JP7780245B2 - Electric cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to vacuum cleaners and vacuum cleaning devices.

Automatic vacuum cleaners are known that have a wiping cloth wound around the outer periphery of a roller member. These automatic vacuum cleaners wet the surface to be cleaned with the wiping cloth, which is moistened with water.

Special Publication No. 2003-502086

If a wiping member that has been wetted with water is left in contact with moisture-absorbing flooring, such as tatami mats or wooden floors, the flooring may absorb excessive moisture or the wax applied to the flooring may be removed. If this situation is left unattended for any longer, there is a risk that the flooring may become discolored or damaged.

The present invention therefore proposes a vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner device that can be used for wet mopping and that does not discolor or damage floor materials with wet wiping members.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electric cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a vacuum cleaner capable of wet wiping a surface to be cleaned with a wiping member containing moisture, and a charging base capable of charging the vacuum cleaner, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a main structure having a suction port on its bottom surface to which a negative suction pressure acts, a plurality of drive wheels capable of contacting the surface to be cleaned, driven wheels that support the main structure together with the drive wheels on the surface to be cleaned, and a wiping member attachment portion provided on the main structure to which the wiping member can be attached and detached, and the charging base comprises a base on which all or part of the vacuum cleaner can ride, and a charging base in front of the main structure In the forward direction, the drive wheels are positioned rearward of the driven wheels, and the wiping member mounting portion is positioned rearward of the suction port and the drive wheels, and the vacuum cleaner drives the drive wheels to climb onto the base , thereby separating the cleaning member from the surface to be cleaned and the base by using the space provided between the base and the cleaning member to promote drying, and when the vacuum cleaner is on the base and the wiping member is separated from the surface to be cleaned and the base, the multiple drive wheels and the driven wheels make stable contact with the base.

1 is a perspective view of an electric cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a system configuration diagram of an operation control system including an electric cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of an electric cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a schematic diagram of a first example of a floor-elevating mechanism of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a second example of a floor-elevating mechanism of the vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a third example of a floor-elevating mechanism of the vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a fourth example of a floor exit mechanism of the vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a schematic diagram of a second example of a station of an electric cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a third example of a station of an electric cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of an electric cleaning device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. Note that the same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electric cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electric cleaning device 1 according to this embodiment includes an electric vacuum cleaner 2 and a station 3 to which the electric vacuum cleaner 2 can be connected and disconnected.

The vacuum cleaner 2 is a so-called autonomous vacuum cleaner, or robot cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 2 moves autonomously by consuming power from the onboard secondary battery 6. By traveling, the vacuum cleaner 2 moves over the surface to be cleaned f, or the floor, of the area to be cleaned A, which is the cleaning location within the living room. The vacuum cleaner 2 cleans by moving around the surface to be cleaned f of the area to be cleaned A. The vacuum cleaner 2 cleans by moving comprehensively over the area to be cleaned A. When the vacuum cleaner 2 has finished cleaning the surface to be cleaned f, it returns autonomously to the station 3 (also known as "homing") and waits for the next cleaning operation.

The vacuum cleaner 2 may be a non-autonomous type that can be connected to and stored in the station 3, such as a canister type, upright type, stick type, or handheld type.

Station 3 can be installed on the surface to be cleaned f within a room. Station 3 allows the vacuum cleaner 2 to be smoothly connected and disconnected. Station 3 also functions as a charging station. In other words, station 3 is a charging station that can charge the secondary battery 6 of the vacuum cleaner 2. Station 3 is equipped with a power cord 7 that conducts power from a commercial AC power source, and a charging circuit 8 that converts the AC voltage supplied via power cord 7 and supplies DC voltage to the secondary battery 6.

When the vacuum cleaner 2 returns to station 3, it charges the secondary battery 6 while waiting for the next cleaning operation. This eliminates the need for the user to take the trouble of charging the vacuum cleaner 2, and allows it to respond to unexpected cleaning operations at the user's request.

Figure 2 is a system configuration diagram of an operation control system including an electric cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 2, the electric cleaning device 1 according to this embodiment is communicatively connected to an operation control system 11.

The operation control system 11 includes a server 13 communicatively connected to the telecommunications network 12. The operation control system 11 establishes a communication line for bidirectional information communication between the remote control terminal 15 and the vacuum cleaner 2. The operation control system 11 also establishes a communication line for bidirectional information communication between the on-premises terminal 16 and the vacuum cleaner 2. The remote control terminal 15 and the on-premises terminal 16 are collectively referred to as the operation terminal 17. The operation terminal 17 is an information terminal. Through the operation control system 11, the vacuum cleaner 2 improves ease of use (convenience) for the user, including simplicity, ease of operation, and ease of use.

The telecommunications network 12 includes an external network 18, an internal communication network 19, and relay communication equipment 21 that relays information between the internal communication network 19 and the external network 18.

The local area communication network 19 is a wireless or wired electrical communication network that includes relay communication equipment 21. The vacuum cleaner 2 and the local area terminal 16 are communicatively connected to the local area communication network 19. The local area communication network 19 is a so-called intranet. The local area communication network 19 provides the user with an extremely convenient communication environment.

The external network 18 includes the Internet 22. The relay communication device 21, server 13, and remote control terminal 15 are connected to the Internet 22 via a public telephone network, a mobile phone network, or the like. By using the Internet 22 as an intermediary, the operation control system 11 provides the user with an extremely simple communication environment between the vacuum cleaner 2 and the remote control terminal 15.

The server 13 mediates information between the vacuum cleaner 2 and the remote control terminal 15. The server 13 communicates with a large number of vacuum cleaners 2 via the Internet 22. The server 13 assigns an identifier to each vacuum cleaner 2. A user of the vacuum cleaner 2 uses the identifier provided by the server 13 to establish two-way communication between the remote control terminal 15 and a vacuum cleaner 2 in their home, or between the remote control terminal 15 and a vacuum cleaner 2 owned by the user.

The remote control terminal 15 is connected to the Internet 22 via a public wireless line or a mobile phone line. The remote control terminal 15 communicates bidirectionally with the server 13. The remote control terminal 15 accepts input of operational instructions, such as instructions to start and stop the vacuum cleaner 2's cleaning operation. These operational instructions, such as instructions to start and stop the cleaning operation, are transmitted to the vacuum cleaner 2 via the communication line. The remote control terminal 15 also obtains information from the server 13 notifying the status of the vacuum cleaner 2, such as whether it is running, paused, or stopped, and outputs the status of the vacuum cleaner 2 on the screen. The operation control system 11 enables the remote control terminal 15 to transmit information including commands to the vacuum cleaner 2 at home, and enables the vacuum cleaner 2 to receive information including information indicating the status of the vacuum cleaner 2 from the remote control terminal 15. In other words, the operation control system 11 can provide an environment in which the vacuum cleaner 2 at home can be operated from the remote control terminal 15 while away from home. For example, a user can operate the vacuum cleaner 2 while away from home to clean their home at the appropriate time.

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

Figure 4 is a bottom view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Note that the solid arrow F in Figures 3 and 4 indicates the forward direction of the vacuum cleaner 2.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4 in addition to Figure 1, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment has multiple functions, including suction cleaning, which uses negative pressure to suck up dust on the surface to be cleaned f, wiping the surface to be cleaned f, and spraying a solution onto the surface to be cleaned f or the area to be cleaned A. The solution to be sprayed is, for example, a fragrance, a deodorizer, electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid which has a disinfecting effect, or water for humidification. In this embodiment, a case where electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid is used as the solution will be specifically described. It is sufficient that the vacuum cleaner 2 is capable of performing at least two of the multiple functions.

The vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a main body 31, a moving unit 32 that generates a force to move the vacuum cleaner 2, a cleaning unit 33 that has suction and wiping functions, a detection unit 35 that detects objects around the vacuum cleaner 2, a control unit 36 that controls the moving unit 32, cleaning unit 33, and detection unit 35 to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2, and a secondary battery 6 that supplies power to each part of the vacuum cleaner 2, including the moving unit 32, cleaning unit 33, detection unit 35, and control unit 36.

The electric vacuum cleaner 2 also includes a storage tank 37 provided in the main body 31 for storing water, an electrolyzed water generator 38 that electrolyzes the water stored in the storage tank 37 to generate electrolyzed water, a first supply unit 41 that supplies the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank 37 to the outside of the main body 31, and a second supply unit 42 that supplies the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank 37 into the main body 31.

The main body 31 has a flattened cylindrical shape, or in other words, a disk shape. The main body 31, which is essentially circular in plan view, can reduce the turning radius during turning compared to other shapes. Note that, in plan view, the main body 31 may have a square shape, or a figure of constant width whose diametric width is always constant, such as a Reuleaux triangle.

The main body 31 includes a main body case 51 made of, for example, synthetic resin, and a bumper 52 attached to the side of the main body case 51.

The main body case 51 and the storage tank 37 cooperate to define the outline of the main body 31 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the main body case 51 and the storage tank 37 have arc-shaped outlines cut by chords in a plan view. The arc-shaped outline of the main body case 51 and the arc-shaped outline of the storage tank 37 combine at their respective chords to form the circular outline of the main body 31. Even if the main body 31 has a shape other than circular, the outline of the main body case 51 and the outline of the storage tank 37 similarly combine to form the outline of the main body 31. Note that it is preferable that the storage tank 37 be located inside the trajectory formed by the outline of the main body case 51 when the main body 31 is turned (spin turn, neutral turn, counter-rotation turn).

