Cleaning robot with side brush

Abstract

A cleaning robot (100) comprises a side brush (120) rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation (125); wherein the side brush (120) comprises at least one brush arm (130) extending radially from the axis of rotation (125); and a wiper element (155) attached to the cleaning robot (100) with a vertical edge (160); such that a radially outer section (140) of the brush arm (130) is drawn along the edge (160) of the wiper element (155) during its rotational movement about the axis of rotation (125).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning robot with a side brush. In particular, the invention relates to increasing the efficiency of such a side brush.

[0002] A cleaning robot is designed to move across a floor surface and clean it using an airflow. The airflow is directed through a suction nozzle that is positioned close to the floor. Additionally, a side brush is provided to guide dirt laterally towards the suction nozzle. The side brush is mounted to rotate around a vertical axis and includes at least one brush arm that sweeps across a predetermined section of the floor surface during the side brush's rotation.

[0003] It has been shown that such a brush arm tends to accumulate dirt, which can reduce its cleaning effectiveness. For example, friction against the floor surface can generate static electricity that attracts dust to the brush arm. Fibrous dirt can also adhere to the brush arm. Particularly in combination with moisture, greasy or pasty dirt, a layer that is difficult to remove can develop, covering the brush arm and making cleaning the floor surface more difficult.

[0004] One of the problems underlying the present invention is to provide an improved technique to prevent a decrease in the cleaning power of a side brush on a cleaning robot. The present invention solves this problem by means of the subject matter of the independent claims. Dependent claims describe preferred embodiments.

[0005] A cleaning robot is proposed that includes a side brush rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation. The side brush comprises at least one brush arm extending radially from the axis of rotation. As the side brush rotates about the axis, the brush arm is guided across a floor surface and can move or pick up loose dirt. A scraper element with an edge is attached to the cleaning robot, such that a radially outer section of the brush arm is drawn along the edge of the scraper element during its rotation about the axis of rotation.

[0006] The axis of rotation and the edge each extend in a vertical direction. The axis of rotation and the edge can be essentially vertical and optionally form a small angle with the vertical, for example, less than approximately 20°, preferably less than approximately 10°, and more preferably less than approximately 5°.

[0007] The wiper element ensures that dirt adhering to the brush arm is removed. This prevents fibrous dirt from becoming tangled or liquid or pasty dirt from sticking to the brush arm. As a result, the cleaning effect of the brush arm or side brush can be improved.

[0008] Preferably, the brush arm comprises a radially outer section, which may have cleaning bristles or cleaning hairs, and a radially inner section, which primarily serves to guide the outer section. The wiper element is preferably arranged on the cleaning robot such that it engages only with the radially outer section of the brush arm. The radially outer section is preferably designed to be flexible. The distance of the vertical edge from the axis of rotation is less than the radial length of the entire brush arm, so that the radially outer section runs against the wiper element during rotation about the axis of rotation.

[0009] The radially outer section can be deflected in the plane of rotation with respect to the axis of rotation, so that a contact point between the brush arm and the wiper element moves along the radially outer section. When a radially outer end of the brush arm passes the wiper element, the brush arm can be released, and the flexible radially outer section can relax again. This movement guides the radially outer section from the inside out along the edge, so that adhering dirt is wiped outwards.

[0010] The cleaning robot preferably includes a suction mouth, with the scraper element being located in the area of ​​the suction mouth so that dirt scraped off by the brush arm can be picked up by the suction mouth.

[0011] The pivot point of the side brush is preferably located in front of and beside the suction nozzle. The brush arm can transport dirt on the floor surface towards the suction nozzle. The scraper element is preferably positioned so that the scraping action occurs in the area of ​​the suction nozzle or in relation to any movement of the cleaning robot in front of it. This prevents scraped-off dirt from remaining on the floor surface or being flung around uncontrollably.

[0012] It is particularly preferred that the scraper element is attached to a boundary of the suction nozzle. The scraping action can be such that the dirt remains on the inside of the suction nozzle, into which it can be sucked. The suction nozzle preferably has a substantially rectangular shape with two long and two short sides. The short sides are typically parallel to a longitudinal axis or a typical direction of travel of the cleaning robot, and the long sides are perpendicular to it.

[0013] In a simple embodiment, the wiping element can be designed as a thin vertical element, for example in the form of a wire, a nail or a slim cylinder.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the scraper element comprises a ridge extending in a vertical direction. In particular, the ridge can extend in a plane through which a longitudinal axis of the cleaning robot passes. This allows scraped dirt to be guided more effectively so that it does not escape laterally from a cleaning area of ​​the cleaning robot.

[0015] The edge can be rounded to prevent damage to the brush arm if it comes into contact with the edge. For example, the edge can have a predetermined radius.

