US20200405115A1 - Self-propelled vacuum cleaner - Google Patents
Self-propelled vacuum cleaner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20200405115A1 US20200405115A1 US16/643,939 US201716643939A US2020405115A1 US 20200405115 A1 US20200405115 A1 US 20200405115A1 US 201716643939 A US201716643939 A US 201716643939A US 2020405115 A1 US2020405115 A1 US 2020405115A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- vacuum cleaner
- pivoting member
- arm
- vacuum
- pivoting
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- 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
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
- A47L11/4044—Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
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- 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
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- 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
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4013—Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
-
- 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
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2805—Parameters or conditions being sensed
-
- 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
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2836—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means characterised by the parts which are controlled
- A47L9/2852—Elements for displacement of the vacuum cleaner or the accessories therefor, e.g. wheels, casters or nozzles
-
- 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
- A47L2201/04—Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- an autonomous vacuum cleaner for cleaning the floor surface
- an autonomous vacuum cleaner which includes a travel means for causing a vacuum cleaner body to travel, a main cleaning means that is provided on an undersurface of the vacuum cleaner body to suck up dust and the like on the floor surface, and a surrounding cleaning means that is provided, configured to be capable of protruding sideway from the vacuum cleaner body (refer to, for example, Patent Literature 1).
- the travel means is configured by a pair of left and right wheels to drive each wheel in a forward direction and a backward direction and cause the vacuum cleaner body to travel in a front-and-rear direction and turn in any direction.
- the main cleaning means includes a duct communicating with a main vacuum inlet, and a suction fan, and is configured to send the dust and the like that are sucked up through the main vacuum inlet into a dust collection chamber.
- the surrounding cleaning means of the autonomous vacuum cleaner described in Patent Literature 1 includes a movable vacuum member (pivoting member) that can protrude outward from the vacuum cleaner body, a torsion spring (biasing means) that biases the movable vacuum member in the protruding direction, and a speed-reduction mechanism-equipped motor (drive means) that stores the movable vacuum member into the vacuum cleaner body against the basing force of the torsion spring.
- the drive force from the speed-reduction mechanism-equipped motor to the movable vacuum member is transmitted in the storage direction via first and second transmission means, and is cut off in the protruding direction by the first and second transmission means; accordingly, the drive force is not transmitted but only the biasing force of the torsion spring acts on the movable vacuum member. Therefore, it is configured in such a manner that when the protruding movable vacuum member comes into contact with an obstacle or the like, the movable vacuum member is stored into the vacuum cleaner body against the biasing force of the torsion spring, and when the movable vacuum member moves away from the obstacle, the movable vacuum member protrudes again on the basis of the biasing force of the torsion spring.
- PATENT LITERATURE 1 JP-A-2008-279066
- the surrounding cleaning means is configured in such a manner that the pivoting member (movable vacuum member) is pivotably supported by the vacuum cleaner body, and sends dirt and the like into the dust collection chamber of the vacuum cleaner body through the inside of the pivoting member.
- the structures of the rotation support and a vacuum channel of the pivoting member are complicated. Hence, there are, for example, problems that the surrounding cleaning means is increased in size, drive load is increased, and suction performance decreases.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an autonomous vacuum cleaner that can promote reductions in size and load by simplifying the structure of a surrounding cleaning means.
- An autonomous vacuum cleaner is capable of cleaning while traveling along a floor surface, the vacuum cleaner including: a vacuum cleaner body including a wheel for travelling autonomously; and a surrounding cleaning means capable of vacuum cleaning around the vacuum cleaner body.
- the vacuum cleaner body is provided with: a dust collection chamber configured to store dirt and the like that have been sucked up by the surrounding cleaning means; and a dust collection path causing the surrounding cleaning means and the dust collection chamber to communicate with each other, and the surrounding cleaning means is configured including: a pivoting member capable of pivoting outward from the vacuum cleaner body; a vacuum inlet provided to the pivoting member, the vacuum inlet being configured to suck up dirt and the like on the floor surface, a rotation support configured to rotatably support the pivoting member on the vacuum cleaner body; and a vacuum channel provided along a rotation axis of the rotation support, the vacuum channel causing the inside of the pivoting member and the dust collection path to communicate with each other.
- the surrounding cleaning means has the pivoting member, the rotation support, and the vacuum channel.
- the vacuum channel is provided along the rotation axis of the rotation support.
- the vacuum channel allows the inside of the pivoting member and the dust collection path to communicate with each other. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the structures of the rotation support and the vacuum channel of the pivoting member. Therefore, it is possible to promote a reduction in drive load and an improvement in suction performance while promoting a reduction in size of the surrounding cleaning means.
- the rotation support of the surrounding cleaning means includes an annular outer tube provided to the vacuum cleaner body; and a cylindrical inner tube provided to the pivoting member, the inner tube being inserted into the outer tube.
- the inside of the inner tube preferably configures the vacuum channel.
- the rotation support has the outer tube on the vacuum cleaner body side, and the inner tube on the pivoting member side.
- the inner tube is inserted into the outer tube, and the inside of the inner tube configures the vacuum channel. Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly send dirt and the like that have been sucked up through the vacuum inlet to the dust collection path through the inside of the inner tube and prevent the dirt and the like from being trapped and left in the vacuum channel.
- the surrounding cleaning means further has a rotation drive means configured to drive and rotate the pivoting member with respect to the vacuum cleaner body.
- the pivoting member is driven and rotated by active drive of the rotation drive means. Consequently, it is possible to appropriately change the cleaning area by the surrounding cleaning means and efficiently clean around the vacuum cleaner body.
- the pivoting member is provided with a rotor configured to rotate together with the pivoting member, and the vacuum cleaner body is provided on an outer side of the dust collection path with an angle detection means configured to detect a pivot angle of the pivoting member on the basis of the position of the rotor.
- the pivoting member is provided with the rotor.
- the outer side of the dust collection path of the vacuum cleaner body is provided with the angle detection means. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent dirt and the like from adhering to the angle detection means.
- the angle detection means detects the pivot angle of the pivoting member on the basis of the position of the rotor. Accordingly, it is possible to grasp the state of the surrounding cleaning means.
- the rotor is a permanent magnet
- the angle detection means is configured including a detection circuit configured to detect changes in a magnetic field with the rotation of the permanent magnet.
- the rotor is the permanent magnet
- the detection circuit detects changes in a magnetic field with the rotation of the permanent magnet. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the pivot angle of the pivoting member in a non-contact manner.
- the pivoting member includes: a first pivoting member rotatably supported on one end side thereof by the vacuum cleaner body; a second pivoting member provided with the vacuum inlet, the second pivoting member being rotatably supported on the other end side of the first pivoting member; and a second rotation support configured to support the second pivoting member in such a manner as to be rotatable with respect to the first pivoting member.
- the second rotation support is preferably configured to include: a second outer tube provided to the first pivoting member, a cylindrical second inner tube provided to the second pivoting member, the second inner tube being inserted into the second outer tube; and a second vacuum channel causing the vacuum inlet and the inside of the first pivoting member to communicate with each other through the inside of the second inner tube.
- the pivoting member has the first pivoting member, the second pivoting member, and the second rotation support. Accordingly, it is possible to enlarge the cleaning area by the surrounding cleaning means and efficiently clean corners of a wall and an obstacle by causing the second pivoting member to reach the corners.
- the second rotation support has the second outer tube, the second inner tube, and the second vacuum channel. The second inner tube is inserted into the second outer tube, and the inside of the second inner tube configures the second vacuum channel. Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly send dirt and the like that have been sucked up through the vacuum inlet to the first pivoting member through the inside of the second inner tube and prevent the dirt and the like from being trapped and left in the second vacuum channel.
- the pivoting member is provided with a rotation biasing means configured to bias the second pivoting member with respect to the first pivoting member in a rotation direction.
- the rotation biasing means biases the second pivoting member in the rotation direction. Accordingly, the second pivoting member pivots and is displaced by the elasticity of the rotation biasing means upon an external force acting on the second pivoting member. Consequently, it is possible to reduce loads on the first pivoting member and the rotation support and reduce damage to a wall, furniture, and the like that the second pivoting member comes into contact with.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an autonomous vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from below.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a protruding state of a surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from above.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from below.
- FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating the stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 7 is a right-side view illustrating the stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 8 is a left-side view illustrating the stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 9 is a back view illustrating the stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 10 is a bottom view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 12 is a top view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 13 is a right-side view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 14 is a left-side view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 15 is a back view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 16 is a bottom view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the changed protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the enlarged surrounding cleaning means.
- FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a cross section of the surrounding cleaning means.
- FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating a cross section of the surrounding cleaning means.
- FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the enlarged surrounding cleaning means as viewed from below.
- FIGS. 24(A) to 24(D) are bottom views illustrating the operation of the surrounding cleaning means.
- FIGS. 25(A) and 25(B) are plan views illustrating the operation of the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIGS. 26(A) to 26(C) are plan views illustrating another operation of the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an autonomous vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from below.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a protruding state of a surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from above.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from below.
- FIGS. 5 to 10 area six-view drawing (front view, top view, right-side view, left-side view, back view, bottom view) illustrating a stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIGS. 5 to 10 area six-view drawing (front view, top view, right-side view, left-side view, back view, bottom view) illustrating a stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIGS. 5 to 10 area six-view drawing (front view, top view, right-side view, left-side view, back view
- FIG. 11 to 16 are a six-view drawing (front view, top view, right-side view, left-side view, back view, bottom view) illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the changed protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner, and is a cross-sectional view at a position indicated by line A-A in FIG. 17 .
- FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- An autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 is a vacuum cleaning robot that cleans the floor surface, travelling along the floor surface and, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 18 , includes a vacuum cleaner body 2 , pivoting cleaners 3 as a surrounding cleaning means (sub-cleaning means) for cleaning around the vacuum cleaner body 2 , a sensor system 4 for detecting an obstacle around the vacuum cleaner body 2 , and a controller 5 (refer to FIG. 19 ) as a control means for controlling and driving the vacuum cleaner body 2 , the pivoting cleaners 3 , and the sensor system 4 .
- a vacuum cleaner body 2 includes a vacuum cleaner body 2 , pivoting cleaners 3 as a surrounding cleaning means (sub-cleaning means) for cleaning around the vacuum cleaner body 2 , a sensor system 4 for detecting an obstacle around the vacuum cleaner body 2 , and a controller 5 (refer to FIG. 19 ) as a control means for controlling and driving the vacuum cleaner body 2 , the pivoting cleaners 3 , and the sensor system 4 .
- the vacuum cleaner body 2 includes a body 10 having atop surface 101 , a front surface 102 , left and right side surfaces 103 , and a rear surface 104 , a chassis 11 forming an undersurface 105 , a travel driver 12 having a pair of left and right wheels 121 for travelling autonomously, a lift 13 that is provided, configured to be capable of lifting up from the top surface 101 of the body 10 , a vacuum assembly (main cleaning means) 14 that is provided on the undersurface 105 of the body 10 to suck up dust and dirt on the floor surface, and a body operator 15 (refer to FIG. 19 ) for operating the vacuum cleaner body 2 .
- the body operator 15 is, for example, a touch sensor switch (not illustrated) provided on the top surface 101 of the vacuum cleaner body 2 , and operates the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 with a touch operation by a user and stops the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 with a touch operation during operation.
- the pivoting cleaners 3 are provided in a pair on left and right sides of a front part of the vacuum cleaner body 2 .
- the pivoting cleaner 3 includes an arm 21 as a pivotable pivoting member (protrusion) that protrudes sideway from the vacuum cleaner body 2 , a motor 22 described below as a drive means that drives the arm 21 to pivot, a load sensor 23 (refer to FIG. 19 ) as a load detection means that detects load (torque) acting on the motor 22 from the outside, and an angle sensor 24 (refer to FIG. 19 ) as an angle detection means that detects the pivot angle of the arm 21 and is described below.
- the arm 21 is configured including a first arm 21 A as a first pivoting member that is rotatably supported on one end side thereof by the vacuum cleaner body 2 , and a second arm 21 B as a second pivoting member that is rotatably supported on the other end side of the first arm 21 A.
- the sensor system 4 is configured including a front sensor 31 provided on the front surface 102 of the body 10 , a surroundings sensor 32 as a surrounding detection means provided in the lift 13 , and a rear sensor 33 provided on the rear surface 104 of the body 10 .
- the front sensor 31 includes an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, or the like, and detects an obstacle ahead of the vacuum cleaner body 2 .
- the surroundings sensor 32 is a laser scanner (LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging)) that is driven and rotated inside the lift 13 and measures distance by applying laser light such as infrared laser light, and calculates the distance to an obstacle and the shape of the obstacle.
- LIDAR Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging
- the surroundings sensor 32 is not limited to the one provided in the lift 13 and is simply required to be provided at any position in the body 10 .
- the rear sensor 33 is for detecting the distance to and the position of an unillustrated recharging station or the like, and communicates with infrared light or the like with the recharging station or the like.
- the travel driver 12 includes the pair of left and right wheels 121 , and a motor (not illustrated) that drives and rotates the pair of wheels 121 independently. Moreover, an auxiliary wheel 122 is provided to a rear pan of the chassis 11 .
- the vacuum assembly 14 is connected to a roller brush 141 , a duct 142 (refer to FIG. 18 ), an unillustrated suction fan, a dust collection chamber, and an exhaust port.
- the vacuum assembly 14 is configured to collect the sucked dust and the like through a filter of the dust collection chamber and exhaust the sucked air from the exhaust port.
- the duct 142 or the dust collection chamber for the vacuum assembly 14 is connected to a sub-duct 143 as a dust collection path communicating with the arm 21 of the pivoting cleaner 3 .
- the controller 5 includes a travel controller 41 that controls the travel driver 12 , a vacuum controller 42 that controls the vacuum assembly 14 , a detection computer 43 that processes detection signals from the front sensor 31 , the surroundings sensor 32 , and the rear sensor 33 of the sensor system 4 , and the load sensor 23 and the angle sensor 24 of the pivoting cleaner 3 , and an arm controller 44 that controls and drives the motor 22 of the pivoting cleaner 3 and causes the arm 21 to pivot.
- FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the enlarged pivoting cleaner 3 .
- FIGS. 21 and 22 are perspective views illustrating a cross section of the pivoting cleaner 3 .
- FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the enlarged pivoting cleaner 3 as viewed from below.
- FIGS. 24(A) to 24(D) are bottom views illustrating the operation of the pivoting cleaner 3 .
- the first arm 21 A of the arm 21 as a whole is formed into a hollow shape.
- a cylindrical first inner tube member (inner tube) 61 that protrudes and opens upward and a column 62 that protrudes downward are formed on one end side of the first arm 21 A.
- An annular second outer tube member (second outer tube) 63 that opens downward is formed on the other end side.
- An annular first outer tube member (outer tube) 144 that opens downward is formed in the sub-duct 143 .
- the first inner tube member 61 is inserted into the first outer tube member 144 , and is rotatably supported by the first outer tube member 144 via a sliding ring 145 with a low coefficient of friction.
- annular bearing 11 B is formed on a support 11 A provided to the chassis 11 .
- the column 62 is inserted into the bearing 11 B, and is rotatably supported by the bearing 11 B via a sliding ring 11 C with a low coefficient of friction.
- the first inner tube member 61 and the column 62 of the first arm 21 A, and the first outer tube member 144 of the sub-duct 143 and the bearing 11 B of the chassis 11 configure a rotation support that rotatably supports the first arm 21 A on the vacuum cleaner body 2 .
- the second arm 21 B as a whole is formed into an extra-long cup shape that opens downward.
- a cylindrical second inner tube member (second inner tube) 71 that protrudes and opens upward is formed in a middle portion of the second arm 21 B.
- An extension 72 that extends upward and is bent is formed on the second inner tube member 71 .
- the extension 72 is pivotally supported by a pin 73 on an inner surface of the first arm 21 A.
- the second inner tube member 71 is inserted into the second outer tube member 63 of the first arm 21 A, and rotatably supported on the second outer tube member 63 via a sliding ring 64 with a low coefficient of friction.
- the second inner tube member 71 of the second arm 21 B and the second outer tube member 63 of the first arm 21 A configure a second rotation support that rotatably supports the second arm 21 B on the first arm 21 A.
- the motor 22 is fixed inside the body 10 , and is configured to drive and rotate the first arm 21 A by reducing the speed of rotation of the motor 22 via a drive gear 22 A fixed to an output shaft of the motor 22 , and a driven gear 22 B supported inside the body 10 and transmit the rotation to the first arm 21 A.
- the motor 22 is provided with an unillustrated load detection circuit that detects a load (rotational resistance) acting from the first arm 21 A.
- the load detection circuit configures the load sensor 23 (refer to FIG. 19 ).
- a magnet holder 65 that extends upward and is in sliding contact with an inner surface of a top of the sub-duct 143 is formed in the first inner tube member 61 of the first arm 21 A.
- a permanent magnet 81 as a rotor is held by the magnet holder 65 .
- an outer surface of the top of the sub-duct 143 that is, an outer side of the dust collection path, is provided with a magnetic field sensor 82 that detects changes in a magnetic field caused by the rotation of the permanent magnet 81 , and a board 83 equipped with a detection circuit including the magnetic field sensor 82 .
- the magnetic field sensor 82 and the board 83 configure the angle sensor 24 (refer to FIG. 19 ) as an angle detection means that detects the pivot angle of the first arm 21 A.
- the second arm 21 B includes a vacuum inlet 74 that opens downward and sucks up dirt and the like on the floor surface.
- a downward concave cover 75 is mounted on an inner side of the vacuum inlet 74 .
- the vacuum inlet 74 communicates with an internal space of the first arm 21 A through the inside of the second inner tube member 71 ; in other words, the inside of the second inner tube member 71 configures a second vacuum channel 76 .
- the internal space of the first arm 21 A communicates with an internal space of the sub-duct 143 being the dust collection path through the inside of the first inner tube member 61 ; in other words, the inside of the first inner tube member 61 configures a vacuum channel 66 .
- a coil spring 77 as a pivoting biasing means is provided above the cover 75 inside the second arm 21 B.
- the coil spring 77 is a tension spring, and is latched at one end thereof onto a projection 78 provided on a distal end side of the second arm 21 B, and at the other end thereof onto a projection 67 extending downward from a distal end side of the first arm 21 A (an outer side of the second outer tube member 63 ).
- An arc-shaped long hole 79 (refer to FIG. 23 ) is formed on the second arm 21 B along an outer perimeter of the second inner tube member 71 .
