Self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaner and method for cleaning a floor surface

US10362918B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• ALFRED KÄRCHER SE & CO. KG · DE
• RobArt GmbH · AT

Inventors

• Christian Hofner · Welzheim, DE
• Christian Wurm · Waiblingen, DE
• Heiko Hoennige · Backnang, DE
• Barbara Pfister · Backnang, DE
• Markus Duenne · Vreden, DE
• Norman Kohler · Reutlingen, DE
• Heiko Blumhardt · Waiblingen, DE
• Michael Schahpar · Linz, AT
• Harold Artes · Linz, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 3, 2016
• Grant date: Jul 30, 2019
• Expiry date: Mar 25, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S901/01
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A self-propelled, self-steering floor cleaner is provided, including a cleaning device with at least one cleaning unit for cleaning a floor surface of a room having at least a section of an obstacle therein that is not in contact with the floor surface, a transmission unit for emitting radiation directed at the obstacle and the floor surface, a detection unit for detecting reflected radiation and providing a detection signal, a control unit coupled to the detection unit, and a chassis for movement on the floor surface including a drive unit coupled to the control unit, it being determinable from the detection signal whether a space and a cleanable floor surface section are present underneath the obstacle, the drive unit being actuatable to move the floor cleaner for cleaning the floor surface section, with at least one cleaning unit. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning a floor surface.