SUCTION UNIT AND AUTONOMOUS VACUUM CLEANER

• US 20110239397A1
• Filed: 08/18/2008
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Versuni Holding BV
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Ruijl, Theo Anjes Maria, Dekkers, Jeroen, Reijnders, Silvester Matheus, Vroomen, Hubert Gerard Jean Joseph Amaury, Rijs, Robertus Mathijs Gerardus, Warmerdam, Thomas Petrus Hendricus, Van Eijk, Jan
• Granted Patent: US 9,192,271 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 5/04 with pistons, bellows, or diaphragms, e.g. driven by the cleaner-supporting wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0072 Mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2821 Pressure, vacuum level or airflow

Abstract

The invention relates to a suction unit and a vacuum cleaner. The suction unit comprises a drive system for driving the suction unit on a surface to be treated; a chassis supporting the drive system; a nozzle for removing particles from a surface to be treated, which nozzle is configured to move with relation to the chassis in a direction away from the surface to be treated, the nozzle having an interior space defining an opening that faces the surface to be treated; and an outlet communicating with the interior space, the outlet being arranged for communication with a fan unit during operating conditions. The suction unit further comprises coupling means for coupling the nozzle to the chassis, wherein the coupling means is arranged to exert a force that is directed away from the surface to be treated when the underpressure in the interior space increases. In this manner the problem of the suction unit getting stuck on the floor can be overcome or at least reduced. Furthermore, the traction of the drive system can be improved. An autonomous vacuum cleaner according to the invention comprises such a suction unit and further comprises a dust chamber, and a fan unit that communicates with the dust chamber. The fan unit communicates with the outlet for creating an underpressure in the interior space of the nozzle during operating conditions.

Claims

1. Suction unit for a vacuum cleaner, comprising

a drive system for driving the suction unit on a surface to be treated;

a chassis supporting the drive system;

a nozzle for removing particles from a surface to be treated, which nozzle is configured to move with relation to the chassis in a direction away from the surface to be treated, the nozzle having an interior space defining an opening that faces the surface to be treated during operating conditions;

an outlet communicating with the interior space, the outlet being arranged for communication with a fan unit during operating conditions;

wherein the suction unit further comprises coupling means for coupling the nozzle to the chassis, and wherein the coupling means are arranged to exert a force that is directed away from the surface to be treated when the underpressure in the interior space increases.

2. Suction unit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a bellows interposed between the chassis and the nozzle, the bellows having an interior space that communicates with the interior space of the nozzle.

3. Suction unit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a piston and a cylinder assembly interposed between the chassis and the nozzle, the cylinder having an interior space that communicates with the interior space of the nozzle.

4. Suction unit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises an actuator interposed between the chassis and the nozzle for moving the nozzle with relation to the chassis in a substantially vertical direction.

5. Suction unit according to claim 4, wherein the suction unit further comprises a control unit and a pressure sensor provided in the interior space, the sensor giving a signal to the control unit depending on the pressure in the interior space, the control unit controlling the actuator depending on the signal from the pressure sensor.

6. Suction unit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises an arm that is pivotally mounted to the chassis by means of a pivot pin and extends substantially parallel with relation to the surface to be treated, the nozzle being supported by the arm.

7. Suction unit according to claim 6, wherein the nozzle is provided at a front part of the chassis and the pivot pin is provided at a rear part of the chassis, the pivot pin being provided low on the chassis, so that the distance between the pivot pin and the surface to be treated during operating conditions is small.

8. Suction unit according to claim 6, wherein the distance between the pivot point and the surface to be treated during operating conditions is between 25-40 mm, more preferably between 30-35 mm.

9. Suction unit according to claim 6, wherein the length of the arm is between 150 and 180 mm, more preferably between 165 and 175 mm.

10. Suction unit according to claim 1, wherein the drive system comprises a set of wheels provided at opposite sides of the chassis, and wherein the wheels on either side of the chassis can be separately operated.

11. Autonomous vacuum cleaner comprising a suction unit according to claim 1, the vacuum cleaner further comprising a dust chamber, and a fan unit that communicates with the dust chamber, the fan unit communicating with the outlet for creating an underpressure in the interior space of the nozzle during operating conditions.

12. Autonomous vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, wherein a main unit accommodating the dust chamber and the fan unit is provided, the main unit comprising a drive system for driving the main unit on a surface to be treated and being connected to the suction unit by a hose assembly.

13. Autonomous vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the main unit comprises a mapping system for mapping an area to be treated and a planning system for planning a cleaning operation, the planning system controlling the drive system.

14. Autonomous vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the suction unit, the dust chamber and the fan unit are accommodated in a unitary housing, the housing being mounted to the chassis.