detachable robotic vacuum dustbin

Abstract

A removable dustbin for a robotic vacuum that is wholly separable from all electronic parts thereof including a motor unit such that the dustbin, when separated from the electronic parts, may be safely immersed in water for quick and easy cleaning. The dustbin design further facilitates easy access to the motor for convenient servicing and repair.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/353,319, filed Jun. 21, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/186,499, filed Nov. 10, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/885,064, filed 16 Oct. 2015, which claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application 62/066,781, filed Oct. 21, 2014, the entire contents of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to robotic vacuums. More particularly, the invention relates to a dustbin or debris container for a robotic vacuum.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Robotic devices are becoming increasingly popular for carrying out routine tasks, like mopping, vacuuming and cutting grass. However, the majority of these robots still require some human aid in order to operate. Robotic vacuum cleaners and floor scrubbers, for example, have holding cavities where debris is collected that must be regularly emptied. The emptying of a dustbin in a robotic vacuum is often cumbersome and imprecise. The motor/impeller unit in robotic vacuum cleaners is sometimes located inside the chassis adjacent to the dustbin or is connected to the dustbin via a duct. These models, however, make access to the motor/impeller for occasional repair or servicing difficult due to their location within the chassis. One solution to this problem is fixing the motor/impeller directly inside a removable dustbin. This provides better access to the impeller and motor when the dustbin is removed.

However, the malfunction of any one of these connected parts in similar designs requires either extensive manual work to disassemble the unit or replacement any of them, which imposes an additional unnecessary cost on the user. Furthermore, the positioning of electronics inside the dustbin means that the dustbin may not be immersed in water h rough and easy washing.

Robotic vacuum dustbins are usually emptied by shaking debris out manually or brushing debris out with a tool. This process, however, inevitably leaves behind a small amount of debris that cannot be removed by a brush or by cursory shaking. Furthermore, small particles often become airborne in this process, which may be irritating or unpleasant for the user, especially if those particles are inhaled or enter the eyes.

A need exists for an improved robotic vacuum dustbin design that allows both easy access to the motor/impeller and permits the dustbin to be immersed in water for easy cleaning.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dustbin for a robotic vacuum that is wholly separable from the electronic parts thereof.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dustbin for a robotic vacuum that may be safely immersed in water.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dustbin for a robotic vacuum that enables easy access to the motor/impeller.

The aforementioned objectives are achieved by the present invention through a robotic vacuum dustbin that is wholly separable from all electronic parts thereof. In the proposed design, the motor and impeller are attached to the dustbin by one or more latches that can be released to easily separate them from the dustbin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a robotic vacuum dustbin with the motor unit removed embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates the removed robotic vacuum motor unit embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the installation of the motor and impeller unit into the dustbin and the dustbin into the robotic vacuum chassis embodying features of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to an embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Various embodiments are described below, including methods and techniques. The disclosure described herein is directed generally to a utilitarian dustbin design for a robotic vacuum.

As understood herein, the term “robotic vacuum” may be defined generally to include one or more autonomous devices having communication, mobility, vacuuming and/or processing elements. For example, a robotic vacuum may comprise a casing or shell, a chassis including a set of wheels, a motor to drive wheels, a receiver that acquires signals transmitted from, for example, a transmitting beacon, a processor, and/or controller that processes and/or controls motor and other robotic autonomous or cleaning operations, network or wireless communications, power management, etc., one or more clock or synchronizing devices, a vacuum motor to provide suction, a dustbin to store debris, a brush to facilitate collection of debris, and a means to spin the brush.

Generally, a removable dustbin is provisioned with a removable motor unit disposed therein. It should be understood that the present invention has broad applicability and utility. Any embodiment discussed and identified as “preferred” is considered to be part of one of the best modes for carrying out the present invention. A robotic vacuum is used to illustrate one embodiment of the invention, however, the invention may be used for various robotic devices, such as robotic polishers that polish floors, robotic lawn mowers, and similar devices that operate autonomously. Additionally, unless otherwise noted, specifications are given for illustrative purposes and shall not be understood as limiting the possibilities of alternative examples.

