Debris sensor for cleaning apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An autonomous cleaning apparatus, comprising:
- a chassis;
a drive system disposed on the chassis and operable to enable movement of the cleaning apparatus;
a controller in communication with the drive system, the controller including a processor operable to control the drive system to steer movement of the cleaning apparatus; and
a cleaning head disposed on the chassis;
a debris sensor for generating a debris signal;
wherein the processor implements a high power cleaning mode in response to the debris signal, the high power mode comprising elevating power delivery to the cleaning head.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An autonomous cleaning apparatus, comprising:
-
a chassis; a drive system disposed on the chassis and operable to enable movement of the cleaning apparatus; a controller in communication with the drive system, the controller including a processor operable to control the drive system to steer movement of the cleaning apparatus; and a cleaning head disposed on the chassis; a debris sensor for generating a debris signal; wherein the processor implements a high power cleaning mode in response to the debris signal, the high power mode comprising elevating power delivery to the cleaning head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification