EP2974640B2 - Suction robot with rotating bristle roller and cleaning method for a bristle roller of a suction robot - Google Patents

Suction robot with rotating bristle roller and cleaning method for a bristle roller of a suction robot Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2974640B2
EP2974640B2 EP15175038.7A EP15175038A EP2974640B2 EP 2974640 B2 EP2974640 B2 EP 2974640B2 EP 15175038 A EP15175038 A EP 15175038A EP 2974640 B2 EP2974640 B2 EP 2974640B2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bristle roller
vacuum cleaner
robotic vacuum
blade
bristle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP15175038.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2974640B1 (en
EP2974640A1 (en
Inventor
Carina Uphoff
Markus Thamm
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Miele und Cie KG
Original Assignee
Miele und Cie KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=53539516&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP2974640(B2) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Miele und Cie KG filed Critical Miele und Cie KG
Publication of EP2974640A1 publication Critical patent/EP2974640A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2974640B1 publication Critical patent/EP2974640B1/en
Publication of EP2974640B2 publication Critical patent/EP2974640B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/02—Nozzles
    • A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
    • A47L9/0461—Dust-loosening tools, e.g. agitators, brushes
    • A47L9/0466—Rotating tools
    • A47L9/0477—Rolls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/02—Nozzles
    • A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
    • A47L9/0455—Bearing means therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/02—Nozzles
    • A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
    • A47L9/0494—Height adjustment of dust-loosening tools
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/02—Nozzles
    • A47L9/06—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
    • A47L9/0606—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like rigidly anchored brushes, combs, lips or pads
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B17/00—Accessories for brushes
    • A46B17/06—Devices for cleaning brushes after use
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2201/00—Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2201/00—Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
    • A47L2201/02—Docking stations; Docking operations

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a vacuum robot with a bristle roller arranged on an underside of a housing of the vacuum robot and rotatable about a horizontal axis.
  • the invention further relates to a method for cleaning a rotatable bristle roller of such a vacuum robot.
  • Suction robots serve as self-propelled cleaning devices for the automated cleaning of surfaces without having to be pushed or guided by a user.
  • the devices are usually wireless in order to be able to navigate easily over an area to be cleaned, for example within an apartment, without a drive cable getting tangled in furniture or other obstacles.
  • the robot vacuum obtains its energy from rechargeable batteries that it carries, which it can recharge - if necessary independently - at a charging station positioned inside the apartment.
  • a rotating bristle roller is provided to support the suction fan in suction robots of the type mentioned at the beginning. This is usually arranged on the underside of the housing of the robot vacuum in the immediate vicinity of a suction mouth of the robot vacuum. When they rotate about a horizontal axis, bristles of the bristle roller whirl up dirt particles that have got caught in a carpet, for example, so that they can be more easily sucked in by the suction mouth of the robot vacuum and thus picked up.
  • bristle rollers A problem with such bristle rollers is that when the bristle roller rotates, threads and / or hair can wind around the bristle roller, causing the bristles of the bristle roller to clog and contribute less effectively to cleaning the substrate. Up to now, coiled hair or threads could only be removed manually from the bristle roller.
  • a floor nozzle for a conventional vacuum cleaner in which a rotating bristle roller is arranged.
  • a blade is arranged in this floor nozzle above the bristle roller, which can be lowered onto the bristle roller by actuating a foot switch. With the bristle roller rotating, the blade then cuts hair and threads into smaller pieces and lifts them off the bristle roller so that they can be vacuumed up.
  • a suction robot according to the invention of the type mentioned at the outset is characterized in that the height of the axis of the bristle roller is adjustable relative to the housing, the bristle roller being spaced apart from the blade in a lower position and the bristle roller in engagement with the upper position Blade is. According to the invention, it is therefore not the blade but the bristle roller that is vertically movably mounted in order to bring the bristle roller and the blade into engagement with one another and to remove hair and threads from the bristle roller.
  • the mobility of the vacuum robot can then advantageously be used to bring the bristle roller into the upper position for cleaning by moving onto a suitable element. The cleaning position can thus be taken without the need for a separate adjusting element for the bristle roller or the blade.
  • the axis of the bristle roller is mounted in laterally arranged bearings, the bearings in turn being guided in vertically displaceable guides. In this way, the bristle roller can be moved vertically in a structurally simple manner.
  • the bristle roller is preferably pressed into a lower position by springs.
  • the blade is formed over the substantially entire width of the bristle roller.
  • the blade preferably points obliquely downwards. Both features achieve a good cleaning effect for the entire bristle roller.
  • the bristle roller rotates for a predetermined period of time at a speed which is above an operating speed of the bristle roller in suction mode. This enables effective cleaning in a short time.
  • a suction fan of the vacuum robot is preferably operated while the bristle roller is rotating in the raised position.
  • a self-propelled vacuum robot 1 is shown in a schematic sectional view. The cut is carried out along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum robot 1 lying in the direction of travel. The vacuum robot 1 is in the representation of the Figure 1 shortly before a charging station 30 also shown.
  • the vacuum robot 1 has a housing 2 with an underside 3. In the front area of the housing 2, a tunnel-like recess 4 is arranged on the underside 3, in which there is a bristle roller unit 10 with a bristle roller 11. A blade 20 is arranged above the bristle roller 11. The bristle roller 11, like the blade 20, is transverse to the longitudinal axis and thus to the cutting plane Figure 1 aligned.
