DE102010016263A1 - Base station for charging sucking-and/or sweeping robot utilized for sucking-and/or brushing dust in floor of home, has docking unit fixed with receiver for forming collector bag of robot, and hose independent of exhaustion of chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

The base station (3) has an electrical terminal (4) connected with an electrical power supply. A docking unit is connected with a dust collection chamber of a robot (1) or with a receiver for forming a filled dust collector bag of the robot. A suction hose (14) is independent of exhaustion of the dust collection chamber. The dust collector bag is lifted via an intake edge of a rubbish container and slidable into the rubbish container. The receiver is provided with an electrical supply for a mobile equipment. A suction channel is connected with another suction channel.

Description

The invention relates first to a base station for a suction and / or sweeping robot, with an electrical connection for connection to an electrical home supply, more preferably with docking means for suction or blow-out with a dust collection room of the robot or with a receptacle for a filled dust filter bag of the robot ,

Automatically movable suction and / or sweeping robots find particular use in the household sector, so on, in particular for autonomous cleaning According to suction and / or brushing the floor. For this purpose, such devices have an electrically operated suction-blower unit and / or electric motor-driven brushes. The sucked and / or brushed dirt is collected in a device-internal dust collection room or, as further known, in a dust filter bag arranged in the dust collection room. It is also known to provide such a robot with electronics, in particular for the automatic method in the direction of the base station, for example, according to a transmitted from the base station control signal. The power supply of the robot is further preferably carried out in the robot and arranged accordingly entrained by this accumulator. For charging the same, in addition, where appropriate, for disposal of the collected dirt in the device internal dirt container or for disposal of the filled dust filter bag, it is further known to associate the suction and / or sweeping robot a preferably stationary base station. In this regard, it is further known to connect such a base station to the household power grid, so preferably to offer a charging station for the robot-side accumulator with the interposition of a transformer.

In view of the above-described prior art, a technical problem of the invention is seen in further improving a base station of the type in question, in particular with regard to an extended use.

This problem is initially and essentially solved by the subject matter of claim 1, being turned off on a usable independently of a suction of the dust collecting space suction hose. The suction hose is connected to the base station, preferably via a user-detachable connection, for example plug connection. As a suction unit for the suction hose, a suction fan provided in the base station is preferably used. Furthermore, a dust collecting space or a dust filter bag is preferably arranged in the base station for receiving the dirt that has been filtered out via the suction hose or in the course of sucking out the robot-side dust collecting space. Accordingly, in such a configuration, the base station can be used as a standard, albeit stationary, vacuum cleaner, and so on as the robot completes its cleaning trip across the floor. In suction hose operation, a suction channel docking section for the robot is preferably deactivated in this case, so that the suction air flow flows solely through the suction hose arranged on the base station. In contrast, in the robot docking position, the suction channel docking connection is preferably unlocked, while the air flow through the suction hose is blocked. Preferably, the changeover of the suction channels takes place automatically within the base station, more preferably as a result of a docking operation of the robot on the base station. A manual switch by the user is possible in this regard. According to this embodiment, the base station is further usable for manual suction of located in the range of the suction hose objects, for example, for extracting fireplaces or the like. In a further embodiment, the suction fan of the robot and / or its dirt collecting space or provided in the robot Dust filter bags are used for the Saugschlauchbetrieb, thus according to the use of the base station as a stationary vacuum cleaner depends on the docking position of the robot at the base station.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a base station according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 or claim 1, wherein proposed for solving the problem initially stated, that the base station is connected to a refuse collection container, wherein a recorded or filled from the base station dust filter bag in the Refuse collection container is transportable. Accordingly, the base station is preferably integrated into an object provided generally in the household or assigned to it directly. The associated with the base station refuse collection accordingly serves not only the usual collection of household waste or the like., But also for collecting from the suction and / or sweeping robot remote, filled dust filter bag. In this regard, it is known that in the docking position of the robot, the base station pulls the filled dust filter bags out of a corresponding receiving chamber of the robot, for example by means of a gripper dipping into the filled dust filter bag chamber of the robot. As a result of reciprocating the robot, the filled dust filter bag is pulled out of the robot and is thereafter preferably exposed on a receiving platform of the base station for the robot. From this support position out the filled dust filter bag in the associated refuse collection container for disposal transportable. Advantageously, according to this embodiment, the user does not come into contact with the filled dust filter bag. The disposal of the same in the refuse collection container is preferably carried out automatically according to a corresponding control and mechanics.

