US20210038033A1 - Bumper with viewing window for autonomous cleaner - Google Patents
Bumper with viewing window for autonomous cleaner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210038033A1 US20210038033A1 US16/978,001 US201916978001A US2021038033A1 US 20210038033 A1 US20210038033 A1 US 20210038033A1 US 201916978001 A US201916978001 A US 201916978001A US 2021038033 A1 US2021038033 A1 US 2021038033A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- autonomous cleaner
- bumper
- viewing window
- dust
- rear wall
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- 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.)
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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
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
-
- 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
- A47L9/009—Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0461—Dust-loosening tools, e.g. agitators, brushes
- A47L9/0466—Rotating tools
- A47L9/0477—Rolls
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—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
- A47L9/2826—Parameters or conditions being sensed the condition of the floor
-
- 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
- A47L9/2889—Safety or protection devices or systems, e.g. for prevention of motor over-heating or for protection of the user
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L2201/00—Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L2201/00—Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
- A47L2201/02—Docking stations; Docking operations
- A47L2201/022—Recharging of batteries
-
- 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 disclosure relates to a bumper with a viewing window associated with an autonomous cleaner
- Vacuum cleaners and sweepers generally use mechanical action and/or air flow to draw dust, dirt, or other debris from a surface.
- a vacuum cleaner typically draws a combination of air and dust, dirt, or other debris into the cleaner through a floor nozzle. This “dirty air” typically enters a dust separator in the vacuum that separates the dust, dirt, or debris from the air.
- a bin or bag collects the separated dust, dirt, or debris separated from the air for later disposal. The resulting “clean air” exits the dust separator where it is exhausted from the vacuum cleaner.
- a sweeper typically uses mechanical action to sweep dust, dirt, or other debris from a floor into the sweeper through a dirt inlet into a bin for later disposal.
- An autonomous cleaner may be a vacuum cleaner or sweeper that is configured to traverse and clean an area without requiring a user to operate.
- the present disclosure relates to an autonomous cleaner.
- the autonomous cleaner comprises a body having a perimeter, a dust collection assembly including a dust inlet disposed interior of the perimeter and a brush roll mounted adjacent the dust inlet and proximate a transparent or translucent portion of the dust inlet, a drive unit configured to move the body along a cleaning surface, a controller configured to control an autonomous operation of the drive unit, and a bumper operable to sense an impact mounted to and at least partially along the perimeter of the body.
- the bumper has at least one viewing window configured to allow a user to view the brush roll through the at least one viewing window and the transparent or translucent portion of the dust inlet.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an autonomous cleaner engaged with a charging base in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the autonomous cleaner of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bottom of the autonomous cleaner of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the autonomous cleaner of FIG. 2 with a portion of an outer housing removed to illustrate a nozzle, a conduit, and a portion of a separator assembly.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rear of the autonomous cleaner of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the autonomous cleaner of FIG. 5 with a portion of the outer housing removed to illustrate a portion of the separator assembly, a dust cup, and a suction motor assembly.
- FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the autonomous cleaner of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the autonomous cleaner of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the bumper of the autonomous of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of the bumper of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 11 is a rear bottom perspective view of the bumper of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an autonomous cleaner 10 having a bumper with a viewing window (as described below).
- the autonomous cleaner 10 can selectively engage a charging base 14 .
- the charging base 14 (or base station 14 or charging station 14 ) can be coupled to a source of electricity (e.g., to a wall outlet by a cord, etc.).
- the charging base 14 can supply electricity to the autonomous cleaner 10 , and more specifically can supply electricity to recharge one or more batteries (not shown) that power the autonomous cleaner 10 .
- the autonomous cleaner 10 is shown disengaged from the charging base 14 .
- the autonomous cleaner 10 includes a body 12 having a perimeter P and a front end 18 that is opposite a back end 22 .
- the autonomous cleaner 10 also includes a chassis 26 (or an undercarriage 26 or a frame 26 ) (shown in FIG. 3 ).
- An outer housing 30 (or outer shell 30 ) cooperates with the chassis 26 to encase one or more components of the autonomous cleaner 10 .
- the chassis 26 and the outer housing 30 may cooperate to define the body 12 .
