ES2893051A1 - Charging station for Robot Vacifier (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Charging station for vacuum cleaner comprising at least one independent stationary device; characterized in that it further comprises and at least: environment dehumidification means, a condensed liquid storage tank, an air inlet from the environment to the inside of the charging station, an air outlet of the charging station to the environment; Where the means of dehumidification extract the humidity of the environment, achieving its condensation, and deposit the condensed humidity in the condensed liquid storage tank. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

CHARGING STATION FOR ROBOT VACUUM CLEANER

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention relates to the field of self-moving cleaning robots for performing domestic tasks. More specifically, it refers to the stations used to charge the battery of vacuum robots that include additional means to perform maintenance on the self-moving robot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, vacuum robots are widely known, capable of performing tasks automatically, without requiring continuous interaction with the user.

Autonomous vacuum robots are devices belonging to the field of robotics, which have been oriented to household tasks, dedicating their functions to facilitate the household chores of an average consumer. These devices are capable of traversing work surfaces without continuous guidance by the user, performing one or several tasks, independently and/or simultaneously, such as vacuuming, sweeping or scrubbing functions.

Within the sector of robot vacuum cleaners with domestic applications, we find ourselves with the difficulty that some pose of having to carry out maintenance tasks every time they perform a certain function. Such as emptying the solids tank, in which the swept and vacuumed dust is stored, or filling the liquid tank and cleaning the scrubbing media.

Given this perspective, various systems can be found on the market, made up of robot vacuum cleaner charging stations, dedicated to reducing direct interaction with the robot, substantially extending the time required for device maintenance.

An example can be found in document WO2016209309, in which a charging station for a robot vacuum cleaner is explained, and a robot vacuum cleaner with means of movement across a surface, and means of receiving dust in the solids tank. Placing in the latter a gate that will be normally closed, but will open in response to a pressure change made at the tank outlet, opening a path between the solids tank of the robot and the solids tank of the base.

We found another document, EP3031377, in which a maintenance station for robot vacuum cleaners is proposed, consisting of a housing and a platform for the robot vacuum cleaner, a container for collecting solids, a suction filter and a suction system, which will be dedicated to suck air and debris from the robot solids tank to the base solids tank.

Another example of a maintenance station for robot vacuum cleaners can be found in document WO2016105702, which refers to a base with a removable solids tank, an access ramp for the robot vacuum cleaner, with an entrance door, which will activate a connection between the solids tank of the robot and the solids tank of the base, when it is in a certain position. In this case, the dirt outlet from the solids tank will be carried out through the suction mouth of the robot itself.

As can be seen in the aforementioned documents, maintenance stations for robot vacuum cleaners already belong to the state of the art, in which the function of emptying the solids tank of the robot is carried out, evacuating it to a solids tank present in the station. robot charging.

However, at present, there are various robot vacuum cleaners with autonomous navigation, which allow both the vacuuming of dirt particles from the floor, as well as the scrubbing of it.

For this they have a solids tank, in which the aspirated particles are stored, for later emptying; and with a liquid tank from which the water moves to the mop that allows the floor to be scrubbed.

Currently, there are charging bases for the robot vacuum cleaner, in which the self-emptying of the solids tank is allowed, however, the liquid tank currently requires the user's action, according to a constant filling of the tank. itself to enable floor scrubbing functions.

Therefore, the technical problem arises from the need to fill the liquid tank fully automatically, from an advanced charging station that, apart from emptying the solids tank, performs a function of filling the liquid tank. of the robot vacuum cleaner.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The charging station that the invention proposes is configured, therefore, as a remarkable novelty within its field of application, since according to its implementation and in an exhaustive manner, the aforementioned objectives are satisfactorily achieved, with the characterizing details that make it possible and that they are conveniently distinguished in the final claims that accompany this description.

To achieve this, the present invention proposes a charging station for a robot vacuum cleaner that includes means for automatically filling the tank of the robot vacuum cleaner, that is, without any intervention on the part of the user; and which also includes means for generating the liquid in its internal tank, achieving refilling of the station's liquid tank thanks to the dehumidification of the environment.

The present invention is based on the use of water generated by an air dehumidifier throughout the day, using the known technology of one or several thermoelectric Peltier cells with one side that gives off heat and the other that absorbs it.

In this way, the present invention refers to a dehumidifying system, whose function is to collect humidity from the environment in which it is found by means of condensation and, by means of this condensed water, fill the dehumidifying tank. liquids from a robot vacuum cleaner automatically.

This system is governed by the condensation of water particles due to thermoelectric cooling. This thermoelectric cooling is due to the effect of the Peltier cell, which, through the application of electric current, generates a thermal flow through two different materials such as metals or semiconductors. Said thermal flux generates a thermal potential leaving one side of the plate cold and the other a hot end.

Thermoelectric refrigeration works as a heat pump and its efficiency and generation of the cold necessary for the condensation of small water particles will depend on the amount of current provided and the speed with which heat is extracted from the hot surface.

