System for automatically exchanging cleaning tools of robot cleaner, and method therefor

• US 20060060216A1
• Filed: 08/10/2005
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Woo, Chun-Kyu
• Granted Patent: US 7,600,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/18
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/02 Docking stations; Docking operations
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/06 Control of the cleaning action for autonomous devices; Automatic detection of the surface condition before, during or after cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0225 involving docking at a fixed facility, e.g. base station or loading bay parking aids B62D15/027
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0268 using internal positioning means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0276 using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle involving a plurality of vehicles G05D1/0287; automatically controlling vehicle speed responsive to externally generated signals B60K31/0058

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system for automatically exchanging cleaning tools of a robot cleaner and a method therefor. The system for automatically exchanging the cleaning tools of the robot cleaner includes the robot cleaner for deciding whether a currently-mounted first cleaning tool is suitable for a bottom state of a cleaning area, and returning to and being docked on an exchange unit when the first cleaning tool is not suitable for the bottom state, and the exchange unit for exchanging the first cleaning tool currently mounted on the robot cleaner with a second cleaning tool suitable for the bottom state when the robot cleaner is docked.

Claims

1. A system for automatically exchanging cleaning tools of a robot cleaner, comprising:

the robot cleaner for deciding whether a currently-mounted first cleaning tool is suitable for a bottom state of a cleaning area, and returning to and being docked on an exchange unit when the first cleaning tool is not suitable for the bottom state; and

the exchange unit for exchanging the first cleaning tool currently mounted on the robot cleaner with a second cleaning tool suitable for the bottom state when the robot cleaner is docked.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the robot cleaner comprises:

a cleaning tool mounting unit on which the cleaning tools are mounted;

a bottom state detecting unit for detecting the bottom state of the cleaning area; and

a microcomputer for switching the mode of the robot cleaner into a cleaning tool exchange mode according to the detection result of the bottom state detecting unit, and transmitting the detected information to the exchange unit.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the robot cleaner further comprises a cleaning tool driving unit for connecting or disconnecting the cleaning tool to/from the robot cleaner according to the control signal from the microcomputer.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the exchange unit is formed on a charging unit for charging the robot cleaner.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the exchange unit comprises:

a sensing unit for sensing the position and direction of the robot cleaner and the exchange unit;

a cleaning tool housing unit for housing various cleaning tools;

a cleaning tool exchange unit for exchanging the first cleaning tool currently mounted on the robot cleaner with the second cleaning tool selected among the various cleaning tools housed in the cleaning tool housing unit; and

a control unit for selecting the second cleaning tool among the various cleaning tools on the basis of the bottom state information detected by the robot cleaner, and docking the exchange unit and the robot cleaner according to the sensing signal from the sensing unit.

6. A system for automatically exchanging cleaning tools of a robot cleaner, comprising:

the robot cleaner comprising;

a bottom tool mounting unit on which the cleaning tools are mounted;

an input unit for receiving an input signal relating to a cleaning method selected by the user; and

a microcomputer for switching the mode of the robot cleaner into a cleaning tool exchange mode on the basis of the inputted cleaning method, and transmitting the selected cleaning method information; and

an exchange unit comprising;

a sensing unit for sensing the position and direction of the robot cleaner and the exchange unit;

a cleaning tool housing unit for housing various cleaning tools;

a cleaning tool exchange unit for exchanging a first cleaning tool currently mounted on the robot cleaner with a second cleaning tool selected among the various cleaning tools housed in the cleaning tool housing unit; and

a control unit for selecting the second cleaning tool among the various cleaning tools housed in the cleaning tool housing unit on the basis of the selected cleaning method information, and docking the exchange unit and the robot cleaner according to the sensing signal from the sensing unit.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the exchange unit is formed on a charging unit for charging the robot cleaner.

8. In a robot cleaner having a self-control running function, a method for automatically exchanging cleaning tools of the robot cleaner, comprising the steps of:

detecting a bottom state of a cleaning area during a cleaning operation;

deciding whether a currently-mounted first cleaning tool is suitable for the detected bottom state, and returning and docking the robot cleaner on an exchange unit when the first cleaning tool is not suitable for the bottom state; and

exchanging, on the exchange unit, the first cleaning tool mounted on the robot cleaner with a second cleaning tool suitable for the detected bottom state.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the docking step comprises a step for transmitting the detected bottom state information to the exchange unit.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the exchange step comprises the steps of:

receiving, at the exchange unit, the bottom state information from the robot cleaner;

selecting the second cleaning tool among the various cleaning tools according to the received information; and

exchanging the first cleaning tool mounted on the robot cleaner with the selected second cleaning tool.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the exchange step comprises the steps of:

disconnecting the first cleaning tool mounted on the robot cleaner;

mounting the second cleaning tool housed in the exchange unit on the robot cleaner; and

disconnecting the first cleaning tool from the robot cleaner, and transferring the disconnected first cleaning tool to the exchange unit.

12. In a robot cleaner having a self-control running function, a method for automatically exchanging cleaning tools of the robot cleaner, comprising the steps of:

selecting a cleaning method by the user during a cleaning operation;

deciding whether a currently-mounted first cleaning tool is suitable for the selected cleaning method, and returning and docking the robot cleaner on an exchange unit when the first cleaning tool is not suitable for the cleaning method; and

exchanging, on the exchange unit, the first cleaning tool mounted on the robot cleaner with a second cleaning tool suitable for the cleaning method.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the docking step comprises a step for transmitting the selected cleaning method information to the exchange unit.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the exchange step comprises the steps of:

receiving, at the exchange unit, the selected cleaning method information from the robot cleaner;

selecting the second cleaning tool among the various cleaning tools according to the received information; and

exchanging the first cleaning tool mounted on the robot cleaner with the selected second cleaning tool.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the exchange step comprises the steps of:

disconnecting the first cleaning tool mounted on the robot cleaner;

mounting the second cleaning tool housed in the exchange unit on the robot cleaner; and

disconnecting the first cleaning tool from the robot cleaner, and transferring the separated first cleaning tool to the exchange unit.