U.S. patent application number 13/886609 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-21 for maintenance system and cleaning system having the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hyun Soo JUNG, Dong Won KIM.
Application Number | 20130305481 13/886609 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49580057 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130305481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JUNG; Hyun Soo ; et
al. |
November 21, 2013 |
MAINTENANCE SYSTEM AND CLEANING SYSTEM HAVING THE SAME
Abstract
A maintenance system and a cleaning system having the same, the
maintenance system including a maintenance station provided at
indoors to mount a robot cleaner having a first dust container
thereon, a suction port to suck dust of the first dust container,
and a dust removing apparatus connected to the suction port while
being disposed at outdoors, so that the cleaning performance is
maintained regardless of existence of dust in the dust container of
the robot cleaner while enhancing the spatial efficiency at
indoors.
Inventors: |
JUNG; Hyun Soo; (Seongnam,
KR) ; KIM; Dong Won; (Hwaseong, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. |
Suwon |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon
KR
|
Family ID: |
49580057 |
Appl. No.: |
13/886609 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61647231 |
May 15, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/301 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 11/33 20130101;
A47L 5/38 20130101; A47L 2201/024 20130101; A47L 9/106
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/301 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/10 20060101
A47L009/10; A47L 5/38 20060101 A47L005/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 12, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0144645 |
Claims
1. A maintenance system comprising: a maintenance station provided
at indoors to mount a robot cleaner having a first dust container
thereon; a suction pipe connected to the maintenance station to
guide dust of the first dust container to outside of the
maintenance station; and a dust removing apparatus disposed at
outdoors to store dust while being connected to the suction
pipe.
2. The maintenance system of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust
pipe being connected to the maintenance station and configured to
float dust through air being introduced by blowing air in the first
dust container.
3. The maintenance system of claim 2, wherein the maintenance
station is provided at an inside thereof with a suction duct and an
exhaust duct that communicate with the suction pipe and the exhaust
pipe, respectively.
4. The maintenance system of claim 3, wherein the maintenance
station is provided with a second opening at a position
corresponding to a first opening extending from the first dust
container, and a suction port and at least one exhaust port, which
communicate with the suction duct and the exhaust duct,
respectively, are provided at the second opening.
5. The maintenance system of claim 4, wherein the at least one
exhaust port and the suction port are disposed at opposite sides to
each other with respect to the second opening.
6. The maintenance system of claim 4, wherein the at least one
exhaust port has a cross section smaller than a cross section of
the suction port to increase a speed of flow at the at least one
exhaust port.
7. The maintenance system of claim 2, wherein the suction pipe and
the exhaust pipe are disposed while passing through a wall that
divides the indoors from the outdoors.
8. The maintenance system of claim 2, wherein the maintenance
station is provided at an end portion thereof with a coupling part
being inserted into the wall that divides the indoors from the
outdoors, and the suction pipe and the exhaust pipe are coupled to
the coupling part.
9. The maintenance system of claim 1, wherein the dust removing
apparatus has a second dust container to store dust being
discharged from the first dust container.
10. The maintenance system of claim 2, wherein the dust removing
apparatus further comprises a blower unit configured to blow in air
at the at least one exhaust port and suck air at the suction
port.
11. The maintenance system of claim 10, wherein the dust removing
apparatus further comprises a filter to prevent dust of the second
dust container from being introduced into the blower unit.
12. The maintenance system of claim 4, wherein the first opening
and the second opening are disposed to match each other so that the
first dust container, the suction port, the suction pipe, the dust
removing apparatus, the exhaust pipe and the at least one exhaust
port form a closed loop in cooperation with one another.
13. The maintenance system of claim 1, wherein the maintenance
station further comprises: a docking inducing apparatus provided to
guide the robot cleaner to be docked at the maintenance station;
and a charging apparatus to charge the robot cleaner.
14. A maintenance system comprising: a maintenance station disposed
at indoors to mount a robot cleaner having a first dust container
thereon; a suction pipe communicating with the maintenance station
to discharge dust of the robot cleaner; a dust removing apparatus
disposed at outdoors to store the dust being discharged through the
suction pipe; and an exhaust pipe configured to introduce air into
the maintenance station so as to float dust at an inside the first
dust container, the exhaust pipe having one end portion
communicating with the maintenance station and the other end
portion communicating with the dust removing apparatus, wherein the
dust removing apparatus further comprises a blower unit configured
to allow air to be discharged through the exhaust pipe while
allowing dust and air to be sucked through the suction pipe.
15. The maintenance system of claim 14, wherein: the maintenance
station is provided with a second opening corresponding to a first
opening communicating with the first dust container of the robot
cleaner, a suction port is disposed at the second opening so that
the second opening communicates with the suction pipe, and at least
one exhaust port is disposed at the second opening so that the
second opening communicates with the exhaust pipe.
16. The maintenance system of claim 15, wherein a center line of
the at least one exhaust port is disposed to be deviated from a
center line of the suction port to prevent air being discharged
from the at least one exhaust port from being directly introduced
into the suction port.
17. The maintenance system of claim 15, wherein the at least one
exhaust port has a cross section smaller than a cross section of
the suction port to increase a speed of flow at the at least one
exhaust port.
18. The maintenance system of claim 14, wherein the dust removing
apparatus comprises: a second dust container into which air and
dust are introduced through the suction pipe; and a filter disposed
between the second dust container and the blower unit so as to
introduce air into the blower unit.
19. A cleaning system comprising: a robot cleaner having a first
opening and a first dust container communicating with the first
opening; a maintenance station on which the robot cleaner is
mounted and having a second opening disposed at a position
corresponding to the first opening; a suction pipe communicating
with the second opening while communicating with an outside of the
maintenance station; and a dust removing apparatus connected to the
suction pipe and having a second dust container to store dust, the
dust removing apparatus disposed outdoors, wherein the dust of the
first dust container is discharged to the second opening through
the first opening; and dust of the second opening is collected
through the suction pipe into the second dust container of the dust
removing apparatus at outdoors.
20. The cleaning system of claim 19, further comprising an exhaust
pipe having one end portion connected to the dust removing
apparatus provided at outdoors and the other end portion connected
to the maintenance station provided at indoors so as to float dust
through air being introduced by blowing air into the first dust
container.
