U.S. patent application number 12/954107 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-12 for dust roller brush device for mobile robotic vacuum cleaner.
Invention is credited to Wanda FU.
Application Number | 20120084938 12/954107 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44035324 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120084938 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FU; Wanda |
April 12, 2012 |
DUST ROLLER BRUSH DEVICE FOR MOBILE ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANER
Abstract
Used in a mobile robotic vacuum cleaner, a detachable roller
brush device is disclosed to include a mounting device, and a
roller brush having one end thereof detachably connectable to the
driving shaft of the driving device and an opposite end thereof
rotatably and detachably connectable to the mounting device. Thus,
when released the connection between the roller brush and the
mounting device, the roller brush can easily be removed from the
mobile robotic vacuum cleaner for repair or replacement
Inventors: |
FU; Wanda; (Guangdong,
CN) |
Family ID: |
44035324 |
Appl. No.: |
12/954107 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/363 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/0673 20130101;
A47L 2201/00 20130101; A47L 9/0427 20130101; A47L 9/0477
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/363 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/04 20060101
A47L009/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 11, 2010 |
CN |
201020575517.0 |
Claims
1. A detachable roller brush device used in a mobile robotic vacuum
cleaner comprising a driving device having a driving shaft, the
detachable roller brush device comprising: a mounting device; and a
roller brush having one end thereof detachably connectable to said
driving shaft of said driving device and an opposite end thereof
rotatably and detachably connectable to said mounting device.
2. The detachable roller brush device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said roller brush comprises a rectangular plughole located
on one end thereof and detachably coupled to said driving shaft of
said driving device.
3. The detachable roller brush device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said mounting device comprises a casing, a movable block
movably mounted inside said casing and stopped against one end of
said roller brush, a spring member having two distal ends
respectively stopped against said casing and said movable block and
a stop block mounted inside said casing and movable between a stop
position and a released position, said stop block having a stop
portion, said stop portion stopping said movable block in position
when said stop block is in said stop position, said stop portion
being released from said movable block for allowing movement of
said movable block relative to said casing when said stop block is
in said released position.
4. The detachable roller brush device as claimed in claim 3,
wherein said casing has an opening located on a bottom wall
thereof; said stop block comprises a protruding portion extending
to the outside of said casing through said opening for operation by
an external force to move said stop block from said stop position
to said released position.
5. The detachable roller brush device as claimed in claim 3,
wherein said mounting device further comprises a barrel mounted
inside said casing and adapted for accommodating said movable
block, said barrel comprising a through hole for the passing of
said stop portion of said stop block to stop said movable block in
position when said stop block is in said stop position, said stop
portion of said stop block being disengaged from said through hole
when said stop block is in said released position.
6. The detachable roller brush device as claimed in claim 5,
wherein said stop portion of said stop block has a rectangular
cross section; said through hole of said barrel has a rectangular
cross section fitting the rectangular cross section of said stop
portion of said stop block.
7. The detachable roller brush device as claimed in claim 3,
wherein said mounting device further comprises a barrel mounted
inside said casing, said barrel comprising a sliding slot located
on the peripheral wall thereof and extending along the axis
thereof; said movable block is accommodated in said barrel,
comprising a sliding rib inserted into said sliding slot to guide
sliding movement of said movable block relative to said barrel.
8. The detachable roller brush device as claimed in claim 3,
further comprising a second spring member, said second spring
member having two distal ends thereof respectively stopped against
said stop block and said casing to impart a spring force to said
stop block and to hold said stop block in said stop position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to mobile robotic vacuum
cleaner technology and more specifically, to a detachable roller
brush device for mobile robotic vacuum cleaner.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A mobile robotic vacuum cleaner is an automatic vacuum
cleaner able to navigate a living space safely around unforeseen
obstacles while cleaning the floor subject to rotation of roller
brushes and operation of an electrical fan. For the advantage of
automatic vacuuming without assistant of any person around, mobile
robotic vacuum cleaner is highly invited by people to substitute
for conventional labor-operated vacuum cleaners or other cleaning
tools.
[0005] Although a mobile robotic vacuum cleaner brings convenience
to home life, the roller brushes of a mobile robotic vacuum cleaner
may wear after a long use. Because the roller brushes of
conventional mobile robotic vacuum cleaners are not detachable,
only a well-trained maintenance person can detach the failed mobile
robotic vacuum cleaner to repair or replace the damaged roller
brush or brushes. The repair procedure is complicated and
expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been accomplished under the
circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present
invention to provide a detachable roller brush device for mobile
robotic vacuum cleaner, which is easily detachable from the mobile
robotic vacuum cleaner for repair.
[0007] To achieve this and other objects of the present invention,
a detachable roller brush device is used in a mobile robotic vacuum
cleaner having a driving device with a driving shaft, comprising a
mounting device and a roller brush. The roller brush has one end
thereof detachably connectable to the driving shaft of the driving
device and an opposite end thereof rotatably and detachably
connectable to the mounting device. Thus, when released the
connection between the roller brush and the mounting device, the
roller brush can easily be removed from the mobile robotic vacuum
cleaner for repair or replacement.
[0008] Preferably, the mounting device comprises a casing, a
movable block movably mounted inside the casing and stopped against
one end of the roller brush, a spring member having two distal ends
respectively stopped against the casing and the movable block and a
stop block mounted inside the casing and movable between a stop
position. The stop block has a stop portion. The top portion stops
the movable block in position when the stop block is in the stop
position. The stop portion is released from the movable block for
allowing movement of the movable block relative to the casing when
the stop block is in the released position.
[0009] Preferably, the mounting device further comprises a barrel
mounted inside the casing and adapted for accommodating the movable
block. The barrel comprises a through hole for the passing of the
stop portion of the stop block to stop the movable block in
position when the stop block is in the stop position. The stop
portion of the stop block is disengaged from the through hole when
the stop block is in the released position.
[0010] Preferably, the barrel comprises a sliding slot located on
the peripheral wall thereof and extending along the axis thereof.
The movable block is accommodated in the barrel, comprising a
sliding rib inserted into the sliding slot to guide sliding
movement of the movable block relative to the barrel.
[0011] Preferably, the detachable roller brush device further
comprises a second spring member having two distal ends thereof
respectively stopped against the stop block and the casing to
impart a spring force to the stop block and to hold the stop block
in the stop position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of mobile robotic vacuum
cleaner equipped with a detachable roller brush device in
accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the mobile robotic vacuum
cleaner shown in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an elevational view illustrating two roller brush
devices coupled to a driving device according to the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the assembly shown in FIG.
3.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention illustrating the coupling arrangement between the roller
brush device and the respective driving shaft of the driving
device.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention illustrating the stop block in the stop position.
[0018] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating the roller
brush device disengaged from the respective driving shaft of the
driving device.
[0019] FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 6 but illustrating the stop block
in the released position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a detachable roller brush device
20 in accordance with the present invention is to be used in a
mobile robotic vacuum cleaner 10 has a driving device 12 mounted
therein. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the driving device 12 comprises
two driving shafts 14 that have a rectangular cross section. Two
detachable roller brush devices 20 are respectively and detachably
coupled to the two driving shafts 14 of the driving device 12
mobile robotic vacuum cleaner 10 are shown installed in a mobile
robotic vacuum cleaner 10 is shown comprising a driving device 12
in accordance with the present invention is shown used in 30 and a
chips collection box 40. Because the two detachable roller brush
devices 20 are arranged in a mirror image manner, only the
structure of one detachable roller brush device 20 is explained
below. Any person skilled in the art will fully understand the
structure, operation and characteristics of the detachable roller
brush devices 20 subject to the following explanation.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each detachable roller brush
device 20 comprises a mounting device 30 and a roller brush 40.
[0022] The mounting device 30 is installed in the bottom side of
the mobile robotic vacuum cleaner 10, comprising a casing 31, a
barrel 32, a movable block 33, a first spring member 34, a stop
block 35 and a second spring member 36.
[0023] The casing 31 consists of a top cover shell 312 and a bottom
cover shell 314. The bottom cover shell 314 has an opening 316.
[0024] The barrel 32 is mounted inside the casing 31, comprising
two longitudinal sliding slots 322 cut through the peripheral wall
thereof at two opposite sides and extending in the axial direction
and a rectangular through hole 324 cut through the peripheral
wall.
