Autonomous cleaning device

• US 8,732,897 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2012
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Jung, Hyun Soo, Han, Seung Il, Kim, Dong Won, Kim, Bo Sang, Lee, Jun Hwa
• Primary Examiner(s): REDDING, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US13/596,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20120317745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 153/19, 153/20, 153/22, 15/931, 153/403, 154/01
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4052 Movement of the tools or the like perpendicular to the cleaning surface
• 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 9/0411 driven by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0466 Rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0626 Rigidly anchored lips, e.g. nozzles adapted for picking up liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0633 with retractable brushes, combs, lips or pads

Abstract

A blade assembly of an autonomous cleaning device. The blade assembly includes a blade having a first part fixed to the main body and a second part extended from the first part toward a floor and a support member having at least a portion disposed adjacent to the second part of the blade to restrict movement of the second part of the blade to within a predetermined range.

Claims

1. An autonomous cleaning device comprising:

a main body having an opening;

a brush unit rotatably provided in the opening of the main body; and

a blade assembly to guide introduction of dust swept up by the brush unit, wherein the blade assembly comprises;

a blade extended toward a floor, the blade having a contact portion to contact with the floor; and

a maintaining portion located behind the contact portion in the direction of travel, the maintaining portion formed of a material different from that of the contact portion,

wherein the maintaining portion is attached to a bottom surface of the blade, the maintaining portion is maintained on the floor during the travel of the cleaning device such that the contact portion can move across the floor without the contact portion falling into any crevices or valleys of the floor.

2. The autonomous cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the maintaining portion is disposed in a longitudinal direction of the blade.

3. The autonomous cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the blade adapted to bend downward when the contact portion establishes frictional contact with the floor.

4. The autonomous cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the maintaining portion is formed of the material exhibiting frictional force lower than that of the contact portion.

5. The autonomous cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the blade is formed of a rubber material and the maintaining portion is formed of a fiber material.

6. The autonomous cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the blade is formed of a rubber material and the maintaining portion is formed of a sponge material.

7. The autonomous cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the maintaining portion serves to collect residual dust that has not been swept up by the brush unit.

8. The autonomous cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the floor is a tatami floor.