  • a drive system is arranged in the housing of the vacuum robot 1 and acts on two drive wheels 5, of which the designation shown in FIG Figure 1 only one is visible.
  • the drive wheels 5 can be driven independently of one another via drive motors, not shown here.
  • a support wheel is provided in the rear area of the vacuum robot 1, which is either pivotable or designed as a ball that can be rotated in all directions.
  • a suction system is arranged in the housing 2 of the vacuum robot 1, in which a suction mouth, which is located in the area of the bristle roller unit 10, interacts in a known manner with a filter system, for example a vacuum cleaner bag, and with a suction blower motor.
  • a filter system for example a vacuum cleaner bag
  • a suction blower motor for example a suction blower motor.
  • the charging station 30 serves, among other things, to charge a rechargeable battery of the vacuum robot 1.
  • the suction robot 1 can start the charging station 30, whereupon an energy transfer for charging the rechargeable battery can take place via contacts or also contactlessly, for example inductively.
  • the further functionality of the charging station 30 which is relevant in the context of the method according to the application is described in connection with the Figure 3 described in more detail.
  • FIG 2 the area of the bristle roller unit 10 of the vacuum robot 1 is shown in a partially sectioned illustration. The cut runs transversely through the housing 2 of the vacuum robot 1, the bristle roller 11 not being cut for the sake of better illustration, but rather being shown in a top view.
  • the bristle roller 11 has a plurality of bristles 12 which are arranged in a number of rows in a wave shape along the bristle roller 11. Wavy webs 13 are also provided between the rows of bristles 12. These webs 13 prevent ingested hair and / or threads working deep into the bristles 12, from where they are difficult to remove.
  • the cleaning method according to the application for the bristle roller 11 can, however, also be carried out in the case of a bristle roller without such webs.
  • the bristle roller 11 is connected to a horizontal axis 14. Via this axis 14, the bristle roller 11 can be driven in rotation by an electric motor, not shown here.
  • the axis 14 is mounted on both sides in bearings 15, for example plain bearing bushes or roller bearings.
  • the bearings 15 are not firmly connected to the housing 2, but are guided in guides 6 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.
  • the guides 6 are fixed to the housing 2 or formed as part of the housing 2. In this case, springs 16 are provided which press the bearings 15 downwards relative to the housing 2.
  • the lower one, in the Figure 2 The position shown is also the operating position of the bristle roller 11 in the cleaning operation. In this position the bristle roller 11 is also in Figure 1 shown. The ends of the bristles 12 protrude slightly downward beyond the circumference of the drive wheels 5.
  • the vertical displaceability of the bristle roller 11 shown is advantageous in the cleaning operation of the vacuum robot 1, for example in the event of uneven floors.
  • a bristle roller which cannot be displaced vertically relative to the housing 2 there is a risk that the suction robot 1 will get caught on an obstacle with its bristle roller and consequently cannot pass over this obstacle.
  • the vertically displaceable bristle roller 11 can deflect upward, so that the risk of the suction robot 1 getting stuck is reduced.
  • the bristle roller 11 Above the bristle roller 11 is a blade 20 which extends across the entire width of the bristle roller 11. This blade 20 is used to clean the bristle roller 11 and in particular to remove coiled hair and / or threads.
  • the tips of the bristles 12 are spaced from the blade 20.
  • a cleaning action sets in when the blade 20 is engaged with the bristles 12 of the bristle roller 11.
  • the bristle roller 11 is brought from its lower operating position into an upper position, also called a cleaning position.
  • the blade 20 is preferably arranged obliquely, as in FIG Figure 1 is shown. The direction of rotation of the bristle roller 11 or the inclined position are selected such that the bristles 12 move away from the projecting edge of the inclined blade 20.
  • a cleaning method according to the application for the bristle roller 11 is in connection with Figure 3 explained below.
  • FIG 3 shows the robot vacuum 1 of the Figure 1 in a loading position on the charging station 30.
  • the charging station 30 in this situation there is a galvanic or inductive coupling between the charging station 30 and the vacuum robot 1 in order to charge its rechargeable batteries.
  • the charging station 30 has side ramps 31 on the side, which comprise a forward-facing ramp 32 and a trough 33 in the upper region.
  • the ramps 31 are designed to be correspondingly narrow for this purpose and have the distance between the bearings 15 from one another.
  • the guides 6, in which the bearings 15 are guided vertically, are designed to be open towards the front, so that the robot vacuum cleaner 1 is not hindered in its onward travel, but the bearings 15 are raised.
  • the bearings 15 rest in the troughs 33 formed on the ramps 31, the bristle roller 11 being raised from the operating position to the cleaning position.
  • the bristle roller 11 rotates for a predeterminable period of time while the blade 20 is in engagement with the bristles 12.
  • the suction fan is operated in order to suck up hair or threads removed from the bristle roller 11.
  • the bristle roller 11 is operated briefly at a speed that is above the speed normally used in operation in order to achieve a good cleaning effect and to shorten the duration of the cleaning cycle.
  • a positive side effect of the increased speed is that cut hair or threads, but also other dirt particles that have become lodged in the bristle roller 11, are thrown out of the bristle roller 11 by increased centrifugal forces.
  • the bristle roller 11 is designed to be removable for a user of the vacuum robot 1.
  • the vacuum robot 1 provides for the blade 20 to be pivotably mounted.
  • the pivoting mechanism can be particularly advantageously coupled to the springs 16 in the guide 6 in such a way that the blade 20 is pivoted out of the grip area of a user when the bristle roller 11 is removed.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
  • Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Saugroboter mit einer an einer Unterseite eines Gehäuses des Saugroboters angeordneten und um eine horizontale Achse rotierbaren Borstwalze. Die Erfindung betrifft weiterhin ein Verfahren zur Reinigung einer rotierbaren Borstwalze eines derartigen Saugroboters.The invention relates to a vacuum robot with a bristle roller arranged on an underside of a housing of the vacuum robot and rotatable about a horizontal axis. The invention further relates to a method for cleaning a rotatable bristle roller of such a vacuum robot.

