Patent Description:
With the improvement of the power tool, lawn mowers, sweepers and polishing machines have become more and more widely used.

Mowers are mainly used in the field of cutting grass. Sweepers are used in public places such as roads. The polishing machine is suitable for grinding, polishing and waxing in various places.

However, the mower is not always in use because it takes time for the grass to grow. The cleaning and polishing task are also periodic or random, and those tasks are all simple and boring. The customers have to purchase multiple power tools for different tasks, such as sweepers and polishing machines. Multiple power tools can cause high maintenance costs and take up space to store.

<CIT> discloses A working device that can move self-sufficiently over terrain, which carries task-specific tools. The tools are allocated to different working modules. The working modules can be a watering tool, a cutting tool, a mowing tool, a sweeping tool, a fertilizer distributing tool or a soil treating tool.

<CIT> discloses a self-propelled work device, comprising at least one motor-driven operating portion. The operating portion can rotate independently relative to the movement means about an axis of oscillation positioned perpendicularly to the axis of rotation.

<CIT> discloses a device appliance that can perform tasks including, but are not limited to, mowing, vacuuming, scrubbing, waxing, and polishing. The user may control, through the World Wide Web, what tasks are performed where and when.

<CIT> discloses a robot polisher that has, in a box-shaped body part having a round, right and left batteries, right and left wheel motor), and a pair of right and left wheels. A pair of right and left brushes are downwardly attached, which rotate in directions opposite to each other during traveling while being in sliding contact with a floor surface.

It is necessary to provide a multifunctional robotic device to solve the mentioned problems.

The object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional robotic device with a mowing, sweeping and polishing function.

A multifunctional robotic device comprises a body, an energy unit installed in the body, a power unit powered by the energy unit, the power unit comprising an output shaft, and at least two working units, wherein the output shaft is located at the lower part of the body and exposed downwardly from the body, and the at least two working units are interchangeably mountable to the exposed output shaft of the power unit on the robotic device, which, output shaft is drivable by the power unit, wherein the at least two working units are comprised in the group consisting of a mowing unit and at least one of a sweeping unit or a polishing unit, wherein the mowing unit is interchangeable with the sweeping unit or the polishing unit to realize the corresponding functions,.

According to another example embodiment, the sweeping unit comprises a first sweeping assembly, and the first sweeping assembly comprises a cutting plate shared with the mowing unit and at least two first sweeping brushes mounted on the cutting plate, the size of the first sweeping brush is smaller than that of the cutting plate, only the cutting blade and the first sweeping brushes being replaced with each other when switching between the mowing state and the sweeping state.

According to another example embodiment, the sweeping unit comprises a second sweeping assembly, the second sweeping assembly comprises a second sweeping brush connected to the output shaft, and the size of the second sweeping brush is at least as large than that of the cutting plate, the cutting blade and the second sweeping brush being replaced with each other when switching between the mowing state and the sweeping state.

According to another example embodiment, the sweeping unit comprises a third sweeping assembly, the third sweeping assembly comprises a transmission unit and a plurality of third sweeping brushes, and the transmission unit comprises a housing, a main gear located in the housing and connected to the output shaft, and a plurality of drive gears located on opposite sides of the main gear and meshing with the main gear, the third sweeping brushes being coaxially arranged with the drive gears and driven by the drive gears.

According to another example embodiment, the multifunctional robotic device further comprises a dust collecting device, and when the number of the third sweeping brushes is an even number, the dust collecting port of the dust collecting device is located between the third sweeping brushes on opposite sides, the third sweeping brushes on opposite sides rotate in opposite directions.

According to another example embodiment, the sweeping unit comprises a first sweeping assembly, a second sweeping assembly, and a third sweeping assembly, and the three sweeping assemblies have different numbers of sweeping brushes.

According to another example embodiment, the polishing unit comprises a first polishing assembly, and the first polishing assembly comprises a cutting plate shared with the mowing unit and at least two first polishing pads mounted on the cutting plate, the size of the first polishing pads is smaller than that of the cutting plate, only the cutting blade and the first polishing pads being replaced with each other when switching between the mowing state and the polishing state.

According to another example embodiment, the polishing unit comprises a second polishing assembly, the second polishing assembly comprises a second polishing pad connected to the output shaft, and the size of the second polishing pad is at least as large as that of the cutting plate, only the cutting blade and the second polishing pad being replaced with each other when switching between the mowing state and the polishing state.

According to another example embodiment, the polishing unit comprises a first polishing assembly and a second polishing assembly, and the two polishing assemblies have different numbers of polishing pads.

