ROBOT FOR CLEANING SMOOTH SURFACES

• US 20130007971A1
• Filed: 02/04/2011
• Published: 01/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
• Original Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
• Inventors: Juergens, Ralf, Hunger, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 8,959,705 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/98
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 1/02 Power-driven machines or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation

Abstract

An automatic robot for cleaning smooth surfaces includes a base having a traveling device, a water feed line and a water drain line. The traveling device is configured to automatically move the base on a smooth surface to be cleaned. The water feed line is configured to apply water to the smooth surface using a capillary effect. The water drain line is configured to drain dirty water from the smooth surface.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. An automatic robot for cleaning smooth surfaces, comprising:

a base having a traveling device, a water feed line and a water drain line, the traveling device being configured to automatically move the base on a smooth surface to be cleaned, the water feed line being configured to apply water to the smooth surface using a capillary effect and the water drain line being configured to drain dirty water from the smooth surface.

21. The robot according to claim 20, wherein the water drain line is configured to provide a negative pressure so as to remove the water from the smooth surface.

22. The robot according to claim 20, wherein the water drain line is configured to provide a capillary effect to remove the water from the smooth surface.

23. The robot according to claim 20, wherein the water feed line is configured to apply only a film of the water onto the smooth surface.

24. The robot according to claim 20, wherein the water feed line is configured to supply at least 1 gram of the water for each square meter of the smooth surface,

25. The robot according to claim 20, wherein the water feed line is configured to supply less than 2 grams of the water for each square meter of the smooth surface.

26. The robot according to claim 20, wherein the water feed line is configured to supply at least 3 grams of the water for each square meter of the smooth surface.

27. The robot according to claim 20, wherein the water feed line is configured to supply 100 grams of the water at the most for each square meter of the smooth surface.

28. The robot according to claim 20, wherein the water feed line is configured to supply between 2 grams and 15 grams of the water for each square meter of the smooth surface.

29. The robot according to claim 20, wherein the water feed line is configured to supply between 3 grams and 10 grams of the water fur each square meter of the smooth surface.

30. The robot according to claim 20, wherein the water feed line includes a bundle of at least one of fibers, tubes and filaments, and is configured to supply the water through the bundle to the smooth surface.

31. The robot according to claim 30, further comprising a distribution layer disposed on the bundle and configured to be placed onto the smooth surface.

32. The robot according to claim 20, wherein the water drain line includes a bundle of at least one of fibers and filaments, and is configured to drain the water through the bundle away from the smooth surface.

33. The robot according to claim 20, further comprising a stripper element disposed downstream from the water drain line,

34. A method for cleaning smooth surfaces, comprising:

moving an automatic robot on a smooth surface to be cleaned;

applying by the robot, water onto the smooth surface using a capillary effect; and

removing, by the robot, the water from the smooth surface.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the removing is performed using a negative pressure.

36. The according to claim 34, wherein the removing is performed using a capillary effect.

37. The method according to claim 34, wherein the smooth surface is a window panes.

38. The method according to claim 34, wherein the smooth surface is a floor.