Autonomous cleaning robot equipped with two fixed side cleaning elements

Abstract

The autonomous cleaning robot (2) comprises a main body (3) having a suction inlet (5) and defining a suction chamber (6); a rotating cleaning brush (7) mounted for movability and rotation within the suction chamber (6) around 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 inlet (5) and comprising respectively a first flexible cleaning portion (27) and a second flexible cleaning portion (31), the first and second cleaning portions (27, 31) being configured to direct debris, which comes into contact with the first and second cleaning portions (27, 31) when the autonomous cleaning robot (2) moves along the main direction of movement (D1), towards the suction inlet (5). Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Autonomous cleaning robot equipped with two fixed lateral cleaning elements technical field

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

[0002] Autonomous cleaning robots have become commonplace nowadays, making it possible to clean entire surfaces of a home without any user assistance, provided these surfaces are flat, i.e., on the same level. They thus offer users considerable time savings for other activities.

[0003] Document FR3119748 discloses an autonomous cleaning robot comprising:

[0004] - a main body having a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, a suction inlet opening into the underside 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,

[0005] - a rotating cleaning brush housed in the suction chamber and mounted mobile rotating around a brush rotation axis that extends transversely to the main direction of movement, and

[0006] - a first lateral cleaning element and a second lateral cleaning element which are mounted on a front part of the main body and 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,

[0007] the first and second cleaning parts being configured to direct waste, which comes into contact with the first and second cleaning parts when the autonomous cleaning robot moves along the main direction of movement, towards the suction mouth.

[0008] 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 cleaning robot autonomous, since no drive mechanism capable of driving the first and second lateral cleaning elements is required, 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.

[0009] Furthermore, since the first and second cleaning parts are configured to direct the waste encountered by the first and second cleaning parts towards the suction mouth when the autonomous cleaning robot moves along the main direction of movement, the autonomous cleaning robot as described in document FR3119748 exhibits very good cleaning performance.

[0010] However, due to the arrangement of the first and second lateral cleaning elements at the front of the suction mouth, i.e. at the 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 efficient suction of waste located in the immediate vicinity of obstacles encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot when it moves along the main direction of movement.

[0011] In addition, such an arrangement of the first and second lateral cleaning elements impairs the compactness of the autonomous cleaning robot. Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0013] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular of providing an autonomous cleaning robot which is of simple and compact structure, while allowing efficient, fast and easy cleaning of a surface to be cleaned.

[0014] To this end, the invention relates to an autonomous cleaning robot comprising:

[0015] - a main body having a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, a suction inlet opening into the underside 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,

[0016] - a rotating cleaning brush housed in the suction chamber and mounted mobile rotating around a brush rotation axis that extends transversely to the main direction of movement, and

[0017] - a first lateral cleaning element and a second lateral cleaning element which are mounted on a front part of the main body and are fixed relative to the main body, the first lateral cleaning element comprising a first part cleaning which is flexible and the second lateral cleaning element having a second cleaning part which is flexible, the first and second cleaning parts being configured to orient waste, which comes into contact with the first and second cleaning parts when the autonomous cleaning robot moves in the main direction of movement, towards the suction mouth,

[0018] the first lateral cleaning element and the second lateral cleaning element 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 behind the front edge of the suction mouth.

[0019] 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 obstacles encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot when it moves along the main direction of movement.

[0020] In addition, such an arrangement of the first and second lateral cleaning elements ensures a certain sealing (between the surface to be cleaned and the lower face of the main body) on either side of the suction opening, which makes it possible to direct the airflows under the autonomous cleaning robot towards the front of the autonomous cleaning robot (and thus to concentrate the suction in front of the suction opening and directly above the suction opening), and thus to ensure efficient suction of the waste encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0021] Consequently, the specific arrangement of the first and second cleaning elements gives the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention increased cleaning performance.

[0022] The autonomous cleaning robot of the present invention is designed, like the majority of autonomous cleaning robots, to efficiently clean floors when moving along a direction parallel to the robot's longitudinal axis and in a predetermined direction of movement. The direction of movement parallel to the robot's longitudinal axis and the predetermined direction of movement define a principal direction of movement for the autonomous cleaning robot of the present invention. Thus, a front or rear portion of the robot's main body is identified with respect to the robot's principal direction of movement.