21. The maintenance system of claim 4, wherein the at least one
exhaust port is disposed at a corner of the second opening and the
suction port is disposed in a center portion of the second
opening.
22. The maintenance system of claim 15, wherein the at least one
exhaust port is disposed at a corner of the second opening and the
suction port is disposed in a center portion of the second
opening.
23. The maintenance system of claim 4, wherein the at least one
exhaust port is disposed at a side portion of the second opening
and the suction port is disposed in a center portion of the second
opening.
24. The maintenance system of claim 15, wherein the at least one
exhaust port is disposed at a side portion of the second opening
and the suction port is disposed in a center portion of the second
opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/647,231, filed on May 15,
2012, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0144645, filed on Dec.
12, 2012, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cleaning
system capable of performing a cleaning task using an autonomous
travelling robot.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] An autonomous travelling robot is an apparatus designed to
perform a predetermined task while travelling a random region
without user manipulation. The robot performs most of its operation
through autonomous travelling, and such an autonomous travelling is
implemented in various manners. For example, a robot may travel in
a designated path by use of a map, or may travel without having a
designated path by use of a sensor to detect a surrounding
environment.
[0006] A robot cleaner is an apparatus to clean a floor while
travelling a cleaning region without user manipulation. In detail,
the robot cleaner is used to remove dust or wipe a floor, for
example, at home. The dust may represent soil dirt, powder,
fragments and other dust particles collected by a vacuum cleaner or
an automatic or semi-automatic cleaner.
[0007] Such a robot cleaner is capable of cleaning a floor without
user manipulation, but when dust is filled in a dust container
provided at an inside the robot cleaner, the cleaning performance
may be degraded.
SUMMARY
[0008] Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to
provide a cleaning system having an additional dust removing
apparatus provided at an outdoor.
[0009] It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
maintenance system having a structure capable of miniaturization,
and a cleaning system having the same.
[0010] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in
part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
disclosure.
[0011] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a
maintenance system includes a maintenance station, a suction pipe,
and a dust removing apparatus. The maintenance station may be
provided at indoors to mount a robot cleaner having a first dust
container thereon. The suction pipe may be connected to the
maintenance station to guide dust of the first dust container to
outside of the maintenance station. The dust removing apparatus may
be disposed at outdoors to store dust while being connected to the
suction pipe.
[0012] The maintenance system may further include an exhaust pipe.
The exhaust pipe may be connected to the maintenance station and
configured to float dust through air being introduced by blowing
air in the first dust container.
[0013] The maintenance station may be provided at an inside thereof
with a suction duct and an exhaust duct that communicate with the
suction pipe and the exhaust pipe, respectively.
[0014] The maintenance station may be provided with a second
opening at a position corresponding to a first opening extending
from the first dust container. A suction port and at least one
exhaust port, which communicate with the suction duct and the
exhaust duct, respectively, may be provided at the second
opening.
[0015] The at least one exhaust port and the suction port may be
disposed at opposite sides to each other with respect to the second
opening.
[0016] The at least one exhaust port may have a cross section
smaller than a cross section of the suction port to increase a
speed of flow at the at least one exhaust port.
[0017] The suction pipe and the exhaust pipe may be disposed while
passing through a wall that divides the indoors from the
outdoors.
[0018] The maintenance station may be provided at an end portion
thereof with a coupling part being inserted into the wall that
divides the indoors from the outdoors. The suction pipe and the
exhaust pipe may be coupled to the coupling part.
[0019] The dust removing apparatus may have a second dust container
to store dust being discharged from the first dust container.
[0020] The dust removing apparatus may further include a blower
unit configured to blow in air at the at least one exhaust port and
suck air at the suction port.
[0021] The dust removing apparatus may further include a filter to
prevent dust of the second dust container from being introduced
into the blower unit.
[0022] The first opening and the second opening may be disposed to
match each other so that the first dust container, the suction
port, the suction pipe, the dust removing apparatus, the exhaust
pipe and the at least one exhaust port form a closed loop in
cooperation with one another.
[0023] The maintenance station may further include a docking
inducing apparatus and a charging apparatus. The docking inducing
apparatus may be provided to allow the robot cleaner to be docked
at the maintenance station. The charging apparatus may be
configured to charge the robot cleaner.
[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
a maintenance system includes a maintenance station, a suction
pipe, a dust removing apparatus and an exhaust pipe. The
maintenance station may be disposed at indoors to mount a robot
cleaner having a first dust container thereon. The suction pipe may
communicate with the maintenance station to discharge dust of the
robot cleaner. The dust removing apparatus may be disposed at
outdoors to store the dust being discharged through the suction
pipe. The exhaust pipe may be configured to introduce air into the
maintenance station so as to float dust at an inside the first dust
container, the exhaust pipe having one end portion communicating
with the maintenance station and the other end portion
communicating with the dust removing apparatus. The dust removing
apparatus may further include a blower unit configured to allow air
to be discharged through the exhaust pipe while allowing dust and
air to be sucked through the suction pipe.
[0025] The maintenance station may be provided with a second
opening corresponding to a first opening communicating with the
first dust container of the robot cleaner. A suction port may be
disposed at the second opening so that the second opening
communicates with the suction pipe. At least one exhaust port may
be disposed at the second opening so that the second opening
communicates with the exhaust pipe.
[0026] A center line of the at least one exhaust port may be
disposed to be deviated from a center line of the suction port to
prevent air being discharged from the at least one exhaust port
from being directly introduced into the suction port.
[0027] The at least one exhaust port may have a cross section
smaller than a cross section of the suction port to increase a
speed of flow at the at least one exhaust port.
[0028] The dust removing apparatus may include a second dust
container and a filter. The second dust container has air and dust
introduced thereinto through the suction pipe. The filter may be
disposed between the second dust container and the blower unit so
as to introduce air into the blower unit.
