Automatic cleaning machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning robots are ineffective in removing stain marks, footprints, and fine particles due to limited wiping frequency and dust accumulation, and struggle with uneven floors and slots.

Innovation Solution

An automatic cleaning machine equipped with a reciprocally wiping mechanism, vacuum device, and spray device, along with a control system and sensors for obstacle detection and path planning, to increase wiping frequency and efficiently clean floors with improved dust management and water usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a cleaning cloth is pulled by the robot to mop the floor, then the robot can clean the floor surface, but the wiping frequency is low and dust accumulates in front of the cleaning cloth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiping frequencyVSAvoiddust accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system is segmented into multiple functional modules: a vacuum suction module with suction port and brush, and a separate mopping module with cleaning cloth. The vacuum module handles dust removal while the mopping module handles wet cleaning, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously without interference, thereby increasing overall cleaning productivity and preventing dust accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines vacuum suction and mopping functions into a single integrated cleaning robot system. The vacuum suction port and cleaning cloth work together in coordinated fashion, with the vacuum removing dust before the cleaning cloth mops the surface, resolving the contradiction between wiping frequency and dust accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If water is sprayed onto the floor and a rubber scraper recycles the water, then stain marks and footprints can be cleaned, but water is left on uneven floors and the robot cannot be used if the floor has slots

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effect on stainsVSAvoidadaptability to floor conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system applies different cleaning mechanisms to different local conditions: the spray device applies water locally to stain areas, while the suction port simultaneously removes excess water locally. The cleaning cloth is pressed against the floor only where needed, adapting to local floor conditions rather than requiring uniform performance across all surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful effect of water remaining on uneven floors is resolved by extracting the water removal function into a separate vacuum suction system. The rubber scraper is replaced with a suction-based water recovery system that can adapt to various floor conditions including slots and uneven surfaces, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while improving adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If a center brush and cleaning cloth are used for mopping, then dust can be swept, but the dust cannot be collected in the robot and the cleaning effect is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust removal capabilityVSAvoiddust redistribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum suction port is positioned to perform preliminary dust removal action before the cleaning cloth contacts the floor. The side brush and center brush sweep dust toward the suction port, which removes dust particles from the floor surface in advance, preventing dust from being redistributed during the mopping process and improving overall dust removal efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The machine achieves high-efficiency cleaning by increasing wiping frequency, effectively sucking up dust, and intelligently spraying water to maintain optimal cleaning cloth moisture, enabling comprehensive floor cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

The dust on the floor is sucked into the inlet by an air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a spray device used for spraying water on the floor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Implementation Method 3

The roller is located between the brush plate and the housing, and rotates on the brush plat or the base, so as to reduce the frictional resistance to the relative motion of the brush plate and the base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3257416B1Automatic cleaning machine
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 HOBOT TECH INC
  • EP3257416B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3257416B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3257416B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An automatic cleaning machines comprises a high-speed reciprocating cleaning means making a cleaning cloth reciprocatingly wipe a floor at high speed and a vacuum device sucking the dust in front of the cleaning cloth.