example, a digital camera. That is, the camera unit 51 includes an image sensor 51a that converts the captured image into an electrical signal, and an optical system 51b that forms an image on the image sensor 51a. The image sensor 51a is, for example, a charge-coupled device image sensor (CCD image sensor) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensor (CMOS image sensor). Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 can instantly handle the digital data of the image captured by the camera unit 51. That is, the image captured by the camera unit 51 can be compressed into a predetermined data format, converted into a binary image, or converted into grayscale by using, for example, an image processing circuit. The camera unit 51 captures, for example, an image in the visible light region. Images in the visible light region have better image quality than images in the infrared region, and can easily provide the user with visible information without complex image processing.

The camera unit 51 is a so-called stereo camera. The images captured by the camera unit 51 overlap in a shooting range that includes a position forward of an extension of the center line that divides the vacuum cleaner 1 in the width direction. The camera unit 51 can obtain information on the depth (the distance from the vacuum cleaner 1) in the shooting range. An image that includes depth information is called a "distance image."

The camera unit 51 may be provided with a lighting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a light bulb. The lighting device illuminates part or all of the shooting range of the camera unit 51. The lighting device enables the camera unit 51 to capture appropriate images even in dark places, such as behind furniture or other obstacles, or in dark environments such as at night.

A large number of pixels are arranged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 51a. Each pixel on the light receiving surface converts the light it receives into an electrical signal. By integrating the light information received by each pixel according to the position of each pixel, an image showing the scene captured by the camera unit 51 is obtained. A typical image sensor 51a captures color images. A color image is expressed by mixing three colors, for example, red, green, and blue.

The distance measuring device 55 includes a light emitting unit 55a that irradiates light onto the range for which depth information is to be obtained, and a light receiving unit 55b that receives the reflected light of the light irradiated by the light emitting unit 55a. The vacuum cleaner 1 can obtain distance information from the vacuum cleaner 1 to the detected object based on the time difference between when the light emitting unit 55a starts emitting light and when the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit 55b. The light emitting unit 55a irradiates, for example, infrared light or visible light.

The control unit 15 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary storage device (for example, read only memory, ROM) that stores various calculation programs and parameters executed (processed) by the central processing unit, and a main storage device (for example, random access memory, RAM) in which a working area for the programs is dynamically allocated. It is preferable that the auxiliary storage device is rewritable, such as a non-volatile memory.

The control unit 15 is electrically connected to the motor 27 of the moving unit 11, the brush motor 36 and electric blower 38 of the suction cleaning unit 31, the detection unit 13, the secondary battery 6, and the communication unit 101. The control unit 15 controls the motor 27 of the moving unit 11, the brush motor 36 and electric blower 38 of the suction cleaning unit 31, the detection unit 13, and the secondary battery 6 in response to commands received from the station 7 and the remote controller via the communication unit 101, to perform autonomous operation and autonomous movement of the vacuum cleaner 1.

The control unit 15 includes an autonomous movement control unit 111 that controls the autonomous movement of the vacuum cleaner 1, and a detection control unit 112 that controls the operation of the detection unit 13. The autonomous movement control unit 111 and the detection control unit 112 are calculation programs.

The autonomous movement control unit 111 includes a map information storage unit 113 that stores environmental map information (Environment Map) of the cleaning area A, a movement control unit 115 that controls the operation of the electric motor 27 of the movement unit 11, and a suction cleaning control unit 116 that controls the operation of the brush motor 36 of the suction cleaning unit 31 and the electric blower 38.

The map information storage unit 113 is a collection of data constructed in a memory area secured in the auxiliary storage device, and has an appropriate data structure. The map information storage unit 113 is read from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device for use, and is updated as appropriate before being overwritten in the auxiliary storage device.

The environmental map information is information used for the autonomous movement of the vacuum cleaner 1, and is information including at least the shape of the area in which the vacuum cleaner 1 can move in the area to be cleaned. The environmental map information is constructed, for example, as a collection of neatly arranged rectangles with each side being 10 centimeters. The environmental map information may be prepared in advance when the vacuum cleaner 1 is used, or may be created at the same time as self-location estimation by Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). The environmental map information may be created and updated during the movement associated with the cleaning operation. When creating the environmental map information by SLAM, the vacuum cleaner 1 preferably includes various sensors such as an encoder in addition to the detection unit 13. The movement control unit 115 creates the environmental map information based on the information acquired from the detection unit 13 and various sensors.

