Spherical or ovoid robotic vacuum

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/060,659, filed Oct. 7, 2014 by the first named inventor.

[0002] The present invention relates to the functional design for automated robotic vacuums.

[0003] The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

[0004]

U.S. Patent Documents
Pat. No.	Kind Code	Issue Date	Patentee
6,883,201	B2	Apr. 26, 2005	Irobot Corporation
5,940,927	A	Aug. 24, 1999	Aktiebolaget Electrolux
8,671,507	B2	Mar. 18, 2014	Irobot Corporation
7,474,941	B2	Jul. 24, 2003	Samsung Gwangju
			Electronics Co., Ltd.
7,937,800	B2	May 10, 2011	Jason Yan
8,209,053	B2	Jun. 26, 2012	Samsung Electronics
			Co., Ltd.

[0005] Various designs have been invented for robotic vacuums that aim to improve performance and decrease cost and the amount of work required to maintain them. The fewer parts used in a machine, the smaller the probability is of a mechanical problem. Less maintenance is required to maintain machines with fewer parts.

[0006] A need exists for a robotic vacuum design that minimizes the amount of time and effort required for maintenance.

[0007] Another problem for many robotic vacuums is overcoming physical obstacles obstructing the path of the robotic vacuum. A need exists for a better way for a robotic vacuum to overcome obstacles without user intervention.

[0008] It is a goal of the present invention to provide a design for a robotic vacuum that minimizes the number of mechanical parts and thereby the time and effort needed to maintain a robotic vacuum.

[0009] It is a goal of the present invention to provide a robotic vacuum design that improves the device's ability to overcome obstacles without user intervention.

[0010] The present invention achieves the aforementioned goals through a spherical design for a robotic vacuum. The casing of the device serves as the wheel on which the device rolls in order to move about the work environment. The casing is perforated to allow debris on the work surface to be vacuumed into the device. Turning left and right is controlled by adjusting the center of gravity inside the sphere. The inertial force of the robot's weight aids driving, and therefore less electrical energy is required to drive the device and more energy is available for the main function: vacuuming.

[0011] In one embodiment, a pendulum is adjusted to change the center of gravity and control turning.

[0012] In another embodiment, a weight on a rod system is adjusted to change the center of gravity and control turning.

[0013] In some embodiments, the shape of the device may be slightly ovoid in order to increase the device's contact with the work surface for better vacuuming coverage.

[0017] The present invention proposes a design for a robotic vacuum in which the housing of the device itself is the mechanism by which the vacuum moves about the work area.

[0018] Generally, the present invention is directed to a robotic vacuum housing that is spherical or ovoid in shape and turns about an axis parallel to the plane of the floor in order to travel through the work area. Perforations in the sphere allow debris from the work surface to penetrate the sphere to be vacuumed into the housing. The device is steered by moving the center of gravity within the housing.

[0019] In some embodiments, a pendulum is used to adjust the center of gravity within the housing. Referring to FIG. 1, a spherical robotic vacuum 113 is illustrated. At least one electric motor 101 drives the rotation of the spherical or ovoid housing 100 about a plate 103 provided parallel to the plane of the work surface through connecting bearings 102. The one or more motors are connected to the plate, which anchors the other components and creates an axis about which the housing turns. The pendulum is comprised of a weight assembly 105 connected to the plate by a hinge 106. The pendulum is moved by a high torque servomotor 104 directed by a control system 107. In some embodiments, the system may further comprise a gyroscope sensor 108 to provide exact calculations for directing the weight assembly. In some embodiments, other components may be attached to the weight assembly. In the example shown, the vacuum motor 109, batteries 110 and dustbin 111 are attached to the weight assembly. The pendulum may be strategically moved to change the center of gravity within the housing and thereby shift the trajectory of the housing as it rotates. Perforations 112 in the housing allow passage of debris from the work surface into the dustbin.

[0020] In some embodiments, a weight and rod system, instead of a pendulum, is used to adjust the center of gravity within the housing. Referring to FIG. 2, a spherical robotic vacuum 200 is illustrated. At least one electric motor 201 drives the rotation of the spherical or ovoid housing 212 about a plate 203 provided parallel to the plane of the work surface. Bearings 202 connect the plate to the housing. The one or more motors are connected to the plate, which anchors the other components and creates an axis about which the housing turns. A servomotor or stepper motor 204 controls the position of a weight assembly 205 by pulling and pushing it along a rod 206 with a belt 207 in a manner parallel to the turning axis. In this way, the center of gravity of the housing may be shifted from one side to the other. In some embodiments, other components may be attached to the weight assembly. In the example shown, a vacuum motor 208, batteries 209, and dustbin 210 are attached to the weight assembly. In some embodiments, tubes 212 connect the dustbin to suction openings 211 where debris can enter the housing.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 3, a three-dimensional perspective view of the proposed invention is illustrated. Perforations 301 in the spherical housing 302 of the robotic vacuum 300 allow debris from the work surface 303 to be vacuumed into the device. The housing turns about axis 304 in a direction 305, moving the device about the work area.