Robot Cleaner With Improved Vacuum Unit

Abstract

A robot cleaner includes a vacuum air path including an inlet, a particulate collection dustbin, a fan, and an air exit.

1 . A robot cleaner comprising:
 a housing:   a processor in the housing for controlling the robot cleaner; and   a vacuum air path in the housing, the vacuum air path including vacuum inlet at the bottom of the robot cleaner, a filter for filtering particulates from the air flow, a fan drawing air through the filter and exhausting the air out of the robot cleaner.   
   
   
       2 . The robot cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising a dustbin in the vacuum air path for collecting particulates. 
   
   
       3 . The robot cleaner of  claim 2 , wherein the dustbin includes an opening allowing air and particulates into the dustbin and includes a trap portion below the opening for collecting particulates. 
   
   
       4 . The robot cleaner of  claim 2 , wherein the dustbin includes an air baffle. 
   
   
       5 . The robot cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising wheels wherein a portion of the inlet of the vacuum air path is positioned in front of the wheels. 
   
   
       6 . The robot cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet of the vacuum air path is positioned at least partially inside a region defined by a bumper. 
   
   
       7 . The robot cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation of the fan is parallel with the bottom of the robot cleaner. 
   
   
       8 . The robot cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation of the fan is perpendicular with the bottom of the robot cleaner. 
   
   
       9 . The robot cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation of the fan is not perpendicular of parallel with the bottom of the robot cleaner. 
   
   
       10 . The robot cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising a brush located adjacent to the inlet so that the brush can agitate particulates into the vacuum air path. 
   
   
       11 . The robot cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the top of the robot cleaner has an air exit with protective fins. 
   
   
       12 . The robot cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising a cowl that directs the air to the top of the robot cleaner. 
   
   
       13 . A robot cleaner comprising:
 a substantially flat housing;   a processor in the housing for controlling the robot cleaner; and   a vacuum air path in the housing, the vacuum air path including vacuum inlet at the bottom of the robot cleaner, a dustbin for receiving particulate from the air path; a filter for filtering particulate from the air flow, a fan drawing air through the filter and exhausting the air out the top of the robot cleaner.   
   
   
       14 . A robot cleaner comprising:
 a housing   a processor in the housing for controlling the robot cleaner;   a vacuum air path in the housing, the vacuum air path including vacuum inlet at the bottom of the robot cleaner, a filter for filtering particulate from the air flow, a fan drawing air through the filter and exhausting the air out of the robot cleaner; and   wheels connected to a motor to move the robot cleaner; wherein the inlet of the vacuum air path is positioned in front of the wheels.   
   
   
       15 . The robot cleaner of  claim 14 , further comprising a brush, wherein the brush is located adjacent to the inlet so that the brush can agitate particulate into the vacuum air path. 
   
   
       16 . The robot cleaner of  claim 14 , wherein air is exhausted out the top of the robot cleaner. 
   
   
       17 . The robot cleaner of  claim 14 , further comprising a dustbin in the vacuum air path for collecting particulate. 
   
   
       18 . The robot cleaner of  claim 14 , wherein the top of the robot cleaner has an air exit with protective fins that are angled from the vertical to reduce the air resistance of the exhausted air. 
   
   
       19 . The robot cleaner of  claim 18 , wherein a cowl partially surrounds the fan. 
   
   
       20 . A robot cleaner comprising:
 a substantially circular housing;   a processor in the housing for controlling the robot cleaner; and   a fan in the housing drawing air and particulate from the bottom of the robot cleaner and exhausting the air out the top of the robot cleaner, the top of the robot cleaner having an air exit with protective fins that are angled from the vertical to reduce the air resistance of the exhausted air.   
   
   
       21 . The robot cleaner of  claim 20 , wherein an air flow straightening portion is located before the fan.