Suspension system, methods, and applications
An independent suspension system for a robot vacuum cleaner with a hinge component attached to an L-shaped bracket having a horizontal flange portion and a vertical flange portion. The vertical flange portion is attached to a wheel assembly of the robot vacuum cleaner and a spring is coupled to the horizontal flange portion. A pin is attached to and extends from the vertical flange portion. A holding component is within a wheel well of the robot vacuum cleaner and is movable between an engaged configuration with the pin and a disengaged configuration with the pin.
1. An independent suspension system for a robot vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a. a hinge component attached to an L-shaped bracket having a horizontal flange portion and a vertical flange portion;
b. wherein the vertical flange portion is attached to a wheel assembly of the robot vacuum cleaner;
c. a spring coupled to the horizontal flange portion;
d. a pin attached to and extending from the vertical flange portion;
e. a holding component within a wheel well of the robot vacuum cleaner; and
f. wherein the holding component is movable between an engaged configuration with the pin and a disengaged configuration with the pin.
2. The independent suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the wheel assembly is rotatable approximately 180 degrees about the hinge component.
3. The independent suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the spring is one of a leaf spring, a compression spring, and a torsion spring.
4. The independent suspension system of claim 3 , wherein the bumpers are composed of resilient material.
5. The independent suspension system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more bumpers attached to at least one of the horizontal flange portion and the vertical flange portion.
6. An independent suspension system for a robot vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a. a hinge component attached to an L-shaped bracket having a horizontal flange portion and a vertical flange portion;
b. wherein the vertical flange portion is attached to a motor pod of the robot vacuum cleaner, the motor pod housing the drive motor and motor controller of the robot vacuum cleaner;
c. a clip mounted to the motor pod;
d. a suspension pin mounted between two springs in a spring holster in a wheel well of the robot vacuum cleaner; and
e. wherein the motor pod is rotatable about the hinge component between an open position wherein the suspension pin does not engage the clip and a closed position wherein the suspension pin engages the clip.
7. The independent suspension system of claim 6 , wherein gussets extend between the horizontal flange portion and the vertical flange portion of the L-shaped bracket.
8. The independent suspension system of claim 6 , wherein the two springs are compression springs.
9. The independent suspension system of claim 6 , further comprising a receptacle configured for connection to a wheel motor controller.