SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC REPLACEMENT OF CLEANING TOOLS OF ROBOT-CLEANER Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC A47L9/28 

FIELD: automation equipment, in particular, automatic replacement of cleaning tools in robot-cleaner.

SUBSTANCE: system has robot-cleaner taking solutions on whether or not first cleaning tool is fit at a current time for floor state on area to be cleaned. When first cleaning tool is not fit for cleaning said floor, robot-cleaner returns to replacement unit and joins to it for replacement of first cleaning tool connected at a current time to robot by second cleaning tool fit for current state of floor. System has cleaning tools bearing unit designed for joining of respective cleaning tool, introduction unit for receiving of input signal indicative of cleaning method selected by user, microcomputer for switching over of robot from operating mode to replacement mode. Replacement unit has sensitive member for determining position and direction of movement of robot and replacement unit, cleaning tools storage unit, cleaning tool replacement unit adapted for replacement of first cleaning tool joined at a current time to robot by second cleaning tool selected from different cleaning tools stored in storage unit, control unit for selecting second cleaning tool from different cleaning tools on the basis of floor state data determined by robot, and for joining of replacement unit and robot in accordance with signal generated by sensitive unit. Replacement unit may be implemented as charging device for charging of robot. Method for automatic replacement of cleaning tools in robot which is fitted with a function of independent movement control, involves determining state of floor to be cleaned during cleaning procedure; taking a solution as to whether or not first cleaning tool fits for predetermined state of floor; returning robot and joining it to replacement unit in case first cleaning tool is not fit for the detected state of floor; replacing in replacement unit first cleaning tool connected to robot by second cleaning tool fit for predetermined state of floor; transmitting floor state data to replacement unit at joining stage; receiving floor state data at replacement stage from robot; selecting second cleaning tool from set of different cleaning tools according to data received; replacing first cleaning tool connected to robot by selected second cleaning tool; during replacement, disconnecting first cleaning tool joined to robot, connecting second cleaning tool in replacement unit to robot; transferring disconnected first cleaning tool into replacement unit.

EFFECT: reduced sizes and weight of robot and increased efficiency due to faultless determining of floor state.

15 cl, 5 dwg