[0029] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
a cleaning system includes a robot cleaner, a maintenance station,
a suction pipe and a dust removing apparatus. The robot cleaner may
have a first opening and a first dust container communicating with
the first opening. The robot cleaner may be mounted on the
maintenance station, and may have a second opening disposed at a
position corresponding to the first opening. The suction pipe may
communicate with the second opening while communicating with an
outside of the maintenance station. The dust removing apparatus may
be connected to the suction pipe and have a second dust container
to store dust, the dust removing apparatus disposed outdoors. The
dust of the first dust container may be discharged to the second
opening through the first opening. Dust of the second opening may
be collected through the suction pipe into the second dust
container of the dust removing apparatus at outdoors.
[0030] The cleaning system may further include an exhaust pipe
having one end portion connected to the dust removing apparatus
provided at outdoors and the other end portion connected to the
maintenance station provided at indoors so as to float dust through
air being introduced by blowing air into the first dust
container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in
accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a robot
cleaner in accordance with a robot cleaner.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the robot cleaner of FIG. 2.
[0035] FIGS. 4A to 4C are plan views showing dust sensing units in
accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure,
respectively.
[0036] FIGS. 5A to 5D are top part perspective views showing
maintenance stations in accordance with various embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 5E is a side sectional view showing a maintenance
station in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a drawing a dust removing apparatus in accordance
with one embodiment of the present disclosure mounted at a
wall.
[0039] FIGS. 7A and 7B are drawing illustrating a structure of the
dust removing apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an exhaust path and a
suction path of the maintenance station and the dust removing
apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the maintenance station
of FIG. 5A.
[0042] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating the robot cleaner and the
maintenance station in accordance with one embodiment in a docking
state.
[0043] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in
accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of a dust removing
apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in
accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout.
[0047] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in
accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, a cleaning system 10 includes a robot
cleaner 20, a maintenance station 60, and a dust removing apparatus
90. A maintenance system 100 includes the maintenance station 60
and the dust removing apparatus 90.
[0049] The robot cleaner 20 is an apparatus to perform a cleaning
task while autonomously travelling, and the maintenance station 60
is a maintenance apparatus that serves to charge a battery of the
robot cleaner 20 or empty a dust container 43 (See FIG. 2) of the
robot cleaner 20.
[0050] The dust removing apparatus 90 is an apparatus connected to
the maintenance station 60 to serve to generate a suction force to
suck dust, which is collected in the dust container 43 of the robot
cleaner 20, from the dust container 43 while serving to collect the
sucked dust in a predetermined space.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a robot
cleaner in accordance with a robot cleaner. FIG. 3 is a bottom view
of the robot cleaner of FIG. 2.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the robot cleaner 20 includes a
body 21, a driving apparatus 30, a cleaning apparatus 40, various
sensors 50, and a controller (not shown).
[0053] The body 21 may be provided in a variety of shapes. For
example, the body 21 may be provided in a circular shape. In this
case, the body 21 has a constant turning radius at the time of
turning, thereby prevented contact with a surrounding obstacle, and
easily changing in direction. In addition, at the time of
travelling, the body 21 provided in a circular shape is prevented
from being stuck while being caught with a surrounding
obstacle.
[0054] At the body 21, various components, such as the driving
apparatus 30, the cleaning apparatus 40, the various sensors 50, a
display 23 and the controller (not shown) are installed.
[0055] The driving apparatus 30 enables the body 21 to travel on a
cleaning region. The driving apparatus 30 includes a left side
driving wheel 31a, a right side driving wheel 31b, and a caster 32.
The left side and right side driving wheels 31a and 31b are mounted
at a center portion of a lower part of the body 21. The caster 32
is mounted at a front portion of the lower part of the body 21 such
that the robot cleaner 20 maintains a stable posture.
[0056] The left side and right side driving wheels 31a and 31b are
controlled to move the robot cleaner 20 forward/backward or to
change of the direction of the robot cleaner 20. For example, if
the left side and right side driving wheels 31a and 31b are equally
controlled, the robot cleaner 20 travels forward or backward, and
if the left side and right side driving wheels 31a and 31b are
differently controlled, the robot cleaner 20 changes its
direction.
[0057] The left/right side driving wheels 31a and 31b may be
provided in one assembly and the caster 32 may be provided in one
assembly, and the respective assemblies of the left/right side
driving wheels 31a and 31b and the caster 32 provided may be
detachably mounted on the body 21.
[0058] The cleaning apparatus 40 cleans the bottom of the body 21
and a surrounding area of the body 21. The cleaning apparatus 40
includes a brush unit 41, a side brush 42, and the first dust
container 43.
[0059] The brush unit 41 is mounted at a first opening 21a formed
though a bottom surface of the body 21. The brush unit 41 is
located at a position deviated from a center area of the body 21.
That is, the brush unit 41 is mounted at a rear portion R of the
body 21 when compared to the driving wheels 31a and 31b.
[0060] The brush unit 41 is provided to sweep dust accumulated on
the bottom of the body 21 into the first dust container 43. The
brush unit 41 includes a roller 41a rotatably provided at the first
opening 21a of the body 21, and a brush 41b stuck into an outer
surface of the roller 41a. As the roller 41a rotates, the brush 41b
formed of elastic material stirs dust accumulated on the bottom, so
the dust accumulated on the floor is stored in the first dust
container 43 after passing through the first opening 21a.
[0061] The brush unit 41 is controlled at a constant speed to keep
the cleaning performance constant. In a case of cleaning a floor
surface that is not smooth as in a carpet, the rotation speed is
decreased when compared to cleaning a smooth floor surface. In this
case, more of electric current is supplied to keep the rotation
speed of the brush unit 41 constant.
[0062] The side brush 42 is rotatably mounted at one portion of a
periphery of the bottom surface of the body 21. The side brush 42
is provided in a diagonal direction toward the front portion F.
[0063] The side brush 42 moves the dust accumulated at a
surrounding area of the body 21 to the brush unit 41. The side
brush 42 expands a cleaning range of the robot cleaner 20 to the
bottom of the 21 and the surrounding area. As described above, the
dust moved to the brush unit 41 is stored in the first dust
container 43 after passing through the first opening 21a.
[0064] The first dust container 43 is mounted at a rear portion of
the body 21. An inlet 45 of the first dust container 43
communicates with the first opening 21a of the body 21 so that dust
is introduced into the first dust container 43.
[0065] The first dust container 43 is divided into a large dust
container 43a and a small dust container 43b by a division wall
43c. The brush unit 41 sweeps large-sized dust in the large dust
container 43a through a first inlet 45a, and stores small-sized
dust, which may be floatable, such as hair, in the small dust
container 43b by sucking the small-sized dust through a second
inlet 45b.
[0066] A brush cleaning member 41c is provided adjacent to the
second inlet 45b. The brush cleaning member 41c filters hair being
wound around the brush unit 41, and through a suction force of the
blower unit 22, the filtered hair is stored in the small dust
container 43b through the second inlet 45b.
[0067] Each of the brush unit 41, the side brush 42, and the first
dust container 43 may be provided in a single assembly, and each
assembly may be detachably mounted on the body 21.
[0068] FIGS. 4A to 4C are plan views showing dust sensing units in
accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure,
respectively.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 4A, a dust sensing unit 44 is installed at
an inside the first dust container 43 to detect the amount of dust
of the first dust container 43.
[0070] The dust sensing unit 44 includes a light emitting sensor
44a and a light receiving sensor 44b. At an inside the first dust
container 43, a signal being transmitted from the light emitting
sensor 44a is directly received by the light receiving sensor
44b.
[0071] The light emitting sensor 44a and the light receiving sensor
44b include a photo diode or a photo transistor. In this case,
whether the first dust container 43 is full of dust is determined
based on the amount of the energy detected by a photo diode or a
photo transistor. That is, if dust is accumulated, the amount of
energy detected by the photo diode or the photo transistor is
significantly reduced. The detected amount of energy is compared
with a predetermined reference value, and if the amount of energy
is lower than the reference value, the controller determines that
the first dust container 43 is full of dust. As described above,
the light emitting sensor 44a and the light receiving sensor 44b
include a photo diode or a photo transistor is easily affected by
disturbance, so the detection of dust is more precise if a slit or
a light guide configured to guide a signal of the light emitting
sensor 44a and the light receiving sensor 44b is installed.
[0072] In addition, the light emitting sensor 44a and the light
receiving sensor 44b each may include a remote controller receiving
module. In this case, the fullness of dust in the first dust
container 43 is determined depending on whether signals are
received by the light receiving sensor 44b. That is, if dust is
accumulated, the light receiving sensor 44b fails to receive the
signal being transmitted from the light emitting sensor 44a, and
the controller determines that the first dust container 43 is
filled with dust at a predetermined level or above. The light
emitting sensor 44a and the light receiving sensor 44b including
the remote controller receiving module are capable of filtering low
frequency, and in addition, have superior intensity and receiver
sensitivity and thus a slit or a light guide structure may not be
needed.
[0073] The signal transmitted and received by the light emitting
sensor 44a and the light receiving sensor 44b is implemented using,
for example, visible rays, infrared rays, sound waves, ultrasonic
waves, or any other signal that one of ordinary skill in the art
would find suitable for detecting the dust.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 4B, the dust sensing unit 44 includes a
light sensing sensor 44a, a light receiving sensor 44b and a
reflection member 44c.
[0075] The light emitting sensor 44a and the light receiving sensor
44b may be installed other than at an inside the first dust
container 43. For example, the light emitting sensor 44a and the
light receiving sensor 44b may be installed at a portion of the
body 21 facing the first dust container 43. In detail, the light
emitting sensor 44a and the light receiving sensor 44b may be
installed at a position adjacent to an inlet 45 of the first dust
container 43. Accordingly, the light emitting sensor 44a transmits
a signal to the inside the first dust container 43 through the
inlet 45 of the first dust container 43, and the light receiving
sensor 44b receives a signal, which escapes to the outside of the
first dust container 43, through the inlet 45 of the first dust
container 43.
[0076] The reflection member 44c is installed at the inside the
first dust container 43. The reflection member 44c reflects a
signal being transmitted from the light emitting sensor 44a toward
a direction at which the light receiving sensor 44b exists.
[0077] If the first dust container 43 is full of dust, the
reflection member 44c is blocked by dust, and thus the signal being
transmitted from the light emitting sensor 44a is not received by
the light receiving sensor 44b, or the amount of energy being
detected by the light receiving sensor 44b is significantly
decreased. In this case, the controller determines that the first
dust container 43 is filled with dust in a predetermined level or
above.
[0078] The light emitting sensor 44a and the light receiving sensor
44b, each including a remote controller motor as described above,
are capable of filtering low frequency, and in addition have a
superior intensity and receiver sensitivity, and thus a slit or a
light guide structure is not needed. That is, even if a structure
such as the reflection member 44c does not exist at an inside the
first dust container 43, the light emitting sensor 44a and the
light receiving sensor 44b including a remote controller module,
are capable of determining whether dust is full.
[0079] Since the light emitting sensor 44a and the light receiving
sensor 44b may not need to be installed at an inside the first dust
container 43, an electric connection terminal may not need to be
installed at an inside the first dust container 43, thereby
enabling the first dust container 43 to be cleaned by a user using
water or other liquid cleaner.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 4C, the dust sensing unit 44 includes a
light emitting sensor 44a and a light receiving sensor 44b.
[0081] The light emitting sensor 44a and the light receiving sensor
44b may be installed other than at an inside the first dust
container 43 For example, the light emitting sensor 44a and the
light receiving sensor 44b may be installed at the body 21 to face
each other. In detail, the light emitting sensor 44a is installed
at one portion of the body 21 facing one side of the first dust
container 43, and the light receiving sensor 44b is installed at
the other portion of the body 21 facing the other side of the first
dust container 43. In this case, the first dust container 43 is
disposed between the light emitting sensor 44a and the light
receiving sensor 44b, so the signals being transmitted from the
light emitting sensor 44a are received by the light receiving
sensor 44b by passing through the first dust container 43. The
first dust container 43, as a whole, may be formed of transparent
material allowing signals to pass therethrough. Alternatively, the
first dust container 43 may be provided at a portion thereof
corresponding to the light emitting sensor 44a with a transmission
signal penetrating part 44d formed of transparent material allowing
signals to pass therethrough, and at a portion thereof
corresponding to the light receiving sensor 44b with a reception
signal penetrating part 44e formed of transparent material allowing
signals to pass therethrough.
[0082] The signals being transmitted from the light emitting sensor
44a are directly received by the light receiving sensor 44b. If the
first dust container 43 is full of dust, the signal is not detected
by the light receiving sensor 44b, or the amount of energy detected
is significantly reduced. In this case, the controller determines
that the first dust container 43 is full of dust. Since an electric
connection structure is not installed at the first dust container
43, the first dust container 43 is cleaned by a user using water or
any liquid cleaner
[0083] Although embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, shows one unit
of the dust sensing unit, however, a plurality of dust sensing
units may be installed to improve the detection of the dust.
Further, a plurality of reflection members may be installed to
reflect the signals multiple times to detect the areas that may not
be covered by one unit of the dust sensing unit.
[0084] If the dust sensing unit 44 detects dust at a predetermined
amount or above, the robot cleaner 20 displays information about
the detected amount of dust on the display 23. The user may
manually clean the first dust container 43. The robot cleaner 20
may be automatically docked at the maintenance station 60, and the
dust stored may be automatically discharged.
[0085] The various sensors 50 are mounted at the body 21 to detect
the obstacles. The sensors may be implemented using a sensor such
as a contact sensor and a proximity sensor. For example, a bumper
51 being installed at the front portion F of the body 21 is used to
detect an obstacle disposed at the front portion, for example, a
wall. In addition, the obstacle disposed at the front portion may
be detected by an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor.
[0086] In addition, the infrared sensor 52 or the ultrasonic sensor
that is installed at the bottom of the body 21 is used to detect
the status of the floor, for example, stairs. In a case that the
plurality of infrared sensors are provided, the plurality of
infrared sensors are installed along a semi-circular periphery of
the bottom of the body 21.
[0087] Various sensors other than the above described sensors may
be installed at the body 21 to transmit the status of the robot
cleaner 20 to the controller.
[0088] The controller receives signals from the various sensors 50
to control the driving apparatus 30 and the cleaning apparatus 40,
thereby effectively controlling the robot cleaner 20.
[0089] FIGS. 5A to 5D are top part perspective views showing
maintenance stations in accordance with various embodiments of the
present disclosure. FIG. 5E is a side sectional view of a
maintenance station in accordance with another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0090] Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5D, the robot cleaner 20 (see FIG.
1) is docked at the maintenance station 60 in various conditions,
for example, when a battery (not shown) of the robot cleaner 20 is
charged, the robot cleaner 20 may perform a cleaning task for a
predetermined period of time, the robot cleaner 20 completes with a
cleaning, and the first dust container 43 of the robot cleaner 20
may be full of dust.
[0091] The maintenance station 60 includes a housing 61, a docking
inducing apparatus 70, a charging apparatus 80, and a controller
(not shown).
[0092] A platform 62 is provided at the housing 61. When the robot
cleaner 20 is docked at the maintenance station 60, the platform 62
supports the robot cleaner 20.
[0093] The platform 62 is slantingly provided to enable the robot
cleaner 20 to be easily mounted or dismounted to the platform 62. A
caster guide part 63a to guide the caster 32 (see FIG. 3) of the
robot cleaner 20, and driving wheel guide parts 63b and 63c to
guide the left and right side driving wheels 31a and 31b (see FIG.
3) of the robot cleaner 20 are formed at the platform 62. The
caster guide part 63a and the driving wheel guide parts 63b and 63c
are formed while being depressed from the platform 62.
[0094] The platform 62 is formed with a second opening 62a. The
second opening 62a of the platform 62 is provided at a position
communicating with the first opening 21a (see FIG. 1) of the robot
cleaner 210. Accordingly, the dust being discharged through the
first opening 21a of the robot cleaner 20 is introduced into the
second opening 62a of the platform 62.
[0095] The dust being introduced into the second opening 62a of the
platform 62 is introduced into a second dust container 93 of the
dust removing apparatus 90 that is to be described later.
[0096] The second opening 62a of the platform 62 is provided while
being open as shown in FIG. 5A. That is, the second opening 62a of
the platform 62 is not provided with an additional cover installed
thereto, and is open at all times.
[0097] The platform 62 is slantingly formed at a predetermined
angel .theta. or above (see FIG. 9). When the robot cleaner 20
passes by the platform 62 slantingly formed at a predetermined
angel .theta. or above, the robot cleaner 20 is weighted to the
rear portion thereof, and thus the front portion of the robot
cleaner 20 is slightly lifted. Accordingly, the caster 32 of the
robot cleaner 20 passes by without falling into the second opening
62a of the platform 62.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 5B, a cover 64 is installed at the second
opening 62a of the platform 62 so as to enable reciprocation in a
sliding manner. When the robot cleaner 20 is completed with
docking, the cover 64 is made to be open, and thus the dust of the
robot cleaner 20 is discharged to the second opening 62a of the
platform 62. On the contrary, when the docking of the robot cleaner
20 is canceled or the robot cleaner 20 is undocked, the cover 64 is
made to be closed, and thus the second opening 62a of the platform
62 is closed.
[0099] The cover 64 serves as a bridge, through which the caster 32
of the robot cleaner 20 passes by. The cover 64 is opened and
closed in conjunction with the docking of the robot cleaner 20.
That is, at the time of docking the robot cleaner 20, the cover 64
is open when the caster 32 is passing by the cover 64 or after the
caster 32 passes by the cover 64. At the time of cancelling of
docking or undocking the robot cleaner 20, the cover 64 is closed
when the caster 32 is passing by the cover 64 or after the caster
32 passes by the cover 64. In addition, the cover 64 may be open
and closed by use of an additional apparatus.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 5C, a cover 65 is installed at the second
opening 62a of the platform 62 so as to enable reciprocation in a
sliding manner. Different from the cover 64 described in FIG. 5B,
the cover 65 is installed only at a central portion of the second
opening 62a of the platform 62, thereby enabling the caster 32 of
the robot cleaner 20 to pass by the second opening 62a of the
platform 62. The opening/closing operation of the cover 65 is
identical to that of the cover 64 described above.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 5D, a bridge 66 is installed at the second
opening 62a of the platform 62. The bridge 66 is installed only at
a center portion of the second opening 62a of the platform 62,
thereby serving as a bridge through which the caster 32 of the
robot cleaner 20 passes by.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 5E, a bridge 67a (67b) is installed at the
second opening 62a of the platform 62 so as to enable vertical
reciprocating movement. For example, the bridge 67a(67b) may move
upward and downward. When the robot cleaner 20 enters the platform
62, the bridge 67a ascends so that the caster 32 of the robot
cleaner 20 to move thereon, and when the docking of the robot
cleaner 20 is completed, the bridge 67b descends so that the
opening area of the second opening 62a of the platform 62 is
increased.
[0103] A coupling part 68 is formed at the housing 61. The coupling
part 68 is formed at one end portion of at the housing 61 opposite
to the platform 62.
[0104] The coupling part 68 is coupled to a suction pipe 94 and an
exhaust pipe 95 of the dust removing apparatus 90, so that the
coupling part 68 is inserted into the inside of the wall W, as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0105] Although the coupling part 68 in accordance with the present
embodiment is integrally formed with the housing 61, the present
disclosure is not limited thereto. The coupling part 68 may be
separately formed from the housing 61, and then coupled to the
housing 61.
[0106] In a case that the coupling part 68 is integrally formed
with the housing 61, the maintenance station 60 is provided in a
built-in type fixed to the wall W.
[0107] The coupling part 68 may be separately formed from the
housing 61, the coupling part 68 is provided in plural thereof at a
plurality of rooms or a plurality of houses, and the maintenance
station 60 is mounted at one of the plural coupling parts 68. In
this case, the maintenance station 60 is freely moved to any place,
at which the coupling part 68 is provided, at user's
convenience.
[0108] The docking inducing apparatus 70 is installed at an upper
portion of the housing 61. The docking inducing apparatus 70
includes a plurality of sensors 71. The plurality of sensors 71
forms a docking inducing area and a docking area to guide the robot
cleaner 20 to be precisely docked at the maintenance station
60.
[0109] The charging apparatus 80 is installed at the platform 62.
The charging apparatus 80 includes a plurality of connection
terminals 81a and 81b. The connection terminals 81a and 81b are
formed at positions corresponding to a plurality of connection
terminals 23a and 23b of the robot cleaner 20, respectively. If the
docking of the robot cleaner 20 is completed, an electric current
is supplied to the plurality of connection terminals 23a and 23b of
the robot cleaner 20 through the plurality of connection terminals
81a and 81b of the maintenance station 60.
[0110] The charging apparatus 80 supplies electric current by
determining whether the plurality of connection terminals 23a and
23b of the robot cleaner 20 is connected. In a case that different
components other than the plurality of connection terminals 23a and
23b of the robot cleaner 20 are connected, the supply of current is
cut so that unexpected accidents are prevented.
[0111] FIG. 6 is a drawing a dust removing apparatus in accordance
with one embodiment of the present disclosure mounted at a wall,
and FIGS. 7A and 7B are drawing illustrating a structure of the
dust removing apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0112] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 7B, the maintenance station 60 is
disposed at indoors of the wall W, and the dust removing apparatus
90 is disposed at outdoors of the wall W. The coupling part 68 of
the maintenance station 60 is insertedly fixed to the inside of the
wall, and the suction pipe 94 and the exhaust pipe 95 of the dust
removing apparatus 90 are coupled to the coupling part 68, thereby
coupling the maintenance station 60 to the dust removing apparatus
90.
[0113] The dust removing apparatus 90 allows dust stored in the
first dust container 43 see FIG. 2) of the robot cleaner 20 to move
toward the second dust container 93 through the maintenance station
60, thereby keeping the cleaning performance of the robot cleaner
20 constant.
[0114] The dust removing apparatus 90 includes a case 91, the
second dust container 93 installed at an inside the case 91, and a
blower unit 92 installed at an inside the case 91. In addition, the
dust removing apparatus 90 includes the suction pipe 94 and the
exhaust pipe 95.
[0115] The second dust container 93 of the dust removing apparatus
90 is different from the first dust container 43 of the robot
cleaner 20. The first dust container 43 of the robot cleaner 20
serves to store dust being collected at the floor as the robot
cleaner 20 travels, and the second dust container 93 serves to
store dust being discharged from the first dust container 43 of the
robot cleaner 20. Accordingly, the second dust container 93 has a
capacity larger than that of the first dust container 43 of the
robot cleaner 20.
[0116] The second dust container 93 is formed at an inside the case
91. The blower unit 92 to generate a suction force allowing air or
dust to be introduced into the inside the second dust container 93
is installed at one side of the second dust container 93.
[0117] A filter 93a is installed between the blower unit 92 and the
second dust container 93 such that even if dust is sucked into the
second dust container 93 by the suction force together with dust,
only dust is stored in the second dust container 93 and air is
drawn to the blower unit 92.
[0118] The suction pipe 94 is mounted at the second dust container
93 while being connected to the robot cleaner 20 and the
maintenance station 60 so as to suck air and dust.
[0119] The dust removing apparatus 90 has a structure in which air
is exhausted toward the first dust container 43 so that dust at an
inside the first dust container 43 is scattered, and the scattered
dust is sucked, so that the amount of dust being discharged from
the first dust container 43 is increased.
[0120] The air being exhausted to the first dust container 43 is
implemented using air being exhausted from the blower unit 92. The
blower unit 92 draws air toward one direction while exhausting air
toward the other direction. Accordingly, the exhaust pipe 95 is
mounted at one side of the blower unit 92 at which air is
exhausted.
[0121] In accordance with the present embodiment of the present
disclosure, in order to divide the exhaustion air from the suction
air, an exhaust room 92a is additionally formed. The exhaust room
92a may be replaced with other structure, or omitted.
[0122] The suction pipe 94 and the exhaust pipe 95 extend from the
case 91, and while passing through the wall W, are coupled to the
coupling part 68 of the maintenance station 60.
[0123] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an exhaust path and a
suction path of the maintenance station and the dust removing
apparatus in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side
sectional view of the maintenance station of FIG. 5A.
