Autonomous cleaning robot

Abstract

The autonomous cleaning robot comprises a main body (3); a rotating cleaning brush (7) rotatable about a brush rotation axis (A1); a suction unit provided with a suction motor and configured to generate an airflow through the suction mouth (5); a waste collection device (12) comprising a waste collection container (13) configured to be traversed by the airflow generated by the suction unit; and a filtration device (14) comprising a filtration portion (15) arranged in the waste collection container (13) and configured to filter the airflow flowing through the waste collection container (13), the filtration portion (15) having a tubular shape and having a central longitudinal axis (A3) parallel to the brush rotation axis (A1) Figure 10

Description

Title of the invention: Autonomous cleaning robot 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 complete surfaces of a home to be cleaned without any assistance from the user as long as these surfaces are flat, i.e. on the same level. They thus offer considerable time savings to users for other activities.

[0003] Document FR3124935 discloses an autonomous cleaning robot comprising:

[0004] - a main body comprising a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned and a suction inlet opening into the lower face of the main body, the main body delimiting a suction chamber fluidly connected to the suction inlet,

[0005] - a rotating cleaning brush housed in the suction chamber and mounted mobile in rotation around a brush rotation axis,

[0006] - a suction unit which is housed at least partly in the main body and which is configured to generate an airflow through the suction mouth,

[0007] - a waste collection device comprising a waste collection container located upstream of the suction unit and configured to be traversed by the air flow generated by the suction unit and to retain waste transported by the air flow, and

[0008] - a filtration device comprising a filtration part arranged in the waste collection container and configured to filter the airflow flowing through the waste collection container.

[0009] The filtration device described in document FR3124935 comprises a filtration part having a generally parallelepiped shape and comprising a first flat face, called the upstream face, and a second flat face, called the upstream face, which is located opposite the first flat face. The filtration device is more particularly configured such that the air flow, flowing through the filtration part, flows from the first flat face to the second flat face.

[0010] Such a configuration of the filtration device, combined with the fact that the internal volume of the waste collection container is relatively small (in order to limit the size of the autonomous cleaning robot), implies the use of a filtration device of small dimensions, and in particular having a first flat face of small dimensions. However, the use of such a filtration device is likely to induce rapid clogging of the filtration part (depending on the type of waste sucked up), and therefore to impair the cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaning robot. Summary of the invention

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

[0012] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing an autonomous cleaning robot which is of simple, economical, reliable and compact structure, while having increased cleaning performance.

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

[0014] - a main body comprising a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned and a suction inlet opening into the lower face of the main body, the main body delimiting a suction chamber fluidly connected to the suction inlet,

[0015] - a rotating cleaning brush housed in the suction chamber and mounted mobile in rotation around a brush rotation axis,

[0016] - a suction unit which is housed at least partly in the main body and which is configured to generate an airflow through the suction mouth, the suction unit comprising a suction motor provided with a motor shaft,

[0017] - a waste collection device comprising a waste collection container located upstream of the suction unit and configured to be traversed by the air flow generated by the suction unit and to retain waste transported by the air flow, and

[0018] - a filtration device comprising a filtration part arranged in the waste collection container and configured to filter the airflow flowing through the waste collection container,

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

[0020] Such an orientation and such a shape of the filtration part ensure a more homogeneous circulation of the air flow within the waste collection container, and therefore a more homogeneous and slower clogging of the filtration part, which allows to preserve the cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention for a longer period and to significantly increase the time interval between two successive cleaning operations of the filtration device.

[0021] Such a configuration of the filtration part thus makes it possible to maintain satisfactory cleaning performance without the need to use a suction unit with high power, and therefore while preserving the autonomy of the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0022] In addition, such an orientation and shape of the filtration portion provides the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention with increased compactness in the vertical direction, without harming the filtration performance of the filtration device.

[0023] The autonomous cleaning robot that is the subject 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 that is the subject 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.

[0024] By filtration device, also called filter element or filter, reference is made in the present document to a device comprising a filtration part capable of separating, from an air flow passing through the filtration part, all or part of the particles and dust transported by the air flow.

