Autonomous cleaning robot

Abstract

An autonomous cleaning robot includes: a main body (3); a rotary cleaning brush (7) rotatable about a brush rotation axis (A1); a suction unit equipped with a suction motor and configured to generate an air flow through the suction port (5); a waste collection device (12) comprising a waste collection container (13) configured to be passed through by the airflow generated by the suction unit; and a filter device (14) comprising a filter portion (15) disposed in the waste collection container (13) and configured to filter the gas flow flowing through the waste collection container (13), the filter portion (15) being tubular and having a central longitudinal axis (A3) parallel to the brush rotation axis (A1).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of autonomous cleaning devices, and more particularly to the field of robotic vacuum cleaners that are capable of moving autonomously on a surface to be cleaned and that allow the suction of dust and waste present on the surface to be cleaned, which surface to be cleaned may for example be tiles, parquet, laminate, carpet or a doormat, and optionally clean the surface to be cleaned while performing the suction operation. Background Art

[0002] Today, autonomous cleaning robots have become common and allow the entire surface of a dwelling to be cleaned without any user assistance, provided that these surfaces are flat, that is to say at the same level. Thus, they save the user a significant amount of time for other activities.

[0003] Document FR3124935 discloses an autonomous cleaning robot that includes:

[0004] a body that includes a lower surface configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned and a suction opening leading into the lower surface of the body, the body defining a suction chamber that is fluidly connected to the suction opening,

[0005] a rotary cleaning brush that is received in the suction chamber and is mounted to be rotatable about a brush rotation axis,

[0006] a suction unit that is at least partially received in the body and is configured to generate an air flow through the suction opening,

[0007] a waste collection device that includes a waste collection container located upstream of the suction unit, the waste collection container being configured to be traversed by the air flow generated by the suction unit and to retain the waste conveyed by the air flow, and

[0008] a filtering device that includes a filtering portion disposed in the waste collection container and is configured to filter the air flow passing through the waste collection container.

[0009] The filtering device described in document FR3124935 includes a filtering portion having a generally parallelepiped shape that includes a first plane called the upstream face and a second plane called the downstream face, the second plane being located on the opposite side of the first plane. The filtering device is more particularly configured such that the air flow passing through the filtering portion flows from the first plane towards the second plane.

[0010] This configuration of the filtering device, combined with the fact that the internal volume of the waste collection container is relatively small (which is to limit the size of the autonomous cleaning robot), means that a filtering device with a small size is used, especially with a small-sized first plane. However, the use of such a filtering device may lead to rapid clogging of the filtering part (depending on the type of waste being suctioned), thereby impairing the cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaning robot. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

[0012] The technical problem on which the present invention is based lies particularly in providing an autonomous cleaning robot that is simple in structure, economical, reliable, and compact, while having improved cleaning performance.

[0013] To this end, the present invention relates to an autonomous cleaning robot, which comprises:

[0014] A main body, the main body including a lower surface configured to face the surface to be cleaned and a suction port leading to the lower surface of the main body, the main body defining a suction chamber fluidly connected to the suction port,

[0015] A rotary cleaning brush, the rotary cleaning brush being received in the suction chamber and mounted to be rotatable about a brush rotation axis,

[0016] A suction unit, the suction unit being at least partially received in the main body and configured to generate an air flow through the suction port, the suction unit including a suction motor provided with a motor axis,

[0017] A waste collection device, the waste collection device including a waste collection container located upstream of the suction unit, the waste collection container being configured to be passed through by the air flow generated by the suction unit and to retain the waste conveyed by the air flow, and

[0018] A filtering device, the filtering device including a filtering part provided in the waste collection container and configured to filter the air flow passing through the waste collection container,

[0019] The filtering part has a generally tubular shape and has a central longitudinal axis, and the central longitudinal axis of the filtering part extends substantially parallel to the brush rotation axis.

[0020] This orientation and this shape of the filtering part ensure a more uniform circulation of the air flow within the waste collection container and thus ensure a more uniform and slower clogging of the filtering part, which allows the cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention to be maintained for a longer time and significantly increases the time interval between two successive cleaning operations of the filtering device.

[0021] Therefore, this configuration of the filtering section allows for maintaining satisfactory cleaning performance without the need to use a suction unit with high power, thus maintaining the autonomy of the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0022] Furthermore, this orientation and this shape of the filtering section endow the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention with enhanced compactness in the vertical direction without compromising the filtering performance of the filtering device.

[0023] The autonomous cleaning robot which is the subject of the present invention is designed like most autonomous cleaning robots to effectively clean the floor when it moves along a moving direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the autonomous cleaning robot and along a predetermined moving direction. The moving direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the autonomous cleaning robot and the predetermined moving direction define the main moving direction of the autonomous cleaning robot which is the subject of the present invention. Therefore, the front or rear of the body of the autonomous cleaning robot is identified relative to the main moving direction of the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0024] The filtering device, also referred to as a filtering element or a filter, refers herein to a device including a filtering section that is capable of separating all or part of the particles and dust carried by the air flow from the air flow passing through the filtering section.

[0025] The autonomous cleaning robot may also have one or more of the following features individually or in combination.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the brush rotation axis extends transversely to the main moving direction of the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the filtering device is configured such that the air flow flowing through the filtering section flows from the outer peripheral surface of the filtering section to the inner peripheral surface of the filtering section.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the filtering section extends spaced apart from the inner wall of the waste collection container positioned facing the outer peripheral surface. This configuration of the filtering section facilitates the circulation of the air flow around the filtering section, thus ensuring a more uniform clogging of the filtering section.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the filtering device is arranged in the waste collection container such that at least a part of the air flow flowing through the waste collection container flows at least partially around the filtering section before flowing through the filtering section.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the central longitudinal axis of the filtering section is substantially coaxial with the motor axis. This configuration of the filtering section and the suction motor limits the pressure drop of the air flow flowing within the autonomous cleaning robot, thus contributing to endowing the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention with enhanced cleaning performance.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the central longitudinal axis of the filtering part is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the autonomous cleaning robot is placed on a horizontal surface.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the filtering part has a cylindrical or frustoconical shape.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the filtering part includes a first end having a first cross-section and a second end opposite the first end, the second end having a second cross-section that is smaller than the first cross-section and is located on the opposite side of the suction motor. This frustoconical shape of the filtering part allows for a more uniform distribution of the air flow over the height of the filtering device and a more uniform clogging between the motor-side end and the free end of the filtering device. On a cylindrical filter, the retained particles accumulate on the filter end located on the motor side, which results in a less uniform clogging of the filter. Additionally, this frustoconical shape of the filtering part allows for maximizing the diameter of the filtering device while allowing large particles (such as wool, cotton balls, etc.) to slide towards the free end of the filtering device, which tend to get stuck at the motor-side end of the filtering device, and the free end has a smaller diameter and provides a greater space between the perimeter of the filtering device and the housing of the waste collection container to more easily release these large particles. In contrast, it is difficult to maximize the diameter of a cylindrical filter (and thus its capacity) without disturbing the circulation of large particles around the filter.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the filtering device includes an enclosing member configured to enclose the second end of the filtering part.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the filtering device defines an internal volume located downstream of the filtering part with respect to the flow direction of the air flow and includes an air outlet opening fluidly connected to the internal volume.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air outlet opening is substantially coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the filtering part. This configuration of the filtering part further limits the pressure drop of the air flow flowing within the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air outlet opening is configured to be fluidly connected directly, for example, to the air inlet hole of the suction unit.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the filtering part is a filtering medium, such as a pleated filtering medium, for example, a pleated filtering medium sheet having accordion pleats and configured in a tube or frustoconical shape. This embodiment allows for increasing the filtering capacity of the filtering device for a given volume. The filtering medium sheet includes one or more layers of filtering medium made of woven or non-woven fibers, such as cellulose, glass, or synthetic materials.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the filtering device is removable relative to the waste collection container. This configuration of the filtering device allows for facilitating the cleaning of the filtering device.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waste collection container includes a passage opening through which the filtering portion can be introduced into and removed from the waste collection container.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the passage opening is configured to be oriented towards a side edge of the main body.