Saugroboter dienen als selbstfahrende Reinigungsgeräte der automatisierten Reinigung von Flächen, ohne dass sie von einem Benutzer geschoben oder geführt werden müssen. Die Geräte sind üblicherweise kabellos, um problemlos über einen zu reinigenden Bereich, beispielsweise innerhalb einer Wohnung, navigieren zu können, ohne dass sich ein Antriebskabel in Möbeln oder anderen Hindernissen verheddern kann. Seine Energie bezieht der Saugroboter dabei aus mitgeführten wiederaufladbaren Batterien, die er - gegebenenfalls selbstständig - an einer innerhalb der Wohnung positionierten Ladestation wieder aufladen kann.Suction robots serve as self-propelled cleaning devices for the automated cleaning of surfaces without having to be pushed or guided by a user. The devices are usually wireless in order to be able to navigate easily over an area to be cleaned, for example within an apartment, without a drive cable getting tangled in furniture or other obstacles. The robot vacuum obtains its energy from rechargeable batteries that it carries, which it can recharge - if necessary independently - at a charging station positioned inside the apartment.

Aufgrund der beschränkten Kapazität der mitgeführten wiederaufladbaren Batterien ist die Saugleistung eines Sauggebläsemotors des Saugroboters häufig weniger stark als es für die Reinigung wünschenswert wäre. Zu diesem Zweck ist unterstützend zum Sauggebläse bei Saugrobotern der eingangs genannten Art eine rotierende Borstwalze vorgesehen. Diese ist an der Unterseite des Gehäuses des Saugroboters üblicherweise in unmittelbarer Nähe zu einem Saugmund des Saugroboters angeordnet. Bei ihrer Rotation um eine horizontale Achse wirbeln Borsten der Borstwalze Schmutzpartikel, die sich beispielsweise in einem Teppich verfangen haben, auf, sodass diese leichter vom Saugmund des Saugroboters eingesaugt und damit aufgenommen werden können.Due to the limited capacity of the rechargeable batteries carried, the suction power of a suction blower motor of the suction robot is often less powerful than would be desirable for cleaning. For this purpose, a rotating bristle roller is provided to support the suction fan in suction robots of the type mentioned at the beginning. This is usually arranged on the underside of the housing of the robot vacuum in the immediate vicinity of a suction mouth of the robot vacuum. When they rotate about a horizontal axis, bristles of the bristle roller whirl up dirt particles that have got caught in a carpet, for example, so that they can be more easily sucked in by the suction mouth of the robot vacuum and thus picked up.

Ein Problem bei derartigen Borstwalzen besteht darin, dass sich Fäden und/oder Haare bei Rotation der Borstwalze um diese herumwickeln können, wodurch sich die Borsten der Borstwalze zusetzen und weniger effektiv zur Reinigung des Untergrunds beitragen. Bislang konnten aufgewickelte Haare oder Fäden nur manuell aus der Borstwalze entfernt werden.A problem with such bristle rollers is that when the bristle roller rotates, threads and / or hair can wind around the bristle roller, causing the bristles of the bristle roller to clog and contribute less effectively to cleaning the substrate. Up to now, coiled hair or threads could only be removed manually from the bristle roller.

Aus der Druckschrift WO 2013/060365 A1 ist eine Bodendüse für einen konventionellen Staubsauger bekannt, in der eine rotierende Borstwalze angeordnet ist. Zur Reinigung der Borstwalze von Haaren oder Fäden ist bei dieser Bodendüse oberhalb der Borstwalze eine Klinge angeordnet, die durch Betätigung eines Fußtasters auf die Borstwalze herabgesenkt werden kann. Bei rotierender Borstwalze schneidet die Klinge dann Haare und Fäden in kleinere Stücke und hebt diese von der Borstwalze ab, sodass sie aufgesaugt werden können.From the publication WO 2013/060365 A1 a floor nozzle for a conventional vacuum cleaner is known, in which a rotating bristle roller is arranged. To clean the bristle roller from hair or threads, a blade is arranged in this floor nozzle above the bristle roller, which can be lowered onto the bristle roller by actuating a foot switch. With the bristle roller rotating, the blade then cuts hair and threads into smaller pieces and lifts them off the bristle roller so that they can be vacuumed up.

Die beschriebene Anordnung und Vorgehensweise eignet sich unter anderem aufgrund der manuellen Betätigung jedoch nicht für einen selbstfahrenden Saugroboter.The arrangement and procedure described, however, is not suitable for a self-propelled vacuum robot, among other things, due to the manual actuation.

DE 20 2011 110 010 U1 offenbart einen Saugroboter in dem eine rotierende Borstwalze angeordnet ist, und in dem, oberhalb der Borstwalze eine relativ zu dem Gehäuse feststehende Klinge angeordnet ist. DE 20 2011 110 010 U1 discloses a vacuum robot in which a rotating bristle roller is arranged and in which a blade which is fixed relative to the housing is arranged above the bristle roller.

Es ist daher eine Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, einen Saugroboter der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, bei dem die rotierende Borstwalze automatisiert gereinigt wird, wobei insbesondere aufgewickelte Haare und/oder Fäden entfernt werden. Es ist eine weitere Aufgabe, ein effektives Reinigungsverfahren für eine Borstwalze eines derartigen Saugroboters anzugeben.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum robot of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the rotating bristle roller is cleaned automatically, in particular wound hair and / or threads being removed. It is a further object to provide an effective cleaning method for a bristle roller of such a vacuum robot.

Diese Aufgabe wird gelöst durch einen Saugroboter bzw. ein Verfahren mit den jeweiligen Merkmalen der unabhängigen Ansprüchen. Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen und Weiterbildungen des Saugroboters und des Verfahrens sind in den abhängigen Ansprüchen angegeben.This object is achieved by a vacuum robot or a method with the respective features of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements and developments of the vacuum robot and the method are specified in the dependent claims.

Ein erfindungsgemäßer Saugroboter der eingangs genannten Art zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass die Achse der Borstwalze relativ zu dem Gehäuse in ihrer Höhe verstellbar ist, wobei in einer unteren Position die Borstwalze von der Klinge beabstandet ist und in einer oberen Position die Borstwalze im Eingriff mit der Klinge ist. Erfindungsgemäß ist somit nicht die Klinge, sondern die Borstwalze vertikal beweglich gelagert, um die Borstwalze und die Klinge miteinander in Eingriff zu bringen und die Borstwalze von Haaren und Fäden zu befreien. Vorteilhaft kann dann die Bewegungsfähigkeit des Saugroboters genutzt werden, um die Borstwalze zur Reinigung durch Auffahren auf ein geeignetes Element in die obere Position zu bringen. Die Reinigungsposition kann somit eingenommen werden, ohne dass ein separates Verstellorgan für die Borstwalze bzw. die Klinge benötigt wird.A suction robot according to the invention of the type mentioned at the outset is characterized in that the height of the axis of the bristle roller is adjustable relative to the housing, the bristle roller being spaced apart from the blade in a lower position and the bristle roller in engagement with the upper position Blade is. According to the invention, it is therefore not the blade but the bristle roller that is vertically movably mounted in order to bring the bristle roller and the blade into engagement with one another and to remove hair and threads from the bristle roller. The mobility of the vacuum robot can then advantageously be used to bring the bristle roller into the upper position for cleaning by moving onto a suitable element. The cleaning position can thus be taken without the need for a separate adjusting element for the bristle roller or the blade.

Bei einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung des Saugroboters ist die Achse der Borstwalze in seitlich angeordneten Lagern gelagert, wobei die Lager ihrerseits in Führungen vertikal verschiebbar geführt sind. Auf diese Weise kann die Borstwalze konstruktiv einfach vertikal verschoben werden. Bevorzugt wird die Borstwalze durch Federn in eine untere Position gedrückt.In an advantageous embodiment of the vacuum robot, the axis of the bristle roller is mounted in laterally arranged bearings, the bearings in turn being guided in vertically displaceable guides. In this way, the bristle roller can be moved vertically in a structurally simple manner. The bristle roller is preferably pressed into a lower position by springs.

Bei einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung des Saugroboters ist die Klinge über die im Wesentlichen gesamte Breite der Borstwalze ausgebildet. Bevorzugt weist die Klinge schräg nach unten. Durch beide Merkmale wird eine gute Reinigungswirkung für die gesamte Borstwalze erzielt.In an advantageous embodiment of the vacuum robot, the blade is formed over the substantially entire width of the bristle roller. The blade preferably points obliquely downwards. Both features achieve a good cleaning effect for the entire bristle roller.

Ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zum Reinigen einer Borstwalze eines Saugroboters weist die folgenden Schritte auf:

  • Es wird eine Ladestation durch den Saugroboter angefahren, wobei die Borstwalze durch ein Auffahren des Saugroboters auf einer Auffahrrampe relativ zu einem Gehäuse des Saugroboters angehoben wird und in Eingriff mit einer oberhalb der Borstwalze im Gehäuse des Saugroboters angeordneten Klinge gebracht wird. Dann wird die Borstwalze zu ihrer Reinigung und insbesondere zum Entfernen von Haaren und/oder Fäden rotiert, während sie im Eingriff mit der Klinge ist. Es ergeben sich die im Zusammenhang mit dem Saugroboter genannten Vorteile. Durch das Zusammenspiel von Saugroboter und Ladestation wird die Borstwalze in die obere Reinigungsposition gebracht, ohne dass dafür zusätzliche Verstellorgane am Saugroboter erforderlich sind.
A method according to the invention for cleaning a bristle roller of a vacuum robot has the following steps:
  • A charging station is started up by the vacuum robot, the bristle roller being raised relative to a housing of the vacuum robot by raising the vacuum robot on a ramp and being brought into engagement with a blade arranged above the bristle roller in the housing of the vacuum robot. Then the bristle roller is used to clean it and especially to remove hair and / or threads rotate while in engagement with the blade. The advantages mentioned in connection with the vacuum robot result. The interaction of the vacuum robot and the charging station brings the bristle roller into the upper cleaning position without the need for additional adjustment elements on the vacuum robot.

In einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung des Verfahrens rotiert die Borstwalze für eine vorgegebene Zeitdauer mit einer Drehzahl, die über einer Betriebsdrehzahl der Borstwalze im Saugbetrieb liegt. So wird eine effektive Reinigung in kurzer Zeit möglich. Bevorzugt wird während des Rotierens der Borstwalze in der angehobenen Position ein Sauggebläse des Saugroboters betrieben.In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the bristle roller rotates for a predetermined period of time at a speed which is above an operating speed of the bristle roller in suction mode. This enables effective cleaning in a short time. A suction fan of the vacuum robot is preferably operated while the bristle roller is rotating in the raised position.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand eines Ausführungsbeispiels mithilfe von Figuren näher erläutert. Die Figuren zeigen:

Figur 1
eine Schnittdarstellung eines Saugroboters mit zugehöriger Ladestation;
Figur 2
eine Schnittansicht des Saugroboters 1 im Bereich seiner Borstwalze.
Figur 3
der Saugroboter aus Figur 1 in einer Ladeposition auf der Ladestation.
The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with the aid of figures. The figures show:
Figure 1
a sectional view of a robot vacuum with associated charging station;
Figure 2
a sectional view of the robot vacuum 1 in the region of its bristle roller.
Figure 3
the robot vacuum cleaner Figure 1 in a charging position on the charging station.

In der Figur 1 ist ein selbstfahrender Saugroboter 1 in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung dargestellt. Der Schnitt ist entlang einer in Fahrtrichtung liegenden Längsachse des Saugroboters 1 ausgeführt. Der Saugroboter 1 befindet sich in der Darstellung der Figur 1 kurz vor einer ebenfalls wiedergegebenen Ladestation 30.In the Figure 1 A self-propelled vacuum robot 1 is shown in a schematic sectional view. The cut is carried out along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum robot 1 lying in the direction of travel. The vacuum robot 1 is in the representation of the Figure 1 shortly before a charging station 30 also shown.

Der Saugroboter 1 weist ein Gehäuse 2 mit einer Unterseite 3 auf. Im vorderen Bereich des Gehäuses 2 ist an der Unterseite 3 eine tunnelähnliche Aussparung 4 angeordnet, in der sich eine Borstwalzeneinheit 10 mit einer Borstwalze 11 befindet. Oberhalb der Borstwalze 11 ist eine Klinge 20 angeordnet. Die Borstwalze 11 ist ebenso wie die Klinge 20 quer zur Längsachse und damit zur Schnittebene der Figur 1 ausgerichtet.The vacuum robot 1 has a housing 2 with an underside 3. In the front area of the housing 2, a tunnel-like recess 4 is arranged on the underside 3, in which there is a bristle roller unit 10 with a bristle roller 11. A blade 20 is arranged above the bristle roller 11. The bristle roller 11, like the blade 20, is transverse to the longitudinal axis and thus to the cutting plane Figure 1 aligned.

Im Gehäuse des Saugroboters 1 ist ein hier nicht dargestelltes Antriebssystem angeordnet, das auf zwei Antriebsräder 5 wirkt, von denen in der dargestellten Bezeichnung der Figur 1 nur eines sichtbar ist. Die Antriebsräder 5 können unabhängig voneinander über hier nicht dargestellte Antriebsmotoren angetrieben werden. Weiter ist im hinteren Bereich des Saugroboters 1 ein Stützrad vorgesehen, dass entweder verschwenkbar oder als eine in alle Richtungen drehbare Kugel ausgebildet ist. Bei voneinander unabhängiger Ansteuerung der Drehrichtungen und/oder Drehgeschwindigkeiten der Antriebsräder 5 kann der Saugroboter 1 auf diese Weise Bewegungen mit unabhängig voneinander einstellbaren Rotations- und Translationsgeschwindigkeiten auf einer zu reinigenden Fläche ausführen.A drive system, not shown here, is arranged in the housing of the vacuum robot 1 and acts on two drive wheels 5, of which the designation shown in FIG Figure 1 only one is visible. The drive wheels 5 can be driven independently of one another via drive motors, not shown here. Furthermore, a support wheel is provided in the rear area of the vacuum robot 1, which is either pivotable or designed as a ball that can be rotated in all directions. When the directions of rotation and / or the rotational speeds of the drive wheels 5 are controlled independently of one another, the vacuum robot 1 can in this way carry out movements with independently adjustable rotational and translational speeds on a surface to be cleaned.