- the projection 67 is inserted into the long hole 79 , and is guided along the circumferential direction of the long hole 79 . Therefore, the pivot angle of the second arm 21 B with respect to the first arm 21 A is regulated according to the length of the long hole 79 in the circumferential direction (the angle about the center of the second inner tube member 71 ).
- the second arm 21 B is supported in such a manner as to be pivotable on the first arm 21 A, and is biased by the coil spring 77 toward an initial position illustrated in FIG. 24(A) .
- the projection 67 of the first arm 21 A comes into contact with an edge at one end of the long hole 79 of the second arm 21 B to regulate the pivotal movement of the second arm 21 B.
- the distal end side of the second arm 21 B pivots toward the rear against the biasing force of the coil spring 77 as illustrated in FIGS. 24(B) and 24(C) .
- the projection 67 comes into contact with an edge at the other end of the long hole 79 to regulate the pivotal movement of the second arm 21 B. It is configured in such a manner that the biasing force of the coil spring 77 causes the second arm 21 B to return to the initial position when the external force is removed.
- the above pivoting cleaner 3 is configured in such a manner that the arm 21 pivots between the stored state and the protruding state.
- the second arm 21 B is located, overlapping, frontward of the vacuum assembly 14 as indicated by a virtual line (chain double dashed line) in FIG. 17 .
- the width dimension of the vacuum assembly 14 is W 1
- the width dimension of the second arm 21 B is W 2
- the width dimension of the second arm 21 B excluding the portion overlapping with the vacuum assembly 14 is W 2 a . Therefore, when the arm 21 is in the stored state, the cleaning width dimension including the vacuum assembly 14 and the left and right pivoting cleaners 3 is (W 1 +2W 2 a ).
- the width dimension between a side end of the vacuum assembly 14 and an outermost edge of the side surface 103 of the body 10 is W 1 a .
- the width dimension between an outer end of the second arm 21 B and the outermost edge of the side surface 103 of the body 10 is W 3 .
- the second arm 21 B is located substantially sideward of the vacuum assembly 14 , spaced apart from the vacuum assembly 14 .
- the width dimension of the space between them is W 4 .
- the cleaning width dimension including the vacuum assembly 14 and the left and right second arms 21 B is (W 1 +2W 2 ), and the width dimension between outer ends of the left and right second arms 218 is (W 1 +2W 2 +2W 4 ).
- the arm 21 is configured to be capable of pivoting farther rearward than in the maximum protruding state.
- the controller 5 raises the lift 13 and drives the surroundings sensor 32 , and drives the front sensor 31 and the rear sensor 33 . Furthermore, the travel controller 41 of the controller 5 controls and drives the travel driver 12 in accordance with a preset travel program, and causes the motor to rotate the wheels 121 and causes the vacuum cleaner body 2 to travel autonomously. With the travel of the vacuum cleaner body 2 , the vacuum controller 42 controls the vacuum assembly 14 to start a vacuuming operation. At the start of cleaning, the arm 21 of the pivoting cleaner 3 is in the stored state illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 to 10 .
- the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 which has started the operation, travels autonomously with the travel driver 12 , detecting the presence or absence of an obstacle in the surroundings and the distance to the obstacle with the front sensor 31 and the surroundings sensor 32 , while cleaning the floor surface with the vacuum assembly 14 .
- the detection computer 43 computes the distance to an obstacle on the basis of detection signals from the front sensor 31 and the surroundings sensor 32 ; accordingly, the position and shape of the obstacle around the vacuum cleaner body 2 can be recognized. It may be configured in such a manner that the position and shape of an obstacle is recognized by computations by the front sensor 31 and the surroundings sensor 32 without the computation by the detection computer 43 . In this manner, the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 executes cleaning, storing the pivoting cleaners 3 into the stored state, and causing the arms 21 to pivot into the protruding state, while continuing travelling, recognizing obstacles around the vacuum cleaner body 2 .
- FIGS. 25(A) and 25(B) and 26(A) to 26(C) Specific control over the drive of the pivoting cleaner 3 during autonomous cleaning is described with reference to FIGS. 25(A) and 25(B) and 26(A) to 26(C) .
- FIGS. 25(A) and 25(B) are plan views illustrating the operation of the autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- FIGS. 26(A) to 26(C) are plan views illustrating another operation of the autonomous vacuum cleaner, and are drawings illustrating an operation of cleaning against a wall or in a corner of the wall.
- the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward to clean the width of the cleaning width dimension (W 1 +2W 2 a ) by the vacuum assembly 14 and the left and right pivoting cleaners 3 .
- the part with the width dimension W 3 between the outer end of the second arm 21 B and the outermost edge of the body 10 is not cleaned.
- a band-shaped area near the wall cannot be cleaned. Therefore, when the surroundings sensor 32 detects a wall surface W (refer to FIGS. 26(A) to 26(C) ), the arms 21 are caused to pivot into the protruding state according to the distance to the wall surface W as illustrated in FIG. 25(B) .
- the width dimension W 2 of the second arm 21 B is greater than the width dimension W 3 as illustrated in FIG. 25(B) . Accordingly, it is possible to thoroughly clean against the wall including the band-shaped area that cannot clean in the stored state.
- the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 in the state where the arms 21 have been caused to pivot into the maximum protruding state in this manner drives the travel driver 12 , moves forward and closer to the wall surface W, and then travels parallel to the wall surface W.
- the distance between the vacuum cleaner body 2 and the wall surface W may be based on a map of a cleaning area prestored in the controller 5 , or the distance detected by the front sensor 31 and the surroundings sensor 32 .
- the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 travels along the wall surface W in such a manner as to maintain a distance that the distal end of the second arm 21 B comes into contact with the wall surface W, or the shortest distance without coming into contact with the wall surface W.
- the angle sensor 24 detects the pivot angle of the first arm 21 A, and the motor 22 causes the first arm 21 A to pivot to a predetermined angle.
- the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 continues moving forward with the distal end of the second arm 21 B in contact with the wall surface W, when the distance between the wall surface W and the vacuum cleaner body 2 is reduced, the distal end of the second arm 21 B is pushed backward; accordingly, the second arm 21 B pivots toward the rear against the biasing force of the coil spring 77 . In this manner, even if the distance to the wall surface W changes, the second arm 21 B pivots to trace and clean along the wall surface W.
- the front sensor 31 and the surroundings sensor 32 detect the wall surface W ahead.
- the controller 5 causes the travel controller 41 to control the drive of the travel driver 12 and stops the travel driver 12 , and changes direction (turns left) in such a manner as to move away from the wall surface W on the side (the right side in FIGS. 26(A) to 26(C) ).
- the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 turns. Accordingly, the distal end of the second arm 21 B moves away from the wall surface W on the side, and the biasing force of the coil spring 77 causes the second arm 21 B to return to the initial position.
- the load sensor 23 detects the disappearance of the load on the second arm 21 B.
- the controller 5 stops the turn by the travel controller 41 , and then causes the arm controller 44 to drive the motor 22 and cause the arm 21 to pivot back and forth, and consequently causes the pivoting cleaner 3 to vacuum and clean the corner of the wall surface W, as illustrated in FIG. 26(B) .
- the pivot area of the arm 21 is adjusted on the basis of the distance to the wall surface W, and the motor 22 is controlled to reduce the pivot speed of the arm 21 before the distal end of the second arm 21 B comes into contact with the wall surface W.
- the arm controller 44 stops the motor 22 to fix the first arm 21 A.
- the controller 5 then causes the travel controller 41 to control and drive the travel driver 12 to change direction again. With a further forward movement, tracing and cleaning along the wall surface W ahead is conducted as illustrated in FIG. 26(C) .
- the inside of the first inner tube member 61 in the first arm 21 A of the pivoting cleaner 3 forms the vacuum channel 66 .
- the vacuum channel 66 is provided along the rotation axis of the rotation support of the first arm 21 A.
- the vacuum channel 66 causes the inside of the first arm 21 A and the inside (dust collection path) of the sub-duct 143 to communicate with each other. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the structures of the rotation support and the vacuum channel 66 of the first arm 21 A. Therefore, it is possible to promote a reduction in drive load and an improvement in suction performance while promoting downsizing of the pivoting cleaner 3 .
- the rotation support of the first arm 21 A includes the first outer tube member 144 of the vacuum cleaner body 2 and the first inner tube member 61 of the first arm 21 A.
- the first inner tube member 61 is inserted into the first outer tube member 144 , and the inside of the first inner tube member 61 configures the vacuum channel 66 . Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly send the sucked dirt and the like to the sub-duct 143 through the inside of the first inner tube member 61 and prevent the dirt and the like from being trapped and left in the vacuum channel 66 .
- the second rotation support of the second arm 21 B includes the second outer tube member 63 , the second inner tube member 71 , and the second vacuum channel 76 .
- the second inner tube is inserted into the second outer tube, and the inside of the second inner tube configures the second vacuum channel 76 . Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly send the dirt and the like that have been sucked up through the vacuum inlet 74 to the inside of the first arm 21 A through the inside of the second inner tube member 71 and prevent the dirt and the like from being trapped and left in the second vacuum channel 76 .
- the first arm 21 A is provided with the permanent magnet 81 .
- the outer side of the sub-duct 143 of the vacuum cleaner body 2 is provided with the magnetic field sensor 82 and the board 83 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent dirt and the like from adhering to the magnetic field sensor 82 and the board 83 .
- the angle sensor 24 detects the pivot angle of the first arm 21 A on the basis of the position of the permanent magnet 81 . Accordingly, it is possible to grasp the state of the pivoting cleaner 3 .
- the pivoting cleaner 3 includes the first arm 21 A and the second arm 21 B. Accordingly, the arms 21 A and 21 B pivot with flexibility in accordance with the shape of an obstacle. It is possible to enlarge the cleaning area by the pivoting cleaner 3 and efficiently clean corners of a wall and an obstacle by causing the second arm 21 B to reach the corners.
- the motor 22 drives the first arm 21 A to rotate with respect to the vacuum cleaner body 2 .
- the coil spring 77 biases the second arm 21 B with respect to the first arm 21 A in the rotation direction. Accordingly, the active drive of the motor 22 can cause the first arm 21 A to pivot.
- the second arm 21 B pivots and is displaced by the elasticity of the coil spring 77 . Consequently, loads on the first arm 21 A and the motor 22 can be reduced.
- the second arm 21 B pivots; accordingly, even if the distance to the wall surface W changes to some extent, tracing and cleaning along the wall surface W can be conducted without the second arm 21 B moving away from the wall surface W.
- the load sensor 23 detects a rotational load acting on the first arm 21 A. Accordingly, the pivoting cleaner 3 can be used as a contact sensor, and the travel of the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 can be efficiently controlled.
- the pivoting cleaner 3 has the vacuum cleaning function of sucking up dirt and the like through the vacuum inlet 74 of the second arm 21 B. Accordingly, it is possible to more efficiently enlarge the cleaning area.
- the pair of left and right pivoting cleaners 3 is provided in the front part of the vacuum cleaner body 2 . Accordingly, when the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 moves closer to a corner, travelling forward, it is possible to make sure of cleaning the corner, regardless of which side the corner is located, left or right.
- the motor 22 of the pivoting cleaner 3 is controlled and driven on the basis of the presence or absence of an obstacle detected by the surroundings sensor 32 , and the travel controller 41 is controlled and driven on the basis of a load detected by the load sensor 23 . Accordingly, it is possible to finely control the protrusion amount of the arm 21 and the travel operation of the vacuum cleaner body 2 .
- the load sensor 23 detects the disappearance of the load on the second arm 21 B. The turn is stopped on the basis of the detection, and the arm controller 44 drives the motor 22 to cause the arm 21 to pivot back and forth. Accordingly, it is possible to cause the arm 21 to efficiently pivot while reducing excessive load on the motor 22 , and clean a corner.
- the motor 22 is controlled in such a manner as to reduce the pivot speed of the arm 21 with decreasing distance to an obstacle when the surroundings sensor 32 detects the obstacle. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a collision of the arm 21 with the obstacle and reduce the load.
- the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and includes modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention.
- the pair of left and right pivoting cleaners 3 (surrounding cleaning means) is provided to the front part of the vacuum cleaner body 2 of the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 of the embodiment.
- the place where the surrounding cleaning means are provided is to not limited to the front part of the vacuum cleaner body and may be the side parts or the rear part.
- the surrounding cleaning means are not limited to being provided in a pair on the left and right sides and may be provided in only one place or three or more places.
- the pivoting cleaner (surrounding cleaning means) 3 is configured including the pivotable arm (pivoting member) 21
- the arm 21 is configured including the first arm (first pivoting member) 21 A and the second arm (second pivoting member) 21 B.
- the configuration of the surrounding cleaning means is not limited to the one in the embodiment.
- the pivoting member of the surrounding cleaning means is not limited to the one that includes two members such as the first and second pivoting members and may be configured including one member or three or more members.
- the pivoting cleaner (surrounding cleaning means) 3 has the vacuum cleaning function of sucking up dirt and the like through the vacuum inlet 74 of the second arm 21 B, and the dirt and the like that have been sucked up through the vacuum inlet 74 are sent from the sub-duct (dust collection path) 143 to the dust collection chamber via the duct 142 of the vacuum assembly (main cleaning means) 14 .
- the configuration is not limited to this.
- the surrounding cleaning means includes a sub-blower and a sub-dust collection chamber, which are independent of the main cleaning means, and the sub-blower sends the dirt and the like that have been sucked up through the vacuum inlet of the surrounding cleaning means from the dust collection path to the sub-dust collection chamber.
- the pivoting cleaner (surrounding cleaning means) 3 is configured in such a manner that the first arm (first pivoting member) 21 A is driven and rotated by the motor (rotation drive means) 22 with respect to the vacuum cleaner body 2 , and the second arm (second pivoting member) 21 B is biased by the coil spring (rotation biasing means) 77 with respect to the first arm 21 A in the rotation direction.
- the surrounding cleaning means is not limited to such a configuration.
- the first pivoting member may be biased by the rotation biasing means with respect to the vacuum cleaner body, and the second pivoting member may be driven and rotated by the rotation drive means with respect to the first pivoting member, or at least one of the rotation drive means and the rotation biasing means may be omitted.
- the rotation drive means is not limited to the motor and may include another appropriate drive means
- the rotation biasing means is not limited to the coil spring and may include another appropriate biasing means.
- the pivoting cleaner (surrounding cleaning means) 3 is configured including the load sensor (load detection means) 23 that a rotational load acting on the first arm 21 A, and the angle sensor (angle detection means) 24 that detects the pivot angle of the first arm 21 A.
- the load detection means is not limited to the one that includes the load detection circuit that detects rotational resistance acting on the motor 22 , and may be one that directly detects load with a strain gauge, a load measuring device, or the like.
- the angle detection means is not limited to the one that is configured including the permanent magnet 81 and the magnetic field sensor 82 , and any sensor such as an optical sensor or electromagnetic sensor can be used as the angle detection sensor.
- the present invention can be suitably used for an autonomous vacuum cleaner that can promote reductions in size and load by simplifying the structure of a surrounding cleaning means.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an autonomous vacuum cleaner.
- As an autonomous vacuum cleaner (vacuum cleaning robot) for cleaning the floor surface, an autonomous vacuum cleaner is conventionally known which includes a travel means for causing a vacuum cleaner body to travel, a main cleaning means that is provided on an undersurface of the vacuum cleaner body to suck up dust and the like on the floor surface, and a surrounding cleaning means that is provided, configured to be capable of protruding sideway from the vacuum cleaner body (refer to, for example, Patent Literature 1). The travel means is configured by a pair of left and right wheels to drive each wheel in a forward direction and a backward direction and cause the vacuum cleaner body to travel in a front-and-rear direction and turn in any direction. The main cleaning means includes a duct communicating with a main vacuum inlet, and a suction fan, and is configured to send the dust and the like that are sucked up through the main vacuum inlet into a dust collection chamber.
- The surrounding cleaning means of the autonomous vacuum cleaner described in
Patent Literature 1 includes a movable vacuum member (pivoting member) that can protrude outward from the vacuum cleaner body, a torsion spring (biasing means) that biases the movable vacuum member in the protruding direction, and a speed-reduction mechanism-equipped motor (drive means) that stores the movable vacuum member into the vacuum cleaner body against the basing force of the torsion spring. The drive force from the speed-reduction mechanism-equipped motor to the movable vacuum member is transmitted in the storage direction via first and second transmission means, and is cut off in the protruding direction by the first and second transmission means; accordingly, the drive force is not transmitted but only the biasing force of the torsion spring acts on the movable vacuum member. Therefore, it is configured in such a manner that when the protruding movable vacuum member comes into contact with an obstacle or the like, the movable vacuum member is stored into the vacuum cleaner body against the biasing force of the torsion spring, and when the movable vacuum member moves away from the obstacle, the movable vacuum member protrudes again on the basis of the biasing force of the torsion spring. - PATENT LITERATURE 1: JP-A-2008-279066
- However, such a known autonomous vacuum cleaner as is described in
Patent Literature 1, the surrounding cleaning means is configured in such a manner that the pivoting member (movable vacuum member) is pivotably supported by the vacuum cleaner body, and sends dirt and the like into the dust collection chamber of the vacuum cleaner body through the inside of the pivoting member. However, the structures of the rotation support and a vacuum channel of the pivoting member are complicated. Hence, there are, for example, problems that the surrounding cleaning means is increased in size, drive load is increased, and suction performance decreases. - An object of the present invention is to provide an autonomous vacuum cleaner that can promote reductions in size and load by simplifying the structure of a surrounding cleaning means.
- An autonomous vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is capable of cleaning while traveling along a floor surface, the vacuum cleaner including: a vacuum cleaner body including a wheel for travelling autonomously; and a surrounding cleaning means capable of vacuum cleaning around the vacuum cleaner body. The vacuum cleaner body is provided with: a dust collection chamber configured to store dirt and the like that have been sucked up by the surrounding cleaning means; and a dust collection path causing the surrounding cleaning means and the dust collection chamber to communicate with each other, and the surrounding cleaning means is configured including: a pivoting member capable of pivoting outward from the vacuum cleaner body; a vacuum inlet provided to the pivoting member, the vacuum inlet being configured to suck up dirt and the like on the floor surface, a rotation support configured to rotatably support the pivoting member on the vacuum cleaner body; and a vacuum channel provided along a rotation axis of the rotation support, the vacuum channel causing the inside of the pivoting member and the dust collection path to communicate with each other.
- According to such a present invention, the surrounding cleaning means has the pivoting member, the rotation support, and the vacuum channel. The vacuum channel is provided along the rotation axis of the rotation support. The vacuum channel allows the inside of the pivoting member and the dust collection path to communicate with each other. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the structures of the rotation support and the vacuum channel of the pivoting member. Therefore, it is possible to promote a reduction in drive load and an improvement in suction performance while promoting a reduction in size of the surrounding cleaning means.
