The present invention relates generally to devices for cleaning surfaces.
In the art of devices for cleaning surfaces, there exists a multitude of appliances and functions that must be served. There are vacuums that are to be used on floors and they are expected to clean up to walls, baseboards and the like. However, there are shortcomings to present solutions with regard to efficacy, particulate size pickup abilities, and existing configurations that inhibit or reduce the efficacy of the cleaning device when not cleaning against a wall, baseboard, chair leg or the like. The invention at hand seeks to inventively improve by providing new and novel devices, structures and methods for both vacuums and non-suction based sweepers as well as other end effectors such as powered and un-powered upholstery brushes/nozzles and the like.
The present invention is a new and novel structure(s) and formats of structures for cleaning surfaces right up to obstacles such as walls furniture, baseboards and the like.
In the art of devices for cleaning surfaces, there exists a multitude of appliances and functions that must be served. There are vacuums that are to be used on floors and they are expected to clean up to walls, baseboards and the like. However, there are shortcomings to present solutions with regard to efficacy, particulate size pickup abilities, and existing configurations that inhibit or reduce the efficacy of the cleaning device when not cleaning against a wall, baseboard, chair leg or the like. The invention at hand seeks to inventively improve by providing new and novel devices, structures and methods for both vacuums and non-suction based sweepers. Included are applications that involve robotic vacuums and where the invention(s) would be deployed therewith.
Known configurations for this type of cleaning with a floor foot, brush rolled or not, are to create air channels that extend from the main suction inlet to an edge or edges. The problems with this is that in order to not reduce the suction from the main area too dramatically these channels must be kept rather small an thus cannot pick up large debris. At the same time, these channels are always “bleeding” from the system even when not needed, i.e. not against another surface, and causing the main intake area to not have maximum airflow when the user is vacuuming/sweeping mid areas.
As such, the invention discloses new and novel ways of enhanced debris removal from problem zones/situations, while also enhancing performance when the user and vacuum/sweeper is not in those problem zones/situations.
b can also be interpreted to be illustrative of a generally self-contained robotic vacuum. These units can range from rectilinear shapes to “D” shapes as depicted to generally round puck like shapes. Never the less, all shapes fit within the spirit and scope of the invention(s) and claims.
And
The embodiments devices and structures of
The embodiments devices and structures of
The following reference characters are used in the drawings of refer to the parts of the present invention. Like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts in the respective views.
While the invention will be described in connection with several preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications, combinations, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
In the art of devices for cleaning surfaces, there exists a multitude of appliances and functions that must be served. There are vacuums that are to be used on floors and they are expected to clean up to walls, baseboards and the like. However, there are shortcomings to present solutions with regard to efficacy, particulate size pickup abilities, and existing configurations that inhibit or reduce the efficacy of the cleaning device when not cleaning against a wall, baseboard, chair leg or the like. Known configurations for this type of cleaning with a floor foot, brushrolled or not, are to create air channels that extend from the main suction inlet to an edge or edges. The problems with this is that in order to not reduce the suction from the main area too dramatically these channels must be kept rather small an thus cannot pick up large debris. At the same time, these channels are always “bleeding” from the system even when not needed, i.e. not against another surface, and causing the main intake area to not have maximum airflow when the user is vacuuming/sweeping mid areas. Advantageous deployment of the invention at hand in robotic vacuums is anticipated. These vacuums usually have very small brush-roll/vacuum channels as they have limited power, so they need to conserve what power they do have by minimizing fan size-thus air flow and/brush size. This makes this invention additionally ideal for these integrations.
The invention at hand seeks to inventively improve by providing new and novel devices, structures and methods for both vacuums and non-suction based sweepers.
And so the present invention is a new and novel structure(s) and formats of structures for cleaning surfaces right up to obstacles such as walls furniture, baseboards and the like.
As such, the invention discloses new and novel ways of enhanced debris removal from problem zones/situations, also enhancing performance when the user and vacuum/sweeper is not in those problem zones/situations. Included are applications that involve robotic vacuums and where the invention(s) would be deployed therewith.