The height of the main case 51 and the height of the storage tank 37 are substantially the same. However, the height of the main case 51 and the height of the storage tank 37 may be different. For example, the height of the storage tank 37 may be higher than the height of the main case 51, so that the storage tank 37 protrudes upward. Alternatively, the height of the storage tank 37 may be lower than the height of the main case 51, so that the storage tank 37 is recessed. Furthermore, the height of the storage tank 37 may be lower than the height of the main case 51, so that the storage tank 37 is mounted on the top surface of the main case 51. In such a case, the top surface of the main case 51 may have a stepped difference between the portion where the storage tank 37 is mounted and the other portions. Furthermore, when the storage tank 37 is mounted on the main case 51, it is preferable that the height of the top surface of the storage tank 37 and the top surface of the main case 51 are substantially the same.

The moving unit 32 includes multiple drive wheels 55 that can come into contact with the surface to be cleaned f, multiple electric motors 56 that individually drive each drive wheel 55, and driven wheels 57 that, together with the drive wheels 55, support the main body 31 on the surface to be cleaned f.

Each drive wheel 55 transmits force to move the main body 31 to the surface to be cleaned f. Each drive wheel 55 rotates around an axis extending in the width direction of the main body 31, i.e., the left-right width direction. The multiple drive wheels 55 include at least one pair of drive wheels 55. The rotation axes of the pair of drive wheels 55 are arranged substantially on the same line. The pair of drive wheels 55 allows the electric vacuum cleaner 2 to move straight and turn. The drive wheels 55 are pressed against the surface to be cleaned f by a suspension device, or so-called suspension. The electric vacuum cleaner 2 may be equipped with caterpillars instead of the drive wheels 55.

Each electric motor 56 drives its respective drive wheel 55 independently. The vacuum cleaner 2 moves forward in a straight line by rotating the left and right drive wheels 55 in the same direction, and turns by rotating the left and right drive wheels 55 in different directions. Moving forward in a straight line includes moving forward and backward. Turning includes turning right and turning left. The vacuum cleaner 2 can also adjust its forward or backward speed by increasing or decreasing the power output of the left and right drive wheels 55, and can adjust the turning radius by varying the power output of the left and right drive wheels 55.

The driven wheels 57 are located at the front and approximately the center of the width of the lower part of the main body 31. The driven wheels 57 are circular rotating bodies, such as casters. The driven wheels 57 easily change direction to follow the forward, backward, and turning movements of the vacuum cleaner 2, stabilizing the traveling posture of the vacuum cleaner 2. It is preferable that the center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner 2 supported by the drive wheels 55 and driven wheels 57 be located inside the triangle formed by the pair of drive wheels 55 and driven wheels 57. This allows the vacuum cleaner 2 to move more stably.

The cleaning unit 33 cleans the surface f to be cleaned below the main body 31. More specifically, the cleaning unit 33 cleans the surface f directly below and around the main body 31. The cleaning unit 33 includes a suction cleaning unit 58 that generates negative suction pressure to suck in dust from the surface f to be cleaned, and a wiping cleaning unit 59 that wipes or polishes the surface f to be cleaned below the main body 31.

The suction cleaning unit 58 performs the suction cleaning function. The suction cleaning unit 58 includes an inlet 61 provided on the bottom surface of the main body 31, a rotating brush 62 placed in the inlet 61, a brush motor 63 that rotates the rotating brush 62, a dust container 65 provided in the main body 31 as a dust collection unit, and an electric blower 66 housed within the main body 31 and fluidly connected to the dust container 65.

The air passage that runs from the suction port 61 through the dust container 65 to the suction side of the electric blower 66 is the suction air passage 67, which is fluidly connected to the suction side of the electric blower 66. The suction air passage 67 includes an upstream air passage 67u that runs from the suction port 61 to the dust container 65, and a downstream air passage 67d that runs from the dust container 65 to the electric blower 66.

The air passage from the exhaust side of the electric blower 66 to the exhaust port of the main body 31 is the exhaust air passage 68, which is fluidly connected to the discharge side of the electric blower 66. The exhaust air from the electric blower 66 is exhausted to the outside of the main body 31 via the exhaust air passage 68.

The suction port 61 sucks in dust along with air due to the negative suction pressure generated by the electric blower 66. The suction port 61 is located further forward in the forward direction F than the wiping part 59. The suction port 61 extends in the width direction of the main body 31. In other words, the opening width of the suction port 61 in the left-right direction is greater than the opening width of the suction port 61 in the front-to-rear direction. Because the bottom surface of the main body 31 faces the surface to be cleaned f during autonomous movement, the suction port 61 can easily suck in dust on the surface to be cleaned f or dust scraped up from the surface to be cleaned f by the rotating brush 62.

The rotational centerline of the rotating brush 62 is oriented in the width direction of the vacuum cleaner 2. When the vacuum cleaner 2 is placed movably over the surface to be cleaned f, the rotating brush 62 comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned f. As a result, the rotating brush 62 stirs up dust on the surface to be cleaned f. The stirred-up dust is then efficiently sucked into the suction port 61.

The brush motor 63 rotates the rotating brush 62 in the forward or reverse direction. The forward rotation direction of the rotating brush 62 is the rotation direction that supplements the driving force (propulsion force) of the vacuum cleaner 2 when moving forward. The reverse rotation direction of the rotating brush 62 is the rotation direction that supplements the driving force (propulsion force) of the vacuum cleaner 2 when moving backward.

The dust container 65 is part of the intake air duct 67. It accumulates dust sucked into the intake port 61 by the negative intake pressure generated by the electric blower 66. The dust container 65 is a dust separator that uses a filter to filter and collect dust, or an inertial separator such as centrifugal separation (cyclone separation) or linear separation (a method of separating dust from air by exploiting the difference in inertial force between the air and dust moving in a linear direction). The dust container 65 is detachable from the main body 31. The dust container 65 has an openable lid. The user can remove the dust container 65 from the main body 31 and open the lid to easily dispose of dust accumulated in the dust container 65, or to clean or wash the dust container 65.

The electric blower 66 is powered by the secondary battery 6. The electric blower 66 draws air from the dust container 65, generating negative suction pressure. The negative suction pressure generated in the dust container 65 acts on the suction port 61. The main body 31 has an exhaust port that allows the exhaust air from the electric blower 66 to flow outside the main body 31.

The wiping unit 59 performs the wiping function. The wiping unit 59 is located at the bottom of the main body 31, behind the suction port 61. The wiping unit 59 may be located at the bottom of the main body case 51, or at the bottom of the storage tank 37, which cooperates with the main body case 51 to define the outline of the main body 31. In other words, the main body case 51 or the storage tank 37 corresponds to the main structure on which the wiping unit 59 is located.

The wiping unit 59 wipes the surface to be cleaned f below the main body 31, for example. The wiping unit 59 includes a wiping member attachment portion 72 to which the wiping member 71 can be attached and detached, and the wiping member 71 itself.

In the forward direction of the vacuum cleaner 2 (solid arrow F in Figure 2), the suction port 61 and wiping member 71 are aligned front to back, and the suction port 61 is positioned forward of the wiping member 71. Therefore, when the vacuum cleaner 2 moves forward, the suction port 61 moves ahead of the wiping member 71. Therefore, when the suction cleaning unit 58 and the wiping unit 59 are functioning simultaneously, the wiping unit 59 wipes the surface to be cleaned after dust has been removed by the suction cleaning unit 58.

The wiping member attachment portion 72 is a base onto which the sheet-shaped wiping member 71 is attached using a hook-and-loop fastener, or onto which the sheet-shaped wiping member 71 is wrapped, or by inserting part of the wiping member 71 into an insertion port. The wiping member attachment portion 72 brings the wiping member 71 into contact with the surface to be cleaned f when the vacuum cleaner 2 is placed on the surface to be cleaned f. The wiping member attachment portion 72 itself may also be detachable from the vacuum cleaner 2.

The wiping member 71 is a wiping sheet made of a fibrous material such as woven or nonwoven fabric. The wiping member 71 can be any of a variety of moisture-absorbing cleaning tools, including wiper sheets, duster cloths, dustcloths, and mops (the fiber tip excluding the handle). The wiping member 71 can be made of natural fibers such as cotton, recycled fibers such as cellulose, synthetic fibers such as polyester fibers, polyamide fibers such as nylon 6, nylon 66, and nylon 46, and polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The wiping member 71 may also be a sponge. The wiping member 71 may also have an integral component made of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP, also known as an absorbent polymer, superabsorbent resin, or polymer absorber). A wiping member 71 that has an integral component made of a superabsorbent polymer can hold a larger amount of electrolyzed water.

The wiping member 71 can be attached and detached to the bottom surface of the wiping member attachment portion 72. When the vacuum cleaner 2 is placed movably on the surface f to be cleaned, the wiping member 59 comes into contact with the surface f. It is preferable that the wiping member 59 is pressed against the surface f with enough pressure to prevent the drive wheels 55 from spinning freely on the surface f. An elastic member such as foam resin is provided between the wiping member 59 and the bottom surface of the main body 31. This elastic member presses the wiping member 59 against the surface f to be cleaned with uniform pressure.

