Autonomous cleaning robot with two fixed lateral cleaning elements

Abstract

The autonomous cleaning robot (2) comprises a main body (3) having a suction mouth (5) and delimiting a suction chamber (6); a rotating cleaning brush (7) mounted to rotate in the suction chamber (6) about a brush rotation axis (A1); and a first lateral cleaning element (23) and a second lateral cleaning element (24) arranged on either side of the suction mouth (5) and respectively comprising a first cleaning part (27) which is flexible and a second cleaning part (31) which is flexible, the first and second cleaning parts (27, 31) being configured to direct waste, which comes into contact with the first and second cleaning parts (27, 31) when the autonomous cleaning robot (2) moves in the main movement direction (D1), towards the suction mouth (5).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of autonomous cleaning devices, and more particularly to the field of robot vacuum cleaners capable of moving autonomously over a surface to be cleaned and making it possible to vacuum up dust and waste present on the surface to be cleaned, which may for example be tiles, parquet, laminate, carpet or a rug, and possibly to wash the surface to be cleaned simultaneously with a vacuuming operation. State of the art

[0002] Autonomous cleaning robots have become commonplace these days, allowing them to clean entire surfaces of a home without any user assistance as long as these surfaces are flat, i.e., on the same level. This saves users considerable time for other activities.

[0003] Document FR3119748 discloses an autonomous cleaning robot comprising: a main body comprising a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, a suction inlet opening into the lower face of the main body and extending transversely to a main direction of movement of the autonomous cleaning robot, and a suction chamber fluidly connected to the suction inlet, a rotating cleaning brush housed in the suction chamber and mounted to rotate about a brush rotation axis which extends transversely to the main direction of movement, and a first lateral cleaning element and a second lateral cleaning element which are mounted on a front part of the main body and which are fixed relative to the main body, the first lateral cleaning element comprising a first cleaning part which is flexible and the second lateral cleaning element comprising a second cleaning part which is flexible, the first and second cleaning portions being configured to direct waste, which comes into contact with the first and second cleaning portions when the autonomous cleaning robot moves in the main direction of movement, towards the suction inlet.

[0004] Such a configuration of the first and second lateral cleaning elements, which are passive, makes it possible on the one hand to significantly simplify the autonomous cleaning robot, since no drive mechanism capable of driving the first and second lateral cleaning elements is to be provided, and on the other hand to significantly reduce the electrical consumption of the autonomous cleaning robot and the frequency of replacement of the first and second lateral cleaning elements.

[0005] In addition, since the first and second cleaning parts are configured to direct waste that is encountered by the first and second cleaning parts toward the suction mouth when the autonomous cleaning robot moves along the main moving direction, the autonomous cleaning robot as described in document FR3119748 has very good cleaning performance.

[0006] However, due to the arrangement of the first and second lateral cleaning elements in front of the suction mouth, i.e. in front of a vertical transverse plane containing the front edge of the suction mouth, the suction mouth is necessarily far from the front edge of the main body, which does not allow the autonomous cleaning robot as described in document FR3119748 to ensure effective suction of waste located in the immediate vicinity of obstacles encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot when it moves in the main direction of movement.

[0007] Furthermore, such an arrangement of the first and second side cleaning elements is detrimental to the compactness of the autonomous cleaning robot. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0009] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing an autonomous cleaning robot which is of simple and compact structure, while allowing efficient, rapid and easy cleaning of a surface to be cleaned.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to an autonomous cleaning robot comprising: a main body comprising a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, a suction inlet opening into the lower face of the main body and extending transversely to a main direction of movement of the autonomous cleaning robot, and a suction chamber fluidly connected to the suction inlet, a rotating cleaning brush housed in the suction chamber and mounted to rotate about a brush rotation axis which extends transversely to the main direction of movement, and a first lateral cleaning element and a second lateral cleaning element which are mounted on a front part of the main body and which are fixed relative to the main body, the first lateral cleaning element comprising a first cleaning part which is flexible and the second lateral cleaning element comprising a second cleaning part which is flexible,the first and second cleaning portions being configured to direct waste, which comes into contact with the first and second cleaning portions when the autonomous cleaning robot moves in the main direction of movement, towards the suction inlet, , the first side cleaning member and the second side cleaning member are arranged on either side of the suction mouth, and the first and second cleaning parts have front edges which are located in front of the front edge of the suction mouth and rear edges which are located in the rear of the front edge of the suction mouth.

