Mobile apparatus, particularly an autonomously mobile floor cleaning device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomously mobile floor cleaning devices face challenges in navigating obstacles, such as raised carpets, due to the complexity and high cost of existing lifting mechanisms, which are difficult to manufacture and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A mobile apparatus with a driven wheel connected via a suspension element that utilizes a spring with adjustable force, allowing the wheel to extend and retract relative to the chassis, increasing contact pressure as needed to overcome obstacles without a separate lifting mechanism, and featuring a gear drive for fine-tuning the spring force to ensure reliable navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lifting mechanism is used to enable the mobile apparatus to negotiate obstacles, then the ability to overcome obstacles is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lifting function from a separate complex lifting mechanism and integrates it into the wheel-suspension system itself. The spring-loaded suspension element normally provides cushioning but can be activated to lift the wheel off the ground when encountering obstacles, eliminating the need for a dedicated lifting mechanism while maintaining obstacle negotiation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension element with spring is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a cushioning element during normal operation on flat surfaces and simultaneously serves as a lifting mechanism when obstacles are detected. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate lifting equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a lifting mechanism is installed to overcome obstacles, then obstacle negotiation capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lifting function with the existing suspension system. The spring-loaded suspension element that already exists for cushioning purposes is configured to also perform lifting when needed, combining two functions into one component and thereby reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating redundant parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension element is designed as a universal component that performs both cushioning during normal operation and lifting when obstacles are encountered. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components required, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective navigation of obstacles without the need for complex lifting mechanisms, ensuring reliable operation over both flat surfaces and raised areas without user intervention, using sensors to adjust the spring force for optimal contact pressure.
Implementation Method 1
the driven wheel is connected to the chassis via a suspension element that supports the wheel and is movable relative to the chassis, wherein the wheel for support on a subsurface over which the mobile apparatus can travel is placed under tension by a spring exerting a spring force
Implementation Method 2
the spring force is adjustable independently of an increase or decrease in the spring force caused by such extension or retraction, and in particular may be increased as the wheel is extended farther
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile apparatus, particularly an autonomously mobile floor cleaning device, has a chassis and wheels, wherein at least one wheel is driven, and the driven wheel is connected to the chassis via a suspension element that supports the wheel and is movable relative to the chassis. In order to create an alternative mobile apparatus for negotiating an obstacle, the wheel for support on a subsurface over which the mobile apparatus can travel is influenced by a spring exerting a spring force and can be retracted and extended relative to the chassis with the aid of the suspension element, wherein the spring force is adjustable independently of an increase or decrease in the spring force caused by such extension or retraction, and in particular may be increased as the wheel is extended farther.