[0023] The autonomous cleaning robot may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front edge and the rear edge of the suction mouths extend substantially perpendicularly to the main direction of movement of the autonomous cleaning robot, and therefore substantially perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front edge and the rear edge of the suction mouth are substantially parallel.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear edges of the first and second cleaning parts are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than or equal to the length of the suction mouth.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second lateral cleaning elements are arranged in a recessed position from the front edge of the main body.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear edges of the first and second cleaning sections are located at the rear of the rotation axis of the rotating cleaning brush. This configuration of the first and second cleaning sections further increases the seal on both sides of the suction inlet, and further enhances the cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear edges of the first and second cleaning sections are located in the vicinity of a vertical transverse plane containing the rear edge of the suction inlet. Such a configuration of the first and second cleaning sections further increases the sealing on both sides of the suction inlet, and makes it possible to further enhance the cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0030] 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.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front edges of the first and second cleaning sections are separated by a first separation distance, and the rear edges of the first and second cleaning sections are separated by a second separation distance that is less than the first separation distance. Such a configuration of the first and second cleaning sections facilitates the guidance of the debris encountered by these sections 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 sections also makes it possible to direct the airflow under the autonomous cleaning robot towards the front of the autonomous cleaning robot, which facilitates the suction of the debris encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second cleaning parts converge towards each other in the direction of a rear part of the body main.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first lateral cleaning element is elongated and extends globally along a first extension direction, and the second lateral cleaning element is elongated and extends globally along a second extension direction. Advantageously, the first and second extension directions converge towards each other in the direction of the rear part of the main body.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second directions of extension are inclined with respect 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°.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning section is twisted along the first extension direction, and the second cleaning section is twisted along the second extension direction. Such a configuration of the first and second cleaning sections allows their inclination relative to the horizontal to be varied, in particular enabling a high opening angle of the first and second cleaning sections, even with shorter lengths. These arrangements notably allow the ends of the rotating cleaning brush to be brought closer to the lateral edges of the main body, thus further improving the cleaning efficiency of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part has an overall flat shape or has a wall or strip shape, and the second cleaning part has an overall flat shape or has a wall or strip shape.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second cleaning parts are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the first cleaning part is inclined with respect to the horizontal and 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 with respect to the horizontal and vertical when the autonomous cleaning robot rests, in particular by its drive wheels, on a horizontal surface.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning section has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which varies along the first section of cleaning, and the second cleaning section has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which varies along the second cleaning section. Advantageously, the first cleaning section has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which increases towards the rear edge of the first cleaning section, and the second cleaning section has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which increases towards the rear edge of the second cleaning section.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part comprises a first portion of the front wall which is inclined downwards and laterally outwards from the main body, and the second cleaning part comprises a second portion of the front wall which is inclined downwards and laterally outwards from the main body.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first portion of the front wall is inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle of inclination between 30 and 60°, and advantageously between 35 and 50°, and the second portion of the front wall is inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle of inclination between 30 and 60°, and advantageously between 35 and 50°.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part comprises a first portion of the rear wall which is inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle of inclination between 70 and 90°, advantageously between 80 and 90°, and the second cleaning part comprises a second portion of the rear wall which is inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle of inclination between 70 and 90°, advantageously between 80 and 90°.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first portion of the rear wall is inclined downwards and laterally outwards from the main body, and the second portion of the rear wall is inclined downwards and laterally outwards from the main body.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first portion of the rear wall is located inset from the first lateral edge of the main body, and the second portion of the rear wall is located inset from the second lateral edge of the main body.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the first cleaning section, for example the first front wall section, protrudes laterally from the first lateral edge of the main body, and at least a portion of the second cleaning section, for example the second front wall section, protrudes laterally from the second lateral edge of the main body. These arrangements enable the autonomous cleaning robot to effectively clean surfaces located along walls, while allowing the autonomous cleaning robot to move along these walls without coming into contact with them.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first lateral 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.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second lateral 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.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first lateral cleaning element is formed by a first lateral cleaning brush, and the second lateral cleaning element is formed by a second lateral cleaning brush.

[0049] 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.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part is formed by a first cleaning strip which is elastically deformable, and the second cleaning part is formed by a second cleaning strip which is elastically deformable.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part comprises a first lower elongated edge which extends along the entire length of the first cleaning part 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 part comprises a second lower elongated edge which extends along the entire length of the second cleaning part 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.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning part has a first length measured parallel to the median longitudinal plane of the main body and the second cleaning part 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.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the autonomous cleaning robot comprises a cleaning device, such as a wet cleaning device, including 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 allows to further enhance the cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one mop support is mounted movable relative to the main body in a displacement movement comprising a translational component extending in a displacement plane which is substantially perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one mop support is mounted movable in translation relative to the main body along a direction of support displacement extending substantially perpendicularly to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the autonomous cleaning robot includes a cleaning fluid reservoir, and the cleaning device includes a plurality of fluid outlet ports which are configured to be fluidly connected to the cleaning fluid reservoir and which are configured to supply cleaning fluid to at least one mop mounted on at least one mop holder.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device comprises:

[0058] - two mop supports, each of which is mounted to move in translation by relative to the main body along a support displacement direction extending substantially perpendicularly to the median longitudinal plane of the main body, the two mop supports being mounted movable relative to each other between a close configuration in which the two mop supports are close to each other and a distant configuration in which the two mop supports are far apart, and

[0059] - two mops mounted removably respectively on the two supports of mop and configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device is movable vertically 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 away from the surface to be cleaned.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body comprises a plurality of waste guidance channels extending under a front portion of the main body and in front of the suction inlet, each waste guidance channel being configured to be open downwards and comprising a front opening that leads into a front face of the main body and a rear opening that leads into the suction chamber, each waste guidance channel having a width, measured along a transverse direction extending perpendicularly to the The median longitudinal plane of the main body, which decreases in the direction of the respective rear opening. Such waste guidance channels further facilitate the guidance of waste encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot towards the suction inlet, thereby further improving the cleaning efficiency of the autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of waste guidance channels comprises a first lateral waste guidance channel and a second lateral waste guidance channel, the first cleaning part being located at least partly directly opposite a waste guidance wall belonging to the first lateral waste guidance channel and the second cleaning part being located at least partly directly opposite a waste guidance wall belonging to the second lateral waste guidance channel.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front edges of the first and second cleaning parts are located inset from the front openings of the waste guidance channels.

[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 cleaning device is disposed in a rear part of the main body.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body has, viewed from above, a general shape of D.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the invention, the axis of rotation of the rotating cleaning brush is substantially horizontal when the autonomous cleaning robot rests on a horizontal surface. Brief description of the figures

[0068] The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0069] Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of an autonomous cleaning robot according to the present invention.

[0070] Fig. 2 is a perspective view from below of the autonomous cleaning robot of Fig. 1.

[0071] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the autonomous cleaning robot of Fig. 1.

[0072] Fig. 4 is a front view of the autonomous cleaning robot of Fig. 1.

[0073] Fig. 5 is a side view of the autonomous cleaning robot of Fig. 1.

[0074] Fig. 6 is a side view of the autonomous cleaning robot of Fig. 1.

[0075] Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the autonomous cleaning robot of Fig. 1. Detailed description

[0076] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numerals from one figure to another.

[0077] 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 on its wheels on a flat and horizontal floor to be cleaned.

[0078] In this document, the term “median longitudinal plane” means a vertical plane that is parallel to the principal direction of movement and that divides the main body into two substantially equal parts, left and right.

[0079] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term "substantially" means, in this document, "exactly or to within 10% or to within 10°".

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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 nozzle 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 nozzle 5 is elongated and extends substantially perpendicularly to a main direction of movement DI of the autonomous cleaning robot 2. Advantageously, the suction nozzle 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 perpendicularly to a median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3.

[0082] As shown in [Fig.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.