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the filtering portion is configured to be removed from the waste collection container along a removal direction that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the filtering portion.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waste collection device is detachably mounted on the main body.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the filtering device includes a perforated tubular support configured to support the filtering portion and around which the filtering portion is mounted. Such a perforated tubular support provides internal support for the filtering portion to prevent the filtering portion from deforming inward due to the negative pressure at the suction downstream of the filtering portion.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the perforated tubular support extends substantially coaxially with the filtering portion.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the autonomous cleaning robot includes a connection passage fluidly connecting the suction chamber to an air inlet opening provided on the waste collection container, and the connection passage leads into the rear part of the suction chamber.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waste collection container includes an upper inner wall that extends above and is spaced apart from the filtering portion, and together with the filtering portion defines an upper flow passage. The waste collection container further includes an upper deflector that extends at least partially facing the air inlet opening and, for example, also extends above the air inlet opening. The upper deflector is configured to deflect the air flow leaving the connection passage into the upper flow passage. For example, the upper deflector may include a curved upper deflector surface having an aerodynamic profile (such as an airplane wing profile). This configuration of the waste collection container ensures a more uniform flow of the air flow within the waste collection container, particularly the circulation of the air flow around the filtering portion, which ensures a more uniform distribution of the particles or dust retained by the filtering portion around the filtering portion, thereby allowing for improved filtering efficiency.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connection channel includes an upwardly opening air outlet that corresponds to an air inlet opening provided on the waste collection container. The upper deflector faces the air outlet and extends above the air outlet, and the upper deflector extends rearwardly through the upper inner wall of the collection container. This configuration of the waste collection container ensures a more uniform flow of the air stream within the waste collection container, particularly a better circulation of the air stream around the filter section, which ensures a more uniform distribution of the particles or dust retained by the filter section around the filter section, thereby allowing for improved filtration efficiency.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper deflector is located above the central longitudinal axis of the filter section. In other words, the upper deflector is located above the horizontal plane passing through the central longitudinal axis of the filter section.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper inner wall of the waste collection container is substantially planar and is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the autonomous cleaning robot is placed on a horizontal surface. Advantageously, the upper inner wall of the waste collection container extends beyond the central longitudinal axis towards the rear of the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connection channel is configured to extend substantially vertically when the autonomous cleaning robot is placed on a horizontal surface.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper deflector extends upwardly to prolong the front inner wall of the connection channel. Advantageously, the front inner wall of the connection channel extends vertically or at an inclination angle less than 10° relative to the vertical direction.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air inlet opening has an elongated channel cross-section that extends along an extension direction substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the filter section. This configuration of the air inlet opening ensures a more uniform circulation of the air stream within the waste collection container.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the autonomous cleaning robot includes a wet cleaning device that includes at least one rag support and at least one rag detachably mounted on the at least one rag support and configured to contact the surface to be cleaned.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one rag support is mounted to be movable relative to the main body in a displacement movement that includes a translational component extending in a movement plane substantially perpendicular to the intermediate longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one rag support is mounted to be translatably movable relative to the main body along the movement direction of the support that extends substantially perpendicular to the intermediate longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the autonomous cleaning robot includes a cleaning liquid reservoir, and the wet cleaning device includes a plurality of liquid outlet holes configured to be fluidly connected to the cleaning liquid reservoir and configured to supply the cleaning liquid to at least one cleaning cloth mounted on at least one cloth support. Advantageously, the liquid outlet holes are located in front of at least one cloth support, in particular in front of at least one cleaning cloth.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wet cleaning device includes:

[0059] Two cloth supports, each cloth support being mounted to be translatable relative to the main body along a moving direction of the support extending substantially perpendicular to the intermediate longitudinal plane of the main body, the two cloth supports being mounted to be movable relative to each other between a close configuration in which the two cloth supports are close to each other and a far configuration in which the two cloth supports are far from each other, and

[0060] Two cleaning cloths, the two cleaning cloths being respectively detachably mounted on the two cloth supports and configured to contact the surface to be cleaned.

[0061] According to another embodiment of the present invention, at least one cloth support is configured to vibrate relative to the main body and is thus mounted to vibrate relative to the main body.