[0011] Such an arrangement of the first and second lateral cleaning elements makes it possible to bring the suction mouth closer to the front edge of the main body, and thus to ensure efficient suction of waste located in the immediate vicinity of the obstacles encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot when it moves in the main direction of movement.

[0012] In addition, such an arrangement of the first and second lateral cleaning elements ensures a certain seal (between the surface to be cleaned and the lower face of the main body) on either side of the suction inlet, which makes it possible to direct the airflows under the autonomous cleaning robot towards the front of the autonomous cleaning robot (and therefore to concentrate the suction in front of the suction inlet and to the right of the suction inlet), and thus to ensure effective suction of the waste encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0013] Accordingly, the specific arrangement of the first and second cleaning elements provides the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention with increased cleaning performance.

[0014] The autonomous cleaning robot of the present invention is designed, like the majority of autonomous cleaning robots, to efficiently clean floors when it moves in a direction of movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the autonomous cleaning robot and in a predetermined direction of movement. The direction of movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the autonomous cleaning robot and the predetermined direction of movement define a main direction of movement of the autonomous cleaning robot of the present invention. Thus, a front part or a rear part of the main body of the autonomous cleaning robot is identified relative to the main direction of movement of the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0015] The autonomous cleaning robot may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front edge and the rear edge of the suction mouth extend substantially perpendicular to the main direction of movement of the autonomous cleaning robot, and therefore substantially perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front edge and the rear edge of the suction mouth are substantially parallel.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear edges of the first and second cleaning parts are spaced from each other by a distance greater than or equal to the length of the suction mouth.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second side cleaning elements are arranged set back from the front edge of the main body.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear edges of the first and second cleaning parts are located at the rear of the brush rotation axis of the rotating cleaning brush. Such a configuration of the first and second cleaning parts further increases the sealing on either side of the suction mouth, and makes it possible to further increase the cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear edges of the first and second cleaning parts are located in the vicinity of a vertical transverse plane containing the rear edge of the suction mouth. Such a configuration of the first and second cleaning parts further increases the sealing on either side of the suction mouth, and makes it possible to further increase the cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second lateral cleaning elements are located respectively in the vicinity of a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge of the main body.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front edges of the first and second cleaning parts are spaced apart by a first separation distance, and the rear edges of the first and second cleaning parts are spaced apart by a second separation distance which is less than the first separation distance. Such a configuration of the first and second cleaning parts promotes the guidance of the waste encountered by the latter towards the suction inlet, which further improves the cleaning efficiency of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention. Such a configuration of the first and second cleaning parts also makes it possible to direct the airflows under the autonomous cleaning robot towards the front of the autonomous cleaning robot, which promotes the suction of the waste encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second cleaning portions converge towards each other towards a rear portion of the main body.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first lateral cleaning element is elongated and extends generally in a first direction of extension, and the second lateral cleaning element is elongated and extends generally in a second direction of extension. Advantageously, the first and second directions of extension converge towards each other towards the rear portion of the main body.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second directions of extension are inclined relative to the median longitudinal plane of the main body respectively according to a first angle of inclination which is between 10 and 45°, for example between 15 and 30°, and advantageously between 20 and 25° and a second angle of inclination which is between 5 and 30°, for example between 5 and 20° and advantageously between 5 and 10°.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part is twisted along the first extension direction, and the second cleaning part is twisted along the second extension direction. Such a configuration of the first and second cleaning parts makes it possible to vary the inclination of the first and second cleaning parts relative to the horizontal, in particular to obtain a high opening angle of the first and second cleaning parts and this with first and second cleaning parts of reduced lengths. These arrangements make it possible in particular to bring the ends of the rotating cleaning brush closer to the lateral edges of the main body, and therefore to further improve the cleaning efficiency of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part has a generally flat shape or has a wall or strip shape, and the second cleaning part has a generally flat shape or has a wall or strip shape.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second cleaning parts are arranged asymmetrically relative to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the first cleaning part is inclined relative to the horizontal and to the vertical when the autonomous cleaning robot rests, in particular by its drive wheels, on a horizontal surface, and at least a portion of the second cleaning part is inclined relative to the horizontal and to the vertical when the autonomous cleaning robot rests, in particular by its drive wheels, on a horizontal surface.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning portion has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which varies along the first cleaning portion, and the second cleaning portion has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which varies along the second cleaning portion. Advantageously, the first cleaning portion has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which increases towards the rear edge of the first cleaning portion, and the second cleaning portion has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which increases towards the rear edge of the second cleaning portion.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part comprises a first front wall portion which is inclined downwardly and laterally outwardly of the main body, and the second cleaning part comprises a second front wall portion which is inclined downwardly and laterally outwardly of the main body.