- In the present invention, it is preferred that the rotation support of the surrounding cleaning means includes an annular outer tube provided to the vacuum cleaner body; and a cylindrical inner tube provided to the pivoting member, the inner tube being inserted into the outer tube. The inside of the inner tube preferably configures the vacuum channel.
- According to such a configuration, the rotation support has the outer tube on the vacuum cleaner body side, and the inner tube on the pivoting member side. The inner tube is inserted into the outer tube, and the inside of the inner tube configures the vacuum channel. Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly send dirt and the like that have been sucked up through the vacuum inlet to the dust collection path through the inside of the inner tube and prevent the dirt and the like from being trapped and left in the vacuum channel.
- In the present invention, preferably, the surrounding cleaning means further has a rotation drive means configured to drive and rotate the pivoting member with respect to the vacuum cleaner body.
- According to such a configuration, the pivoting member is driven and rotated by active drive of the rotation drive means. Consequently, it is possible to appropriately change the cleaning area by the surrounding cleaning means and efficiently clean around the vacuum cleaner body.
- In the present invention, it is preferred that the pivoting member is provided with a rotor configured to rotate together with the pivoting member, and the vacuum cleaner body is provided on an outer side of the dust collection path with an angle detection means configured to detect a pivot angle of the pivoting member on the basis of the position of the rotor.
- According to such a configuration, the pivoting member is provided with the rotor. The outer side of the dust collection path of the vacuum cleaner body is provided with the angle detection means. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent dirt and the like from adhering to the angle detection means. Moreover, the angle detection means detects the pivot angle of the pivoting member on the basis of the position of the rotor. Accordingly, it is possible to grasp the state of the surrounding cleaning means.
- In the present invention, it is preferred that the rotor is a permanent magnet, and the angle detection means is configured including a detection circuit configured to detect changes in a magnetic field with the rotation of the permanent magnet.
- According to such a configuration, the rotor is the permanent magnet, and the detection circuit detects changes in a magnetic field with the rotation of the permanent magnet. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the pivot angle of the pivoting member in a non-contact manner.
- In the present invention, it is preferred that the pivoting member includes: a first pivoting member rotatably supported on one end side thereof by the vacuum cleaner body; a second pivoting member provided with the vacuum inlet, the second pivoting member being rotatably supported on the other end side of the first pivoting member; and a second rotation support configured to support the second pivoting member in such a manner as to be rotatable with respect to the first pivoting member. The second rotation support is preferably configured to include: a second outer tube provided to the first pivoting member, a cylindrical second inner tube provided to the second pivoting member, the second inner tube being inserted into the second outer tube; and a second vacuum channel causing the vacuum inlet and the inside of the first pivoting member to communicate with each other through the inside of the second inner tube.
- According to such a configuration, the pivoting member has the first pivoting member, the second pivoting member, and the second rotation support. Accordingly, it is possible to enlarge the cleaning area by the surrounding cleaning means and efficiently clean corners of a wall and an obstacle by causing the second pivoting member to reach the corners. Moreover, the second rotation support has the second outer tube, the second inner tube, and the second vacuum channel. The second inner tube is inserted into the second outer tube, and the inside of the second inner tube configures the second vacuum channel. Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly send dirt and the like that have been sucked up through the vacuum inlet to the first pivoting member through the inside of the second inner tube and prevent the dirt and the like from being trapped and left in the second vacuum channel.
- In the present invention, it is preferred that the pivoting member is provided with a rotation biasing means configured to bias the second pivoting member with respect to the first pivoting member in a rotation direction.
- According to such a configuration, the rotation biasing means biases the second pivoting member in the rotation direction. Accordingly, the second pivoting member pivots and is displaced by the elasticity of the rotation biasing means upon an external force acting on the second pivoting member. Consequently, it is possible to reduce loads on the first pivoting member and the rotation support and reduce damage to a wall, furniture, and the like that the second pivoting member comes into contact with.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an autonomous vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from below. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a protruding state of a surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from above. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from below. -
FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating the stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 7 is a right-side view illustrating the stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 8 is a left-side view illustrating the stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 9 is a back view illustrating the stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 10 is a bottom view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 12 is a top view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 13 is a right-side view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 14 is a left-side view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 15 is a back view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 16 is a bottom view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the changed protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the enlarged surrounding cleaning means. -
FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a cross section of the surrounding cleaning means. -
FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating a cross section of the surrounding cleaning means. -
FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the enlarged surrounding cleaning means as viewed from below. -
FIGS. 24(A) to 24(D) are bottom views illustrating the operation of the surrounding cleaning means. -
FIGS. 25(A) and 25(B) are plan views illustrating the operation of the autonomous vacuum cleaner. -
FIGS. 26(A) to 26(C) are plan views illustrating another operation of the autonomous vacuum cleaner. - One embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter on the basis of
FIGS. 1 to 24 (A) to 24(D). -
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an autonomous vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from below.FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a protruding state of a surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from above.FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner as viewed from below.FIGS. 5 to 10 area six-view drawing (front view, top view, right-side view, left-side view, back view, bottom view) illustrating a stored state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.FIGS. 11 to 16 are a six-view drawing (front view, top view, right-side view, left-side view, back view, bottom view) illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the changed protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner.FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the protruding state of the surrounding cleaning means in the autonomous vacuum cleaner, and is a cross-sectional view at a position indicated by line A-A inFIG. 17 .FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the autonomous vacuum cleaner. - An
autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 is a vacuum cleaning robot that cleans the floor surface, travelling along the floor surface and, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 18 , includes avacuum cleaner body 2, pivotingcleaners 3 as a surrounding cleaning means (sub-cleaning means) for cleaning around thevacuum cleaner body 2, asensor system 4 for detecting an obstacle around thevacuum cleaner body 2, and a controller 5 (refer toFIG. 19 ) as a control means for controlling and driving thevacuum cleaner body 2, the pivotingcleaners 3, and thesensor system 4. - The
vacuum cleaner body 2 includes abody 10 having atopsurface 101, afront surface 102, left and right side surfaces 103, and arear surface 104, achassis 11 forming anundersurface 105, atravel driver 12 having a pair of left andright wheels 121 for travelling autonomously, alift 13 that is provided, configured to be capable of lifting up from thetop surface 101 of thebody 10, a vacuum assembly (main cleaning means) 14 that is provided on theundersurface 105 of thebody 10 to suck up dust and dirt on the floor surface, and a body operator 15 (refer toFIG. 19 ) for operating thevacuum cleaner body 2. Thebody operator 15 is, for example, a touch sensor switch (not illustrated) provided on thetop surface 101 of thevacuum cleaner body 2, and operates theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 with a touch operation by a user and stops theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 with a touch operation during operation. - The pivoting
cleaners 3 are provided in a pair on left and right sides of a front part of thevacuum cleaner body 2. The pivotingcleaner 3 includes anarm 21 as a pivotable pivoting member (protrusion) that protrudes sideway from thevacuum cleaner body 2, amotor 22 described below as a drive means that drives thearm 21 to pivot, a load sensor 23 (refer toFIG. 19 ) as a load detection means that detects load (torque) acting on themotor 22 from the outside, and an angle sensor 24 (refer toFIG. 19 ) as an angle detection means that detects the pivot angle of thearm 21 and is described below. Thearm 21 is configured including afirst arm 21A as a first pivoting member that is rotatably supported on one end side thereof by thevacuum cleaner body 2, and asecond arm 21B as a second pivoting member that is rotatably supported on the other end side of thefirst arm 21A. - The
sensor system 4 is configured including afront sensor 31 provided on thefront surface 102 of thebody 10, asurroundings sensor 32 as a surrounding detection means provided in thelift 13, and arear sensor 33 provided on therear surface 104 of thebody 10. Thefront sensor 31 includes an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, or the like, and detects an obstacle ahead of thevacuum cleaner body 2. Thesurroundings sensor 32 is a laser scanner (LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging)) that is driven and rotated inside thelift 13 and measures distance by applying laser light such as infrared laser light, and calculates the distance to an obstacle and the shape of the obstacle. Thesurroundings sensor 32 is not limited to the one provided in thelift 13 and is simply required to be provided at any position in thebody 10. Therear sensor 33 is for detecting the distance to and the position of an unillustrated recharging station or the like, and communicates with infrared light or the like with the recharging station or the like. - The