- a front bump sensor 34 (or bumper 34 ) is positioned at the front end 18 of the autonomous cleaner 10 and is mounted to and at least partially along the perimeter P of the body 12 .
- the front bump sensor 34 is provided at a leading edge of the autonomous cleaner 10 in a direction of forward travel 38 .
- the direction of forward travel 38 generally extends from the back end 22 towards the front end 18 .
- the autonomous cleaner 10 is also configured to operate in a direction opposite the direction of forward travel 38 , or in reverse.
- the autonomous cleaner 10 includes a drive assembly 48 .
- the drive assembly 48 includes a pair of motorized drive wheels 50 , 54 .
- a first drive wheel 50 is positioned proximate a first side 42
- a second drive wheel 54 is positioned proximate a second side 46 of the autonomous cleaner 10 .
- the drive wheels 50 , 54 can operate (or rotate) independently of each other. As such, the drive wheels 50 , 54 can rotate at the same speed, resulting in the direction of forward travel 38 being generally straight, or can rotate at different speeds to facilitate a turning movement of the autonomous cleaner 10 .
- the autonomous cleaner 10 can also include one or more third wheels 62 , which can be driven or non-driven (e.g., a caster wheel 62 ).
- the drive assembly 48 is operably connected to a controller 110 (shown in FIG. 6 ) of the autonomous cleaner 10 .
- the controller 110 can be provided in association with a printed circuit board 114 .
- the controller 110 may be configured to map the area to be cleaned and to operate the plurality of drive wheels 50 , 54 to move the autonomous cleaner 10 (or the associated chassis 26 ) along a cleaning surface S (shown in FIG. 7 ) within the area to be cleaned.
- the controller 110 may be in communication with an area sensing unit that is configured to map the area to be cleaned.
- the area sensing unit can be a laser distance sensor 118 .
- the laser distance sensor 118 includes a laser emitter (not shown) and a light sensor (not shown).
- the laser emitter emits a beam (or a light beam or emitted light), and the light sensor detects light from the beam that is reflected by an obstacle (or reflected light).
- the light sensor outputs a signal to the controller 110 corresponding to a distance to the obstacle.
- the laser distance sensor 118 and the controller 110 are configured to calculate a distance to the obstacle by triangulation using the angle of reflected light and the distance between the laser emitter and the light sensor. In other embodiments, other laser rangefinders may be used.
- the laser distance sensor 118 measures a distance to objects at points around the autonomous cleaner 10 as the cleaner operates such that the controller 110 can determine the bounds of the map of the area to be cleaned as the autonomous cleaner 10 moves about the area.
- the autonomous cleaner 10 can include one or more odometry encoders (not shown) operably connected to the drive wheels 50 , 54 , and configured to determine a distance and an estimated direction the autonomous cleaner 10 travels based on rotation of one or both of the drive wheels 50 , 54 .
- the odometry data from the encoders can be combined with the laser distance sensor data from the laser distance sensor 118 by the controller 110 using Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms, or other mapping techniques, to develop the map of the area to be cleaned (or mapped area).
- the controller 110 can also control the autonomous cleaner 10 within the mapped area based on where the autonomous cleaner 10 travels.
- SLAM Simultaneous Localization and Mapping
- the controller 110 may receive signals from one or more obstacle detection sensors to identify objects (or obstacles) in the area to be cleaned (e.g., a chair, a sofa, an ottoman, etc.).
- Obstacle detection sensors may include proximity sensors (e.g., infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and tactile sensors), cliff sensors, bump sensors, or any other sensor that is configured to sense or detect an object as the autonomous cleaner travels.
- the controller 110 can then incorporate those objects into the map of the area to be cleaned.
- the controller 110 may receive signals, for example, from the front bump sensor 34 to identify objects (or obstacles) in the area to be cleaned.
- the autonomous cleaner 10 includes a dust collection assembly 64 having a dust inlet 66 .
- the autonomous cleaner 10 is a vacuum cleaner and the dust inlet is a nozzle 66 (shown in FIG. 2 ).
