Robot cleaner

Abstract

A robot cleaner includes a main body forming an exterior of the robot cleaner, a driving unit configured to move the main body, a cleaning module coupled to the main body and configured to suction dust from a traveling surface, and a dust collector coupled to the main body and configured to collect the dust suctioned by the cleaning module. The cleaning module includes a cleaning module housing that defines an exterior of the cleaning module that is coupled to the main body. A mopping unit is rotatably coupled in the cleaning module housing. The mopping unit is configured to accommodate water therein and clean the traveling surface. A mop is detachably coupled to the mopping unit, and a pump is disposed in the mopping unit. The pump is configured to guide water to the mop as the main body moves.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A robot cleaner comprising:
 a main body forming an exterior of the robot cleaner;   a driving unit configured to move the main body;   a cleaning module coupled to the main body and configured to suction dust from a traveling surface; and   a dust collector coupled to the main body and configured to collect the dust suctioned by the cleaning module,   wherein the cleaning module includes:
 a cleaning module housing defining an exterior of the cleaning module, wherein the cleaning module is coupled to the main body; 
 a mopping unit rotatably coupled in the cleaning module housing, wherein the mopping unit is configured to accommodate water therein and configured to clean the traveling surface; 
 a mop detachably coupled to the mopping unit; and 
 a pump disposed in the mopping unit, wherein the pump is configured to guide water to the mop as the main body moves. 
   
     
     
         2 . The robot cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mopping unit receiving portion for receiving the mopping unit therein,   wherein the pump includes:
 a pump housing disposed on one side of the mopping unit and connected to the mopping unit receiving portion; 
 a rotation preventing member configured to prevent a rotation of the pump housing; and 
 a water supply configured to supply water to the mop. 
   
     
     
         3 . The robot cleaner of  claim 2 , wherein the mopping unit receiving portion includes a climbing preventing portion extending forwardly from the cleaning module housing and configured to prevent the robot cleaner from moving to a stepped terrain. 
     
     
         4 . The robot cleaner of  claim 2 , wherein the water supply includes a diaphragm pump. 
     
     
         5 . The robot cleaner of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a body forming an exterior of the mopping unit; and   a water tank, configured to accommodate water therein, disposed in the body,   wherein the water supply includes:
 an inlet tube extending in a longitudinal direction of the body from an interior of the water tank, wherein water is configured to flow into the water supply through the inlet tube; and 
 an outlet tube connected to the water supply and the mop, the outlet tube being configured to guide water discharged from the water supply to the mop. 
   
     
     
         6 . The robot cleaner of  claim 5 , wherein the pump is disposed on a first side of the body and the water tank,
 wherein a detachable cap is disposed on a second side of the body and the water tank, and   wherein the water tank is configured to be opened using the cap.   
     
     
         7 . The robot cleaner of  claim 6 , wherein the cap is formed as a twist cap. 
     
     
         8 . The robot cleaner of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a water inlet defined on an outer circumferential surface of the body, the water inlet being configured to allow water to be introduced into the body.   
     
     
         9 . The robot cleaner of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a body forming an exterior of the mopping unit and configured to accommodate water therein,   wherein the water supply includes:
 an inlet tube extending in a longitudinal direction of the body from an interior of the body, wherein water is configured to flow into the water supply through the inlet tube; and 
 an outlet tube connected to the water supply and the mop, the outlet tube being configured to guide water discharged from the water supply to the mop. 
   
     
     
         10 . The robot cleaner of  claim 4 , wherein the pump includes a gear pump. 
     
     
         11 . The robot cleaner of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a body forming an exterior of the mopping unit and configured to accommodate water therein,   wherein the pump includes:
 a pump housing forming an exterior of the pump, wherein the pump housing is coupled to the body; 
 a communication hole defined in the pump housing and in fluid communication with the body; 
 a first gear configured to be rotated as the body rotates; and 
 a second gear meshing with the first gear, wherein the second gear is configured to guide water introduced into the communication hole to the mop. 
   
     
     
         12 . The robot cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein the body includes a water supply passage in fluid communication with the pump housing and the mop. 
     
     
         13 . The robot cleaner of  claim 12 , wherein the water supply passage includes:
 a first water supply passage in fluid communication with the pump housing; and   a second water supply passage in fluid communication with the first water supply passage and branched to two sides of the body to be in fluid communication with the mop.   
     
     
         14 . The robot cleaner of  claim 12 , wherein a guide member, configured to guide water introduced into the communication hole to the water supply passage, is disposed in the pump housing. 
     
     
         15 . The robot cleaner of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a body forming an exterior of the mopping unit; and   a water tank disposed in the body, wherein the water tank is configured to accommodate water therein,   wherein the pump includes:
 a pump housing forming an exterior of the pump, wherein the pump housing is coupled to the body; 
 a communication hole defined in the pump housing and in fluid communication with the water tank; 
 a first gear configured to be rotated as the body rotates; and 
 a second gear meshing with the first gear, wherein the second gear is configured to guide water introduced into the communication hole to the mop.