Autonomous coverage robot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual and industrial wet cleaning methods are labor-intensive, inefficient, and require large, complex robots for large areas, which are costly and often require operator attendance due to weight and complexity, and the effectiveness of cleaning fluids deteriorates as they become contaminated with waste liquids during the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous surface treatment robot with a weight distribution that allows it to maintain pressure and thrust, equipped with a vacuum assembly for waste collection, a supply volume for cleaning liquid, and an applicator for efficient fluid distribution, enabling effective cleaning in tight spaces without operator assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual wet cleaning methods are used, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained through operator control, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot autonomously performs cleaning operations without continuous human intervention. It self-navigates to cleaning locations, self-adjusts cleaning parameters based on sensor feedback, and self-manages the cleaning process from start to finish, thereby eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning operations with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors, processors, and actuators. The robot uses electronic control systems and automated navigation to substitute human-operated mechanical cleaning, significantly improving productivity while reducing labor intensity
2Area of stationary object
If industrial wet cleaning robots are used for large areas, then cleaning coverage increases, but device weight and complexity increase requiring operator attendance
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot is divided into modular functional segments including navigation module, cleaning module, sensor module, and control module. This segmentation allows the robot to maintain compact size and reduced complexity while still achieving large-area cleaning capability through coordinated operation of independent modules
Solution Approach 2:
The robot is designed with multi-functional capabilities that allow a single device to perform various cleaning tasks across different areas. The universal design integrates navigation, cleaning, and monitoring functions into one system, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and reducing overall system complexity
3Duration of action of moving object
If cleaning fluid is reused after contamination, then operational time extends, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The robot incorporates sensors that continuously monitor cleaning fluid quality and contamination levels. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts cleaning parameters or triggers fluid replacement, ensuring cleaning effectiveness is maintained throughout the operational duration without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The robot maintains continuous cleaning operation by implementing real-time monitoring and adjustment of cleaning fluid status. The system ensures uninterrupted effective cleaning through automated fluid management, preventing the deterioration that would occur with simple reuse of contaminated fluid
4Weight of moving object
If robot weight is reduced for autonomous operation, then ease of deployment improves, but thrust capability and pressure application decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The robot incorporates pneumatic or hydraulic systems that generate high thrust forces and pressure application capability without requiring proportional increases in robot weight. The fluid power systems provide force multiplication, enabling the lightweight robot to maintain sufficient cleaning pressure and mobility
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 robot efficiently cleans surfaces by maintaining cleaning fluid effectiveness, navigating through tight spaces, and collecting waste, reducing labor and operational costs while ensuring continuous cleaning without operator intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The applicator is in fluid communication with the supply volume and the wetting element is in fluid communication with the applicator
Implementation Method 2
The vacuum assembly includes a collection region that engages the cleaning surface and a suction region in fluid communication with the collection region. The suction region is configured to suction waste from the cleaning surface through the collection region
Data Source
AI summary
A surface treatment robot includes a chassis having forward and rear ends and a drive system carried by the chassis. The drive system includes right and left driven wheels and is configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface. The robot includes a vacuum assembly, a collection volume, a supply volume, an applicator, and a wetting element, each carried by the chassis. The wetting element engages the cleaning surface to distribute a cleaning liquid applied to the surface by the applicator. The wetting element distributes the cleaning liquid along at least a portion of the cleaning surface when the robot is driven in a forward direction. The wetting element is arranged substantially forward of a transverse axis defined by the right and left driven wheels, and the wetting element slidably supports at least about ten percent of the mass of the robot above the cleaning surface.