[0025] The movable block 33 is accommodated in the barrel 32,
comprising two sliding ribs 332 respectively slidably inserted into
the longitudinal sliding slots 322 of the barrel 32 to guide
sliding movement of the movable block 33 relative to the barrel
32.
[0026] The first spring member 34 has its two opposite ends
respectively stopped against one long side of the bottom cover
shell 314 and one end wall of the movable block 33.
[0027] The stop block 35 is mounted in the casing 31 and movable
between a stop position P1 and a released position P2, comprising a
stop portion 352 having a rectangular cross section. When the stop
block 35 is in the stop position P1 shown in FIG. 6, the stop
portion 352 of the stop block 35 is inserted through the
rectangular through hole 324 of the barrel 32 to stop the movable
block 33 in position, as shown in FIG. 5. When the stop block 35 is
in the released position P2 shown in FIG. 8, the stop portion 352
of the stop block 35 is disengaged from the rectangular through
hole 324 of the barrel 32, allowing movement of the movable block
33 by an external force, as shown in FIG. 7. Further, the stop
block 35 comprises a protruding portion 354 protruded from the
bottom wall thereof. The protruding portion 354 extends out of the
casing 31 through the opening 316 for receiving an external force
to move the stop block 35 from the stop position P1 to the released
position P2.
[0028] The second spring member 36 has its two opposite ends
respectively stopped against one short side of the bottom cover
shell 314 and the stop block 35 to impart a spring force to the
stop block 35, holding the stop block 35 in the stop position
P1.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the roller brush 40 is rotatably
mounted in a bottom groove 16 of the mobile robotic vacuum cleaner
10, having a rectangular plughole 42 located on its one end and
fastened to one driving shaft 14 of the driving device 12 so that
the roller brush 40 is rotatable by the driving device 12. The
other end of the roller brush 40 is stopped at one end of the
movable block 33 against the spring force of the first spring
member 34.
[0030] After description of the structural details of the
detachable roller brush device 20, the dismounting operation of the
detachable roller brush device 20 is explained hereinafter.
[0031] When detaching the detachable roller brush device 20 from
the mobile robotic vacuum cleaner 10, operate the protruding
portion 354 of the stop block 35 to move the stop block 35 from the
stop position P1 shown in FIG. 6 to the released position P2 shown
in FIG. 8, and then apply a pressure to the roller brush 40 to move
the roller brush 40 toward the movable block 33 and to
simultaneously compress the first spring member 34, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 7, until that the rectangular plughole 42 of the roller
brush 40 is disengaged from the associating driving shaft 14 of the
driving device 12. At this time, the user can remove the roller
brush 40 from the bottom groove 16 of the mobile robotic vacuum
cleaner 10 for a repair work.
[0032] After the repair work is done, the roller brush 40 can be
installed in the mobile robotic vacuum cleaner 10 again. When
re-installing the roller brush 40, operate the protruding portion
354 of the stop block 35 to move the stop block 35 from the stop
position P1 shown in FIG. 6 to the released position P2 shown in
FIG. 8, and then insert one end of the roller brush 40 into the
bottom groove 16 of the mobile robotic vacuum cleaner 10, and then
push the movable block 33 toward the inside for enabling the whole
roller brush 40 to be received in the bottom groove 16 and the
rectangular plughole 42 of the roller brush 40 to be forced into
engagement with the associating driving shaft 14 of the driving
device 12, as shown in FIG. 7. Thereafter, release the pressure
from the movable block 33 to let the movable block 33 be forced by
the first spring member 34 against the roller brush 40, keeping the
rectangular plughole 42 of the roller brush 40 in positive
engagement with the associating driving shaft 14 of the driving
device 12, as shown in FIG. 5. At final, release the pressure from
the stop block 35, enabling the stop block 35 to be returned by the
spring force of the second spring member 36 from the released
position P2 shown in FIG. 8 to the stop position P1 shown in FIG.
6, finishing the re-installation of the roller brush 40.
[0033] In conclusion, the detachable roller brush device comprises
a mounting device and a roller brush. When the roller brush wears
after a long use, the user can detach the roller brush for repair
or replacement conveniently. Therefore, the invention facilitates
maintenance and provides excellent cleaning effect.
[0034] Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been
described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention
is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
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