Robot cleaning system

• US 20070157420A1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Jun Hwa, Shin, Gwan Woo, Wee, Hoon, Kwak, Jae Young, Joo, Jae Man
• Granted Patent: US 7,412,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/328
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/022 Recharging of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/024 Emptying dust or waste liquid containers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence

Abstract

A robot cleaning system is capable of performing automatic cleaning and manual cleaning with a minimal number of devices. The robot cleaning system includes a first cleaning unit to perform automatic cleaning while moving by itself in an area to be cleaned, and a second cleaning unit to perform manual cleaning while being coupled to the first cleaning unit as it is moved by a user in an area to be cleaned. Each of the first and second cleaning units contains a blower and dust collector to vacuum. The first cleaning unit has a dust outlet to deliver dust to the second cleaning unit when the first cleaning unit is coupled to the second cleaning unit via the dust outlet of the first cleaning unit, a connector, and the connection port of the second cleaning unit.

Claims

1. A robot cleaning system, comprising:

a first cleaning unit to perform automatic cleaning while moving by itself in an area to be cleaned; and

a second cleaning unit to perform manual cleaning while being coupled to the first cleaning unit as it is moved by a user in an area to be cleaned.

2. The robot cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning unit has a dust outlet to transport dust, dirt, and debris, vacuumed thereinto, to the second cleaning unit when the first cleaning unit is coupled to the second cleaning unit;

and

the second cleaning unit has a connection port corresponding to the dust outlet.

3. The robot cleaning system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a connector mounted in the first cleaning unit or the second cleaning unit to connect the dust outlet to the connection port when the first cleaning unit is coupled to the second cleaning unit.

4. The robot cleaning system according to claim 2, wherein the dust outlet is provided with a first opening/closing member to open the dust outlet only when the first cleaning unit is coupled to the second cleaning unit.

5. The robot cleaning system according to claim 2, wherein the first cleaning unit includes a body;

and

a first dust collector mounted in the body to collect the dust sucked,

wherein the dust outlet communicates with the first dust collector.

6. The robot cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning unit includes body, a first blower mounted in the body to provide power required to suck dust, and an outlet to discharge an air stream, generated by the first blower, to the outside of the body;

and

the outlet is provided with a second opening/closing member to open and close the outlet.

7. The robot cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning unit further includes a rechargeable battery, and the second cleaning unit includes a charger to be electrically connected to the rechargeable battery when the first cleaning unit is coupled to the second cleaning unit, to charge the rechargeable battery.

8. The robot cleaning system according to claim 2, wherein the second cleaning unit includes:

a body configured to receive the first cleaning unit when the first cleaning unit is coupled to the second cleaning unit;

a second blower mounted in the body to provide power required to suck dust; and

a second dust collector to collect the dust delivered from the first cleaning unit through the dust outlet and the connection port.

9. A robot cleaning system, comprising:

a first cleaning unit having a first blower and a first dust collector to suck and collect dust, the first cleaning unit being adapted to perform automatic cleaning while moving by itself in an area to be cleaned; and

a second cleaning unit having a second blower and a second dust collector to suck and collect dust, the second cleaning unit being adapted to perform manual cleaning while being coupled to the first cleaning unit as it is moved by a user in an area to be cleaned.

10. The robot cleaning system according to claim 9, wherein the first cleaning unit has:

an inlet to suck dust from the floor of the area to be cleaned;

a first suction channel to connect the inlet to the first dust collector; and

a dust outlet to communicate with both the first suction channel and the first dust collector, so as to deliver the dust, collected in the first cleaning unit, to the second cleaning unit when the first cleaning unit is coupled to the second cleaning unit.

11. The robot cleaning system according to claim 10, wherein the dust outlet is provided with an opening/closing member to open the dust outlet only when the first cleaning unit is coupled to the second cleaning unit,

whereby the dust is collected in the first dust collector by passing through the inlet and the first suction channel when the first cleaning unit performs automatic cleaning.

12. The robot cleaning system according to claim 10, wherein the second cleaning unit has:

a connection port to receive the dust delivered from the first cleaning unit; and

a second suction channel to connect the connection port to the second dust collector,

wherein the dust is collected in the second dust collector by passing through the inlet, first suction channel, dust outlet, connection port, and second suction channel in this sequence when the first cleaning unit is coupled to the second cleaning unit.

13. The robot cleaning system according to claim 10, wherein the first cleaning unit further includes a rechargeable battery, and the second cleaning unit includes a charger to be electrically connected to the rechargeable battery when the first cleaning unit is coupled to the second cleaning unit, to charge the rechargeable battery.