Further features of the invention are explained below, also in the description of the figures, often in their preferred association with the subject matter of claim 2 or with features of further claims. But they can also be in an assignment to only individual features of claim 2 or the respective further claim or each independently of importance.

Thus, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the dust filter bag can be lifted via an inlet edge of the refuse collection container and pushed into the refuse collection container, after which the filled dust filter bag falls into the refuse collection container. Preferably, the inlet edge is located vertically below a lid plane of the refuse collection container, so that the disposal of the dust filter bag can preferably be done with closed refuse collection container. In order not to disturb the disposal process, is provided in a development of the inventive concept that in the course of the automatic disposal of the access of the refuse collection container for the user, for example, for disposal of normal household waste, is locked, for example, by locking the container lid.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the base station has a lifting device for the dust filter bag. Preferably, the base station, in particular the support platform on which the filled dust filter bag is at least stored and on which platform the robot is located in the docking position at the base station, arranged close to the ground, more preferably with a maximum vertical distance to the floor surface of 20 to 200 mm , The approach of the robot to this platform is preferably achieved by arranging a ramp. Household refuse collection containers have a vertical height of 300 to 1500 mm, which preferably results in a vertical height of the leading edge of 250 to 1400 mm in order to fully utilize the receiving volume of the refuse collection container. The height difference between the level of the support platform in the ground-based docking position and the dust filter Abwerfstellung height of the leading edge is overcome by a lifting device. This may be a further platform which, for example, can be moved by an electric motor in the vertical direction, in a lift-like manner. Also, in this regard, a vertical lifting of the base station side platform is conceivable, further alternatively the entire base station. For ejecting the dust filter bag on the leading edge into the refuse collection container, for example, a slide is provided. Alternatively, the dust filter bag carrying and höhenverlagerbare platform after reaching the inlet edge is tilted.

In addition, the invention relates to a base station according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 or claim 1, wherein it is proposed for the solution of the object initially stated that the base station is usable for charging a mobile device. The base station has to charge the suction and / or sweeping robot in the docking position electronics, further optionally a transformer and moreover electrical coupling means for electrically contacting corresponding antidote means of the robot. Advantageously, the base station-side electrical design is still used for charging other, in particular mobile devices, such as mobile devices (cell phones), cordless landline phones, PDAs or the like., Further, if necessary for charging of portable computers or the like. In addition, according to such a configuration also For example, accumulator-operated additional elements for the robot can be connected and recharged, such as, for example, a control of the robot serving remote control and / or erectable in the rooms or on the cleaning surface call and / or orientation parts, further example, so-called landmarks. The charging of such mobile devices preferably takes place both in the docking position of the base station and in situations in which the robot is not connected to the base station. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that different, optionally different voltage / current strengths offering electrical connections are provided at the base station, more preferably different connection couplings, for example in the form of conventional RCA couplings, USB couplings. There is also the possibility to offer a universal coupling, via which different devices can be loaded with the interposition of an adapter.

The further features of the invention are explained below, also in the description of the figures, often in their preferred association with the subject matter of claim 5 or with features of further claims. But they can also be in an assignment to only individual features of claim 5 or the respective further claim or each independently of importance.

Thus, in a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the base station has a receptacle with an electrical supply for the mobile device. In a preferred embodiment, the mobile device, for example, a mobile device plugged into the receptacle of the base station, this under further corresponding contact in the recording intended electrical contacts. It can be provided in this regard different shots for different mobile devices, alternatively, a universal recording, which is designed with the interposition of an adapter or the like. For contacting different mobile devices.