[0124] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a suction duct 96 is installed
while being connected to the suction pipe 94. A suction port 96a of
the suction duct 96 forms a part of the second opening 62a.
Alternatively, the suction port 96a may be provided at a position
adjacent to the second opening 62a as a separate unit from the
second opening 62a.
[0125] The suction port 96a is formed lengthwise along the second
opening 62a, and takes a remaining area of the second opening 62a
except for an area of the second opening 62a taken by exhaust ports
97a and 97b. As a non-limiting example, two exhaust ports are shown
in FIG. 8, only one exhaust port or more than two exhaust port may
be used.
[0126] An exhaust duct 97 is installed while being connected to the
exhaust pipe 95. The exhaust duct 97 is divided to form the two
exhaust ports 97a and 97b. The exhaust ports 97a and 97b may form a
part of the second opening 62a. Alternatively, the exhaust ports
97a and 97b may be provided at a position adjacent to the second
opening 62a as a separate unit from the second opening 62a.
[0127] The suction port 96a of the suction duct 96 has a cross
section larger than those of the exhaust ports 97a and 97b of the
exhaust duct 97. Since the blower unit 92 (see FIG. 7A) of the dust
removing apparatus 90 has a suction flow rate substantially
identical to an exhaust flow rate, the flow velocity of air at the
exhaust ports 97a and 97b of the exhaust duct 97 are higher than
the flow velocity of air at the suction port 96a of the suction
duct 96 by a difference in an area of each port.
[0128] Due to the difference in the flow speed, the air being
exhausted from the exhaust ports 97a and 97b is prevented from
being instantly drawn into the suction port 96a. The air being
exhausted from the exhaust ports 97a and 97b has a high velocity of
flow, and thus is not instantly drawn into the suction port 96a but
jetted to the inside the first dust container 43.
[0129] In order to prevent the air exhausted from the exhaust ports
97a and 97b from being instantly introduced into the suction port
96a, a center line of the exhaust ports 97a and 97b is disposed to
be deviated from a center line of the suction port 96a. Due to the
deviation of the center lines, the air being exhausted from the
exhaust ports 97a and 97b is not instantly introduced to the
suction port 96a but introduced to the first dust container 43 to
float dust in the first dust container 43, and the floated dust is
discharged through the suction port 96a to the second dust
container 93. For example, the exhaust ports 97a and 97b and the
suction port 96 are disposed at opposite side to each other with
respect to the second opening 62a, and the exhaust ports 97a and
97b are disposed at each corner of the same side of the second
opening 62a so that the air is exhausted directly to the first dust
container 43 of the robot cleaner 20 through the first opening 21a
without being introduced directly into the suction port 96a.
Further, the end portion of the exhaust duct 97 which connects to
the second opening 62a, may be divided so that the air is exhausted
into each of the exhaust port 97a and 97b.
[0130] The brush cleaning member 46 of the maintenance station 60
serves to filter foreign substances, such as hair, wound around the
brush unit 41 of the robot cleaner 20. When the brush unit 41 of
the robot cleaner 20 rotates, the foreign substances wound around
the brush unit 41 are caught by the brush cleaning member 46 of the
maintenance station 60 while making contact with the brush cleaning
member 46 of the maintenance station 60. The foreign substances
filtered as the above are stored in the second dust container 93 by
the suction force of the dust removing apparatus 90.
[0131] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating the robot cleaner and the
maintenance station in accordance with one embodiment in a docking
state.
[0132] Referring to FIG. 10, when the robot cleaner 20 is docked at
the maintenance station 60, the first opening 21a of the robot
cleaner 20 communicates with the second opening 62a of the
maintenance station 60.
[0133] At the time of docking, the suction port 96a of the suction
duct 96 is provided at a position adjacent to the first opening 21a
of the robot cleaner 20, and disposed lengthwise along the first
opening 21a of the robot cleaner 20. In addition, the exhaust ports
97a and 97b of the exhaust duct 97 are also provided at a position
adjacent to the first opening 21a of the robot cleaner 20, and
disposed at end portions lengthwise along the first opening 21a of
the robot cleaner 20, that is, at side areas of the first opening
21a of the robot cleaner 20.
[0134] Through the structure as such, at the time of docking, the
air circulated or flowing back by the dust removing apparatus 90
forms a closed loop. The air being exhausted from the blower unit
92 is discharged from the exhaust ports 97a and 97b of the exhaust
duct 97 at a high speed, and after passing through the side areas
of the first opening 21a of the robot cleaner 20, is introduced
into the first dust container 43 of the robot cleaner 20. The air
being introduced into the first dust container 43 of the robot
cleaner 20 is discharged to the center area of the first opening
21a of the robot cleaner 20, and after being introduced into the
second dust container 96 through the suction port 96a of the
suction duct 96, is drawn into the blower unit 92 again.
[0135] Hereafter, the operation of the cleaning system will be
described.
[0136] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, the robot cleaner 20 detects a
signal of the docking inducing apparatus 70, and is precisely
docked at the maintenance station 60 according to the detected
signal. The docking of the robot cleaner 20 starts by entering the
platform 62 starting from the front portion of the robot cleaner
20, and completes at a position at which the first opening 21a of
the robot cleaner 20 communicates with the second opening 62a of
the maintenance station 60.
[0137] When the docking is completed, the dust removing apparatus
90 discharges the dust stored in the robot cleaner 20 to the
maintenance station 60.
[0138] In detail, the blower unit 92 exhaust air through the
exhaust ports 97a and 97b via the exhaust pipe 95 and the exhaust
duct 97 at a high speed, and the air exhausted from the exhaust
ports 97a and 97b is introduced into the first dust container 43 by
passing through the first opening 21a of the robot cleaner 20.
[0139] The air being introduced into the first dust container 43 of
the robot cleaner 20 stirs the entire space of the first dust
container 43 without remaining a dead zone. In particular, the
exhaust ports 97a and 97b are installed at side areas lengthwise
along the first opening 21a of the robot cleaner 20, so the air
being exhausted from the exhaust ports 97a and 97b is capable of
generally stirring the first dust container 43 starting from the
side areas. Thereafter, the dust stored in the first dust container
43 is floated by the air being introduced into the first dust
container 32, and is discharged from the first opening 21a of the
robot cleaner 20 together with the air being introduced into the
first dust container 43.
