EP1806085A2 - Robot cleaning system - Google Patents
Robot cleaning system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1806085A2 EP1806085A2 EP06121185A EP06121185A EP1806085A2 EP 1806085 A2 EP1806085 A2 EP 1806085A2 EP 06121185 A EP06121185 A EP 06121185A EP 06121185 A EP06121185 A EP 06121185A EP 1806085 A2 EP1806085 A2 EP 1806085A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cleaning
- robot
- cleaning robot
- cleaner
- receiving space
- 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.)
- Pending
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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
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
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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
- A47L9/009—Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
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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
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/36—Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
- A47L5/362—Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back of the horizontal type, e.g. canister or sledge type
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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
-
- 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
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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
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2857—User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
-
- 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
- A47L9/2868—Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
- A47L9/2873—Docking units or charging stations
-
- 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
- A47L9/2868—Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
- A47L9/2884—Details of arrangements of batteries or their installation
-
- 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
- A47L9/2894—Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners
-
- 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
Definitions
- the invention relates to a robot cleaning system, and, more particularly, to a robot cleaning system having a cleaner for manual cleaning and a cleaning robot with a charger for charging the cleaning robot that performs automatic cleaning.
- a cleaner is a device used for cleaning the room and is typically used to remove dust, dirt, and debris in a room.
- a vacuum cleaner for collecting dust and loose debris by a suction force generated from a low-pressure unit.
- a cleaning robot which is designed to remove dust and loose debris from the floor while moving on the floor via self-traveling and without manual operation, has been developed.
- automated cleaning refers to a cleaning operation performed by a cleaning robot that removes dust and loose debris while moving by itself
- manual cleaning refers to a cleaning operation performed by a person using a vacuum cleaner.
- the cleaning robot contains a rechargeable battery to supply electric power required to drive the cleaning robot, and is combined with a docking station to form a single cleaning system.
- the docking station is located at a specific place in a room and serves to charge the cleaning robot.
- the cleaning robot can reduce the labor of a person required for manual cleaning, the cleaning robot still has several problems.
- the automatic cleaning function of the cleaning robot is limited to the floor
- the cleaning robot is not successful in automatic cleaning in other areas, for example, the surface of a sofa, shelf, or the like, and therefore, has a limited cleaning area.
- the cleaning robot is smaller than a general vacuum cleaner, and is unable to generate a strong suction force, resulting in insufficient cleaning.
- the invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and it is an aspect of the invention to provide a robot cleaning system having both a general cleaning function using a cleaner and a cleaning robot charging function using a cleaning robot.
- the invention provides a cleaner configured to perform manual cleaning while being moved by a user in an area to be cleaned, including: a charger to be connected to a cleaning robot that performs automatic cleaning, so as to charge a rechargeable battery mounted in the cleaning robot.
- the cleaner may further include a body having a space for receiving the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot returns to the cleaner for the sake of charging, and the charger may include a power terminal provided at an outer surface of the body to be connected to the cleaning robot.
- the body may have a protruding portion, which protrudes forward to define the cleaning robot receiving space therebelow.
- the power terminal may be located at a lower surface of the protruding portion.
- the invention provides a cleaner configured to perform manual cleaning while being moved by a user in an area to be cleaned, including: a body having a receiving space for receiving a cleaning robot that performs automatic cleaning, the body including a power terminal mounted at a surface of the body defining the receiving space to supply electric power to the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot is located in the receiving space.
- the body may further include a protruding portion, which protrudes forward from an upper end of the body by a predetermined length to define the receiving space therebelow.
- the power terminal may be located at a lower surface of the protruding portion.
- FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing the outer appearance of a cleaner and cleaning robot that returns to the cleaner for charging in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the inner configuration of the cleaner and cleaning robot of FIG. 1.
- the cleaning robot 10 includes a robot body 20, a suction device 30, a drive device 40, a controller 50, a recognizer (not shown), a rechargeable battery 60, and a battery charge level detector 70.
- the suction device 30 is used to vacuum and collect dust and loose debris, and includes a brush 31, a suction pipe 32, a dust collector 33, and a blower 34.
