Incline sensing module for an automatic cleaner

• US 8,290,623 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2010
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jason Yan
• Original Assignee: Jason Yan
• Inventors: Yan, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Badii, Behrang
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mahne, Kevin P
• Application Number:
  US12/805,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20110245972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 700/245, 700/247, 700/258, 439/137, 439/296, 307/143, 200/43.05, 200/51.16, 16/29, 16/30, 16/31, 16/33, 16/34, 16/37, 16/38, 16/41, 16/45, 16/18.R, 403/353, 738/66, 374/39
• US Class Current: 700/258
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4061 Steering means; Means for avoiding obstacles; Details related to the place where the driver is accommodated
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection

Abstract

A sensing escape device of an automatic cleaner includes a control module, a motion module and an inclination limitation sensing module. The control module controls the motion module to drive the movement of the automatic cleaner in mode between a forward mode with head portion as a head and a backward mode with tail portion as a head. The inclination limitation sensing module coupled to the control module includes a critical inclination angle sensing unit outward disposed on a rear bottom of the main body. When the critical inclination angle sensing unit is externally contacted, the inclination limitation sensing module generates a signal and transfers the signal to the control module, to make the control module drive the motion module to switch into the backward mode. The automatic cleaner moves backward immediately when climbing a ramp, to avoid misjudging actions such as a suspension of the motor-driven wheel unit.

Claims

1. An incline sensing module of an automatic cleaner, disposed on a main body of the automatic cleaner, wherein the opposite ends of the main body are defined as a head portion and a tail portion;

the sensing escape device of an automatic cleaner including;

a control module;

a motion module, which is coupled to the control module, where the motion module is equipped with a motor-driven wheel unit, disposed on a bottom of the main body, for controlling the movement of the automatic cleaner in mode between a forward mode taking the head portion as a head or a backward mode taking the tail portion as a head; and

an inclination limitation sensing module, coupled to the control module, where the inclination limitation sensing module includes a critical inclination angle sensing unit and an actuating element, which are outward disposed on a rear bottom of the main body, wherein the critical inclination angle sensing unit includes;

a bracket, including a top plate, a fastener and two locating blades, wherein the fastener and the two locating blades are disposed on the opposite surface of the top plate, the fastener is assembled on the main body, and the top plate faces the actuating element exactly; and

an auxiliary wheel, which is pivotally connected to the two locating blades, wherein the top plate pushes the actuating element when the auxiliary wheel is externally contacted,

wherein the distance between the critical inclination angle sensing unit and the bottom of the main body is smaller than the distance between the motor-driven wheel unit and the bottom of the main body, and the inclination limitation sensing module generating a signal and transferring the signal to the control module when the critical inclination angle sensing unit is externally contacted, to make the control module drive the motion module and to switch into the backward mode.

2. The incline sensing module of an automatic cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear bottom of the main body is equipped with a assembly port, the structure of the fastener and the structure of the assembly port are fitted with each other, and it allows the critical inclination angle sensing unit to be assembled or disassembled on the main body.

3. The incline sensing module of an automatic cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inclination limitation sensing module further includes:

a switching unit, which is disposed in the main body and is electrically coupled to the control module,

wherein the critical inclination angle sensing unit pushes the actuating element when being externally contacted, and the actuating element actuate the switching unit for making the switching unit generate a sensing signal and transfer the sensing signal to the control module.

4. The incline sensing module of an automatic cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating element disposed outward on the rear bottom of the main body is disposed between the critical inclination angle sensing unit and the switching unit.

5. The incline sensing module of an automatic cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein an elastic element, in a shape of finger-shaped plate, is disposed on the top plate, a convex cover is disposed on the elastic element, and the elastic element faces the actuating element exactly, in order to push the actuating element elastically when the auxiliary wheel is externally contacted.

6. The incline sensing module of an automatic cleaner as claimed in claim 5, wherein the top plate is substantially a rectangular plate, and the auxiliary wheel and the slip hook are disposed on the different sides of the top plate.

7. The incline sensing module of an automatic cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener includes at least a slip hook, at least an assembly hole for receiving the slip hook is disposed on the main body, to allow the critical inclination angle sensing unit be assembled on the main body.