Autonomous cleaning system with scratch off docking station

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous cleaning robots require user intervention for mop cleaning, leading to reduced cleaning performance if not regularly maintained, and existing docking stations provide suboptimal mop cleaning quality compared to washing machines.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous cleaning system with a docking station featuring scraping members that extend transversely to the mop support movement direction, allowing for effective scraping and immersion in cleaning liquid to enhance mop cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the user manually cleans the mop by removing it from the robot, then the cleaning performance can be maintained, but the user must perform numerous manipulations and the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoiduser manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The docking station automatically cleans the mop by scraping it with scraping members while the mop is immersed in cleaning liquid, eliminating the need for user intervention. The system performs self-maintenance by having the mop support move the mop through the cleaning station where scraping members scrape the mop surface to remove dirt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If the docking station immerses the mop in cleaning liquid without scraping members, then the structure remains simple, but the cleaning quality is suboptimal compared to washing machine cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcleaning quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Scraping members are introduced as intermediary elements between the mop and the cleaning liquid. These scraping members physically scrape the mop surface to remove dirt, while the cleaning liquid provides additional cleaning action. The combination of mechanical scraping and liquid cleaning achieves optimal cleaning quality without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the scraping members extend parallel to the mop support movement direction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the scraping effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescraping member orientationVSAvoidscraping effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The scraping members are oriented at an angle relative to the mop support movement direction rather than parallel to it. This asymmetric orientation allows the scraping members to effectively scrape the mop surface as the mop moves through the cleaning station, optimizing the scraping action while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 system achieves optimal mop cleaning performance by automating the cleaning process, ensuring increased efficiency and ergonomic simplicity while maintaining high cleaning quality.

Implementation Method 1

scraping members configured to extend transversely to the support movement direction and to scrape or rub the at least one mop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

scraping members configured to extend transversely to the support movement direction and to scrape or rub the at least one mop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP4602988A1Autonomous cleaning system with scratch off docking station
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 SEB SA
  • EP4602988A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4602988A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4602988A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The autonomous cleaning system comprises an autonomous cleaning robot (2) equipped with a cleaning device (15) comprising at least one mop support (17) mounted to move in translation relative to the main body (4) in a support movement direction (D2), and at least one mop (18) mounted on the at least one mop support (17) and configured to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned; and a docking station (3) configured to accommodate the autonomous cleaning robot (2) and to clean the at least one mop (18) when the autonomous cleaning robot (2) is received in the docking station (3). The docking station (3) comprises scraping members (27) configured to scrape or rub the at least one mop (18) when the autonomous cleaning robot (2) is received in the docking station (3).