The movement control unit 115 controls the movement unit 11 based on the environmental map information to move the vacuum cleaner 1 autonomously. The movement control unit 115 controls the magnitude and direction of the current flowing through the electric motor 27 to rotate the electric motor 27 forward or reverse. The movement control unit 115 controls the drive of the drive wheels 26 by rotating the electric motor 27 forward or reverse.

The suction cleaning control unit 116 controls the brush motor 36 and the electric blower 38 individually.

The detection control unit 112 controls the operation of the camera unit 51. The detection control unit 112 causes the camera unit 51 to take images at predetermined time intervals. The detection control unit 112 stores the images taken by the camera unit 51 in the detection result storage unit 117. The images taken by the camera unit 51 are secured in the main memory device. The detection result storage unit 117 stores the images taken by the camera unit 51. The detection result storage unit 117 has a capacity capable of storing multiple images.

The detection result storage unit 117 may store image information representing the image captured by the camera unit 51 without processing, or may store image information processed to reduce the data size as long as the information necessary for the image analysis processing remains. The image information stored in the detection result storage unit 117 may be, for example, an image captured by the camera unit 51 converted into grayscale (hereinafter, referred to as "image" as in the original image captured by the camera unit 51). In the case of a grayscale image, the pixel value of the image coincides with the luminance value. When saving the image converted into grayscale, the control unit 15 can allocate a smaller memory area capacity, i.e., a smaller resource, to the detection result storage unit 117 than when storing the original image. In addition, when the image converted into grayscale is used for subsequent analysis processing, the control unit 15 can reduce the load on the central processing unit compared to when processing the original image. Image processing including grayscaling of the image may be performed by the camera unit 51. By performing image processing by the camera unit 51, the load on the central processing unit is reduced.

The detection control unit 112 also controls the turning on and off of the lighting device. The lighting device brightens the image, making it easier to perform the analysis process and improve its accuracy.

Furthermore, the detection control unit 112 stores the detection result of the proximity detection unit 52, i.e., the approach of the detected object to the main body 5 and the distance between the detected object and the main body 5 at that time, in the detection result memory unit 117.

The detection control unit 112 also stores the detection result of the contact detection unit 53, i.e., that the detected object has come into contact with the main body 5, in the detection result storage unit 117.

While the moving unit 11 is moving the main body 5, the electrolytic water generating device 17 applies a voltage between the positive and negative electrodes of the electrodes 61, and electrolyzes the water stored in the storage tank 16 with the power of the secondary battery 6 to generate electrolytic water. Here, the electrolytic water generating device 17 may generate electrolytic water while the moving unit 11 is moving the main body 5, or may generate electrolytic water for a predetermined period while the moving unit 11 is moving the main body 5. The predetermined period is not particularly limited and can be set appropriately. For example, the predetermined period may be determined according to the concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the generated electrolytic water, the amount of water stored in the storage tank 16, the remaining amount of the secondary battery 6, etc., as described in detail below.

The electrolytic water generating device 17 may also apply a voltage between the positive and negative electrodes of the electrode 61 while the moving unit 11 is not moving the main body, and generate electrolytic water by electrolyzing the water stored in the storage tank 16 with the power of the secondary battery 6. For example, when the main body 5 is stopped in the cleaning area A or when the main body 5 is connected to the station 7, a voltage may be applied between the positive and negative electrodes of the electrode 61 to generate electrolytic water.

In addition, after the movement of the main body 5 is started, in order to obtain electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid of a desired concentration early, the electrolyzed water generating device 17 applies a voltage value between the positive and negative electrodes of the electrode 61 that is larger than in other cases, at least until a predetermined time has elapsed since the moving unit 11 started to move the main body 5. The voltage value at this time is called a high voltage value. For example, the electrolyzed water generating device 17 applies a high voltage value, for example a voltage of 10 volts, to the electrode 61 until the time has elapsed when electrolyzed water containing 5 ppm of hypochlorous acid is obtained from the full amount of water before electrolysis in the storage tank 16. A water level meter 118 that detects the amount of water stored in the storage tank 16, that is, the water level (electrolyzed water liquid level), may be provided inside the storage tank 16. The electrolyzed water generating device 17 may apply a high voltage value to the electrode 61 until the time has elapsed when electrolyzed water is obtained based on the amount of water in the storage tank 16 measured by the water level meter 118.

The water level gauge 118 may be of either a contact type or a non-contact type. The contact type water level gauge 118 may employ a known system, such as a float type that measures the water level based on the vertical position of a float installed in the storage tank 16, or a capacitance type that measures the water level by detecting the capacitance between a pair of electrodes. The non-contact type water level gauge 118 may employ a known system that measures the water level using, for example, radio waves, ultrasound, or light waves.

