Autonomous cleaning device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of autonomous cleaning devices makes maintenance difficult due to increased disassembly and replacement times for damaged modules, particularly with integrated sensing modules that are hard to replace without disassembling the entire device.

Innovation Solution

A modular design where the drive module, cleaning module, and sensing module are separately and detachably assembled to the device body, allowing for easy removal and replacement without disassembling the entire device, with a protection cover to enhance module durability and reduce obstruction of laser beams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the autonomous cleaning device integrates multiple functional modules (drive module, cleaning module, sensing module) into a single device body, then the device can perform multiple functions, but the maintenance difficulty increases due to complex disassembly and replacement procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous cleaning device is divided into independent functional modules (drive module, cleaning module, sensing module) that can be separately assembled and disassembled from the device body. Each module has a dedicated accommodating space with mounting structures, allowing maintenance personnel to access and replace specific modules without disassembling the entire device, thus reducing maintenance difficulty while preserving multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the sensing module is integrated into the device body, then the device structure is compact, but the measurement precision decreases due to mounting errors and the module cannot be easily replaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidsensing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing module is separated from the device body and placed in a dedicated accommodating space within the upper housing. This segmentation allows the sensing module to be precisely positioned using dedicated mounting structures (connecting pieces) while maintaining a compact overall structure. The separate module design also enables easy replacement if the sensing module malfunctions or needs calibration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper housing acts as an intermediary structure between the device body and the sensing module. It provides a stable mounting platform with dedicated accommodating spaces and connecting structures that ensure precise positioning of the sensing module, thereby maintaining measurement precision while keeping the overall device structure compact and integrated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the sensing module is exposed on the device body, then the device structure is simple, but the sensing module is vulnerable to external damage and laser beam obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidsensing module protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing module is nested within the upper housing, which is itself part of the device body structure. The upper housing provides a protective enclosure with a dedicated accommodating space that shields the sensing module from external damage while allowing laser beams to pass through to the sensing module. This nested structure maintains relative structural simplicity while providing necessary protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3231340B1Autonomous cleaning device
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3231340B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3231340B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3231340B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an autonomous cleaning device. The autonomous cleaning device includes: a device body (110), including a chassis (102) and an upper housing (103) fixed to the chassis (102); a drive module (140) connected to the chassis (102) and configured to drive the autonomous cleaning device to advance in a preset path; a cleaning module distributed within the device body (110); and a sensing module (121) assembled to a predetermined position in the upper housing (103) and configured to obtain information of obstacles around the autonomous cleaning device, in which the drive module (140), the cleaning module and the sensing module (121) are separately and detachably assembled to the device body (110).