Autonomous Surface Cleaner Receptacle Repositioning for Docking Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous surface cleaning apparatuses prioritize maneuverability and navigation over user interaction, making it impractical to remove the dirt receptacle when the apparatus is docked for charging.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with a receptacle that is partially disposed within a rearward-facing recess, allowing easy removal by moving it rearwards, and features a retention assembly with user-actuable release mechanisms for seamless detachment, along with a rechargeable battery system positioned at the rear for balanced weight distribution and easy charging access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the receptacle is disposed at the front of the body together with navigation sensors, then maneuverability and navigation are optimized, but user interaction becomes impractical for removing the receptacle during docking
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is repositioned from the front of the body to a rearward-facing recess at the rear of the body, changing its spatial location to a different dimension. This allows the receptacle to be easily accessible during docking operations without interfering with front-mounted navigation sensors and cleaning assemblies, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity
2Ease of operation
If the receptacle is disposed at the front of the body, then navigation sensors have optimal placement, but the receptacle cannot be easily removed during charging at the docking station
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is relocated to the rear of the body in a rearward-facing recess, changing its positional dimension. This new location allows the receptacle to be easily removed during docking and charging operations without interfering with the docking contacts and navigation sensors, thereby improving both accessibility and docking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle is extracted from the front assembly and placed in a separate rearward-facing recess, isolating it from the navigation sensors and cleaning assembly. This separation allows independent access to the receptacle during docking operations, improving both ease of operation and docking reliability
3Ease of operation
If the battery system is positioned at the rear of the body, then weight distribution and charging access are improved, but the overall device length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is nested within the rearward-facing recess of the body, utilizing the existing recess space that was originally designed for the receptacle. This nesting arrangement allows the battery system to be positioned at the rear for improved weight distribution and charging access without significantly increasing the overall device length, as the battery occupies the recess volume rather than extending beyond the body
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous surface cleaning apparatus includes a body defining a generally planar front surface, a drive system carried by the body and configured to move the autonomous surface cleaning apparatus across a surface, a cleaning assembly disposed at a front of the body, a rechargeable battery system, and charging contacts disposed on the front surface of the body. The apparatus further includes a receptacle configured to receive dirt collected by the cleaning assembly, the receptacle being releasably attached to the body, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that, when the receptacle is attached to the body, the receptacle is at least partially disposed within a rearward facing recess defined by the body.