The present invention proposes a dustbin design for a robotic vacuum or other robotic device that both provides convenient access to the motor unit by housing it within the dustbin and is easily separated from the motor unit to facilitate the individual repair, servicing, or washing of the parts.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a dustbin 100 for a robotic vacuum is illustrated. The dustbin comprises a window 101 for receiving debris; window releases 102 that allow the window to be opened when depressed; and a filter 103 that keeps vacuumed debris particles from entering the motor. The open space at the back of the dustbin is the motor compartment 104 where the vacuum's electric motor sits and pulls the air through the opening 105 in the bottom of the motor compartment area. A release button 106 releases the latch 107 that holds the motor in its compartment in the dustbin.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the electric vacuum motor 109 is illustrated. Referring briefly to both FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electric vacuum motor 109 fits in the motor compartment 104 and may be ejected from the motor compartment when desired. Referring back to FIG. 1B, prongs 111 eject the motor from its compartment when it is released. The motor is powered by a battery in the chassis (not shown) through electrodes 110. An air filter 112 is provided behind the vacuum motor to filter the outtake air as it exits the vacuum. A latch 108 secures the dustbin to the chassis when the motor is in its compartment.

When the electric vacuum motor is removed from the dustbin, the dustbin is free of electronic parts and thus may be immersed in water for cleaning. Removability of the motor also improves accessibility to the motor for repairs or replacement.

Referring to FIG. 2, the installation of the vacuum motor 109 into the dustbin 100 and the dustbin 100 into the robot chassis 200 is illustrated. As depicted, the vacuum motor 109 is inserted into the compartment 104 in the dustbin first, then the dustbin 100 is inserted into the compartment 213 in the robot chassis 200.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning debris by a robotic vacuum, comprising:

powering, with a battery of the robotic vacuum, an electric vacuum motor and an electric wheel motor of the robotic vacuum;

spinning, with a means to spin a brush, a brush of the robotic vacuum to facilitate collection of the debris;

pulling, with the electric vacuum motor, air through an opening in a dustbin of the robotic vacuum to generate suction for suctioning the debris through a debris window of the dustbin;

receiving, with the dustbin, the debris suctioned through the debris window; and

decoupling, with at least one latch, the dustbin from a chassis of the robotic vacuum housing an electric vacuum motor during operation;

wherein: the robotic vacuum comprises: the chassis; a set of wheels; an electric wheel motor to drive the set of wheels; a processor configured to control the electric motor; the battery; the dustbin; the electric vacuum motor; and the brush; the electric vacuum motor is coupled to or interfaces with the dustbin via at least the opening; the dustbin is configured to receive a frame of a removeable filter and a filter; and the dustbin is free of electronic circuitry when decoupled from the chassis of the robotic vacuum housing the electric vacuum during operation.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

coupling, with the at least one latch, the dustbin with the chassis, wherein the at least one latch is configured to at least transition between a first state that couples the dustbin to the chassis to a second state that decouples the dustbin from the chassis.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a prong ejects the dustbin from the chassis upon releasing the at least one latch to decouple the dustbin from the chassis.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the chassis forms at least a portion of a cylinder when coupled with the dustbin;

the dustbin comprises an exterior wall forming an arc-shape with a radius matching a radius of the cylinder; and

the dustbin defines a portion of a void.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

opening, with a debris window release of the dustbin, the debris window when the debris window release is engaged.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

immersing the dustbin in water for cleaning when free of electronic circuitry.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electric vacuum motor comprises at least one impeller to generate suction for suctioning the debris through the debris window.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the dustbin defines an airflow path through:

the debris window of the dustbin;

an interior cavity of the dustbin; and

the filter through which air is pulled by the electric vacuum motor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the chassis comprises a void with a shape complementary to at least a portion of a shape of the dustbin.

10. A robotic vacuum, comprising:

a dustbin for receiving debris;

a set of wheels;

an electric motor to drive wheels;

a processor;

a battery for supplying power;

an electric vacuum motor;

a brush for facilitating collection of debris; and

a means to spin the brush;

wherein: the electric vacuum motor pulls air through an opening in the dustbin of the robotic vacuum to generate suction for suctioning the debris through a debris window of the dustbin; the dustbin receives the debris suctioned through the debris window; the electric vacuum motor is coupled to or interfaces with the dustbin via at least the opening; the dustbin is configured to receive a frame of a removeable filter and a filter; at least one latch decouples the dustbin from a chassis of the robotic vacuum housing an electric vacuum motor during operation; the at least one latch couples the dustbin with the chassis; the at least one latch is configured to at least transition between a first state that couples the dustbin to the chassis to a second state that decouples the dustbin from the chassis; the chassis forms at least a portion of a cylinder when coupled with the dustbin; the chassis comprises a void with a shape complementary to at least a portion of a shape of the dustbin; the dustbin comprises an exterior wall forming an arc-shape with a radius matching a radius of the cylinder; the dustbin fills the void when coupled with the chassis; and the dustbin is suitable for immersion in water.

11. The robotic vacuum of claim 10, wherein a prong ejects the dustbin from the chassis upon releasing the at least one latch to decouple the dustbin from the chassis.

12. The robotic vacuum of claim 11, wherein:

the dustbin comprises a debris window release for opening the debris window; and

the debris window is opened upon engaging the debris window release.

13. The robotic vacuum of claim 11, wherein electric power is prevented from being supplied to the dustbin upon releasing the at least one latch.

14. The robotic vacuum of claim 10, wherein the electric vacuum motor comprises at least one impeller to generate suction for suctioning the debris through the debris window.

15. The robotic vacuum of claim 10, wherein the dustbin defines an airflow path through:

the debris window of the dustbin;

an interior cavity of the dustbin; and

the filter through which air is pulled by the electric vacuum motor.

16. A method, comprising:

transitioning at least one latch between at least a first state that couples the dustbin to a chassis of the robotic vacuum to a second state that decouples the dustbin from the chassis of the robotic vacuum;

wherein: the chassis comprises a void; the dustbin comprises an exterior wall forming an arc-shape with a radius matching a radius of the chassis; the chassis forms at least a portion of a cylinder when coupled with the dustbin; the dustbin defines a portion of a void; an electric vacuum motor housed within the chassis of the robotic vacuum during operation pulls air through an opening in the dustbin to generate suction for suctioning debris through a debris window of the dustbin; the dustbin receives the debris suctioned through the debris window; the electric vacuum motor is coupled to or interfaces with the dustbin via at least the opening in the dustbin; the dustbin is configured to receive a frame of a removeable filter and a filter; and the dustbin defines an airflow path through: the debris window of the dustbin; an interior cavity of the dustbin; and the filter through which air is pulled by the electric vacuum motor.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the robotic vacuum comprises:

the chassis;

the electric vacuum motor;

the dustbin for receiving debris;

a set of wheels;

an electric wheel motor to drive wheels;

a processor;

a battery for supplying power to the electric vacuum motor and the electric wheel motor;

a brush for facilitating collection of debris; and

a means to spin the brush.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the dustbin is suitable for immersion in water when decoupled from chassis of the robotic vacuum and the electric vacuum motor housed within the chassis of the robotic vacuum during operation.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein:

a prong ejects the dustbin from the chassis of the robotic vacuum upon releasing the at least one latch to decouple the dustbin from the chassis of the robotic vacuum;

the dustbin comprises a debris window release for opening the debris window; and

the debris window is opened upon engaging the debris window release.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein electric power is prevented from being supplied to the dustbin upon releasing the at least one latch to transition to the second state.