Autonomous Floor Cleaning Robot With Separate Wet and Dry Zones
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an affordable and effective autonomous floor cleaning robot that can apply cleaning fluids to wet clean floors in the home, as existing manual methods are labor-intensive and decrease in effectiveness due to fluid contamination, while existing industrial robots are too large, costly, and not suitable for home use.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous cleaning robot with a chassis and transport drive system that includes two cleaning zones: one for collecting loose particulates and another for applying and collecting cleaning fluid, featuring a jet port for blowing particulates, a vacuum intake, and a scrubbing element for effective surface cleaning, with integrated containers for fluid and waste management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual wet cleaning methods are used, then cleaning can be performed on floors, but labor intensity increases and cleaning effectiveness decreases due to fluid contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous cleaning robot performs wet cleaning operations automatically without human intervention. The robot independently navigates, applies cleaning fluid, scrubs surfaces, and collects waste liquid, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining consistent cleaning effectiveness throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cleaning fluid application and collection functions into separate dedicated components. The fluid applicator applies cleaning fluid to the surface, while a separate waste liquid collection system removes contaminated fluid, preventing re-contamination and maintaining cleaning effectiveness without requiring manual intervention.
2Extent of automation
If industrial autonomous cleaning robots are used, then autonomous wet cleaning capability is achieved, but device size and cost increase making them unsuitable for home use
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot is divided into functional modules: a navigation system for autonomous movement, a compact fluid applicator for cleaning fluid delivery, a scrubbing mechanism for surface cleaning, and a waste liquid collection system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for compactness while maintaining autonomous wet cleaning capability suitable for home environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs compact, space-efficient designs for the fluid storage and waste collection containers, utilizing flexible or thin-walled structures that maximize internal volume while minimizing external footprint, enabling autonomous functionality in a home-sized device.
3Duration of action of moving object
If cleaning fluid is applied and reused, then cleaning can continue, but fluid contamination increases reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the cleaning fluid application system from the waste liquid collection system. As the robot moves forward, the fluid applicator deposits fresh cleaning fluid on the surface while the waste liquid collection system simultaneously removes contaminated fluid, ensuring continuous availability of clean cleaning fluid throughout the cleaning process and maintaining effectiveness over extended duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot applies cleaning fluid to the surface in advance before scrubbing operations begin, allowing the fluid to penetrate and loosen contaminants. The waste liquid collection then removes the now-contaminated fluid, preparing the surface for effective cleaning while maintaining fluid effectiveness for subsequent areas.
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 collects loose particulates and applies cleaning fluid autonomously, maintaining cleaning effectiveness without fluid contamination, and is designed for home use with a compact and affordable design.
Implementation Method 1
a jet port configured to blow a jet of air across a cleaning width of the robot
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum configured to generate a negative air pressure within the robot for suctioning loose particulates and waste liquid from the cleaning surface
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.