[0016] The bridge can be attached, in particular, to a boundary of the suction nozzle that lies to the side of the nozzle. The bridge extends parallel to the direction of travel or longitudinal movement of the cleaning robot. This allows the bridge to simultaneously prevent air from being drawn in laterally. The bridge can extend over part or the entire length of the lateral boundary of the suction nozzle. In one embodiment, bridges are attached to opposite sides of the suction nozzle. This can also apply if the cleaning robot only has a side brush on one side.

[0017] The brush arm can sweep over a section of the suction nozzle. The scraper element can be attached to the cleaning robot in such a way that its edge lies on or within this section. In this way, the scraping action can essentially take place in or below the suction nozzle, allowing the scraped-off dirt to be immediately carried away through the nozzle.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment, the edge has a predetermined contour to press the brush arm to a predetermined vertical height during wiping. The contour preferably runs horizontally and can be located in a central vertical section of the wiping element. A section of the brush arm located above or below this section can thus be guided vertically into the contour, further improving the wiping effect. If the brush arm comprises several radially or horizontally oriented brush hairs, this prevents the bundle of brush hairs from being flattened at the edge, which could trap dirt within the bundle. The contour allows the dirt to be drawn out of the brush arm more effectively in a radial direction.

[0019] In one variation, the contour essentially takes the form of a circular arc. In another variation, the contour is wedge-shaped. Specifically, the contour can take the form of a wedge, a triangle, or a prism. A wedge-shaped contour with curved edges is also possible.

[0020] In one embodiment of the brush arm, where its radially outer section has several horizontal brush bristles, a substantially horizontal projection can be formed at the edge to separate the brush bristles during brushing. The horizontal projection can be shaped, in particular, like a needle, a bar, a spike, or a knife to pierce the bundle of brush bristles. This allows for improved removal of deeply embedded dirt from the brush bristles.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, several vertically offset projections are provided at the edge. These projections can be designed, in particular, in the manner of a comb or a brush. One projection is preferably made more rigid than the brush bristles of the brush arm. The brush bristles can be cleaned of dirt and aligned, so that the bundle of brush bristles retains its shape better. The service life of the brush arm can be increased, and the cleaning effect of the brush bristles can be maintained.

[0022] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows an exemplary cleaning robot; Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a cleaning robot in a first embodiment; and Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a cleaning robot in a second embodiment.

[0023] Figure 1This shows an example of a cleaning robot 100, which is set up to traverse and clean a floor surface. The cleaning robot 100 is shown from a bottom-up perspective. The floor area to be cleaned between the cleaning robot 100 and the viewer is not shown.

[0024] The cleaning robot 100 has a longitudinal axis 105, to which a typical direction of movement 110 runs parallel. A suction nozzle 115 is designed to be guided at a short distance across the floor surface as the cleaning robot 100 moves across it. The suction nozzle 115 is, for example, rectangular in shape with two long and two short sides. The short sides run parallel to the longitudinal axis 105, while the long sides extend perpendicular to it, across the direction of movement 110.

[0025] A side brush 120 is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis 125, the pivot axis 125 extending substantially in a vertical direction. The side brush 120 comprises one or more brush arms 130 extending radially from the pivot axis 125. The side brush 120 includes a drive mechanism to guide the brush arms 130 in circular motions about the pivot axis 125.

[0026] A brush arm 130 comprises a radially inner section 135 and a radially outer section 140. The inner section 135 connects the outer section 140 to a hub 145. The outer section 140 is preferably configured as a bundle of brush bristles or similar elements that can extend substantially in a radial or horizontal direction.

[0027] The side brush 120 is positioned such that its axis of rotation 125, relative to the longitudinal axis 105, lies laterally to a boundary of the suction opening 115. Furthermore, the axis of rotation 125 can be offset along the longitudinal axis 105 relative to the outline of the suction opening 115. In particular, the axis of rotation 125 can be located in front of boundaries of the suction opening 115.

[0028] The brush arms 130, or radially outer sections 140 of the brush arms 130, sweep over a predetermined cleaning area on the floor surface when the side brush 120 is rotated about the axis of rotation 125. This cleaning area can be approximated as a circular area or ring. The cleaning area extends along a predetermined section 150 below the suction nozzle 115.

[0029] It is proposed to attach a scraper element 155 to the cleaning robot 100 such that the radially outer sections 140 of the brush arms 130, as they rotate around the axis of rotation 125, encounter the scraper element 155 and slide off it. The radially outer section 140 can be deflected in the plane of rotation around the axis of rotation 125, opposite to the direction of rotation. A contact point between the radially outer section 140 and the scraper element 155 can thus move outwards along the radially outer section 140. Since the distance between the axis of rotation 125 and the scraper element 155 remains constant, this is not a radial movement, even though the contact point on the brush arm 130 is displaced in a direction away from the hub 145.

[0030] The wiping element 155 comprises a vertically extending edge 160 that engages with the radially outer section 140 of a brush arm 130. In one embodiment, the wiping element 155 may have only a very small horizontal extension from the edge 160. For example, the wiping element 155 may be designed in the form of a vertical pin, wire, or cylinder.

