Abstract:
A coverage robot docking station (200) includes a base (210) having a robot receiving surface (250). The base defines a power receptacle (212) for receiving a power supply (12). The base also defines a beacon receptacle (214) for receiving a beacon (14). A side wall (230) extends from the base, where the side wail and the receiving surface of the base define a robot holder (232), At least one charging contact (252) is disposed on the robot receiving surface for charging a received robot.
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 the floor and/or surface, and a heating system (4, 4', 4", 4"') for heating and/or tempering and/or evaporating the cleaning fluid (2). In order to easily supply the cleaning apparatus with energy for heating and/or tempering and/or evaporating the cleaning fluid, the apparatus can be operated cordlessly.
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:
Bodenbehandlungssystem (10), umfassend eine mobile Bodenbehandlungsvorrichtung (14) und eine Andockstation (12) für diese, wobei der Bodenbehandlungsvorrichtung (14) von der Andockstation (12) eine verbrauchbare Komponente zuführbar ist und/oder ein Signal zwischen der Andockstation (12) und der Bodenbehandlungsvorrichtung (14) übertragbar ist; wobei die Bodenbehandlungsvorrichtung (14) und die Andockstation (12) jeweils mindestens ein Anschlusselement (22, 28, 36, 126, 142, 150) aufweisen, und korrespondierende Anschlusselemente (22, 28, 36, 126, 142, 150) der Andockstation (12) und der Bodenbehandlungsvorrichtung (14) in einer Andockstellung derselben miteinander koppeln. Um das Andocken der Bodenbehandlungsvorrichtung (14) an die Andockstation (12) zu erleichtern, umfasst das Bodenbehandlungssystem (10) mindestens eine Anschlusseinheit (50) an der Andockstation (12) und/oder an der Bodenbehandlungsvorrichtung (14), die deren mindestens ein Anschlusselement (22, 28, 36) aufweist, und die positionsveränderlich an der Andockstation (12) oder an der Bodenbehandlungsvorrichtung (14) gehalten ist.