[0083] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the main body 3, viewed from above in a substantially vertical orientation, has a general D-shaped form and comprises a rear edge that is curved and, viewed from above in a substantially vertical orientation, has an arc-shaped form. However, the main body 3 could have a completely different shape, and for example, a general circular or rectangular shape.

[0084] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 also includes a rotating cleaning brush 7 housed in the suction chamber 6 and mounted movably to rotate around a brush rotation axis Al which extends perpendicularly to the main direction of movement Dl. Advantageously, the brush rotation axis Al is substantially horizontal when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0085] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 also includes a drive mechanism (not visible in the figures) which is configured to drive the rotating cleaning brush 7 in rotation around the brush rotation axis Al.

[0086] As shown more particularly in 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 rotate freely relative to the main body 3, and have axes of rotation which are parallel, and advantageously coaxial, and which extend perpendicularly to the main direction of movement DL. Advantageously, the two drive wheels 8 are arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3.

[0087] The two drive wheels 8 are advantageously motorized independently of each other. Thus, the autonomous cleaning robot 2 comprises two rotational drive mechanisms 9 housed in the main body 3 and each configured to rotate one of the two drive wheels 8. Each rotational drive mechanism 9 has a drive motor rotationally coupled to the respective drive wheel 8 and disposed, 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 its own axis, move forward, or move backward.

[0088] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the autonomous cleaning robot 2 has additional wheels 10 mounted freely in rotation 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.

[0089] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a suction unit 11 which is housed in the main body 3. The suction unit 11 includes 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.

[0090] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 also includes a waste collection device 12 which is mounted, for example in a removable manner, on the main body 3. The waste collection device 12 has a waste collection container 13 located upstream of the suction unit 11, and configured to be traversed by the airflow generated by the fan and to retain waste transported by the airflow.

[0091] As shown in particular in [Fig.2], the autonomous cleaning robot 2 further includes a cleaning device 14, such as a wet cleaning device, which is disposed in a rear part 3.2 of the main body 3. Advantageously, the cleaning device 14 is disposed opposite the rotating cleaning brush 7 with respect to the axes of rotation of the drive wheels 8.

[0092] The cleaning device 14 can, for example, be moved 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.

[0093] The cleaning device 14 includes, in particular, a support housing 16, one or more mop holders 17 attached to the support housing 16, and furthermore one or more mops 18 each removably attached to a respective mop holder 17. Each mop 18 is more specifically configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned when the cleaning device 14 is in the active position.

[0094] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the cleaning device 14 comprises two mop holders 17 which are arranged side by side, and two mops 18 mounted removably respectively on the two mop holders 17. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device 14 could comprise a single mop holder 17, and a single mop 18 having a width corresponding substantially to the width of the main body 3.

[0095] 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 along a direction of support movement D2 (see [Fig.3]) which extends perpendicularly 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.

[0096] Advantageously, the mop supports 17 are mounted movable relative to each other between a close configuration in which the two mop supports 17 are close to each other, and therefore in which the two mops 18 are also close to each other, and a far configuration (see [Fig.3]) in which the two mop supports 17 are far from each other, and therefore in which the two mops 18 are also far from each other.

[0097] The cleaning device 14 also includes a displacement mechanism 19 configured to move the mop supports 17 in translation along the direction of movement of support D2 and alternately between the close and distant configurations. Thus, the movement mechanism 19 is configured to move the two mop supports 17 in translation in opposite phases.

[0098] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 also includes a cleaning fluid reservoir 21 which is configured to supply cleaning fluid to the two mop heads 18. The cleaning fluid reservoir 21 is mounted, for example in a removable manner, on the main body 3, and can for example be located in the rear part 3.2 of the main body 3.

[0099] The cleaning device 14 further comprises a plurality of liquid outlets 22 (see [Fig. 3]) which are configured to be fluidly connected to the cleaning liquid reservoir 21 and which are configured to supply cleaning liquid to the mops 18 mounted on the mop holders 17. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the liquid outlets 22 are aligned along an alignment direction that extends perpendicularly to the main direction of travel D1, and are configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned. Advantageously, the liquid outlets 22 are located at the front of the mop holders 17, and for example at the front of the mops 18.

[0100] As shown in [Fig. 2], the autonomous cleaning robot 2 also includes a first side cleaning element 23 and a second side cleaning element 24 which are fixed relative to the main body 3. The first and second side 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 inlet 5 and respectively in the vicinity of a first side edge 3.11 and a second side edge 3.12 of the main body 3. Advantageously, the first and second side cleaning elements 23, 24 are arranged set back from the front edge of the main body 3.

[0101] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first lateral cleaning element 23 protrudes from the lower face 4 of the main body 3 by a first height of protrusion which is substantially constant along the first lateral cleaning element 23, and the second lateral cleaning element 24 protrudes from the lower face 4 of the main body 3 by a second height of protrusion which is substantially constant along the second lateral cleaning element 24 and which is substantially identical to the first height of protrusion.

[0102] As shown in [Fig. 2], the first and second lateral cleaning elements 23, 24 are elongated and extend globally respectively along a first extension direction DE1 and a second extension direction 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 extension directions DE1, DE2 are inclined relative to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3 respectively at 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 approximately 21°, and the second angle of inclination may, for example, be approximately 9°.

[0103] According to the embodiment shown in 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 with respect to the horizontal, for example, by an angle of inclination between ±20° and, advantageously, ±10°.

[0104] The first lateral cleaning element 23 comprises a first fastening portion 25 which is elongated and which is fixed, for example, in a first receiving groove 26 provided on the lower face 4 of the main body 3, and a first cleaning portion 27 which is fixed to the first fastening portion 25 and which projects out of the first receiving groove 26. Similarly, the second lateral cleaning element 24 comprises a second fastening portion 28 which is elongated and which is fixed, for example, in a second receiving groove 29 provided on the lower face 4 of the main body 3, and a second cleaning portion 31 which is fixed to the second fastening portion 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 fastening portions 25, 28.

[0105] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each of the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 is flexible and has an overall flat shape.

[0106] As shown more particularly in [Fig. 3], the first and second cleaning sections 27, 31 are elongated and converge towards each other in the direction of the rear portion 3.2 of the main body 3. In other words, the front edges 271, 311 of the first and second cleaning sections 27, 31 are separated by a first separation distance, and the rear edges 272, 312 of the first and second cleaning sections 27, 31 are separated by a second separation distance that is less than the first separation distance. Advantageously, the rear edges 272, 312 of the first and second cleaning sections 27, 31 are separated by a distance substantially equal to the length of the suction opening 5.

[0107] As shown more particularly in [Fig. 3], the front edges 271, 311 of the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 are located at the 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 at the rear of the axis of rotation of brush Al 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.

[0108] Thus, the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 are configured to orient and guide waste, which comes into contact with one or the other of the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31, towards the suction mouth 5 when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 moves along the main direction of movement Dl.

[0109] As shown more particularly in [Fig.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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] The first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 can respectively be formed by a first cleaning blade and a second cleaning blade that are elastically deformable (see in particular Figures 2, 3 and 6). However, according to an 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 along the first extension direction DE1 and one or more second row(s) of bristles or tufts of bristles extending along the second extension direction DE2. According to such an embodiment of the invention, the first and second lateral cleaning elements 23, 24 then form first and second lateral cleaning brushes that are fixed relative to the main body 3.

[0112] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 are twisted respectively along 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 horizontal, increases towards the rear edge 312 of the second cleaning part 31.

[0113] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first cleaning part 27 comprises a first front wall portion 27.1 which is inclined downwards and laterally outwards from the main body 3, and the second cleaning part 31 comprises a second front wall portion 31.1 which is inclined downwards and laterally outwards from the main body 3. Advantageously, each of the first and second front wall portions 27.1, 31.1 is inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle of inclination between 30 and 60°, and advantageously between 35 and 50°.

[0114] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first cleaning section 27 comprises a first rear wall portion 27.2 which is inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle of inclination between 70 and 90°, advantageously between 80 and 90°, and the second cleaning section 31 comprises a second rear wall portion 31.2 which is also inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle of inclination 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 downwards and laterally outwards from the main body 3.