- the dust collection assembly 64 includes a brush roll 70 (shown in FIGS. 3-4 ) mounted adjacent the dust inlet or nozzle 66 that is configured to rotate at least partially within the dust inlet or nozzle 66 for engaging a portion of the cleaning surface S to facilitate dust collection.
- the nozzle 66 may be disposed interior of the perimeter P of the body 12 proximate a forward portion of the perimeter P of the body 12 and may be carried by the chassis 26 .
- the brush roll 70 may extend through an air inlet 68 , for example, an air inlet slot, of the nozzle 66 such that engagement of the brush roll 70 to a portion of the cleaning surface S cooperates with air flow into the air inlet slot 68 to facilitate dust collection.
- the autonomous cleaner may be a sweeper where the brush roll 70 extends through the dust inlet 66 such that engagement of the brush roll 70 to a portion of the cleaning surface S sweeps dust, dirt, or other debris into the dirt inlet to facilitate dust collection.
- the brush roll 70 may be operably connected to a brush roll motor (not shown) by a belt (e.g., a geared belt, etc.) (not shown) and may be carried by the chassis 26 .
- the nozzle 66 is fluidly connected to a dust separator assembly 74 by a conduit 78 for transporting dirty air (i.e., air containing dust) drawn into the nozzle 66 at the air inlet 68 to the separator assembly 74 .
- the separator assembly 74 is a cyclonic separator.
- the separator assembly 74 can be any suitable separator assembly (e.g., a bag unit, a filter unit, any suitable non-cyclone separator, etc.).
- dust that exits the separator assembly 74 through a dust outlet 82 collects in a dust cup 86 (or a dust collection chamber 86 or a dirt cup 86 or a collection bin 86 ) (shown in FIG. 6 ).
- the autonomous cleaner is a sweeper where the dust collection chamber 86 is proximate the dust inlet 66 and brush roll 70 and is configured for receiving dust swept by the brush roll.
- a portion of the outer housing 30 may form a removable cover (not shown) configured to cover the separator assembly 74 (or portion thereof) and the dust cup 86 (or portion thereof).
- the suction motor assembly 94 which is in fluid communication with the nozzle 66 via the separator assembly 74 , includes a suction motor 96 that rotates a fan or impeller to generate a suction airflow at the air inlet 68 for drawing dirty air through the suction nozzle 66 and into the separator assembly 74 .
- the nozzle 66 has a transparent or translucent portion 67 that is formed proximate the brush roll 70 .
- the transparent or translucent portion 67 may be formed above the brush roll 70 (relative to the cleaning surface S) and may extend along a portion or the entire length of the nozzle 66 .
- an energy storage system 106 (or a battery pack 106 ) is positioned in the autonomous cleaner 10 to store and provide electricity to operate the autonomous cleaner 10 , including various components and associated electronic circuits thereof, such as the drive assembly 48 , the suction motor 96 , the controller 110 and the laser distance sensor 118 .
- the energy storage system 106 can include a plurality of cells or battery cells (not shown).
- the illustrated energy storage system 106 can be recharged (e.g., in a remote charging station, at the charging base 14 , etc.).
- the bumper 34 may include one or more viewing windows 120 for viewing the brush roll 70 (shown in FIGS. 3-4 ) mounted at the air inlet 68 (shown in FIGS. 3-4 ) of the nozzle 66 .
- the bumper 34 includes an opaque central portion 126 and a pair of viewing windows 120 a and 120 b formed in the bumper 34 on opposite sides of the opaque central portion 126 .
- the bumper 34 may include a frame member 124 having opposing first and second side walls 130 and 132 , a neck body 134 located between the first and second side walls 130 and 132 , a first rear wall 136 extending from the neck body 134 toward the first side wall 130 , and a second rear wall 138 extending from the neck body 134 toward the second side wall 132 .
- the frame member includes a rear wall extending between the opposing first and second side walls 130 , 132 .
- a first arcuate arm 140 extends forwardly relative to the first rear wall 136 and outwardly from the neck body 134 to the first side wall 130 .
- a second arcuate arm 142 extends forwardly relative to the second rear wall 138 and outwardly from the neck body 134 to the second side wall 132 .