[0062] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one cleaning cloth is passive.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wet cleaning device is vertically movable between an active position and an inactive position. In the active position, the wet cleaning device is configured to contact the surface to be cleaned. In the inactive position, the wet cleaning device is configured to be spaced from the surface to be cleaned.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the suction port is located in the front part of the main body.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wet cleaning device is arranged in the rear part of the main body.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the autonomous cleaning robot includes two driving wheels configured to roll on the surface to be cleaned and arranged on both sides of the intermediate longitudinal plane of the main body, the two driving wheels being mounted to be rotatable on the main body respectively around two substantially parallel rotation axes.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waste collection container is at least partially arranged between the two driving wheels.

[0068] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the suction unit includes a fan that is coupled to a suction motor and configured to generate an air flow through a suction port. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] The objects, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of two specific embodiments of the present invention given as non - limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0070] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an autonomous cleaning robot according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a bottom perspective view of the autonomous cleaning robot, showing a cleaning cloth equipped on the autonomous cleaning robot in a close configuration.

[0072] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a bottom perspective view of the autonomous cleaning robot, showing the cleaning cloth in a far configuration.

[0073] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a bottom view of the autonomous cleaning robot, showing the cleaning cloth in a close configuration.

[0074] Figure 5 is Figure 1 a bottom view of the autonomous cleaning robot, showing the cleaning cloth in a far configuration.

[0075] Figure 6 is Figure 1 a side view of the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0076] Figure 7 is Figure 1 a bottom perspective view of the autonomous cleaning robot, showing a cleaning cloth equipped on the autonomous cleaning robot in a close configuration.

[0077] Figure 8 is Figure 1 a bottom perspective view of the autonomous cleaning robot, showing a cleaning cloth support in a far configuration.

[0078] Figure 9 is Figure 1 a truncated perspective view of the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0079] Figure 10 is Figure 1 a longitudinal cross - sectional view of the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0080] Figure 11 is Figure 1 a cross - sectional view of the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0081] Figure 12 belongs to Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along a horizontal section of a waste collection device of an autonomous cleaning robot.

[0082] Figure 13 Is a truncated perspective view of an autonomous cleaning robot according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation mode

[0083] Only the elements necessary for understanding the present invention are shown. For ease of reading the drawings, the same elements carry the same reference numerals from one figure to another.

[0084] It should be noted that herein, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower" and "upper" used to describe the autonomous cleaning robot or the main body refer to the autonomous cleaning robot in the usage state when placed on a flat horizontal floor to be cleaned by wheels.

[0085] Herein, the "intermediate longitudinal plane" refers to a vertical plane parallel to the main moving direction, which divides the main body into two substantially equal left and right parts.

[0086] In the absence of a contrary provision, the term "substantially" herein means "exactly or within 10% or 10°".

[0087] Figures 1 to 12 An autonomous cleaning robot 2 is shown, more specifically a robotic vacuum cleaner, which is configured to move autonomously on a surface to be cleaned.

[0088] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 includes a main body 3 and a suction port 5. The main body 3 includes a lower surface 4, which is configured to face the surface to be cleaned. The suction port 5 is provided in the front part 3.1 of the main body 3 and leads to the lower surface 4 of the main body 3. Advantageously, the suction port 5 is elongated and extends substantially perpendicular to the main moving direction D1 of the autonomous cleaning robot 2.

[0089] As Figure 10 shown, the main body 3 defines a suction chamber 6, and the suction chamber 6 leads to the lower surface 4 of the main body 3 via the suction port 5.

[0090] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the main body 3 has a generally D shape when viewed from above in a substantially vertical orientation, and includes a rear edge, which is curved and has an arc shape when viewed from above in a substantially vertical orientation. However, the main body 3 can have any other shape, such as having a generally circular or rectangular shape.

[0091] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a rotary cleaning brush 7 accommodated in the suction chamber 6. The rotary cleaning brush is mounted to be rotatable about a brush rotation axis A1, which extends perpendicular to the main movement direction D1. Advantageously, when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 is placed on a horizontal surface, the brush rotation axis A1 is substantially horizontal.

[0092] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a drive mechanism (not visible in the figure), which is configured to drive the rotary cleaning brush 7 to rotate about the brush rotation axis A1.

