Abstract:
A horizontally vibrating brush for an automated robotic vacuum to agitate carpet fibers and like materials in a horizontal rather than vertical plane to loosen debris during vacuuming without causing debris to become more deeply embedded.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/990,051, filed May 7, 2014 by the present inventor. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to automated robotic vacuums. More particularly, the present invention relates to the movement of a brush of an automated robotic vacuum. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patent Documents 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Patent Number 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 2,558,496 
                 A 
                 Jun. 26, 1951 
                 Gen Motors Corp 
               
               
                 3,813,726 
                 A 
                 Jun. 4, 1974 
                 Cons Foods Corp 
               
               
                 7,657,967 
                 B2 
                 Feb. 9, 2010 
                 Lg Electronics Inc. 
               
               
                 6,148,475 
                 A 
                 Nov. 21, 2000 
                 The Scott Fetzer Company 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0004]    Many efforts have been made to improve the effectiveness of robotic vacuum cleaners. Usually, automated robotic vacuum cleaners do not collect every debris particle in an area in a single pass. One method of dealing with this issue is having the robot cover all areas multiple times. This solution, however, requires expending more time and energy to get the job done. Additionally, this solution does not help retrieve stuck particles, but only cleans particles located freely on top of surfaces. 
         [0005]    Other solutions involve using varied types of agitation systems to remove or loosen dirt particles from the flooring. Striking the work surface is one method of agitation, however this method can also cause some particles to become more deeply embedded in the material. 
         [0006]    A need exists for a method for automated robotic vacuums to more thoroughly vacuum surfaces that does not lengthen the cleaning time or require significant extra energy. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is a goal of the present invention to provide a method for an automated robotic vacuum to more thoroughly clean work surfaces without extending cleaning time or expending a significant amount of additional energy. 
         [0008]    It is a goal of the present invention to provide a solution that does not cause debris particles to become further embedded in work surfaces. 
         [0009]    The aforementioned goals are achieved through a horizontally vibrating brush in an automated robotic vacuum. Horizontal movements that agitate carpet or rug piles help loosen and free trapped debris without forcing the debris further downward. Horizontal movements could be added to the functionality of a robotic vacuum&#39;s main rotating brush, or could be added through a separate horizontally moving brush dedicated to that function. In systems with floor-sensing capabilities, the vibrating function can be automatically activated and deactivated as necessary based on the flooring type. The vibrating function could also be activated manually by a user. In one embodiment, a separate vibrating brush is retractable so that it can be applied when necessary and moved out of the way when not needed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  shows an overhead view of the underside of an automated robotic vacuum provided with the provisioned system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  shows the internal components of the provisioned vibrating brush. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The present invention provides a method for improving the cleaning efficiency of automated robotic vacuums on rugs and carpets. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1A  shows the underside of an automated robotic vacuum  100  equipped with the described system. The main brush  101  rotates to loosen and pick up debris from the floor. According to the present invention, a horizontal vibrating mechanism is added to the rotational movement of the main brush to improve the system&#39;s ability to loosen debris from fibers.  FIG. 1B  shows the vibrator assembly that is housed within the device  100 . A vibrating electric motor  102  provides vibrations to an agitating spring  103 , which connects to an agitating bar  104  through a mount  105 . The agitating bar delivers the movements to the main brush  101  through rubber mounts  106 . The main brush operates normally, rotating during operation, and the agitation assembly provides additional vibration functionality. Vibrations could be activated either manually when desired by the user or automatically as determined necessary by sensors. For example, a robot capable of sensing flooring types could activate the vibrations when working on carpet or rugs and deactivate the system when working on hard, non-fibrous surfaces to save energy. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , vibrations are delivered through a separate brush  207  alongside the main brush. The cleaning robot  200  has a rotating main brush  201  and an additional vibrating brush  207  that provides vibrations in a plane horizontal to the work surface. In some embodiments, the vibrating brush  207  is vertically fixed. In some embodiments, the vibrating brush is retractable so that it can be engaged when activated and retracted when deactivated. The vibrating brush uses the same mechanism as described previously to produce vibrations. A vibrating electric motor  202  provides vibrations to an agitating spring  203 , which connects to an agitating bar  204  through a mount  205 . The agitating bar delivers the movements to the vibrating brush  207  through rubber mounts  206 . 
         [0016]    Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and “with” as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively and are not limited to any physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodiments disclosed in the subject application are not to be taken as the only possible embodiments.