- the first viewing window 120 a may be provided in the frame member 124 forwardly of the first rear wall 136 and the second viewing window 120 b is provided in the frame member 124 forwardly of the second rear wall 138 .
- the first viewing window 120 a is formed as a first aperture or window between the first arcuate arm 140 and the first rear wall 136 and the second viewing window 120 b is formed as a second aperture or window between the second arcuate arm 142 and the second rear wall 138 , the apertures or windows corresponding to the transparent or translucent portion 67 .
- the frame member 124 may be an assembly of components, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, or may be a single piece, including for example an injection molded or other unitary, one-piece, integral construction. Also, in other embodiments, the viewing windows 120 of the bumper 34 may be formed from a transparent or translucent material, thereby allowing at least some visible light to pass through the material so that the nozzle 66 behind the bumper 34 (and the brush roll 70 , as described below) is visible.
- the illustrated embodiment illustrates a pair of viewing windows 120
- other embodiments may include a bumper having a single viewing window, for example, a single viewing window that extends uninterrupted along the entire length of the bumper, or a bumper having three or more viewing windows, which may, for example, be formed between a plurality of opaque portions of the bumper.
- the transparent or translucent portion 67 of the dust inlet or nozzle 66 is received in a chamber 144 defined by the bumper 34 .
- the viewing windows 120 of the bumper 34 are disposed adjacent the transparent or translucent portion 67 of the nozzle 66 such that a user can view the brush roll 70 through the viewing windows 120 and the transparent portion 67 of the nozzle 66 .
- the viewing windows 120 are disposed above the transparent or translucent portion 67 of the nozzle 66 (relative to the cleaning surface S).
- the viewing windows 120 of the bumper 34 advantageously permit a user to visually detect whether an object is lodged in the nozzle 66 or the brush roll 70 fails to rotate properly during operation of the autonomous cleaner 10 .
- first rear wall 136 of the bumper 34 may define one or more pass-through openings 146 that extend through the first rear wall 136 .
- Each pass-through opening 146 may be aligned with an obstacle detection sensor 36 , such as an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor, that is mounted to the body 12 at the front end 18 of the autonomous cleaner 10 and is operable in combination with the controller 110 to remotely sense a surrounding environment, for example to identify objects (or obstacles) in the area to be cleaned.
- the pass-through openings 146 may be covered by sensor covers 148 to protect the obstacle detection sensors 36 from dust or dirt buildup or other damage without interfering with the operation of the sensors.
- the present disclosure provides, among other things, a bumper with a viewing window for use with an autonomous cleaner.
- a bumper with a viewing window for use with an autonomous cleaner.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/639,387 filed Mar. 6, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
- The present disclosure relates to a bumper with a viewing window associated with an autonomous cleaner
- Vacuum cleaners and sweepers generally use mechanical action and/or air flow to draw dust, dirt, or other debris from a surface. A vacuum cleaner typically draws a combination of air and dust, dirt, or other debris into the cleaner through a floor nozzle. This “dirty air” typically enters a dust separator in the vacuum that separates the dust, dirt, or debris from the air. A bin or bag collects the separated dust, dirt, or debris separated from the air for later disposal. The resulting “clean air” exits the dust separator where it is exhausted from the vacuum cleaner. A sweeper typically uses mechanical action to sweep dust, dirt, or other debris from a floor into the sweeper through a dirt inlet into a bin for later disposal. An autonomous cleaner may be a vacuum cleaner or sweeper that is configured to traverse and clean an area without requiring a user to operate.
- In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an autonomous cleaner. The autonomous cleaner comprises a body having a perimeter, a dust collection assembly including a dust inlet disposed interior of the perimeter and a brush roll mounted adjacent the dust inlet and proximate a transparent or translucent portion of the dust inlet, a drive unit configured to move the body along a cleaning surface, a controller configured to control an autonomous operation of the drive unit, and a bumper operable to sense an impact mounted to and at least partially along the perimeter of the body. The bumper has at least one viewing window configured to allow a user to view the brush roll through the at least one viewing window and the transparent or translucent portion of the dust inlet.
- Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the following description and the appended claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an autonomous cleaner engaged with a charging base in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the autonomous cleaner ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bottom of the autonomous cleaner ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the autonomous cleaner ofFIG. 2 with a portion of an outer housing removed to illustrate a nozzle, a conduit, and a portion of a separator assembly. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rear of the autonomous cleaner ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the autonomous cleaner ofFIG. 5 with a portion of the outer housing removed to illustrate a portion of the separator assembly, a dust cup, and a suction motor assembly. -
FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the autonomous cleaner ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the autonomous cleaner ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the bumper of the autonomous ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of the bumper ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 11 is a rear bottom perspective view of the bumper ofFIG. 9 . - Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. It should be understood that the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure from covering all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
- Referring now to the figures,
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of anautonomous cleaner 10 having a bumper with a viewing window (as described below). Theautonomous cleaner 10 can selectively engage acharging base 14. The charging base 14 (orbase station 14 or charging station 14) can be coupled to a source of electricity (e.g., to a wall outlet by a cord, etc.). In response to theautonomous cleaner 10 engaging thecharging base 14, thecharging base 14 can supply electricity to theautonomous cleaner 10, and more specifically can supply electricity to recharge one or more batteries (not shown) that power theautonomous cleaner 10. - Referring to
FIGS. 2-3 , theautonomous cleaner 10 is shown disengaged from thecharging base 14. Theautonomous cleaner 10 includes abody 12 having a perimeter P and afront end 18 that is opposite aback end 22. Theautonomous cleaner 10 also includes a chassis 26 (or anundercarriage 26 or a frame 26) (shown inFIG. 3 ). An outer housing 30 (or outer shell 30) cooperates with thechassis 26 to encase one or more components of theautonomous cleaner 10. Thechassis 26 and theouter housing 30 may cooperate to define thebody 12. - With specific reference to
FIG. 2 , a front bump sensor 34 (or bumper 34) is positioned at thefront end 18 of theautonomous cleaner 10 and is mounted to and at least partially along the perimeter P of thebody 12. Thefront bump sensor 34 is provided at a leading edge of theautonomous cleaner 10 in a direction offorward travel 38. The direction offorward travel 38 generally extends from theback end 22 towards thefront end 18. Theautonomous cleaner 10 is also configured to operate in a direction opposite the direction offorward travel 38, or in reverse. - Referring now to
FIG. 3 , theautonomous cleaner 10 includes adrive assembly 48. Thedrive assembly 48 includes a pair of motorizeddrive wheels 50, 54. Afirst drive wheel 50 is positioned proximate afirst side 42, while a second drive wheel 54 is positioned proximate asecond side 46 of theautonomous cleaner 10. Thedrive wheels 50, 54 can operate (or rotate) independently of each other. As such, thedrive wheels 50, 54 can rotate at the same speed, resulting in the direction offorward travel 38 being generally straight, or can rotate at different speeds to facilitate a turning movement of theautonomous cleaner 10. Theautonomous cleaner 10 can also include one or morethird wheels 62, which can be driven or non-driven (e.g., a caster wheel 62). - The
drive assembly 48 is operably connected to a controller 110 (shown inFIG. 6 ) of theautonomous cleaner 10. Thecontroller 110 can be provided in association with a printedcircuit board 114. Thecontroller 110 may be configured to map the area to be cleaned and to operate the plurality ofdrive wheels 50, 54 to move the autonomous cleaner 10 (or the associated chassis 26) along a cleaning surface S (shown inFIG. 7 ) within the area to be cleaned. - For example, the
controller 110 may be in communication with an area sensing unit that is configured to map the area to be cleaned. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 6 , the area sensing unit can be alaser distance sensor 118. Thelaser distance sensor 118 includes a laser emitter (not shown) and a light sensor (not shown). The laser emitter emits a beam (or a light beam or emitted light), and the light sensor detects light from the beam that is reflected by an obstacle (or reflected light). The light sensor outputs a signal to thecontroller 110 corresponding to a distance to the obstacle. In one example, thelaser distance sensor 118 and thecontroller 110 are configured to calculate a distance to the obstacle by triangulation using the angle of reflected light and the distance between the laser emitter and the light sensor. In other embodiments, other laser rangefinders may be used. Thelaser distance sensor 118 measures a distance to objects at points around theautonomous cleaner 10 as the cleaner operates such that thecontroller 110 can determine the bounds of the map of the area to be cleaned as theautonomous cleaner 10 moves about the area. - In addition, the