[0093] As Figures 2 to 8 More specifically shown in, the autonomous cleaning robot 2 includes two driving wheels 8, and the driving wheels 8 are configured to roll on the surface to be cleaned. The two driving wheels 8 are mounted to be rotatable relative to the main body 3 and have rotation axes that are parallel and advantageously coaxial and extend perpendicular to the main movement direction D1. Advantageously, the two driving wheels 8 are arranged on both sides of the middle longitudinal plane P of the main body 3.

[0094] The two driving wheels 8 are advantageously maneuvered independently of each other. Therefore, the autonomous cleaning robot 2 includes two rotary drive mechanisms 9 accommodated in the main body 3, and each rotary drive mechanism is configured to drive a corresponding one of the two driving wheels 8 to rotate. Each rotary drive mechanism 9 includes a drive motor, which is rotationally coupled to the corresponding driving wheel 8 and is arranged, for example, in a corresponding lateral part of the main body 3. According to the control of the above two drive motors, the main body 3 can pivot left, right or about itself, move forward or backward.

[0095] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the autonomous cleaning robot 2 includes additional wheels 10 mounted to be freely rotatable relative to the main body 3, such as two additional wheels 10 provided on the front part 3.1 of the main body 3.

[0096] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a suction unit 11 accommodated in the main body 3. The suction unit 11 includes a suction motor 11.1 provided with a motor axis A2, and a fan 11.2, which is coupled to the suction motor 11.1 and is configured to generate an air flow through the suction port 5.

[0097] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a waste collection device 12 (see Figure 9 and Figure 10 ), which is, for example, detachably mounted on the main body 3. The waste collection device 12 includes a waste collection container 13 located upstream of the suction unit 11, and the waste collection container is configured to be passed through by the air flow generated by the fan 11.2 and retain the waste transported by the air flow. Advantageously, the waste collection container 13 is at least partially arranged between the two driving wheels 8.

[0098] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a filtering device 14 (see Figures 9 to 12), the filtering device includes a filtering portion 15 disposed in the waste collection container 13, and the filtering portion is configured to filter the air flow flowing through the waste collection container 13. Advantageously, the filtering portion 15 is a filtering medium, such as a pleated filtering medium, such as a pleated filtering medium sheet having accordion-like pleats. The pleated filtering medium sheet includes one or more layers of filtering medium made of, for example, fibers, such as cellulose, glass or synthetic material fibers, and the fibers can be woven or non-woven. The filtering portion 15 can be, for example, of the HEPA type.

[0099] The filtering portion 15 has a generally tubular shape and has a central longitudinal axis A3 extending parallel to the brush rotation axis A1, so that the central longitudinal axis is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 is placed on a horizontal surface. Advantageously, the central longitudinal axis A3 of the filtering portion 15 is coaxial with the motor axis A2.

[0100] As Figure 10 shown, the filtering device 14 is configured such that the air flow flowing through the filtering portion 15 flows from the outer peripheral surface 16.1 of the filtering portion 15 to the inner peripheral surface 16.2 of the filtering portion 15.

[0101] Advantageously, the outer peripheral surface 16.1 of the filtering portion 15 extends spaced apart from the inner wall of the waste collection container 13 positioned facing the outer peripheral surface 6.1. Thus, the filtering device 14 is arranged in the waste collection container 13 such that at least as long as the amount of waste accumulated in the waste collection container 13 does not exceed a predetermined level, the air flow flowing through the waste collection container 13 flows at least partially around the filtering portion 15 before flowing through the filtering portion 15.

[0102] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the filtering portion 15 has a frustoconical shape and includes a first end portion 15.1 having a first cross-section and a second end portion 15.2 opposite to the first end portion 5.1, and the second end portion has a second cross-section smaller than the first cross-section and is positioned opposite to the suction motor 11.1. However, according to a variant embodiment of the present invention, the filtering portion 15 can have a cylindrical shape. Advantageously, the filtering device 14 includes a closing member 17 configured to close the second end portion 15.2 of the filtering portion 15.

[0103] As Figure 11 shown, the filtering device 14 defines an internal volume 18, which is located downstream of the filtering portion 15 with respect to the flow direction of the air flow, and the filtering device 14 includes an air outlet opening 19 fluidly connected to the internal volume 18. Advantageously, the air outlet opening 19 is substantially coaxial with the central longitudinal axis A3 of the filtering portion 15 and is configured to be directly fluidly connected to the air inlet hole 21 of the suction unit 11.