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first front wall portion is inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of between 30 and 60°, and advantageously between 35 and 50°, and the second front wall portion is inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of between 30 and 60°, and advantageously between 35 and 50°.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part comprises a first rear wall portion which is inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of between 70 and 90°, advantageously between 80 and 90°, and the second cleaning part comprises a second rear wall portion which is inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of between 70 and 90°, advantageously between 80 and 90°.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first rear wall portion is inclined downwardly and laterally outwardly of the main body, and the second rear wall portion is inclined downwardly and laterally outwardly of the main body.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first rear wall portion is located set back from the first lateral edge of the main body, and the second rear wall portion is located set back from the second lateral edge of the main body.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the first cleaning part, and for example the first front wall portion, projects laterally relative to the first lateral edge of the main body, and at least a portion of the second cleaning part, and for example the second front wall portion, projects laterally relative to the second lateral edge of the main body. These arrangements allow the autonomous cleaning robot to be able to effectively clean, in particular, surfaces located along walls, while allowing the autonomous cleaning robot to move along these walls without coming into contact with them.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first side cleaning element comprises a first fixing part which is fixed in a first receiving groove provided on the main body, the first cleaning part being supported by the first fixing part.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second side cleaning element comprises a second fixing part which is fixed in a second receiving groove provided on the main body, the second cleaning part being supported by the second fixing part.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first side cleaning element is formed by a first side cleaning brush, and the second side cleaning element is formed by a second side cleaning brush.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part comprises at least a first row of bristles or tufts of bristles, and the second cleaning part comprises at least a second row of bristles or tufts of bristles.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part is formed by a first cleaning lamella which is elastically deformable, and the second cleaning part is formed by a second cleaning lamella which is elastically deformable.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning portion comprises a first lower elongated edge which extends over the entire length of the first cleaning portion and which is configured to be in contact with a surface to be cleaned when the autonomous cleaning robot rests on said surface to be cleaned, and the second cleaning portion comprises a second lower elongated edge which extends over the entire length of the second cleaning portion and which is configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned when the autonomous cleaning robot rests on said surface to be cleaned.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning portion has a first length measured parallel to the median longitudinal plane of the main body and the second cleaning portion has a second length measured parallel to the median longitudinal plane of the main body, each of the first and second lengths being greater than the distance between the front edge and the rear edge of the suction mouth.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the autonomous cleaning robot comprises a cleaning device, such as a wet cleaning device, comprising at least one mop holder, and at least one mop removably mounted on the at least one mop holder and configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned. The presence of such a cleaning device makes it possible to further increase the cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one mop support is mounted to move relative to the main body according to a displacement movement comprising a translation component extending in a displacement plane which is substantially perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one mop support is mounted to move in translation relative to the main body in a support movement direction extending substantially perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the autonomous cleaning robot comprises a cleaning liquid reservoir, and the cleaning device comprises a plurality of liquid outlets which are configured to be fluidically connected to the cleaning liquid reservoir and which are configured to supply cleaning liquid to the at least one mop mounted on the at least one mop holder.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device comprises: two mop supports which are each mounted to be movable in translation relative to the main body in a support movement direction extending substantially perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the main body, the two mop supports being mounted to be movable relative to each other between a close configuration in which the two mop supports are brought together and a distant configuration in which the two mop supports are distant from each other, and two mops removably mounted respectively on the two mop supports and configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device is vertically movable between an active position in which the cleaning device is configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned and an inactive position in which the cleaning device is configured to be located at a distance from the surface to be cleaned.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body comprises a plurality of waste guide channels extending under a front portion of the main body and in front of the suction inlet, each waste guide channel being configured to be open downwards and comprising a front opening opening into a front face of the main body and a rear opening opening into the suction chamber, each waste guide channel having a width, measured in a transverse direction extending perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the main body, which decreases towards the respective rear opening. Such waste guide channels further promote the guidance of waste encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot towards the suction inlet, which further improves the cleaning efficiency of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of waste guide channels comprises a first lateral waste guide channel and a second lateral waste guide channel, the first cleaning portion being located at least in part directly opposite a waste guide wall belonging to the first lateral waste guide channel and the second cleaning portion being located at least in part directly opposite a waste guide wall belonging to the second lateral waste guide channel.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front edges of the first and second cleaning parts are located set back from the front openings of the waste guide channels.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction mouth is located in a front part of the main body.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device is arranged in a rear part of the main body.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body has, seen from above, a general D shape.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the brush rotation axis of the rotating cleaning brush is substantially horizontal when the autonomous cleaning robot is resting on a horizontal surface. Brief description of the figures

