Autonomous surface cleaning robot for dry cleaning
First Claim
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
- a chassis defined by a fore-aft axis and a perpendicular transverse axis, the chassis being supported for transport over the surface along the fore-aft axis, the chassis including a first collecting apparatus attached thereto and configured to collect loose particulates from the surface over a cleaning width disposed generally parallel with the transverse axis, the first collecting apparatus comprising;
an air jet port configured to expel a jet of air across the cleaning width;
an air intake port configured to draw air and loose particulates in; and
, wherein the air jet port and the air intake port are disposed at opposing ends of the cleaning width with the air jet port expelling the jet of air generally parallel with the surface and generally directed toward the air intake port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
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a chassis defined by a fore-aft axis and a perpendicular transverse axis, the chassis being supported for transport over the surface along the fore-aft axis, the chassis including a first collecting apparatus attached thereto and configured to collect loose particulates from the surface over a cleaning width disposed generally parallel with the transverse axis, the first collecting apparatus comprising;
an air jet port configured to expel a jet of air across the cleaning width;
an air intake port configured to draw air and loose particulates in; and
,wherein the air jet port and the air intake port are disposed at opposing ends of the cleaning width with the air jet port expelling the jet of air generally parallel with the surface and generally directed toward the air intake port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24)
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23. A surface cleaning apparatus according to 22 further comprising:
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a sensor module configured to sense conditions and to generate electrical sensor signals in response to sensing said conditions;
a signal line for communicating the electrical sensor signals to the master control module; and
,a controller incorporated within the master control module for implementing predefined operating modes in response to sensing said conditions.
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25. A surface cleaning apparatus according to 24 further comprising:
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a sensor module configured to sense conditions and to generate electrical sensor signals in response to sensing said conditions;
a signal line for communicating the electrical sensor signals to the master control module; and
,a controller incorporated within the master control module for implementing predefined operating modes in response to sensing said conditions.
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26. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
an autonomous transport drive subsystem controlled by a master control module, a sensor module for sensing conditions, a power module and cleaning elements all supported on a chassis and powered by the power module for moving the chassis over the surface in accordance with predefined operating modes and in response to conditions sensed by the sensor module, the elements being configured with a cleaning width disposed generally orthogonal to a forward transport direction and wherein the cleaning elements comprise;
a first collecting apparatus for collecting loose particulates from the surface across the cleaning width, said first collecting apparatus A being positioned on the chassis to advance over the surface first as the chassis is transported in a forward transport direction;
a cleaning fluid applicator for applying cleaning fluid onto the surface across the cleaning width, said cleaning fluid applicator being positioned on the chassis to advance over the surface second as the chassis is transported in a forward transport direction;
a smearing element for smearing the cleaning fluid applied onto the surface across the cleaning width, said smearing element being positioned on the chassis to advance over the surface third as the chassis is transported in a forward transport direction;
an active scrubbing element for actively scrubbing the surface across the cleaning width, said active scrubbing element being positioned on the chassis to advance over the surface fourth as the chassis is transported in a forward transport direction;
a second collecting apparatus for collecting waste liquid from the surface, said second collecting apparatus being positioned on the chassis to advance over the surface fifth as the chassis is transported in a forward transport direction; and
,an integrated storage container module comprising a waste storage container for storing loose particulates collected by said first collecting apparatus and waste liquid collected by said second collecting apparatus, a cleaning fluid supply container for storing a supply of the cleaning fluid, and wherein the integrated storage container module is configured to be removed from the chassis by a user, filled with cleaning fluid and emptied of waste and then reinstalled onto the chassis by the user.
Specification