[0104] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the filtering device 14 is removable relative to the waste collection container 13. To this end, the waste collection container 13 more specifically includes a passage opening 22 through which the filtering portion 15 can be introduced into and removed from the waste collection container 13. Advantageously, the passage opening 22 is configured to be oriented towards the side edge of the main body 3, and the filtering portion 15 is configured to be removed from the waste collection container 13 along a removal direction that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A3 of the filtering portion 15.

[0105] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a connecting passage 24 that fluidly connects the suction chamber 6 to the waste collection container 13, more specifically to an air inlet opening 25 provided on the waste collection container 13. As Figure 10 shown, the connecting passage 24 leads into the rear portion of the suction chamber 6. Advantageously, the connecting passage 24 is configured to extend substantially vertically when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 is placed on a horizontal surface, and the intermediate longitudinal plane P of the main body 3 intersects the connecting passage 24. For example, the connecting passage 24 may have an elongated passage cross-section that extends along a direction that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A3 of the filtering portion 15. Similarly, the air inlet opening 25 also has an elongated passage cross-section that extends along a direction that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A3 of the filtering portion 15.

[0106] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, and as Figure 10 shown, the waste collection container 13 includes an upper inner wall 13.1 that is planar and configured to extend horizontally when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 is placed on a horizontal surface. The upper inner wall 13.1 of the waste collection container 13 extends rearward beyond the central longitudinal axis A3 towards the autonomous cleaning robot 2 and extends spaced apart therefrom above the filtering portion 15 such that the upper inner wall 13.1 and the filtering portion 15 define an upper flow passage 26 therebetween.

[0107] The waste collection container 13 further includes an upper deflector 27 that at least partially faces the air inlet opening 25 and extends above the air inlet opening 25, and is configured to deflect the air flow leaving the connecting passage 24 towards the upper flow passage 26. Advantageously, the upper deflector 27 is located above the central longitudinal axis A3 of the filtering portion 15, i.e., above the horizontal plane passing through the central longitudinal axis A3.

[0108] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the connection channel 24 includes an upwardly opening air outlet that corresponds to an air inlet opening 25 provided on the waste collection container 13, and an upper deflector 27 faces the air outlet and extends above the air outlet and extends rearwardly through the upper inner wall 13.1 of the collection container 13. Advantageously, the upper deflector 27 extends upwardly to prolong the front inner wall 24.1 of the connection channel 24. For example, the front inner wall 24.1 of the connection channel 24 may extend vertically or extend at an inclination angle less than 10° relative to the vertical direction.

[0109] For example, the upper deflector 27 may include a curved upper deflection surface having an aerodynamic profile, such as an aircraft wing profile. The presence of such an upper deflector 27 is advantageous for the air flow to circulate around the filtration section 15 before flowing through the filtration section 15.

[0110] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a power battery 28 configured to supply power to the autonomous cleaning robot 2. Advantageously, the power battery 28 is rechargeable and is housed in the main body 3.

[0111] In particular, as Figure 2 shown, the autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a wet cleaning device 29 arranged in the rear part 3.2 of the main body 3. Advantageously, the wet cleaning device 29 is arranged opposite to the rotary cleaning brush 7 with respect to the rotation axis of the driving wheels 8.

[0112] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the wet cleaning device 29 can move vertically between an active position (see Figure 1 and Figure 6 ) and an inactive position (see Figure 2 and Figure 10 ), in the active position, the wet cleaning device 29 is configured to contact the surface to be cleaned, in the inactive position, the wet cleaning device 29 is configured to be positioned at a distance from the surface to be cleaned. Thus, the active position corresponds to the lowered position of the wet cleaning device 29, and the inactive position corresponds to the raised position of the wet cleaning device 29.

[0113] As Figure 10 shown, the main body 3 defines a downwardly opening receiving compartment 31, that is, the receiving compartment 31 leads to the lower surface 4 of the main body 3, and the wet cleaning device 29 includes a support housing 32 that is mounted to be translatable in the receiving compartment 31.

[0114] The wet cleaning device 29 further includes one or more rag supports 33 fixed to the support housing 32, and one or more additional rags 34, each rag being removably fixed to a corresponding rag support 33. Each rag 34 is more specifically configured to contact the surface to be cleaned when the wet cleaning device 29 is in the active position.

[0115] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the wet cleaning device 29 includes two rag supports 33 arranged side by side, and two rags 34 detachably mounted on the two rag supports 33 respectively. However, according to a variant embodiment of the present invention, the wet cleaning device 29 may include a single rag support 33 and a single rag 34, the width of the single rag substantially corresponding to the width of the main body 3.

[0116] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the two rag supports 33 are each mounted to be translatably movable relative to the main body 3 along the support movement direction D2, which is perpendicular to the main movement direction D1 of the autonomous cleaning robot 2 and extends parallel to the rotation axes of the two drive wheels 8. However, according to a variant embodiment of the present invention, each rag support 33 may be mounted to vibrate relative to the main body 3, or may be immovable relative to the support housing 32 (so one or more of the rag supports 34 will be passive).

[0117] Advantageously, the rag supports 33 are mounted to be movable relative to each other between a close configuration (see Figure 7 ) and a far configuration (see Figure 8 ), in the close configuration, the two rag supports 33 are close to each other, and thus the two rags 34 are also close to each other, and in the far configuration, the two rag supports 33 are far from each other, and thus the two rags 34 are also far from each other.

[0118] The wet cleaning device 29 further includes a moving mechanism 35 configured to translatably move the rag supports 33 along the support movement direction D2 and to move alternately between the close configuration and the far configuration. Thus, the moving mechanism 35 is configured to translatably move the two rag supports 33 in opposite phases.

[0119] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a cleaning liquid reservoir 36 configured to supply cleaning liquid to the two rags 34. The cleaning liquid reservoir 36 is, for example, detachably mounted on the main body 3 and may be arranged, for example, in the rear part 3.2 of the main body 3.

[0120] The wet cleaning device 29 further includes a plurality of liquid outlet holes 37 configured to be fluidly connected to the cleaning liquid reservoir 36 and configured to supply cleaning liquid to the rags 34 mounted on the rag supports 33.

[0121] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the liquid outlet holes 37 are aligned in an alignment direction extending perpendicular to the main movement direction D1 of the autonomous cleaning robot 2 and are regularly spaced apart from each other. Advantageously, the liquid outlet holes 37 are located in front of the rag supports 33, for example in front of the rags 34, and are configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned.

[0122] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a control unit 38 (see Figure 6 ), which is configured to control the operation of the autonomous cleaning robot 2, in particular to control the movement of the main body 3, for example according to a random or organized movement, and to control the movement of the wet cleaning device 29 between an active position and an inactive position.

[0123] The control unit 38 is in particular configured to control the above-mentioned rotary drive mechanism (which is configured to drive the power wheels 8 to rotate) based on data received from various sensors arranged on the main body 3 (such as proximity sensors, contact sensors and / or drop sensors). For example, the control unit 38 may include an electronic card configured to receive and process these different data.

[0124] Figure 13 Fig. shows an autonomous cleaning robot 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which is mainly different from the Figures 1 to 12 first embodiment shown in that the filtering part 15 is made of tubular foam (such as polyurethane), and the filtering device 14 includes a hollow tubular support member 39, which is configured to support the filtering part 15 and the filtering part 15 is mounted around the hollow tubular support member. Such a hollow tubular support member 39 provides internal support for the filtering part 15 to prevent the filtering part 15 from deforming inward due to the negative pressure at the suction downstream of the filtering part 15. Advantageously, the hollow tubular support member 39 extends substantially coaxially with the filtering part 15.

[0125] The hollow tubular support member 39 may be integrally formed with the filtering part 15 and the closing member 17, for example.

[0126] It should be noted that Figures 1 to 12 the filtering device 14 provided in the first embodiment shown may also be provided with a hollow tubular bracket similar to the Figure 13 hollow tubular support member 39 shown, and the second embodiment of the present invention may not have such a hollow tubular support member.

[0127] According to an embodiment not shown in the figures, the filtering part 15 may include at least one rolled non-wrinkled layer made of a cluster of non-woven fibers shaped as a tube or a truncated cone.