More preferably, the electronics of the base station is designed so that via this a charge current control takes place in the course of charging the connected mobile device.

The features of the above-described independent claims 1, 2 and 5 are each in each case substantially as well as in any combination with each other, further features of an independent claim 1, 2 and 5 can be combined with the features of another independent claim or with features of several independent claims , further also with only individual features of one or more of the further independent claims 1, 2 and 5.

Thus, for example, a base station provided with a usable independently of a suction of the dust collection space suction hose and / or connected to a refuse collection container in which a recorded or filled by the base station dust filter bag is transportable into the refuse collection container and / or used to charge a mobile device.

The invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrates only three embodiments, explained in more detail. It shows:

1 in a schematic perspective view of a base station in a first embodiment with an arranged suction hose;

2 the schematic vertical section through the base station;

3 one of the 1 corresponding representation, however, concerning a second embodiment, in which the base station for charging a mobile device is available;

4 the schematic section according to the section plane IV in 3 ;

5 the vertical section through an arrangement in which the base station is connected to a refuse collection container;

6 the section according to the line VI-VI in 5 ,

Shown and described is first with reference to 1 a suction and / or sweeping robot 1 in the form of an autonomously operating household floor cleaning appliance. This has a chassis, which on the underside, facing the floor to be maintained, carries electric motor driven Verfahrräder and beyond the lower edge of the chassis floor, also driven by electric motor brush. The chassis is covered by a device hood 2 , where the robot 1 has a circular floor plan.

With regard to the design of the suction and / or sweeping robot 1 will be on the DE 102 43 257 A1 directed. The content of this patent application is hereby incorporated in full into the disclosure of the present invention, also for the purpose of including features of this patent application in claims of the present invention.

The brush passes through the chassis bottom in the region of a, a sweeping mouth forming bottom section, which cutout at the same time in a preferred embodiment of the robot 1 as a suction device forms a suction mouth. In the usual way is used to build a suction air stream an electric motor driven in the robot 1 arranged fan, which is not shown in the schematic drawings for ease of illustration.

A robot-internal suction channel opens facing away from the suction mouth in a dust collection chamber, which is suitable for filtering and recording transported over the suction air flow dirt and dust particles. In an alternative embodiment, a dust filter bag is provided for the corresponding filtration in the dust collection chamber.

The suction and / or sweeping robot 1 is a base station 3 assigned. This is used in particular for charging in the robot 1 provided accumulators that the power supply in the robot 1 provided electric motors, further optionally serve a control electronics. The base station is the same 3 with an electrical connection 4 provided for connection to an electrical household supply.

The charging of the robot-side batteries takes place in a docking position, not shown, in which base station side, taken in a clutch electrical contacts 5 are electrically connected to robot-side mating contacts.

To suck out the robot-side dust collection room is the base station 3 according to the in the 1 and 2 illustrated first embodiment with a suction fan 6 Mistake. This is the vacuum side to a suction channel 7 connected, which turns into a free outward towards a base station side platform 8th for the robot 1 and in this area exposed connecting pieces 9 for the robot 1 extended. This connection piece 9 dives in the docking position of the robot 1 to the base station 3 in a corresponding, in the dust collection room of the robot 1 opening suction channel.

Overpressure side of the suction fan 6 the connected Blaskanal opens in a base station-side dust collection room 11 with a dust filter bag disposed therein 12 , For filtering and recording of the suction air flow from the dust collection chamber of the robot 1 sucked dirt and dust particles.

From the suction channel 7 branches a wide suction channel 13 from. This is in the illustrated embodiment, vertically upwards toward a ceiling of the base station 3 led and merges into one at the base station 3 connected suction hose 14 , This has a length that the use of the suction hose 14 in the vicinity of the base station 3 , for example in a radius of 2 to 5 m, allowed.

The base station is the same 3 for the robot 1 also usable as a stationary vacuum cleaner.

