Autonomous Floor Cleaning Robot Pad Wetting for Dried Soil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for cleaning tiled floors and countertops, such as using wet mops, are labor-intensive and require manual scrubbing to remove dried soils, which can be inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous mobile robot equipped with a cleaning assembly that includes a pad holder, fluid applicator, and controller, which executes a cleaning routine that applies fluid to the floor surface and moves the cleaning pad in a pattern to effectively scrub and remove soils, allowing the robot to navigate and clean surfaces independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual wet mopping is used to clean floors, then cleaning can be performed, but it requires significant human labor and time investment
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is designed to be self-sufficient with autonomous navigation capabilities, self-contained fluid reservoirs, and automatic pad wetting mechanisms that moisten pads during operation without human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical mopping with an autonomous robot system that uses controlled fluid application and automated pad movement to achieve cleaning, substituting human labor with automated mechanical and fluid-based systems
2Ease of operation
If traditional wet mopping is used, then surfaces can be cleaned, but manual scrubbing is required to remove dried soils which is labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a fluid applicator with reservoirs to automatically apply cleaning fluid to the floor surface and to wet the cleaning pad during operation, eliminating the need for manual scrubbing by using fluid-based cleaning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid applicator applies cleaning fluid to the floor surface before the pad contacts it, and the pad is wetted in advance during the robot's movement, preparing the cleaning elements before actual cleaning contact occurs
3Extent of automation
If an autonomous robot is deployed for floor cleaning, then human time is freed for other tasks, but the robot requires complex navigation and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The robot body serves multiple functions: it houses the drive system for navigation, contains reservoirs for fluid storage, supports the pad holder assembly, and provides mounting for the controller, consolidating multiple subsystems into a single integrated platform
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is divided into distinct modular components including the pad holder assembly, fluid applicator, drive system, and controller, allowing independent optimization and maintenance of each subsystem while working together as an integrated whole
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 autonomous mobile robot efficiently cleans surfaces by applying fluid and scrubbing in a controlled pattern, freeing up human time and improving the effectiveness of floor cleaning tasks, especially in removing dried soils and stains.
Implementation Method 1
a sprayer, which is in fluid communication with the reservoir, is configured to spray the fluid along the forward drive direction
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning pad disposed on the bottom surface of the pad holder may absorb about 90% of the fluid contained in the reservoir
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile floor cleaning robot (100) includes a body (110) defining a forward drive direction (F), a drive system (120), a cleaning system (160), and a controller (150) in communication with the drive and cleaning systems. The cleaning system includes a pad holder (190) having a bottom surface (194b) for receiving a cleaning pad (400), and a fluid applicator (162) configured to apply fluid (172) to the floor surface ( 10). The controller controls the drive system and the fluid applicator while executing a cleaning routing. The cleaning routine includes applying fluid to a floor surface area substantially equal to a footprint area (AF ) of the robot and returning the robot to the floor surface area in a movement pattern that moves a center (Pc) and lateral edges (PR and PL) of the cleaning pad separately through the floor surface area to moisten the cleaning pad with the applied fluid.