Lawn mower robot and method of controlling the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11647690-B2
Application number	US-202017010283-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 2, 2020
Priority date	Sep 3, 2019
Publication date	May 16, 2023
Grant date	May 16, 2023

Abstract

A lawn mower robot includes a water tank configured to store water, a nozzle, and a cleaning module that is configured to clean the cutting blades of the robot by spraying water stored in the water tank on the blades through the nozzle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lawn mower robot comprising:
a body;
a travel module configured to move the body;
a work module having at least one or more blades and a drive motor configured to drive the one or more blades;
a cleaning module configured to clean the one or more blades, wherein the cleaning module includes:
a water tank configured to store water; and
a nozzle configured to spray water stored in the water tank on the one or more blades; and

a blower fan disposed on the body, the blower fan being configured to generate an air flow toward the one or more blades.

2. The lawn mower robot of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning module further includes a water collecting part connected to an upper side of the water tank and having an open upper portion.

3. The lawn mower robot of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning module further includes:
a water collecting part disposed on an upper side of the body and having an open upper portion, wherein the open upper portion is configured to direct water into the water collecting part; and
a water collecting pipe configured to direct water, collected in the water collecting part, into the water tank.

4. The lawn mower robot of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning module is disposed above the work module.

5. The lawn mower robot of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning module further includes a pump configured to pressurize the water in the water tank and transfer the water to the nozzle.

6. The lawn mower robot of claim 1 , wherein the water tank has (a) an opening formed at an upper end thereof, and (b) a filter at the opening, wherein the filter is configured to prevent inflow of foreign matter.

7. The lawn mower robot of claim 1 , wherein the water tank comprises an injection pipe connected at a position above a lower surface of the water tank, the injection pipe being configured to supply water to the nozzle.

8. The lawn mower robot of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle vertically overlaps the one or more blades.

9. The lawn mower robot of claim 8 , wherein the nozzle sprays water outwardly from a rotation axis of the one or more blades.

10. The lawn mower robot of claim 1 , wherein the blower fan is configured to generate the air flow outwardly from a rotation axis of the one or more blades.

11. The lawn mower robot of claim 1 , wherein the blower fan is disposed closer to a rotation axis of the one or more blades than the nozzle.

12. The lawn mower robot of claim 1 , further including a drain pipe connected to the water tank, the drain pipe being configured to discharge water stored in the water tank outside of the water tank.

13. The lawn mower robot of claim 12 , wherein the drain pipe is connected to a lower surface of the water tank, and is provided with a drain valve for opening and closing a flow path of the drain pipe.

14. The lawn mower robot of claim 13 , further including a water level sensor disposed in the water tank,
wherein the water level sensor is mechanically or electrically connected to the drain valve.

15. A lawn mower robot comprising:
a body;
a blade rotatably mounted to the body and a drive motor configured to drive the blade;
a cleaning module configured to clean the blade, wherein the cleaning module includes:
a water tank configured to store water; and
a nozzle configured to spray water stored in the water tank on the blade and

a blower fan disposed on the body, the blower fan being configured to generate an air flow toward the blade.

16. A method of controlling a lawn mower robot including a body defining an inner space, a blade configured to cut grass, and a water tank configured to store water, the method comprising:
storing water in the water tank;
mowing grass using the lawn mower robot;
after the mowing, cleaning the blade by spraying the water stored in the water tank on the blade; and
drying the blade using a blower fan disposed on the body.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein cleaning the blade further includes rotating the blade.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising, after cleaning the blade, draining water from the water tank by opening a drain valve coupled to the water tank.

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Kim Jongha

Classifications

• A01D34/003 Primary

  Means for cleaning the machine · CPC title

• A01D2101/00

  Lawn-mowers · CPC title

• B08B3/02

  Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays · CPC title

• A01D34/008

  for automated or remotely controlled operation · CPC title

• B25J19/0058

  Means for cleaning manipulators, e.g. dust removing means · CPC title