The two suction channels 7 and 13 are switchable for this purpose. Preferred is a slide 15 intended. This has a shadow mask, whereby only one or the other suction channel is released with a corresponding slide position, while the other suction channel is locked. The slider 15 is preferred against spring force by the moving in the docking robot 1 displaceable, so in the docking position of the robot 1 the suction channel 7 is released for sucking out the robot-side dust collecting space and the suction channel 13 to the suction hose 14 is locked out. With removal of the robot 1 out of the docking position, according to spring-loaded return displacement of the slider is reversed 15 the suction channel connection to the suction fan 6 so that afterwards the suction channel 7 to the connecting piece 9 is locked while on the suction channel 13 and the suction hose 14 an extraction of the area around the base station 3 can be done around.

The 3 and 4 show a further embodiment of the base station 3 which also in combination with the embodiment according to the 1 and 2 may be present. This base station is formed in addition to the possibility of charging the robot-side batteries for charging additional mobile devices 16 For example, to charge a mobile phone. For this purpose, the base station 3 a in the embodiment according to the horizontal cross-sectional configuration of the mobile device 16 adapted recording 17 on. This is provided with a vertical depth, which is a holder of the mobile device 16 in the recording ensures. Foot side of the picture 17 are electric stretch contacts 18 provided for the electrical contacting of mobile device side mating contacts.

The electrical plug contacts 18 in the recording 17 are preferably electrically connected to a control and regulating electronics in the base station, in particular for charging current control.

The recording 17 may further, albeit not shown, designed as a universal recording for different mobile devices to be charged, in this context preferably an adapter part for adaptation to the design and arrangement of the mobile device-side mating contacts is interposed.

In addition, to further charge mobile devices alternatively or in combination with the recording 17 electrical plug receptacles be provided base station side, such as in the form of USB or RCA plug couplings.

Another embodiment schematically shows the 5 and 6 , Here is the base station 3 a garbage bin 19 , in particular for collecting household waste, more preferably associated with this. This embodiment can be combined with one of the two embodiments according to the 1 and 2 respectively. 3 and 4 further combined with both embodiments.

The base station 3 is in the illustrated embodiment in one with the refuse collection container 19 connected, arranged adjacent to this body 20 recorded, more particularly in a foot region of the body 20 , The base station 3 has a parking level in the usual form 21 on, by the robot 1 can be reached via a ramp. In the docking position, in particular for charging the robot-side accumulators, stands the robot 1 on the park level 21 the base station 3 ,

The suction and / or sweeping robot 1 is provided with a device for storing filled and from an assignment position to a suction or blow channel of the robot 1 spent dust filter bags out 23 , In a preferred embodiment, this is an externally accessible chamber. The robot is corresponding 1 designed to a filled and out of the assignment position to the suction or blower channel spent dust filter bag 23 store first. The removal of the filled Dust filter bag 23 from the device-side storage area by means of the base station 3 ,

In this regard is on the DE 10 2009 052 362 A1 directed. From this patent application, an embodiment is known in which the base station 3 by means of a gripping hook the dust filter bag 23 from the storage area of the robot 1 for storage on the park level 21 pulls out. The content of this patent application is hereby incorporated in full into the disclosure of the present invention, also for the purpose of including features of this patent application in claims of the present invention.

The base station accordingly has one above the parking level 21 for the robot 1 and in a vertical projection in the parking level 21 protruding gripping hook 24 on. This is provided with an elongated, preferably flexibly designed arm, which at one end in an associated housing portion of the base station 3 is rooted and held accordingly here. The free end forms a downwardly pointing hook portion.

To dispose of one in the storage area of the robot 1 stored, filled dust filter bag 23 the robot drives 1 preferably automatically, alternatively, user intervention, for example by pressing a key to the base station 3 and drives to its parking level 21 , In this case, accesses with appropriate orientation of the robot 1 the grapple hook 24 by a correspondingly positioned housing opening of the robot 1 in the storage area and engages behind the stored therein, filled dust filter bag 23 , By reciprocating the robot 1 , possibly also by leaving the parking level again 21 , becomes the filled dust filter bag 23 from the storage area according to grasping by the gripping hook 24 pulled out and on the park level 21 stored.

