Method for improved cleaning of a spatially delimited region

Abstract

A method for improved cleaning of a spatially delimited region by using a robot vacuum cleaner having a fan, includes increasing a fan rotation speed of the robot vacuum cleaner, and therefore increasing a vacuuming power, shortly before reaching the region. The fan rotation speed is reduced again after leaving the region, so that increased power and increased noise emission only occur in the delimited region. A robot vacuum cleaner with a sensor facility, a fan and a computer facility for carrying out the method, is also provided.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for improved cleaning of a spatially delimited region by using a robot vacuum cleaner with a fan, the method comprising steps of:
 approaching the region with the robot vacuum cleaner while the fan rotates at a first fan rotation speed;   using a sensor facility to detect the approach of the robot vacuum cleaner to the region and conveying information about the approach to a computer facility;   using the computer facility to monitor the approach and, before reaching the region, to increase the fan rotation speed to a second, higher fan rotation speed, causing the fan to have the second, higher fan rotation speed when the robot vacuum cleaner reaches the region;   using the sensor facility to detect an onwards movement of the robot vacuum cleaner into and out of the region and to convey information about the onwards movement to the computer facility; and   using the computer facility, after leaving the region, to reduce the second fan rotation speed to the first fan rotation speed.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , which further comprises:
 providing the robot vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush;   carrying out the step of approaching the region with the robot vacuum cleaner while the rotating brush has a first brush speed;   carrying out the step of using the computer facility to monitor the approach and, before reaching the region, to increase the brush speed to a second, higher brush speed, causing the brush to have the second, higher brush speed when the robot vacuum cleaner reaches the region;   carrying out the step of using the sensor facility to detect the onwards movement of the robot vacuum cleaner into and out of the region and conveying information about the onwards movement to the computer facility; and   using the computer facility, after leaving the region, to reduce the second brush speed to the first brush speed.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , which further comprises:
 providing the robot vacuum cleaner with a fan motor and a brush drive motor;   carrying out the step of approaching the region with the robot vacuum cleaner while at least one of the fan motor or the brush drive motor has a first electrical power;   carrying out the step of using the computer facility to monitor the approach and, before reaching the region, to increase the first electrical power to a second, higher electrical power, causing at least one of the fan motor or the brush drive motor to have the second, higher electrical power when the robot vacuum cleaner reaches the region;   carrying out the step of using the sensor facility to detect an onwards movement of the robot vacuum cleaner into and out of the region and to convey information about the onwards movement to the computer facility; and   using the computer facility, after leaving the region, to reduce the second electrical power to the first electrical power.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , which further comprises setting the second, higher electrical power of at least one of the fan motor or the brush drive motor to lie above a recommended or maximum permitted continuous power of the fan motor or of the brush drive motor. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , which further comprises providing the sensor facility with at least one of at least one distance sensor or at least one collision sensor to detect a movement of the robot vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 13 , which further comprises:
 operating the robot vacuum cleaner in a Silent mode, while at least one of:   the first fan rotation speed amounts to 50% of a maximum permitted continuous fan rotation speed and the second fan rotation speed amounts to 100% of the maximum permitted continuous fan rotation speed, or   the first brush speed amounts to 50% of a maximum permitted continuous brush rotation speed and the second brush speed amounts to 100% of the maximum permitted continuous brush rotation speed.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13 , which further comprises:
 operating the robot vacuum cleaner in an Eco mode, while at least one of:   the first fan rotation speed amounts to 80% of a maximum permitted continuous fan rotation speed and the second fan rotation speed amounts to 140% of the maximum permitted continuous fan rotation speed, or   the first brush speed amounts to 80% of a maximum permitted continuous brush rotation speed and the second brush speed amounts to 140% of the maximum permitted continuous brush rotation speed.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 13 , which further comprises:
 operating the robot vacuum cleaner in a Power mode, while at least one of:   the first fan rotation speed amounts to 100% of a maximum permitted continuous fan rotation speed and the second fan rotation speed amounts to 200% of the maximum permitted continuous fan rotation speed, or   the first brush speed amounts to 100% of a maximum permitted continuous brush rotation speed and the second brush speed amounts to 200% of the maximum permitted continuous brush rotation speed.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 12 , which further comprises designating the region as at least one of a corner region, a wall or furniture edge, or a furniture, chair or table leg. 
     
     
         21 . A robot vacuum cleaner, comprising a sensor facility, a fan and a computer facility for carrying out the method according to  claim 12 . 
     
     
         22 . The robot vacuum cleaner according to  claim 21 , wherein the sensor facility has at least one of at least one distance sensor or at least one collision sensor.