To improve heat exchange, the use of heatsinks is added at both ends of the plate and a fan is added that makes moist air pass through the cold heatsink, causing it to condense due to the change in temperature and reach dew temperature. The condensation of the water particles in the environment will depend on two factors, the temperature of the refrigerator and the relative humidity of said environment and is governed by the following equation:

⁸ Relative humidity

Dew Point = x (110 Temperature) — 110

100 _>

On the other hand, the more heat that is dissipated from the hot side of the cell, the lower the temperature of said side will be, achieving an equivalent decrease on the cold side, improving the efficiency of obtaining condensed water. To improve the hot side dissipation system, it is possible to have an additional fan as forced cooling.

The charging station can have various level sensors that serve as a safety system and turn off the dehumidifying system if the maximum filling level is reached. You can also have temperature and humidity sensors or make use of such data through mobile devices to optimize the system on and off.

The advantage of the invention is that the water tank of a robot's charging station is automatically filled without the need for user action. Another advantage is that the internal tank of the robot vacuum cleaner is filled automatically through the charging station, allowing continuous scrubbing over time without the need for user action.

Another advantage is that once the maximum water level is reached, it automatically turns off. In addition to the fact that the dehumidifying system can work based on the variables of temperature and relative humidity of the environment in which it is located, to adapt and improve its own operation.

The present invention also refers to a robot vacuum cleaner, more specifically to a robot vacuum cleaner formed by a suction motor that, through a suction mouth where a central brush is housed, picks up dirt from the floor and moves it to a deposit of dirt. The inlet air, generated by a suction motor, drags this dirt to a solids tank and then passes through a filter to exit, already purified, through grilles located on the outer casing of the robot vacuum cleaner. Said robot also consists of a liquid tank and a mop, where by means of the action of a pressure pump or by means of gravitational action it is possible to bring the liquid from the tank to the mop, moistening its surface and acting as a means of scrubbing as it moves. the robot moves.

Specifically, the present invention will preferably be installed in a charging station of a robot vacuum cleaner that includes means for filling the liquid tank of the robot vacuum cleaner itself. So that the user is not forced to refill the station tank for long periods of time, the dehumidifier can be used to extract humidity from the environment, and deposit the liquid in the station tank, which will be transferred to the robot afterwards.

An example of the invention consists of a robot vacuum cleaner with a liquid tank that allows washing by electronic means by means of a drive pump. To its Once the water tank has an inlet for automatic filling from an external liquid tank with a higher volume located on the charging base itself. The charging base tank is the one that collects the water generated automatically and is used for storage until the robot vacuum cleaner needs to recharge its internal tank and returns to the charging base.

The charging station consists of a peltier cell and two heat sinks, each on a hot or cold end. It also has an axial fan that collects ambient air and pushes it through the cold end heatsink and returns it outside. Through this system, it is possible to take advantage of the condensation that has occurred to fill the robot's liquid tank. The heatsink has its fins vertical or with sufficient inclination so that the condensed water, from the humid air on its surface, precipitates by gravity and falls into the charging station tank. A schematic of the embodiment can be seen in Figure 1.

Preferably, this system is located in the upper part of the charging station, cantilevered, allowing both the collection of water in its own tank and its subsequent filling in the robot's tank, as shown in Figure 2. .

The liquid tank of the station has a float-type level sensor to mark the maximum filling level and the consequent shutdown of the entire dehumidifying system.

Once it returns to the charging base, a system connects the dehumidifier tank of the charging base with the water tank of the robot vacuum cleaner to fill the latter, either by gravity or by using a pumping system, as shown. shown in Figure 3.

The dehumidifying system requires a high current demand and uses the charging station's own power supply, so the battery life of the robot vacuum cleaner is not affected.

The charging station for a robot vacuum cleaner and the set of elements described represent an innovation with structural and constitutive characteristics unknown until now, reasons that, together with its practical utility, give it sufficient basis to obtain the privilege of exclusivity that is requested.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: following:

Figure 1.- Diagram of the dehumidifying circuit of the invention.

Figure 2.- Diagram of the charging station assembly with a preferred location of the dehumidifier object of the present invention.

Figure 3.- General view of a charging station with an automatic liquid tank filling system for a robot vacuum cleaner.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which there are shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be used and logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and/or chemical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. To avoid details not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to carry out the detailed description should therefore not be taken in a limiting sense.

Specifically, the present invention proposes a charging station for a robot vacuum cleaner that comprises at least: an independent stationary device, which is characterized in that it additionally comprises, and at least:

- environment dehumidification means,

- a condensed liquid storage tank 1,

- an air inlet from the environment to the inside of the charging station, - an air outlet from the charging station to the environment,

where the dehumidification means extract the humidity from the environment, achieving its condensation, and deposit the condensed humidity in the storage tank for condensed liquids (1).

In this way, a system that extracts humidity from the environment is included in the charging station of a robot vacuum cleaner, achieving its condensation and subsequent storage in the condensed liquid storage tank 1, which will be prepared for later evacuation.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid storage tank 1 will be located in a position directly below the environment dehumidification means, so that the liquids condensed by the aforementioned dehumidification means will fall by gravity into the liquid storage tank 1 .

