Robotic Cleaning Device

• US 20090126143A1
• Filed: 07/06/2006
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AB Electrolux
• Original Assignee: AB Electrolux
• Inventors: Haegermarck, Anders
• Granted Patent: US 8,032,978 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/319
• 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 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/00 Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/30 the ultimate propulsive elements, e.g. ground wheels, being steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0038 the motor moving together with the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0092 the motor axle being coaxial to the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0227 using mechanical sensing means, e.g. for sensing treated area

Abstract

A robotic cleaning device having a main body with a controllable drive means to move the device over a surface, a cleaning means to clean the surface, an obstacle detecting means, and a control means connected to the drive means and the obstacle detecting means. The main body has a left wall connecting a front end portion with a left rear end portion and a right wall connecting the front end portion with a right rear end portion. The control means receives information from the obstacle detecting means about a detected obstacle and controls the drive means to rotate the device around a main left-turn axis at the left rear end portion or a main right-turn axis at the right rear end portion, such that the device turns one around one of the axes. The side walls are configured such that the device clears the obstacle by the turning motion.

Claims

14-1. The robotic cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the drive means includes support means having low friction in a main forward driving direction and high friction in both directions of an axis perpendicular to the a main forward driving direction, such that all turning axes of the main body, when performing only turning motion, are located on that axis.