The wiping member 71 is also one aspect of the first supply unit 41 that supplies electrolyzed water to the outside of the main body 31. In other words, the electric vacuum cleaner 2 can wet-mop the surface to be cleaned (f) using the moist wiping member 71. The wiping member 71 wets the surface to be cleaned (f) with electrolyzed water supplied from the electrolyzed water generator 38. The surface to be cleaned (f) that is wiped with electrolyzed water is disinfected.

When electrolyzed water is supplied to the surface to be cleaned (f) without using the wiping member (71), the wiping member (71) can also wipe away the electrolyzed water sprayed on the surface to be cleaned (f).

In other words, the wiping member 71 can be used for wet wiping, in which it absorbs electrolyzed water and applies it to the surface to be cleaned (f), or for dry wiping, in which it wipes away the electrolyzed water that has been sprayed on the surface to be cleaned (f). In other words, the vacuum cleaner 2 sprays or applies electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid to the surface to be cleaned (f) as it moves, sterilizing the surface to be cleaned (f).

Whether the wiping performed by the wiping member 71 is dry wiping or wet wiping depends on the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned f from the electrolyzed water generator 38 and the amount of electrolyzed water supplied from the electrolyzed water generator 38 to the wiping member 71. For example, if only a small amount of electrolyzed water is sprayed onto the floor surface, the electrolyzed water will evaporate before it can wet the wiping member 71. In such a case, the dry wiping performed by the wiping member 71 will continue. If a large amount of electrolyzed water is sprayed onto the floor surface, the electrolyzed water will not completely evaporate and will wet the wiping member 71. In such a case, the dry wiping performed by the wiping member 71 will eventually transition from dry wiping to wet wiping.

The detection unit 35 detects a detectable object approaching the main body 31 as the main body 31 moves, or a detectable object coming into contact with the main body 31. The detection unit 35 includes a camera unit 81 provided on the main body 31 and capturing images of the area around the vacuum cleaner 2, a proximity detection unit 82 provided on the main body 31 and detecting when the main body 31 approaches an object other than the vacuum cleaner 2, i.e., a detectable object, and a contact detection unit 83 provided on the main body 31 and detecting when the main body 31 comes into contact with an object other than the vacuum cleaner 2, i.e., a detectable object.

The camera unit 81 is located on the front of the main body 31 and captures images in front of the vacuum cleaner 2, i.e., in the direction of travel when moving forward.

In place of or in addition to the camera unit 81, the vacuum cleaner 2 may be equipped with a distance measurement device 85 that obtains depth information within the shooting range using a different principle than that of a stereo camera.

The proximity detection unit 82 is, for example, an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. A proximity detection unit 82 that uses an infrared sensor is equipped with 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 82 emits infrared rays from the light-emitting element, receives the infrared rays reflected by the object to be detected with the light-receiving element and converts them into electricity. When the converted electricity reaches a certain level, it detects that the object to be detected has approached within a certain distance, even before the main body 31 comes into contact with the object to be detected. A proximity detection unit 82 that uses an ultrasonic sensor uses ultrasonic waves instead of infrared rays to detect the object to be detected.

The contact detection unit 83 is a so-called bumper sensor. The contact detection unit 83 is linked to the bumper 52, which absorbs the impact on the moving main body 31 when it comes into contact with a detected object. When the bumper 52 comes into contact with the detected object, it displaces so as to be pushed inward toward the main body 31. The contact detection unit 83 detects this displacement of the bumper 52 and detects that the main body 31 has come into contact with the detected object. The contact detection unit 83 includes, for example, a microswitch that is turned on and off depending on the displacement of the bumper 52, or an infrared sensor or ultrasonic sensor that measures the amount of displacement of the bumper 52 without contact.

The secondary battery 6 stores the power consumed by each part of the vacuum cleaner 2, including the moving unit 32, cleaning unit 33, detection unit 35, and control unit 36. The secondary battery 6 supplies power to each part of the vacuum cleaner 2, including the moving unit 32, cleaning unit 33, detection unit 35, and control unit 36. 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 36.

The storage tank 37 is a container for storing water or saltwater. The water stored in the storage tank 37 may be tap water. The storage tank 37 is preferably detachable from the main body 31 to increase the convenience of water supply. The storage tank 37 has an openable lid. The storage tank 37 can be easily supplied with water or saltwater by opening the lid. The storage tank 37 is provided with a water level detector 86 that detects the amount of water in the storage tank 37.

The electrolyzed water generator 38, for example, electrolyzes water to generate electrolyzed water containing dissolved ozone, or electrolyzes saltwater to generate electrolyzed water containing dissolved hypochlorous acid (HClO). In Japan, the Water Supply Act stipulates that tap water readily available at home contains chlorine. The Japanese Water Supply Act stipulates that the chlorine concentration in tap water must be at least 1/10 ppm (parts per million by mass, milligrams per liter) (Article 17, Paragraph 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 electrolyzed water generator 38 can easily generate electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid by electrolyzing water containing chlorine, such as Japanese tap water, or saltwater. The electrolyzed water generator 38 includes electrodes 87, including a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

The electrodes 87 of the electrolyzed water generator 38 are made of a material that does not easily dissolve in water, such as titanium or platinum. To promote electrolysis, the electrodes 87 may be supported with 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 produced in the electrolyzed water. The electrodes 87 are installed inside the storage tank 37.

The electrolyzed water generator 38 may be a single-chamber type with no partition between the positive and negative electrodes, a two-chamber type with a partition between the positive and negative electrodes, or a multi-chamber type including a three-chamber type. A single-chamber electrolyzed water generator 38 neutralizes acidic ionized water generated on the positive electrode side and alkaline ionized water generated on the negative electrode side to generate electrolyzed water containing an appropriate concentration of hypochlorous acid. On the other hand, a multi-chamber electrolyzed water generator 38 generates acidic ionized water in the chamber housing the positive electrode and alkaline ionized water in the chamber housing the negative electrode.

Note that with a multi-chamber electrolyzed water generator 38, the amount of acidic ionized water and alkaline ionized water used may be uneven, resulting in the burden of disposing of the remaining ionized water. A single-chamber electrolyzed water generator 38 does not require the burden of disposing of the remaining ionized water as with a multi-chamber type, and may be more convenient for users than a multi-chamber type.

Furthermore, if the solution used by the vacuum cleaner 2 is a solution such as an air freshener, deodorizer, or water that does not require electrolysis, the electrolyzed water generator 38 may not be necessary.

The first supply unit 41 supplies electrolyzed water so that it can be diffused or sprayed into the atmosphere of the surface f to be cleaned and the area A to be cleaned. The first supply unit 41 supplies electrolyzed water to at least one of the wiping member 71, the surface f to be cleaned, and the atmosphere of the area A to be cleaned. The first supply unit 41 includes a first supply mechanism 91 that supplies electrolyzed water from the storage tank 37 to the wiping member 71, a second supply mechanism 92 that supplies electrolyzed water from the storage tank 37 to the surface f to be cleaned, and a third supply mechanism 93 that supplies electrolyzed water from the storage tank 37 to the atmosphere of the main body 31. The first supply unit 41 may include any one of the first supply mechanism 91, second supply mechanism 92, and third supply mechanism 93.

The first supply mechanism 91 includes a first supply port 95 that supplies electrolyzed water to the back surface of the wiping member 71, a first on-off valve 96 that switches the supply and cut-off of electrolyzed water to the first supply port 95, and a first water guide path 99a that guides electrolyzed water to the first supply port 95. The front surface of the wiping member 71 is the surface that contacts the surface to be cleaned f, and the back surface of the wiping member 71 is the surface behind the front surface, i.e., the surface that does not contact the surface to be cleaned f.

There may be multiple first supply ports 95. For example, it is preferable that the first supply ports 95 are arranged in a row in the width direction of the main body 31, i.e., the width direction of the wiping member 71. The first supply ports 95 arranged in this manner can moisten a wide area of the wiping member 71 with electrolyzed water. Alternatively, the first supply port 95 may be an elongated, flat opening with long sides extending in the width direction of the main body 31.

The first on-off valve 96 is a so-called electromagnetic valve. By opening the first on-off valve 96, the first supply mechanism 91 supplies electrolyzed water at the height difference between the water level in the storage tank 37 and the first supply port 95, i.e., the hydraulic head difference. Instead of the first on-off valve 96, the first supply mechanism 91 may be equipped with a pump that draws up electrolyzed water from the storage tank 37. Alternatively, the first supply mechanism 91 may simply be a flow path, such as a capillary tube or orifice, that discharges the electrolyzed water from the storage tank 37. In such cases, the inner diameter of the capillary tube or the diameter of the orifice is appropriately set to obtain the required supply amount of electrolyzed water (supply amount per unit time).

The second supply mechanism 92 is responsible for spraying electrolyzed water onto the surface to be cleaned f. The second supply mechanism 92 includes a second supply port 97 that sprays electrolyzed water onto the surface to be cleaned f, a second on-off valve 98 that supplies and cuts off the supply of electrolyzed water to the second supply port 97, and a second water conduction path 99b that guides the electrolyzed water to the second supply port 97.