[0058] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: There Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention. Figure 2is a perspective view from below of the autonomous cleaning robot of the Figure 1 . There Figure 3 is a bottom view of the autonomous cleaning robot of the Figure 1 . There Figure 4 is a front view of the autonomous cleaning robot of the Figure 1 . There Figure 5 is a side view of the autonomous cleaning robot of the Figure 1 . There Figure 6 is a side view of the autonomous cleaning robot of the Figure 1 . There Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the autonomous cleaning robot of the Figure 1 . Detailed description

[0059] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0060] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper" and "height" used to describe the autonomous cleaning robot or the main body refer to the autonomous cleaning robot in use when it rests by its wheels on a floor to be cleaned which is flat and horizontal.

[0061] In this document, the term "median longitudinal plane" means a vertical plane which is parallel to the main direction of movement and which divides the main body into two substantially equal parts, left and right.

[0062] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term “substantially” means, in this document, “exactly or to within 10% or 10°”.

[0063] THE figures 1 to 7 represent an autonomous cleaning robot 2, and more particularly a robot vacuum cleaner, configured to move autonomously over a surface to be cleaned.

[0064] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 comprises a main body 3 having a lower face 4 which is configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned, and a suction mouth 5 which is located in a front part 3.1 of the main body 3 and which opens into the lower face 4 of the main body 3. The suction mouth 5 is elongated and extends substantially perpendicular to a main direction of movement D1 of the autonomous cleaning robot 2. Advantageously, the suction mouth 5 has a generally rectangular shape, and thus comprises a front edge 5.1 and a rear edge 5.2 which are substantially parallel and which extend perpendicular to a median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3.

[0065] As shown on the Figure 7 , the main body 3 delimits a suction chamber 6 which opens into the lower face 4 of the main body 3 via the suction mouth 5.

[0066] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the main body 3 has, seen from above in a substantially vertical orientation, a general D shape, and has a rear edge which is curved and which has, seen from above in a substantially vertical orientation, a circular arc shape. However, the main body 3 could have a completely different shape, and for example have a general circular or rectangular shape.

[0067] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further comprises a rotating cleaning brush 7 housed in the suction chamber 6 and mounted to rotate about a brush rotation axis A1 which extends perpendicular to the main direction of movement D1. Advantageously, the brush rotation axis A1 is substantially horizontal when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0068] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 also includes a drive mechanism (not visible in the figures) which is configured to rotate the rotating cleaning brush 7 about the brush rotation axis A1.

[0069] As shown more particularly on the figures 2 to 7 , the autonomous cleaning robot 2 comprises two drive wheels 8 which are configured to roll on the surface to be cleaned. The two drive wheels 8 are mounted to be able to rotate relative to the main body 3, and have axes of rotation which are parallel, and advantageously coaxial, and which extend perpendicular to the main direction of movement D1. Advantageously, the two drive wheels 8 are arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3.

[0070] The two drive wheels 8 are advantageously motorized independently of one another. Thus, the autonomous cleaning robot 2 comprises two rotational drive mechanisms 9 housed in the main body 3 and each configured to rotate a respective drive wheel 8 among the two drive wheels 8. Each rotational drive mechanism 9 comprises a drive motor coupled in rotation to the respective drive wheel 8 and arranged for example in a respective lateral part of the main body 3. Depending on the control of the two aforementioned drive motors, the main body 3 can pivot to the left, to the right or on itself, move forward or even backward.

[0071] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the autonomous cleaning robot 2 comprises additional wheels 10 mounted free to rotate relative to the main body 3 and arranged on the front part 3.1 of the main body 3, and for example between a front edge of the main body 3 and the front edge 5.1 of the suction mouth 5.

[0072] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further comprises a suction unit 11 which is housed in the main body 3. The suction unit 11 comprises an electric motor and a fan coupled to the electric motor to generate an airflow through the suction mouth 5 and the suction chamber 6.

[0073] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 also comprises a waste collection device 12 which is mounted, for example removably, on the main body 3. The waste collection device 12 comprises a waste collection container 13 located upstream of the suction unit 11, and configured to be traversed by the air flow generated by the fan and to retain waste transported by the air flow.

[0074] As shown in particular on the Figure 2 , the autonomous cleaning robot 2 further comprises a cleaning device 14, such as a wet cleaning device, which is arranged in a rear part 3.2 of the main body 3. Advantageously, the cleaning device 14 is arranged opposite the rotating cleaning brush 7 relative to the axes of rotation of the drive wheels 8.

[0075] The cleaning device 14 may for example be movable vertically between an active position in which the cleaning device 14 is configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned and an inactive position in which the cleaning device 14 is configured to be located at a distance from the surface to be cleaned. Thus, the active position corresponds to a lowered position of the cleaning device 14, and the inactive position corresponds to a raised position of the cleaning device 14. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device 14 might not be movable vertically relative to the main body 3.

[0076] The cleaning device 14 comprises in particular a support housing 16, one or more mop supports 17 fixed to the support housing 16, and in addition one or more mops 18 each fixed removably to a respective mop support 17. Each mop 18 is more particularly configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned when the cleaning device 14 is in the active position.

[0077] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the cleaning device 14 comprises two mop supports 17 which are arranged side by side, and two mops 18 mounted removably respectively on the two mop supports 17. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device 14 could comprise a single mop support 17, and a single mop 18 having a width corresponding substantially to the width of the main body 3.

[0078] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the two mop supports 17 are each mounted to move in translation relative to the main body 3 in a support movement direction D2 (see Figure 3 ) which extends perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3, and therefore parallel to the axes of rotation of the two drive wheels 8.

[0079] Advantageously, the mop supports 17 are mounted to move relative to each other between a close configuration in which the two mop supports 17 are brought together, and therefore in which the two mops 18 are also brought together, and a distant configuration (see Figure 3 ) in which the two mop supports 17 are spaced apart from each other, and therefore in which the two mops 18 are also spaced apart from each other.

[0080] The cleaning device 14 also comprises a movement mechanism 19 configured to move the mop supports 17 in translation along the support movement direction D2 and alternately between the close configuration and the distant configuration. Thus, the movement mechanism 19 is configured to move the two mop supports 17 in translation in phase opposition.

[0081] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 also comprises a cleaning liquid tank 21 which is configured to supply cleaning liquid to the two mops 18. The cleaning liquid tank 21 is mounted, for example removably, on the main body 3, and can for example be arranged in the rear part 3.2 of the main body 3.

[0082] The cleaning device 14 further comprises a plurality of liquid outlet orifices 22 (see Figure 3) which are configured to be fluidically connected to the cleaning liquid reservoir 21 and which are configured to supply cleaning liquid to the mops 18 mounted on the mop supports 17. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the liquid outlet orifices 22 are aligned in an alignment direction which extends perpendicular to the main direction of movement D1, and are configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned. Advantageously, the liquid outlet orifices 22 are located at the front of the mop supports 17, and for example at the front of the mops 18.

[0083] As shown on the Figure 2, the autonomous cleaning robot 2 also comprises a first lateral cleaning element 23 and a second lateral cleaning element 24 which are fixed relative to the main body 3. The first and second lateral cleaning elements 23, 24 are mounted on the front part 3.1 of the main body 3, and are arranged on either side of the suction mouth 5 and respectively in the vicinity of a first lateral edge 3.11 and a second lateral edge 3.12 of the main body 3. Advantageously, the first and second lateral cleaning elements 23, 24 are arranged set back from the front edge of the main body 3.

