Robotic vacuum cleaning system

Abstract

A vacuum cleaning system including a robotic unit including a traction arrangement, a docking interface and an articulated arm defining an end effector. The end effector includes a suction tool. The robotic unit defines a suction flow path which extends from the suction tool to the docking interface. The system further includes a handheld vacuum cleaner configured to be docked with the docking interface, the handheld vacuum cleaner including a vacuum motor for drawing air through the suction flow path when docked with the docking interface.

1 . A vacuum cleaning system comprising:
 a robotic unit comprising a traction arrangement, a docking interface and an articulated arm defining an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a suction tool,   and wherein the robotic unit defines a suction flow path which extends from the suction tool to the docking interface,   a handheld vacuum cleaner configured to be docked with the docking interface, the handheld vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum motor for drawing air through the suction flow path when docked with the docking interface.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld vacuum cleaner further comprises a dust separator. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld vacuum cleaner includes a battery pack. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld vacuum cleaner includes a user interface display screen. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the suction flow path is defined at least in part by the articulated arm. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the articulated arm and the handheld vacuum cleaner comprise respective tool mounts that are configured to engage with the suction tool. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the articulated arm is actuatable such that the articulated arm is able to lift the suction tool. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld cleaner has a longitudinal axis along which a suction nozzle and a vacuum motor are oriented, wherein the handheld vacuum cleaner is mounted to the docking interface so that the longitudinal axis extends transversely, and optionally perpendicularly, to a ground plane defined by the traction arrangement. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the traction arrangement defines a rolling axis, and wherein the docking interface is provided on a first side of the rolling axis, and wherein the articulated arm extends from the robotic unit from a position on a second side of the rolling axis. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of interchangeable suction tools, each of the suction tools being configured to connect to the robotic unit and to the handheld vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         11 . A robotic unit comprising a traction arrangement, a docking interface for receiving a handheld vacuum cleaner, and an articulated arm defining an end effector, wherein the end effector is a cleaner head, and wherein the robotic unit defines a suction flow path which extends from the cleaner head to the docking interface. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 11 , wherein the suction flow path is defined at least in part by the articulated arm. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 11 , wherein the articulated arm is actuatable such that the articulated arm is able to lift the cleaner head. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum cleaning system of  claim 11 , wherein the traction arrangement defines a rolling axis, and wherein the docking interface is provided on a first side of the rolling axis, and wherein the articulated arm extends from the robotic unit from a position on a second side of the rolling axis.