ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANER COMPRISING A SENSING HANDLE

• US 20110203072A1
• Filed: 10/26/2009
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Versuni Holding BV
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Veenstra, Auke-Jan
• Granted Patent: US 8,296,899 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/32 Handles

Abstract

A robotic vacuum cleaner comprising sensor means for detecting physical contact with stationary objects in the environment of the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner comprises a handle (1) for carrying the vacuum cleaner by hand (3). The handle (1) can be in a second position whereby the handle (1) is located close to the body (4) of the vacuum cleaner, whereby the sensor means detect forces exerted on the handle (1) during operation of the vacuum cleaner.

Claims

1. A robotic vacuum cleaner comprising sensor means for detecting physical contact with stationary objects in the environment of the vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner comprises a handle (1) for carrying the vacuum cleaner by hand (3), which handle (1) can pivot between a first position whereby the handle (1) is in a substantial upright position in order to carry the vacuum cleaner, and a second position whereby the handle (1) is located close to the body (4) of the vacuum cleaner, whereby said sensor means can detect forces exerted on the handle (1) when the handle (1) is in said second position.

2. A robotic vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sensor means can detect movements of the handle (1) when the handle (1) is in said second position.

3. A robotic vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the sensor means comprise micro switches (16,18) for detecting movements of the handle (1).

4. A robotic vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the micro switches (16,18) are arranged at locations where different movements of the handle (1) can be measured

5. robotic vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that in top view of the vacuum cleaner at least a part of the handle (1) extends outside the remainder portion (4) of the vacuum cleaner.

6. A robotic vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that in side view of the vacuum cleaner a part of the handle (1) forms the highest part of the vacuum cleaner when the handle (1) is in its second position.

7. A method for controlling the travelling path of a robotic vacuum cleaner, whereby a control signal is generated by sensor means when physical contact between the vacuum cleaner and a stationary object in the environment of the vacuum cleaner is detected by said sensor means, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner comprises a handle (1) for carrying the vacuum cleaner by hand (3), which handle (1) can pivot between a first position whereby the handle (1) is in a substantial upright position in order to carry the vacuum cleaner, and a second position whereby the handle (1) is located close to the body (4) of the vacuum cleaner, whereby said sensor means detect forces exerted on the handle (1) when the handle (1) is in said second position.