The discarded dust filter bag 23 is in the garbage bin 19 transportable. This is the base station 3 , especially the parking level 21 vertically inside the body 20 displaceable, for example, according to a lift-like displacement of the parking level 21 forming horizontal plate of the base station 3 , more preferably powered by an electric drive.

With vertical distance to the parking level 21 - with respect to their basic orientation for offering a parking area for the robot - is between the carcass 20 and the associated, adjacent refuse collection container 19 a breakthrough 25 leave. Below the inlet edge 26 the breakthrough 25 is in the garbage bin 19 according to the illustrated embodiment, a removable from the container bag 27 supported.

Ceiling side is the refuse collection container 19 with a pivotable lid 28 provided, so to use the refuse collection container 19 as a standard household waste container. In addition, on the ceiling-side opening after swiveling the lid accordingly 28 a removal of the filled bag 27 allows.

For disposal of the dust filter bag 23 becomes the parking level 21 the base station 3 at least up to the horizontal level of the leading edge 26 , if necessary over the leading edge 26 lifted out, after which a preferably electric motor driven and in one, in the parking level 21 trained longitudinal slot 22 guided cross slide 29 the dust filter bag 23 over the park level 21 sliding over the inlet edge 26 in the garbage bin 19 or in the bag received therein 27 yields.

After appropriate return displacement of the cross slide 29 and vertical down-shift of the parking level 21 - Which movements can also be superimposed - is the parking level 21 again in the ground-level starting position, in which this for receiving the robot 1 serves.

All disclosed features are essential to the invention. The disclosure of the associated / attached priority documents (copy of the prior application) is hereby also incorporated in full in the disclosure of the application, also for the purpose of including features of these documents in claims of the present application. The subclaims characterize in their optional sibling version independent inventive development of the prior art, in particular to make on the basis of these claims divisional applications.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Suction and / or sweeping robot

2

casing

3

base station

4

Electrical connection

5

Electrocontacts

6

aspirator

7

suction

8th

platform

9

spigot

10

blow

11

Dust collection chamber

12

Vacuum Cleaner Bags

13

suction

14

suction

15

pusher

16

mobile device

17

admission

18

Electric plug contacts

19

waste collection

20

corpus

21

parking level

22

longitudinal slot

23

Vacuum Cleaner Bags

24

Grappling hook

25

breakthrough

26

leading edge

27

bag

28

cover

29

cross slide

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10243257 A1 [0023]
• DE 102009052362 A1 [0040]

Claims (6)

Base station ( 3 ) for a suction and / or sweeping robot ( 1 ), with an electrical connection ( 4 ) for connection to an electrical home supply, more preferably with docking means for suction or blow-out connection with a dust collection room ( 11 ) of the robot ( 1 ) or with a receptacle for a filled dust filter bag ( 23 ) of the robot ( 1 ), characterized by one independent of a suction of the dust collecting space ( 11 ) usable suction hose ( 14 ). Base station according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 or claim 1, characterized in that the base station ( 3 ) with a refuse collection container ( 19 one of the base stations ( 3 ) or filled there dust filter bag ( 23 ) in the refuse collection container ( 19 ) is transportable. Base station according to claim 2 or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the dust filter bag ( 23 ) via an inlet edge ( 26 ) of the refuse collection container ( 19 ) and in the refuse collection container ( 19 ) is slidable. Base station according to one or more of claims 2 to 3 or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the base station ( 3 ) a lifting device for the dust filter bag ( 23 ) having. Base station according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 or claim 1, characterized in that the base station ( 3 ) for charging a mobile device ( 16 ) is usable. Base station according to claim 5 or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the base station ( 3 ) a recording ( 17 ) with power supply for the mobile device ( 16 ) having.

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