Side brush for robot cleaner

Abstract

A side brush (120) for a cleaning robot (100) is rotatable about a rotational axis (125) that extends in a vertical direction (v). At least one brush arm (135) is provided, extending in a radial direction (r); at least one projection (140) extends from the brush arm (135).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a side brush for a cleaning robot. In particular, the invention relates to the removal of fibrous dirt from a floor surface.

[0002] A cleaning robot is designed to traverse and clean a floor surface. To this end, the robot includes a suction nozzle that moves across the floor, drawing in an airflow that carries away dirt and dust. Additionally, a side brush is mounted to the side of the suction nozzle and is rotatable around a generally vertical axis. The side brush includes at least one brush arm that moves around this axis. The side brush serves to move loose dirt on the floor towards the suction nozzle.

[0003] Common side brushes tend to pick up fibrous debris such as hair, threads, or even thin cables and wrap them around the brush arm and / or hub. Removing this debris from the side brush can be time-consuming. The brush arms may need to be replaced more frequently, which can involve significant costs and effort for the consumer.

[0004] One of the problems underlying the present invention is to provide an improved technique for cleaning a floor surface of fibrous dirt. The invention solves this problem by means of the subject matter of the independent claims. Dependent claims describe preferred embodiments.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a side brush for a cleaning robot is proposed. The side brush is rotatable about an axis of rotation extending in a vertical direction. At least one brush arm of the side brush extends in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation, and at least one projection extends from the brush arm.

[0006] The protrusion prevents fibrous dirt from migrating radially inwards during the side brush's rotation and wrapping itself around the brush arm, another brush arm, or the side brush hub. The fibrous dirt is retained in a radially outer area of ​​the brush arm, where it lies relatively loosely and the risk of entanglement is low. The side brush can be advantageously used on a known cleaning robot without requiring any further modifications. This reduces the adhesion, compaction, or matting of dirt on the brush arm. A cleaning robot can thus be enabled to operate autonomously for extended periods, even if the floor surface to be cleaned regularly contains hair or similar fibrous dirt.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, several projections are provided on the brush arm, extending from different radial positions. These projections can be similarly shaped and oriented in the same or different ways to better prevent fibrous dirt from migrating radially from the brush arm towards the axis of rotation. The multiple projections also improve the retention of even matted or tangled fibers or hairs by the side brush mechanism. Simultaneously, fibrous dirt can be picked up from the floor surface with improved reliability.

[0008] The protrusions can be of different lengths. A longer protrusion can better pick up thin fibers or hairs, while a shorter protrusion can better engage with fibrous dirt of a larger diameter.

[0009] A projection is preferably shaped such that it prevents fibrous dirt from migrating radially inwards, but allows it to be removed in the opposite direction. In particular, a projection can extend radially outwards from the brush arm. In this way, the projection can form a kind of barb that holds the fibrous dirt in a radially outer region of the brush arm.

[0010] In one embodiment, the projection is perpendicular to the brush arm. Preferably, however, the projection forms an acute angle with the brush arm. For this purpose, the brush arm can extend elongated along a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of a projection can form an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the associated brush arm, either directly or in projection. The acute angle is greater than 0° and less than 90°; in a preferred embodiment, the angle lies in a range of approximately 20° to approximately 70°.

[0011] In another embodiment, the projection can extend at an obtuse angle to a vertical plane through the axis of rotation. The obtuse angle is greater than 90° and less than 180°; in a preferred embodiment, the angle lies in a range of approximately 110° to 160°.

[0012] The projections can be oriented differently relative to the brush arm. In one variant, a projection extends in a plane of rotation around the axis of rotation. It is also preferred that a projection extends from the brush arm in the opposite direction of rotation of the side brush. This facilitates the removal of fibrous dirt from the projection. A projection extending from the brush arm in the direction of rotation of the side brush can be omitted. This ensures that the brush arm remains as free of fibrous dirt as possible.

[0013] A projection can extend at an acute angle to a horizontal plane. If the axis of rotation runs exactly vertically, then the plane of rotation of a brush arm lies parallel to the horizontal plane and thus usually also to the floor surface. The projection can extend upwards, particularly away from the floor surface. A flat side of the brush arm can be guided more effectively across the floor surface, and the projection can ensure that fibrous dirt remains in a radially outer area of ​​the brush arm.

[0014] Furthermore, the brush arm, during its rotation around the axis of rotation, preferentially passes through a suction nozzle of the cleaning robot. An airflow into the suction nozzle can draw in fibrous dirt that has become caught on a protrusion of the brush arm and detach it from the brush arm.

[0015] It is still preferred that a projection be located on a section of the brush arm that, during rotation, lies at least temporarily beneath the suction nozzle. In other words, a projection on the brush arm can extend radially away from the brush arm, passing beneath the suction nozzle. This improves the suction of dirt from the brush arm and helps prevent it from adhering to or becoming entangled in fibrous dirt.

[0016] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a cleaning robot; Figure 2 shows a side brush on a cleaning robot; Figure 3 shows a side brush in a first embodiment; Figure 4 shows a side brush in a second embodiment; and Figure 5 shows the sequence of a rotary movement of a side brush. represent.

[0017] Figure 1shows an exemplary cleaning robot 100, which is set up to preferably drive autonomously over a floor surface and clean it in the process.

[0018] The cleaning robot 100 comprises a drive system which, in the illustrated embodiment, includes two separately controllable drive wheels 105 and a spur wheel 108. A suction nozzle 110 is provided in a front region of the cleaning robot 100, preferably extending transversely to a longitudinal or travel direction of the cleaning robot 100. The suction nozzle 110 has, for example, a rectangular shape with two short sides parallel to a longitudinal or travel direction and two long sides perpendicular to these. Optionally, a bristle roller 115 is provided in the region of the suction nozzle 110, which can be rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation. The bristle roller 115 can be driven to engage radially projecting bristles or nubs with the floor surface and loosen dirt from it. An airflow through the suction nozzle 110 can carry away the loosened dirt.

[0019] A side brush 120 is provided to the side of the suction mouth 110, which can be driven about a rotary axis 125 that extends essentially in a vertical direction.

[0020] The side brush 120 comprises a hub 130 from which one or more brush arms 135 extend in a radial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, three brush arms 135 are provided. The brush arms 135 are preferably evenly distributed around a circumference around the axis of rotation 125.

[0021] It is proposed that one or more projections 140 be formed or attached to a brush arm 135, which are designed to prevent fibrous dirt from migrating radially inwards in the direction of the axis of rotation 125.

[0022] Figure 2 A side brush 120 on a cleaning robot 100 indicates Figure 1A preferred direction of rotation of the side brush 120 about the axis of rotation 125 is indicated by arrows. The direction of rotation and the position of the side brush 120 relative to the suction opening 110 are preferably selected such that a radially outer section 205 of a brush arm 135 passes under the suction opening 110 during a rotational movement about the axis of rotation 125. It is preferred that projections 140 are preferably provided in the region of an outer section 205 on a brush arm 135.

[0023] The radial length of the brush arms 135 defines a cleaning area 210 over which a floor surface can be swept by one brush arm 135. The cleaning area 210 intersects the suction nozzle 110 in an area 215. It is preferred that the area 215 is sufficiently large by dimensioning and positioning the side brush 120 so that a sufficiently long radial outer section 205 passes under the suction nozzle 110 and that the duration during which a section 205 lies under the suction nozzle 110 is sufficiently long to allow air flowing in through the suction nozzle 110 to strip dirt from the brush arm 135 and carry it away.

[0024] Figure 3 shows a side brush 120 for a cleaning robot 100 after Figure 1 in a first embodiment. Figure 3a shows a view from a slightly angled top view of the side brush 120, Figure 3bFigure 1 shows an enlarged view of a brush arm 135. For easier reference, a Cartesian coordinate system is shown, which is defined with respect to a brush arm 135. A radial axis r extends radially from the axis of rotation 125. A vertical axis v extends vertically, usually parallel to the axis of rotation 125. A tangential axis t is perpendicular to the radial and vertical axes and points in the direction of rotation of the side brush 120. Preferably, the axes r, v, t form a right-handed coordinate system.

[0025] A brush arm 135, and in particular its radially outer section 205, preferably extends, at least substantially, parallel to the radial axis r. The section 205 preferably has three different types of projections 140 extending in different directions. For each direction, two projections 140 are provided by way of example, located at different radial positions. Projections 140 of different orientations are arranged radially offset from one another. Other radial configurations are also possible.

[0026] A first projection 305 extends in the rv-plane and preferably points substantially upwards (positive v-direction). A second projection 310 lies in the rt-plane and points in the negative t-direction opposite to the direction of rotation. A third projection 315 lies in a plane through the radial axis r between the tangential direction t and the vertical direction v. In one embodiment, the angles between the extension plane and the axes v and t are substantially equal. All projections 305-315 are preferably inclined radially outwards, thus extending away from the brush arm 135 and in the positive r-direction.