The second supply port 97 is, for example, a nozzle capable of spraying electrolyzed water. The second supply port 97 supplies electrolyzed water to the surface f to be cleaned, which is sandwiched between the suction port 61 and the wiping member 71, when the vacuum cleaner 2 is placed on the surface f to be cleaned. In other words, the second supply mechanism 92 supplies electrolyzed water from the second supply port 97 to the surface f to be cleaned, which is sandwiched between the suction port 61 and the wiping member 71, when the vacuum cleaner 2 is placed on the surface f to be cleaned.

There may be multiple second supply ports 97. For example, the second supply ports 97 are preferably arranged in a row in the width direction of the main body 31, i.e., the width direction of the wiping member 71. The second supply ports 97 arranged in this manner spray electrolyzed water over a wider area as the main body 31 moves forward. The second supply port 97 may also be an elongated, flat nozzle with a long side extending in the width direction of the main body 31.

The second on-off valve 98 is a so-called electromagnetic valve. By opening the second on-off valve 98, the second supply mechanism 92 supplies electrolyzed water at the height difference between the water level in the storage tank 37 and the second supply port 97, i.e., the hydraulic head difference. Instead of the second on-off valve 98, the second supply mechanism 92 may be equipped with a pump that draws up electrolyzed water from the storage tank 37. Alternatively, the second supply mechanism 92 may simply be a flow path, such as a capillary tube or orifice, that discharges the electrolyzed water from the storage tank 37. In such cases, the inner diameter of the capillary tube or the diameter of the orifice is appropriately set to obtain the required supply amount of electrolyzed water (supply amount per unit time).

The third supply mechanism 93 is responsible for spraying electrolyzed water into the atmosphere of the cleaning area A. The third supply mechanism 93 includes a first atomization device 101 that atomizes electrolyzed water and supplies it to the atmosphere surrounding the main body 31, and a third water guide path 99c that guides the electrolyzed water to the first atomization device 101.

The first atomization device 101 is provided on the top surface of the main body 31. The first atomization device 101 diffuses or sprays atomized electrolyzed water into the atmosphere surrounding the main body 31.

The first atomization device 101 uses various atomization methods, such as a heating method that heats electrolyzed water to atomize it, an ultrasonic method that uses ultrasonic vibrations to atomize electrolyzed water, a spray that uses the Venturi effect, such as a method that atomizes electrolyzed water using a spray bottle, electrostatic atomization that uses corona discharge to atomize electrolyzed water, and a water-breaking method that uses a high-speed rotating propeller or the like to disperse the electrolyzed water and break down the water molecules. In all of these methods, the first atomization device 101 atomizes the electrolyzed water to contain fine particles with a diameter of 100 micrometers or less, and more preferably to contain fine particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.

The first water conduction path 99a, the second water conduction path 99b, and the third water conduction path 99c may be, for example, pipes connecting the storage tank 37 and the first atomization device 101, or may be ropes or cords that use capillary action to suck up the electrolyzed water in the storage tank 37 and guide it to the first atomization device 101. The first water conduction path 99a, the second water conduction path 99b, and the third water conduction path 99c may branch off from other water conduction paths as shown in FIG. 2, or each may be independently connected to the storage tank 37.

The second supply unit 42 supplies electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank 37 to the suction air duct 67. The second supply unit 42 may supply electrolyzed water to the upstream air duct 67u connecting the suction port 61 and the dust container 65, or may supply electrolyzed water to the dust container 65, or may supply electrolyzed water to the downstream air duct 67d connecting the dust container 65 and the electric blower 66. In other words, the second supply unit 42 supplies electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank 37 to at least one of the upstream air duct 67u connecting the suction port 61 and the dust container 65, the interior of the dust container 65, and the downstream air duct 67d connecting the dust container 65 and the electric blower 66.

The second supply unit 42 vaporizes electrolyzed water and supplies it to at least one of the upstream air passage 67u connecting the suction port 61 and the dust container 65, the interior of the dust container 65, and the downstream air passage 67d connecting the dust container 65 and the electric blower 66. The second supply unit 42 includes a second atomization device 102 that atomizes the electrolyzed water and supplies it to at least one of the upstream air passage 67u, the dust container 65, and the downstream air passage 67d connecting the dust container 65 and the electric blower 66, and a fourth water guide path 99d that guides the electrolyzed water from the storage tank 37 to the second atomization device 102.

The second atomization device 102 may be exposed to the upstream air duct 67u itself or the space connected to the upstream air duct 67u, the dust container 65 itself or the space connected to the dust container 65, or the downstream air duct 67d itself or the space connected to the downstream air duct 67d. The second atomization device 102 diffuses or sprays atomized electrolyzed water into at least one of the upstream air duct 67u, the dust container 65, and the downstream air duct 67d.

Here, the "space connected to the upstream air passage 67u," "space connected to the dust container 65," and "space connected to the downstream air passage 67d" include areas where the negative suction pressure generated by the electric blower 66 acts to create sufficient air flow, and also include areas where the negative suction pressure generated by the electric blower 66 acts but does not create sufficient air flow due to the negative suction pressure, resulting in stagnant airflow.

The second atomization device 102 uses various atomization methods, such as a heating method that heats and atomizes electrolyzed water; an ultrasonic method that atomizes electrolyzed water by vibrating it with ultrasound; a spray that uses the Venturi effect, such as a method that atomizes electrolyzed water using a spray bottle; electrostatic atomization that atomizes electrolyzed water using corona discharge; and a water-breaking method that disperses electrolyzed water using a high-speed rotating propeller or the like to break down the water molecules. In all of these methods, the second atomization device 102 atomizes electrolyzed water to contain fine particles with a diameter of 100 micrometers or less, and more preferably to contain fine particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.

The fourth water conduction path 99d may be, for example, a pipe connecting the storage tank 37 and the second atomization device 102, or it may be a rope or cord that sucks up the electrolyzed water in the storage tank 37 using capillary action and guides it to the second atomization device 102. Furthermore, the fourth water conduction path 99d may branch off from another water conduction path as shown in FIG. 3, or the fourth water conduction path 99d may be connected to the storage tank 37 on its own.

In addition to or instead of the second atomization device 102, the second supply unit 42 may be equipped with a water-retaining body 105 that vaporizes electrolyzed water in at least one of the upstream air duct 67u connecting the suction port 61 and the dust container 65, the interior of the dust container 65, and the downstream air duct 67d connecting the dust container 65 and the electric blower 66.

The water holding body 105 is connected to the storage tank 37 via the same fourth water conducting path 99d as the second atomization device 102, or via a different water conducting path. The water holding body 105 absorbs electrolyzed water supplied through the water conducting path and becomes filled with electrolyzed water. A portion of the water holding body 105 is in contact with the electrolyzed water passing through the water conducting path connecting the storage tank 37 and the water holding body 105. A portion of the water holding body 105 may also be in direct contact with the electrolyzed water in the storage tank 37 without passing through the water conducting path. The other portion of the water holding body 105 may be exposed to the upstream air duct 67u itself or the space connected to the upstream air duct 67u, the dust container 65 itself or the space connected to the dust container 65, or the downstream air duct 67d itself or the space connected to the downstream air duct 67d.

The water-retaining body 105 retains electrolyzed water through its absorbency. Furthermore, the water-retaining body 105 absorbs electrolyzed water from the water-conduction channel connecting the storage tank 37 and the water-retaining body 105. In other words, by bringing a water-absorbent member into contact with electrolyzed water, the vacuum cleaner 2 supplies electrolyzed water to at least one of the upstream air duct 67u connecting the suction port 61 and the dust container 65, the interior of the dust container 65, and the downstream air duct 67d connecting the dust container 65 and the electric blower 66. The water-retaining body 105 can suck up and move the liquid through capillary action, even if the electrolyzed water supply location (the upstream air duct 67u, the dust container 65, or the downstream air duct 67d) is located higher than the storage tank 37. By changing the absorbency and size of the water-retaining body 105, the suction force and height can be adjusted to avoid oversupply. The water holding body 105 may also be located below the storage tank 37. In this case, electrolyzed water can be easily supplied to the water holding body 105 due to the hydraulic head difference.

The water retention body 105 is, for example, a woven or nonwoven fabric. The material of the water retention body 105 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, or nylon 46, or polyolefin fiber such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The water retention body 105 may also be a sponge. The water retention body 105 may also have an integral member made of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP, also known as an absorbent polymer, highly water-absorbent resin, or polymer absorbent). A water retention body 105 having an integral member made of a superabsorbent polymer can better retain the target electrolyzed water.

The electrolyzed water vaporizes until the vapor pressure of the gas in the intake duct 67 reaches saturated vapor pressure. The vaporized electrolyzed water reaches the dust container 65 through the intake duct 67 and sterilizes the dust accumulated in the dust container 65.

The water holding body 105 can vaporize electrolyzed water using the air flow in the upstream air duct 67u and inside the dust container 65, and supply the electrolyzed water to the dust container 65. The electrolyzed water vaporized by the air flow sterilizes dust accumulated in the dust container 65. A portion of the electrolyzed water passes through the dust container 65 due to negative suction pressure and reaches the electric blower 66 to sterilize the exhaust air from the electric blower 66. The water holding body 105 can vaporize electrolyzed water using the air flow in the downstream air duct 67d, pass through the dust container 65, and reach the electric blower 66 to sterilize the exhaust air from the electric blower 66. The water holding body 105 can vaporize electrolyzed water in the upstream air duct 67u, inside the dust container 65, and downstream air duct 67d, and supply the electrolyzed water to the dust container 65, even when the electric blower 66 is stopped. The vaporized electrolyzed water diffuses within the intake air duct 67 and sterilizes dust accumulated in the dust container 65.

When the second supply unit 42 is provided in the downstream air duct 67d, the exhaust air from the electric blower 66 can be sterilized by vaporizing electrolyzed water while the electric blower 66 is operating. In other words, when the second supply unit 42 is provided in the downstream air duct 67d, the entire amount of vaporized electrolyzed water can be used to sterilize the exhaust air blown out from the vacuum cleaner 2 while the electric blower 66 is operating, and dust accumulated in the dust container 65 can be sterilized while the electric blower 66 is stopped.

On the other hand, if the second supply unit 42 is provided in the upstream air duct 67u or the dust container 65, the second supply unit 42 can vaporize electrolyzed water using the air flow in the suction air duct 67 and supply the electrolyzed water to the dust container 65. The electrolyzed water vaporized by the air flow in the suction air duct 67 sterilizes dust accumulated in the dust container 65. In addition, some of the electrolyzed water that reaches the dust container 65 passes through the dust container 65 due to the suction negative pressure and reaches the electric blower 66 to sterilize the exhaust air from the electric blower 66.

The vacuum cleaner 2 is provided with a moisture absorbing unit 106 located in the suction air duct 67. The moisture absorbing unit 106 absorbs electrolyzed water (moisture) drawn into the suction air duct 67 by negative suction pressure. When electrolyzed water is drawn into the suction air duct 67, the moisture absorbing unit 106 absorbs the electrolyzed water before it reaches the electric blower 66, preventing it from reaching the electric blower 66. The moisture absorbing unit 106 is, for example, a woven or nonwoven fabric. The moisture absorbing unit 106 can be made of natural fibers such as cotton, recycled fibers such as cellulose, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers such as nylon 6, nylon 66, and nylon 46, or synthetic fibers such as polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The moisture absorbing unit 106 may also be a sponge. The moisture absorbing unit 106 may also be an integral member made of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP, also known as an absorbent polymer, highly absorbent resin, or polymer absorbent). The moisture absorbing section 106, which has an integral member made of a highly absorbent polymer, can hold a larger amount of electrolyzed water.

The moisture absorber 106 may be provided in the upstream air duct 67u of the intake air duct 67, or in the downstream air duct 67d. The moisture absorber 106 may also be provided inside the dust container 65. The moisture absorber 106 only needs to be provided downstream of the second atomization device 102 and the water retention body 105 in the air flow. In other words, the moisture absorber 106 is closer to the electric blower 66 in the intake air duct 67 than the second atomization device 102 and the water retention body 105. The moisture absorber 106 may also serve as a filter for the dust container 65, which separates dust from the dust-laden air sucked into the intake air duct 67.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of an electric cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4 as well as Figure 5, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment includes the motor 56 of the moving unit 32, the brush motor 63 and electric blower 66 of the suction cleaning unit 58, the bed evacuation motor 77 of the bed evacuation mechanism 75, the detection unit 35, the control unit 36, the electrolyzed water generator 38, the first supply mechanism 91, the second supply mechanism 92, and the third supply mechanism 93 of the first supply unit 41, the second atomization device 102 of the second supply unit 42, the water volume detection unit 86, and the secondary battery 6, as well as a communication unit 111 and an electrolyzed water generation power supply unit 112 that applies voltage to the electrolyzed water generator 38.

The communication unit 111 includes a wireless communication unit that is connected to the local communication network 19 wirelessly for two-way communication; a transmitter that transmits infrared signals to the station 3 and includes, for example, an infrared light-emitting element; and a receiver that receives infrared signals from the station 3 or a remote controller and includes, for example, a phototransistor.

A wireless communication line is established between the wireless communication unit and the relay communication device 21. The wireless communication unit transmits information to the operation terminal 17 via the relay communication device 21, and receives information from the operation terminal 17 via the relay communication device 21.

The wireless communication unit transmits information to the operation terminal 17 via the relay communication device 21 informing it that operation will begin. The wireless communication unit also receives information from the operation terminal 17 via the relay communication device 21, including an instruction to stop operation. In other words, the vacuum cleaner 2 can be remotely controlled from the operation terminal 17 via the communication unit 111, improving user convenience.

The camera unit 81 of the detection unit 35 is, for example, a digital camera. That is, the camera unit 81 includes an imaging element 81a (image sensor) that converts the captured image into an electrical signal, and an optical system 81b that forms (generates) an image on the imaging element 81a. The imaging element 81a is, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 2 can instantly handle the digital data of the image captured by the camera unit 81. That is, the image captured by the camera unit 81 can be compressed into a predetermined data format, converted into a binary image, or converted into grayscale using, for example, an image processing circuit. The camera unit 81 captures images in, for example, the visible light range. Images in the visible light range have better image quality than, for example, images in the infrared range, and can easily provide the user with visible information without complex image processing.

The camera unit 81 is a so-called stereo camera. The images captured by the camera unit 81 overlap within a shooting range that includes a position forward of the center line of the vacuum cleaner 2 in the width direction. The camera unit 81 can obtain information about the depth within the shooting range, that is, the distance from the vacuum cleaner 2. An image that includes depth information is called a "distance image."

The camera unit 81 may be equipped with a lighting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a light bulb. The lighting device illuminates part or all of the camera unit 81's shooting range. The lighting device enables the camera unit 81 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 81a. 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 representing the scene captured by the camera unit 81 is obtained. A typical image sensor 81a captures color images. A color image is expressed by mixing three colors, for example, red, green, and blue.

The distance measurement device 85 includes a light-emitting unit 85a that emits light into the range for which depth information is to be obtained, and a light-receiving unit 85b that receives the reflected light emitted from the light-emitting unit 85a. The vacuum cleaner 2 can obtain distance information from the vacuum cleaner 2 to the detected object based on the time difference between when the light-emitting unit 85a starts emitting light and when the reflected light is received by the light-receiving unit 85b. The light-emitting unit 85a emits, for example, infrared light or visible light.

The control unit 36 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary storage device (e.g., read-only memory, ROM) that stores various calculation programs and parameters executed (processed) by the central processing unit, and a main storage device (e.g., random access memory, RAM) that dynamically allocates a working area for the programs. It is preferable that the auxiliary storage device be rewritable, such as non-volatile memory.

The control unit 36 is electrically connected to the motor 56 of the moving unit 32, the brush motor 63 and electric blower 66 of the suction cleaning unit 58, the bed exit motor 77 of the bed exit mechanism 75, the detection unit 35, the electrolytic water generation device 38, the first supply mechanism unit 91, the second supply mechanism unit 92, and the third supply mechanism unit 93 of the first supply unit 41, the second atomization device 102 of the second supply unit 42, the water volume detection unit 86, the secondary battery 6, and the communication unit 111. The control unit 36 controls the brush motor 63 and electric blower 66 of the suction cleaning unit 58, the bed evacuation motor 77 of the bed evacuation mechanism 75, the detection unit 35, the electrolyzed water generator 38, the first supply mechanism 91, second supply mechanism 92, and third supply mechanism 93 of the first supply unit 41, the second atomization device 102 of the second supply unit 42, the water volume detection unit 86, and the secondary battery 6 in response to control signals received from the station 3 and the remote controller via the communication unit 111.

The control unit 36 includes an autonomous movement control unit 116 that controls the autonomous movement of the vacuum cleaner 2, a detection control unit 117 that controls the operation of the detection unit 35, and a clock unit 118 that keeps time. The autonomous movement control unit 116 and the detection control unit 117 are calculation programs.

The autonomous movement control unit 116 includes a map information storage unit 119 that stores environment map information (Environment Map), a movement control unit 121 that controls the operation of the electric motor 56 of the movement unit 32, a suction cleaning control unit 122 that controls the operation of the brush motor 63 and electric blower 66 of the suction cleaning unit 58, and a sterilization control unit 123 that controls the operation of the electrolyzed water generator 38, the first supply mechanism 91, second supply mechanism 92, and third supply mechanism 93 of the first supply unit 41, and the second atomization device 102 of the second supply unit 42.

The map information storage unit 119 is a data area constructed in a storage area reserved in an auxiliary storage device.

Environmental map information is a collection of data and has an appropriate data structure. The environmental map information represents the area A to be cleaned in an appropriate data structure. The environmental map information is read from the map information storage unit 119 secured in the auxiliary storage device into the main storage device for use, and is updated as appropriate before being overwritten in the map information storage unit 119.

The environmental map information is information used for the autonomous movement of the vacuum cleaner 2, and includes information on the shape of the area within the cleaning area A to be cleaned that the vacuum cleaner 2 can move in. The environmental map information is constructed, for example, as a collection of neatly arranged rectangles with sides of 10 centimeters. The environmental map information may be prepared in advance when the vacuum cleaner 2 is used, or may be created simultaneously with self-position estimation using Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). The environmental map information may be created and updated during the movement process associated with cleaning operation. When creating the environmental map information using SLAM, the vacuum cleaner 2 preferably includes various sensors, such as an encoder, in addition to the detection unit 35. The movement control unit 121 creates the environmental map information based on information acquired from the detection unit 35 and various sensors.