[0084] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first side cleaning element 23 protrudes from the lower face 4 of the main body 3 by a first protrusion height which is substantially constant along the first side cleaning element 23, and the second side cleaning element 24 protrudes from the lower face 4 of the main body 3 by a second protrusion height which is substantially constant along the second side cleaning element 24 and which is substantially identical to the first protrusion height.

[0085] As shown on the Figure 2, the first and second lateral cleaning elements 23, 24 are elongated and extend generally respectively in a first direction of extension DE1 and a second direction of extension DE2 which converge towards each other in the direction of the rear part 3.2 of the main body 3. Advantageously, the first and second directions of extension DE1, DE2 are inclined relative to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3 respectively according to a first angle of inclination which is between 10 and 45°, for example between 15 and 30°, and advantageously between 20 and 25° and a second angle of inclination which is between 5 and 30°, for example between 5 and 20° and advantageously between 5 and 10°. The first angle of inclination may for example be equal to approximately 21°, and the second angle of inclination may for example be equal to approximately 9°.

[0086] According to the embodiment shown in the figures 1 to 7, the first and second extension directions DE1, DE2 are substantially horizontal when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 rests, by its drive wheels 8, on a horizontal surface. However, each of the first and second extension directions DE1, DE2 could be inclined relative to the horizontal, for example by an angle of inclination of between ± 20°, and advantageously ± 10°.

[0087] The first side cleaning element 23 comprises a first fixing part 25 which is elongated and which is fixed for example in a first receiving groove 26 provided on the underside 4 of the main body 3, and a first cleaning part 27 which is fixed to the first fixing part 25 and which projects out of the first receiving groove 26. Similarly, the second side cleaning element 24 comprises a second fixing part 28 which is elongated and which is fixed for example in a second receiving groove 29 provided on the underside 4 of the main body 3, and a second cleaning part 31 which is fixed to the second fixing part 28 and which projects out of the second receiving groove 29. Advantageously, the first and second extension directions DE1, DE2 are respectively defined by the extension directions of the first and second fixing parts 25, 28.

[0088] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each of the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 is flexible and has a generally flat shape.

[0089] As shown more particularly on the Figure 3 , the first and second cleaning portions 27, 31 are elongated and converge towards each other towards the rear portion 3.2 of the main body 3. In other words, the front edges 271, 311 of the first and second cleaning portions 27, 31 are spaced apart from each other by a first separation distance, and the rear edges 272, 312 of the first and second cleaning portions 27, 31 are spaced apart from each other by a second separation distance which is less than the first separation distance. Advantageously, the rear edges 272, 312 of the first and second cleaning portions 27, 31 are spaced apart from each other by a distance substantially equal to the length of the suction mouth 5.

[0090] As shown more particularly on the Figure 3 , the front edges 271, 311 of the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 are located in front of the front edge 5.1 of the suction mouth 5, and the rear edges 272, 312 of the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 are located behind the brush rotation axis A1 of the rotating cleaning brush 7, and for example in the vicinity of a vertical transverse plane containing the rear edge 5.2 of the suction mouth 5.

[0091] Thus, the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 are configured to orient and guide waste, which comes into contact with one or other of the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31, towards the suction mouth 5 when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 moves in the main direction of movement D1.

[0092] As shown more particularly on the Figure 3, the first cleaning part 27 has a first length, measured parallel to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3, which is greater than the distance between the front edge 5.1 and the rear edge 5.2 of the suction mouth 5, and the second cleaning part 31 also has a second length, measured parallel to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3, which is greater than the distance between the front edge 5.1 and the rear edge 5.2 of the suction mouth 5.

[0093] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 could be arranged symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3.

[0094] The first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 may respectively be formed by a first cleaning strip and a second cleaning strip which are elastically deformable (see in particular the figures 2 , 3 And 6 ). However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 could be formed respectively by one or more first row(s) of bristles or tufts of bristles extending in the first direction of extension DE1 and one or more second row(s) of bristles or tufts of bristles extending in the second direction of extension DE2. According to such an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first and second lateral cleaning elements 23, 24 then form first and second lateral cleaning brushes which are fixed relative to the main body 3.

[0095] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 are twisted respectively according to the first and second extension directions DE1, DE2, such that the first cleaning part 27 has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which increases towards the rear edge 272 of the first cleaning part 27, and such that the second cleaning part 31 has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which increases towards the rear edge 312 of the second cleaning part 31.

