Asymmetric Support Assembly for Robot Cleaner Surface Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning robots face challenges in maintaining a suitable distance between the dust collection device and the surface being cleaned, particularly across different surface types, requiring a solution that is both structurally simple and reliable.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning robot design featuring a chassis with at least one drive wheel and a support that adjusts the distance between the dust collection device and the surface, with the support arranged asymmetrically relative to the dust collection device in the direction of travel, allowing for adaptable operation on various surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a support wheel is positioned symmetrically under the dust collection device, then the structure is simple and stable, but the distance between the dust collection device and the surface cannot be adjusted for different surface types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different surface typesVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support wheel is positioned asymmetrically relative to the dust collection device, specifically offset to one side rather than centered. This asymmetric positioning allows the dust collection device to maintain an optimal distance from the surface while the support wheel can penetrate into carpet fibers, enabling the system to adapt to both hard floors and carpets without requiring a complex adjustable mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If the support wheel is positioned directly under the dust collection device, then the structure is compact, but the distance adjustment capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffective dust pick-upVSAvoidsupport positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support wheel is positioned asymmetrically offset from the centerline of the dust collection device. This asymmetric offset positioning allows the dust collection device to be elevated to an optimal cleaning height while the support wheel penetrates into carpet, maintaining both structural compactness and effective dust pick-up capability across different surface types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3409165B1Support assembly to a robot cleaner
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3409165B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3409165B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3409165B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cleaning robot (1) for cleaning a surface, which has a chassis with at least one drive wheel, a dust collection device and a support which, in cooperation with the chassis, determines the distance between the dust collection device and the surface to be cleaned. In a first aspect of the invention, the support is arranged in the direction of travel F next to the dust collection device. In a second aspect of the invention, the support is arranged asymmetrically in the direction of travel (F) with respect to the dust collecting device. In a third aspect of the invention, the support is arranged in the vicinity of the dust collecting device with respect to the direction of travel (F). With the invention, a suitable distance between the surface to be cleaned and the dust collection device can be ensured in cases of different properties of the surface to be cleaned.