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(11) | EP 4 400 014 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | WET CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME |
| (57) Provided is a wet cleaning apparatus (100) comprising at least one tank (102, 104)
for containing liquid. The at least one tank, e.g. each of the at least one tank,
comprises a radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag (106, 108). A RFID reader (112)
is arranged to read the RFID tag of the at least one tank received in a tank holder
(110) of the wet cleaning apparatus, and to provide an output. A controller (114)
controls at least one operation of the wet cleaning apparatus based on the output.
Further provided is a method of operating such a wet cleaning apparatus, and a related
computer program.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a wet cleaning apparatus, in particular a wet floor cleaning apparatus. The invention further relates to a method of operating such a wet cleaning apparatus, and a related computer program.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various different types of wet cleaning apparatus for cleaning surfaces using liquid are known, such as wet floor cleaning apparatuses for cleaning floors. An example is a so-called stick wet vacuum cleaner.
[0003] In a wet cleaning apparatus, such as a wet floor cleaning apparatus, a cleaning liquid may be stored in a cleaning liquid tank. The cleaning liquid is dispensed to the surface being cleaned, e.g. the floor, in order to facilitate cleaning of the surface. The cleaning liquid may include water and, in some cases, a detergent.
[0004] Such a wet cleaning apparatus may, as an alternative or in addition to the cleaning liquid tank, include a dirty liquid collection tank in which dirty liquid from the surface being cleaned, e.g. the floor, is collected.
[0005] Detection capability in relation to such tank(s) is highly desirable in order to ensure that the wet cleaning apparatus is properly operated. However, challenges have been encountered in achieving this in a reliable and low-cost way, particularly when the detection capability is to be applied to more than one tank included in the wet cleaning apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to examples in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a wet cleaning apparatus comprising: at least one tank for containing liquid, the at least one tank comprising a radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag; a tank holder for receiving the at least one tank; a RFID reader arranged to read the RFID tag of the at least one tank received in the tank holder, and to provide an output; and a controller configured to control at least one operation of the wet cleaning apparatus based on the output.
[0008] The wet cleaning apparatus has tank(s) for containing liquid, such as a dirty liquid collection tank for receiving dirty liquid removed from a surface being cleaned and/or a cleaning liquid tank for holding cleaning liquid for dispensing onto the surface being cleaned.
[0009] Detection capability in relation to such tank(s) is highly desirable in order to ensure that the wet cleaning apparatus is properly operated. To this end, the, e.g. each of the, at least one tank includes a RFID tag, and the tank holder of the wet cleaning apparatus that receives the tank(s) includes a RFID reader arranged to read the RFID tag of the tanks(s). The RFID reader provides an output that is used by the wet cleaning apparatus's controller to control operation(s) of the wet cleaning apparatus, such as a user feedback operation of a user interface included in the wet cleaning apparatus, a dirt transport operation of the wet cleaning apparatus for transporting dirty liquid into the tank(s); and/or a cleaning liquid dispensing operation of the wet cleaning apparatus for dispensing cleaning liquid from the tank(s).
[0010] The RFID tag-reader arrangement has been found, at least partly due to no electrical connections having to be established between the tanks(s) and the tank holder, to provide a convenient and reliable way of facilitating wet cleaning apparatus operation that further benefits from being relatively low cost.
[0011] It is noted that in embodiments in which the at least one tank comprises a plurality of tanks that each include a RFID tag, the wet cleaning apparatus may only require a single RFID reader to read each RFID tag.
[0012] Thus, RFID communication can assist to provide a relatively simple and low cost solution when more than one tank is included in the wet cleaning apparatus.
[0013] Any suitable type of RFID communication protocol can be employed. In some embodiments, the RFID tag comprises, e.g. is, a near-field communication, NFC, tag, and the RFID reader comprises, e.g. is, a NFC reader.
[0014] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one tank is or are removably received by the tank holder, with the output from the RFID reader being indicative of whether the one or more of the at least one tank is or are received by the tank holder.
[0015] Thus, the wet cleaning apparatus can be operated based on whether or not one or more of the tank(s) is or are present, in other words received by the tank holder.
[0016] If, for instance, the output is indicative of the cleaning liquid tank and/or the dirty liquid collection tank not being received in the tank holder, the controller may control the user interface to inform the user that the cleaning liquid tank and/or the dirty liquid collection tank is or are not present.
[0018] The passive RFID tag may be powered by energy transmitted thereto by the RFID reader. Accordingly, no internal power source may be included in the passive RFID tag.
[0019] Such a passive RFID tag may be particularly suitable in embodiments in which the RFID reader reads the RFID tag in order to provide the output indicative of whether said one or more of the at least one tank is or are received by the tank holder.
[0021] In some embodiments, the active RFID tag is configured to harvest energy from the RFID reader.
[0022] By the active RFID tag harvesting energy from the RFID reader, in other words from the field generated by the RFID reader, the harvested energy may be used to power electronics, such as electronics including a sensor, e.g. liquid sensor, and/or a microcontroller, connected to the active RFID tag.
[0023] In some embodiments, the RFID tag is configured to communicate to the RFID reader data from a liquid sensor that senses a liquid amount in the respective tank, with the output from the RFID reader being indicative of the liquid amount.
[0024] For example, the liquid sensor may be configured to detect a liquid amount, e.g. a liquid level, in the dirty liquid collection tank or in the cleaning liquid tank.
[0025] In at least some embodiments, the RFID tag is arranged at a fixed location in the respective tank.
[0026] Such fixed positioning of the RFID tag may assist to ensure reliable reading of the RFID tag by the RFID reader.
[0027] In some embodiments, the at least one tank comprises a cleaning liquid tank for holding cleaning liquid for dispensing onto a surface being cleaned, with the cleaning liquid tank being removably received by the tank holder. In such embodiments, the output from the RFID reader may be indicative of whether the cleaning liquid tank is or are received by the tank holder.
[0028] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control a user interface, based on the output of the RFID reader, to communicate a status of the cleaning liquid tank, e.g. to inform the user that the cleaning liquid tank is not received in the tank holder.
[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one tank may comprise a dirty liquid collection tank for receiving dirty liquid removed from a surface being cleaned, with the RFID tag being configured to communicate to the RFID reader data from a dirty liquid sensor that senses a dirty liquid amount in the dirty liquid collection tank, and the output from the RFID reader being indicative of the dirty liquid amount.
[0030] In such embodiments, the controller may control, based on the output of the RFID reader being indicative of the dirty liquid amount having reached or exceeded a threshold, a dirt transport operation of the wet cleaning apparatus by stopping or slowing transporting of dirty liquid into the at least one tank based on the output from the RFID reader.
[0031] Alternatively or additionally, the controller may be configured to control, based on the output of the RFID reader being indicative of the cleaning liquid amount having reached or fallen below a threshold, the cleaning liquid dispensing operation by stopping or slowing the dispensing of cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank.
[0032] In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to control, based on the output of the RFID reader being indicative of a surface treating agent amount in a cartridge included in, e.g. defining, the cleaning liquid tank having reached or fallen below a threshold, the cleaning liquid dispensing operation by stopping or slowing the dispensing of cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank and/or by stopping or slowing the dispensing of the surface treating agent from the cartridge.
[0033] It is reiterated that the at least one operation of the wet cleaning apparatus, controlled by the controller based on the output of the RFID reader, may include: a user feedback operation of a user interface; a dirt transport operation of the wet cleaning apparatus for transporting dirty liquid into the at least one tank; and/or a cleaning liquid dispensing operation of the wet cleaning apparatus for dispensing cleaning liquid from the at least one tank.
[0034] The user feedback operation may comprise a tank status communication operation by which a user is informed via the user interface about a status of the at least one tank.
[0035] In some embodiments, the status indicates a presence of, an absence of, and/or a liquid amount in one or more of the at least one tank received in the tank holder.
[0036] It is noted that the liquid amount in the respective tank as indicated by the output of the RFID reader may be used by the controller to provide the user, via the user interface, with information and/or alerts relating to the liquid amount in the respective tank, e.g. for informing and/or alerting the user concerning when the respective tank is required to be emptied or filled.
[0037] Such information and/or alerts may, rather than being provided when emptying or filling is imminently required, may indicate how much volume and/or time is remaining before such emptying or filling is required.
[0038] For example, liquid level measurement in the cleaning liquid tank and/or in the dirty liquid collection tank may provide more detailed statistics and alarms to the user that inform him/her of when the respective tank needs to be emptied or filled and/or when such emptying or filling is expected to be needed.
[0039] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control the dirt transport operation by stopping or slowing said transporting of dirty liquid into the at least one tank based on the output from the RFID reader being indicative of the dirty liquid amount having reached or exceeded a threshold.
[0041] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning apparatus comprises one or more of a wet mopping device, a wet vacuum cleaner, a window cleaner, and a sweeper.
[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the wet cleaning apparatus may comprise a robotic wet cleaning device configured to move autonomously over a surface to be cleaned.
[0043] Particular mention is made of a wet vacuum cleaner, e.g. a stick wet vacuum cleaner or a robotic wet vacuum cleaner, being included in the wet cleaning apparatus.
[0044] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning apparatus includes a base station comprising one or more of the at least one tank, e.g. the cleaning liquid tank, and the wet cleaning apparatus comprises a wet floor cleaning device, such as the robotic wet cleaning device, that is provided with cleaning liquid from and/or dispenses dirty liquid into the tank(s) included in the base station.
