Method for automatically removing obstructions from robotic floor-cleaning devices
First Claim
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1. A method for automatically removing obstructions from a robotic floor-cleaning device wheel comprising:
- defining one or more sets of conditions to actuate retraction of one or more wheels of the robotic floor-cleaning device into a corresponding wheel housing positioned within a main housing of the robotic floor-cleaning device;
interrupting a robotic floor-cleaning process upon satisfaction of the one or more sets of conditions for a predetermined amount of time;
retracting the one or more wheels into said corresponding wheel housing;
releasing the one or more wheels from said wheel housing after the predetermined amount of time; and
proceeding with the robotic floor-cleaning process,wherein the wheel housing is designed with minimal amount of clearance between the wheel and adjacent wheel housing walls such that no other objects except a corresponding wheel may fit within the wheel housing during retraction and obstructions are forcibly pushed off and separated from the one or more wheels of the robotic floor-cleaning device by the wheel housing during retraction.
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Abstract
A method to automatically remove obstructions, such as electrical cords or wires, from robotic floor-cleaning devices after becoming entangled with wheels of the robotic device during operation. Upon sensing entanglement with an obstruction, the robotic floor-cleaning device is configured to retract one or more wheels into a wheel housing within the main housing of the robotic device. During retraction, the obstruction entangled around the one or more wheels is forcibly separated from the wheel by the corresponding wheel housing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for automatically removing obstructions from a robotic floor-cleaning device wheel comprising:
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defining one or more sets of conditions to actuate retraction of one or more wheels of the robotic floor-cleaning device into a corresponding wheel housing positioned within a main housing of the robotic floor-cleaning device; interrupting a robotic floor-cleaning process upon satisfaction of the one or more sets of conditions for a predetermined amount of time; retracting the one or more wheels into said corresponding wheel housing; releasing the one or more wheels from said wheel housing after the predetermined amount of time; and proceeding with the robotic floor-cleaning process, wherein the wheel housing is designed with minimal amount of clearance between the wheel and adjacent wheel housing walls such that no other objects except a corresponding wheel may fit within the wheel housing during retraction and obstructions are forcibly pushed off and separated from the one or more wheels of the robotic floor-cleaning device by the wheel housing during retraction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A robotic floor-cleaning device comprising:
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a chassis including a set of wheels; a wheel housing disposed within the chassis and over each wheel into which each wheel may be retracted, the wheel housing is designed with a minimal amount of clearance between the wheel and adjacent wheel housing walls such that no other objects except a corresponding wheel may fit within the wheel housing during retraction of the wheel; at least one motor to drive the wheels; a method for detecting obstructions on wheels; a battery to provide power to the robotic floor-cleaning device; and
,a controller in communication with the motor and wheels, the controller including a processor operable to control the motor and wheels to steer movement of the robotic device and actuate retraction and release of the wheels; wherein upon detection of an obstruction on a wheel, the wheel is retracted into the wheel housing and any obstructions thereon are forcibly separated from and pushed off of the wheel by the wheel housing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for removing obstructions from a robotic floor-cleaning device comprising:
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defining one or more sets of conditions to actuate retraction of one or more wheels of the robotic floor-cleaning device into a corresponding wheel housing positioned within a main housing of the robotic floor-cleaning device; retracting one or more wheels into said corresponding wheel housing upon satisfaction of the one or more sets of conditions for a predetermined amount of time; returning the one or more wheels to a standard position after the predetermined amount of time; and proceeding with a robotic floor-cleaning process as normal; wherein the wheel housing is designed with minimal amount of clearance between the wheel and adjacent wheel housing walls such that substantially no other objects except a corresponding wheel may fit within the wheel housing during retraction and obstructions are forcibly pushed off and separated from the one or more wheels of the robotic floor-cleaning device by the wheel housing during retraction. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification