Autonomous cleaning robot provided with a wet cleaning device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous cleaning robots face issues with the bracing of their wet cleaning devices during movement between active and inactive positions, which can harm the mechanism and reduce reliability, and require a compact and efficient design to optimize space and cleaning efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A translation drive mechanism using synchronized drive pads with threaded connections and a toothed transmission belt ensures smooth movement of the wet cleaning device between active and inactive positions, preventing bracing and allowing for increased reliability and space optimization within the robot, enabling enhanced cleaning efficiency and autonomy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotating shaft with threaded drive part and worm screw is used to move the wet cleaning device vertically, then the wet cleaning device can be moved between active and inactive positions, but the wet cleaning device may buck which harms the integrity of the translational drive mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrity of translational drive mechanismVSAvoidbucking of wet cleaning device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the single rotating shaft with multiple drive studs (at least two) that are distributed around the wet cleaning device. Each drive stud has its own threaded drive portion that engages with a corresponding threaded portion on the wet cleaning device. This segmentation distributes the lifting force across multiple points, preventing buckling while maintaining reliable vertical movement between active and inactive positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple drive studs with threaded connections are used to prevent bucking, then the reliability of the mechanism increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrity of translational drive mechanismVSAvoidcomplexity of translational drive mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple drive studs with a common motion transmission mechanism that synchronizes their rotation. The drive studs are rotated simultaneously in the same direction through a shared transmission system, ensuring that the wet cleaning device moves vertically without buckling while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The threaded connections between drive studs and wet cleaning device provide both structural support and motion transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If a compact translation drive mechanism is designed to optimize space, then the robot can pass under furniture more easily, but the mechanism for moving the wet cleaning device becomes more constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace available in robotVSAvoidmovement of wet cleaning device
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a motion transmission mechanism that dynamically synchronizes the rotation of multiple drive studs. This dynamic coordination allows the wet cleaning device to move smoothly between active and inactive positions within a compact space, optimizing the robot's volume while maintaining ease of operation. The synchronized rotation ensures that all drive studs work together efficiently, preventing buckling even in the constrained space of a compact robot design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution provides a reliable, compact, and efficient translation drive mechanism that prevents bracing of the wet cleaning device, increases cleaning efficiency by applying significant pressing force, and allows for improved space utilization within the robot, enabling effective cleaning and increased autonomy.

Implementation Method 1

each drive stud comprising a threaded drive portion configured to cooperate with a respective complementary threaded drive portion provided on the wet cleaning device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded connection: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4088639B1Autonomous cleaning robot provided with a wet cleaning device
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 SEB SA
  • EP4088639B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4088639B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4088639B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The autonomous cleaning robot (2) includes a main body (3); a wet cleaning device (11) mounted movable relative to the main body (3) between active and inactive positions; and a translational drive mechanism (17) configured to move the wet cleaning device (11) in translation between the active and inactive positions.The translational drive mechanism (17) comprises a plurality of drive pads (18) each of which includes a threaded drive portion (21) configured to cooperate with a respective complementary threaded drive portion (22) provided on the wet cleaning device (11); and a motion transmission mechanism (25) configured to rotate the drive pads (18) simultaneously in a first direction of rotation so as to move the wet cleaning device (11) to the active position, and in a second direction of rotation so as to move the wet cleaning device (11) to the inactive position.