The environmental map information is shared between the vacuum cleaner 2 and the operation terminal 17. Therefore, the communication unit 111 transmits the environmental map information to the operation terminal 17 via the relay communication device 21. By sharing the environmental map information, the user can accurately grasp the current location (location information) of the vacuum cleaner 2 through the operation terminal 17. The user can also specify any location on the environmental map information via the operation terminal 17 to move the vacuum cleaner 2. The user can then easily grasp the situation of the location to which the vacuum cleaner 2 has been moved, i.e., the destination, from the images captured by the camera unit 81.

The movement control unit 121 controls the movement unit 32 based on the environmental map information to move the vacuum cleaner 2 autonomously. The movement control unit 121 controls the magnitude and direction of the current flowing through the electric motor 56 to rotate the electric motor 56 forward or reverse. The movement control unit 121 controls the drive of the drive wheels 55 by rotating the electric motor 56 forward or reverse.

The suction cleaning control unit 122 individually controls the brush motor 63 and the electric blower 66.

The sterilization control unit 123 controls the amount of electrolyzed water supplied from the storage tank 37 to the wiping cleaning member 71 by opening and closing the first on-off valve 96 of the first supply unit 41. The sterilization control unit 123 also controls the amount of electrolyzed water supplied from the storage tank 37 to the surface to be cleaned f by opening and closing the first on-off valve 96 of the first supply unit 41. The sterilization control unit 123 also controls the amount of electrolyzed water supplied from the storage tank 37 to the periphery of the vacuum cleaner 2 by turning on/off (on/off, driven/stopped) the operation of the first atomization device 101 of the first supply unit 41. The sterilization control unit 123 also controls the amount of electrolyzed water supplied from the storage tank 37 to the suction air duct 67 by turning on/off (on/off, driven/stopped) the operation of the second atomization device 102 of the second supply unit 42.

The control unit 36 then applies at least one of the functions assigned to each of the multiple divided cleaning areas based on the area-specific allocation information, causing the vacuum cleaner 2 to move autonomously within the cleaning area A. In other words, while the movement control unit 121 controls the movement unit 32 to autonomously move the vacuum cleaner 2 based on the environmental map information and information identifying the multiple divided cleaning areas, the suction cleaning control unit 122 and sterilization control unit 123 execute at least one of the functions assigned to each divided cleaning area, including the suction cleaning function, wiping function, and solution spraying function, based on the area-specific allocation information. Hereinafter, this type of control executed by the control unit 36 will be referred to as "area-specific execution function allocation control."

The detection control unit 117 controls the operation of the camera unit 81. The detection control unit 117 causes the camera unit 81 to take images at predetermined time intervals. The detection control unit 117 stores the images taken by the camera unit 81 in the detection result storage unit 125. The images taken by the camera unit 81 are secured in the main memory device. The detection result storage unit 125 stores the images taken by the camera unit 81. The detection result storage unit 125 has enough capacity to store multiple images.

The detection result storage unit 125 may store image information representing the image captured by the camera unit 81 without processing it, or may store image information that has been processed to reduce the data size as long as the information necessary for image analysis remains. The image information stored in the detection result storage unit 125 may be, for example, an image captured by the camera unit 81 converted to grayscale (hereinafter referred to as the image, just like the original image captured by the camera unit 81). In the case of a grayscale image, the pixel values of the image correspond to the brightness values. When saving an image converted to grayscale, the control unit 36 can allocate a smaller memory area capacity (resources) to the detection result storage unit 125 than when storing the original image. Furthermore, when using an image converted to grayscale for subsequent analysis, the control unit 36 can reduce the load on the central processing unit compared to processing the original image. Image processing, including grayscaling the image, may be performed by the camera unit 81. Performing image processing by the camera unit 81 reduces the load on the central processing unit.

The detection control unit 117 also controls the on/off of the lighting device. The lighting device brightens the image, facilitating analysis processing and improving accuracy.

Furthermore, the detection control unit 117 stores the detection result of the proximity detection unit 82, i.e., that the detected object has approached the main body 31, and the distance between the detected object and the main body 31 at that time, in the detection result memory unit 125. The detection control unit 117 stores the detection result of the contact detection unit 83, i.e., that the detected object has come into contact with the main body 31, in the detection result memory unit 125. This information stored in the detection result memory unit 125 can be associated with environmental map information and used to optimize the movement path during autonomous movement of the vacuum cleaner 2.

The water level detection unit 86 may be either a contact type or a non-contact type. A contact type water level detection unit 86 can employ known methods, such as a float type that measures the water level based on the vertical position of a float installed in the storage tank 37, or a capacitance type that measures the water level by detecting the capacitance between a pair of electrodes. A non-contact type water level detection unit 86 can employ known methods that measure the water level using, for example, radio waves, ultrasound, or light waves.

The electrode 87 of the electrolyzed water generator 38 can also serve as the water volume detector 86. The vertically extending electrode 87 changes its ratio of the portion submerged in water (in the electrolyzed water) to the portion exposed to the gas in the storage tank 37 as the water level (electrolyzed water level) in the storage tank 37 changes. This change in ratio changes the value of the current flowing between the positive and negative electrodes of the electrode 87. Therefore, the amount of water stored in the storage tank 37 can be estimated based on the change in the value of the current flowing between the positive and negative electrodes of the electrode 87.

The electrolyzed water generation power supply unit 112 applies a voltage to the electrode 87 of the electrolyzed water generator 38. The electrolyzed water generation power supply unit 112 converts the power charged in the secondary battery 6 into a voltage suitable for generating electrolyzed water and applies it to the electrode 87.

Next, we will explain the bed exit mechanism of the electric vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment. Note that in the second to fourth examples of the bed exit mechanism, the same components as those in the first example of the bed exit mechanism are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a first example of a floor-elevating mechanism for an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

However, if the wiping member 71 containing water, such as electrolyzed water, is left in contact with a hygroscopic floor material, such as tatami mats or wooden floors, i.e., the surface to be cleaned f, the floor material may absorb excessive moisture or the wax applied to the floor material may be removed. If this situation is left unattended for any longer, there is a risk that the floor material may become discolored or damaged.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4 and Figure 6, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment is equipped with a first example of a bed-escape mechanism 75 (hereinafter referred to as the "bed-escape mechanism 75") that can move the wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f.

Note that the solid line in Figure 6 indicates the state in which the wiping member 71 is separated from the surface to be cleaned f, and the two-dot chain line in Figure 6 indicates the state in which the wiping member 71 is in contact with the surface to be cleaned f.

The evacuation mechanism 75 separates the wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned f by creating a space between the surface to be cleaned f and the wiping member 71. The evacuation mechanism 75 includes a lifting mechanism 76 for the wiping member attachment part 72 and a lifting motor 77 that drives the lifting mechanism 76. The evacuation mechanism 75 brings the wiping member 71 into contact with the surface to be cleaned f or separates the wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned f by moving the wiping member attachment part 72 closer to or further away from the surface to be cleaned f.

The lift-off mechanism 75 lifts the wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f when the main structure on which the wiping unit 59 is mounted, such as the main body case 51 and the storage tank 37, is stopped on the surface to be cleaned f. In other words, the lift-off mechanism 75 lifts the wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f when the relative speed between the wiping member attachment unit 72 and the surface to be cleaned f is zero.

The lifting mechanism 76 can employ various mechanisms that convert the rotational driving force of the bed-egress motor 77 into linear motion that moves the wiping member mounting portion 72 up and down. The lifting mechanism 76 can be, for example, a rack and pinion, a ball screw, a pulley device, or a link mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 5, the autonomous movement control unit 116 of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment includes a bed exit control unit 126 that controls the operation of the bed exit motor 77 of the bed exit mechanism 75.

The bed exit control unit 126 controls switching between a state in which the wiping member 71 of the wiping unit 59 is in contact with the surface to be cleaned f and a state in which the wiping member 71 of the wiping unit 59 is away from the surface to be cleaned f.

The bed exit control unit 126 determines whether the vacuum cleaner 2 is stopped based on the detection results of various sensors such as the detection unit 35 and the encoder, or the control signal from the movement control unit 121.

Note that the vacuum cleaner 2 being stopped includes at least one of the following states: the drive wheels 55 of the moving unit 32 are stopped under the control of the control unit 36; the drive wheels 55 are spinning freely and the vacuum cleaner 2 is unable to move; and the vacuum cleaner 2 is unable to move due to some kind of obstacle. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 2 being stopped includes at least one of the following states: a state in which the vacuum cleaner 2 is stopped while waiting for a cleaning operation; and a state in which the vacuum cleaner 2 is temporarily stopped while in a cleaning operation.

The determination of whether the vacuum cleaner 2 is stopped may be made the moment the vacuum cleaner 2 stops, or may be made when the vacuum cleaner 2 remains stopped for a predetermined duration, for example, 3 to 5 seconds, and may be made false if the stopped state is released before the predetermined duration has elapsed, i.e., the vacuum cleaner 2 begins to move. By performing dead-band processing to determine that the vacuum cleaner 2 is stopped when the stopped state of the vacuum cleaner 2 has continued for the predetermined duration, frequent floor lift-off and floor landing operations of the wiping member 71 by the floor lift-off mechanism 75 are suppressed.

