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SamsungPatent applicationRobots & automationInterest 6/10

Samsung patents robot vacuum dock that swaps mopping cloths automatically

Samsung has filed a patent for a robotic vacuum cleaner system that automatically swaps dirty mopping cloths at its charging dock. The dock uses a mechanical path to detach the used cloth from the robot and attach a fresh one from below as the vacuum moves through specific positions.

Why it mattersThis could make self-cleaning robot vacuums more convenient by handling the dirty cloth replacement without user intervention.

In the filing’s own words

A docking station including a docking unit providing a traveling path for a robotic vacuum cleaner, having a mounted mopping cloth, that enters the docking unit; a mopping cloth separator disposed on the docking unit and configured to automatically separate the mounted mopping cloth from the robotic vacuum cleaner while the robotic vacuum cleaner is at a first position along the traveling path; and a mopping cloth coupler disposed on the docking unit and configured so that, after the mounted mopping cloth is separated from the robotic vacuum cleaner, and the robotic vacuum cleaner thereafter moves to a second position along the traveling path, the mopping cloth coupler supplies a mopping cloth to be mounted to the robotic vacuum cleaner from below the traveling path while the robotic vacuum cleaner is at the second position.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A cleaning system comprising a robot cleaner and a docking station, wherein the robot cleaner includes a mopping cloth part configured to mount a mopping cloth, the mopping cloth part being configured to move upward or downward, wherein the docking station includes: a docking part providing a travel path for the robot cleaner, the docking part including: a first portion including an inclined surface, and a second portion connected to the first portion and including a flat surface, wherein the robot cleaner is configured to raise or lower the mopping cloth part so that the mopping cloth mounted on the mopping cloth part is detached while the robot cleaner is at a first position provided on the second portion of the docking part, and to raise or lower the mopping cloth part so that a mopping cloth is mounted to the mopping cloth part while the robot cleaner is at a second position provided rearward of the first position on the travel path in a state in which the mopping cloth has been detached from the robot cleaner.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANER, DOCKING STATION, AND CLEANING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME
Publication number
US20260272250A1
Application number
19671809
Filed
May 8, 2026
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
5
Claims
10

Classified under

A47L 11/4091 Human necessitiesA47L 11/282 Human necessitiesA47L 11/4011 Human necessitiesA47L 11/4038 Human necessitiesA47L 11/4066 Human necessitiesA47L 11/4069 Human necessities
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.