EP-4737267-A2 - APPARATUS FOR ROBOTIC APPLIANCES

EP4737267A2EP 4737267 A2EP4737267 A2EP 4737267A2EP-4737267-A2

Abstract

An apparatus for use with a plurality of robotic vacuum cleaners, the apparatus comprising a plurality of receiving spaces each configured to receive at least one robotic vacuum cleaner, wherein each of the receiving spaces comprises: a shelf comprising an upper surface on which a robotic vacuum cleaner can be located, wherein the shelf is angled relative to a horizontal plane when the apparatus is positioned on a horizontal surface; one or more locating formations positioned such that a robotic vacuum cleaner located on said angled shelf is urged towards the one or more locating formations by gravity; and one or more wheels, rollers or friction-reducing elements for transporting the apparatus.

Inventors

KILLI, Tibor
HARRISON, Rob

Assignees

Killis Ltd

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20220527

Claims (15)

An apparatus for use with a plurality of robotic vacuum cleaners, the apparatus comprising a plurality of receiving spaces each configured to receive at least one robotic vacuum cleaner, wherein each of the receiving spaces comprises: a shelf comprising an upper surface on which a robotic vacuum cleaner can be located, wherein the shelf is angled relative to a horizontal plane when the apparatus is positioned on a horizontal surface; one or more locating formations positioned such that a robotic vacuum cleaner located on said angled shelf is urged towards the one or more locating formations by gravity; and one or more wheels, rollers or friction-reducing elements for transporting the apparatus.
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving spaces are spaced apart and arranged generally one above another in a vertical direction.
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each receiving space defines a forward end for loading and unloading of robotic vacuum cleaners and a rearward end opposite the forward end, wherein the shelf of each receiving space is at least partially offset (e.g. in the rearward direction) from the shelf of an adjacent receiving space (e.g. the shelf below).
An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the apparatus is tilted with respect to a vertical axis, such that the shelf and an angle of tilt of the apparatus define a V-shape.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a support structure, wherein the shelf of each receiving space comprises a rearward portion supported by the support structure and a forward portion for loading and unloading of robotic vacuum cleaners, wherein the forward portion projects forwards of the support structure.
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the support structure comprises two side panels which are connected to a base plate and a top box to define a frame; optionally, wherein the top box is a container for spare parts, cleaning products, chargers, or other accessories.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the shelf of each receiving space defines a forward end for loading and unloading of robotic vacuum cleaners, and wherein the forward end comprises a lip for inhibiting forwards movement of a robotic vacuum cleaner positioned on the shelf; optionally wherein the lip extends across a part of the width of the shelf.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to receive a single robotic vacuum cleaner per receiving space; and/or wherein the shelf of each receiving space in entirely opaque.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said one or more wheels, rollers or friction-reducing elements are detachable.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more locating formations extend from an upper surface of the shelf.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more locating formations are configured to abut a robotic vacuum cleaner at a plurality of contact points; optionally, wherein said robotic vacuum cleaner comprises a circular profile and the plurality of contact points are spaced apart by 180 degrees or less with respect to a central point of the circular profile; optionally, wherein the plurality of contact points are spaced apart from each other by an angle in the range of 45 degrees to 135 degrees with respect to a central point of the circular profile.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more locating formations define a pair of planar surfaces arranged at an angle between 0 and 180 degrees to each other, or wherein the one or more locating formations comprise a plurality of curved locating formations which each define an arc with a central angle of 90 degrees or less for corresponding to a portion of a circumference of a circular profile of a robotic vacuum cleaner.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the receiving spaces further comprises a charging element configured to charge a robotic vacuum cleaner when it is located on the shelf.
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the charging element of each receiving space comprises a docking station having one or more charging terminals, and wherein the one or more locating formations are arranged for locating a robotic vacuum cleaner such that one or more charging contacts of the robotic vacuum cleaner are in contact with the one or more charging terminals of the docking station; optionally, wherein the docking station of each receiving space is located on the shelf such that a robotic vacuum cleaner at least partly sits on the docking station when the robotic vacuum cleaner is located on the shelf; and/or optionally, wherein the one or more locating formations are configured to facilitate securing and/or location of the docking station on the shelf.
A system comprising a plurality of robotic vacuum cleaners and an apparatus according to any preceding claim..

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for use with a plurality of robotic appliances, and to a system including said apparatus and a plurality of robotic appliances. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Robotic appliances, such as robotic vacuum cleaners, are known for treating an area autonomously, which reduces the need for manual cleaning. Often, such robotic appliances are small, battery-operated devices. When an area to be treated is large (e.g. an airport terminal, open-plan office space, a gymnasium or sports hall) and/or includes multiple rooms (e.g. a hotel), a plurality of robotic appliances may be required to accomplish the task in an acceptable timescale and without charging in between. When the robotic appliances have completed their task, there is a need to store the robotic appliances and to recharge them so that they are ready for use at a later date. The present inventions seeks to overcome, or at least mitigate, one or more problems of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus for use with a plurality of robotic appliances is provided, the apparatus comprising a plurality of receiving spaces each for receiving one or more robotic appliances. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus is configured for charging said plurality of robotic appliances. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus is configured for storing said plurality of robotic appliances. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus is configured for transporting said plurality of robotic appliances. In exemplary embodiments, each receiving space comprises a shelf comprising an upper surface on which a robotic appliance can be located. In exemplary embodiments, each receiving space comprises a charging element configured to charge a robotic appliance when it is located on the shelf. In exemplary embodiments, each receiving space comprises one or more locating formations arranged to abut said robotic appliance, for example such that the one or more location formations provide support against movement of the robotic appliance when the robotic appliance is located on the shelf and/or act to locate the robotic appliance in a desired position on the shelf. In exemplary embodiments, the locating formation is provided at or above the upper surface of said shelf. Such an apparatus provides an easy means for storing, charging and/or transporting a plurality of robotic appliances (e.g. a plurality of robotic vacuum cleaners). Having one or more locating formations at or above the upper surfaces of the shelves and which are arranged to abut a robotic appliance (e.g. a side wall/body or wheels thereof) facilitates correct location of the robotic appliances on the shelves, which reduces the chance of the robotic appliances falling off, or being knocked/damaged. Correct location of the robotic appliance on the shelf can also facilitate charging of the appliance. In addition, the locating formations provided above the surface of at or above the surface of the shelf guard against movement of the robotic appliance whilst also enabling a variety of robotic appliances to be used with the apparatus. For example, robotic appliance models having a variety of configurations and/or or wheel positions may be supported against movement by the locating formations. If the robotic appliance were to be located, for example via apertures in a shelf configured to receive the wheels of a particular model of robotic appliance, such shelves are unlikely to be compatible with other models/configurations of robotic appliance, hence different shelves would be required for different appliances. In some embodiments, the or each locating formation may be a wall, a rail projecting from the upper surface of the shelf, a guide rail spaced apart from the upper surface of the shelf, for example, configured to abut a side wall of a robotic appliance, or any other suitable formation. In exemplary embodiments, the one or more locating formations extend from an upper surface of the shelf. Having the locating formations extend from an upper surface of the shelf (e.g. being welded to the upper surface, formed by pressing or integrally cast) offers a simple means for positioning the locating formations in the receiving space. In exemplary embodiments, the one or more locating formations extend from an underside of a shelf above. Having the locating formations extend from an underside of a shelf above (e.g. being welded to the underside of the shelf, formed by pressing or integrally cast) offers an alternative means for positioning the locating formations in the receiving space. In exemplary embodiments, the one or more locating formations are configured to abut the robotic appliance at a plurality of contact points. Having a plurality of contact points facilitates locating the robotic appliance and/or supporting the robotic appliance against movement in more than one direction (e.g. lateral and/or longitudinal