Autonomous cleaning robot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous cleaning robots with mopping functions require a water tank that is typically installed or removed by turning the robot upside down, which is inconvenient and can lead to water leakage and damage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container with a guiding member system that allows for horizontal installation and removal, featuring a buckle and groove connection and an obstacle-assisting wheel, enabling easy attachment and detachment without flipping the robot, and a water control filter for efficient water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the water tank is connected to the robot at the bottom, then the robot can perform mopping functions, but the robot must be turned upside down for installation or disassembly which is inconvenient and may cause water leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional bottom-connection design by connecting the water tank to the top of the robot body. The tank outlet connects to the water supply component at the top, and the cleaning cloth is mounted on the tank bottom. This inversion eliminates the need to turn the robot upside down for installation or disassembly, while the top connection position naturally prevents water leakage through gravity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connection dimension from bottom-up vertical installation to top-down vertical installation. The guiding members are configured to guide the tank along the vertical axis from the top, transforming the installation operation into a simpler downward insertion motion rather than requiring the robot to be inverted.
2Ease of operation
If the cleaning cloth is fixed on the container case, then the cleaning function is provided, but the assembly direction cannot be limited and the cloth may deviate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guiding members as intermediary components between the cleaning cloth and the container case. These guiding members include guiding grooves and guiding protrusions that act as mediators to constrain the cleaning cloth within a specific assembly direction, preventing deviation while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding members utilize asymmetric geometry with guiding grooves and corresponding protrusions that allow insertion only in the correct orientation. This asymmetric design ensures the cleaning cloth can only be assembled in the proper direction, automatically limiting the assembly direction and preventing positional deviation.
3Ease of operation
If the water tank is easily removable for convenience, then installation and disassembly are simple, but the connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into distinct components: the tank with its outlet, the water supply component with connecting components, and the guiding members. This segmentation allows the tank to be easily removed as a complete unit while maintaining reliable connections through the specialized connecting components during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding members serve as intermediaries that provide both guidance during removal and stable positioning during operation. The guiding grooves and protrusions create a reliable mechanical interface that maintains connection stability while still allowing for easy removal when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a liquid container and an autonomous cleaning robot. The liquid container may include a container case and a cleaning cloth that is removable and mounted on the container case. The cleaning cloth may include a first guiding member disposed thereon. The container case may include a second guiding member. The first guiding member and the second guiding member cooperate with each other to define an assembly direction of the cleaning cloth. The cleaning cloth can be installed correctly by defining the assembly direction of the first guiding member and the second guiding member.