[0096] As shown on the figures 2 And 3, the first cleaning part 27 comprises a first front wall portion 27.1 which is inclined downwards and laterally towards the outside of the main body 3, and the second cleaning part 31 comprises a second front wall portion 31.1 which is inclined downwards and laterally towards the outside of the main body 3. Advantageously, each of the first and second front wall portions 27.1, 31.1 is inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of between 30 and 60°, and advantageously between 35 and 50°.

[0097] As shown on the figures 2 And 3, the first cleaning part 27 comprises a first rear wall portion 27.2 which is inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of between 70 and 90°, advantageously between 80 and 90°, and the second cleaning part 31 comprises a second rear wall portion 31.2 which is also inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of between 70 and 90°, advantageously between 80 and 90°. Advantageously, each of the first and second rear wall portions 27.2, 31.2 is inclined downwardly and laterally towards the outside of the main body 3.

[0098] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first front wall portion 27.1 projects laterally relative to the first lateral edge 3.11 of the main body 3 and the first rear wall portion 27.2 is set back from the first lateral edge 3.11 of the main body 3. Similarly, the second front wall portion 31.1 projects laterally relative to the second lateral edge 3.12 of the main body 3, and the second rear wall portion 31.2 is set back from the second lateral edge 3.12 of the main body 3.

[0099] Advantageously, the first fixing part 25 is located set back from the first lateral edge 3.11 of the main body 3, and the second fixing part 28 is also located set back from the second lateral edge 3.12 of the main body 3. These arrangements make it possible to prevent the first and second fixing parts 25, 28, which are generally more rigid than the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31, from coming into contact with the obstacles encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot 2, and degrading these obstacles or blocking the autonomous cleaning robot 2.

[0100] As shown on the Figure 3, the first cleaning portion 27 comprises a first lower elongated edge 273 which extends over the entire length of the first cleaning portion 27 and which is configured to be in contact with a surface to be cleaned when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 rests on the surface to be cleaned, and the second cleaning portion 31 comprises a second lower elongated edge 313 which extends over the entire length of the second cleaning portion 31 and which is configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 rests on said surface to be cleaned.

[0101] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the rear end of the first lower elongated edge 273 is located in the vicinity of a first lateral edge of the suction mouth 5, and the rear end of the second lower elongated edge 313 is located in the vicinity of a second lateral edge of the suction mouth 5.

[0102] As shown on the figures 2 And 3 , the main body 3 comprises a plurality of waste guide channels 33 which extend under a front portion 3.1 of the main body 3 and in front of the suction mouth 5 and which are configured to be open downwards.

[0103] Each waste guide channel 33 has a front opening 34 which opens into a front face of the main body 3 and a rear opening 35 which opens into the suction chamber 6, and each waste guide channel 33 has a width, measured in a transverse direction extending perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3, which decreases towards the respective rear opening 35. Thus, each waste guide channel 33 is configured to guide and direct waste, having entered said waste guide channel 33, towards the respective rear opening 35 when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 moves in the main movement direction D1.

[0104] Advantageously, the front edges 271, 311 of the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 are located set back from the front openings 34 of the waste guide channels 33.

[0105] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the plurality of waste guide channels 33 comprises a first lateral waste guide channel 33.1 and a second lateral waste guide channel 33.2, and the first cleaning portion 27 is located at least in part directly opposite a waste guide wall belonging to the first lateral waste guide channel 33.1, and the second cleaning portion 31 is located at least in part directly opposite a waste guide wall belonging to the second lateral waste guide channel 33.2. Such a configuration of the first and second lateral cleaning elements 23, 24 further promotes the guidance of the waste towards the suction inlet 5.

[0106] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 also comprises a power battery 34 configured to electrically power the autonomous cleaning robot 2. Advantageously, the power battery 34 is rechargeable and is housed in the main body 3.

[0107] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further comprises a control unit 36 ​​(see Figure 5 ) configured to control the operation of the autonomous cleaning robot 2, and in particular to control the movements of the main body 3, for example according to random or methodical movements, and to control, for example, the movements of the cleaning device 14 between the active and inactive positions.

[0108] The control unit 36 ​​is in particular configured to control the aforementioned rotational drive mechanisms (which are configured to rotate the drive wheels 8) from data received from different sensors arranged on the main body 3, such as proximity sensors, contact sensors and / or fall sensors. The control unit 36 ​​may for example comprise an electronic card configured to receive and process these different data.

