REMOVING DEBRIS FROM CLEANING ROBOTS

• US 20140130272A1
• Filed: 10/01/2013
• Published: 05/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iRobot Corporation
• Original Assignee: iRobot Corporation
• Inventors: Won, Chikyung, Hickey, Stephen A., Schnittman, Mark Steven, Dubrovsky, Zivthan A., Svendsen, Selma, Lowry, Jed, Swett, David, Devlin, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,955,841 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/3
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/24 Floor-sweeping machines, motor-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/33 having means for storing dirt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4002 Installations of electric equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4008 Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4025 Means for emptying
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4066 Propulsion of the whole machine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4091 Storing or parking devices, arrangements therefor; Means allowing transport of the machine when it is not being used
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4097 Means for exhaust-air diffusion; Exhaust-air treatment, e.g. air purification; Means for sound or vibration damping
• 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 2201/02 Docking stations; Docking operations
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/024 Emptying dust or waste liquid containers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/028 Refurbishing floor engaging tools, e.g. cleaning of beating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0477 Rolls
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/106 Dust removal
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/108 : Dust compression means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/19 : Means for monitoring filtering operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/281 : the amount or condition of incoming dirt or dust

Abstract

A cleaning robot system includes a robot and a robot maintenance station. The robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing and a driven cleaning roller. The robot maintenance station includes a station housing and a docking platform configured to support the robot when docked. A mechanical agitator engages the roller of the robot with the robot docked. The agitator includes an agitator comb having multiple teeth configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller as the agitator comb and roller are moved relative to one another. The robot maintenance station includes a collection bin arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator.

Claims

1. A cleaning robot system (5) comprising:

a robot (10) comprising;

a chassis (31);

a drive system (45) mounted on the chassis (31) and configured to maneuver the robot (10) as directed by a controller (49) in communication with the drive system (45); and

a cleaning assembly (43) carried by the chassis (31) and comprising;

a cleaning assembly housing (40); and

a driven cleaning roller (60, 65) rotatably coupled to the cleaning assembly housing (40); and

a robot maintenance station (100, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400) comprising;

a station housing (120);

a docking platform (122) carried by the station housing (120) and configured to support the robot (10) when docked;

a mechanical agitator (510, 520) that engages the roller (60, 65) of the robot (10) with the robot (10) docked, the agitator (510, 520) comprising an agitator comb (511) having multiple teeth (512) configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller (60, 65) as the agitator comb (511) and roller (60, 65) are moved relative to one another; and

a collection bin (150) arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator (510, 520).

2-26. -26. (canceled)