[0025] The autonomous cleaning robot may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

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

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filtration device is configured such that the airflow flowing through the filtration portion flows from an outer peripheral surface of the filtration portion to an inner peripheral surface of the filtration portion.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the external peripheral surface of the filtration part extends at a distance from the internal walls of the waste collection container located opposite said external peripheral surface. Such a configuration of the filtration part promotes the circulation of the air flow around the filtration part, and therefore ensures even more homogeneous clogging of the filtration part.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filtration device is arranged in the waste collection container such that at least a portion of the air flow flowing through the waste collection container flows at least partly around the filtration portion before flowing through the filtration portion.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the central longitudinal axis of the filtration portion is substantially coaxial with the motor axis. Such a configuration of the filtration portion and the suction motor limits the pressure losses for the air flow flowing within the autonomous cleaning robot, and therefore contributes to providing increased cleaning performance to the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the central longitudinal axis of the filtration portion is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the autonomous cleaning robot rests on a horizontal surface.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filtration part has a cylindrical or truncated cone shape.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filtration part comprises a first end portion having a first cross-section, and a second end portion, opposite the first end portion, having a second cross-section which is smaller than the first cross-section and which is located opposite the suction motor. Such a truncated cone shape of the filtration part makes it possible to distribute the air flow more homogeneously over the height of the filtration device and to have more homogeneous clogging between the end on the motor side and the free end of the filtration device. On a cylindrical filter, the retained particles accumulate on the end portion of the filter located on the motor side, which leads to less homogeneous clogging of the filter.Furthermore, such a truncated cone shape of the filtering part makes it possible to maximize the diameter of the filtering device, while allowing large particles (sheep, cotton ball, etc.), which would tend to get stuck at the end of the filtering device on the engine side, to slide towards the free end of the filtering device, which is of smaller diameter and which provides a larger space between the periphery of the filtering device and the casing of the waste collection container to more easily release these large particles. On the contrary, it is difficult to maximize the diameter of a cylindrical filter (and therefore maximize its capacity) without hindering the circulation of large particles around the filter.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filtration device comprises a closing member configured to close the second end portion of the filtration part.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filtration device delimits a internal volume which is located downstream of the filtration part, relative to the direction of flow of the air flow, and comprises an air outlet opening which is fluidically connected to the internal volume.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air outlet opening is substantially coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the filtration part. Such a configuration of the filtration part further limits the pressure losses for the air flow flowing within the autonomous cleaning robot.

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

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filtration part is a filter medium and for example a pleated filter medium, such as a pleated filter media sheet having accordion folds and configured in the shape of a tube or a truncated cone. This embodiment makes it possible, for a given size, to increase the filtration capacity of the filtration device. The filter media sheet comprises one or more layers of filter media made of fibers, for example cellulose, glass or synthetic material, woven or non-woven.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filtration device is removable relative to the waste collection container. Such a configuration of the filtration device makes it easier to clean the latter.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste collection container comprises a passage opening through which the filtration part is adapted to be introduced into and removed from the waste collection container.

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

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filtration portion is configured to be withdrawn from the waste collection container in a withdrawal direction which is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the filtration portion.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste collection device is removably mounted on the main body.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filtration device comprises an openwork tubular support configured to support the filtration part and around which the filtration part is mounted. Such an openwork tubular support provides internal support to the filtration part, to prevent the filtration part from deforming inwards due to the suction depression downstream of the filtration part.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the perforated tubular support extends substantially coaxially with the filtration part.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the autonomous cleaning robot comprises a connecting channel fluidly connecting the suction chamber to an air inlet opening provided on the waste collection container, the connecting channel opening into a rear portion of the suction chamber.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste collection container comprises an inner upper wall which extends above and at a distance from the filtration portion and which delimits, with the filtration portion, an upper flow passage, the waste collection container further comprising an upper deflector which extends at least partly opposite the air inlet opening, and for example also above the air inlet opening, and which is configured to deflect, towards the upper flow passage, the air flow exiting the connecting channel. The upper deflector may for example comprise a curved upper deflection surface having an aerodynamic profile, such as an aircraft wing profile.Such a configuration of the waste collection container ensures an even more homogeneous flow of the air flow within the waste collection container, and in particular a circulation of the air flow around the filtration part, which ensures a more homogeneous distribution of the particles or dust, retained by the filtration part, around the filtration part and therefore makes it possible to improve the filtration efficiency.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting channel comprises an air outlet which is open upwards and which corresponds to the air inlet opening provided on the waste collection container, the upper deflector extending opposite the air outlet and above the air outlet and the upper deflector being extended rearwardly by the inner upper wall of the collection container. Such a configuration of the waste collection container ensures an even more homogeneous flow of the air flow within the waste collection container, and in particular a better circulation of the air flow around the filtration part, which ensures a more homogeneous distribution of the particles or dust, retained by the filtration part, around the filtration part, thus making it possible to improve the filtration efficiency.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper deflector is located above the central longitudinal axis of the filtration part. In other words, the upper deflector is located above a horizontal plane passing through the central longitudinal axis of the filtration part.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inner top wall of the waste collection container is substantially planar and is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the autonomous cleaning robot rests on a horizontal surface. Advantageously, the inner top wall of the waste collection container extends rearwardly of the autonomous cleaning robot beyond the central longitudinal axis.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting channel is configured to extend substantially vertically when the autonomous cleaning robot rests on a horizontal surface.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper deflector extends upwards a front internal wall of the connecting channel. Advantageously, the front internal wall of the connecting channel extends vertically or with an angle of inclination relative to the vertical which is less than 10°.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air inlet opening has a passage section which is oblong and which extends in a direction of extension which is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the filtration part. Such a configuration of the air inlet opening ensures an even more homogeneous circulation of the air flow within the waste collection container.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the autonomous cleaning robot comprises a wet cleaning device comprising at least one mop support, and at least one mop removably mounted on the at least one mop support and configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the autonomous cleaning robot comprises a cleaning liquid reservoir, and the wet 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 support. Advantageously, the liquid outlets are located at the front of the at least one mop support, and in particular in advance of the at least one mop.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the wet cleaning device comprises:

[0059] - two mop supports which are each mounted to move in translation by relative to the main body in a direction of support movement extending substantially perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the main body, the two mop supports being mounted to move relative to each other between a close configuration in which the two mop holders are close to each other and a far configuration in which the two mop holders are far from each other, and

[0060] - two mops mounted removably on the two supports respectively mop and configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

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

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

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the wet cleaning device is vertically movable between an active position in which the wet cleaning device is configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned and an inactive position in which the wet cleaning device is configured to be located at a distance from the surface to be cleaned.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction mouth is located in a front part of the main body.

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

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the autonomous cleaning robot comprises two drive wheels configured to roll on the surface to be cleaned and arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the main body, the two drive wheels being mounted to move in rotation on the main body respectively around two axes of rotation which are substantially parallel.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste collection container is arranged at least partly between the two drive wheels.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction unit comprises a fan which is coupled to the suction motor and which is configured to generate the air flow through the suction mouth. Brief description of the figures

[0069] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of two particular embodiments of the invention presented as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

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

[0071] [Fig.2] is a perspective view from below of the autonomous cleaning robot of [Fig.l], showing mops equipping the autonomous cleaning robot in a close-up configuration.

[0072] [Fig.3] is a bottom perspective view of the autonomous cleaning robot of [Fig.l], showing the mops in a remote configuration.

[0073] [Fig.4] is a bottom view of the autonomous cleaning robot of [Fig.l], showing the mops in the close-up configuration.

[0074] [Fig.5] is a bottom view of the autonomous cleaning robot of [Fig.l], showing the mops in the remote configuration.

[0075] [Fig.6] is a side view of the autonomous cleaning robot of [Fig.l].

[0076] [Fig.7] is a perspective view from below of the autonomous cleaning robot of the [Fig.l], showing mop holders equipping the autonomous cleaning robot in a close-up configuration.

[0077] [Fig.8] is a bottom perspective view of the autonomous cleaning robot of [Fig.l], showing the mop holders in a remote configuration.

[0078] [Fig.9] is a truncated perspective view of the autonomous cleaning robot of [Fig.l].

[0079] [Fig. 10] is a longitudinal sectional view of the autonomous cleaning robot of [Fig.l].

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

[0081] [Fig. 12] is a sectional view, along a horizontal section plane, of a waste collection device belonging to the autonomous cleaning robot of [Fig.l].

[0082] [Fig. 13] is a truncated perspective view of an autonomous cleaning robot according to a second embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0083] 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.

[0084] It will be noted that in this document, 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 use when it rests by its wheels on a floor to be cleaned which is flat and horizontal.

[0085] 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.

[0086] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term “substantially” means, in this document, “exactly or to within 10% or 10°”.

[0087] Figures 1 to 12 represent an autonomous cleaning robot 2, and more particularly a robot vacuum cleaner, configured to move autonomously on a surface to be cleaned.