The bed-lift control unit 126 moves the wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f when the primary structure is stopped on the surface to be cleaned f, and brings the wiping member 71 into contact with the surface to be cleaned f when the primary structure is moving across the surface to be cleaned f. In other words, the bed-lift control unit 126 moves the wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f when the relative speed between the wiping member attachment unit 72 and the surface to be cleaned f is zero, and brings the wiping member 71 into contact with the surface to be cleaned f when the relative speed between the wiping member attachment unit 72 and the surface to be cleaned f is non-zero.

In addition, even if the relative speed between the wiping member attachment part 72 and the surface to be cleaned f is non-zero, the bed-leaving control part 126 may move the wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f if the main structure is moving backward (the relative speed is negative), and may bring the wiping member 71 into contact with the surface to be cleaned f if the main structure is moving forward (the relative speed is positive).

In this way, by keeping the moist wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f when the vacuum cleaner 2 is stopped, it is possible to prevent the surface to be cleaned f from absorbing excessive moisture or the wax applied to the surface to be cleaned f from being removed.

The electric vacuum cleaner 2 can dry the wiping member 71 by generating an airflow between the wiping member 71 and the surface to be cleaned (f). The bed-escape control unit 126 drives the bed-escape motor 77 to move the wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned, and then operates the electric blower 66 via the suction control unit 122. The electric blower 66 draws air through the suction port 61 and expels it through the exhaust port of the main body 31. The electric vacuum cleaner 2 uses the intake air flow or exhaust air flow of the electric blower 66 to generate an airflow between the wiping member 71 and the surface to be cleaned (f). Note that the electric vacuum cleaner 2 may be equipped with louvers to direct the intake air flow or exhaust air flow of the electric blower 66 away from the wiping member 71 when drying of the wiping member 71 is not required.

By actively drying the wiping member 71, the vacuum cleaner 2 can more reliably prevent the surface to be cleaned f from absorbing excessive moisture or the wax applied to the surface to be cleaned f from being removed.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a second example of a floor-elevating mechanism for a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment is equipped with a second example of a floor-elevating mechanism 75A (hereinafter referred to as the "floor-elevating mechanism 75A"). The floor-elevating mechanism 75A is equipped with a track device 131 that moves the wiping member 71 between a position where it can contact the surface to be cleaned f and a position where it is separated from the surface to be cleaned f.

The track device 131 comprises an annular crawler 132, a drive wheel 133 connected to the bed-lifting motor 77, and an idler wheel 134 that adjusts the tension of the crawler 132.

The wiping member attachment portion 72 may be integrated into the crawler 132, may be part of the crawler 132, or may be the crawler 132 itself.

The bed-lifting mechanism 75A rotates the crawler 132 to move the wiping member 71 between a position where it contacts the surface to be cleaned (f) and a position where it is separated from the surface to be cleaned (f).

In this way, by keeping the moist wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f when the vacuum cleaner 2 is stopped, it is possible to prevent the surface to be cleaned f from absorbing excessive moisture or the wax applied to the surface to be cleaned f from being removed.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a third example of a floor-elevating mechanism for a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 8, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment is equipped with a third example of a floor-elevating mechanism 75B (hereinafter referred to as the "floor-elevating mechanism 75B"). The floor-elevating mechanism 75B changes the posture of the main body 31, which is the main structure, to move the wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f.

The bed-elevation mechanism 75B includes a second lifting mechanism 136 that changes the position of the main body 31, and a bed-elevation motor 77 that drives the second lifting mechanism 136. The bed-elevation mechanism 75B tilts the main body 31 relative to the surface f to be cleaned by moving part of the main body 31 closer to or farther away from the surface f to bring the wiping member 71 into contact with or away from the surface f to be cleaned.

The second lifting mechanism 136 may employ various mechanisms that convert the rotational driving force of the bed-elevation motor 77 into linear motion that changes the posture of the main body 31. The second lifting mechanism 136 may be, for example, a rack and pinion, a ball screw, a pulley device, or a link mechanism.

The second lifting mechanism 136 may be in constant contact with the surface to be cleaned f when the vacuum cleaner 2 is placed on the surface to be cleaned f, or may be in contact with the surface to be cleaned f only when the position of the vacuum cleaner 2 is changed. A training wheel may be provided at the lower end of the second lifting mechanism 136.

The second lifting mechanism 136 tilts the attitude of the main body 31, for example, using the driven wheels 57 as a fulcrum. When the second lifting mechanism 136 extends, the main body 31 tilts with the front end of the main body 31 lowered and the rear end raised, using the driven wheels 57 as a fulcrum. At this time, the wiping member 71 moves away from the surface to be cleaned. To stabilize the main body 31 in a tilted position, the bed-elevating mechanism 75B preferably includes a pair of second lifting mechanisms 136 on the left and right.

The second lifting mechanism 136 may tilt the attitude of the main body 31 by extending or retracting the suspension of the drive wheel 55. Furthermore, the second lifting mechanism 136 is not limited to tilting the attitude of the main body 31 by lifting a portion of the main body 31 as shown in Figure 8. The second lifting mechanism 136 may also tilt the attitude of the main body 31 by accommodating the driven wheel 57 so as to retract it into the main body 31 and lowering a portion of the main body 31 downward.

In this way, by keeping the moist wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f when the vacuum cleaner 2 is stopped, it is possible to prevent the surface to be cleaned f from absorbing excessive moisture or the wax applied to the surface to be cleaned f from being removed.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a fourth example of a floor-elevating mechanism for a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 9, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment is equipped with a fourth example of a bed-elevation mechanism 75C (hereinafter referred to as the "bed-elevation mechanism 75C"). The bed-elevation mechanism 75C is equipped with a water tray 137 that can be positioned between the wiping member 71 and the surface to be cleaned f.

The bed-ejection mechanism 75C sandwiches a water tray 137 between the surface to be cleaned (f) and the wiping member 71 to remove the wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned (f). The bed-ejection mechanism 75C includes the water tray 137, a slide mechanism 138 that moves the water tray 137, and a bed-ejection motor 77 that drives the slide mechanism 138. The bed-ejection mechanism 75C moves the water tray 137 to sandwich the wiping member 71 between the surface to be cleaned (f) or moves the water tray 137 to remove the wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned (f), thereby bringing the wiping member 71 into contact with the surface to be cleaned (f) or removing the wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned (f).

The slide mechanism 138 can employ various mechanisms that convert the rotational driving force of the bed-elevation motor 77 into linear motion that moves the water tray 137. The slide mechanism 138 has, for example, a rail that supports the water tray 137 and a rack-and-pinion, ball screw, or pulley mechanism that moves the water tray 137 along the rail.

In addition to moving the water receiving tray 137 to sandwich it between the wiping member 71 and the surface to be cleaned (f) or moving the water receiving tray 137 to remove it from between the wiping member 71 and the surface to be cleaned (f), the bed-elevation mechanism 75C may also place the water receiving tray 137 on the surface to be cleaned (f) and move the main structure on which the wiping member mounting portion 72 is provided to move the wiping member 71 above the water receiving tray 137, thereby sandwiching the water receiving tray 137 between the wiping member 71 and the surface to be cleaned (f). In this case, the bed-elevation mechanism 75C may be equipped with a brake device, instead of the bed-elevation motor 77, that allows or restricts the movement of the water receiving tray 137 relative to the slide mechanism 138.

It is preferable that the water tray 137 be large enough to insulate the entire wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned f.

In this way, by keeping the moist wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f when the vacuum cleaner 2 is stopped, it is possible to prevent the surface to be cleaned f from absorbing excessive moisture or the wax applied to the surface to be cleaned f from being removed.

Next, we will explain the stations related to this embodiment. Note that in the second example station 3A and the third example station 3B, the same components as those in the first example station 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a second example station of an electric cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the electric cleaning device 1 according to this embodiment includes an electric vacuum cleaner 2 capable of wet-wiping a surface to be cleaned (f) using a wiping member 71 containing moisture, and a second example station 3A (hereinafter referred to as "station 3A") that serves as a charging stand capable of charging the electric vacuum cleaner 2.

Station 3A is equipped with a base 141 on which all or part of the vacuum cleaner 2 rests, separating the wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned f.

The base 141 is large enough to allow at least the driven wheels 57 and the drive wheels 55 to contact the ground. The base 141 may have a horizontal surface on which the vacuum cleaner 2 is placed, or an inclined surface, as long as the wiping member 71 is spaced away from the surface to be cleaned f when the vacuum cleaner 2 is mounted on it.

In this way, station 3A moves the vacuum cleaner 2 up onto the base 141, thereby separating the moist wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned f. As a result, the vacuum cleaner 1 can prevent the surface to be cleaned f from absorbing excessive moisture or from removing the wax applied to the surface to be cleaned f.

Station 3A charges the vacuum cleaner 2 that has returned to station 3A. In other words, station 3A charges the vacuum cleaner 2 that has mounted on base 141. Station 3A is equipped with a charging terminal 142. When the vacuum cleaner 2 is mounted on base 141, the charging terminal 142 is positioned above the wiping member 71 of the vacuum cleaner 2. Therefore, even if moisture drips from the wiping member 71, station 3A can easily maintain the integrity of its charging function.