- the drive device 40 enables self-traveling of the cleaning robot 10, and includes a driving wheel 41, a driven wheel 42, and a drive motor (not shown) to rotate the driving wheel 41.
- the recognizer includes an obstacle detection sensor, a traveling distance detection sensor, and a camera, and serves to allow the cleaning robot 10 to perform efficient cleaning, traveling, and returning operations.
- the rechargeable battery 60 has a charging terminal 61 protruding out of the robot body 20, such that it is charged by a commercial alternator when the cleaning robot 10 is connected to a cleaner 100 in accordance with the invention.
- the battery charge level detector 70 is used to detect a charge level of the rechargeable battery 60 when the cleaning robot 10 returns to the cleaner 100. If the detected charge level reaches a preset lowest level, the detector 70 sends a charge request signal to the controller 50.
- the cleaner 100 in accordance with the invention includes a body 110 in which a variety of elements are mounted, a suction piece 120 to vacuum dust and loose debris from the floor B, and a connection pipe 130 to connect the body 110 to the suction piece 120, to allow a suction force, generated by the body 110, to be transferred to the suction piece 120.
- the connection pipe 130 includes a suction hose 131 and a suction pipe 132.
- a handle 133 is interposed between the suction hose 131 and the suction pipe 132.
- the handle 133 is provided with a variety of buttons to enable easy manipulation.
- the suction hose 131 is a flexible wrinkled hose having a first end connected to the handle 133 and a second end connected to the body 110.
- the suction pipe 132 has a first end connected to the suction piece 120 and a second end connected to the handle 133.
- the body 110 contains a blowing device 111 to provide a suction force required to vacuum dust and loose debris during manual cleaning, and a dust collector 112 to store dust and debris vacuumed.
- the dust collector 112 may be a dust envelope, or cyclone dust collector that is widely used.
- the blowing device 111 includes a suction motor, and a fan to be rotated by the suction motor.
- the cleaner 100 in accordance with the invention is designed to serve as a docking station for charging the rechargeable battery 60 mounted in the cleaning robot 10 that performs automatic cleaning. Accordingly, there is no need for a separate docking station for the cleaning robot 10 that performs automatic cleaning. This prevents an increase in the number of cleaning devices,.
- the invention reduces costs and the space needed to store and operate the cleaning devices.
- the body 110 of the robot cleaning system 100 in accordance with the invention is configured to have a space S, which is utilized to house the cleaning robot 10 when the cleaning robot 10 returns to the robot cleaning system 100 for the sake of charging.
- the body 110 contains a charger 140 to charge the rechargeable battery 60 of the cleaning robot 10.
- the body 110 may have an internal shape selected from among a variety of shapes suitable to receive the cleaning robot 10.
- the body 110 may have a protruding portion 113 that protrudes forward by a predetermined length to define the receiving space S therebelow.
- the charger 140 has a power terminal 141 provided at an outer surface of the body 110.
- the lower terminal 41 is positioned to be connected to the charging terminal 61 of the cleaning robot 10 when the cleaning robot 10 returns to the cleaner 100.
- the power terminal 141 may be located at a lower surface 113a of the protruding portion 113.
- the power terminal 141 is connected to a power cord 150 via an internal transformer and power cable, such that it supplies power to the rechargeable battery 60 as it is connected to the charging terminal 61 of the cleaning robot 10.
- the power cord 150 is connected to an external commercial alternator when the cleaner 100 serves to charge the cleaning robot 10,.
- the power cord 150 of the cleaner 100 is connected to the external commercial alternator.
- the cleaning robot 10 is received in the receiving space S that is defined below the protruding portion 113 of the body 110 of the cleaner 100, such that the charging terminal 61 is in a waiting state while being connected to the power terminal 141 of the cleaner 100. Then, if a signal for directing a cleaning operation is transmitted to the cleaning robot 10, the cleaning robot 10 acts to remove dust and loose debris from the floor while moving by itself in an area to be cleaned.
