Automatic Wheel Cleaning System for Mobile Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile utility machines, such as wheelchairs and robots, face difficulties in detecting and automatically cleaning foreign matter from their wheels, especially when transitioning from outdoor to indoor environments, leading to soiled wheels and potential tracking of debris into indoor spaces.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a foreign matter detector, a cleaning device, and a processing module that communicates to direct the cleaning device to remove foreign matter from the wheels based on detected presence, utilizing mechanisms like brushing, blowing, vibration, or solvent application, and is triggered by signals indicating the approach to an indoor environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning of wheels is performed by user, then foreign matter can be removed from wheels, but it is difficult, cumbersome, and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel cleaning system performs cleaning operations automatically without requiring user intervention. The foreign matter detector detects foreign matter on the wheels, and the cleaning device executes cleaning operations autonomously based on detection results, making the system serve itself rather than requiring manual user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning actions with an automated system comprising a foreign matter detector and a cleaning device. The detector uses sensing mechanisms to identify foreign matter, and the cleaning device applies mechanical or other cleaning forces automatically, substituting the user's manual mechanical cleaning process.
2Reliability
If user checks and cleans wheels before entering indoor environment, then foreign matter can be removed, but it is difficult and cumbersome to determine presence and clean foreign matter
Solution Approach 1:
The foreign matter detector provides feedback information about the presence of foreign matter on the wheels to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically determines whether cleaning is needed and executes the appropriate cleaning operations, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures reliable wheel cleanliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously monitors wheel conditions and performs cleaning operations without requiring user intervention to check or clean the wheels. The foreign matter detector continuously monitors for foreign matter, and the cleaning device automatically cleans when needed, making the entire process self-service oriented.
3Extent of automation
If automatic cleaning system is implemented, then wheel cleaning becomes automated and user effort is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic cleaning system is divided into distinct functional modules: a foreign matter detector module that senses foreign matter presence, a control module that processes detection signals and determines cleaning needs, and a cleaning device module that executes cleaning operations. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, managing overall system complexity through modular design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Automatically ensures clean wheels by effectively detecting and removing foreign matter, preventing debris from being tracked into indoor areas and reducing user effort and time spent on cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a foreign matter detector arranged adjacent to the wheel... receive a signal from the foreign matter detector, the signal being indicative of possible foreign matter present on a surface of the wheel
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods of automatically cleaning a wheel are disclosed herein. The systems and methods include a foreign matter detector arranged adjacent to the wheel, a cleaning device arranged adjacent to the wheel, one or more processors communicatively coupled to the foreign matter detector and the cleaning device; and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. The non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium includes one or more programming instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: receive a signal from the foreign matter detector, the signal being indicative of possible foreign matter present on a surface of the wheel, determine from the signal, whether foreign matter is present on the wheel, and direct the cleaning device to remove the foreign matter from the wheel.