Automatic cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic cleaners face challenges in effectively navigating various surfaces, including carpets, due to limited traction and adaptability of their wheel designs, which can lead to slippage and inaccurate movement.
Innovation Solution
The automatic cleaner incorporates a wheel assembly with a first wheel and a second wheel, where the second wheel features elastically deformable contact protrusions that radially extend from its outer surface, allowing it to adjust and maintain contact with surfaces, ensuring better traction and preventing slippage on different types of flooring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional wheel design is used, then the structure is simple, but the traction and adaptability to various surfaces are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly employs an elastic deformation mechanism where the second wheel can dynamically adjust its shape in response to external forces from different surface types. The elastic connection part allows the wheel to deform and adapt its contact profile automatically, providing versatility across carpets, smooth floors, and uneven surfaces without requiring multiple wheel types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the wheel's contact surface by introducing elastic deformation capability. The second wheel's outer circumferential surface can change its geometric parameters (shape, contact area) in response to loading conditions, allowing adaptation to various surface characteristics while maintaining a relatively simple overall wheel structure.
2Reliability
If a rigid wheel is used, then the structure is stable, but the wheel slips on carpeted surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The second wheel incorporates an elastic connection part that acts as a flexible element between the first and second wheels. This flexible structure allows the wheel to conform to carpet fibers and maintain continuous contact, preventing slippage while preserving structural stability through the elastic recovery property of the connection part.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the second wheel can elastically deform under load. This dynamic adaptation enables the wheel to maintain reliable traction on variable surfaces by adjusting its contact characteristics in real-time, eliminating slippage while preserving overall structural integrity.
3Measurement precision
If the wheel does not deform, then the structure is simple, but the positioning accuracy on various surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic connection part enables the second wheel to dynamically adjust its position and orientation in response to surface variations. This dynamic deformation allows the wheel to maintain accurate positioning by automatically compensating for surface irregularities, achieving high measurement precision without requiring complex active control systems or sensors.
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
This design enhances the cleaner's ability to move smoothly and accurately on various surfaces, including carpets, by maintaining contact and minimizing damage, thus improving its navigation and positioning accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the second wheel is elastically deformed by an external force, and the plurality of contact protrusions radially extend from the outer circumferential surface of the second wheel
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an automatic cleaner. The automatic cleaner includes a main body and a wheel assembly disposed in the main body to allow the main body to move. The wheel assembly includes a driving part, a first wheel rotating by a power of the driving part, and a second wheel rotating by the power of the driving part, the second wheel including a plurality of contact protrusions on an outer circumferential surface thereof.