Wheel set for robot cleaner

Abstract

The present invention provides a wheel set for robot cleaner, which is installed under the main body of a robot cleaner for supporting the main body to move on a floor. The wheel set comprises two driving wheels. Each of the driving wheels includes a power source, two transmission mechanisms and two wheels. Each of the two transmission mechanisms is linked correspondingly with one of the two wheels and the power source so that the wheels are driven by the power source to traverse obstacles on the floor and do not scrape the floor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel set for robot cleaner, and more particularly to a wheel set for robot cleaner to traverse obstacles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In recent years, many robot cleaners developed by artificial intelligence are very popular due to the automatic cleaning without manual operation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,201 discloses a robot cleaner having automatic cleaning function, but the driving device thereof comprises one driving wheel at either side and one idle wheel in the front. Each driving wheel is driven by a power source (motor) to make the robot cleaner go forward or change direction, while the idle wheel works for supporting only. However, if the robot cleaner is used on a rough and uneven floor, since the idle wheel has no power to overcome the obstacles, the idle wheel is very easy to be locked by the obstacles so as to stop the robot cleaner. In addition, since the idle wheel has no power and works for supporting only, the floor (e.g. a wooden floor) is very easy to be scraped by the idle wheel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a wheel set for robot cleaner to traverse obstacles and not to scrape the floor.

[0004] The wheel set for robot cleaner according to the present invention is installed under the main body of a robot cleaner for supporting the main body to move on a floor. The wheel set comprises two driving wheels, each of the driving wheels includes a power source, two transmission mechanisms and two wheels, each of the two transmission mechanisms is linked correspondingly with one of the two wheels and the power source so that the wheels are driven by the power source to traverse obstacles on the floor and do not scrape the floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the wheel set for robot cleaner installed under the main body of a robot cleaner in accordance with the present invention;

[0006] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the wheel set for robot cleaner in accordance with the present invention;

[0007] FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the wheel set for robot cleaner in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0008] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the present invention provides a preferred embodiment described in accompany with the drawings as below.

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, the wheel set for robot cleaner in accordance with the present invention is installed under the main body of a robot cleaner for supporting the robot cleaner to move on a floor. The wheel set comprises two driving wheels, with one driving wheel at either side of the robot cleaner. The robot cleaner further comprises controller circuits, sensors and vacuum devices, which are not the content of the present invention and will not be described in detail.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 2, in which one driving wheel at one side of the robot cleaner is shown, it comprises a housing 1, a motor 2 (power source), two transmission mechanisms and two wheels 5.

[0011] The housing 1 includes a first shell 11 and a second shell 12 to form an accommodating space to install devices stated below.

[0012] The motor 2 is placed in the central part of the housing 1, two output axles 21 having the same rotating speed extend horizontally and oppositely from the motor 2. The transmission mechanism comprises a worm 3 and a planet gear set 4 driven by the worm 3. The worm 3 is sleeved on the output axles 21 to rotate synchronously with the output axles 21. Two transmission mechanisms are provided as shown, each is linked with an output axle 21 and a wheel 5.

[0013] The planet gear set 4 comprises a central gear 41, a fixed annular gear 42 formed in the first shell 11, a plurality of planet gear 43 engaged with the central gear 41 and the annular gear 42, and a supporting stand 44 for supporting planet gears 43 and rotating with planet gears 43. A round panel 45 is formed at one side of the central gear 41, while an external annular gear 46 is formed along the circumference of the round panel 45. The external annular gear 46 is engaged with the worm 3. The supporting stand 44 extends out of the first shell 11 to link with a wheel 5. FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the wheel set for robot cleaner in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] As the output axles 21 of the motor 2 rotates, the worm 3 is driven to rotate synchronously so as to drive the engaged external annular gear 46, this is the first step for decelerating the transmission. The external annular gear 46, the central gear 41 and the round panel 45 are formed integrally, so the central gear 41 and the external annular gear 46 have the same rotating speed. The central gear 41 drives the planet gear 43 to rotate along the annular gear 42, this is the second step for decelerating the transmission. Finally, the supporting stand 44 drives the wheel 5 to rotate. Since the motor 2 has two output axles 21 to drive two transmission mechanisms and two wheels 5 synchronously, each wheel 5 is driven by the power source. The robot cleaner is installed with a driving wheel at either side thereof, and each wheel 5 is driven by the power source, so the robot cleaner is very easy to traverse a rough and uneven floor and overcome obstacles. In addition, since each wheel 5 is driven by the power source and equipped with a soft tire, the floor (e.g. a wooden floor) will not be scraped by the wheels.

[0015] The scope of the present invention depends only upon the following claims, and is not limited by the above embodiment.

Claims

1. A wheel set for robot cleaner, said wheel set is installed under a main body of the robot cleaner for supporting the main body to move on a floor, said wheel set comprises two driving wheels, each of the driving wheels includes a power source, two transmission mechanisms and two wheels, each of the two transmission mechanisms is linked correspondingly with one of the two wheels and the power source so that the wheels are driven by the power source to traverse obstacles on the floor and do not scrape the floor.

2. The wheel set for robot cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the power source is a motor, two output axles having the same rotating speed extend horizontally and oppositely from the motor; each of the transmission mechanism comprises a worm and a planet gear set driven by the worm; the worm is sleeved on one of the output axle to rotate synchronously with the output axle and drives the wheel via the planet gear set.

3. The wheel set for robot cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the planet gear set comprises a central gear, a fixed annular gear, a plurality of planet gear engaged with the central gear and the annular gear, and a supporting stand for supporting the plurality of planet gear and rotating with the plurality of planet gear; a round panel is formed at one side of the central gear, while an external annular gear is formed along the circumference of the round panel; the external annular gear is engaged with the worm, while the supporting stand links with a wheel.