[0088] 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 provided in a front part 3.1 of the main body 3 and which opens into the lower face 4 of the main body 3. Advantageously, the suction mouth 5 is elongated and extends substantially perpendicular to a main direction of movement DI of the autonomous cleaning robot 2.

[0089] As shown in [Fig. 10], 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.

[0090] 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 comprises 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 also comprises a drive mechanism (not visible in the figures) which is configured to rotate the rotating cleaning brush 7 around the brush rotation axis AL

[0093] As shown more particularly in Figures 2 to 8, 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 DI. Advantageously, the two drive wheels 8 are arranged on either side of a median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3.

[0094] 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.

[0095] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the autonomous cleaning robot 2 comprises additional wheels 10 mounted freely rotatable relative to the main body 3, and for example two additional wheels 10 arranged on the front part 3.1 of the main body 3.

[0096] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further comprises a suction unit 11 which is housed in the main body 3. The suction unit 11 comprises a suction motor 11.1, provided with a motor shaft A2, and a fan 11.2 which is coupled to the suction motor 11.1 and which is configured to generate an airflow through the suction mouth 5.

[0097] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 also comprises a waste collection device 12 (see Figures 9 and 10) 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 11.2 and to retain waste transported by the air flow. Advantageously, the waste collection container 13 is arranged at least partly between the two drive wheels 8.

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

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

[0100] As shown in [Fig.10], the filtration device 14 is configured such that the airflow flowing through the filtration portion 15 flows from a outer peripheral surface 16.1 of the filtration part 15 to an inner peripheral surface 16.2 of the filtration part 15.

[0101] Advantageously, the outer peripheral surface 16.1 of the filtering portion 15 extends away from the inner walls of the waste collection container 13 located opposite said outer peripheral surface 16.1. Thus, the filtering device 14 is arranged in the waste collection container 13 in such a way 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 partly around the filtering portion 15 before flowing through the filtering portion 15.

[0102] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the filtration part 15 has a frustoconical shape, and comprises a first end portion 15.1 having a first cross-section, and a second end portion 15.2, opposite the first end portion 15.1, having a second cross-section which is smaller than the first cross-section and which is located opposite the suction motor 11.1. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the filtration part 15 could have a cylindrical shape. Advantageously, the filtration device 14 comprises a closure member 17 configured to close the second end portion 15.2 of the filtration part 15.

[0103] As shown in [Fig.l 1], the filtration device 14 delimits an internal volume 18 which is located downstream of the filtration part 15, relative to the direction of flow of the air flow, and comprises an air outlet opening 19 which is fluidically connected to the internal volume 18. Advantageously, the air outlet opening 19 is substantially coaxial with the central longitudinal axis A3 of the filtration part 15, and is configured to be directly fluidically connected to an air intake orifice 21 of the suction unit 11.

[0104] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the filtration device 14 is removable relative to the waste collection container 13. For this purpose, the waste collection container 13 more particularly comprises a passage opening 22 through which the filtration part 15 is able to be introduced into and removed from the waste collection container 13. Advantageously, the passage opening 22 is configured to be oriented towards a lateral edge of the main body 3, and the filtration part 15 is configured to be removed from the waste collection container 13 in a withdrawal direction which is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A3 of the filtration part 15.

[0105] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further comprises a connecting channel 24 fluidly connecting the suction chamber 6 to the waste collection container 13, and more particularly to an air inlet opening 25 provided on the waste collection container. waste 13. As shown in [Fig. 10], the connecting channel 24 opens into a rear portion of the suction chamber 6. Advantageously, the connecting channel 24 is configured to extend substantially vertically when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 rests on a horizontal surface, and the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3 intersects with the connecting channel 24. The connecting channel 24 may for example have a passage section which is oblong and which extends in a direction of extension which is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A3 of the filtration part 15. Similarly, the air inlet opening 25 also has a passage section which is oblong and which extends in a direction of extension which is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A3 of the filtration part 15.

[0106] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, and as shown in [Fig.10], the waste collection container 13 comprises an inner upper wall 13.1 which is planar and which is configured to extend horizontally when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 rests on a horizontal surface. The inner upper wall 13.1 of the waste collection container 13 extends towards the rear of the autonomous cleaning robot 2 beyond the central longitudinal axis A3, and extends above and away from the filtration portion 15, such that the inner upper wall 13.1 and the filtration portion 15 define between them an upper flow passage 26.

