Automatic cleaning apparatus

Abstract

An automatic cleaning apparatus has a cleaner body having at least one driving wheel, and in certain disclosed embodiments, a vapor spray means installed in the cleaner body for generating water vapor during operation, and spraying the generated water vapor toward a lower part of the cleaner body.

1 . An automatic cleaning apparatus, comprising: 
 a cleaner body having at least one driving wheel; and    a vapor spray means installed in the cleaner body, for generating a water vapor during operation, and spraying the generated water vapor toward a lower part of the cleaner body.    
   
   
       2 . The automatic cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor spray means comprises: 
 a water tank detachably mounted to the cleaner body; and    a vapor generating module installed in the cleaner body in fluid connection with the water tank, for converting a water from the water tank into a vapor and spraying the converted vapor toward a lower part of the cleaner body.    
   
   
       3 . The automatic cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the cleaner body comprises a first mounting location to detachably mount the vapor generating module, and a second mounting location to mount the water tank, with the first and the second mounting location being connected with each other.  
   
   
       4 . The automatic cleaning apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the cleaner body comprises a door provided to an upper part of the cleaner body to open and close the second mounting location.  
   
   
       5 . The automatic cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the vapor generating module comprises: 
 a housing in fluid connection with the water tank, and storing a supplied water therein;    a vapor generating element provided inside the housing, for generating a vapor while in operation; and    a vapor spray part in fluid connection with the housing, for spraying the vapor generated from the housing toward a lower part of the cleaner body.    
   
   
       6 . The automatic cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the vapor spray part comprises a vapor conveyance path in fluid connection with the housing, and one or more vapor spray nozzles in fluid connection with the vapor conveyance path, which are exposed toward a lower part of the cleaner body.  
   
   
       7 . The automatic cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein there is a fan installed on the vapor conveyance path to force the vapor against a surface to be cleaned.  
   
   
       8 . The automatic cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the vapor generating element comprises a carbon rod which is positioned under the water of the housing, and generates a vapor when electricity is applied to the rod.  
   
   
       9 . The automatic cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the vapor generating element comprises a heater which is positioned under the water of the housing, and electrically generates heat.  
   
   
       10 . The automatic cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the vapor generating element comprises a vibrator which is positioned under the water of the housing, and generates a vapor while in operation.  
   
   
       11 . The automatic cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a wet floor-cloth which is rotatably mounted to a lower part of the automatic cleaning apparatus.