Self-propelling cleaner

Abstract

A self-propelling cleaner 1 performs dust removal processing in which a comb is brought close to a rotary brush with prescribed timing and dust is removed from the rotary brush. In the dust removal processing, the comb is slid in such a direction as to come closer to the brush, even dust that is stuck to the base portions of bristles of the rotary brush can be removed. A self-propelling cleaner is provided that is free of an event that it performs cleaning in a state that a large amount of dust is stuck to the rotary brush.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a self-propelling cleaner that cleans a cleaning area while moving therein automatically. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Among conventional vacuum cleaners are ones in which a suction mouth is provided with a rotary brush for kicking up dust on the floor and dust kicked up by the rotary brush is sucked through the suction mouth. Since the rotary brush kicks up dust on the floor, dust tends to stick to its surfaces. In view of this, JP-A-11-137488 proposes a technique for decreasing the amount of dust that is stuck to the rotary brush. In the technique proposed in JP-A-11-137488, air intake portions are provided at both ends of the rotary brush and its outer circumferential surface is formed with blowholes. A sucked air flow that has been introduced into the rotary brush through the air intake portions flows out through the blowholes. The air that flows through the bl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a self-propelling cleaner with a mechanism for removing dust from the rotary brush. This prevents the issue of large amounts of dust stuck to the brush during cleaning and makes it easier for users to manage the cleaner. The cleaner includes a main body, a self-propelling section, a sucking section, a rotating section, a comb, a cleaning section, and a dust removing section. The cleaning section controls the self-propelling section and the sucking section to perform cleaning while propelling the main body within a preset cleaning area. The dust removing section removes dust attached to the comb by causing the sucking section to rotate the suction fan and causing the rotating section to rotate the rotary brush while sliding the comb to be in contact with the rotary brush. This invention improves the user experience and allows for easier handling of the self-propelling cleaner.

Problems solved by technology

However, conventional vacuum cleaners are not equipped with any structure for removing dust that is stuck to the rotary brush and users are required to manually remove dust that is stuck to the rotary brush.

Therefore, cleaning is not performed in a state that a large amount of dust is stuck to the rotary brush.

As a result, the self-propelling cleaner continues to move while dropping dust from the rotary brush, to cause a situation that the room is scattered with pieces of dust that have fallen off the rotary brush, that is, the room is not cleaned.

However, there is a problem that this is a heavy work load to the user.

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