Autonomous coverage robot sensing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An autonomous robot comprising:
- a body;
right and left driven wheels coupled to the body, the robot maneuverable over a cleaning surface by the right and left driven wheels;
a vacuum assembly configured to suction waste from the cleaning surface;
a collection volume disposed within the body, the collection volume in fluid communication with the vacuum assembly for collecting waste suctioned by the vacuum assembly, and the body defining a first opening through which the collected waste is removable from the collection volume;
a seal movable to interrupt at least a portion of the fluid communication between the vacuum assembly and the collection volume; and
a biased-to-drop suspension system coupled to the driven wheels, the biased-to-drop suspension system having a top position and a bottom position, and the seal being coupled to the suspension system and movable to interrupt at least a portion of the fluid communication between the vacuum assembly and the collection volume as the biased-to-drop suspension system moves from the top position to the bottom position.
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Abstract
An autonomous coverage robot detection system includes an emitter configured to emit a directed beam, a detector configured to detect the directed beam and a controller configured to direct the robot in response to a signal detected by the detector. In some examples, the detection system detects a stasis condition of the robot. In some examples, the detection system detects a wall and can follow the wall in response to the detected signal.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An autonomous robot comprising:
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a body; right and left driven wheels coupled to the body, the robot maneuverable over a cleaning surface by the right and left driven wheels; a vacuum assembly configured to suction waste from the cleaning surface; a collection volume disposed within the body, the collection volume in fluid communication with the vacuum assembly for collecting waste suctioned by the vacuum assembly, and the body defining a first opening through which the collected waste is removable from the collection volume; a seal movable to interrupt at least a portion of the fluid communication between the vacuum assembly and the collection volume; and a biased-to-drop suspension system coupled to the driven wheels, the biased-to-drop suspension system having a top position and a bottom position, and the seal being coupled to the suspension system and movable to interrupt at least a portion of the fluid communication between the vacuum assembly and the collection volume as the biased-to-drop suspension system moves from the top position to the bottom position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An autonomous robot comprising:
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a body; right and left driven wheels coupled to the body, the robot maneuverable over a cleaning surface by the right and left driven wheels; a collection volume disposed within the body, the collection volume in fluid communication with the cleaning surface collecting waste removed from the cleaning surface as the robot maneuvers over the cleaning surface, and the body defining an opening through which the collected waste is removable from the collection volume; a seal movable, in response to removal of the driven wheels from the cleaning surface, to interrupt at least a portion of the fluid communication between the collection volume and the cleaning surface; and a biased-to-drop suspension system coupled to the driven wheels, the biased-to-drop suspension system having a top position and a bottom position, and the seal being coupled to the suspension system movable to interrupt at least a portion of the fluid communication between the collection volume and the cleaning surface as the biased-to-drop suspension system moves from the top position to the bottom position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification