Systems and methods for robotic gutter cleaning along an axis of rotation

• US 9,371,651 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2013
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iRobot Corporation
• Original Assignee: iRobot Corporation
• Inventors: Dayton, Douglas C., Park, Sung, Abele, Karl Eaton, Robinson, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaudhry, Saeed T
• Application Number:
  US14/012,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20140238440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/00 Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto B08B6/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/049 having self-contained propelling means for moving the cleaning devices along the pipes , i.e. self-propelled
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/051 the cleaning devices having internal motors , e.g. turbines for powering cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/0765 Cleaning tools

Abstract

A gutter-cleaning device includes a body defining a forward drive direction and configured to fit into a residential gutter. The device also includes a drive system supporting the body and configured to maneuver across the gutter. A driven impeller disposed on the body defines an axis of rotation. The impeller has at least one agitator oriented about the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is arranged at an angle to the forward drive direction to aim toward an inside corner of the gutter to eject agitated debris from the gutter and away from the impeller.

Claims

1. A gutter-cleaning device comprising:

a body defining a forward drive direction and configured to fit into a residential gutter;

a drive system supporting the body and configured to maneuver across the gutter; and

a driven impeller disposed on the body and defining an axis of rotation, the impeller having at least one agitator oriented about the axis of rotation, the axis of rotation arranged at an angle to the forward drive direction to aim toward an inside corner of the gutter to eject agitated debris from the gutter and away from the impeller.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an impeller drive coupled to the impeller, and

a wireless communication facility disposed on the body and operable to receive control signals from a remote control for controlling at least one of the drive system or the impeller drive.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a placement facility disposed on the body for facilitating placement of the gutter-cleaning device into the gutter.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the placement facility comprises an antenna in communication with the drive system.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the impeller is formed from at least one of a molded elastomer, neoprene, rubber, plastic, or an electrostatic cloth.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the impeller further includes at least one of a helical bristled brush, a full stiff bristle brush, a spiral stiff bristle brush, a wire brush, a dethatching brush, an alternating paddle brush, a flexible bucket, a multiply-vaned impeller, or an alternating flexible blade.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the drive system comprises at least one of a wheel, a snake drive, a worm drive, a crab or walking drive, a scoot-and-compress or accordion drive, or a string of beads drive.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a vision system in communication with the drive system for facilitating navigation.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a navigation system in communication with the drive system.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a programming facility in communication with the drive system to set programs for autonomous control.

11. A method of a gutter-cleaning device, the method comprising:

configuring a body to fit into a residential gutter;

supporting the body with a drive system configured to maneuver across the gutter; and

disposing a driven impeller on the body, the impeller defining an axis of rotation and having at least one agitator oriented about the axis of rotation, the axis of rotation arranged at an angle to the forward drive direction to aim toward an inside corner of the gutter to eject agitated debris from the gutter and away from the impeller.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

coupling a impeller drive to the impeller, and

disposing a wireless communication facility in electrical communication with at least one of the drive system or the impeller drive, the wireless communication facility operable to receive control signals from a remote control for controlling at least one of the drive system or the impeller drive.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising disposing a placement facility on the body for facilitating placement of the gutter-cleaning device into a gutter.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the placement facility comprises an antenna in communication with the drive system.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the impeller is formed from at least one of a molded elastomer, neoprene, rubber, plastic, or an electrostatic cloth.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the impeller includes at least one of a helical-bristled brush, a full stiff bristle brush, a spiral stiff bristle brush, a wire brush, a dethatching brush, an alternating paddle brush, a flexible bucket, a multiply-vaned impeller, or an alternating flexible blade.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the drive system comprises at least one of a wheel, a snake drive, a worm drive, a crab or walking drive, a scoot-and-compress or accordion drive, or a string of beads drive.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising disposing a vision system on the body.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising disposing a navigation system on the body.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising disposing a programming facility on the body.