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 detecting 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:
The present invention discloses a system for automatically exchanging cleaning tools of a robot cleaner and a method therefor. The system for automatically exchanging the cleaning tools of the robot cleaner includes the robot cleaner for deciding whether a currently-mounted first cleaning tool is suitable for a bottom state of a cleaning area, and returning to and being docked on an exchange unit when the first cleaning tool is not suitable for the bottom state, and the exchange unit for exchanging the first cleaning tool currently mounted on the robot cleaner with a second cleaning tool suitable for the bottom state when the robot cleaner is docked.
Abstract:
A docking system (1) which essentially comprises at least one docking station (2) for at least one self-propelled working tool (3), and includes the working tool (3) itself, preferably intended for attendance of ground or floor, such as grass-cutting, moss-scratching, watering, vacuum-cleaning, polishing etc. The docking station and the tool can by way of emitted signals establish contact with each other, so that the tool can drive up to the docking station, and the docking station is provided with at least one first transmission part (5, 6; 5', 6') for transmission of energy and/or information between the docking station and the working tool, which is provided with at least one co-operating second transmission part (7, 8). The docking station is designed as a base plate (9), intended to be placed on ground or floor, and provided with at least one rising part (10, 11, 12, 13), of which at least one part is used for mounting of the transmission part(s), and the docking station is so adapted that the tool with any part, such as wheel(s) (15), or body (16), can drive up on the docking station.