[0045] The robotic wet cleaning device may, for example, be configured to autonomously return, e.g. repeatedly autonomously return, to the base station to obtain more cleaning liquid for applying to the surface to be cleaned.
[0046] In some embodiments, tanks that each fulfil a different purpose are included or includable in the wet cleaning apparatus, and the RFID tags are configured to enable the tanks to be distinguished from each other according to their purpose, with the controller being configured to control the operation(s) of the wet cleaning apparatus based on the output of the RFID reader being indicative of the purpose of the tank(s).
[0047] For example, the tanks may include a tank containing a polishing agent for polishing the surface being cleaned. In such a non-limiting example, the operation(s) may comprise deactivating or leaving the dirty liquid transport operation deactivated and/or activating or leaving the cleaning liquid dispensing operation activated to enable the polishing agent to be dispensed on the surface, e.g. on the floor.
[0048] According to another aspect there is provided a method of operating a wet cleaning apparatus, the wet cleaning apparatus comprising: at least one tank for containing liquid, the at least one tank comprising a radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag; a tank holder for receiving the at least one tank; and a RFID reader arranged to read the RFID tag of the at least one tank received in the tank holder, and to provide an output, the method comprising: controlling at least one operation of the wet cleaning apparatus based on the output.
[0049] In some embodiments, and as described above in relation to the wet cleaning apparatus, one or more of the at least one tank is or are removably received by the tank holder, with the output from the RFID reader being indicative of whether the one or more of the at least one tank is or are received by the tank holder.
[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the RFID tag is configured to communicate to the RFID reader data from a liquid sensor that senses a liquid amount in the respective tank, with the output from the RFID reader being indicative of the liquid amount.
[0051] As also described above in relation the wet cleaning apparatus, the at least one operation may comprise: a user feedback operation of a user interface; a dirt transport operation of the wet cleaning apparatus for transporting dirty liquid into the at least one tank; and/or a cleaning liquid dispensing operation of the wet cleaning apparatus for dispensing cleaning liquid from the at least one tank.
[0052] More generally, the wet cleaning apparatus employed in the method may be the wet cleaning apparatus of any of the embodiments described herein.
[0053] According to a further aspect there is provided a computer program comprising computer program code which, when executed on one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method according to any of the embodiments described herein.
[0054] One or more non-transitory computer readable media may be provided, which non-transitory computer readable media have a computer program stored thereon, with the computer program comprising computer program code which is configured, when the computer program is run on the one or more processors, to cause the processing system to implement the method according to any of the embodiments described herein.
[0055] The processing system may be, for example, included in the controller of the wet cleaning apparatus described herein.
[0056] More generally, embodiments described herein in relation to the wet cleaning apparatus may be applicable to the method and computer program, and embodiments described herein in relation to the method and computer program may be applicable to the wet cleaning apparatus.
[0057] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 schematically depicts a wet cleaning apparatus according to an example;
FIG. 2 provides a block diagram of a wet cleaning apparatus according to another example; and
FIG. 3 provides a flowchart of a method according to an example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0060] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.
[0061] Provided is a wet cleaning apparatus comprising at least one tank for containing liquid. The at least one tank, e.g. each of the at least one tank, comprises a radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag. A RFID reader is arranged to read the RFID tag of the at least one tank received in a tank holder of the wet cleaning apparatus, and to provide an output. A controller controls at least one operation of the wet cleaning apparatus based on the output. Further provided is a method of operating such a wet cleaning apparatus, and a related computer program.
[0062] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a wet cleaning apparatus 100 according to an example. The wet cleaning apparatus 100 comprises at least one tank 102, 104 for containing liquid.
[0063] In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 1, the at least one tank 102, 104 comprises a cleaning liquid tank 102 for holding cleaning liquid 103 for dispensing onto a surface being cleaned, such as a floor in the case of a wet floor cleaning apparatus 100.
[0064] The cleaning liquid 103 may be of any suitable type, depending, for example, on the type of cleaning being performed on the surface. In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid 103 may include a surface treating agent, such as a detergent and/or a surface polishing agent, for treating the surface, e.g. floor.
[0065] In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid tank 102 includes a cartridge that contains the surface treating agent, for example a detergent and/or a surface polishing agent, with the cartridge being detachably mounted in the wet cleaning apparatus 100.
[0066] In such embodiments, the cleaning liquid tank 102 may itself be defined by the detachable cartridge, or the cleaning liquid tank 102 may include a cleaning liquid container and the cartridge. In the latter scenario, the cartridge may be arranged, when mounted in the wet cleaning apparatus 100, to provide surface treating agent to the cleaning liquid container.