Furthermore, the electrolytic water generating device 17 may change the voltage value applied between the positive and negative electrodes of the electrode 61 based on the remaining amount of water stored in the storage tank 16.

The identifier 102 is, for example, any one of RFID (Radio frequency identification), a barcode, the color of the wiping member 43, the shape of the wiping member 43, and the material of the wiping member 43. In other words, the identification information is, for example, any one of information recorded in RFID (Radio frequency identification), information expressed by a barcode, the color that characterizes the wiping member 43, the shape that characterizes the wiping member 43, and the characteristics of the material of the wiping member 43.

The identification unit 103 includes, for example, an RFID or barcode reader 121, and a determination unit 122 that determines whether the information of the identifier 102 read by the reader 121 is information that indicates a pre-set genuine product. The reader 121 may be a camera that captures the color or shape that characterizes the wiping member 43, or a photoelectric sensor that detects differences in reflectance between materials. The determination unit 122 is a calculation program executed by the control unit 15.

The identification unit 103 identifies the wiping member 43 made of woven fabric having a characteristic fiber orientation, or the wiping member 43 having a shape that can be attached and detached to the wiping member attachment parts 45, 45A, and 45B, and determines whether the wiping member 43 is genuine, that is, the authenticity of the wiping member 43. If the identification unit 103 determines that the wiping member 43 is genuine, the control unit 15 supplies electrolytic water from the first supply mechanism 65 to the wiping member 43. If the identification unit 103 determines that the wiping member 43 is non-genuine, the control unit 15 does not supply electrolytic water to the wiping member 43.

As described above, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment has at least one first supply port 82a that supplies electrolytic water to the wiping member 43 at the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45. Therefore, while wiping the surface to be cleaned f with electrolytic water as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward, it can wet a wide range of the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water via the surface to be cleaned f, efficiently wetting the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water and wiping the surface to be cleaned f evenly.

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment also has a first supply port 82a that supplies electrolytic water to the wiping member 43 at the center in the width direction of the wiping member attachment part 45. As a result, while wiping the surface to be cleaned f with electrolytic water as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward, it can wet a wide range of the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water starting from the center of the front edge of the wiping member 43 via the surface to be cleaned f, efficiently wetting the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water and wiping the surface to be cleaned f evenly.

Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment has a plurality of second supply ports 82b that supply electrolytic water to the wiping member 43 behind the front edge 45a of the wiping member attachment portion 45 and at each of the left and right side portions 45b of the wiping member attachment portion 45. As a result, the vacuum cleaner 1 can easily wet a wide range of the wiping member 43 with the electrolytic water while wiping the surface to be cleaned f with the electrolytic water as it moves forward, and can efficiently wet the wiping member 43 with the electrolytic water to wipe and clean the surface to be cleaned f evenly.

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment also has multiple third supply ports 82c that supply electrolytic water to the wiping member 43 on the left and right side portions 45b of the wiping member attachment portion 45. As a result, while wiping the surface to be cleaned f with electrolytic water as the vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward, it can wet a wide range of the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water from the left and right through the surface to be cleaned f, efficiently wetting the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water and wiping the surface to be cleaned f evenly.

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment further includes a first water guide section 86 that guides electrolytic water from the supply point of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in the width direction of the wiping member attachment section 45. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 can easily expand the supply range of electrolytic water supplied to the wiping member 43 in the width direction of the wiping member 43, moistening a wide range of the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water, efficiently wetting the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water, and evenly wiping the surface to be cleaned f.

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment also includes a second water guide section 87 that spreads electrolytic water radially from the supply point of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 can wet a wide range of the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water, efficiently wetting the wiping member 43 with the electrolytic water, and wipe and clean the surface to be cleaned f evenly.

Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment includes a wiping member 43 that includes fibers oriented and woven so as to spread electrolytic water from the supply point of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in the width direction of the wiping member 43. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 can easily expand the supply range of electrolytic water supplied to the wiping member 43 in the width direction of the wiping member 43 to moisten a wide range of the wiping member 43 with electrolytic water, and efficiently wet the wiping member 43 with the electrolytic water to wipe and clean the surface to be cleaned f evenly.

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment also includes a wiping member 43 that contains fibers that are more absorbent than polyester. This allows the vacuum cleaner 1 to absorb more electrolytic water and reliably wipe the surface to be cleaned f.