travel driver 12 includes the pair of left andright wheels 121, and a motor (not illustrated) that drives and rotates the pair ofwheels 121 independently. Moreover, anauxiliary wheel 122 is provided to a rear pan of thechassis 11. Thevacuum assembly 14 is connected to aroller brush 141, a duct 142 (refer toFIG. 18 ), an unillustrated suction fan, a dust collection chamber, and an exhaust port. Thevacuum assembly 14 is configured to collect the sucked dust and the like through a filter of the dust collection chamber and exhaust the sucked air from the exhaust port. As illustrated inFIG. 18 , theduct 142 or the dust collection chamber for thevacuum assembly 14 is connected to a sub-duct 143 as a dust collection path communicating with thearm 21 of thepivoting cleaner 3. - As illustrated in
FIG. 19 , thecontroller 5 includes atravel controller 41 that controls thetravel driver 12, avacuum controller 42 that controls thevacuum assembly 14, adetection computer 43 that processes detection signals from thefront sensor 31, thesurroundings sensor 32, and therear sensor 33 of thesensor system 4, and theload sensor 23 and theangle sensor 24 of thepivoting cleaner 3, and an arm controller 44 that controls and drives themotor 22 of thepivoting cleaner 3 and causes thearm 21 to pivot. - The structure and operation of the
pivoting cleaner 3 are described in detail below with reference also toFIGS. 20 to 24 (A) to 24(D).FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating theenlarged pivoting cleaner 3.FIGS. 21 and 22 are perspective views illustrating a cross section of thepivoting cleaner 3.FIG. 23 is a bottom view of theenlarged pivoting cleaner 3 as viewed from below.FIGS. 24(A) to 24(D) are bottom views illustrating the operation of thepivoting cleaner 3. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 20 to 22 , thefirst arm 21A of thearm 21 as a whole is formed into a hollow shape. A cylindrical first inner tube member (inner tube) 61 that protrudes and opens upward and acolumn 62 that protrudes downward are formed on one end side of thefirst arm 21A. An annular second outer tube member (second outer tube) 63 that opens downward is formed on the other end side. An annular first outer tube member (outer tube) 144 that opens downward is formed in the sub-duct 143. The firstinner tube member 61 is inserted into the firstouter tube member 144, and is rotatably supported by the firstouter tube member 144 via a slidingring 145 with a low coefficient of friction. - On the other hand, an
annular bearing 11B is formed on asupport 11A provided to thechassis 11. Thecolumn 62 is inserted into the bearing 11B, and is rotatably supported by the bearing 11B via a slidingring 11C with a low coefficient of friction. The firstinner tube member 61 and thecolumn 62 of thefirst arm 21A, and the firstouter tube member 144 of the sub-duct 143 and the bearing 11B of thechassis 11 configure a rotation support that rotatably supports thefirst arm 21A on thevacuum cleaner body 2. - The
second arm 21B as a whole is formed into an extra-long cup shape that opens downward. In addition, a cylindrical second inner tube member (second inner tube) 71 that protrudes and opens upward is formed in a middle portion of thesecond arm 21B. Anextension 72 that extends upward and is bent is formed on the secondinner tube member 71. Theextension 72 is pivotally supported by apin 73 on an inner surface of thefirst arm 21A. Moreover, the secondinner tube member 71 is inserted into the secondouter tube member 63 of thefirst arm 21A, and rotatably supported on the secondouter tube member 63 via a slidingring 64 with a low coefficient of friction. The secondinner tube member 71 of thesecond arm 21B and the secondouter tube member 63 of thefirst arm 21A configure a second rotation support that rotatably supports thesecond arm 21B on thefirst arm 21A. - The
motor 22 is fixed inside thebody 10, and is configured to drive and rotate thefirst arm 21A by reducing the speed of rotation of themotor 22 via adrive gear 22A fixed to an output shaft of themotor 22, and a drivengear 22B supported inside thebody 10 and transmit the rotation to thefirst arm 21A. Themotor 22 is provided with an unillustrated load detection circuit that detects a load (rotational resistance) acting from thefirst arm 21A. The load detection circuit configures the load sensor 23 (refer toFIG. 19 ). - A
magnet holder 65 that extends upward and is in sliding contact with an inner surface of a top of the sub-duct 143 is formed in the firstinner tube member 61 of thefirst arm 21A. Apermanent magnet 81 as a rotor is held by themagnet holder 65. Moreover, an outer surface of the top of the sub-duct 143, that is, an outer side of the dust collection path, is provided with amagnetic field sensor 82 that detects changes in a magnetic field caused by the rotation of thepermanent magnet 81, and aboard 83 equipped with a detection circuit including themagnetic field sensor 82. Themagnetic field sensor 82 and theboard 83 configure the angle sensor 24 (refer toFIG. 19 ) as an angle detection means that detects the pivot angle of thefirst arm 21A. - The
second arm 21B includes avacuum inlet 74 that opens downward and sucks up dirt and the like on the floor surface. A downwardconcave cover 75 is mounted on an inner side of thevacuum inlet 74. Thevacuum inlet 74 communicates with an internal space of thefirst arm 21A through the inside of the secondinner tube member 71; in other words, the inside of the secondinner tube member 71 configures asecond vacuum channel 76. Furthermore, the internal space of thefirst arm 21A communicates with an internal space of the sub-duct 143 being the dust collection path through the inside of the firstinner tube member 61; in other words, the inside of the firstinner tube member 61 configures avacuum channel 66. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 22 and 23 , acoil spring 77 as a pivoting biasing means is provided above thecover 75 inside thesecond arm 21B. Thecoil spring 77 is a tension spring, and is latched at one end thereof onto aprojection 78 provided on a distal end side of thesecond arm 21B, and at the other end thereof onto aprojection 67 extending downward from a distal end side of thefirst arm 21A (an outer side of the second outer tube member 63). An arc-shaped long hole 79 (refer toFIG. 23 ) is formed on thesecond arm 21B along an outer perimeter of the secondinner tube member 71. Theprojection 67 is inserted into thelong hole 79, and is guided along the circumferential direction of thelong hole 79. Therefore, the pivot angle of thesecond arm 21B with respect to thefirst arm 21A is regulated according to the length of thelong hole 79 in the circumferential direction (the angle about the center of the second inner tube member 71). - As illustrated in
FIGS. 24(A) to 24(D) , thesecond arm 21B is supported in such a manner as to be pivotable on thefirst arm 21A, and is biased by thecoil spring 77 toward an initial position illustrated inFIG. 24(A) . At the initial position, theprojection 67 of thefirst arm 21A comes into contact with an edge at one end of thelong hole 79 of thesecond arm 21B to regulate the pivotal movement of thesecond arm 21B. When an external force acts on thesecond arm 21B from the front (up in the drawing) to the rear (down in the drawing), the distal end side of thesecond arm 21B pivots toward the rear against the biasing force of thecoil spring 77 as illustrated inFIGS. 24(B) and 24(C) . When the distal end side pivots to a maximum pivot position illustrated inFIG. 24(D) , theprojection 67 comes into contact with an edge at the other end of thelong hole 79 to regulate the pivotal movement of thesecond arm 21B. It is configured in such a manner that the biasing force of thecoil spring 77 causes thesecond arm 21B to return to the initial position when the external force is removed. - Moreover, when an external force acts on the
second arm 21B to cause thesecond arm 21B to pivot against the biasing force of thecoil spring 77, resistance produced by the pivotal movement is transmitted to thefirst ram 21A and is detected by the load sensor 23 (refer toFIG. 19 ) of themotor 22 that drives and rotates thefirst arm 21A. As the pivot angle of thesecond arm 21B with respect to thefirst arm 21A increases, the biasing force of thecoil spring 77 increases, and the load detected by theload sensor 23 also increases. Therefore, it is possible to cause thepivoting cleaner 3 to function as a contact sensor (collision sensor) with thesecond arm 21B as a contact (bumper). - As illustrated in
FIG. 17 , theabove pivoting cleaner 3 is configured in such a manner that thearm 21 pivots between the stored state and the protruding state. When thearm 21 is in the stored state, thesecond arm 21B is located, overlapping, frontward of thevacuum assembly 14 as indicated by a virtual line (chain double dashed line) inFIG. 17 . Here, the width dimension of thevacuum assembly 14 is W1, the width dimension of thesecond arm 21B is W2, and the width dimension of thesecond arm 21B excluding the portion overlapping with thevacuum assembly 14 is W2 a. Therefore, when thearm 21 is in the stored state, the cleaning width dimension including thevacuum assembly 14 and the left and right pivotingcleaners 3 is (W1+2W2 a). Moreover, the width dimension between a side end of thevacuum assembly 14 and an outermost edge of theside surface 103 of thebody 10 is W1 a. The width dimension between an outer end of thesecond arm 21B and the outermost edge of theside surface 103 of thebody 10 is W3. - On the other hand, when the
arm 21 is in a maximum protruding state orthogonal to the front-and-rear direction as indicated by a solid line inFIG. 17 , thesecond arm 21B is located substantially sideward of thevacuum assembly 14, spaced apart from thevacuum assembly 14. The width dimension of the space between them is W4. In the maximum protruding state, the cleaning width dimension including thevacuum assembly 14 and the left and rightsecond arms 21B is (W1+2W2), and the width dimension between outer ends of the left and rightsecond arms 218 is (W1+2W2+2W4). Moreover, thearm 21 is configured to be capable of pivoting farther rearward than in the maximum protruding state. - Next, the operation of the
autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 is described. When theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 is turned on, thecontroller 5 raises thelift 13 and drives thesurroundings sensor 32, and drives thefront sensor 31 and therear sensor 33. Furthermore, thetravel controller 41 of thecontroller 5 controls and drives thetravel driver 12 in accordance with a preset travel program, and causes the motor to rotate thewheels 121 and causes thevacuum cleaner body 2 to travel autonomously. With the travel of thevacuum cleaner body 2, thevacuum controller 42 controls thevacuum assembly 14 to start a vacuuming operation. At the start of cleaning, thearm 21 of thepivoting cleaner 3 is in the stored state illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, and 5 to 10 . - The