[0027] In the Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, a brush arm 135 comprises two parallel but separate sections, each of which can be individually flexible. Projections 140 are formed only on one of the sections. Preferably, the projections 140 extend from the section that is located further back with respect to the rotation about the axis of rotation 125.

[0028] Figure 4 shows a side brush 120 for a cleaning robot 100 from Figure 1 in a second embodiment. Views of the Figures 4a and 4b correspond to those of Figures 3a and 3b .

[0029] Also in the embodiment of Figure 4Projections 140 are provided in different orientations, whereby multiple projections 140 oriented in the same direction can be formed on the brush arm 135 and radially offset. The projections 140 can be of different lengths, and in particular, a radially inner projection 140 can be shorter than one radially outer.

[0030] In the present case, a first row of first projections 405 and a second row of second projections 410 are attached to a radially outer section 205 of a brush arm 135. Here, too, the projections 140 are preferably inclined radially outwards. A defined weak point for deformation under overload or a predetermined breaking point can be provided between a projection 140 and the brush arm 135.

[0031] An initial lead of 405 can be equivalent to an initial lead of 305. Figure 3be oriented and essentially lie in the RV level. A second lead of 410 can correspond to a second lead of 310 or a third lead of 315 from Figure 3 The plane in which a second projection 410 extends can intersect the r-axis and form an acute angle with the v-axis. A third row of projections 140 is not provided in the illustrated embodiment.

[0032] In the embodiment of Figure 4 A brush arm 135 also comprises two parallel, but separate, sections, each of which can be individually flexible. Here, projections 140 are formed on both sections. A series of projections 140 can be located on one section and another on the other section. Projections 140 extending against the direction of rotation are preferably located on the section that is furthest away with respect to the rotational movement.

[0033] It should be noted that there are differences in features between the embodiments of the Figures 3 and 4 They are mutually transferable and can be recombined. This applies in particular to an arrangement of sections 140 and their orientations.

[0034] Figure 5 shows an exemplary sequence of a rotary movement of a side brush 120 according to one of the preceding figures. Figures 5a to 5d The figures show successive times and corresponding rotational positions of the side brush 120. It can be seen how the radially outer section 205 of one of the brush arms 135 is guided under the suction nozzle 110. In this process, fibrous dirt that has become entangled on the brush arm 135 can be sucked away in a radial and / or vertical direction through the suction nozzle 110. Reference sign

[0035] 100 Cleaning robot 105 Drive wheel 108 Spur wheel 110 Suction nozzle 115 Bristle roller 120 Side brush 125 Rotary axis 130 Hub 135 Brush arm 140 Projection 205 radial outer section 210 cleaning area 215 area (overlap of the cleaning area with the suction nozzle) radial axis, vertical axis, tangential axis 305 first lead 310 second lead 315 third lead 405 first lead 410 second lead

Claims

1. Side brush (120) for a cleaning robot (100), wherein the side brush (120) is rotatable about a rotation axis (125) extending in a vertical direction (v); wherein at least one brush arm (135) is provided extending in a radial direction (r); wherein at least one projection (140) extends away from the brush arm (135).

2. Side brush (120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several projections (140) are provided which extend from different radial positions from the brush arm (135).

3. Side brush (120) according to claim 2, wherein the projections (140) have different lengths.

4. Side brush (120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a projection (140) extends outwards from the brush arm (135) in a radial direction (r).

5. Side brush (120) according to claim 4, wherein the projection (140) forms an acute angle with the brush arm (135).

6. Side brush (120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a projection (140) extends in a plane of rotation (r, t) around the axis of rotation (125).

7. Side brush (120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a projection (140) extends from the brush arm (135) in the opposite direction of rotation (t) of the side brush (120).

8. Side brush (120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a projection (140) extends at an acute angle to a horizontal plane (r, t).

9. Side brush (120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a projection (140) extends at an obtuse angle to a vertical plane through the axis of rotation (125).

10. Side brush (120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the brush arm (135) is guided under a suction mouth (110) of the cleaning robot (100) during its rotational movement.

11. Side brush (120) according to claim 10, wherein a projection (140) is located on a section of the brush arm (135) which is at least temporarily located below the suction mouth (110) during the rotational movement.

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