Robotic vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A robotic vacuum cleaner is provided having a suction source, a dirt collector, a floor sensor, a primary brush, and an auxiliary brush. The floor sensor includes an emitter and a detector having an intersecting region.

1 . A robotic vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a suction source;   a dirt collector;   a floor sensor, the floor sensor including an emitter and a detector, the emitter and detector having an intersecting region;   a primary brush; and   an auxiliary brush rotatable about a vertical axis positioned a predetermined distance from the floor sensor, the auxiliary brush having a radial extent,   wherein the auxiliary brush is configured to not interfere with operation of the floor sensor, and   wherein the auxiliary brush is positioned such that the radial extent of the brush does not extend into the intersecting region.   
     
     
         2 . A robotic vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein a radius of the auxiliary brush is in a range from 0.8 to 1.6 times the predetermined distance measured from the vertical axis to the floor sensor. 
     
     
         3 . A robotic vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein a radius of the auxiliary brush is in a range from 1.0 to 1.5 times the predetermined distance measured from the vertical axis to the floor sensor. 
     
     
         4 . A robotic vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein a radius of the auxiliary brush is about 1.2 times the predetermined distance measured from the vertical axis to the floor sensor. 
     
     
         5 - 11 . (canceled)