autonomous cleaner 10 can include one or more odometry encoders (not shown) operably connected to thedrive wheels 50, 54, and configured to determine a distance and an estimated direction theautonomous cleaner 10 travels based on rotation of one or both of thedrive wheels 50, 54. The odometry data from the encoders can be combined with the laser distance sensor data from thelaser distance sensor 118 by thecontroller 110 using Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms, or other mapping techniques, to develop the map of the area to be cleaned (or mapped area). Thecontroller 110 can also control theautonomous cleaner 10 within the mapped area based on where theautonomous cleaner 10 travels. - In addition, the
controller 110 may receive signals from one or more obstacle detection sensors to identify objects (or obstacles) in the area to be cleaned (e.g., a chair, a sofa, an ottoman, etc.). Obstacle detection sensors may include proximity sensors (e.g., infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and tactile sensors), cliff sensors, bump sensors, or any other sensor that is configured to sense or detect an object as the autonomous cleaner travels. Thecontroller 110 can then incorporate those objects into the map of the area to be cleaned. In the illustrated embodiment, thecontroller 110 may receive signals, for example, from thefront bump sensor 34 to identify objects (or obstacles) in the area to be cleaned. - Referring back to
FIGS. 2-4 , theautonomous cleaner 10 includes a dust collection assembly 64 having adust inlet 66. In the illustrated embodiment, theautonomous cleaner 10 is a vacuum cleaner and the dust inlet is a nozzle 66 (shown inFIG. 2 ). Optionally, the dust collection assembly 64 includes a brush roll 70 (shown inFIGS. 3-4 ) mounted adjacent the dust inlet ornozzle 66 that is configured to rotate at least partially within the dust inlet ornozzle 66 for engaging a portion of the cleaning surface S to facilitate dust collection. Thenozzle 66 may be disposed interior of the perimeter P of thebody 12 proximate a forward portion of the perimeter P of thebody 12 and may be carried by thechassis 26. Thebrush roll 70 may extend through anair inlet 68, for example, an air inlet slot, of thenozzle 66 such that engagement of thebrush roll 70 to a portion of the cleaning surface S cooperates with air flow into theair inlet slot 68 to facilitate dust collection. In an alternative embodiment, the autonomous cleaner may be a sweeper where thebrush roll 70 extends through thedust inlet 66 such that engagement of thebrush roll 70 to a portion of the cleaning surface S sweeps dust, dirt, or other debris into the dirt inlet to facilitate dust collection. To facilitate rotation, thebrush roll 70 may be operably connected to a brush roll motor (not shown) by a belt (e.g., a geared belt, etc.) (not shown) and may be carried by thechassis 26. With specific reference toFIG. 4 , thenozzle 66 is fluidly connected to adust separator assembly 74 by aconduit 78 for transporting dirty air (i.e., air containing dust) drawn into thenozzle 66 at theair inlet 68 to theseparator assembly 74. In the illustrated vacuum cleaner embodiment, theseparator assembly 74 is a cyclonic separator. In other embodiments, theseparator assembly 74 can be any suitable separator assembly (e.g., a bag unit, a filter unit, any suitable non-cyclone separator, etc.). - With continued reference to
FIG. 4 , dust that exits theseparator assembly 74 through adust outlet 82 collects in a dust cup 86 (or adust collection chamber 86 or adirt cup 86 or a collection bin 86) (shown inFIG. 6 ). In an alternative embodiment, the autonomous cleaner is a sweeper where thedust collection chamber 86 is proximate thedust inlet 66 andbrush roll 70 and is configured for receiving dust swept by the brush roll. A portion of theouter housing 30 may form a removable cover (not shown) configured to cover the separator assembly 74 (or portion thereof) and the dust cup 86 (or portion thereof). With reference toFIG. 6 , cleaned air exits through theseparator assembly 74 by aclean air outlet 90, and travels to asuction motor assembly 94 and then is discharged through a vent 98 (shown inFIG. 5 ). More specifically, thesuction motor assembly 94, which is in fluid communication with thenozzle 66 via theseparator assembly 74, includes a suction motor 96 that rotates a fan or impeller to generate a suction airflow at theair inlet 68 for drawing dirty air through thesuction nozzle 66 and into theseparator assembly 74. Thenozzle 66 has a transparent ortranslucent portion 67 that is formed proximate thebrush roll 70. For example, the transparent ortranslucent portion 67 may be formed above the brush roll 70 (relative to the cleaning surface S) and may extend along a portion or the entire length of thenozzle 66. - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 8-9 , an energy storage system 106 (or a battery pack 106) is positioned in theautonomous cleaner 10 to store and provide electricity to operate theautonomous cleaner 10, including various components and associated electronic circuits thereof, such as thedrive assembly 48, the suction motor 96, thecontroller 110 and thelaser distance sensor 118. Theenergy storage system 106 can include a plurality of cells or battery cells (not shown). The illustratedenergy storage system 106 can be recharged (e.g., in a remote charging station, at the chargingbase 14, etc.). - With reference to
FIGS. 8-11 , thebumper 34 may include one or more viewing windows 120 for viewing the brush roll 70 (shown inFIGS. 3-4 ) mounted at the air inlet 68 (shown inFIGS. 3-4 ) of thenozzle 66. In the illustrated embodiment, thebumper 34 includes an opaquecentral portion 126 and a pair of viewing windows 120 a and 120 b formed in thebumper 34 on opposite sides of the opaquecentral portion 126. More specifically, thebumper 34 may include aframe member 124 having opposing first andsecond side walls neck body 134 located between the first andsecond side walls rear wall 136 extending from theneck body 134 toward thefirst side wall 130, and a secondrear wall 138 extending from theneck body 134 toward thesecond side wall 132. Alternatively, the frame member includes a rear wall extending between the opposing first andsecond side walls arcuate arm 140 extends forwardly relative to the firstrear wall 136 and outwardly from theneck body 134 to thefirst side wall 130. Similarly, a secondarcuate arm 142 extends forwardly relative to the secondrear wall 138 and outwardly from theneck body 134 to thesecond side wall 132. The first viewing window 120 a may be provided in theframe member 124 forwardly of the firstrear wall 136 and the second viewing window 120 b is provided in theframe member 124 forwardly of the secondrear wall 138. In the illustrated embodiment, the first viewing window 120 a is formed as a first aperture or window between the firstarcuate arm 140 and the firstrear wall 136 and the second viewing window 120 b is formed as a second aperture or window between the secondarcuate arm 142 and the secondrear wall 138, the apertures or windows corresponding to the transparent ortranslucent portion 67. - The
frame member 124 may be an assembly of components, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, or may be a single piece, including for example an injection molded or other unitary, one-piece, integral construction. Also, in other embodiments, the viewing windows 120 of thebumper 34 may be formed from a transparent or translucent material, thereby allowing at least some visible light to pass through the material so that thenozzle 66 behind the bumper 34 (and thebrush roll 70, as described below) is visible. In addition, although the illustrated embodiment illustrates a pair of viewing windows 120, it should be appreciated that other embodiments may include a bumper having a single viewing window, for example, a single viewing window that extends uninterrupted along the entire length of the bumper, or a bumper having three or more viewing windows, which may, for example, be formed between a plurality of opaque portions of the bumper. - With reference again to
FIGS. 8-11 , the transparent ortranslucent portion 67 of the dust inlet ornozzle 66 is received in a chamber 144 defined by thebumper 34. The viewing windows 120 of thebumper 34 are disposed adjacent the transparent ortranslucent portion 67 of thenozzle 66 such that a user can view thebrush roll 70 through the viewing windows 120 and thetransparent portion 67 of thenozzle 66. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the viewing windows 120 are disposed above the transparent ortranslucent portion 67 of the nozzle 66 (relative to the cleaning surface S). The viewing windows 120 of thebumper 34 advantageously permit a user to visually detect whether an object is lodged in thenozzle 66 or thebrush roll 70 fails to rotate properly during operation of theautonomous cleaner 10. - In addition, the first
rear wall 136 of thebumper 34 may define one or more pass-throughopenings 146 that extend through the firstrear wall 136. Each pass-throughopening 146 may be aligned with anobstacle detection sensor 36, such as an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor, that is mounted to thebody 12 at thefront end 18 of theautonomous cleaner 10 and is operable in combination with thecontroller 110 to remotely sense a surrounding environment, for example to identify objects (or obstacles) in the area to be cleaned. The pass-throughopenings 146 may be covered by sensor covers 148 to protect theobstacle detection sensors 36 from dust or dirt buildup or other damage without interfering with the operation of the sensors. - Thus, the present disclosure provides, among other things, a bumper with a viewing window for use with an autonomous cleaner. Various features and advantages of the present disclosure are set forth in the following claims.
Claims (13)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US16/978,001 US20210038033A1 (en) | 2018-03-06 | 2019-03-05 | Bumper with viewing window for autonomous cleaner |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201862639387P | 2018-03-06 | 2018-03-06 | |
US16/978,001 US20210038033A1 (en) | 2018-03-06 | 2019-03-05 | Bumper with viewing window for autonomous cleaner |
PCT/US2019/020801 WO2019173373A1 (en) | 2018-03-06 | 2019-03-05 | Bumper with viewing window for autonomous cleaner |
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US20210038033A1 true US20210038033A1 (en) | 2021-02-11 |
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US16/978,001 Abandoned US20210038033A1 (en) | 2018-03-06 | 2019-03-05 | Bumper with viewing window for autonomous cleaner |
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US (1) | US20210038033A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN111787839B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019173373A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD976507S1 (en) * | 2020-03-25 | 2023-01-24 | Dyson Technology Limited | Robotic vacuum cleaner |
USD987924S1 (en) * | 2020-07-14 | 2023-05-30 | Hobot Technology Inc. | Cleaning robot |
USD1025523S1 (en) * | 2021-07-20 | 2024-04-30 | Sharkninja (China) Technology Company Limited | Robot cleaner with base station |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4200488B2 (en) * | 2003-10-09 | 2008-12-24 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Vacuum cleaner |
JP2007179398A (en) * | 2005-12-28 | 2007-07-12 | Funai Electric Co Ltd | Self-propelled cleaner |
KR101361562B1 (en) * | 2007-05-31 | 2014-02-13 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Cleanning robot |
EP2730204B1 (en) * | 2012-11-09 | 2016-12-28 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Robot cleaner |
US9483055B2 (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2016-11-01 | Irobot Corporation | Autonomous coverage robot |
CN203153636U (en) * | 2013-01-28 | 2013-08-28 | 向桂南 | Vacuum cleaner |
CN203436285U (en) * | 2013-09-25 | 2014-02-19 | 宁波克林斯曼智能科技有限公司 | Intelligent cleaning robot |
KR101556177B1 (en) * | 2014-05-07 | 2015-09-30 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Vacuum cleaner |
KR20160104432A (en) * | 2015-02-26 | 2016-09-05 | 에브리봇 주식회사 | A robot cleaner and a method for operating it |
AU2017101247A6 (en) * | 2016-09-16 | 2017-11-02 | Bissell Inc. | Autonomous vacuum cleaner |
-
2019
- 2019-03-05 US US16/978,001 patent/US20210038033A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2019-03-05 CN CN201980017480.3A patent/CN111787839B/en active Active
- 2019-03-05 WO PCT/US2019/020801 patent/WO2019173373A1/en active Application Filing
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD976507S1 (en) * | 2020-03-25 | 2023-01-24 | Dyson Technology Limited | Robotic vacuum cleaner |
USD987924S1 (en) * | 2020-07-14 | 2023-05-30 | Hobot Technology Inc. | Cleaning robot |
USD1025523S1 (en) * | 2021-07-20 | 2024-04-30 | Sharkninja (China) Technology Company Limited | Robot cleaner with base station |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN111787839B (en) | 2021-12-17 |
WO2019173373A1 (en) | 2019-09-12 |
CN111787839A (en) | 2020-10-16 |
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