- the battery charge level detector 70 of the cleaning robot 10 checks the rechargeable battery 60 periodically, so as to send a charge request signal to the controller 50 when the rechargeable battery 60 needs to be charged. If the charge request signal is transmitted to the controller 50, the controller 50 controls the drive device 40 to cause the cleaning robot 10 to return to the receiving space S of the cleaner 100.
- the recognizer acts to collect a variety of information and to send the information to the controller 50, in order to guide the cleaning robot 10 to a predetermined position.
- the charging terminal 61 of the cleaning robot 10 is connected to the power terminal 141 that is connected to an external power source via the power cord 150. Thereby, the external power source supplies electric power to charge the rechargeable battery 60 of the cleaning robot 10.
- the cleaner 100 is moved and steered by a user to remove dust and loose debris from the floor through the suction piece 120.
- the invention provides a cleaner having both a general cleaning function and a cleaning robot charging function.
- a dual function cleaner has the effect of improving effectiveness of both automatic and manual cleaning devices thereof. Accordingly, as compared to the conventional case wherein a plurality of devices required to perform both automatic cleaning and manual cleaning must be prepared, a reduced economic burden and improved space utility can be accomplished.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Robotics (AREA)
- Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)
- Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
- Electric Suction Cleaners (AREA)
- Control Of Position, Course, Altitude, Or Attitude Of Moving Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a robot cleaning system, and, more particularly, to a robot cleaning system having a cleaner for manual cleaning and a cleaning robot with a charger for charging the cleaning robot that performs automatic cleaning.
- A cleaner is a device used for cleaning the room and is typically used to remove dust, dirt, and debris in a room. Generally used is a vacuum cleaner for collecting dust and loose debris by a suction force generated from a low-pressure unit. Recently, a cleaning robot, which is designed to remove dust and loose debris from the floor while moving on the floor via self-traveling and without manual operation, has been developed. Hereinafter, the term "automatic cleaning" refers to a cleaning operation performed by a cleaning robot that removes dust and loose debris while moving by itself, whereas the term "manual cleaning" refers to a cleaning operation performed by a person using a vacuum cleaner.
- The cleaning robot contains a rechargeable battery to supply electric power required to drive the cleaning robot, and is combined with a docking station to form a single cleaning system. The docking station is located at a specific place in a room and serves to charge the cleaning robot.
- In spite of an advantage that the cleaning robot can reduce the labor of a person required for manual cleaning, the cleaning robot still has several problems. The automatic cleaning function of the cleaning robot is limited to the floor The cleaning robot is not successful in automatic cleaning in other areas, for example, the surface of a sofa, shelf, or the like, and therefore, has a limited cleaning area. Moreover, the cleaning robot is smaller than a general vacuum cleaner, and is unable to generate a strong suction force, resulting in insufficient cleaning.
- Due to the above-described problems of the cleaning robot, there still exists a need for a person to manually clean specific places with a general vacuum cleaner rather than the cleaning robot. A cleaning robot cannot reach all places. Additionally, manual cleaning is preferred over a cleaning robot because a cleaning robot lacks adequate power to sufficiently clean all areas.
- Accordingly, a cleaning operation using both automatic cleaning and manual cleaning require the use of the cleaning robot, the docking station, and a general vacuum cleaner. This results in increased costs and reduces the amount of indoor space available.
- Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
- Therefore, the invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and it is an aspect of the invention to provide a robot cleaning system having both a general cleaning function using a cleaner and a cleaning robot charging function using a cleaning robot.
- In accordance with one aspect, the invention provides a cleaner configured to perform manual cleaning while being moved by a user in an area to be cleaned, including: a charger to be connected to a cleaning robot that performs automatic cleaning, so as to charge a rechargeable battery mounted in the cleaning robot.
- The cleaner may further include a body having a space for receiving the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot returns to the cleaner for the sake of charging, and the charger may include a power terminal provided at an outer surface of the body to be connected to the cleaning robot.
- The body may have a protruding portion, which protrudes forward to define the cleaning robot receiving space therebelow.
- The power terminal may be located at a lower surface of the protruding portion.
- In accordance with another aspect, the invention provides a cleaner configured to perform manual cleaning while being moved by a user in an area to be cleaned, including: a body having a receiving space for receiving a cleaning robot that performs automatic cleaning, the body including a power terminal mounted at a surface of the body defining the receiving space to supply electric power to the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot is located in the receiving space.
- The body may further include a protruding portion, which protrudes forward from an upper end of the body by a predetermined length to define the receiving space therebelow.
- The power terminal may be located at a lower surface of the protruding portion.
- Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
- These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
- FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing the outer appearance of a cleaner and cleaning robot that returns to the cleaner for charging in accordance with the invention; and
- FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the inner configuration of the cleaner and cleaning robot of FIG. 1.
- Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiment is described below to explain the invention by referring to the figures.
- FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing the outer appearance of a cleaner and cleaning robot that returns to the cleaner for charging in accordance with the invention. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the inner configuration of the cleaner and cleaning robot of FIG. 1.
- Prior to explaining the configuration of a cleaner in accordance with the invention, the configuration of a
cleaning robot 10, which is designed to return to the cleaner when it needs to be charged during automatic cleaning, will be described in brief. - As shown in FIG. 2, the
cleaning robot 10 includes arobot body 20, asuction device 30, adrive device 40, acontroller 50, a recognizer (not shown), arechargeable battery 60, and a batterycharge level detector 70. - The
suction device 30 is used to vacuum and collect dust and loose debris, and includes abrush 31, asuction pipe 32, adust collector 33, and ablower 34. Thedrive device 40 enables self-traveling of thecleaning robot 10, and includes adriving wheel 41, a drivenwheel 42, and a drive motor (not shown) to rotate thedriving wheel 41. The recognizer (not shown) includes an obstacle detection sensor, a traveling distance detection sensor, and a camera, and serves to allow thecleaning robot 10 to perform efficient cleaning, traveling, and returning operations. Therechargeable battery 60 has acharging terminal 61 protruding out of therobot body 20, such that it is charged by a commercial alternator when thecleaning robot 10 is connected to acleaner 100 in accordance with the invention. The batterycharge level detector 70 is used to detect a charge level of therechargeable battery 60 when thecleaning robot 10 returns to thecleaner 100. If the detected charge level reaches a preset lowest level, thedetector 70 sends a charge request signal to thecontroller 50. - As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
cleaner 100 in accordance with the invention includes abody 110 in which a variety of elements are mounted, asuction piece 120 to vacuum dust and loose debris from the floor B, and aconnection pipe 130 to connect thebody 110 to thesuction piece 120, to allow a suction force, generated by thebody 110, to be transferred to thesuction piece 120. - The
connection pipe 130 includes asuction hose 131 and asuction pipe 132. Ahandle 133 is interposed between thesuction hose 131 and thesuction pipe 132. Thehandle 133 is provided with a variety of buttons to enable easy manipulation. Thesuction hose 131 is a flexible wrinkled hose having a first end connected to thehandle 133 and a second end connected to thebody 110. Thesuction pipe 132 has a first end connected to thesuction piece 120 and a second end connected to thehandle 133. With this arrangement, a user is able to perform manual cleaning to remove dust and loose debris from the floor while moving freely in a standing posture. - The
body 110 contains a blowingdevice 111 to provide a suction force required to vacuum dust and loose debris during manual cleaning, and adust collector 112 to store dust and debris vacuumed. Thedust collector 112 may be a dust envelope, or cyclone dust collector that is widely used. Although not shown, the blowingdevice 111 includes a suction motor, and a fan to be rotated by the suction motor. - In particular, the
cleaner 100 in accordance with the invention is designed to serve as a docking station for charging therechargeable battery 60 mounted in thecleaning robot 10 that performs automatic cleaning. Accordingly, there is no need for a separate docking station for thecleaning robot 10 that performs automatic cleaning. This prevents an increase in the number of cleaning devices,. The invention reduces costs and the space needed to store and operate the cleaning devices. - To serve as a docking station, the
body 110 of therobot cleaning system 100 in accordance with the invention is configured to have a space S, which is utilized to house thecleaning robot 10 when thecleaning robot 10 returns to therobot cleaning system 100 for the sake of charging. Also, thebody 110 contains acharger 140 to charge therechargeable battery 60 of thecleaning robot 10. Thebody 110 may have an internal shape selected from among a variety of shapes suitable to receive thecleaning robot 10. In one embodiment, thebody 110 may have a protrudingportion 113 that protrudes forward by a predetermined length to define the receiving space S therebelow. - The
charger 140 has apower terminal 141 provided at an outer surface of thebody 110. Thelower terminal 41 is positioned to be connected to the chargingterminal 61 of the cleaningrobot 10 when the cleaningrobot 10 returns to the cleaner 100. Specifically, thepower terminal 141 may be located at alower surface 113a of the protrudingportion 113. - The
power terminal 141 is connected to apower cord 150 via an internal transformer and power cable, such that it supplies power to therechargeable battery 60 as it is connected to the chargingterminal 61 of the cleaningrobot 10. Thepower cord 150 is connected to an external commercial alternator when the cleaner 100 serves to charge the cleaningrobot 10,. - Hereinafter, the operation of the cleaning robot and cleaner associated with the subject of the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In an initial state, the
power cord 150 of the cleaner 100 is connected to the external commercial alternator. Also, the cleaningrobot 10 is received in the receiving space S that is defined below the protrudingportion 113 of thebody 110 of the cleaner 100, such that the chargingterminal 61 is in a waiting state while being connected to thepower terminal 141 of the cleaner 100. Then, if a signal for directing a cleaning operation is transmitted to the cleaningrobot 10, the cleaningrobot 10 acts to remove dust and loose debris from the floor while moving by itself in an area to be cleaned. - During the automatic cleaning, the battery
charge level detector 70 of the cleaningrobot 10 checks therechargeable battery 60 periodically, so as to send a charge request signal to thecontroller 50 when therechargeable battery 60 needs to be charged. If the charge request signal is transmitted to thecontroller 50, thecontroller 50 controls thedrive device 40 to cause the cleaningrobot 10 to return to the receiving space S of the cleaner 100. In this case, the recognizer (not shown) acts to collect a variety of information and to send the information to thecontroller 50, in order to guide the cleaningrobot 10 to a predetermined position. After thecleaning robot 10 returns to the receiving space S, the chargingterminal 61 of the cleaningrobot 10 is connected to thepower terminal 141 that is connected to an external power source via thepower cord 150. Thereby, the external power source supplies electric power to charge therechargeable battery 60 of the cleaningrobot 10. - Meanwhile, to perform manual cleaning, after the cleaning
robot 10 is separated from the cleaner 100, the cleaner 100 is moved and steered by a user to remove dust and loose debris from the floor through thesuction piece 120. - As apparent from the above description, the invention provides a cleaner having both a general cleaning function and a cleaning robot charging function. Such a dual function cleaner has the effect of improving effectiveness of both automatic and manual cleaning devices thereof. Accordingly, as compared to the conventional case wherein a plurality of devices required to perform both automatic cleaning and manual cleaning must be prepared, a reduced economic burden and improved space utility can be accomplished.
- Although an embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
Claims (10)
- A robot cleaning system, comprising:a cleaner that performs manual cleaning while being moved by a user in an area to be cleaned; anda charger to be connected to a cleaning robot that performs automatic cleaning, so as to charge a rechargeable battery mounted in the cleaning robot.
- The robot cleaning system according to claim 1, further comprising:a body having a space for receiving the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot returns to the cleaner for charging,wherein the charger includes a power terminal provided at an outer surface of the body to be connected to the cleaning robot.
- The robot cleaning system according to claim 2, wherein the body has a protruding portion, which protrudes forward to define the cleaning robot receiving space therebelow.
- The robot cleaning system according to claim 3, wherein the power terminal is located at a lower surface of the protruding portion.
- A cleaner configured to perform manual cleaning while being moved by a user in an area to be cleaned, comprising:a body having a receiving space receiving a cleaning robot that performs automatic cleaning, the body including a power terminal mounted at a surface of the body defining the receiving space to supply electric power to the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot is located in the receiving space.
- The cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the body further comprises:a protruding portion, which protrudes forward from an upper end of the body by a predetermined length to define the receiving space therebelow.
- The cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the power terminal is located at a lower surface of the protruding portion.
- The robot cleaning system according to claim 2, wherein the body of the cleaning robot is coupled to the cleaner to perform manual cleaning and automatic cleaning simultaneously.
- The cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning robot further comprises:a battery charge level detector detecting a charge level of a rechargeable battery and transmitting a charge request signal; anda controller receiving the charge request signal indicating a charge level of the rechargeable battery.
- The cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the controller controls a drive device to drive the cleaning robot to the receiving space when the transmitted charge request signal indicates that the charge level is insufficient.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020060001920A KR20070074145A (en) | 2006-01-06 | 2006-01-06 | Cleaner |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1806085A2 true EP1806085A2 (en) | 2007-07-11 |
EP1806085A3 EP1806085A3 (en) | 2008-07-23 |
Family
ID=37564446
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06121185A Pending EP1806085A3 (en) | 2006-01-06 | 2006-09-25 | Robot cleaning system |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070157416A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1806085A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2007181660A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20070074145A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1994214A (en) |
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CN102613944A (en) * | 2012-03-27 | 2012-08-01 | 复旦大学 | Dirt recognizing system of cleaning robot and cleaning method |
EP2596733A1 (en) * | 2011-11-22 | 2013-05-29 | Nilfisk-Advance A/S | Combined primary and secondary units |
EP2898808A1 (en) * | 2014-01-24 | 2015-07-29 | Hoover Limited | Canister vacuum cleaner |
US10886763B1 (en) | 2019-12-10 | 2021-01-05 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Charging device |
CN114224233A (en) * | 2021-12-28 | 2022-03-25 | 吴宜 | Combined floor mopping robot for laboratory |
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US20090044370A1 (en) * | 2006-05-19 | 2009-02-19 | Irobot Corporation | Removing debris from cleaning robots |
KR101330734B1 (en) * | 2007-08-24 | 2013-11-20 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Robot cleaner system having robot cleaner and docking station |
GB2469049B (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2013-04-17 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaning appliance with steering mechanism |
KR101483541B1 (en) * | 2010-07-15 | 2015-01-19 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Autonomous cleaning device, maintenance station and cleaning system having them |
TWM412591U (en) * | 2011-03-23 | 2011-09-21 | Micro Star Int Co Ltd | Electrodes storage structure for cleaning robot |
EP2762050B1 (en) * | 2011-09-29 | 2019-10-02 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Cleaning robot |
CN103371770B (en) * | 2012-04-12 | 2017-06-23 | 中弘智能高科技(深圳)有限公司 | From walking and hand-held tow-purpose formula dust catcher |
CN103536246B (en) * | 2012-07-12 | 2016-08-03 | 科沃斯机器人有限公司 | Vacuum cleaner |
US9178370B2 (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2015-11-03 | Irobot Corporation | Coverage robot docking station |
CN105011866A (en) * | 2014-04-14 | 2015-11-04 | 江苏美的清洁电器股份有限公司 | Sweeping robot |
CN104731098A (en) * | 2015-02-09 | 2015-06-24 | 南京光锥信息科技有限公司 | Three-dimensional imaging system based cleaning robot capable of automatic return charging |
KR101684072B1 (en) | 2015-03-06 | 2016-12-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Vacuum cleaner and method for controlling the same |
TWI653960B (en) * | 2015-08-31 | 2019-03-21 | Lg電子股份有限公司 | Cleaning robot |
JP6820729B2 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2021-01-27 | 東芝ライフスタイル株式会社 | Electric cleaning device |
