Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein selbstfahrendes Bodenreinigungsgerät mit einem manuell gesteuerten oder programmgesteuerten, einen Bearbeitungsweg (2) über eine zu reinigende Oberfläche abfahrenden ersten Reinigungsfahrzeug (1), mit einer ersten Reinigungseinrichtung (3) zur Durchführung eines Trockenreinigungsschrittes. Es ist ein zweites Reinigungsfahrzeug (11) mit einer zweiten Reinigungseinrichtung zur Durchführung eines Feuchtreinigungsschrittes vorgesehen, wobei das zweite Reinigungsfahrzeug (11) derart an das erste Reinigungsfahrzeug (1) gekoppelt ist, dass das zweite Reinigungsfahrzeug (11) dem ersten Reinigungsfahrzeug (1) auf dessen Bearbeitungsweg (2) folgt. Das zweite Reinigungsfahrzeug (11) kann über eine lösbare mechanische Kopplung mit dem ersten Reinigungsfahrzeug (1) verbunden sein. Es kann aber auch nur über eine Datenübertragungsstrecke (10) mit dem ersten Reinigungsfahrzeug in Wirkverbindung stehen.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a cleaning apparatus for cleaning floors and/or surfaces, comprising a container (1, 1', 1", 1"') for holding a cleaning fluid (2), a discharge device (3, 3', 3", 3"') for discharging the cleaning fluid (2) onto a floor and/or surface to be cleaned, and a heating device (4, 4', 4", 4"') for heating and/or tempering and/or evaporating the cleaning fluid (2). In the light of the object of designing and developing a cleaning apparatus of the initially mentioned type such that it can easily be supplied with energy for heating and/or tempering and/or evaporating the cleaning fluid, the apparatus is characterized in that it can be operated cordlessly.
Abstract:
A robotic system comprising a mobile robot including a body housing a rechargeable power source and first electrical contact means disposed on the body and a docking station including second electrical contact means, wherein the mobile robot is dockable on the docking station in order to charge the rechargeable power source. The first electrical contact means includes at least one electrical contact aligned on a first contact axis and the second electrical contact means includes at least one elongate contact, wherein when the robot is docked on the docking station such that electrical contact is established between the first electrical contact means and the electrical contact means. The at least one elongate contact extends in a direction that is transverse to the first contact axis which permits electrical contact to be established between the robot and the docking station whilst accommodating a degree of lateral and angular misalignment therebetween.
Abstract:
A cleaning robot system (5) includes a robot (10) and a robot maintenance station (100,1100,1200,1300,1400). The robot (10) includes a chassis (31), a drive system (45) configured to maneuver the robot (10) as directed by a controller (49), and a cleaning assembly (43) including a cleaning assembly housing (40) and a driven cleaning roller (60,65). The robot maintenance station (100,1100,1200,1300,1400) includes a station housing (120) and a docking platform (122) configured to support the robot (10) when docked. A mechanical agitator (510,520) engages the roller (60,65) of the robot (10) with the robot (10) docked. The agitator (510,520) includes an agitator comb (511) having multiple teeth (512) configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller (60,65) as the agitator comb (511) and roller (60,65) are moved relative to one another.; The robot maintenance station (100,1100,1200,1300,1400) includes a collection bin (150) arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator (510,520).
Abstract:
A method of charging a battery of a device (40), the method comprising the steps of: providing a non-charging energy to charging terminals (16) of a charger (10); detecting a presence of a robotic device (40) docked with the charger (10) by recognizing a load formed by a circuit in the charger (10) combined with a complementary circuit in the robotic device (40); and increasing energy to the charging terminals (16) to a charging current to charge the battery.
Abstract:
A charging device of a robot cleaner is provided. The charging device of a robot cleaner according to the embodiment includes at least one cover forming an appearance of the charging device, a base which is coupled with the cover and includes a terminal unit for charging the robot cleaner, an induction signal generating unit disposed at a side of the cover or the base to transmit a return induction signal to the robot cleaner, and an induction signal guide member disposed at a side of the induction signal generating unit to enhance a docking performance of the robot cleaner by improving linearity of the induction signal. The charging device according to the embodiment can guide the path for the return of the robot cleaner and recharge the robot cleaner stably.
Abstract:
A cleaning robot system (5) includes a robot (10) and a robot maintenance station (100,1100,1200,1300,1400). The robot (10) includes a chassis (31), a drive system (45) configured to maneuver the robot (10) as directed by a controller (49), and a cleaning assembly (43) including a cleaning assembly housing (40) and a driven cleaning roller (60,65). The robot maintenance station (100,1100,1200,1300,1400) includes a station housing (120) and a docking platform (122) configured to support the robot (10) when docked. A mechanical agitator (510,520) engages the roller (60,65) of the robot (10) with the robot (10) docked. The agitator (510,520) includes an agitator comb (511) having multiple teeth (512) configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller (60,65) as the agitator comb (511) and roller (60,65) are moved relative to one another.; The robot maintenance station (100,1100,1200,1300,1400) includes a collection bin (150) arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator (510,520).
Abstract:
A method of docking a robotic device with a base station includes the steps of detesting a low energy level in an on-board battery, orienting the robot in relation to a detected overlap between two infrared beams emitted by the station, detecting contact between the charging terminals on the robot and on the base station, charging the on-board battery and resuming a robot's task, such as vacuuming. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robot device to accurately dock with the base station.
Abstract:
A docking station 20 and a robot 22 for docking therein, include corresponding transmission parts. These transmission parts are for the transmission of energy, such as electricity, for recharging the robot, and/or signals, for operating the robot, the energy and/or signals passing between the docking station and the robot. In examples described, the transmission parts may include a magnetic contact so that the transmission parts are magnetically attracted to each other.