[0140] The blower unit 92 generates a suction force at the first
opening 21a of the robot cleaner 20 to suck the dust escaping from
the first dust container 43 of the robot cleaner 20. Thereafter,
the dust being introduced into the suction port 96a of the suction
duct 96, is stored in the second dust container 93 by passing
through the suction pipe 94, and air returns to the blower unit 92
by passing through the filter 93a.
[0141] The air being exhausted from the blower unit 92 returns
again to the blower unit 92 after sequentially passing through the
exhaust pipe 95, the exhaust duct 97, the first opening 21a of the
robot cleaner 20, the first dust container 43 of the robot cleaner
20, the first opening 21a of the robot cleaner 20, the suction duct
92, the suction pipe 94, and the second dust container 94. Since
the air is circulated or flown back, the air is maximally prevented
from being escaping to the outside, so that the filter 93a may have
a low level of performance. In addition, even if the blower unit 92
is provided in one unit thereof, the air is sucked or
exhausted.
[0142] In addition, the air exhausted from the exhaust ports 97a
and 97b of the exhaust duct 97 is exhausted through the side areas
lengthwise along the first opening 21a of the robot cleaner 20 and
the second opening 62a of the maintenance station while the air
sucked by the suction port 96a of the suction duct 96 is sucked at
the overall area lengthwise along the first opening 21a of the
robot cleaner 20 and the second opening 62a of the maintenance
station 60, so that the dust escaping from the first dust container
43 of the robot cleaner 20 is mainly moved through the center areas
of the first opening 21a of the robot cleaner 20 and the second
opening 62a of the maintenance station 60. Such a disposition of
the suction port 96a and the exhaust ports 97a and 97b prevents
dust, which is being escaped from the first dust container 43 of
the robot cleaner 20, from being moved to the side areas and then
escaping to the outside.
[0143] Such a position of the suction port 96a and the exhaust
ports 97a and 97b relative to the first opening 21a of the robot
cleaner 20 and the second opening 62a of the maintenance station 60
produces a sealing effect between the robot cleaner 20 and the
maintenance station 60.
[0144] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in
accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.
12 is a side sectional view of a dust removing apparatus in
accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0145] The following description will be made in relation to the
difference over the previous embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to
10.
[0146] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the cleaning system 110
includes a robot cleaner 20, a maintenance station 160, and a dust
removing apparatus 190. A maintenance system 200 includes the
maintenance station 160 and the dust removing apparatus 190. The
maintenance station 160 includes a housing 161 and a platform 162
is provided at the housing 161. The platform 162 is formed with a
second opening 162a which is provided at a position communicating
with the first opening 21a (see FIG. 1) of the robot cleaner
20.
[0147] The dust removing apparatus 190 includes a case 191, a
second dust container 193 installed at an inside the case 191 and a
blower unit 192 installed at an inside the case 191. In addition,
the dust removing apparatus 190 includes a suction pipe 194.
[0148] The maintenance station 160 is disposed at indoors of the
wall W, and the dust removing apparatus 190 is disposed at outdoors
of the wall W. A coupling part 168 of the maintenance station 160
is insertedly fixed to the inside of the wall, and the suction pipe
194 of the dust removing apparatus 190 is coupled to the coupling
part 168, thereby coupling the maintenance station 160 to the dust
removing apparatus 190.
[0149] The second dust container 193 is formed at an inside the
case 191. The blower unit 192 is installed at one side of the
second dust container 193 to generate a suction force allowing air
and dust to be introduced into the inside of the second dust
container 193.
[0150] A filter 193a is installed between the blower unit 192 and
the second dust container 193 so that the air is sucked together
with dust into the second dust container 193 by the suction force
of the blower unit 192, but only dust is stored in the second dust
container 193 and the air is drawn into the blower unit 192.
[0151] The suction pipe 194 is mounted at the second dust container
193 while being connected to the robot cleaner 20 and the
maintenance station 160 so as to suck air and dust.
[0152] In order that the blower unit 192 sucks air to one direction
but exhausts the air to the other direction, an outlet (not shown)
is formed at the case 191 to discharge the exhaustion air.
[0153] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in
accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0154] The following description will be made in relation to a
difference over the previous embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to
10.
[0155] Referring to FIG. 13, a cleaning system 210 includes a robot
cleaner 20, a maintenance station 260, and a dust removing
apparatus 290. A maintenance system 300 includes the maintenance
station 260 and the dust removing apparatus 290. The maintenance
station 300 includes a housing 261 and a platform 262 is provided
at the housing 261. The platform 262 is formed with a second
opening 262a which is provided at a position communicating with the
first opening 21a (see FIG. 1) of the robot cleaner 20.
[0156] The dust removing apparatus 290 includes a case 291 and a
suction pipe 294, which communicates with a second dust container
(not shown) installed at an inside the case 291.
[0157] The maintenance station 260 is disposed at indoors of the
wall W, and the dust removing apparatus 290 is disposed at outdoors
of the wall W. A coupling part 268 of the maintenance station 260
is insertedly fixed to the inside of the wall, and the suction pipe
294 of the dust removing apparatus 290 is coupled to the coupling
part 268, thereby connecting the maintenance station 260 to the
dust removing apparatus 290.
[0158] An exhaust motor 298 is provided to blow air into the first
dust container 43 (see FIG. 2) such that air is exhausted to the
first dust container 43 to scatter dust contained in the first dust
container 43 and the scatter dust is sucked, thereby increasing the
amount of dust being exhausted from the first dust container
43.
[0159] The exhaust motor 298 is mounted at the coupling part 268 of
the maintenance station 260.
[0160] As apparent from the above description, the maintenance
station and the cleaning system having the same are provided with
an additional dust removing apparatus, thereby maintaining the
performance of a robot cleaner.
[0161] In addition, the dust removing apparatus is provided
separately from a maintenance station, thereby enhancing the
spatial efficiency at indoors.
[0162] Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have
been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *