Patents Examined by Marc Carlson
  • Patent number: 11677281
    Abstract: A divided core of a motor includes: a stator core comprising a plurality of core segments; a back yoke forming a circumference of the core segments; and teeth extending from the back yoke towards a radial direction of the back yoke, wherein the plurality of the core segments are disposed along an axial direction of the stator core, and there are some areas where the teeth are overlapped with each other when disposing the core segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jongwoo Bae
  • Patent number: 11672391
    Abstract: Provided are a robot cleaner using an artificial intelligence (AI) and/or machine learning algorithm in a 5G environment connected for the Internet of Things and a method for determining a cleaning path of a robot cleaner. The method for determining a cleaning path includes detecting an obstacle, identifying a type of the obstacle based on the image signal, generating a cleaning map including information on the identified obstacle, providing the cleaning map to a user terminal, receiving an input of a cleaning pattern for an area of the obstacle from the user terminal, and determining a cleaning path including the cleaning pattern for the area of the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Eu Gene Kim, Kwan Young Son, Hyun Seob Lee
  • Patent number: 11666949
    Abstract: A modular mechanical arm of an underwater pile foundation structure includes a modular interface disposed at one end of the transmission arm rod, a mechanical arm connecting part disposed at the other end of the transmission arm rod. The mechanical arm connecting part is separately provided with two arm frames, each of the arm frames comprises an inner arm frame and an outer arm frame, the inner arm frame and the outer arm frame are coupled by a joint, and a soft moving and cleaning part is disposed on an inner side of each of the arm frames; the modular interface is coupled with an underwater UAV interface to transmit current and a control signal, a waterproof steering gear is built in the transmission arm rod to receive the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Airong Liu, Jiaqiao Liang, Jiyang Fu, Guowei Liu, Junda Chen, Bingcong Chen
  • Patent number: 11659971
    Abstract: Disclosed are a robot cleaner. The robot cleaner includes: a cleaner body configured to move in an area and clean the area; and a sensor assembly provided in the cleaner body. The sensor assembly includes: a main sensor configured to be moveable between a sensing position where the main sensor protrudes out of the cleaner body and a settled position where the main sensor is inside the cleaner body; a sensor position changer configured to allow the main sensor to move between the sensing position and the settled position; and a stopper configured to restrict the sensor position changer from allowing the main sensor at the sensing position to move towards the settled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sinae Kim, Yongseok Kim, Minro Yun, Yeonkyu Jeong, Shin Kim, Jaeyoul Jeong
  • Patent number: 11653804
    Abstract: A work system comprising a first autonomous work machine and a second autonomous work machine, wherein the first autonomous work machine includes: a detection unit configured to detect dirt on the second autonomous work machine; and a notification unit configured to, if the detection unit detects dirt, notify the second autonomous work machine of dirt information indicating the detection of the dirt, and the second autonomous work machine removes the dirt or waits in a predetermined position in response to the notification of the dirt information by the notification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroto Takahashi, Yoshiaki Kotani, Naoki Kameyama, Hiroya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11653803
    Abstract: A vacuum attachment apparatus for use on conventional service station or car wash vacuums is described. The apparatus is equipped with a rubberized female portion disposed on a wide end of the apparatus, which is configured to mate onto the default vacuum hose end. The apparatus facilitates the cleaning of small crevices with a commercial or industrial vacuum, which conventionally has too large of an intake to reach crevices such as those found between the seats of vehicles, under the seats, within the dash, and in other common locations standard on most contemporary vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Dennis Carter
  • Patent number: 11647878
    Abstract: A controller for a vacuum cleaner includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that program the processor to operate a motor at a first power level, receive a temperature of a drive component associated with the motor from a temperature sensor, and compare the temperature of the drive component associated with the motor to a first threshold temperature. The processor operates the motor at a second power level lower than the first power level for a period of time when the temperature of the drive component associated with the motor is greater than or equal to the first temperature threshold, and continues operating the motor at the first power level when the temperature of the drive component associated with the motor is less than the first temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Fogarty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11641994
    Abstract: A robot cleaner includes an intake port, a shock detection sensor, a camera, a memory, and a processor. The memory may include an artificial intelligence model trained to identify an object, and the processor may, based on the object being ingested by the intake port, identify an image obtained within a preset time before the object is ingested, among a plurality of images obtained through the camera and identify the object according to the artificial intelligence model. Thereby, a user may be informed that the robot cleaner has ingested the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaewook Shin, Hyunsoo Choi, Sungjin Kim, Aeran Lim, Junho Rim
  • Patent number: 11641990
    Abstract: A mobile cleaning robot includes a removable filter unit configured to receive a supply airflow generated by a blower and to filter debris from the supply airflow, a filter seat, a filter access opening, a filter access door, and a filter presence system. The filter access door is pivotable between a closed position, wherein the filter access door covers the filter access opening, and an open position, wherein the filter access door is displaced from the filter access opening to permit access to the filter seat. The filter presence system is configured to: permit the filter access door to move from the open position into the closed position when the filter unit is disposed in the filter seat; and prevent the filter access door from being moved into the closed position when the filter unit is not disposed in the filter seat. The filter presence system includes a lift arm movable between an extended position and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Burbank, Christopher Robin Grace, Oliver Majer Lewis, Stephen Albert Hickey, Jude Royston Jonas
  • Patent number: 11634106
    Abstract: An electric vehicle with a cleaning device includes an electric motor, a cleaning device connected with a pipe installed in a vehicle cabin, a first clutch that connects and disconnects the electric motor with an axle of wheels of the vehicle, a second clutch that connects and disconnects the electric motor with the cleaning device, a control unit that controls one of the first clutch and the second clutch to selectively connect one of the cleaning device and the axle with the electric motor and activate the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Maeshiro
  • Patent number: 11633764
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes an end cap assembly for use with an agitator. The end cap assembly includes a stationary end cap, a rotating end cap, and a fragmentor. The stationary end cap is secured to and stationary with respect to a housing of the cleaning apparatus. The rotating end cap is coupled to the agitator and rotates with the agitator relative to the housing. The stationary and rotating end caps define a gap extending radially inward therebetween. The fragmentor is disposed within the gap and is configured to break debris which enters the gap into smaller pieces. The fragmentor may be disposed on a surface of the stationary end cap facing towards the rotating end cap and/or on a surface of the rotating end cap facing towards the stationary end cap. The fragmentor may include a cutting blade and/or an abrasive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Charles S. Brunner, Tyler S. Smith
  • Patent number: 11623338
    Abstract: A system includes a universal handle and a variety of tools selectively secured within the handle. The tools can be tools for grooming or collecting hair, and are especially useful with animals such as household pets. One example tool includes a mat breaker that is adjustable for left handed or right handed use. Another example tool is a fur sweeper tool and a fur accumulator tool. Other tools include deshedders, brushes, and combs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Cafasso
  • Patent number: 11626772
    Abstract: A suction motor capable of having reduced axial length is disclosed. The suction motor according to the present invention comprises: a rotary shaft; an impeller fixed to one end of the rotary shaft; a bearing assembly provided at one side of the impeller and rotatably supporting the rotary shaft; a permanent magnet provided on the rotary shaft at one side of the bearing assembly; a weight balancer provided on the other end of the rotary shaft at one side of the permanent magnet; and a stator assembly provided at the circumference of the permanent magnet, wherein the weight balancer is formed such that when the rotary shaft rotates, the impeller, the permanent magnet and the weight balancer achieve rotational balance around the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Deok-jin Kim, Jin-woo Han, Seon-goo Kim
  • Patent number: 11617482
    Abstract: A surface treatment apparatus may include a coupling, a handle, an accessory coupled to the coupling, and a toggle proximate the handle. The accessory may have at least two operational states. An actuation of the toggle may cause the accessory to transition between operational states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Sardar, Christopher P. Pinches, Lee M. Cottrell, Samuel Emrys James, Michael James Douglas, David S. Clare
  • Patent number: 11617488
    Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner docking station has a mechanical transfer mechanism that is used to transfer dirt from a robotic vacuum cleaner to a docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 11612295
    Abstract: An autonomous cleaning device, includes: a mobile platform, configured to move autonomously on a cleaning surface; and a cleaning module, disposed on the mobile platform and including: a wet cleaning module, configured to clean at least part of the cleaning surface in a wet cleaning mode; and a lifting structure, connected to the wet cleaning module and configured to enable the wet cleaning module to move upward or downward with respect to the mobile platform; wherein the wet cleaning module includes: a cleaning head configured to clean the cleaning surface; and a driving unit configured to drive the cleaning head to conduct reciprocating movement on a target surface which indicates a part of the cleaning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING ROBOROCK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xing Li, Pan Cheng, Chuanlin Duan, Zhimin Yang, Jungang Liu, Fan Yang, Erdong Gu, Rongxin Hu, Lei Wang, Lei Zhang
  • Patent number: 11606917
    Abstract: The battery-powered backpack blower includes a back support assembly including a back plate configured to permit a user to mount the blower to the user's back, and a volute assembly including a first volute portion and a second volute portion. The backpack blower further includes a housing assembly including a battery assembly and a motor assembly therein, the housing assembly is provided intermediate to the back assembly and the volute assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Poole, Joshua M Sheffer, Wong Kun Ng, Keith D. Flaharty, Joseph B. Cooper, Philip Martinez, David Keith Wheeler, Christopher Wade Shook
  • Patent number: 11602253
    Abstract: A robotic device comprising: an energy storage device; and a controller configured to determine whether a quantity of energy stored in the energy storage device is below a predetermined energy level, wherein: the robotic device is configured to perform a cleaning task if the determined quantity of energy is not below the predetermined energy level; if the determined quantity of energy is below the predetermined energy level: the controller is configured to estimate a likelihood of the robotic device being capable of locating a recharging base station; and in dependence on the estimated likelihood, the robotic device is configured to seek the recharging base station or perform the cleaning task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham Bone
  • Patent number: 11589670
    Abstract: A floor cleaner can include a housing adapted for movement over a surface to be cleaned and at least one edge cleaning brush provided on the housing. The edge cleaning brush includes multiple cleaning implements which rotate at different velocities. A gear system, such as a planetary gear system, can drive one cleaning implement at a lower speed than another cleaning implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventor: Todd R. VanTongeren
  • Patent number: 11584038
    Abstract: A novel cutting method and apparatus includes a cutting blade adapted to consistently and easily form a desirable kerf in a concrete substrate while capturing substantially all resulting concrete dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: PERFECT TRAC OPCO, LLC
    Inventors: John Merck, Reginald A. Ronzello