Cleaning robot and method for controlling the same

• US 7,856,291 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2007
• Issued: 12/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Jung, Yong Gyu, Jeon, Hyeong Shin
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olsen; Lin B
• Application Number:
  US11/856,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20080091303A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 367/98, 367/104, 367/20, 15/491, 73/405.A
• US Class Current: 700/258
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93

Abstract

A cleaning robot may be provided having a case and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly may include a sensor hole having a first opening provided at an outer surface of the case and a second opening provided inwardly of the first opening, with respect to a center of the case. Additionally, the sensor assembly may include a sensor element configured to receive a signal and the sensor element may be provided inwardly of the first opening.

Claims

1. A cleaning robot comprising:

a case; and

a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising;

a sensor hole having a first opening provided at an outer surface of the case, a second opening provided inwardly of the first opening, and a sensor mount provided inwardly of the second opening, with respect to a center of the case; and

a sensor element configured to detect an obstacle, wherein the sensor element is at the sensor mount,

wherein Hh defines a minimum distance from the first opening to the second opening, ds defines a diameter of the sensing element, and the ratio Hh/ds is about 1.1 to about 1.8.

2. The cleaning robot of claim 1, wherein the second opening has a cross-sectional area which is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a mount opening of the sensor mount.

3. A cleaning robot comprising:

a case; and

a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising;

a sensor hole having a first opening provided at an outer surface of the case, a second opening provided inwardly of the first opening, and a sensor mount provided inwardly of the second opening, with respect to a center of the case; and

wherein the sensor hole further comprises;

a sensor wall extending inwardly from the first opening to the second opening, an outer end of the sensor wall opening to an outer side of the case, and an inner end of the sensor wall opening to an interior of the case, and

wherein the slope of the sensor wall, with respect to an axis passing through the centers of the first and second openings, is about 0.0 to about 18.0 degrees.

4. The cleaning robot of claim 3, wherein the second opening has a cross-sectional area which is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a mount opening of the sensor mount.

5. The cleaning robot of claim 3, wherein Hh defines a minimum distance from the first opening to the second opening, ds defines a diameter of the sensing element, and the ratio Hh/ds is about 1.1 to about 1.8.

6. The cleaning robot of claim 3, wherein dh defines a diameter of the second opening, ds defines a diameter of the sensing element, and the ratio dh/ds of the sensor is about 0.3 to about 1.0.

7. A cleaning robot comprising:

a case; and

a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising;

a sensor hole having a first opening provided at an outer surface of the case, a second opening provided inwardly of the first opening, and a sensor mount provided inwardly of the second opening, with respect to a center of the case; and

a sensor element configured to detect an obstacle wherein the sensor element is provided at the sensor mount,

wherein dh defines a diameter of the second opening, ds defines a diameter of the sensing element, and the ratio dh/ds of the sensor is about 0.3 to about 1.0.

8. The cleaning robot of claim 7, wherein Hh defines a minimum distance from the first opening to the second opening, ds defines a diameter of the sensing element, and the ratio Hh/ds is about 1.1 to about 1.8.

9. A cleaning robot comprising:

a case; and

a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising;

a sensor hole including a sensor wall which extends inwardly from a first opening provided at an outside of the case and a second opening provide at an inside of the case; and

a sensing element including a transmitter and a receiver, wherein at least one of the transmitter and the receiver is provided inwardly of the first opening,

wherein a protrusion is formed at the sensor wall and a groove into which the protrusion is inserted is formed at the case such that the sensor hole is assembled to the case.

10. A cleaning robot, comprising:

a case; and

a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising;

a sensing element which transmits or receives a predetermined signal; and

a sensor hole provided on the case, the sensor hole having a sensor wall, a first opening provided at an outer surface of the case, and a second opening provided inwardly of the first opening with respect to a center of the case, wherein the sensor hole is configured to restrict a radiation range of the predetermined signal,

wherein a protrusion is formed at the sensor wall and a groove into which the protrusion is inserted is formed at the case such that the sensor hole is assembled to the case.

11. The cleaning robot of claim 10, wherein the sensing element is provided inwardly of the first opening with respect to a center of the case.

12. The cleaning robot of claim 10, wherein a cross-sectional area of the sensor hole increases as the sensor hole extends from the second opening towards the first opening.