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment further includes an identifier 102 provided on the wiping member 43, and an identification unit 103 that reads identification information from the identifier 102 and determines the authenticity of the wiping member 43. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 can reliably wipe the surface to be cleaned f with a genuine wiping member 43 that has appropriate properties.

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment also uses electrolytic water for wiping. This allows the vacuum cleaner 1 to easily disinfect the surface to be cleaned f.

Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment can efficiently wet the wiping member 43 with a liquid, such as electrolytic water, to wipe and clean the surface to be cleaned evenly.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

1...Vacuum cleaner, 5...Main body, 6...Secondary battery, 7...Station, 8...Power cord, 9...Charging circuit, 11...Moving unit, 12...Cleaning unit, 13...Detection unit, 15...Control unit, 16...Storage tank, 17...Electrolyzed water generating device, 18, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D...First supply unit, 19...Second supply unit, 21...Main body case, 22...Bumper, 26...Driving wheel, 27...Motor, 28...Driven wheel, 31...Suction cleaning unit, 32...Wiping cleaning unit, 34 ...suction port, 35...rotating brush, 36...brush motor, 37...dust container, 38...electric blower, 39...suction duct, 39u...upstream duct, 39d...downstream duct, 41...exhaust duct, 43...wiping member, 45, 45A, 45B...wiping member attachment portion, 45a...front edge portion, 45b...side portion, 51...camera portion, 51a...imaging element, 51b...optical system, 52...proximity detector, 53...contact detector, 55...distance measuring device, 55a...emitting light unit, 55b...light receiving unit, 57...power supply unit, 61...electrode, 62...piping, 65...first supply mechanism unit, 66...second supply mechanism unit, 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D...wetting supply port, 72...first opening/closing valve, 73...spraying supply port, 74...second opening/closing valve, 67...third supply mechanism unit, 75...first atomizing device, 76...first water conducting path, 77...second atomizing device, 78...second water conducting path, 79...moisture holding body, 80...moisture absorbing unit, 82a...first supply port, 8 2b...second supply port, 82c...third supply port, 85...cleaning contribution unit, 86...first water guide unit, 87...second water guide unit, 101...communication unit, 101a...transmission unit, 101b...reception unit, 102...identifier, 103...identification unit, 111...autonomous movement control unit, 112...detection control unit, 113...map information storage unit, 115...movement control unit, 116...suction cleaning control unit, 117...detection result storage unit, 118...water level gauge, 121...reading device, 122...determination unit.

Claims (14)

A storage tank capable of storing liquid;
a wiping member attachment portion to which a wiping member can be attached and detached;
a supply unit that supplies the liquid from the storage tank to the wiping member,
the supply unit has a plurality of supply ports that supply the liquid to the wiping member at the wiping member attachment portion,
The vacuum cleaner has three or more of the plurality of supply ports arranged at substantially equal intervals in the width direction of the wiping member attachment portion without overlapping with each other in the forward movement direction , in a non-linear manner that is convex toward the forward movement direction. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of supply ports include a first supply port that supplies the liquid to the wiping member at a center in a width direction of the wiping member attachment portion. 3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of supply ports include a plurality of second supply ports that supply the liquid to the wiping member rearward of a front edge of the wiping member attachment portion and on each of the left and right sides of the wiping member attachment portion. 4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of supply ports include a plurality of third supply ports that supply the liquid to the wiping member at a front edge portion of the wiping member and at each of the left and right sides of the wiping member attachment portion. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the wiping member attachment portion includes a first water guide portion that guides the liquid from supply points of the plurality of supply ports in a width direction of the wiping member attachment portion. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the wiping member attachment portion has a second water guide portion that spreads the liquid radially from the supply points of the plurality of supply ports. 6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the wiping member includes fibers woven and oriented to spread the liquid from the supply points of the plurality of supply ports in a width direction of the wiping member. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the wiping member includes a fiber having a higher water absorbency than polyester. an identifier for recording identification information and provided on the wiping member;
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , further comprising an identification unit configured to read the identification information from the identifier and identify the authenticity of the wiping member. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the liquid is electrolyzed water. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a spray supply port located forward of the supply port and spraying the liquid onto the surface to be cleaned. A wiping member attached to a vacuum cleaner and used to wipe a surface to be cleaned,
A wiping member including fibers woven and oriented to spread liquid from a liquid supply point of the vacuum cleaner in a width direction of the vacuum cleaner. The wiping member according to claim 12, which contains fibers having higher water absorption than polyester. The wiping member according to claim 12 or 13, which is provided with an identifier that records identification information.

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