[0067] In some embodiments, and referring again to FIG. 1, the at least one tank 102, 104 includes a dirty liquid collection tank 104 for receiving dirty liquid 105 removed from a surface being cleaned, for example from a floor being cleaned using the wet cleaning apparatus 100.
[0068] In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 1, the wet cleaning apparatus 100 includes a wet floor cleaning device. The wet cleaning apparatus 100 may, for example, comprise one or more of a wet mopping device, a wet vacuum cleaner, a window cleaner, and a sweeper.
[0069] Alternatively or additionally, the wet cleaning apparatus 100 may comprise a robotic wet cleaning device configured to move autonomously over a surface to be cleaned.
[0070] Particular mention is made of a wet vacuum cleaner, e.g. a stick wet vacuum cleaner or a robotic wet vacuum cleaner, being included in the wet cleaning apparatus 100.
[0071] An example of such a stick wet vacuum cleaner is schematically shown in FIG. 1. Evident in FIG. 1 is the stick vacuum cleaner's handle HA that enables a user grasping the handle HA to move the stick vacuum cleaner over the surface being cleaned, e.g. a floor.
[0072] In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 1, the wet cleaning apparatus 100, e.g. a wet floor cleaning device included in the wet cleaning apparatus 100, has a nozzle NZ at which dirty liquid 105 is removed from the surface being cleaned. The dirty liquid 105 may be transported to the dirty liquid collection tank 104, as previously described.
[0073] The wet cleaning apparatus 100, e.g. a wet floor cleaning device included in the wet cleaning apparatus 100, may include an underpressure generator UG, e.g. a suction fan, configured to transport the dirty liquid from the surface to the dirty liquid collection tank 104.
[0074] In embodiments in which the underpressure generator UG includes the suction fan, the wet cleaning apparatus 100, e.g. a wet floor cleaning device included in the wet cleaning apparatus 100, may include a separation unit arranged to separate the dirty liquid 105 from air transported into the wet cleaning apparatus 100. Such a separation unit may assist to minimize the risk of the dirty liquid 105 damaging a motor that drives the suction fan.
[0075] As an alternative or in addition to the inclusion of the underpressure generator UG in the wet cleaning apparatus 100, the wet cleaning apparatus 100, e.g. the wet floor cleaning device included in the wet cleaning apparatus 100, may include a cleaning liquid dispensing device CLD, for example a cleaning liquid pump, for dispensing the cleaning liquid 103 onto the surface being cleaned.
[0076] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning apparatus 100 includes a base station (not visible in the Figures) comprising one or more of the at least one tank 102, 104, e.g. the cleaning liquid tank 102, and the wet cleaning apparatus 100 comprises a wet floor cleaning device, such as the robotic wet cleaning device, that is provided with cleaning liquid 103 from and/or dispenses dirty liquid 105 into the tank(s) 102, 104 included in the base station.
[0077] The robotic wet cleaning device may, for example, be configured to autonomously return, e.g. repeatedly autonomously return, to the base station to obtain more cleaning liquid 103 for applying to the surface to be cleaned.
[0078] More generally, it is noted that detection capability in relation to the tank(s) 102, 104 included in the wet cleaning apparatus 100 is highly desirable in order to ensure that the wet cleaning apparatus 100 is properly operated. To this end, the, e.g. each of the, at least one tank 102, 104 includes a RFID tag 106, 108. Moreover, a RFID reader 112 is arranged to read the RFID tag 106, 108 of the tank(s) 102, 104 received in a tank holder 110 of the wet cleaning apparatus 100.
[0079] The RFID reader 112 provides an output that is used by the wet cleaning apparatus's 100 controller 114 to control operation(s) of the wet cleaning apparatus 100, such as a user feedback operation of a user interface 116 included in the wet cleaning apparatus 100, a dirt transport operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 for transporting the dirty liquid 105 into the tank(s) 102, 104; and/or a cleaning liquid dispensing operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 for dispensing the cleaning liquid 103 from the tank(s) 102, 104.
[0080] The RFID tag-reader arrangement 106, 108, 112 has been found, at least partly due to no electrical connections having to be established between the tanks(s) 102, 104 and the tank holder 110, to provide a convenient and reliable way of facilitating operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 that further benefits from being relatively low cost.
[0081] Due to no physical connection being required in the case of the RFID tag-reader arrangement 106, 108, 112, liquid-tightness issues relating to such a physical connection need not arise.
[0082] In other words, the communication provided by the RFID tag-reader arrangement 106, 108, 112 is wireless, and thus assists to overcome liquid-tightness-related challenges associated with physical connections employed for tank(s) 102, 104 detection purposes.
[0083] The RFID tag-reader arrangement 106, 108, 112 further facilitates combining of different types of detection capability in relation to the tank(s) 102, 104, such as detecting whether or not the tank(s) 102, 104 is or are received in the tank holder 110 combined with sensing a liquid amount in one or more of the tanks(s) 102, 104. With alternative tank(s) detection approaches, such combinations may be more difficult, or may even be precluded.
[0084] It is noted that in embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 1, in which the at least one tank 102, 104 comprises a plurality of tanks 102, 104 that each include a RFID tag 106, 108, the wet cleaning apparatus 100 may only require a single RFID reader 112 to read each RFID tag 106, 108. Thus, RFID communication can assist to provide a relatively simple and low cost solution when more than one tank 102, 104 is included in the wet cleaning apparatus 100, in particular compared to alternative solutions involving multiple sensor-detector combinations for detecting each of the tanks 102, 104, e.g. involving a magnet and a hall sensor being required for each of the tanks 102, 104, or a switch being required in the tank holder 110 for each of the tanks 102, 104.
[0085] In embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 1, in which the at least one tank 102, 104 comprises the cleaning liquid tank 102 and the dirty liquid collection tank 104, a first RFID tag 106 may be included in the cleaning liquid tank 102, with a second RFID tank 108 being included in the dirty liquid collection tank 104.
[0087] The passive RFID tag may be powered by energy transmitted thereto by the RFID reader 112. Accordingly, no internal power source may be included in the passive RFID tag.
[0088] Alternatively or additionally, the RFID tag 106, 108 may comprise an active RFID tag. Such an active RFID tag may be configured to harvest energy from the RFID reader 112. By the active RFID tag harvesting energy from the RFID reader 112, in other words from the field generated by the RFID reader 112, the harvested energy may be used to power electronics, such as electronics including a sensor, e.g. liquid sensor, and/or a microcontroller, connected to the active RFID tag.
[0089] As an illustrative non-limiting example, a NTAG 5 chipset from NXP® Semiconductors can derive up to 30 mW of power from the RFID reader 112. Hence for a 3 V system, a current of about 10 mA can be drawn, which may be sufficient to power electronics, such as a liquid level sensor and/or a microcontroller.
[0090] In at least some embodiments, the RFID tag 106, 108 is arranged at a fixed location in the respective tank 102, 104.
[0091] Such fixed positioning of the RFID tag 106, 108 may assist to ensure reliable reading of the RFID tag 106, 108 by the RFID reader 112.
[0092] The positioning of a receiving antenna of the RFID reader 112 and the location of an antenna of the RFID tag 106, 108 on the respective tank 102, 104 may be selected to ensure that the RFID reader 112 is able to read the RFID tag(s) 106, 108 when the respective tank 102, 104 is in position, e.g. by being received by the tank holder 110.
[0093] The RFID tag 106, 108 can be arranged in the respective tank 102, 104 in any suitable manner, such as by mounting the RFID tag 106, 108 to a wall of the respective tank 102, 104.
[0094] The RFID tag 106, 108 may be arranged inside the respective tank 102, 104 or may be arranged outside the respective tank 102, 104, for example by being mounted on an external surface of the respective tank 102, 104 that faces away from the liquid-receiving interior of the respective tank 102, 104.
[0095] More generally, any suitable type of RFID communication protocol can be employed. In some embodiments, the RFID tag 106, 108 comprises, e.g. is, a near-field communication, NFC, tag, and the RFID reader 112 comprises, e.g. is, a NFC reader.
[0096] It is noted that no power supply may be needed locally in the tank(s) 102, 104, due to the RFID, e.g. NFC, communication protocol employed by the RFID tag-reader arrangement 106, 108, 112.
[0097] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one tank 102, 104 is or are removably received by the tank holder 110.
[0098] In the case of the cleaning liquid tank 102, the capability to detach the cleaning liquid tank 102 from the tank holder 110 may facilitate receiving of liquid, such as water, in the cleaning liquid tank 102.
[0099] In other words, the user may remove/detach the cleaning liquid tank 102 from the tank holder 110 in order to facilitate filling of the cleaning liquid tank 102, e.g. from a tap.
[0100] In the case of the dirty liquid collection tank 104, the capability to remove/detach the dirty liquid collection tank 104 from the tank holder 110 may facilitate emptying of the dirty liquid 105 and/or cleaning of the dirty liquid collection tank 104.
[0101] In embodiments in which the one or more of the at least one tank 102, 104 is or are removable from the tank holder 110, the output from the RFID reader 112 may be indicative of whether the one or more of the at least one tank 102, 104 is or are received by the tank holder 110.
