Removing debris from cleaning robots

US8572799B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• iRobot Corporation · US

Inventors

• Chikyung Won · Tewksbury, US
• Stephen A. Hickey · Somerville, US
• Mark Steven Schnittman · Somerville, US
• Zivthan A. Dubrovsky · Lexington, US
• Selma Svendsen · Melrose, US
• Jed Lowry · Duxbury, US
• David Orrin Swett · Bedford, US
• John Devlin · Tewksbury, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 2007
• Grant date: Nov 5, 2013
• Expiry date: Feb 4, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A47L2201/04
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A cleaning robot system includes a robot and a robot maintenance station. The robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing and a driven cleaning roller. The robot maintenance station includes a station housing and a docking platform configured to support the robot when docked. A mechanical agitator engages the roller of the robot with the robot docked. The agitator includes an agitator comb having multiple teeth configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller as the agitator comb and roller are moved relative to one another. The robot maintenance station includes a collection bin arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator.