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Brush entanglement prevention apparatus in autonomous robotic vacuums

a robotic vacuum and brush assembly technology, applied in the direction of carpet cleaners, cleaning action control, cleaning machines, etc., can solve the problems of clogging of the brush assembly, preventing the vacuum from operating properly, and the vacuum from cleaning, so as to avoid or reduce the entanglement and attendant problems and clean more effectively.

Inactive Publication Date: 2016-12-01
NEATO ROBOTICS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent aims to provide an apparatus that prevents hair and other debris from getting tangled in the hub of a brush during vacuuming. This helps to avoid the need for manual removal of the tanglement and makes the brush more effective in cleaning. Additionally, the apparatus enables the brush to be closer to the hub, which further improves its cleaning ability.

Problems solved by technology

Such pick up is known to cause clogging of the brush assembly, and in particular the hub on which the brush(es) is / are mounted, potentially preventing the brush(es) from rotating, and thus keeping the vacuum from operating properly.
However, the vacuum will not clean, because the entanglement still is there.
As a result, the user will come home and find that the vacuum has not performed its intended tasks.
However, in some circumstances the user may not see the entanglement, around the hub, very clearly.
Also, even if the user does see the entanglement, it may not be easy to remove.
Over time, the buildup of hair and debris could cause fatal damage to the robotic vacuum.

Method used

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  • Brush entanglement prevention apparatus in autonomous robotic vacuums
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  • Brush entanglement prevention apparatus in autonomous robotic vacuums

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0016]As now will be described in detail with respect to one or more embodiments, in one aspect the invention provides an apparatus which attaches to a vacuum brush, enabling the brush to rotate freely. The apparatus has a profile which draws hair and other entanglement debris away from a hub of the brush assembly, or prevents it from reaching the hub, thus enabling the brush / brush assembly to continue to rotate freely.

[0017]In one aspect of the invention, any number of autonomous robotic vacuums which operate with a brush assembly may employ the entanglement prevention apparatus described herein. One example of a robotic device which has vacuuming as one of its functions is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,555,363, commonly assigned with the present application. The contents of this patent are incorporated herein by reference.

[0018]Looking at FIG. 1, an entanglement prevention apparatus 100 is constituted by a first endpiece 110 and a second endpiece 160. In an embodiment, the endpiece...

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Abstract

An apparatus draws or leads hair and other potential entanglement debris away from the hub of a brush assembly in a vacuum as the brush rotates during vacuuming, thus avoiding or reducing entanglement and attendant problems, and obviating or reducing the need for manual removal of the entanglement. The apparatus has a profile which draws hair and other entanglement debris away from a hub of the brush assembly, or prevents it from reaching the hub, thus enabling the brush / brush assembly to continue to rotate freely. In one implementation, the apparatus attaches to a vacuum brush in an autonomous robotic vacuum.

Description

[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 167,818, filed May 28, 2015, incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.BACKGROUND[0002]Aspects of the present invention relate to entanglement prevention in brush assemblies in autonomous robotic vacuums.[0003]Autonomous robotic vacuums often work in rooms on a schedule, when the user is not present. As such a vacuum traverses an environment, the vacuum picks up dirt, dust, lint, hair, and other debris and collects it in an onboard bin. In environments where substantial amounts of hair fall on the ground, brushes on board an autonomous robotic vacuum pick up the hair. Such pick up is known to cause clogging of the brush assembly, and in particular the hub on which the brush(es) is / are mounted, potentially preventing the brush(es) from rotating, and thus keeping the vacuum from operating properly. As such vacuums tend to be battery operated, the battery can run down before the vacuum...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A47L11/40A47L11/24
CPCA47L11/4041A47L2201/06A47L11/24A47L9/0477A47L2201/00
Inventor HERRON, MATTHEW ALLISONCHEUNG, HO CHONGPITZER, CHARLES ALBERT
Owner NEATO ROBOTICS
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