According to another example embodiment, the multifunctional robotic device further comprises a pair of drive wheels and a driven wheel mounted on the body, and a manual control device that controls the multifunctional robotic device to turn, walk, mowing, sweeping or polishing work.

This invention is by replacing the mowing unit with a sweeping unit or a polishing unit, and it is detachably mounted on the body and driven by the output shaft, so that the multifunctional robotic device can be switched between the mowing state, the sweeping state and the polishing state, which can save cost, be easy to use and more robotic.

In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following describes the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiment.

With reference to <FIG>, an embodiment of a multifunctional robotic device is provided, the multifunctional robotic device of the present invention comprises a body <NUM>, an energy unit (not shown) installed in the body <NUM>, a power unit (not shown) powered by the energy unit, and a working unit driven by the power unit. There are multiple types of working units <NUM>, and the working units <NUM> with different functions can be detachably mounted on the robotic device. In an embodiment of the present application, the working unit <NUM> has three types of working device which can be used for cutting, sweeping, and polishing. The working unit <NUM> can be interchangeably mounted on the robotic device. The multifunctional robotic device can perform different maintenance work, which can save costs, facilitate use, and is more intelligent. It can be understood that the three functions provided in the embodiment of the present application are exemplary and should not be seen as limiting the scope of protection. The working unit <NUM> with other functions may also be within the scope of the present application. The energy unit is preferably a battery pack, which is an existing structure and will not be described herein.

The power unit is a driving motor, which comprises an output shaft (not shown) assembled with the working unit <NUM>. The output shaft is located at the lower part of the body <NUM> and exposed from the body <NUM>.

There are at least two working units <NUM>. In one embodiment of the present application, the working unit <NUM> could be one of a mowing unit <NUM>, a sweeping unit <NUM>, and a polishing unit (not shown). The sweeping unit <NUM> or the polishing unit can be detachably installed on the main body <NUM> by replacing the mowing unit <NUM> and is driven by the output shaft, so that the multifunctional robotic device can be switched between the mowing state, the sweeping state or the polishing state.

As shown in <FIG>, when the multifunctional robotic device is in a mowing state, the multifunctional robotic device comprises a body <NUM>, an energy unit, a power unit, and a mowing unit <NUM>. Specifically, the mowing unit <NUM> comprises a cutting plate <NUM> connected to the output shaft and a cutting blade <NUM> mounted on the cutting plate <NUM>. The cutting plate <NUM> is preferably disc-shaped, and three cutting blades <NUM> are arranged with the same distance to each other along the edge of the cutting plate <NUM>, and the cutting blades <NUM> can be fixed on the cutting plate <NUM> by screws.

As shown in <FIG>, when the multifunctional robotic device is switched to the sweeping state, the multifunctional robotic device comprises a body <NUM>, an energy unit, a power unit, and a sweeping unit <NUM>. Specifically, the sweeping unit <NUM> has three forms of cleaning assembly, a first sweeping assembly 22a, a second sweeping assembly 22b, and a third sweeping assembly 22c. The three sweeping assemblies have sweeping brushes with different numbers and structures, which are mainly used to perform different sweeping tasks. It can be understood that the sweeping unit of the multifunctional robotic device of the present invention is not limited to the above three types, which may comprise one or more sweeping assemblies.

Please refer to <FIG>, which show installing the first sweeping unit 22a to the power unit of robotic device. The first sweeping unit 22a comprises a cutting plate <NUM> and a first weeping brush <NUM> mounted on the cutting plate <NUM>. The first sweeping assembly 22a shares the cutting plate <NUM> with the mowing unit <NUM>. With this design, the first sweeping brush <NUM> can be directly installed on the cutting plate <NUM> without replacing any component. The number of the first sweeping brushes <NUM> is at least two and the size is smaller than the size of the cutting plate <NUM>. In <FIG>, the number of the first sweeping brushes <NUM> is three and their sizes are smaller than that of the cutting plate <NUM>, which are mainly used for sweeping small particles such as debris and little stones.

Specifically, the first sweeping brush <NUM> comprises a circular plate <NUM> and a plurality of flexible sweeping bristles <NUM> located around the circular plate <NUM>. A fixing hole (not shown) is located in the center of the circular plate <NUM>, and the first sweeping brush <NUM> can be fixed on the cutting plate <NUM> through the fixing hole via the bolt <NUM>.

