Self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaner and method for cleaning a floor surface
First Claim
1. A self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaner comprising a cleaning device with at least one cleaning unit for cleaning a floor surface of a room, at least a section or sections of an obstacle located inside the room not being in contact with the floor surface, the obstacle being of such low height that the floor cleaner cannot move under the obstacle, the floor cleaner further comprising a transmission unit for emitting radiation directed at the obstacle and the floor surface, in order to spatially scan these, a detection unit for detecting reflected radiation and providing a detection signal relating thereto, a control unit coupled to the detection unit, and a chassis for movement on the floor surface comprising a drive unit coupled to the control unit, it being determinable by the control unit from the detection signal whether a space is present between the obstacle and the floor surface, if so, a floor surface section located underneath the obstacle being regarded as cleanable, and the drive unit being actuatable to move the floor cleaner for cleaning the floor surface section, with at least one cleaning unit reaching into the space,wherein the drive unit is actuatable to move the floor cleaner during cleaning of the floor surface section at a predetermined or predeterminable distance from the obstacle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-propelled, self-steering floor cleaner is provided, including a cleaning device with at least one cleaning unit for cleaning a floor surface of a room having at least a section of an obstacle therein that is not in contact with the floor surface, a transmission unit for emitting radiation directed at the obstacle and the floor surface, a detection unit for detecting reflected radiation and providing a detection signal, a control unit coupled to the detection unit, and a chassis for movement on the floor surface including a drive unit coupled to the control unit, it being determinable from the detection signal whether a space and a cleanable floor surface section are present underneath the obstacle, the drive unit being actuatable to move the floor cleaner for cleaning the floor surface section, with at least one cleaning unit. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning a floor surface.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaner comprising a cleaning device with at least one cleaning unit for cleaning a floor surface of a room, at least a section or sections of an obstacle located inside the room not being in contact with the floor surface, the obstacle being of such low height that the floor cleaner cannot move under the obstacle, the floor cleaner further comprising a transmission unit for emitting radiation directed at the obstacle and the floor surface, in order to spatially scan these, a detection unit for detecting reflected radiation and providing a detection signal relating thereto, a control unit coupled to the detection unit, and a chassis for movement on the floor surface comprising a drive unit coupled to the control unit, it being determinable by the control unit from the detection signal whether a space is present between the obstacle and the floor surface, if so, a floor surface section located underneath the obstacle being regarded as cleanable, and the drive unit being actuatable to move the floor cleaner for cleaning the floor surface section, with at least one cleaning unit reaching into the space,
wherein the drive unit is actuatable to move the floor cleaner during cleaning of the floor surface section at a predetermined or predeterminable distance from the obstacle.
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26. A method for cleaning a floor surface of a room with a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaner, at least a section or sections of an obstacle located inside the room not being in contact with the floor surface, the obstacle being of such low height that the floor cleaner cannot move under the obstacle, wherein radiation is emitted in the direction of the obstacle and the floor surface in order to spatially scan these, reflected radiation is detected and a detection signal relating thereto is provided, and it is determined whether a space is present between the obstacle and the floor surface and, if so, a floor surface section located underneath the obstacle is regarded as cleanable and is cleaned, with at least one cleaning unit of the floor cleaner reaching into the space,
wherein the floor cleaner is moved at a predetermined or predeterminable distance from the obstacle during cleaning of the floor surface section.
Specification