Robot cleaner

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11707169-B2
Application number	US-202016774439-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 28, 2020
Priority date	Aug 31, 2015
Publication date	Jul 25, 2023
Grant date	Jul 25, 2023

Abstract

A robot cleaner includes a main body having a suction motor; a moving unit to automatically move the main body; and a suction module to be in communication with the suction motor and to clean a floor, wherein an accommodating portion in which a part of the suction module is accommodated is provided at a lower portion of a front side of the main body, and while the suction module is located in the accommodating portion, a part of the suction module is disposed to be vertically overlapped with the main body, and another part of the suction module protrudes toward both sides from a front portion of the main body, and still another part of the suction module protrudes to a front of the main body.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A robot cleaner comprising: a main body accommodating a suction motor configured to generate a suction force; a wheel configured to rotate to automatically move the main body along a floor; and a suction head configured to clean the floor based on the suction force when in communication with the suction motor, wherein the main body includes: a first connector to which the suction head is coupled; an accommodating recess provided at a front of the main body, wherein when the suction head is coupled to the first connector, a portion of the suction head is received in the accommodating recess such that a first part of the suction head vertically overlaps a portion of the main body, and a second part of the suction head protrudes from sides and front of the main body; a second connector to which a hose is selectively coupled, and a second suction passage which is in communication with the hose when coupled to the second connector, wherein the second connector includes a connection body to which the second suction passage is connected, wherein the connection body is movably connected to the main body such that the second connector is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the connection body is moved to the first position, the second connection passage is substantially received in the main body, and when the connection body is moved to the second position, at least a portion of the second connection passage protrudes from the main body, wherein when the connection body is moved to the first position, the main body prevents the second connector from being connected to the hose, and wherein when the connection body is moved to the second position, the second connector is positioned to be connectable to the hose.

2. The robot cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the suction head is separably installed at the first connector, and
the first connector is provided at the front of the main body.

3. The robot cleaner of claim 2 , wherein the accommodating recess is located under the first connector.

4. The robot cleaner of claim 2 , wherein the suction head includes a first fastening portion,
the first connector includes a second fastening portion which is configured to be coupled to the first fastening portion,
the first fastening portion includes one of a latch operated by a user or a groove in which a part of the latch is accommodated to couple the first fastener and the second fastener, and
the second fastening portion is another one of the latch or the groove.

5. The robot cleaner of claim 2 , wherein the suction head includes:
a case which forms an exterior of the suction head; and
a main body connection extension which is disposed at an upper side of the case and connected to the first connector, and
when the main body connection extension is coupled to the first connector, a height of a top of the case is less than a height of a top of the main body.

6. The robot cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the main body further includes:
a common passage which is in communication with the suction motor,
a first suction passage which is in communication with the suction head, and
a passage switch which allows one of the first suction passage or the second suction passage to be in communication with the common passage.

7. The robot cleaner of claim 6 , wherein the passage switch enables the first suction passage to be in communication with the common passage when the hose is separated from the second connector, and enables the second suction passage to be in communication with the common passage when the hose is connected to the second connector.

8. The robot cleaner of claim 7 , wherein the passage switch includes a switch wall which is rotated in the common passage and shields the first suction passage or the second suction passage while being rotated, and a transmission which transmits power to the switch wall.

9. A robot cleaner comprising: a main body accommodating a suction motor configured to generate a suction force: a wheel configured to rotate, based on receiving a driving force, to automatically move the main body along a floor, and a suction head configured to clean the floor based on the suction force when in communication with the suction motor, wherein the main body includes: a first connector to which the suction head is coupled; an accommodating recess provided at a front of the main body, wherein when the suction head is coupled to the first connector, a portion of the suction head is received in the accommodating recess such that a first part of the suction head vertically overlaps a portion of the main body, and a second part of the suction head protrudes from sides and front of the main body, and a second connector to which a hose is selectively coupled, wherein the main body further includes: a common passage which is in communication with the suction motor; a first suction passage which is in communication with the suction head; a second suction passage which is in communication with the hose when coupled to the second connector, and a passage switch which allows one of the first suction passage or the second suction passage to be in communication with the common passage, and wherein the second connector is rotatably connected to the main body, and the passage switch is moved between a first position in which the first suction passage is in communication with the common passage and a second position in which the second suction passage is in communication with the common passage based on receiving a rotating force of the connector.

10. A robot cleaner comprising: a main body accommodating a suction motor configured to generate a suction force; a wheel configured to rotate, based on receiving a driving force, to automatically move the main body along a floor, and a suction head configured to clean the floor based on the suction force when in communication with the suction motor, wherein the main body includes: a first connector to which the suction head is coupled; an accommodating recess provided at a front of the main body, wherein when the suction head is coupled to the first connector, a portion of the suction head is received in the accommodating recess such that a first part of the suction head vertically overlaps a portion of the main body, and a second part of the suction head protrudes from sides and front of the main body, and a second connector to which a hose is selectively coupled, wherein the main body further includes: a common passage which is in communication with the suction motor; a first suction passage which is in communication with the suction head; a second suction passage which is in communication with the hose when coupled to the second connector; and a passage switch which allows one of the first suction passage or the second suction passage to be in communication with the common passage, and wherein the main body includes a cover that is movably provided over the second connector, and the passage switch is moved based on receiving a moving force of the cover.

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Kim Hyosung
• Nam Bohyun
• Park Sojin
• Kim Jin-Ju
• Bae Sehwan

Classifications

• A47L9/04 Primary

  with driven brushes or agitators · CPC title

• A47L5/225 Primary

  Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners · CPC title

• A47L9/02

  Nozzles (suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00) · CPC title

• A47L9/2805

  Parameters or conditions being sensed · CPC title

• A47L9/2852

  Elements for displacement of the vacuum cleaner or the accessories therefor, e.g. wheels, casters or nozzles · CPC title