Self-propelled cleaning device and charger using the same

• US 7,418,762 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2004
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Home & Life Solutions, Inc. (Hitachi, Ltd.), Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Home & Life Solutions, Inc. (Hitachi, Ltd.), Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Tanaka, Hirofumi, Egawa, Saku, Arai, Yutaka, Hattori, Makoto, Yamamoto, Wataru, Hosoda, Yuuji, Tajima, Taiji, Sadamori, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding; David A
• Application Number:
  US10/791,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20040255425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,643 Days
• Field of Search: 153/19, 153/23, 153/39, 153/401, 153/403, 439/660, 439/919, 180/169, 700/258, 700/259, 701/23
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/022 Recharging of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/00 Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
• 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 9/106 Dust removal
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2821 Pressure, vacuum level or airflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2852 Elements for displacement of the vacuum cleaner or the accessories therefor, e.g. wheels, casters or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2873 Docking units or charging stations for autonomous or robotic vacuum cleaners A47L2201/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2889 Safety or protection devices or systems, e.g. for prevention of motor over-heating or for protection of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners

Abstract

A self-propelled cleaning device having a cylindrical side cover has a suction body capable of moving transversely to the forward direction. The side cover is held by a base via a suspension. When cleaning corners of a room, the suction body moves by a wall and as the suction body moves to a corner, the movement amount of the suction body is changed. When an obstacle touches the cleaning device, the side cover moves, and the article touches a side cover switch, and the direction of the article is detected.

Claims

1. A charger for a self-propelled cleaning device comprising:

power supply means for supplying power from a commercial power source, to be provided to a power source provided in said self-propelled cleaning device,

a first contact for electrically connecting said power supply means with a second contact provided in said self-propelling cleaning device,

guide means for guiding movement of said self-propelled cleaning device, to connect said second contact of said self-propelled cleaning device to said first contact, and

suction means and dust collection means for removing dust collected in a dust collection case carried by said self-propelled cleaning device,

wherein

said guide means forms a dust suction port which communicates to said dust collecting means, and opposes to a dust ejection port of said duct collection case.

2. A charger for a self-propelled cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling said suction means, wherein said control means controls said suction means so as to operate when said power supply of said charger means is in operation.

3. A charger for a self-propelled cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a storage unit for storing said self-propelled cleaning device,

means for detecting entry of said self-propelled cleaning device into said storage unit, and

notifying means for notifying said entry to said self-propelled cleaning device.