Removing debris from cleaning robots

• US 9,955,841 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2013
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iRobot Corporation
• Original Assignee: iRobot Corporation
• Inventors: Won, Chikyung, Hickey, Stephen A., Schnittman, Mark Steven, Dubrovsky, Zivthan A., Svendsen, Selma, Lowry, Jed, Swett, David, Devlin, John
• Primary Examiner(s): REDDING, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US14/042,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20140130272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 15319, 15339
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/24 Floor-sweeping machines, motor-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/33 having means for storing dirt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4002 Installations of electric equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4008 Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4025 Means for emptying
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4066 Propulsion of the whole machine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4091 Storing or parking devices, arrangements therefor; Means allowing transport of the machine when it is not being used
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4097 Means for exhaust-air diffusion; Exhaust-air treatment, e.g. air purification; Means for sound or vibration damping
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/02 Docking stations; Docking operations
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/024 Emptying dust or waste liquid containers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/028 Refurbishing floor engaging tools, e.g. cleaning of beating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0477 Rolls
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/106 Dust removal
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/108 : Dust compression means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/19 : Means for monitoring filtering operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/281 : the amount or condition of incoming dirt or dust

Abstract

A cleaning robot system includes a robot and a robot maintenance station. The robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing and a driven cleaning roller. The robot maintenance station includes a station housing and a docking platform configured to support the robot when docked. A mechanical agitator engages the roller of the robot with the robot docked. The agitator includes an agitator comb having multiple teeth configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller as the agitator comb and roller are moved relative to one another. The robot maintenance station includes a collection bin arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator.

Claims

1. A system for maintaining a robotic cleaner comprising:

a maintenance station including a station housing and a platform on which the robotic cleaner is supported during servicing;

a collection bin removably attached to the housing, wherein the collection bin is different from a cleaner bin located in the robotic cleaner, the collection bin being configured to collect debris from the cleaner bin of the robotic cleaner; and

a user interface device configured to wirelessly communicate to a communication module on the maintenance station and/or to a compatible communication facility on the robot, the user interface device including a maintenance station collection bin full indicator.

2. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the communication module includes an emitter and a detector configured to emit and detect RF and/or IR signals.

3. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the user interface device includes buttons and a display allowing a user to input commands or instructions which are then processed by a controller of the maintenance station or by the robot.

4. The maintenance station of claim 3, wherein the display is adapted to alert the user to a status of the maintenance station and to provide visual feedback in response to commands and instructions inputted by the user.

5. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the user interface device is remotely operable external from the maintenance station using the communication module.

6. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the platform is inclined extending upward from the ground allowing the robot to maneuver up the platform to a servicing position.

7. The maintenance station of claim 1, further comprising a communication port along a bottom side edge of the maintenance station.

8. The maintenance station of claim 7, wherein a configuration of the port includes one or more of a RS232 serial, USB, Ethernet port.

9. The maintenance station of claim 7, wherein the communication port

(i) permits flashing of microcontroller code for controlling the maintenance station;

and/or

(ii) permits one or more accessories to the maintenance station to be connected to and controlled along with the maintenance station and the robotic cleaner robot.

10. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the collection bin is three to ten times the volumetric capacity of the bin of the robotic cleaner.

11. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the collection bin is removably attached to a top portion of the housing to be disengaged substantially parallel to the ground.

12. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the collection bin is removably attached to a front or overhanging portion of the housing to be disengaged substantially parallel to the ground from underneath the overhang.

13. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the collection bin is removably attached to the top of the housing to be disengaged in a vertical direction.

14. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the user interface device is disposed on the housing and is removably attached to the housing.

15. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the user interface device includes a control configured to cause the robotic cleaner to return to the maintenance station.

16. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the user interface device includes an indicator for the robot on carpet or hardwood, the robotic cleaner configured to self-adjust the orbit of the robotic cleaner based on surface demands.

17. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the user interface device includes a control to pause/resume cleaning of the robotic cleaner.

18. The maintenance station of claim 1, wherein the user interface device includes a control for scheduling cleaning of the robotic cleaner.