[0102] Thus, the wet cleaning apparatus 100 can be operated based on whether or not one or more of the tank(s) 102, 104 is or are present, in other words received by the tank holder 110. If, for instance, the output from the RFID reader 112 is indicative of the cleaning liquid tank 102 and/or the dirty liquid collection tank 104 not being received in the tank holder 110, e.g. due to no radiofrequency signal deriving from the respective RFID tag 106, 108 of the cleaning liquid tank 102 and/or the dirty liquid collection tank 104 being detectable by the RFID reader 112, the controller 114 may control the user interface 116 to inform the user that the cleaning liquid tank 102 and/or the dirty liquid collection tank 104 is or are not present.
[0103] In embodiments, in which the wet cleaning apparatus 100 includes the above-mentioned cartridge, the cartridge may be a RFID tag-comprising cartridge, e.g. a passive RFID tag-comprising cartridge, with the controller 114 being configured to control the operation(s) of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 based on the output being indicative of whether the cartridge is mounted in the wet cleaning apparatus 100.
[0104] It is noted that the passive RFID tag may be particularly suitable in embodiments in which the RFID reader 112 reads the RFID tag 106, 108 in order to provide the output indicative of whether said one or more of the at least one tank 102, 104 is or are received by the tank holder 110 and/or the cartridge is mounted in the wet cleaning apparatus 100.
[0105] In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 2, the RFID tag 106, 108 is configured to communicate to the RFID reader 112 data from a liquid sensor 115 that senses a liquid amount in the respective tank 102, 104, with the output from the RFID reader 112 being indicative of the liquid amount.
[0106] The liquid sensor 115 can have any suitable design provided that the liquid sensor 115 is capable of sensing the liquid amount in the respective tank 102, 104. In some embodiments, the liquid sensor 115 is a liquid level sensor configured to sense a level, in other words the top of the liquid 103, 105, in the respective tank 102, 104.
[0107] In some embodiments, the RFID tag 108 of the dirty liquid collection tank 104 is configured to communicate to the RFID reader 112 data from a dirty liquid sensor 115 that senses a dirty liquid amount in the dirty liquid collection tank 104, with the output from the RFID reader 112 being indicative of the dirty liquid amount.
[0108] It is noted that the active RFID tag may be particularly suitable in embodiments in which the RFID tag 106, 108 is configured to communicate to the RFID reader 112 data from the liquid sensor 115, since (at least) the liquid sensor 115 may be powered via energy harvested by the active RFID tag from the RFID reader 112.
[0109] In a non-limiting illustrative example, when using an active RFID tag 106, 108, e.g. an active NFC tag, with an energy harvesting system configured to harvest energy from the RFID reader 112, liquid amount sensing, e.g. liquid level sensing, can be integrated in the respective tank 102, 104, and the liquid amount, e.g. level, can be wirelessly read out by the RFID reader 112.
[0110] In some embodiments, the RFID tag 106 of the cleaning liquid tank 102 is configured to communicate to the RFID reader 112 data from a cleaning liquid sensor that senses a cleaning liquid amount in the cleaning liquid tank 102, with the output from the RFID reader 112 being indicative of the cleaning liquid amount.
[0111] It is reiterated that the at least one operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100, controlled by the controller 114 based on the output of the RFID reader 112, may include: a user feedback operation of the user interface 116; a dirt transport operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 for transporting dirty liquid 105 into the at least one tank 102, 104; and/or a cleaning liquid dispensing operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 for dispensing cleaning liquid 103 from the at least one tank 102, 104.
[0112] In some embodiments, the controller 114 is configured to, responsive to the output from the RFID reader 112 being indicative of the cartridge not being mounted in the wet cleaning apparatus 100, control the user interface 116 to inform the user that the cartridge is not present. This information may, for instance, comprise a recommendation for the user to attach/mount the cartridge.
[0113] More generally, the user feedback operation may comprise a tank status communication operation by which a user is informed via the user interface 116 about a status of the at least one tank 102, 104.
[0114] In some embodiments, the status indicates a presence of, an absence of, and/or a liquid amount in one or more of the at least one tank 102, 104 received in the tank holder 110.
[0115] It is noted that the liquid amount in the respective tank 102, 104 as indicated by the output of the RFID reader 112 may be used by the controller 114 to provide the user, via the user interface 116, with information and/or alerts relating to the liquid amount in the respective tank 102. 104, e.g. for informing and/or alerting the user concerning when the respective tank 102, 104 is required to be emptied or filled.
[0116] Such information and/or alerts may, rather than being provided when emptying or filling is imminently required, may indicate how much volume and/or time is remaining before such emptying or filling is required.
[0117] For example, liquid level measurement in the cleaning liquid tank 102 and/or in the dirty liquid collection tank 104 may provide more detailed statistics and alarms to the user that inform him/her of when the respective tank 102, 104 needs to be emptied or filled and/or when such emptying or filling is expected to be needed.
[0118] In some embodiments, the controller 114 may control, based on the output of the RFID reader 112 being indicative of the dirty liquid amount having reached or exceeded a threshold, the dirt transport operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 by stopping or slowing transporting of dirty liquid 105 into the dirty liquid collection tank 104 based on the output from the RFID reader 112.
[0119] More generally, the control of the dirt transport operation may, for example, be implemented by the controller 114 controlling the underpressure generator UG, e.g. suction fan, based on the output of the RFID reader 112.
[0120] Alternatively or additionally, the controller 114 may be configured to control, based on the output of the RFID reader 112 being indicative of the cleaning liquid amount having reached or fallen below a threshold, the cleaning liquid dispensing operation by stopping or slowing the dispensing of cleaning liquid 103 from the cleaning liquid tank 102.
[0121] The control of the cleaning liquid dispensing operation may, for example, be implemented by the controller 114 controlling the cleaning liquid dispensing device CLD, e.g. cleaning liquid pump, based on the output of the RFID reader 112.
[0122] In some embodiments, tanks 102, 104 that each fulfil a different purpose are included or includable in the wet cleaning apparatus 100, and the RFID tags 106, 108 are configured to enable the tanks 102, 104 to be distinguished from each other according to their purpose, with the controller 114 being configured to control the operation(s) of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 based on the output of the RFID reader 112 being indicative of the purpose of the tank(s) 102, 104.
[0123] For example, the tanks 102, 104 may include a tank containing a polishing agent for polishing the surface being cleaned. In such a non-limiting example, the operation(s) may comprise deactivating or leaving the dirty liquid transport operation deactivated and/or activating or leaving the cleaning liquid dispensing operation activated to enable the polishing agent to be dispensed on the surface, e.g. on the floor.
[0124] In some embodiments, the RFID tag 106, 108, e.g. NFC tag, is employed for tracking and tracing the respective tank 102, 104 during production and/or distribution.
[0125] Alternatively or additionally, a software application executable on a mobile computing device may be configured to provide ordering options for ordering one or more spare parts for the wet cleaning apparatus 100 based on the output from the RFID reader 112.
[0126] This may, for example, facilitate ordering of spare parts for the wet cleaning apparatus 100.
[0127] The RFID tag 106, 108, e.g. NFC tag, may be read by a RFID reader 112 included in the mobile computing device itself, e.g. a smartphone or tablet computer.
[0128] In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 2, the wet cleaning apparatus 100 includes one or more nozzle motors NZM for moving one or more cleaning elements, e.g. brush(es), included in the nozzle NZ.
[0129] In such embodiments, the one or more nozzle motors NZM may be controlled by the controller 114.
[0130] As an alternative or in addition to the user feedback operation, the dirt transport operation, and/or the cleaning liquid dispensing operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100, the operation(s) controlled by the controller 114 based on the output of the RFID reader 112 may include a nozzle motor operation of the nozzle motor(s) NZM.
[0131] For example, the nozzle motor(s) NZM may be controlled according to the purpose and/or content of the tank(s) 102, 104 as indicated by the output of the RFID reader 112. For instance, a polishing agent being indicated by the output of the RFID read 112 may be used by the controller 114 to control the nozzle motor(s) NZM to implement a polishing movement of the cleaning element(s).
[0132] It is also noted, with continued reference to FIG. 2, that the wet cleaning apparatus 100 can be powered in any suitable manner, such as via the mains and/or via one or more batteries BT.
[0133] FIG. 3 provides a flowchart of a method 200 according to an example. The method 200 is a method 200 of operating a wet cleaning apparatus 100.
[0134] The wet cleaning apparatus 100 has at least one tank 102, 104 for containing liquid, with the at least one tank 102, 104 comprising a radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag 106, 108. The wet cleaning apparatus 100 also has a RFID reader 112 arranged to read the RFID tag 106, 108 of the at least one tank 102, 104, e.g. when the tank(s) 102, 104 is or are received in a tank holder 110, and to provide an output.
[0135] The wet cleaning apparatus 100 operated in the method 200 may be a wet cleaning apparatus 100 according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
[0136] The method 200 comprises receiving 202 the output from the RFID reader 112, and controlling 204 at least one operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 based on the output.
[0137] The at least one operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 may include: a user feedback operation of the user interface 116; a dirt transport operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 for transporting dirty liquid 105 into the at least one tank 102, 104; and/or a cleaning liquid dispensing operation of the wet cleaning apparatus 100 for dispensing cleaning liquid 103 from the at least one tank 102, 104, as previously described.
[0138] A computer program is also provided, which computer program comprises computer program code which, when executed on a computing device having a processing system, causes the processing system to perform steps of the method 200 according to any of the embodiments described herein, and in particular steps 202 and 204. The processing system may be, for example, included in the controller 114 of the wet cleaning apparatus 100.
[0139] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.
[0140] Functions implemented by a processor may be implemented by a single processor or by multiple separate processing units which may together be considered to constitute a "processor" or a "processing system". Such processing units may in some cases be remote from each other and communicate with each other in a wired or wireless manner.
[0141] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
[0142] A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.
[0143] If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". If the term "arrangement" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "arrangement" is intended to be equivalent to the term "system", and vice versa.
1. A wet cleaning apparatus (100) comprising:
at least one tank (102, 104) for containing liquid, the at least one tank comprising a radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag (106, 108);
a tank holder (110) for receiving the at least one tank;
a RFID reader (112) arranged to read the RFID tag of the at least one tank received in the tank holder, and to provide an output; and
a controller (114) configured to control at least one operation of the wet cleaning apparatus based on the output.
2. The wet cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the
at least one tank (102, 104) is or are removably received by the tank holder (110),
the output from the RFID reader (112) being indicative of whether said one or more
of the at least one tank is or are received by the tank holder.
3. The wet cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the RFID
tag (106, 108) comprises a passive RFID tag.
4. The wet cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the
RFID tag (106, 108) comprises an active RFID tag; optionally wherein the active RFID
tag is configured to harvest energy from the RFID reader (112).
5. The wet cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the
RFID tag (106, 108) is configured to communicate to the RFID reader (112) data from
a liquid sensor (115) that senses a liquid amount in the respective tank (102, 104),
the output from the RFID reader being indicative of the liquid amount.
6. The wet cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the
at least one tank (102, 104) comprises a cleaning liquid tank (102) for holding cleaning
liquid (103) for dispensing onto a surface being cleaned, the cleaning liquid tank
being removably received by the tank holder (110), the output from the RFID reader
(112) being indicative of whether the cleaning liquid tank is received by the tank
holder.
7. The wet cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the
at least one tank (102, 104) comprises a dirty liquid collection tank (104) for receiving
dirty liquid (105) removed from a surface being cleaned, wherein the RFID tag (108)
is configured to communicate to the RFID reader (112) data from a dirty liquid sensor
(115) that senses a dirty liquid amount in the dirty liquid collection tank, the output
from the RFID reader being indicative of the dirty liquid amount.
8. The wet cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the
at least one operation comprises: a user feedback operation of a user interface (116);
a dirt transport operation of the wet cleaning apparatus for transporting dirty liquid
(105) into the at least one tank (102, 104); and/or a cleaning liquid dispensing operation
of the wet cleaning apparatus for dispensing cleaning liquid from the at least one
tank.
9. The wet cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 8, wherein the user feedback operation
comprises a tank status communication operation by which a user is informed via the
user interface (116) about a status of the at least one tank (102, 104); optionally
wherein the status indicates a presence of, an absence of, and/or a liquid amount
in one or more of the at least one tank received in the tank holder (110).
10. The wet cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 8 or claim 9 when dependent from
claim 7, wherein the controller (114) is configured to control the dirt transport
operation by stopping or slowing said transporting of dirty liquid (105) into the
at least one tank (102, 104) based on the output from the RFID reader (112) being
indicative of the dirty liquid amount having reached or exceeded a threshold.
11. The wet cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the
wet cleaning apparatus comprises one or more of a wet mopping device, a wet vacuum
cleaner, a window cleaner, and a sweeper; and/or wherein the wet cleaning apparatus
comprises a robotic wet cleaning device configured to move autonomously over a surface
to be cleaned.
12. A method (200) of operating a wet cleaning apparatus (100), the wet cleaning apparatus
comprising:
at least one tank (102, 104) for containing liquid, the at least one tank comprising a radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag (106, 108);
a tank holder (110) for receiving the at least one tank; and
a RFID reader (112) arranged to read the RFID tag of the at least one tank received
in the tank holder, and to provide an output, the method comprising:
controlling (204) at least one operation of the wet cleaning apparatus based on the
output.
13. The method (200) according to claim 12, wherein one or more of the at least one tank
(102, 104) is or are removably received by the tank holder (110), the output from
the RFID reader (112) being indicative of whether the one or more of the at least
one tank is or are received by the tank holder; and/or wherein the RFID tag (106,
108) is configured to communicate to the RFID reader data from a liquid sensor (115)
that senses a liquid amount in the respective tank (102, 104), the output from the
RFID reader being indicative of the liquid amount.
14. The method (200) according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the at least one operation
comprises: a user feedback operation of a user interface (116); a dirt transport operation
of the wet cleaning apparatus for transporting dirty liquid into the at least one
tank (102, 104); and/or a cleaning liquid dispensing operation of the wet cleaning
apparatus for dispensing cleaning liquid from the at least one tank.
15. A computer program comprising computer program code which, when executed on one or
more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method according
to any one of claims 12 to 14.