[0115] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first front wall portion 27.1 projects laterally from the first lateral edge 3.11 of the main body 3 and the first rear wall portion 27.2 is located recessed from the first lateral edge 3.11 of the main body 3. Similarly, the second front wall portion 31.1 projects laterally from the second lateral edge 3.12 of the main body 3, and the second rear wall portion 31.2 is located recessed from the second lateral edge 3.12 of the main body 3.

[0116] Advantageously, the first fastening part 25 is located recessed from the first lateral edge 3.11 of the main body 3, and the second fastening part 28 is also located recessed from the second lateral edge 3.12 of the main body 3. These arrangements prevent the first and second fastening parts 25, 28, which are generally more rigid than the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31, from coming into contact with obstacles encountered by the autonomous cleaning robot 2, and damaging these obstacles or blocking the autonomous cleaning robot 2.

[0117] As shown in [Fig. 3], the first cleaning part 27 has a first lower elongated edge 273 which extends along the entire length of the first cleaning part 27 and 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 part 31 has a second lower elongated edge 313 which extends along the entire length of the second cleaning part 31 and is configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned when the autonomous cleaning robot 2 rests on the said surface to be cleaned.

[0118] 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.

[0119] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main body 3 has 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.

[0120] Each waste guide channel 33 has a front opening 34 that leads into a front face of the main body 3 and a rear opening 35 that leads into the suction chamber 6, and each waste guide channel 33 has a width, measured along a transverse direction extending perpendicularly to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3, that decreases in the direction of 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 along the main direction of travel D1.

[0121] Advantageously, the front edges 271, 311 of the first and second cleaning parts 27, 31 are located inset from the front openings 34 of the waste guide channels 33.

[0122] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the plurality of waste guidance channels 33 comprises a first lateral waste guidance channel 33.1 and a second lateral waste guidance channel 33.2, and the first cleaning part 27 is located at least partly directly opposite a waste guidance wall belonging to the first lateral waste guidance channel 33.1, and the second cleaning part 31 is located at least partly directly opposite a waste guidance wall belonging to the second lateral waste guidance channel 33.2. Such a configuration of the first and second lateral cleaning elements 23, 24 further facilitates the guidance of waste towards the suction inlet 5.

[0123] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 also includes a power supply battery 34 configured to electrically power the autonomous cleaning robot 2. Advantageously, the power supply battery 34 is rechargeable and is housed in the main body 3.

[0124] The autonomous cleaning robot 2 further comprises a control unit 36 ​​(see [Fig. 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.

[0125] The control unit 36 ​​is configured, in particular, to control the aforementioned rotational drive mechanisms (which are configured to rotate the drive wheels 8) based on data received from various sensors located on the main body 3, such as proximity sensors, contact sensors, and / or drop sensors. The control unit 36 ​​may, for example, include an electronic board configured to receive and process this data.

[0126] 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 extension directions DE1, DE2.

[0127] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

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 (Dl) 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 movably about a brush rotation axis (Al) which extends transversely to the main direction of movement (Dl), 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 orient waste, which comes into contact with the first and second cleaning parts (27, 31) when the autonomous cleaning robot (2) moves along the main direction of movement (Dl), towards the suction mouth (5), characterized in that the first lateral cleaning element (23) and the second lateral cleaning element (24) are arranged on either side of the suction mouth (5), and in that the 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 the rear edges (272, 312) which are located at the rear of 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 (Al).

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. 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 parts (27, 31) are separated by a first separation distance, and the rear edges (272, 312) of the first and second cleaning parts (27, 31) are separated 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 in the direction of 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 globally along a first extension direction (DE1), and the second lateral cleaning element (24) is elongated and extends globally along a second extension direction (DE2).

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

9. 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 with respect to the horizontal and 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 with respect to the horizontal and 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 portion (27) has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which varies along the first cleaning portion (27), and the second cleaning portion (31) has an inclination, relative to the horizontal, which varies along the second part of cleaning (31).

11. 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 downwards and laterally outwards from the main body (3), and the second cleaning part (31) comprises a second front wall portion (31.1) which is inclined downwards and laterally outwards from 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 includes a cleaning device comprising at least one mop holder (17), and at least one mop mounted removably on the at least one mop holder (17) and configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

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