When switching between the mowing state and the sweeping state, the first sweeping assembly 22a only needs to replace the cutting blade <NUM> and the first sweeping brush <NUM> with each other to realize the sweeping function. During sweeping, the rotation of the cutting plate <NUM> drives the first sweeping brush <NUM> to rotate around the axis of the driving motor, thereby sweeping the debris on the road surface to the curb. In order to enhance the universal adaptability, the bolts <NUM> and the fixing bolts of the cutting blade <NUM> are the same bolts.

<FIG> show the mowing unit <NUM> which is replaced with the second sweeping assembly 22b and installed on the power unit. The second sweeping assembly 22b comprises a second sweeping brush <NUM> connected to the output shaft. The size of the second sweeping brush <NUM> is similar as that of the cutting plate <NUM>. Because the size of the second sweeping brush <NUM> is large, it can not only sweep debris such as debris, stones, etc., but also replace snow sweeper to clean snow.

Specifically, the second sweeping brush <NUM> comprises a circular plate <NUM> and a plurality of flexible sweeping bristles <NUM> located around the circular plate <NUM>. The circular plate <NUM> is provided with an interface <NUM> connected to the output shaft of motor, through which the second sweeping brush <NUM> and the output shaft of motor can be fixed.

When switching between the mowing state and the sweeping state, it is only necessary to replace the cutting plate <NUM> and the second sweeping brush <NUM> with each other. During sweeping, the rotation of the output shaft drives the second sweeping brush <NUM> to rotate around the axis of the driving motor, thereby sweeping the debris on the road surface to the side of the road.

<FIG>, and <FIG> show the third sweeping assembly 22c which replaces the mowing unit <NUM> and is installed on the power unit. The third sweeping assembly 22c comprises a transmission unit <NUM> and a plurality of third sweeping brushes <NUM>. The transmission assembly <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM>, a main gear <NUM> located in the housing <NUM> and connected to the output shaft, and a plurality of drive gears <NUM> located on opposite sides of the main gear <NUM> and meshed with the main gear <NUM>. In other embodiment of present invention, the drive gears <NUM> can be located on one side of the main gear <NUM> and meshed with the main gear <NUM>. The main gear <NUM> is aligned in line with the drive gear <NUM>. The output shaft drives the main gear <NUM> at the middle to rotate. The main gear <NUM> drives the drive gears <NUM> on both sides to rotate in opposite directions.

Specifically, the third sweeping brushes <NUM> comprise a circular plate <NUM> and a plurality of flexible sweeping bristles <NUM> located around the circular plate <NUM>. The center part of the circular plate <NUM> is provided with a fixing hole (not shown), and the third sweeping brushes <NUM> can be fixed on the corresponding drive gear <NUM> through the fixing hole by the bolt <NUM>. The third sweeping brushes <NUM> are coaxially arranged with the drive gear <NUM> and rotates driven by the drive gear <NUM>.

When the number of the third sweeping brushes <NUM> is an even number, the third sweeping brushes <NUM> on both sides can be rotated inwardly, that is, the third sweeping brush <NUM> on one side is rotated clockwise and the third sweeping brush <NUM> on the other side is rotated anticlockwise. On this basis, the multifunctional robotic device further comprises a dust collecting device (not shown), the dust collecting device is located at the rear part of the multifunctional robotic device. The dust collecting device have a dust collecting port which is located between the third sweeping brushes <NUM> on both sides. The third sweeping brushes <NUM> on both sides are rotated in opposite directions, so that debris, stones, and other debris are concentrated between the third sweeping brushes <NUM> on both sides, which is convenient for the dust collecting port to absorb debris. In addition, when the number of the third sweeping brushes <NUM> is an odd number, the debris can be swept to the side of the road.

When the multifunctional robotic device is switched to the polishing state, the multifunctional robotic device comprises a body <NUM>, an energy unit, a power unit, and a polishing unit. Since the polishing unit (such as a common floor sanding device) is a commonly used device, it is not illustrated in this application. Specifically, the polishing unit comprises a first polishing assembly and a second polishing assembly. The two polishing assemblies have polishing pads with different numbers and structures, which are mainly used to perform different polishing tasks. It can be understood that the polishing assemblies of the multifunctional robotic device of the present invention are not limited to the above two types, and the number of the polishing assemblies may also be one or more.

When the first polishing assembly replaces the mowing unit <NUM> and is mounted to the power unit, the first polishing assembly comprises a cutting plate <NUM> and a first polishing pad mounted on the cutting plate <NUM>. The first polishing assembly shares the cutting plate <NUM> with the mowing unit <NUM>. With this design, the first polishing pad can be directly mounted on the cutting plate <NUM> without replacing the component, and the installation is convenient. The number of the first polishing pads is at least two and its size is smaller than that of the cutting plate <NUM>, which is mainly used for fine grinding and polishing. In addition, the first polishing pads are fixed to the cutting plate <NUM> by a bolt.

When switching between the mowing state and the polishing state, the first polishing assembly only needs to replace the cutting blade <NUM> and the first polishing pads with each other to realize the polishing function. During polishing, the rotation of the cutting plate <NUM> drives the first polishing pads to rotate around the axis of the driving motor, thereby achieving fine grinding and polishing.

When the second polishing assembly replaces the mowing unit <NUM> to the power unit, the second polishing assembly comprises a second polishing pad connected to the output shaft. The number of the second polishing pad is one and its size is not less than that of the cutting plate <NUM>. Since the size of the second polishing pad is large, it is mainly used for grinding with a large margin.

When switching between the mowing state and the sweeping state, it is only necessary to replace the cutting plate <NUM> and the second polishing pad with each other. During polishing, the rotation of the output shaft drives the second polishing plate to rotate around the axis of the driving motor, thereby achieving large margin grinding.

As shown in <FIG>, the multifunctional robotic device further comprises a pair of drive wheels <NUM> and a driven wheel <NUM> mounted on the body <NUM>. The driven wheel <NUM> may be a swivel caster to facilitate turning of the multifunctional robotic device. In order to make the operation of the multifunctional robotic device more diverse, it also comprises a manual control device (not shown) for controlling the drive wheels <NUM> and the driven wheel <NUM>, such as a smart phone. The manual control device is wirelessly connected with the multifunctional robotic device. For example, WIFI, Bluetooth and other methods. The manual control device can control the multifunctional robotic device to perform turning, walking, mowing, sweeping or polishing.

In summary, the present invention provides a multifunctional robotic device, which comprises a body <NUM>, an energy unit installed in the body <NUM>, a power unit powered by the energy unit, and a working unit <NUM> driven by the power unit. The working unit <NUM> could be one of mowing unit <NUM>, sweeping unit <NUM> or polishing unit. When the working unit <NUM> is a mowing unit, the robotic device is a robotic mower. When the working unit <NUM> is a sweeping unit, the robotic device is a robotic sweeper. When the working unit <NUM> is a polishing unit, the robotic device is a robotic polisher. The consumers can buy only one robotic device with multiple work units to achieve multiple functions.

Terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", etc., used to indicate spatial relative positions are described for the purpose of explaining the relationship of one feature to another as shown in the accompanying drawings. It can be understood that, according to different product placement positions, the terms of spatial relative positions may be intended to comprise different positions other than the positions shown in the drawings and should not be construed as limiting the claims. In addition, the descriptive word "horizontal" used herein is not completely equivalent to allowing a certain angle of tilt along the direction perpendicular to gravity.

Claim 1:
A multifunctional robotic device comprising:
a body (<NUM>);
an energy unit installed in the body (<NUM>);
a power unit powered by the energy unit, the power unit comprising an output shaft, and at least two working units (<NUM>) wherein the output shaft is located at the lower part of the body (<NUM>) and exposed downwardly from the body (<NUM>) and the at least two working units (<NUM>) are interchangeably mountable to the exposed output shaft of the power unit on the robotic device, which output shaft is drivable by the power unit,
characterized in that
the at least two working units (<NUM>) are comprised in the group consisting of a mowing unit (<NUM>) and at least one of a sweeping unit (<NUM>) or a polishing unit, wherein the mowing unit (<NUM>) is interchangeable with the sweeping unit (<NUM>) or the polishing unit to realize the corresponding functions,
the mowing unit (<NUM>) comprises a cutting plate (<NUM>) connected to the output shaft and a cutting blade (<NUM>) mounted on the cutting plate (<NUM>),
the sweeping unit (<NUM>) comprises a first sweeping assembly (22a), and the first sweeping assembly (22a) comprises the cutting plate (<NUM>) shared with the mowing unit (<NUM>) and at least two first sweeping brushes (<NUM>) mounted on the cutting plate (<NUM>), and
the polishing unit comprises a first polishing assembly and a second polishing assembly,
and the first polishing assembly comprises a first polishing pad and the cutting plate (<NUM>) shared with the mowing unit (<NUM>) and the first polishing pad can be directly mounted on the cutting plate (<NUM>).