When the electric vacuum cleaner 2 returns to station 3A, it operates the electric blower 66 to create an airflow between the wiping member 71 and the surface to be cleaned (f), thereby drying the wiping member 71. By actively drying the wiping member 71, the electric vacuum cleaner 2 can prevent moisture from dripping from the wiping member 71 onto the surface to be cleaned (f).

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a third example station of an electric cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, the electric cleaning device 1 according to this embodiment includes an electric vacuum cleaner 2 capable of wet-wiping a surface to be cleaned (f) using a wiping member 71 containing moisture, and a third example station 3B (hereinafter referred to as "station 3B") that serves as a charging stand capable of charging the electric vacuum cleaner 2.

Station 3B is equipped with a water tray 143 that is placed between the wiping member 71 and the surface to be cleaned (f). Station 3B separates the wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned (f) by sandwiching the water tray 143 between the surface to be cleaned (f) and the wiping member 71.

When the vacuum cleaner 2 moves onto the base 141 of station 3B, the water tray 143 is positioned directly below the wiping member 71. The water tray 143 is preferably large enough to insulate the entire wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned f.

In this way, station 3B uses the water tray 143 located directly below the wiping member 71 of the vacuum cleaner 2 that has rested on the base 141 to separate the moistened wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned f. As a result, the vacuum cleaner 1 can prevent the surface to be cleaned f from absorbing excessive moisture or from removing the wax applied to the surface to be cleaned f.

As described above, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment is equipped with lift-off mechanisms 75, 75A, 75B, and 75C that move the wiping member 71 away from the surface f to be cleaned when the main structure is stopped on the surface f to be cleaned. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 2 prevents the surface f from being excessively moistened by the wiping member 71 containing moisture, or from removing wax applied to the surface f.

The electric vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment is also equipped with lift-off mechanisms 75, 75A, and 75B that create a space between the surface to be cleaned f and the wiping member 71, thereby separating the wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned f. This allows the electric vacuum cleaner 2 to easily dry the moist wiping member 71 while preventing the surface to be cleaned f from excessively absorbing moisture due to the moist wiping member 71 or removing wax applied to the surface to be cleaned f.

Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment is equipped with a bed-elevating mechanism 75 that includes a lifting mechanism 76 for the wiping member attachment portion 72. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 2 can easily lift the wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f without changing the position of the main body 31.

The electric vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment also includes a floor-lifting mechanism 75A having a track device 131 that moves the wiping member 71 between a position where it can contact the surface to be cleaned (f) and a position where it is lifted off the surface to be cleaned (f). This allows the electric vacuum cleaner 2 to easily lift the wiping member 71 off the surface to be cleaned (f).

Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment is equipped with a lift-off mechanism 75B that changes the posture of the main structure to lift the wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f. This allows the vacuum cleaner 2 to easily lift the wiping member 71 away from the surface to be cleaned f.

In addition, the electric vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment can dry the wiping member 71 by generating an airflow between the wiping member 71 and the surface to be cleaned f.

Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment is equipped with a bed-lifting mechanism 75C having a water tray 137 that can be positioned between the wiping member 71 and the surface to be cleaned f. This allows the vacuum cleaner 2 to easily lift the wiping member 71 off the surface to be cleaned f. Furthermore, even if water drips from the wiping member 71, the vacuum cleaner 2 can catch this water and prevent the surface to be cleaned f from getting wet.

In addition, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to this embodiment can disinfect the surface to be cleaned f by using electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid for wet wiping.

Furthermore, the stations 3, 3A of the electric cleaning device 1 according to this embodiment are equipped with a base 141 on which all or part of the vacuum cleaner 2 rides to separate the wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned f. Therefore, the electric cleaning device 1 prevents the surface to be cleaned f from excessively absorbing moisture due to the moist wiping member 71 or from removing wax applied to the surface to be cleaned f. Furthermore, even if the electric cleaning device 1 does not have a mechanism for separating the wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned, such as a lift-off mechanism 75, 75A, 75B, 75C, for example, the vacuum cleaner can keep the wiping member 71 of the returned vacuum cleaner away from the surface to be cleaned f.

In addition, the station 3A of the electric cleaning device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a water tray 143 that is placed between the wiping member 71 and the surface to be cleaned f. This allows the electric vacuum cleaner 2 to easily separate the wiping member 71 from the surface to be cleaned f. Furthermore, even if water drips from the wiping member 71, the electric vacuum cleaner 2 can catch this and prevent the surface to be cleaned f from getting wet.

Furthermore, the stations 3, 3A of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment are equipped with a charging terminal 142 that is positioned above the wiping member 71 of the vacuum cleaner 2 when the vacuum cleaner 2 is placed on the base 141. Therefore, even if water drips from the wiping member 71 or leaks through the wiping member 71, the charging function of the secondary battery 6 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is not impaired.

Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 2 and vacuum cleaning device 1 according to this embodiment can be used for wet mopping, and the damp wiping member 71 will not discolor or damage floor materials.

While 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 may be embodied in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

1...electrical cleaning device, 2...electrical vacuum cleaner, 3, 3A, 3B...station, 6...secondary battery, 7...power cord, 8...charging circuit, 11...operation control system, 12...telecommunications network, 13...server, 15...remote control terminal, 16...in-house terminal, 17...operation terminal, 18...external network, 19...in-house communication network, 21...relay communication device, 22...Internet, 31...main body, 32...mobile unit, 33...cleaning unit, 35...detection unit, 36...control unit, 37...storage tank, 38...electrolyzed water generation device, 41...first supply unit, 42...second Supply unit, 51...main body case, 52...bumper, 55...driving wheel, 56...motor, 57...driven wheel, 58...suction cleaning unit, 59...wiping unit, 61...suction port, 62...rotating brush, 63...brush motor, 65...dust container, 66...electric blower, 67...suction air duct, 67u...upstream air duct, 67d...downstream air duct, 68...exhaust air duct, 71...wiping member, 72...wiping member mounting unit, 75, 75A, 75B, 75C...bed exit mechanism, 76...lifting mechanism, 77...bed exit motor, 81...camera unit, 81a...camera Image element, 81b...optical system, 82...proximity detection unit, 83...contact detection unit, 85...distance measurement device, 85a...light emitting unit, 85b...light receiving unit, 86...water level detection unit, 87...electrode, 91...first supply mechanism unit, 92...second supply mechanism unit, 93...third supply mechanism unit, 95...first supply port, 96...first opening/closing valve, 97...second supply port, 98...second opening/closing valve, 99a...first water conduction path, 99b...second water conduction path, 99c...third water conduction path, 99d...fourth water conduction path, 101...first atomization device, 102...second atomization device, 105...water retention body, 1 06...moisture absorption unit, 111...communication unit, 112...electrolyzed water generation power supply unit, 116...autonomous movement control unit, 117...detection control unit, 118...timing unit, 119...map information storage unit, 121...movement control unit, 122...suction cleaning control unit, 123...sterilization control unit, 125...detection result storage unit, 126...bed exit control unit, 131...endless track device, 132...crawler, 133...drive wheel, 134...idler wheel, 136...second lifting mechanism, 137...water tray, 138...slide mechanism, 141...base, 142...charging terminal, 143...water tray.

Claims (8)

an electric vacuum cleaner capable of wet wiping a surface to be cleaned with a wiping member containing water;
a charging stand capable of charging the vacuum cleaner,
The vacuum cleaner comprises:
a main structure having a suction port on a bottom surface to which suction negative pressure acts;
a plurality of drive wheels that can come into contact with the surface to be cleaned;
a driven wheel that supports the main structure on the surface to be cleaned together with the drive wheel;
a wiping member attachment portion provided on the main structure to which the wiping member can be attached and detached,
the charging stand includes a base on which all or part of the vacuum cleaner can rest,
In a forward direction of the main structure, the drive wheels are disposed rearward of the driven wheels, and the wiping member attachment portion is disposed rearward of the suction port and the drive wheels,
The electric vacuum cleaner drives the drive wheels to climb onto the base , thereby separating the wiping member from the surface to be cleaned and the base by a space provided between the surface to be cleaned and the base and the wiping member, thereby promoting drying;
When the vacuum cleaner is mounted on the base and the wiping member is separated from the surface to be cleaned and the base, the plurality of drive wheels and the driven wheels are stably grounded on the base. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage tank provided on the same side of the drive wheel as the wiping member attachment portion in the forward direction of the main structure; and a charging terminal provided on the opposite side of the wiping member attachment portion. The electric cleaning device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the left-right width of the wiping member attachment portion is greater than the left-right width of the suction port. The electric cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the suction port is disposed between the left and right drive wheels and at a position closer to the drive wheels than the wiping member attachment portion. The electric cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the wiping member can be dried by generating an airflow between the wiping member and the surface to be cleaned. The electric cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the water is electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid. The electric cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the charging base includes a water tray disposed between the wiping member and the surface to be cleaned. The electric cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the charging stand includes a charging terminal that is positioned above the wiping member of the electric vacuum cleaner when the electric vacuum cleaner is placed on the base.