Referring to all the Figures:
While some figures and descriptions may or may not be viewed as more directed at purely mechanical embodiments, and others may or may not be viewed as more directed at electromechanical embodiments, all structural enablements, all figures and all descriptions are to be viewed as interchangeable within the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention(s).
Referring to all the Figures:
Vacuum “feet” and/or vacuuming robots come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Collectively within this disclosure the term box or box like may be used. As a box is a catchall for a form with sides (sidewalls) contents (mechanical and electromechanical cleaning elements, wheels fans etc.) and a box can come in many shapes from square to rectilinear to oval and round (such as hat boxes) Sometimes these shapes are referred to as “box shaped foot” or “D shaped foot” or “square” or “rectilinear” foot/feet/end effectors or “round robots” or “D shaped robots” or “square” or “rectilinear” robots. All of these and any other descriptors of peripheral shape or overall form are anticipated, interchangeable, and incorporated within this disclosure.
Also of note is that some figures illustrate a wall or visor being moved in one structural fashion or another (sliding/pivoting/raising) and others show a block like structure or block/blocking element(s) that serve to further control and block the leakage of air and further enable larger breaches when desired. All of these structures and terms may be used interchangeably within the disclosure and claims without restriction.
Referring to
Area “A” may be on a side, the front or both as in a “corner configuration”. Thus, n some preferred embodiments the invention is to be structurally oriented to be at a “corner”, where a corner is defined as being both front facing and side facing simultaneously. A corner is defined as both front and side corner definition in context of a round bot. In some alternate embodiments this orientation and thus opening may be configured where one or both front and side openings are structurally configured where one or both openings are in front of the brushroll as in many of the figures. While the opening may be pie shaped, round, square etc. this unique corner configuration can be also regarded as having a generally 90 degree intake range with regard to the cleaners motion or direction of travel. So that when a cleaner, a user operated vacuum or vacuum robot, is traversing generally forward in a generally straight line, there is an opening that is both on the front face and concurrently/simultaneously, generally 90 degrees away on a side face.
This configuration uniquely allows the vacuum to simultaneously get debris along edges and along baseboards and the like while simultaneously not causing “snowplowing” of the debris.
Referring to
Now referring to
It should be appreciated how a visor may be lifted to be able for a brush roll to get right up to a wall or other object and be able to grab and pull debris as well as lifted whole or in part to allow larger debris to pass under the visor or front wall of a vacuum than is normally possible.
As stated a reason that a “visor” section needs to be low is to preserve suction and also an exposed brushroll, even partially, can produce a blowing action, actually blowing debris away from the vacuum or sweeper.
However, by raising the visor, or a portion of therewith, a brush-roll may be able to reach with its bristles/flaps debris against other items such as baseboards or furniture may be effected/accomplished.
Referring to all the drawings:
A door or wall or wall part, or visor may be swung (pivoted) sideways or upwards or downwards, inwards or slid (slide) sideways or up/down open, or raised or lowered generally vertically. These actions may be initiated mechanically via input sensor 10, or electrically via sensor switch 7/13, and the resultant actions/mechanisms may be powered by external forces such as the force derived from depressing the input sensor/actuator 10 or electromechanically following initiation.
And so as a vacuum is used (guided by a human user or independently robotic) a door, or visor is selectively activated via a sensor. As depicted in some embodiments, a wheel may be used on the end of the sensor/switch to roll along the baseboards or furniture/obstacles etc. and the door/breach channel/visor may be activated/actuated or may be electro-mechanically activated/actuated via a sensor. And so Push actuators/Mechanical actuator input(s) 13, may also be present on the front or alternate sides/faces of the vacuum so that when they touch a wall, furniture leg or item or piece of debris, the wall/visor/channel/breach is opened etc. to allow the debris free passage. Switches may also be present on the front or alternate sides/faces of the vacuum so that when they touch a wall, furniture leg or item or piece of debris, the wall/visor/channel/breach, is opened etc. to allow the debris free passage.
In other embodiments relatively blunt push-rod structure, and in yet other embodiments a collapsible skirt like structure may be employed to prevent the actuation mechanism from snagging on sharp corners etc.
Now Referring to
A block/blocking element(s) or door may be swung sideways or upwards or downwards or slid open, or raised generally vertically. Another structure anticipated is where the mechanical actuator input has a generally horizontal gear rack structure, that interfaces with a spur gear mounted to a non-movable part of the housing, that further interfaces with generally vertical rack that is part of the door or movable block/blocking element(s)/visor. Thus when the actuator is depressed the door or movable block/blocking element(s)/visor moves generally vertically on slide(s). A similar mechanism could swing or slide a door/wall/visor open as well.
Thus a plurality of mechanisms for achieving the sliding, swinging, or raising of a door or moving block/blocking element(s) to an entryway enabling the passage of air and debris into the main vacuum are anticipated from inclined planes to linkages and gears and racks.
While the previous embodiments related to a door being activated or opened, the next set of embodiments contemplate, anticipate and disclose new structures for agitating or sweeping, and directing debris from problem areas. All of these embodiments may be used alone or in conjunction/concert with one another.
Referring to
And so
A wheel may be used to roll along the baseboards or furniture/obstacles etc. This wheel may, in some embodiments also carry a brush directly, or in geared, pawled/ratcheting relationship. In this way the brush may agitate and gather/direct debris from edges and corners etc. into a more advantageous area for the vacuum/sweeper to further gather/collect. A brush carried by the wheel directly would rotate at the same rate as the wheel. It may or may not be pawled/ratcheted. In geared applications the brush may rotate at a rate different than the rolling speed of the wheel. so that it only rotates in a single direction. In other embodiments a relatively blunt push-rod structure, and in yet other embodiments a collapsible skirt like structure may be employed to prevent the actuation mechanism from snagging on sharp corners etc. Referring specifically to
As stated all the embodiments devices and structures of all the figures. may used alone on a device or structurally be combined in a stacked relationship, side by side relationship or distal to each other on the same device.
Referring to
Inline with previous embodiments,
And so in these embodiments when wheel 12 comes in contact with a wall, chair leg or the like, microswitch/switch 7 and/or 13 is tripped into a closed or open state, thereby activating solenoid and/or servo 18 structure to raise or swing/slide a door/block/blocking element(s) 14 to open and/or raise creating or enlarging a pathway to the main vacuum while the microswitch/switch is activated. When the microswitch returns to its first state, the door/block/blocking element(s) closes/and/reduces the aperture to its first state. In the depicted illustrations the spring of the solenoid aids in return. Another sensor such as a non contact proximity sensor- or vision sensor may supplant or augment the micro switch to sense middle of the room debris to be gathered, as well as learned, or input mapping of rooms, and any faces/visors etc. may equally and interchangeably be actuated to effect greater cleaning efficacy. These sensors may be coupled to more advanced processing units/computers/micro controllers/or internet enabled processing/storage of data for advanced discernment and learning.
In other embodiments, an optical or proximity sensor which may be interfaced with a controller/micro-controller or other computer for more granular analytical discerning control may be used. Sensor(s) may include an electrical momentary or latching switch. And so sensors may vary from simple switches to known optical sensors, proximity sensors, ultrasonic distance sensors and the like. And so with these non-tactile proximity-sensors, a vacuum may “see” or “sense” and object to be cleaned close to (a chair leg, a wall etc.) or “see” or “sense” debris that needs an additional entryway/orifice to be collected/picked up. Additionally, a robotic vacuum may “learn” where to raise a door block/blocking element(s), visor or the like based on maps it or a user has created for it to follow.
The sensor may be an electrical switch linked to a motor or an electro-mechanical linkage. Electro-Mechanical linkages that are anticipated include motors, servomotors, as well as solenoids piezo-actuators/motors and the like.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 63/061,116 filed Aug. 4, 2020 and U.S. provisional application 63/061,119 also filed Aug. 4, 2020 and U.S. provisional application 63/085,702 filed Sep. 30, 2020 and U.S. provisional application 63/140,216 filed Jan. 21, 2021 all of which are incorporated by this reference in their entirety. The entire disclosure of the above, and each application referred to in this paragraph of listed patent applications and their entire prosecution history to date is/are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its/their entirety. [Not Applicable] [Not Applicable]
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220095865 A1 | Mar 2022 | US |
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