US11794141B2 (en) * | 2021-01-25 | 2023-10-24 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Multiuse home station |
JP6910864B2 (en) * | 2017-06-22 | 2021-07-28 | 東芝ライフスタイル株式会社 | Electric cleaning device |
JP6933924B2 (en) * | 2017-06-23 | 2021-09-08 | 東芝ライフスタイル株式会社 | Electric cleaning device |
US11122945B2 (en) * | 2017-12-04 | 2021-09-21 | Transform Sr Brands Llc | Two-in-one upright vacuum |
KR102620360B1 (en) * | 2018-12-14 | 2024-01-04 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Robot cleaner, station and cleaning system |
KR20200073966A (en) | 2018-12-14 | 2020-06-24 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Cleaning device having vacuum cleaner and docking station |
CN111350383A (en) * | 2018-12-21 | 2020-06-30 | 宝时得科技(中国)有限公司 | Cleaning robot |
KR20210000397A (en) * | 2019-06-25 | 2021-01-05 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Robot cleaner, station and cleaning system |
KR20210003543A (en) * | 2019-07-02 | 2021-01-12 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Robot cleaner station |
CN110448242B (en) * | 2019-07-23 | 2024-04-02 | 美智纵横科技有限责任公司 | Intelligent electric appliance and electric appliance combination |
US11445881B2 (en) | 2020-04-22 | 2022-09-20 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Robotic vacuum cleaner and docking station for a robotic vacuum cleaner |
Citations (1)
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ES2238196A1 (en) | 2005-03-07 | 2005-08-16 | Electrodomesticos Taurus, S.L. | Base station for robot vacuum cleaner, has distributor connected with removable vacuum hose, and input air filters connected with traveling unit, suction unit and shutter, where removable vacuum hose is fixed on ends of shutter |
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JP3986310B2 (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2007-10-03 | シャープ株式会社 | Parent-child type vacuum cleaner |
JP2003304992A (en) * | 2002-04-17 | 2003-10-28 | Hitachi Ltd | Self-running type vacuum cleaner |
KR100468107B1 (en) * | 2002-10-31 | 2005-01-26 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Robot cleaner system having external charging apparatus and method for docking with the same apparatus |
US7568259B2 (en) * | 2005-12-13 | 2009-08-04 | Jason Yan | Robotic floor cleaner |
-
2006
- 2006-01-06 KR KR1020060001920A patent/KR20070074145A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2006-09-25 EP EP06121185A patent/EP1806085A3/en active Pending
- 2006-09-27 US US11/527,548 patent/US20070157416A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-10-11 CN CNA2006101423738A patent/CN1994214A/en active Pending
- 2006-10-30 JP JP2006294748A patent/JP2007181660A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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ES2238196A1 (en) | 2005-03-07 | 2005-08-16 | Electrodomesticos Taurus, S.L. | Base station for robot vacuum cleaner, has distributor connected with removable vacuum hose, and input air filters connected with traveling unit, suction unit and shutter, where removable vacuum hose is fixed on ends of shutter |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2596733A1 (en) * | 2011-11-22 | 2013-05-29 | Nilfisk-Advance A/S | Combined primary and secondary units |
US9000715B2 (en) | 2011-11-22 | 2015-04-07 | Nilfisk-Advance A/S | Combined primary and secondary units |
CN102613944A (en) * | 2012-03-27 | 2012-08-01 | 复旦大学 | Dirt recognizing system of cleaning robot and cleaning method |
EP2898808A1 (en) * | 2014-01-24 | 2015-07-29 | Hoover Limited | Canister vacuum cleaner |
US10886763B1 (en) | 2019-12-10 | 2021-01-05 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Charging device |
WO2021117976A1 (en) * | 2019-12-10 | 2021-06-17 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Charging device |
US11502523B2 (en) | 2019-12-10 | 2022-11-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Charging device |
CN114224233A (en) * | 2021-12-28 | 2022-03-25 | 吴宜 | Combined floor mopping robot for laboratory |
CN114224233B (en) * | 2021-12-28 | 2022-10-14 | 吴宜 | Combined floor mopping robot for laboratory |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1994214A (en) | 2007-07-11 |
US20070157416A1 (en) | 2007-07-12 |
KR20070074145A (en) | 2007-07-12 |
EP1806085A3 (en) | 2008-07-23 |
JP2007181660A (en) | 2007-07-19 |
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