[0109] According to an embodiment not shown in the figures, the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 could be flat (and not twisted) and each have an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which would be constant along the respective direction among the first and second directions of extension DE1, DE2.

[0110] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) comprising: - a main body (3) having a lower face (4) configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, a suction mouth (5) opening into the lower face (4) of the main body (3) and extending transversely to a main direction of movement (D1) of the autonomous cleaning robot (2), and a suction chamber (6) fluidly connected to the suction mouth (5), - a rotating cleaning brush (7) housed in the suction chamber (6) and mounted to rotate about a brush rotation axis (A1) which extends transversely to the main direction of movement (D1), and - a first lateral cleaning element (23) and a second lateral cleaning element (24) which are mounted on a front part (3.1) of the main body (3) and which are fixed relative to the main body (3), the first lateral cleaning element (23) comprising a first cleaning part (27) which is flexible and the second lateral cleaning element (24) comprising a second cleaning part (31) which is flexible, the first and second cleaning parts (27, 31) being configured to direct waste, which comes into contact with the first and second cleaning parts (27, 31) when the autonomous cleaning robot (2) moves in the main direction of movement (D1), towards the suction mouth (5), . characterized in that the first side cleaning element (23) and the second side cleaning element (24) are arranged on either side of the suction mouth (5), and in thatthe first and second cleaning parts (27, 31) have front edges (271, 311) which are located in front of a front edge (5.1) of the suction mouth (5) and rear edges (272, 312) which are located behind the front edge of the suction mouth (5).

2. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to claim 1, wherein the rear edges (272, 312) of the first and second cleaning parts (27, 31) are located at the rear of the brush rotation axis (A1).

3. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear edges (272, 312) of the first and second cleaning parts (27, 31) are located in the vicinity of a vertical transverse plane containing a rear edge (5.2) of the suction mouth (5).

4. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second lateral cleaning elements (23, 24) are located respectively in the vicinity of a first lateral edge (3.11) and a second lateral edge (3.12) of the main body (3).

5. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the front edges (271, 311) of the first and second cleaning portions (27, 31) are spaced apart by a first separation distance, and the rear edges (272, 312) of the first and second cleaning portions (27, 31) are spaced apart by a second separation distance which is less than the first separation distance.

6. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first and second cleaning parts (27, 31) converge towards each other towards a rear part of the main body (3).

7. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first lateral cleaning element (23) is elongated and extends generally in a first direction of extension (DE1), and the second lateral cleaning element (24) is elongated and extends generally in a second direction of extension (DE2).

8. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to claim 7, wherein the first cleaning part (27) is twisted according to the first extension direction (DE1), and the second cleaning part (31) is twisted according to the second extension direction (DE2).

9. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least a portion of the first cleaning part (27) is inclined relative to the horizontal and the vertical when the autonomous cleaning robot (2) rests on a horizontal surface, and at least a portion of the second cleaning part (31) is inclined relative to the horizontal and the vertical when the autonomous cleaning robot (2) rests on a horizontal surface.

10. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first cleaning part (27) has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which varies along the first cleaning part (27), and the second cleaning part (31) has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which varies along the second cleaning part (31).

11. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first cleaning part (27) comprises a first front wall portion (27.1) which is inclined downwardly and laterally outwardly of the main body (3), and the second cleaning part (31) comprises a second front wall portion (31.1) which is inclined downwardly and laterally outwardly of the main body (3).

12. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first side cleaning element (23) is formed by a first side cleaning brush, and the second side cleaning element (24) is formed by a second side cleaning brush.

13. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first cleaning part (27) is formed by a first cleaning slat which is elastically deformable, and the second cleaning part (31) is formed by a second cleaning slat which is elastically deformable.

14. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first cleaning part (27) has a first length measured parallel to the median longitudinal plane (P) of the main body (3) and the second cleaning part (31) has a second length measured parallel to the median longitudinal plane (P) of the main body (3), each of the first and second lengths being greater than the distance between the front edge (5.1) and the rear edge (5.2) of the suction mouth (5).

15. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which comprises a cleaning device comprising at least one mop support (17), and at least one mop removably mounted on the at least one mop support (17) and configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

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