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid storage tank 1 comprises a filling sensor, which allows the dehumidification means to be disconnected when the tank 1 is full. As well as its connection when the liquid level drops to a previously determined limit.

In a preferred embodiment, the dehumidification means comprise a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor, so that the dehumidification means work based on the environment variables that directly affect their functionality, such as temperature or humidity. relative to the environment in which it finds itself, adapting and improving its own functioning.

In a preferred embodiment, the charging station comprises means for supplying air, such as an axial fan, which forces air to circulate inside the station, introducing the flow through the air inlet and expelling it through the air outlet. This achieves a magnified effect of the dehumidification function of the environment, allowing a greater amount of flow to pass through the dehumidification means, thus optimizing the times for collecting humidity from the environment.

In a preferred embodiment, and in order to further increase the efficiency of the assembly, the dehumidification means may have heat sinks, which achieve a greater surface area for transmitting heat by convection between the hot and cold zones.

Finally, a preferred embodiment of the invention will comprise at least:

- a driving 2,

- a drive pump 3,

- a nozzle 4,

- a 5 engine,

- a worm gear 6,

- a spindle 7,

- and two limit switches 8, 9

and is characterized in that the motor 5 drives a worm 6 with an attached spindle 7, which moves through the worm 6, and which has a nozzle 4 attached, the impulsion pump 3 sucks liquid from the liquid tank 1, through conduit 2, and leads it through nozzle 4 to the liquid tank of the robot vacuum cleaner.

According to this embodiment, the charging station will comprise a complete system that achieves the automatic filling of the liquid tank of a robot vacuum cleaner that is located in the charging station, in the correct position.

To do this, an endless screw will be activated that will move a spindle coupled to the endless screw, and which has a nozzle attached to a conduit that connects it with a delivery pump that sucks the liquid from the liquid tank 1 of the station, until nozzle 4, which will be inserted inside a liquid tank of a robot vacuum cleaner to fill it.

Related to the previous preferred embodiment, a Robot vacuum cleaner is presented that comprises at least:

- a liquid tank,

- means of scrubbing surfaces,

- liquid conduction means from the liquid tank to the surface scrubbing means,

1

- means for driving the liquid through the conduction means, characterized in that the liquid tank comprises a hole in its upper part to allow automatic filling of the liquid tank, by inserting the nozzle 4 into the liquid tank at through the hole.

That is to say, a robot with scrubbing means is presented that will be able to fill its liquid tank automatically when it goes to the loading station, which will activate the necessary means to insert the filling nozzle into the hole made in the liquid tank, causing its filling.

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and the advantages derived from it, stating that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other forms of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated by way of example, and to which it will also achieve the protection that is sought as long as its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified. .

Claims (9)

1. Charging station for robot vacuum cleaner comprising at least one independent stationary device; characterized in that it further comprises and at least: ^or means of dehumidification of the environment, ^or a storage tank for condensed liquids (1), ^or an air inlet from the environment into the charging station, ^or an air outlet from the charging station to the environment; where the dehumidification means extract the humidity from the environment, achieving its condensation, and deposit the condensed humidity in the storage tank for condensed liquids (1). 2. Charging station for robot vacuum cleaner according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid storage tank (1) is located below and in juxtaposition to the environment dehumidification means, where the liquids condensed by the environment dehumidification means are deposited by gravity in the liquid storage tank (1). 3. Charging station for a robot vacuum cleaner according to the first claim, characterized in that the liquid storage tank (1) comprises a filling sensor. 4. Charging station for a robotic vacuum cleaner according to the first claim, characterized in that the dehumidification means comprise a temperature sensor and/or an ambient humidity sensor. 5. Charging station for a robotic vacuum cleaner according to the first claim, characterized in that it comprises air delivery means that force air circulation from the ambient air inlet to the air outlet from the charging station. 6. Charging station for robot vacuum cleaner according to the first claim, characterized in that the dehumidification means comprise at least one heat sink. 7. Charging station for robot vacuum cleaner comprising at least: ^or a conduit (2), ^or a discharge pump (3), ^or a nozzle (4), ^or an engine (5), ^or an endless screw (6), ^or a spindle (7), ^or and two end runs (8, 9); characterized in that the motor (5) drives a worm screw (6) with an attached spindle (7), which moves through the worm screw (6), and which has a nozzle (4) attached, the impulsion pump (3) sucks liquid from the liquid tank (1), through the conduit (2), and leads it through the nozzle (4) to the liquid tank of the robot vacuum cleaner. 8. Robot vacuum cleaner comprising at least: ^or a liquid tank, ^or surface scrubbing media, ^o liquid conduction means from the liquid tank to the surface scrubbing means, ^or means for driving the liquid through the conduction means, characterized in that the solids tank comprises a hole in its upper part to allow the automatic filling of the liquid tank, by inserting the nozzle (4) into the liquid tank. liquids through the hole. 9. Robot vacuum cleaner according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid tank comprises a tank filling sensor. 1