[0107] The waste collection container 13 further comprises an upper deflector 27 which extends at least partly opposite the air inlet opening 25 and above the air inlet opening 25 and which is configured to deflect, towards the upper flow passage 26, the air flow exiting the connecting channel 24. Advantageously, the upper deflector 27 is located above the central longitudinal axis A3 of the filtration part 15, that is to say above a horizontal plane passing through the central longitudinal axis A3.

[0108] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the connecting channel 24 has an air outlet which is open upwards and which corresponds to the air inlet opening 25 provided on the waste collection container 13, and the upper deflector 27 extends opposite the air outlet and above the air outlet and is extended rearwardly by the inner upper wall 13.1 of the collection container 13. Advantageously, the upper deflector 27 extends upwardly a front inner wall 24.1 of the connecting channel 24. The front inner wall 24.1 of the connecting channel 24 may for example extend vertically or with an angle of inclination relative to the vertical which is less than 10°.

[0109] The upper deflector 27 may for example comprise an upper deflection surface which is curved and which has an aerodynamic profile, such as an airplane wing profile. The presence of such an upper deflector 27 promotes the circulation of the flow of air around the filtration portion 15 before it flows through the filtration portion 15.

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

[0111] As shown in particular in [Fig.2], the autonomous cleaning robot 2 further comprises a wet cleaning device 29 which is arranged in a rear part 3.2 of the main body 3. Advantageously, the wet cleaning device 29 is arranged opposite the rotating cleaning brush 7 relative to the axes of rotation of the drive wheels 8.

[0112] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the wet cleaning device 29 is vertically movable between an active position (see figures 1 and 6) in which the wet cleaning device 29 is configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned and an inactive position (see figures 2 and 10) in which the wet cleaning device 29 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 wet cleaning device 29, and the inactive position corresponds to a raised position of the wet cleaning device 29.

[0113] As shown in [Fig.10], the main body 3 delimits a receiving housing 31 which is open downwards, that is to say which opens into the lower face 4 of the main body 3, and the wet cleaning device 29 comprises a support casing 32 which is mounted to be movable in translation in the receiving housing 31.

[0114] The wet cleaning device 29 also comprises one or more mop supports 33 attached to the support housing 32, and further one or more mops 34 each removably attached to a respective mop support 33. Each mop 34 is more particularly configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned when the wet cleaning device 29 is in the active position.

[0115] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the wet cleaning device 29 comprises two mop supports 33 which are arranged side by side, and two mops 34 removably mounted respectively on the two mop supports 33. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the wet cleaning device 29 could comprise a single mop support 33, and a single mop 34 having a width corresponding substantially to the width of the main body 3.

[0116] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the two mop supports 33 are each mounted to move in translation relative to the main body 3 according to a support movement direction D2 which extends perpendicular to the main movement direction DI of the autonomous cleaning robot 2, and parallel to the axes of rotation of the two drive wheels 8. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, each of the mop supports 33 could be mounted vibrating relative to the main body 3, or even be immobile relative to the support casing 32 (the or each of the mops 34 would then be passive).

[0117] Advantageously, the mop supports 33 are mounted to move relative to each other between a close configuration (see [Fig.7]) in which the two mop supports 33 are close to each other, and therefore in which the two mops 34 are also close to each other, and a distant configuration (see [Fig.8]) in which the two mop supports 33 are distant from each other, and therefore in which the two mops 34 are also distant from each other.

[0118] The wet cleaning device 29 also comprises a movement mechanism 35 configured to move the mop supports 33 in translation along the support movement direction D2 and alternately between the close configuration and the distant configuration. Thus, the movement mechanism 35 is configured to move the two mop supports 33 in translation in phase opposition.

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

[0120] The wet cleaning device 29 further comprises a plurality of liquid outlet ports 37 which are configured to be fluidically connected to the cleaning liquid reservoir 36 and which are configured to supply cleaning liquid to the mops 34 mounted on the mop holders 33.

[0121] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the liquid outlet orifices 37 are aligned in an alignment direction which extends perpendicular to the main direction of movement DI of the autonomous cleaning robot 2, and are regularly spaced from each other. Advantageously, the liquid outlet orifices 37 are located at the front of the mop supports 33, and for example at the front of the mops 34, and are configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned.