autonomous vacuum cleaner 1, which has started the operation, travels autonomously with thetravel driver 12, detecting the presence or absence of an obstacle in the surroundings and the distance to the obstacle with thefront sensor 31 and thesurroundings sensor 32, while cleaning the floor surface with thevacuum assembly 14. In other words, thedetection computer 43 computes the distance to an obstacle on the basis of detection signals from thefront sensor 31 and thesurroundings sensor 32; accordingly, the position and shape of the obstacle around thevacuum cleaner body 2 can be recognized. It may be configured in such a manner that the position and shape of an obstacle is recognized by computations by thefront sensor 31 and thesurroundings sensor 32 without the computation by thedetection computer 43. In this manner, theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 executes cleaning, storing the pivotingcleaners 3 into the stored state, and causing thearms 21 to pivot into the protruding state, while continuing travelling, recognizing obstacles around thevacuum cleaner body 2. - Specific control over the drive of the
pivoting cleaner 3 during autonomous cleaning is described with reference toFIGS. 25(A) and 25(B) and 26(A) to 26(C) .FIGS. 25(A) and 25(B) are plan views illustrating the operation of the autonomous vacuum cleaner.FIGS. 26(A) to 26(C) are plan views illustrating another operation of the autonomous vacuum cleaner, and are drawings illustrating an operation of cleaning against a wall or in a corner of the wall. - As illustrated in
FIG. 25(A) , when thearms 21 of the pivotingcleaners 3 are in the stored state, theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward to clean the width of the cleaning width dimension (W1+2W2 a) by thevacuum assembly 14 and the left and right pivotingcleaners 3. In such a stored state of thearm 21, the part with the width dimension W3 between the outer end of thesecond arm 21B and the outermost edge of thebody 10 is not cleaned. Even if the distance to the wall is reduced in the stored state, a band-shaped area near the wall cannot be cleaned. Therefore, when thesurroundings sensor 32 detects a wall surface W (refer toFIGS. 26(A) to 26(C) ), thearms 21 are caused to pivot into the protruding state according to the distance to the wall surface W as illustrated inFIG. 25(B) . - When the
arm 21 of thepivoting cleaner 3 is caused to pivot into the maximum protruding state, the width dimension W2 of thesecond arm 21B is greater than the width dimension W3 as illustrated inFIG. 25(B) . Accordingly, it is possible to thoroughly clean against the wall including the band-shaped area that cannot clean in the stored state. Theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 in the state where thearms 21 have been caused to pivot into the maximum protruding state in this manner drives thetravel driver 12, moves forward and closer to the wall surface W, and then travels parallel to the wall surface W. At this point in time, the distance between thevacuum cleaner body 2 and the wall surface W may be based on a map of a cleaning area prestored in thecontroller 5, or the distance detected by thefront sensor 31 and thesurroundings sensor 32. Theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 travels along the wall surface W in such a manner as to maintain a distance that the distal end of thesecond arm 21B comes into contact with the wall surface W, or the shortest distance without coming into contact with the wall surface W. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 26(A) to 26(C) , when cleaning is conducted along the wall with thearm 21 of thepivoting cleaner 3 in contact with the wall surface W, theangle sensor 24 detects the pivot angle of thefirst arm 21A, and themotor 22 causes thefirst arm 21A to pivot to a predetermined angle. As illustrated inFIG. 26(A) , if theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 continues moving forward with the distal end of thesecond arm 21B in contact with the wall surface W, when the distance between the wall surface W and thevacuum cleaner body 2 is reduced, the distal end of thesecond arm 21B is pushed backward; accordingly, thesecond arm 21B pivots toward the rear against the biasing force of thecoil spring 77. In this manner, even if the distance to the wall surface W changes, thesecond arm 21B pivots to trace and clean along the wall surface W. - The
front sensor 31 and thesurroundings sensor 32 detect the wall surface W ahead. When the distance to the wall surface W ahead is reduced to a predetermined distance, thecontroller 5 causes thetravel controller 41 to control the drive of thetravel driver 12 and stops thetravel driver 12, and changes direction (turns left) in such a manner as to move away from the wall surface W on the side (the right side inFIGS. 26(A) to 26(C) ). In this manner, theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 turns. Accordingly, the distal end of thesecond arm 21B moves away from the wall surface W on the side, and the biasing force of thecoil spring 77 causes thesecond arm 21B to return to the initial position. Theload sensor 23 detects the disappearance of the load on thesecond arm 21B. On the basis of the detection, thecontroller 5 stops the turn by thetravel controller 41, and then causes the arm controller 44 to drive themotor 22 and cause thearm 21 to pivot back and forth, and consequently causes thepivoting cleaner 3 to vacuum and clean the corner of the wall surface W, as illustrated inFIG. 26(B) . In this manner, when thearm 21 is caused to pivot back and forth, the pivot area of thearm 21 is adjusted on the basis of the distance to the wall surface W, and themotor 22 is controlled to reduce the pivot speed of thearm 21 before the distal end of thesecond arm 21B comes into contact with the wall surface W. - When the
arm 21 is caused to pivot back and forth a predetermined number of times and the cleaning in the corner is finished, the arm controller 44 stops themotor 22 to fix thefirst arm 21A. Thecontroller 5 then causes thetravel controller 41 to control and drive thetravel driver 12 to change direction again. With a further forward movement, tracing and cleaning along the wall surface W ahead is conducted as illustrated inFIG. 26(C) . - According to such an embodiment, the following operations and effects can be exerted.
- (1) The inside of the first
inner tube member 61 in thefirst arm 21A of the pivoting cleaner 3 forms thevacuum channel 66. Thevacuum channel 66 is provided along the rotation axis of the rotation support of thefirst arm 21A. Thevacuum channel 66 causes the inside of thefirst arm 21A and the inside (dust collection path) of the sub-duct 143 to communicate with each other. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the structures of the rotation support and thevacuum channel 66 of thefirst arm 21A. Therefore, it is possible to promote a reduction in drive load and an improvement in suction performance while promoting downsizing of thepivoting cleaner 3. - (2) The rotation support of the
first arm 21A includes the firstouter tube member 144 of thevacuum cleaner body 2 and the firstinner tube member 61 of thefirst arm 21A. The firstinner tube member 61 is inserted into the firstouter tube member 144, and the inside of the firstinner tube member 61 configures thevacuum channel 66. Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly send the sucked dirt and the like to the sub-duct 143 through the inside of the firstinner tube member 61 and prevent the dirt and the like from being trapped and left in thevacuum channel 66. - (3) The second rotation support of the
second arm 21B includes the secondouter tube member 63, the secondinner tube member 71, and thesecond vacuum channel 76. The second inner tube is inserted into the second outer tube, and the inside of the second inner tube configures thesecond vacuum channel 76. Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly send the dirt and the like that have been sucked up through thevacuum inlet 74 to the inside of thefirst arm 21A through the inside of the secondinner tube member 71 and prevent the dirt and the like from being trapped and left in thesecond vacuum channel 76. - (4) The
first arm 21A is provided with thepermanent magnet 81. The outer side of the sub-duct 143 of thevacuum cleaner body 2 is provided with themagnetic field sensor 82 and theboard 83. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent dirt and the like from adhering to themagnetic field sensor 82 and theboard 83. Moreover, theangle sensor 24 detects the pivot angle of thefirst arm 21A on the basis of the position of thepermanent magnet 81. Accordingly, it is possible to grasp the state of thepivoting cleaner 3. - (5) The
pivoting cleaner 3 includes thefirst arm 21A and thesecond arm 21B. Accordingly, thearms cleaner 3 and efficiently clean corners of a wall and an obstacle by causing thesecond arm 21B to reach the corners. - (6) The
motor 22 drives thefirst arm 21A to rotate with respect to thevacuum cleaner body 2. Thecoil spring 77 biases thesecond arm 21B with respect to thefirst arm 21A in the rotation direction. Accordingly, the active drive of themotor 22 can cause thefirst arm 21A to pivot. Moreover, when an external force acts on thesecond arm 21B, thesecond arm 21B pivots and is displaced by the elasticity of thecoil spring 77. Consequently, loads on thefirst arm 21A and themotor 22 can be reduced. Furthermore, thesecond arm 21B pivots; accordingly, even if the distance to the wall surface W changes to some extent, tracing and cleaning along the wall surface W can be conducted without thesecond arm 21B moving away from the wall surface W. - (7) The
load sensor 23 detects a rotational load acting on thefirst arm 21A. Accordingly, the pivotingcleaner 3 can be used as a contact sensor, and the travel of theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 can be efficiently controlled. - (8) The
pivoting cleaner 3 has the vacuum cleaning function of sucking up dirt and the like through thevacuum inlet 74 of thesecond arm 21B. Accordingly, it is possible to more efficiently enlarge the cleaning area. - (9) When the
first arm 21A and thesecond arm 21B are in the stored state, a part of thesecond arm 21B overlaps thevacuum assembly 14 and another part of thesecond arm 21B is located sideward of thevacuum assembly 14. Accordingly, it is possible to enlarge the cleaning area in the width direction during travel of theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1. - (10) The pair of left and right pivoting
cleaners 3 is provided in the front part of thevacuum cleaner body 2. Accordingly, when theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 moves closer to a corner, travelling forward, it is possible to make sure of cleaning the corner, regardless of which side the corner is located, left or right. - (11) The
motor 22 of thepivoting cleaner 3 is controlled and driven on the basis of the presence or absence of an obstacle detected by thesurroundings sensor 32, and thetravel controller 41 is controlled and driven on the basis of a load detected by theload sensor 23. Accordingly, it is possible to finely control the protrusion amount of thearm 21 and the travel operation of thevacuum cleaner body 2. - (12) When the
autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 turns, theload sensor 23 detects the disappearance of the load on thesecond arm 21B. The turn is stopped on the basis of the detection, and the arm controller 44 drives themotor 22 to cause thearm 21 to pivot back and forth. Accordingly, it is possible to cause thearm 21 to efficiently pivot while reducing excessive load on themotor 22, and clean a corner. - (13) The
motor 22 is controlled in such a manner as to reduce the pivot speed of thearm 21 with decreasing distance to an obstacle when thesurroundings sensor 32 detects the obstacle. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a collision of thearm 21 with the obstacle and reduce the load. - The present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and includes modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention.
- For example, the pair of left and right pivoting cleaners 3 (surrounding cleaning means) is provided to the front part of the
vacuum cleaner body 2 of theautonomous vacuum cleaner 1 of the embodiment. However, the place where the surrounding cleaning means are provided is to not limited to the front part of the vacuum cleaner body and may be the side parts or the rear part. The surrounding cleaning means are not limited to being provided in a pair on the left and right sides and may be provided in only one place or three or more places. - Moreover, in the embodiment, the pivoting cleaner (surrounding cleaning means) 3 is configured including the pivotable arm (pivoting member) 21, and the
arm 21 is configured including the first arm (first pivoting member) 21A and the second arm (second pivoting member) 21B. However, the configuration of the surrounding cleaning means is not limited to the one in the embodiment. In other words, the pivoting member of the surrounding cleaning means is not limited to the one that includes two members such as the first and second pivoting members and may be configured including one member or three or more members. - In the embodiment, it is configured in such a manner that the pivoting cleaner (surrounding cleaning means) 3 has the vacuum cleaning function of sucking up dirt and the like through the
vacuum inlet 74 of thesecond arm 21B, and the dirt and the like that have been sucked up through thevacuum inlet 74 are sent from the sub-duct (dust collection path) 143 to the dust collection chamber via theduct 142 of the vacuum assembly (main cleaning means) 14. However, the configuration is not limited to this. In other words, it may be configured in such a manner that the surrounding cleaning means includes a sub-blower and a sub-dust collection chamber, which are independent of the main cleaning means, and the sub-blower sends the dirt and the like that have been sucked up through the vacuum inlet of the surrounding cleaning means from the dust collection path to the sub-dust collection chamber. - In the embodiment, the pivoting cleaner (surrounding cleaning means) 3 is configured in such a manner that the first arm (first pivoting member) 21A is driven and rotated by the motor (rotation drive means) 22 with respect to the
vacuum cleaner body 2, and the second arm (second pivoting member) 21B is biased by the coil spring (rotation biasing means) 77 with respect to thefirst arm 21A in the rotation direction. However, the surrounding cleaning means is not limited to such a configuration. In other words, the first pivoting member may be biased by the rotation biasing means with respect to the vacuum cleaner body, and the second pivoting member may be driven and rotated by the rotation drive means with respect to the first pivoting member, or at least one of the rotation drive means and the rotation biasing means may be omitted. Moreover, the rotation drive means is not limited to the motor and may include another appropriate drive means, and the rotation biasing means is not limited to the coil spring and may include another appropriate biasing means. - In the embodiment, the pivoting cleaner (surrounding cleaning means) 3 is configured including the load sensor (load detection means) 23 that a rotational load acting on the
first arm 21A, and the angle sensor (angle detection means) 24 that detects the pivot angle of thefirst arm 21A. However, at least one of the load detection means and the angle detection means may be omitted. Moreover, the load detection means is not limited to the one that includes the load detection circuit that detects rotational resistance acting on themotor 22, and may be one that directly detects load with a strain gauge, a load measuring device, or the like. Moreover, the angle detection means is not limited to the one that is configured including thepermanent magnet 81 and themagnetic field sensor 82, and any sensor such as an optical sensor or electromagnetic sensor can be used as the angle detection sensor. - As described above, the present invention can be suitably used for an autonomous vacuum cleaner that can promote reductions in size and load by simplifying the structure of a surrounding cleaning means.
-
- 1 Autonomous vacuum cleaner
- 2 Vacuum cleaner body
- 3 Pivoting cleaner (sub-cleaning means, surrounding cleaning means)
- 4 Sensor system
- 5 Controller (control means)
- 14 Vacuum assembly (main cleaning means)
- 21 Arm (pivoting member, protrusion)
- 21A First arm (first pivoting member)
- 21B Second arm (second pivoting member)
- 22 Motor (rotation drive means)
- 23 Load sensor (load detection means)
- 24 Angle sensor (angle detection means)
- 32 Surroundings sensor (surrounding detection means)
- 61 First inner tube member (inner tube, rotation support)
- 63 Second outer tube member (second outer tube, second rotation support)
- 66 Vacuum channel
- 71 Second inner tube member (second inner tube, second rotation support)
- 74 Vacuum inlet
- 76 Second vacuum channel
- 77 Coil spring (pivoting biasing means)
- 81 Permanent magnet
- 82 Magnetic field sensor
- 83 Board
- 121 Wheel
- 143 Sub-duct (dust collection path)
- 144 First outer tube member (outer tube, rotation support)
Claims (7)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2017/031741 WO2019043938A1 (en) | 2017-09-04 | 2017-09-04 | Self-propelled vacuum cleaner |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20200405115A1 true US20200405115A1 (en) | 2020-12-31 |
Family
ID=65525189
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/643,939 Abandoned US20200405115A1 (en) | 2017-09-04 | 2017-09-04 | Self-propelled vacuum cleaner |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20200405115A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3679848A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JPWO2019043938A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN111031877A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019043938A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
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US20220125265A1 (en) * | 2020-10-26 | 2022-04-28 | Guangzhou Thirty Seven Degree Smarthome Co., Ltd. | Intelligent vacuum device with extendable and deformable suction arm |
GB2605750A (en) * | 2021-01-22 | 2022-10-19 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Autonomous surface treatment apparatus |
US11478115B2 (en) | 2019-12-03 | 2022-10-25 | Omron Corporation | Autonomous traveling cleaner |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JP7404946B2 (en) * | 2020-03-11 | 2023-12-26 | オムロン株式会社 | Autonomous cleaning device |
DE102020124602A1 (en) * | 2020-09-22 | 2022-03-24 | Miele & Cie. Kg | vacuum robot |
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JP2594810Y2 (en) * | 1991-08-22 | 1999-05-10 | 日本電気ホームエレクトロニクス株式会社 | Self-propelled vacuum cleaner |
JP2004337301A (en) * | 2003-05-14 | 2004-12-02 | Toshiba Tec Corp | Cleaning robot |
JP4201747B2 (en) * | 2004-07-29 | 2008-12-24 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Self-propelled vacuum cleaner |
KR100772907B1 (en) * | 2006-05-01 | 2007-11-05 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Robot for sensing obstacle and controlling method for the same |
KR101211498B1 (en) * | 2006-12-18 | 2012-12-12 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Cleaning Robot |
JP2008279066A (en) | 2007-05-10 | 2008-11-20 | Hitachi Appliances Inc | Cleaning robot |
CN101779363B (en) * | 2007-09-11 | 2013-11-20 | 株式会社安川电机 | Hollow actuator |
JP2014046207A (en) * | 2012-08-30 | 2014-03-17 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | Side brush assembly, robot cleaner and control method for the same |
KR102022104B1 (en) * | 2012-10-18 | 2019-09-18 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Automatic cleaner |
KR102015311B1 (en) * | 2012-11-30 | 2019-08-28 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Cleaning robot and method for controlling the same |
KR101457970B1 (en) * | 2012-12-24 | 2014-11-07 | (주)라스테크 | Suction port of vacuum cleaner robot |
CN104825099B (en) * | 2015-05-28 | 2017-07-25 | 卓永祺 | A kind of intelligent cleaning method and device |
CN205018981U (en) * | 2015-09-25 | 2016-02-10 | 曾彦平 | Robot of sweeping floor |
CN205649471U (en) * | 2016-03-03 | 2016-10-19 | 江苏美的清洁电器股份有限公司 | Robot |
CN106725103A (en) * | 2016-12-27 | 2017-05-31 | 上海未来伙伴机器人有限公司 | A kind of novel household robot |
-
2017
- 2017-09-04 US US16/643,939 patent/US20200405115A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-09-04 WO PCT/JP2017/031741 patent/WO2019043938A1/en unknown
- 2017-09-04 JP JP2019538903A patent/JPWO2019043938A1/en active Pending
- 2017-09-04 EP EP17923583.3A patent/EP3679848A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2017-09-04 CN CN201780094091.1A patent/CN111031877A/en active Pending
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US11478115B2 (en) | 2019-12-03 | 2022-10-25 | Omron Corporation | Autonomous traveling cleaner |
US20220125265A1 (en) * | 2020-10-26 | 2022-04-28 | Guangzhou Thirty Seven Degree Smarthome Co., Ltd. | Intelligent vacuum device with extendable and deformable suction arm |
GB2605750A (en) * | 2021-01-22 | 2022-10-19 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Autonomous surface treatment apparatus |
GB2605750B (en) * | 2021-01-22 | 2023-07-19 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Autonomous surface treatment apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP3679848A4 (en) | 2021-03-17 |
WO2019043938A1 (en) | 2019-03-07 |
CN111031877A (en) | 2020-04-17 |
JPWO2019043938A1 (en) | 2020-04-09 |
EP3679848A1 (en) | 2020-07-15 |
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