Ultraviolet end effector

Abstract

A cleaning robot may include a chassis, a camera, a control unit, a mobility apparatus, and a movable lighting element. The control unit may execute computer programming instructions in a manner depending on information received from the camera. The mobility apparatus may be capable of causing the cleaning robot to move through a physical space. The movable lighting element may include one or more light sources selectively emitting ultraviolet light

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 022,348 (Attorney Docket No. RBAIP001P) by Brooks et al., titled “A CLEANING ROBOT”, filed May 8, 2020, and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 022,349 (Attorney Docket No. RBAIP002P) by Brooks et al., titled “ROBOTIC SOCIAL INTERACTION”, filed May 8, 2020, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.COPYRIGHT NOTICE[0002]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.TECHNICAL FIELD[0003]The present disclosure relates generally to robotics, and more specifically to rob...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent relates to a cleaning robot that uses ultraviolet light to clean surfaces. The robot has a chassis, a camera, a control unit, a mobility apparatus, and a movable lighting element. The control unit has a processor and a memory module, and the processor executes computer programming instructions stored on the memory module. The mobility apparatus causes the robot to move through a physical space based on the control unit's first instruction. The lighting element includes one or more light sources that selectively emit ultraviolet light based on the control unit's second instruction. The ultraviolet light is associated with a field of exposure, and moving the lighting element involves changing the direction of the field of exposure. The cleaning robot can autonomously navigate and clean an area of physical space by exposing one or more surfaces within the physical space to the ultraviolet light. The lighting element may include a deformable skirt or a deformable surface that is exposed to the ultraviolet light. The technical effect of the patent is to provide a cleaning robot that uses ultraviolet light to safely and efficiently clean surfaces without the drawbacks of conventional cleaning methods.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional approaches to cleaning often involve manual activity by humans, but such approaches have numerous drawbacks.

However, manual cleaning with chemicals can expose humans to potentially dangerous chemicals and pathogens.

Further, manual cleaning with chemicals often results in incomplete cleaning that falls far short of standards for sterilization or even disinfection.

However, such an approach risks exposing humans to excessive UV energy, risks incomplete cleaning, and requires significant manual activity.

However, such an approach often involves moving a powerful light source into an area and then evacuating the area while the cleaning is completed.

Such approaches are typically restricted to optically-sealed rooms or shelters from which all people and animals must leave while cleaning occurs.

The risk to humans is significant since a safe dosage would be exceeded at 1 meter distance in a matter of seconds.

In addition, such approaches require massive energy consumption.

Such powerful UV light sources also can degrade plastics, equipment, and other materials present in the room.

Alternatively, or additionally, some powerful UV lamps contain mercury (Hg), which both creates sanitary risks and imposes an environmental cost.

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