[0122] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further comprises a control unit 38 (see [Fig.6]) 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 the movements of the wet cleaning device 29 between the active and inactive positions.

[0123] The control unit 38 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 38 may for example comprise an electronic card configured to receive and process these different data.

[0124] [Fig. 13] represents an autonomous cleaning robot 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 essentially in that the filtration part 15 is made of a tubular foam, for example polyurethane, and in that the filtration device 14 comprises an openwork tubular support 39 configured to support the filtration part 15 and around which the filtration part 15 is mounted. Such an openwork tubular support 39 provides internal support for the filtration part 15, to prevent the filtration part 15 from deforming inwards due to the suction depression downstream of the filtration part 15. Advantageously, the openwork tubular support 39 extends substantially coaxially with the filtration part 15.

[0125] The openwork tubular support 39 may for example be integral with the filtration part 15 and the closure member 17.

[0126] It should be noted that the filtration device 14 equipping the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 could also be equipped with an openwork tubular support similar to the openwork tubular support 39 shown in [Fig. 13], and that the second embodiment of the invention could be devoid of such an openwork tubular support.

[0127] According to an embodiment not shown in the figures, the filtration part 15 could comprise at least one wound, non-pleated layer, made from a mass of non-woven fibers and shaped into a tube or truncated cone.

[0128] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given only as examples. 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

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 and a suction mouth (5) opening into the lower face (4) of the main body (3), the main body (3) delimiting 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), - a suction unit (11) which is housed at least partly in the main body (3) and which is configured to generate an air flow through the suction mouth (5), the suction unit (11) comprising a suction motor (11.1) provided with a motor shaft (A2), - a waste collection device (12) comprising a waste collection container (13) located upstream of the suction unit (11) and configured to be traversed by the air flow generated by the suction unit (11) and to retain waste transported by the air flow, and - a filtering device (14) comprising a filtering portion (15) arranged in the waste collection container (13) and configured to filter the air flow flowing through the waste collection container (13), characterized in that the filtering portion (15) has a generally tubular shape and has a central longitudinal axis (A3), and in that the central longitudinal axis (A3) of the filtering portion (15) extends substantially parallel to the brush rotation axis (A1).

2. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to claim 1, wherein the filtration device (14) is configured such that the airflow flowing through the filtration portion (15) flows from an outer peripheral surface (16.1) of the filtration portion (15) to an inner peripheral surface (16.2) of the filtration portion (15).

3. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to claim 2, wherein the outer peripheral surface (16.1) of the filtration part (15) extends away from the inner walls of the waste collection container (13) located opposite said outer peripheral surface (16.1).

4. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of the claims- dications 1 to 3, wherein the filtration device (14) is arranged in the waste collection container (13) such that at least a portion of the air flow flowing through the waste collection container (13) flows at least partly around the filtration portion (15) before flowing through the filtration portion (15).

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

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

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

8. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to claim 7, wherein the filtration part (15) comprises a first end portion (15.1) having a first cross-section, and a second end portion (15.2), opposite the first end portion (15.1), having a second cross-section which is smaller than the first cross-section and which is located opposite the suction motor (11.1).

9. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the filtration device (14) delimits an internal volume (18) which is located downstream of the filtration part (15), relative to the direction of flow of the air flow, and comprises an air outlet opening (19) which is fluidically connected to the internal volume (18).

10. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the filtration device (14) is removable from 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) has a passage opening (22) through which the filtration portion (15) is adapted to be inserted into and removed from the waste collection container (13).

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

13. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the filtration device (14) comprises an openwork tubular support (39) configured to support the filtration part (15) and around which the filtration part (15) is mounted.

14. Autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which comprises a connecting channel (24) fluidly connecting the suction chamber (6) to an air inlet opening (25) provided on the waste collection container (13), the connecting channel (24) opening into a rear part of the suction chamber (6).

15. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to claim 14, wherein the waste collection container (13) comprises an inner upper wall (13.1) which extends above and at a distance from the filtration portion (15) and which delimits, with the filtration portion (15), an upper flow passage (26), the waste collection container (13) further comprising an upper deflector (27) which extends at least partly opposite the air inlet opening (25) and which is configured to deflect, towards the upper flow passage (26), the air flow exiting the connecting channel (24).

16. An autonomous cleaning robot (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, which comprises a wet cleaning device (29) comprising at least one mop holder (33), and at least one mop (34) removably mounted on the at least one mop holder (33) and configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

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