Conveyor stations for emptying debris collecting robots
US11910974B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 2021 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB02C23/02
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A conveyor station, robot module, sweeper module, and methods for autonomously emptying debris using the conveyor station are described. In one example, a conveyor station includes a housing having an input end and an output end. The conveyor station includes a conveyor belt having a receiving region proximate to the input end and an angled transport region leading toward a dispense region. The conveyor belt has a plurality of fins that extend out from a surface of the conveyor belt. The plurality of fins enable movement of debris collected at the receiving region toward the dispense region. The dispense region is configured to push debris into a drop funnel of the housing, and the drop funnel directs debris into a receptacle. The conveyor station includes a conveyor controller of the conveyor station is configured with a sensor for detecting presence of a sweeper module. The sweeper module includes a container that holds debris collected when the sweeper module is connected to a robot module. The debris is configured to be emptied from said sweeper module directly onto said receiving region of the conveyor belt.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.