Filtering devices for evacuation stations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023010550-A1
Application number	US-202117369751-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 7, 2021
Priority date	Jul 7, 2021
Publication date	Jan 12, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A filtering device for an evacuation station includes a filter bag configured to collect debris evacuated from a cleaning robot by an evacuation station. The filtering device includes an interface assembly configured to interface with the evacuation station. The interface assembly includes (i) a base attached to the filter bag along an opening of the filter bag, (ii) an access door configured to provide or limit access to a space within the filter bag depending on whether the access door is in an open position or a closed position, and (iii) one or more hinges connecting the base to the access door. The access door is rotatable around the one or more hinges from the closed position to the open position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A filtering device comprising:
a filter bag configured to collect debris evacuated from a cleaning robot by an evacuation station; and an interface assembly configured to interface with the evacuation station, the interface assembly comprising:
a base attached to the filter bag along an opening of the filter bag, an opening of the base aligned with the opening of the filter bag,
an access door; and
one or more hinges connecting the base and the access door, wherein the access door is rotatable about the one or more hinges from a closed position to an open position.

2 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the access door is configured to (i) provide access to a space within the filter bag via the opening of the base when the access door is in the open position and (ii) limit access to the space within the filter bag via the opening of the base when the access door is in the closed position.

3 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the access door comprises an inlet configured to interface with an outlet of the evacuation station to pneumatically connect a space within the filter bag with the outlet of the evacuation station.

4 . The filtering device of claim 3 , wherein the access door further comprises a conduit, wherein an opening of the conduit is aligned with the inlet and wherein the conduit extends into the space within the filter bag when the access door is in the closed position.

5 . The filtering device of claim 3 , wherein the access door further comprises:
a slider comprising an opening, the slider configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the opening of the slider is aligned with the inlet in the first position and wherein the opening of the slider is misaligned with the inlet in the second position.

6 . The filtering device of claim 3 , wherein an area of the opening of the base is greater than an area of the inlet.

7 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein a substantially airtight seal is formed along one or more edges of the interface assembly when the access door is in the closed position.

8 . The filtering device of claim 7 , wherein the substantially airtight seal is formed between the base and the access door.

9 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more hinges are disposed on a lateral edge of the interface assembly.

10 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the interface assembly further comprises a latch mechanism configured to secure the access door in the closed position.

11 . The filtering device of claim 10 , wherein the one or more hinges are disposed on a first lateral edge of the interface assembly, and wherein the latch mechanism is disposed on a second lateral edge of the interface assembly, the second lateral edge being opposite the first lateral edge.

12 . The filtering device of claim 10 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises:
a keeper disposed on the base of the interface assembly and a latch disposed on the access door.

13 . The filtering device of claim 12 , wherein the latch has a length of 2 cm to 15 cm and a width of 1 cm to 3 cm.

14 . The filtering device of claim 10 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises one or more detents.

15 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein a front of the base comprises one or more ribbed features.

16 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the interface assembly has a length of 12 cm to 20 cm.

17 . The filtering device of claim 16 , wherein the interface assembly has a width of 9 cm to 16 cm, and a depth of 5 mm to 80 mm.

18 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the base is attached to the filter bag using at least one of an adhesive attachment, a welding, or an interference fit mechanism.

19 . An evacuation station comprising:
an airflow pathway; a robot interface configured to pneumatically connect a debris bin of a cleaning robot to the airflow pathway; a filtering device pneumatically connected to the airflow pathway, the filtering device comprising:
a filter bag; and
an interface assembly configured to interface with the evacuation station, the interface assembly comprising:
a base attached to the filter bag along an opening of the filter bag, an opening of the base aligned with the opening of the filter bag,
an access door; and
one or more hinges connecting the base and the access door,

wherein the access door is rotatable about the one or more hinges from a closed position to an open position; and

an air mover configured to produce a flow of air through the airflow pathway such that debris is evacuated from the debris bin of the cleaning robot, travels through the airflow pathway, and is collected in the filter bag.

20 . A system comprising:
a cleaning robot comprising:
a drive system configured to move the robot across a floor surface;
one or more implements configured to remove debris from the floor surface; and
a debris bin configured to collect the debris removed from the floor surface by the one or more implements; and
an evacuation station comprising:
an airflow pathway;
a robot interface configured to pneumatically connect the debris bin of the cleaning robot to the airflow pathway;
a filtering device pneumatically connected to the airflow pathway, the filtering device comprising:
a filter bag; and
an interface assembly configured to interface with the evacuation station, the interface assembly comprising:
a base attached to the filter bag along an opening of the filter bag, an opening of the base aligned with the opening of the filter bag,
an access door; and
one or more hinges connecting the base and the access door,

wherein the access door is rotatable about the one or more hinges from a closed position to an open position; and

an air mover configured to produce a flow of air through the airflow pathway such that debris is evacuated from the debris bin of the cleaning robot, travels through the airflow pathway, and is collected in the filter bag.

Assignees

• Irobot Corp

Inventors

• Wolff Andrew Vincent
• Mercier Ryan
• Xu Chin
• Suchman Jason Jeffrey

Classifications

• A47L9/149

  Emptying means; Reusable bags · CPC title

• A47L2201/04

  Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection · CPC title

• B01D46/0005

  Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames (B01D46/2422 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47L9/2873 Primary

  Docking units or charging stations (for autonomous or robotic vacuum cleaners A47L2201/02) · CPC title

• B01D46/0004

  Details of removable closures, lids, caps or filter heads · CPC title