Weiterhin ist in dem Gehäuse 2 des Saugroboters 1 ein Saugsystem angeordnet, bei dem ein Saugmund, der sich im Bereich der Borstwalzeneinheit 10 befindet in bekannter Weise mit einem Filtersystem, zum Beispiel einem Staubsaugerbeutel, und mit einem Sauggebläsemotor zusammen wirkt. Weitere für den Betrieb des Saugroboters 1 vorhandene Elemente, beispielsweise eine wiederaufladbare Batterie zur Stromversorgung, Ladeanschlüsse für die Batterie, eine Entnahmemöglichkeit für den Staubsaugerbeutel oder eine Steuereinrichtung (Mikrocontroller) sowie Sensoren, die zur Navigation und/oder Hinderniserkennung verwendet werden, sind in der Figur aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit nicht wiedergegeben.Furthermore, a suction system is arranged in the housing 2 of the vacuum robot 1, in which a suction mouth, which is located in the area of the bristle roller unit 10, interacts in a known manner with a filter system, for example a vacuum cleaner bag, and with a suction blower motor. Other elements available for the operation of the vacuum robot 1, for example a rechargeable battery for the power supply, charging connections for the battery, a removal option for the vacuum cleaner bag or a control device (microcontroller), and sensors which are used for navigation and / or obstacle detection are shown in the figure not shown for reasons of clarity.

Die Ladestation 30 dient unter anderem der Aufladung einer wiederaufladbaren Batterie des Saugroboters 1. Zu diesem Zweck kann der Saugroboter 1 die Ladestation 30 anfahren, worauf hin ein Energieübertrag zum Aufladen der wiederaufladbaren Batterie über Kontakte oder auch kontaktlos, beispielsweise induktiv, erfolgen kann. Die weitere, im Rahmen des anmeldungsgemäßen Verfahrens relevante Funktionalität der Ladestation 30 wird im Zusammenhang mit der Figur 3 näher beschrieben.The charging station 30 serves, among other things, to charge a rechargeable battery of the vacuum robot 1. For this purpose, the suction robot 1 can start the charging station 30, whereupon an energy transfer for charging the rechargeable battery can take place via contacts or also contactlessly, for example inductively. The further functionality of the charging station 30 which is relevant in the context of the method according to the application is described in connection with the Figure 3 described in more detail.

In Figur 2 ist der Bereich der Borstwalzeneinheit 10 des Saugroboters 1 in einer teilgeschnittenen Darstellung wiedergegeben. Der Schnitt verläuft quer durch das Gehäuse 2 des Saugroboters 1, wobei die Borstwalze 11 der besseren Darstellung halber nicht geschnitten, sondern in einer Aufsicht wiedergegeben ist.In Figure 2 the area of the bristle roller unit 10 of the vacuum robot 1 is shown in a partially sectioned illustration. The cut runs transversely through the housing 2 of the vacuum robot 1, the bristle roller 11 not being cut for the sake of better illustration, but rather being shown in a top view.

Die Borstwalze 11 weist eine Mehrzahl von Borsten 12 auf, die in mehreren Reihen wellenförmig entlang der Borstwalze 11 angeordnet sind. Zwischen den Reihen der Borsten 12 sind ebenfalls wellenförmig verlaufende Stege 13 vorgesehen. Diese Stege 13 verhindern, dass aufgenommene Haare und/oder Fäden sich tief in die Borsten 12 einarbeiten, von wo sie nur schwierig zu entfernen sind. Das anmeldungsgemäße Reinigungsverfahren für die Borstwalze 11 ist jedoch auch bei einer Borstwalze ohne derartige Stege durchführbar.The bristle roller 11 has a plurality of bristles 12 which are arranged in a number of rows in a wave shape along the bristle roller 11. Wavy webs 13 are also provided between the rows of bristles 12. These webs 13 prevent ingested hair and / or threads working deep into the bristles 12, from where they are difficult to remove. The cleaning method according to the application for the bristle roller 11 can, however, also be carried out in the case of a bristle roller without such webs.

Die Borstwalze 11 ist mit einer horizontalen Achse 14 verbunden. Über diese Achse 14 kann die Borstwalze 11 angetrieben von einem hier nicht dargestellten Elektromotor in Rotation versetzt werden. Die Achse 14 ist zu beiden Seiten in Lagern 15, beispielsweise Gleitlagerbuchsen oder Wälzlagern gelagert. Die Lager 15 sind nicht fest mit dem Gehäuse 2 verbunden, sondern sind in vertikaler Richtung bewegbar in Führungen 6 geführt. Die Führungen 6 sind am Gehäuse 2 festgelegt oder als Teil des Gehäuses 2 ausgebildet. Dabei sind Federn 16 vorgesehen, die die Lager 15 relativ zum Gehäuse 2 nach unten drücken.The bristle roller 11 is connected to a horizontal axis 14. Via this axis 14, the bristle roller 11 can be driven in rotation by an electric motor, not shown here. The axis 14 is mounted on both sides in bearings 15, for example plain bearing bushes or roller bearings. The bearings 15 are not firmly connected to the housing 2, but are guided in guides 6 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The guides 6 are fixed to the housing 2 or formed as part of the housing 2. In this case, springs 16 are provided which press the bearings 15 downwards relative to the housing 2.

Die untere, in der Figur 2 dargestellte Position ist auch die Betriebsposition der Borstwalze 11 im Reinigungsbetrieb. In dieser Position ist die Borstwalze 11 auch in Figur 1 dargestellt. Die Enden der Borsten 12 ragen dabei geringfügig nach unten über den Umfang der Antriebsräder 5 hinaus.The lower one, in the Figure 2 The position shown is also the operating position of the bristle roller 11 in the cleaning operation. In this position the bristle roller 11 is also in Figure 1 shown. The ends of the bristles 12 protrude slightly downward beyond the circumference of the drive wheels 5.

Die dargestellte vertikale Verschiebbarkeit der Borstwalze 11 ist im Reinigungsbetrieb des Saugroboters 1 zum Beispiel bei Bodenunebenheiten vorteilhaft. Bei einer relativ zum Gehäuse 2 nicht vertikal verschiebbaren Borstwalze besteht die Gefahr, dass der Saugroboter 1 sich mit seiner Borstwalze an einem Hindernis verfängt und in der Folge dieses Hindernis nicht überfahren kann. Die vertikal verschiebbare Borstwalze 11 kann in einem solchen Fall nach oben ausweichen, sodass die Gefahr des Festfahrens des Saugroboters 1 verringert ist.The vertical displaceability of the bristle roller 11 shown is advantageous in the cleaning operation of the vacuum robot 1, for example in the event of uneven floors. In the case of a bristle roller which cannot be displaced vertically relative to the housing 2, there is a risk that the suction robot 1 will get caught on an obstacle with its bristle roller and consequently cannot pass over this obstacle. In such a case, the vertically displaceable bristle roller 11 can deflect upward, so that the risk of the suction robot 1 getting stuck is reduced.

Oberhalb der Borstwalze 11 ist eine quer sich über die gesamte Breite der Borstwalze 11 erstreckende Klinge 20 angeordnet. Diese Klinge 20 dient der Reinigung der Borstwalze 11 und insbesondere einem Entfernen von aufgewickelten Haaren und/oder Fäden. In der in den Figuren 1 und 2 dargestellten Betriebsposition der Borstwalze 11 sind die Spitzen der Borsten 12 von der Klinge 20 beabstandet. Eine Reinigungswirkung setzt ein, wenn die Klinge 20 mit den Borsten 12 der Borstwalze 11 im Eingriff ist. Zu diesem Zweck wird die Borstwalze 11 aus ihrer unteren Betriebsposition in eine obere Position, auch Reinigungsposition genannt, gebracht. Insbesondere bei sich drehender Borstwalze 11 in der Reinigungsposition werden Haare bzw. Fäden oder ähnliches an der Klinge 20 aufgeschnitten und von den Borsten 12 abgehoben, woraufhin sie eingesaugt werden können. Bevorzugt ist die Klinge 20 zu diesem Zweck schräg angeordnet, wie dieses in Figur 1 dargestellt ist. Die Drehrichtung der Borstwalze 11 bzw. die Schrägstellung werden so gewählt, dass sich die Borsten 12 von der vorstehenden Kante der schräg stehenden Klinge 20 wegbewegen.Above the bristle roller 11 is a blade 20 which extends across the entire width of the bristle roller 11. This blade 20 is used to clean the bristle roller 11 and in particular to remove coiled hair and / or threads. In the in the Figures 1 and 2 shown operating position of the bristle roller 11, the tips of the bristles 12 are spaced from the blade 20. A cleaning action sets in when the blade 20 is engaged with the bristles 12 of the bristle roller 11. For this purpose, the bristle roller 11 is brought from its lower operating position into an upper position, also called a cleaning position. Particularly when the bristle roller 11 rotates in the cleaning position, hair or threads or the like are cut open on the blade 20 and lifted off the bristles 12, whereupon they can be sucked in. For this purpose, the blade 20 is preferably arranged obliquely, as in FIG Figure 1 is shown. The direction of rotation of the bristle roller 11 or the inclined position are selected such that the bristles 12 move away from the projecting edge of the inclined blade 20.

Ein anmeldungsgemäßes Reinigungsverfahren für die Borstwalze 11 wird im Zusammenhang mit Figur 3 nachfolgend erläutert.A cleaning method according to the application for the bristle roller 11 is in connection with Figure 3 explained below.

Figur 3 zeigt den Saugroboter 1 der Figur 1 in einer Ladeposition auf der Ladestation 30. Wie bereits im Zusammenhang mit der Figur 1 beschrieben, erfolgt in dieser Situation eine galvanische oder induktive Kopplung zwischen der Ladestation 30 und dem Saugroboter 1, um dessen wiederaufladbare Batterien zu laden. Figure 3 shows the robot vacuum 1 of the Figure 1 in a loading position on the charging station 30. As already in connection with the Figure 1 described, in this situation there is a galvanic or inductive coupling between the charging station 30 and the vacuum robot 1 in order to charge its rechargeable batteries.

Unabhängig von der Ladefunktion an der Ladestation 30 wird ein Zusammenspiel von Saugroboter 1 und Ladestation 30 anmeldungsgemäß dazu verwendet, die Borstwalze 11 in die obere Reinigungsposition zu bringen. Zu diesem Zweck weist die Ladestation 30 seitlich Auffahrrampen 31 auf, die eine nach vorne weisende Auffahrschräge 32 und im oberen Bereich eine Mulde 33 umfassen. Beim Auffahren des Saugroboters 1 auf die Ladestation 30 schiebt sich der Saugroboter 1 mit den Lagern 15 der Achse 14 auf die Auffahrrampen 31 auf. Die Auffahrrampen 31 sind zu diesem Zweck entsprechend schmal ausgebildet und weisen den Abstand der Lager 15 voneinander auf. Die Führungen 6, in denen die Lager 15 vertikal geführt sind, sind nach vorne offen ausgebildet, sodass der Saugroboter 1 nicht in seiner Weiterfahrt behindert wird, sich aber die Lager 15 anheben.Regardless of the charging function at the charging station 30, an interaction of the vacuum robot 1 and the charging station 30 is used according to the application to bring the bristle roller 11 into the upper cleaning position. For this purpose, the charging station 30 has side ramps 31 on the side, which comprise a forward-facing ramp 32 and a trough 33 in the upper region. When the vacuum robot 1 moves onto the charging station 30, the vacuum robot 1 with the bearings 15 of the axis 14 pushes onto the ramps 31. The ramps 31 are designed to be correspondingly narrow for this purpose and have the distance between the bearings 15 from one another. The guides 6, in which the bearings 15 are guided vertically, are designed to be open towards the front, so that the robot vacuum cleaner 1 is not hindered in its onward travel, but the bearings 15 are raised.

In der Ladeposition des Saugroboters 1 auf der Ladestation 30 ruhen die Lager 15 in den oben auf den Auffahrrampen 31 ausgebildeten Mulden 33, wobei die Borstwalze 11 von der Betriebsposition in die Reinigungsposition angehoben ist. In dieser Position rotiert die Borstwalze 11 für eine vorgebbare Zeitdauer während die Klinge 20 im Eingriff mit den Borsten 12 ist. Gleichzeitig wird das Sauggebläse betrieben, um von der Borstwalze 11 entfernte Haare oder Fäden aufzusaugen. Dabei kann vorgesehen sein, die Borstwalze 11 kurzzeitig mit einer Drehzahl zu betreiben, die über der im Betrieb üblicherweise verwendeten Drehzahl liegt, um eine gute Reinigungswirkung zu erzielen und die Zeitdauer des Reinigungszyklus abzukürzen. Ein positiver Nebeneffekt der erhöhten Drehzahl ist, dass aufgetrennte Haare oder Fäden aber auch andere Schmutzpartikel, die sich in der Borstwalze 11 festgesetzt haben, durch erhöhte Fliehkräfte aus der Borstwalze 11 geschleudert werden.In the loading position of the vacuum robot 1 on the charging station 30, the bearings 15 rest in the troughs 33 formed on the ramps 31, the bristle roller 11 being raised from the operating position to the cleaning position. In this position, the bristle roller 11 rotates for a predeterminable period of time while the blade 20 is in engagement with the bristles 12. At the same time, the suction fan is operated in order to suck up hair or threads removed from the bristle roller 11. It can be provided that the bristle roller 11 is operated briefly at a speed that is above the speed normally used in operation in order to achieve a good cleaning effect and to shorten the duration of the cleaning cycle. A positive side effect of the increased speed is that cut hair or threads, but also other dirt particles that have become lodged in the bristle roller 11, are thrown out of the bristle roller 11 by increased centrifugal forces.

Um die Borstwalze 11 zusätzlich manuell reinigen oder auch austauschen zu können, kann vorgesehen sein, die Borstwalze 11 für einen Benutzer des Saugroboters 1 entnehmbar zu gestalten. Um eine Verletzungsgefahr insbesondere beim Entnehmen oder Wiedereinsetzen der Borstwalze 11 an der Klinge 20 zu verhindern, ist in einer Weiterbildung des Saugroboters 1 vorgesehen, die Klinge 20 schwenkbar zu lagern. Dabei kann besonders vorteilhaft der Schwenkmechanismus mit den Federn 16 in der Führung 6 gekoppelt sein, derart, dass die Klinge 20 aus dem Griffbereich eines Benutzers geschwenkt ist, wenn die Borstwalze 11 entnommen ist.In order to be able to additionally clean or replace the bristle roller 11 manually, it can be provided that the bristle roller 11 is designed to be removable for a user of the vacuum robot 1. In order to prevent a risk of injury, in particular when removing or reinserting the bristle roller 11 on the blade 20, a further development of the vacuum robot 1 provides for the blade 20 to be pivotably mounted. The pivoting mechanism can be particularly advantageously coupled to the springs 16 in the guide 6 in such a way that the blade 20 is pivoted out of the grip area of a user when the bristle roller 11 is removed.

BezugszeichenlisteLIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11
Saugroboterrobotic vacuum
22
Gehäusecasing
33
Unterseitebottom
44
Aussparungrecess
55
Antriebsraddrive wheel
66
Führungguide
1010
BorstwalzeneinheitBristle roller unit
1111
Borstwalzebristle roller
1212
Borstebristle
1313
Stegweb
1414
Achseaxis
1515
Lagercamp
1616
Federfeather
2020
Klingeblade
3030
Ladestationcharging station
3131
Auffahrramperamp
3232
AuffahrschrägeAuffahrschräge
3333
Muldetrough

Claims (8)

  1. Robotic vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a bristle roller (11) that is arranged on an underside (3) of a housing (2) of the robotic vacuum cleaner (1) and is rotatable about a horizontal shaft (14), a drive system being arranged in the robotic vacuum cleaner, the drive system acting on two drive wheels, characterised in that a blade (20) that is fixed relative to the housing (2) is arranged above the bristle roller (11), and in that the height of the shaft (14) of the bristle roller (11) is adjustable relative to the housing (2), the bristle roller (11) being spaced apart from the blade (20) in a lower position and the bristle roller (11) being in engagement with the blade (20) in an upper position.
  2. Robotic vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shaft (14) of the bristle roller (11) is mounted in laterally arranged bearings (15), the bearings (15) in turn being vertically displaceably guided in guides (6).
  3. Robotic vacuum cleaner (1) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bristle roller (11) is pushed into a lower position by means of springs (16).
  4. Robotic vacuum cleaner (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the blade (20) is designed to extend across substantially the entire width of the bristle roller (11).
  5. Robotic vacuum cleaner (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the blade (20) points obliquely downwards.
  6. Method for cleaning a bristle roller (11) of a robotic vacuum cleaner (1) comprising the following steps:
    - the robotic vacuum cleaner (1) travelling to a charging station (30), wherein the bristle roller (11) is raised relative to a housing (2) of the robotic vacuum cleaner (1) by means of the robotic vacuum cleaner (1) travelling up an access ramp (31) of the charging station (30) and is brought into engagement with a blade (20) arranged above the bristle roller (11) in the housing (2) of the robotic vacuum cleaner (1); and
    - rotating the bristle roller (11) to clean the bristle roller (11), and in particular to remove hair and/or fibres while the bristle roller (11) is in engagement with the blade (20).
  7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the bristle roller (11) is rotated for a predetermined length of time at a rotational speed that is higher than an operating rotational speed of the bristle roller (11) during vacuuming operation.
  8. Method according to either claim 6 or claim 7, wherein a suction fan of the robotic vacuum cleaner (1) is operated while the bristle roller (11) is rotating in the raised position.
EP15175038.7A 2014-07-17 2015-07-02 Suction robot with rotating bristle roller and cleaning method for a bristle roller of a suction robot Active EP2974640B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102014110025.5A DE102014110025A1 (en) 2014-07-17 2014-07-17 Vacuum robot with rotating roller brush and cleaning process for a roller brush of a vacuum robot

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2974640A1 EP2974640A1 (en) 2016-01-20
EP2974640B1 EP2974640B1 (en) 2017-01-25
EP2974640B2 true EP2974640B2 (en) 2020-02-12

Family

ID=53539516

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15175038.7A Active EP2974640B2 (en) 2014-07-17 2015-07-02 Suction robot with rotating bristle roller and cleaning method for a bristle roller of a suction robot

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US9648999B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2974640B2 (en)
DE (1) DE102014110025A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102020124727A1 (en) 2020-09-23 2022-03-24 Miele & Cie. Kg Floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners, vacuum cleaner and method of operating a vacuum cleaner

Families Citing this family (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9820626B2 (en) 2008-03-17 2017-11-21 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Actuator mechanism for a brushroll cleaner
US10117553B2 (en) 2008-03-17 2018-11-06 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Cleaning nozzle for a vacuum cleaner
EP3479748B1 (en) 2008-03-17 2020-06-03 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. A rotary cleaner with cleaning features
JP2014534016A (en) 2011-10-26 2014-12-18 アクティエボラゲット エレクトロラックス Cleaning the vacuum cleaner nozzle
KR101981827B1 (en) 2012-02-02 2019-05-23 악티에볼라겟 엘렉트로룩스 Cleaning arrangement for a nozzle of a vacuum cleaner
JP6272899B2 (en) 2012-12-21 2018-01-31 アクティエボラゲット エレクトロラックス Cleaning device for vacuum cleaner rotatable member, vacuum nozzle, vacuum cleaner, and vacuum unit
US9072416B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-07-07 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Vacuum cleaner agitator cleaner with brushroll lifting mechanism
WO2014177216A1 (en) 2013-05-02 2014-11-06 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Cleaning nozzle for a vacuum cleaner
CA2971610C (en) 2014-12-19 2023-10-03 Sharkninja Operating Llc Vacuum cleaner attachment with floating cleaning element and surface cleaning apparatus including the same
WO2017124624A1 (en) * 2016-01-20 2017-07-27 江苏美的清洁电器股份有限公司 Charging seat for dust collector
EP3406175B1 (en) * 2016-01-20 2022-11-30 Jiangsu Midea Cleaning Appliances Co., Ltd. Rechargeable dust collector assembly
CN110494062B (en) 2017-03-10 2022-01-25 尚科宁家运营有限公司 Agitator with remover and hair removal
US11284702B2 (en) 2017-05-15 2022-03-29 Sharkninja Operating Llc Side brush with bristles at different lengths and/or angles for use in a robot cleaner and side brush deflectors
US11202542B2 (en) 2017-05-25 2021-12-21 Sharkninja Operating Llc Robotic cleaner with dual cleaning rollers
KR20190054517A (en) * 2017-11-13 2019-05-22 삼성전자주식회사 Cleaner
GB2569313B (en) 2017-12-12 2020-10-28 Dyson Technology Ltd A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner
US10795377B2 (en) * 2018-01-03 2020-10-06 AI Incorporated Method for autonomously controlling speed of components and functions of a robot
CN110037622B (en) * 2018-01-16 2023-09-12 智意(中山)科技有限公司 Floor washing machine base and floor washing machine kit
US11291345B2 (en) 2018-08-27 2022-04-05 Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited Floor cleaner
CN213850490U (en) 2019-07-29 2021-08-03 尚科宁家运营有限公司 Robot cleaner
US11717120B2 (en) * 2019-12-09 2023-08-08 Sharkninja Operating Llc Robotic cleaner
CN114365896B (en) * 2020-04-22 2023-06-27 追觅创新科技(苏州)有限公司 Floor brush and floor sweeping machine comprising same
DE102020115217A1 (en) * 2020-06-09 2021-12-09 Miele & Cie. Kg Robot vacuum cleaner and cleaning station
CN113520231A (en) * 2021-06-24 2021-10-22 北京享捷科技有限公司 Rolling brush positioning system of cleaning equipment, shearing device and control method of rolling brush positioning system

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK167423B1 (en) * 1990-12-20 1993-11-01 Joergen Sjoegreen UNIVERSAL Mouthpieces for Vacuum Cleaners
US5482562A (en) * 1992-04-02 1996-01-09 Abernathy; Frank W. Method and an apparatus for the removal of fibrous material from a rotating shaft
DE10242257C5 (en) * 2001-09-14 2017-05-11 Vorwerk & Co. Interholding Gmbh Automatically movable floor dust collecting device, and combination of such a collecting device and a base station
JP2005224263A (en) * 2004-02-10 2005-08-25 Funai Electric Co Ltd Self-traveling cleaner
ATE523131T1 (en) * 2006-05-19 2011-09-15 Irobot Corp WASTE REMOVAL FROM CLEANING ROBOTS
EP3479748B1 (en) * 2008-03-17 2020-06-03 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. A rotary cleaner with cleaning features
KR101483541B1 (en) * 2010-07-15 2015-01-19 삼성전자주식회사 Autonomous cleaning device, maintenance station and cleaning system having them
JP2014534016A (en) 2011-10-26 2014-12-18 アクティエボラゲット エレクトロラックス Cleaning the vacuum cleaner nozzle
WO2014177216A1 (en) 2013-05-02 2014-11-06 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Cleaning nozzle for a vacuum cleaner

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102020124727A1 (en) 2020-09-23 2022-03-24 Miele & Cie. Kg Floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners, vacuum cleaner and method of operating a vacuum cleaner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102014110025A1 (en) 2016-01-21
EP2974640B1 (en) 2017-01-25
US20160015233A1 (en) 2016-01-21
US9648999B2 (en) 2017-05-16
EP2974640A1 (en) 2016-01-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2974640B2 (en) Suction robot with rotating bristle roller and cleaning method for a bristle roller of a suction robot
DE102015101587B3 (en) Robotsauger with multiple arrangement of side brushes
DE102004041021B3 (en) Floor cleaning system with self-propelled, automatically-controlled roller brush sweeper and central dirt collection station, reverses roller brush rotation during dirt transfer and battery charging
EP3047771B1 (en) Robot vacuum cleaner
DE10302525B4 (en) Suction device of a cleaner
DE60103253T2 (en) CLEANING SURFACES
DE69310699T2 (en) Device for collecting waste and dust
EP3409165B1 (en) Support assembly to a robot cleaner
DE102007054500A1 (en) Mobile household floor cleaning device and moistening device for a wiping roller
EP2893860B1 (en) Floor cleaning device comprising a driven brush roller
EP2514533B1 (en) Self-propelled cleaning device for cleaning solar modules
AT13531U1 (en) POOL CLEANING ROBOT
EP2891443B1 (en) Vacuum robot
DE68906644T2 (en) Battery operated domestic sweeper with a suction device and brushes.
DE102018116225A1 (en) cleaner
EP2891444B1 (en) Robot vacuum cleaner with side brushes
DE102009034955B4 (en) Automatically movable floor dust collector
EP2939581B1 (en) Self-propelled cleaning device and method of operation for a self-propelled cleaning device
EP2278907B1 (en) Wheeled sweeping unit
EP1974645A1 (en) Domestic mobile wet cleaning device
EP3581082B1 (en) Vacuum robot and method for controlling same
DE102015114082A1 (en) Vacuum robot with rotating roller brush and method for cleaning a roller brush of a vacuum robot
EP3485783B1 (en) Floor vacuum cleaner and method for operating a floor vacuum cleaner
DE2406701A1 (en) DEVICE FOR ERECTING THE FLORBUESCHEL AND SUCTIONING DUST ON CARPETS
DE102018212772B4 (en) Cleaning device with a movably mounted protective grille

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20151123

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20160913

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R084

Ref document number: 502015000520

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 863626

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20170215

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502015000520

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 746

Effective date: 20170313

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20170125

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 3

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170525

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170426

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170425

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170525

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170425

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R026

Ref document number: 502015000520

Country of ref document: DE

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

PLAX Notice of opposition and request to file observation + time limit sent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS2

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: AKTIEBOLAGET ELECTROLUX

Effective date: 20171025

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

PLBB Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition received

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS3

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170702

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20170731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170702

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180731

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20150702

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

PUAH Patent maintained in amended form

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009272

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: PATENT MAINTAINED AS AMENDED

27A Patent maintained in amended form

Effective date: 20200212

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B2

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R102

Ref document number: 502015000520

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170125

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 863626

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20200702

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200702

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230528

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20230725

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230725

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230731

Year of fee payment: 9