[0128] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the described and shown embodiments, which are given only as examples. Modifications are still possible without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, in particular from the perspective of the constitution of various elements or by the substitution of technical equivalents.

Claims

1. An autonomous cleaning robot (2), comprising: a body (3) comprising a lower surface (4) configured to be oriented toward a surface to be cleaned and a suction opening (5) opening into the lower surface (4) of the body (3), the body (3) defining a suction chamber (6) fluidly connected to the suction opening (5), a rotating cleaning brush (7) which is accommodated in the suction chamber (6) and is mounted so as to be rotatable about a brush rotation axis (A1), a suction unit (11) at least partially accommodated in the body (3) and configured to generate an air flow through the suction opening (5), the suction unit (11) comprising a suction motor (11.1) provided with a motor axis (A2), a waste collection device (12), the waste collection device comprising a waste collection container (13) located upstream of the suction unit (11), the waste collection container being configured to be passed through by the airflow generated by the suction unit (11) and to retain waste transported by the airflow, and a filter device (14), the filter device comprising a filter portion (15) disposed in the waste collection container (13) and configured to filter an air flow passing through the waste collection container (13), Characterized in that the filter portion (15) has a generally tubular shape and has a central longitudinal axis (A3), and the central longitudinal axis (A3) of the filter portion (15) extends substantially parallel to the brush rotation axis (A1).

2. The autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to claim 1, wherein the filtering device (14) is configured so that the airflow flowing through the filtering part (15) flows from the outer peripheral surface (16.1) of the filtering part (15) to the inner peripheral surface (16.2) of the filtering part (15).

3. The autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to claim 2, wherein the outer peripheral surface (16.1) of the filtering part (15) extends spaced apart from the inner wall of the waste collection container (13) positioned facing the outer peripheral surface (16.1).

4. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filtering device (14) is arranged in a waste collection container (13) so that at least a portion of the airflow flowing through the waste collection container (13) flows at least partially around the filtering part (15) before flowing through the filtering part (15).

5. The autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the central longitudinal axis (A3) of the filter part (15) is substantially coaxial with the motor axis (A2).

6. The autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the central longitudinal axis (A3) of the filtering part (15) is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the autonomous cleaning robot (2) is placed on a horizontal surface.

7. The autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filtering part (15) has a frustoconical shape.

8. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to claim 7, wherein the filtering part (15) includes a first end (15.1) having a first cross-section and a second end (15.2) opposite to the first end (15.1), the second end having a second cross-section smaller than the first cross-section and located on the opposite side of the suction motor (11.1).

9. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the filtering device (14) defines an internal volume (18) located downstream of the filtering part (15) relative to the flow direction of the airflow, and includes an air outlet opening (19) fluidly connected to the internal volume (18).

10. The autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the filter device (14) is removable relative to the waste collection container (13).

11. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the waste collection container (13) comprises a channel opening (22), and the filter part (15) can be introduced into the waste collection container (13) through the channel opening (22) and removed from the waste collection container (13).

12. The autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the waste collection device (12) is detachably mounted on the main body (3).

13. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the filtering device (14) comprises a hollow tubular support (39), the hollow tubular support (39) being configured to support the filtering part (15) and the filtering part (15) being installed around the hollow tubular support.

14. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a connecting channel (24) that fluidly connects the suction chamber (6) to an air inlet opening (25) arranged on the waste collection container (13), and the connecting channel (24) leads to the rear part of the suction chamber (6).

15. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to claim 14, wherein the waste collection container (13) includes an upper inner wall (13.1), which extends above the filter part (15) and is separated from the filter part (15), and together with the filter part (15) defines an upper flow channel (26), and the waste collection container (13) also includes an upper deflector (27), which extends at least partially facing the air inlet opening (25) and is configured to deflect the airflow leaving the connecting channel (24) toward the upper flow channel (26).

16. The autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the autonomous cleaning robot comprises a wet cleaning device (29), wherein the wet cleaning device (29) comprises at least one rag support (33) and at least one rag (34) detachably mounted on at least one rag support (33) and configured to contact the surface to be cleaned.

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