[0031] In the illustrated, preferred embodiment, the scraper element 155 is designed as a rib extending vertically from the cleaning robot 100 towards the floor surface. The height of the rib from the underside of the cleaning robot 100 can be constant.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the bridge 155 runs parallel to the longitudinal axis 105 of the cleaning robot 100. Furthermore, the bridge 155 is attached to a lateral boundary of the suction nozzle 115. It can partially or completely cover a lateral gap between the suction nozzle 115 and the floor surface. The bridge 155 can prevent dirt scraped off the edge 160 from being conveyed laterally beyond a boundary of the suction nozzle 115.

[0033] In Figure 1 A section line AA is shown, which corresponds to the section views of the Figure 2 and 3 underlying principle.

[0034] Figure 2 Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a cleaning robot 100 in a first embodiment. The underside of the cleaning robot 100, which is usually facing a floor surface, is shown in the illustration. Figure 2 Above. The side brush 120 is shown from a side perspective.

[0035] In particular, the edge 160 on the wiper element 155 is clearly visible. In a simple embodiment, the edge 160 runs straight in a vertical direction. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the edge 160 has a contour 205 in a horizontal direction at a predetermined vertical height above the base surface. The contour 205 is designed to bring together and arrange brush hairs or brush fibers of the radially outer section 140 of a brush arm 130 of the side brush 120 in a vertical direction. Individual fibers or hairs on the brush arm 130 can thereby be better aligned parallel to each other, so that they form a uniformly oriented bundle, similar to a brush.

[0036] The contour 205 shown has the shape of a circular segment. This results in a curved and, in particular, round contact surface of the edge 160 in the horizontal direction for fiber bundles on the brush arm 130.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a sectional view corresponding to the one from Figure 2 a cleaning robot 100 in a second embodiment. The illustrated embodiment differs essentially from that of Figure 2 by the shape of the contour 205. In the present case, the contour 205 is designed in the form of a prism, a triangle, or a wedge. The contour 205 comprises an upper and a lower section that converge vertically. The sections can be straight, as shown, or alternatively curved. An embodiment with several subsections of different directions or bends is also possible.

[0038] Optionally, a projection 305 can be provided in the contouring area 205, extending in the plane of rotation of the radially outer sections 140 around the axis of rotation 125. A projection 305 can be designed, in particular, as a needle, a ridge, a prong, or a blade. The projection 305 can engage between hairs or fibers of a radially outer section 140 when the radially outer section 140 is drawn through the contouring area 205. This can loosen the fiber bundle, and deeply embedded dirt can be combed out of the radially outer section 140 by means of the projection 305. In one embodiment, only one projection 305 is provided; in another embodiment, several projections 305 are arranged offset in the vertical direction. It should be noted that a projection 305 can also be used in conjunction with another embodiment, for example, as in the one described in Figure 2 depicted embodiment. Reference sign

[0039] 100 Cleaning robot 105 Longitudinal axis 110 Direction of movement 115 Suction nozzle 120 Side brush 125 Axis of rotation 130 Brush arm 135 Radial inner section 140 Radial outer section 145 Hub 150 Section of the cleaning area of ​​the brush arms 155 Scraper element, bridge 160 Edge 205 Contouring 305 lead

Claims

1. Cleaning robot (100) comprising: - a side brush (120) rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation (125); - the side brush (120) comprising at least one brush arm (130) extending radially from the axis of rotation (125); - a scraper element (155) attached to the cleaning robot (100) with an edge (160); - such that a radially outer section (140) of the brush arm (130) is drawn along the edge (160) of the scraper element (155) during its rotational movement about the axis of rotation (125).

2. Cleaning robot (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a suction mouth (115), wherein the scraper element (155) is attached in the area of ​​the suction mouth (115) so that dirt scraped off by the brush arm (130) can be picked up by the suction mouth (115).

3. Cleaning robot (100) according to claim 2, wherein the scraper element (155) is attached to a boundary of the suction mouth (115).

4. Cleaning robot (100) according to claim 3, wherein the scraper element (155) comprises a web extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (105) of the cleaning robot (100).

5. Cleaning robot (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the brush arm (130) sweeps over a section (150) of the suction mouth (115) and the wiper element (155) is attached to the cleaning robot (100) such that the edge (160) lies on or in this section (150).

6. Cleaning robot (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge (160) has a contour (205) to press the brush arm (130) to a predetermined vertical height during wiping.

7. Cleaning robot (100) according to claim 6, wherein the contouring (205) has the form of a circular arc.

8. Cleaning robot (100) according to claim 6, wherein the contouring (205) has the shape of a triangle or a prism.

9. Cleaning robot (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the brush arm (130) has several horizontal brush hairs on its radially outer section (140); wherein a horizontal projection (305) is formed at the edge (160) to divide the brush hairs when wiping.

10. Cleaning robot (100) according to claim 9, wherein several vertically offset projections (305) are provided on the edge (160).

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