Mopping extension for a robotic vacuum

A mopping extension attachable to a robotic vacuum. The mopping extension comprising, at minimum, a frame, a cloth, and a mechanism to secure the frame to the body of the robotic vacuum. The mopping extension may be installed in a dedicated compartment within the robotic vacuum body such that the cloth is dragged along the work surface as the robotic vacuum travels through the work area. In some embodiments, the mopping extension further comprises a means to automatically dampen the cloth to further improve cleaning efficiency. In some embodiments, the mopping extension further comprises means to move the mopping extension back and forth during operation to further improve cleaning efficiency. In some embodiments, the mopping extension further comprises a means to disengage and engage the mopping extension as the robotic vacuum is working.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to automated robotic devices. More particularly, this invention relates to robotic floor cleaning devices.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

U.S. Patent Documents

More efficient methods for cleaning are continuously sought after to meet consumer demands. This can be seen in robotic floor cleaning devices through software changes, such as improved navigation systems and hardware changes including stronger and more energy efficient motors, improved brush designs, improved debris storage containers, etc. Robotic floor cleaning devices also generally specialize in different functions, such as mopping, vacuuming, or polishing.

In prior art, separate robotic devices for vacuuming and mopping floors were introduced individually. Each of these apparatuses has only one function (mopping or vacuuming), which means that in order to thoroughly clean a work surface, a user would need to have a combination of devices and run them one after the other. This practice has a relatively high cost of ownership, high level of maintenance required, and long time to completion of a given workspace. A need exists for a method to provide vacuuming and mopping functions in a single robotic device.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is a goal of the present invention to provide both mopping functionality and vacuuming functionality in a single robotic floor cleaning device.

It is a goal of the present invention to provide a comprehensive autonomous floor-cleaning method that is less expensive than currently available robotic systems.

It is a goal of the present invention to increase the cleaning effectiveness of a vacuuming robot.

It is a goal of the present invention to eliminate the need for multiple floor-cleaning robots to thoroughly clean an area.

It is a goal of the present invention to minimize the amount user maintenance required in using robotic systems to clean floors.

It is a goal of the present invention to provide a solution that minimizes the amount of time required to complete a comprehensive floor-cleaning job.

The present invention achieves the aforementioned objectives through a removable mopping extension that can be attached to an automated robotic vacuum to expand the vacuum's functionalities. With the extension, the device mops surfaces concurrently while vacuuming, increasing cleaning efficiency.

A mopping extension may be installed in a dedicated compartment in the chassis of an automated robotic vacuum. A cloth positioned on the mopping extension is dragged along the work surface as the automated robotic vacuum drives through the area. In some embodiments, nozzles direct fluid from a cleaning fluid reservoir to the mopping cloth. The dampened mopping cloth may further improve cleaning efficiency. In some embodiments, the mopping extension further comprises a means for moving back and forth in a horizontal plane parallel to the work surface during operation. In some embodiments, the mopping extension further comprises a means for moving up and down in a vertical plane perpendicular to the work surface to engage or disengage the mopping extension.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a mopping extension unit for an automated robotic vacuum to enable the device to simultaneously vacuum and mop work surfaces. The provisioned mopping extension would improve the cleaning effectiveness of a robotic vacuum and eliminates the need for a dedicated mopping robot to run after a dedicated vacuuming robot.

A detachable mopping extension that may be installed inside a dedicated compartment with the chassis of a robotic floor cleaning device is provisioned. Referring toFIG. 1, an overhead view of the underside of a detachable mopping extension100is illustrated. The mopping extension may be attached to the chassis of a robotic floor cleaning device (not shown). The mopping extension is comprised of a frame101that supports a removable mopping cloth102and a latch103to secure and release the mopping extension to and from the robotic floor cleaning device.

Referring toFIG. 2, the internal components of the mopping extension200are illustrated. The frame201supports the mop components. As mentioned previously, a latch203secures the mopping extension to the chassis of the robotic device and may be released to detach the mopping extension. In some embodiments, the mopping extension further comprises a refillable fluid reservoir204that stores cleaning fluid to be dispersed by nozzles205onto the mopping cloth202. In some embodiments, the nozzles continuously deliver a constant amount of cleaning fluid to the mopping cloth. In some embodiments, the nozzles periodically deliver predetermined quantities of cleaning fluid to the cloth.

Referring toFIG. 3, in some embodiments, the mopping extension300further comprises a set of ultrasonic oscillators306that vaporize fluid from the reservoir304before it is delivered through the nozzles305to the mopping cloth302. Metal electrodes307provide power from a main battery (not shown) of the robotic device to the ultrasonic oscillators. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic oscillators vaporize fluid continuously at a low rate to continuously deliver vapor to the mopping cloth. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic oscillators turn on at predetermined intervals to deliver vapor periodically to the mopping cloth.

In some embodiments, the mopping extension further comprises a means to vibrate the mopping extension during operation. Referring toFIG. 4A, a mopping extension400with eccentric rotating mass vibration motors408is illustrated. Referring toFIG. 4B, a close up perspective view of an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor408is illustrated. Eccentric rotating mass vibration motors rely on the rotation of an unbalanced counterweight409to provide vibrations to the mopping extension.

Referring toFIG. 5, a corresponding robotic vacuum to which the mopping extension may be attached is illustrated. The mopping extension500fits into a compartment510on the underside of the robotic vacuum511such that as the robotic vacuum drives, the mopping extension may be caused to make contact with the work surface.

In some embodiments, the mopping extension further comprises a means to move the mopping extension back and forth in a horizontal plane parallel to the work surface during operation. Referring toFIG. 6, a side elevation view of a robotic vacuum with a mechanism for moving the mopping extension back and forth is illustrated. An electric motor612positioned inside the chassis of the robotic vacuum611transfers movements to the mopping extension600through a rod613to tabs614on the mopping extension.

In some embodiments, the mopping extension further comprises a means to engage and disengage the mopping extension during operation by moving the mopping extension up and down in a vertical plane perpendicular to the work surface. In some embodiments, engagement and disengagement may be manually controlled by a user. In some embodiments, engagement and disengagement may be controlled automatically based on sensory input. Referring toFIG. 7A, a side view of a robotic vacuum711with a means for engaging and disengaging the mopping extension700is illustrated. (The mopping extension is shown not attached to the robotic vacuum in this example to more clearly show details; another example in which the mopping extension is attached will be provided later.) An electric servomotor715positioned within the chassis of the robotic vacuum pushes forward and pulls back wedges716that raise and lower springs717to which the mopping extension700may be attached. When the wedges are pulled back, as shown inFIG. 7A, the mopping extension, when attached, will be engaged. Referring toFIG. 7B, when the wedges716are pushed forward in a direction718by the electric servomotor715, the springs717are raised and the mopping extension700is disengaged.

Referring toFIG. 8AandFIG. 8B, an alternate method for engaging and disengaging the mopping extension is illustrated. An oval wheel819positioned in the chassis of the robotic vacuum811is turned by an electric motor820, which causes the wheel to push down a plate821. When the wheel is not pushing the plate down, springs817are not pushed down and the mopping extension800is not engaged. Referring toFIG. 8B, when the wheel819is pushing down the plate821, the springs817are pushed down which lowers the mopping extension800, engaging it.

Referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, a robotic vacuum911with a mopping extension900attached is illustrated. InFIG. 9A, the springs917are not lowered and the mopping extension900is in a disengaged position, where the mopping extension cannot make contact with the work surface922. Referring toFIG. 9B, the springs917are lowered and the mopping extension900is in an engaged position, such that the mopping extension makes contact with the work surface922.