Wheeled vehicle, specifically a swimming-pool cleaning robot, with automatic change of travel direction when meeting an obstacle

• US 5,771,987 A
• Filed: 06/17/1996
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care Europe
• Original Assignee: Sweepy International S.A.
• Inventors: Marbach, Gerard
• Primary Examiner(s): AVILA, STEPHEN P
• Application Number:
  US08/664,828
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.2, 180/6.48, 180/6.6, 180/6.66, 180/168, 15/1.7, 15/319
• US Class Current: 180/6.66
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

Wheeled vehicle which automatically changes travel direction when it meets an obstacle and which includes two independent front driving wheels; two obstacle-detection units located on the front of the vehicle at each side; a transmission mechanism for each driving wheel from a motor shaft through a mechanism for reversing the direction of rotation; and a connection mechanism placed between each obstacle-detection unit and the transmission mechanism for each driving wheel located on the opposite side; the obstacle-detection units and connection mechanisms being arranged in such a manner that, when the vehicle meets an obstacle, the detection unit or units actuated by the obstacle act through the corresponding connection mechanisms so as to actuate the direction-reversing mechanism, and to have the rotation of the driving wheel pass from the forward direction to the rear direction.

Claims

1. Wheeled vehicle which automatically changes travel direction when it meets an obstacle, this device being provided with two independent front-wheel drives and comprising:

two obstacle-detection units located on the front of the vehicle at each side,

means of transmission for each driving wheel from a motor shaft, through means for reversing the direction of rotation,

means of connection placed between each obstacle-detection unit and means of transmission for the driving wheel located on the opposite side,

said obstacle-detection units and said means of connection arranged in such a manner that, when the vehicle meets an obstacle, the means of detection actuated by said obstacle act, through said corresponding means of connection, so as to actuate said means for reversing the direction of rotation, and to have the rotation of the driving wheel pass from the forward direction to the rear direction,

each obstacle-detection unit comprising an elongated unit constituted by the front edge, extending practically on a half-width and on the corresponding angle of the front of the vehicle which is opposite to the driving wheel with which said unit is functionally associated, an arm shaped in such manner that its opposite end is practically located in the area of the driving wheel that it controls and is supported at free rotation on a revolving axle practically vertical, and said extended unit is coupled in a selective manner to the motor shaft driving said driving wheel through the aforementioned connection means.

2. Vehicle as in claim 1 in which the means for reversing the direction of rotation comprise a drive pinion located at the end of the motor shaft, as well as a central gear and an annular gear which are integral with the driving wheel and with one or the other which can mesh with the drive pinion in order to determine respectively two directions of rotation of the driving wheel (1).

3. Vehicle as in claim 1 or 2 in which the means of connection comprise a pillow block supporting the drive shaft which is movable approximately transversely to said shaft when the obstacle detection means are actuated.

4. Vehicle as in claim 3 in which the means of connection comprise a movable follower driven by said arm in such manner as to occupy two positions, namely:

a first non-functional position occupied when the arm is in a rest position during the absence of an obstacle,

a second functional position occupied when the arm is displaced by an obstacle, in which the follower works with a cam mounted on the drive shaft, in such manner as to push back the pillow block supporting said drive shaft and to modify the meshing of the drive pinion.

5. Vehicle as in claim 4 in which the means of connection also comprise means of temporary blocking capable of maintaining the reverse rotation of the driving wheel during a sufficient period so that the vehicle can free itself from the obstacle, then to re-establish the rotation of the driving wheel to its initial direction so that the vehicle starts out again on a new trajectory.

6. Vehicle as in claim 5 in which the means of blocking comprise a blocking catch fixed to the movable pillow block of the drive shaft which is engaged elastically when the block is displaced under the action of the cam.

7. Vehicle as in claim 5 or 6 in which the means of temporary blocking are arranged so as to maintain the reverse rotation of the driving wheel during a non-predetermined period, hence inducing the vehicle to turn from a non-predetermined and unpredictable angle such that its successive trajectories are not superimposed and are unpredictable.

8. Vehicle as in claim 7 in which the means of temporary blocking also comprise a transversal pin integral with the driving wheel and capable of working with the aforementioned catch when the latter is engaged, in order to release it and free the pillow block from the drive shaft, elastic return means being provided to return the block to its initial position.

9. A swimming pool cleaner comprising:

a. first and second wheels, each adapted to rotate;

b. means for driving the first and second wheels;

c. means for reversing the direction of rotation of the second wheel;

d. an obstacle-detection unit having (i) a recess and (ii) an edge for detecting an obstacle; and

e. means, comprising a lug received by the recess, for coupling the obstacle-detection unit to the means for reversing the direction of rotation of the second wheel.

10. A swimming pool cleaner according to claim 9 further comprising:

a. means for reversing the direction of rotation of the first wheel; and

b. a second obstacle-detection unit coupled to the means for reversing the direction of rotation of the first wheel and having an edge for detecting obstacles.

11. A swimming pool cleaner having a body defining a leading edge and an imaginary longitudinal centerline bisecting its width, comprising:

a. first and second wheels, each adapted to rotate;

b. means for driving the first and second wheels;

c. means for reversing the direction of rotation of the first wheel;

d. means for reversing the direction of rotation of the second wheel independent of the first wheel;

e. a first obstacle-detection unit coupled to the means for reversing the direction of rotation of the second wheel and having an edge for detecting an obstacle; and

f. a second obstacle-detection unit coupled to the means for reversing the direction of rotation of the first wheel and having an edge for detecting an obstacle, which edge projects farther beyond the leading edge of the body than the edge of the first obstacle-detection unit on one side of the longitudinal centerline but projects less far beyond the leading edge of the body than the edge of the first obstacle-detection unit on the other side of the longitudinal centerline.

12. A swimming pool cleaner according to claim 11 in which the first and second wheels are the front wheels of the cleaner.

13. A swimming pool cleaner comprising:

a. first and second wheels, each adapted to rotate;

b. means for driving the first and second wheels;

c. means for reversing the direction of rotation of the first wheel;

d. means for reversing the direction of rotation of the second wheel independent of the first wheel;

e. a first obstacle-detection unit coupled to the means for reversing the direction of rotation of the second wheel and having an edge for detecting an obstacle; and

f. a substantially vertical axle supporting the first obstacle-detection unit in free rotation.

14. A swimming pool cleaner according to claim 13 in which the first and second wheels are the front wheels of the cleaner.