Autonomous coverage robot

US9282867B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• iRobot Corporation · US

Inventors

• Marcus Williams · Newton, US
• Joseph M. Johnson, Sr. · Lehi, US
• Andrew S. Sweezey · Saugus, US
• Thomas P. Schregardus · Somerville, US
• John Reimels · Scituate, US
• Russell Walter Morin · Burlington, US
• Christopher J. Fischella · Needham, US
• Erik Amaral · Lexington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 28, 2012
• Grant date: Mar 15, 2016
• Expiry date: Mar 27, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A47L2201/00
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A mobile surface cleaning robot including a robot body having a forward drive direction, a drive system supporting the robot body above a floor surface for maneuvering the robot across the floor surface, and a robot controller in communication with the drive system. The robot also includes a collection volume supported by the robot body and a cleaning module releasably supported by the robot body and arranged to clean the floor surface. The cleaning module includes a first vacuum squeegee having a first duct, a driven roller brush rotatably supported rearward of the first vacuum squeegee, a second vacuum squeegee disposed rearward of the roller brush and having a second duct, and a third duct in fluid communication with the first and second ducts. The third duct is connectable to the collection volume at a fluid-tight interface formed by selectively engaging the cartridge with the robot body.