Autonomous Floor Grinding Machine With Omnidirectional Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grinding machines require constant operator intervention, pose musculoskeletal risks, are bulky, and have transportation and storage challenges, with limited flexibility in setting operating paths.
Innovation Solution
A robotic, Collaborative Robot (Cobot) type grinding machine with omnidirectional wheels, rechargeable batteries, and an electronic control unit that allows autonomous movement and path setting via a portable device, enabling flexible and efficient surface finishing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single rotary abrasive brush with electric motor is used, then surface finishing function is provided, but operator exposure to electrocution risk and musculoskeletal disorders increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric motor driving the abrasive brush with a pneumatic system. Compressed air is supplied through a hose to a pneumatic motor that drives the brush, eliminating direct electrical components at the grinding point and thus removing the electrocution risk while maintaining the surface finishing function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pneumatic transmission system as an intermediary between the power source and the abrasive brush. The pneumatic motor acts as a mediator that converts compressed air energy into rotational motion, isolating the operator from direct electrical hazards while delivering mechanical work to the brush
2Ease of operation
If conventional grinding machines with fixed paths are used, then grinding function is provided, but operator flexibility in setting operating paths is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an articulated arm with multiple joints that can be dynamically repositioned by the operator to follow arbitrary floor contours. The mechanical flexibility of the articulated structure allows adaptive path following without complex pre-programming, enabling easy adjustment to different floor layouts and obstacles
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated arm physically copies the operator's manual guidance movements, translating hand-directed positioning into automated brush following. This mechanical copying approach simplifies control by allowing direct operator intervention rather than requiring complex digital path planning systems
3Ease of manufacture
If large dimensional grinding machines are used, then grinding function is provided, but transportation and storage difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grinding machine is segmented into modular components: the articulated arm with abrasive brush, the base unit with air motor, and the hose connection system. This segmentation allows the machine to be disassembled into compact parts for easy transportation and storage, while reassembling to perform the grinding function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible hoses to connect the base unit to the articulated arm, replacing rigid structural connections. This flexibility allows the machine to be compacted into a small storage configuration while maintaining functional connectivity during operation, significantly reducing storage volume requirements
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 machine automates surface finishing, reduces operator strain, is compact for easy transport, and allows flexible path setting, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of rechargeable electric batteries (8), adapted to supply the electrical energy required for operation of the components
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of omnidirectional wheels (2), operatively associated with respective electric stepper drive motors (3)
Implementation Method 3
at least one rotary abrasive brush (4), operatively associated with a respective electric drive motor (5)
Implementation Method 4
at least one rotary abrasive brush (4)... to determine the autonomous movement of the grinding machine (1) along a movement path (P)... so as to obtain the surface finish of the floor
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
Grinding machine (1) for floors comprising: - a plurality of omnidirectional wheels (2), operatively associated with respective electric motors (3); - at least one rotary abrasive brush (4), operatively associated with a respective electric motor (5) arranged inside the space delimited by said plurality of wheels (2); - an electronic control unit (6), operatively associated with said electric motors (3, 5); - a plurality of rechargeable electric batteries (8), adapted to supply the electrical energy required for operation of the components; - uno chassis (9) for housing the components, associated with a protective casing (10) thereof, wherein the electronic control unit (6) cooperates both with the electric motors (3) associated with the wheels (2), to determine the autonomous movement of the grinding machine (1) along a movement path (P), and with the electric motor (5) of the at least one rotary abrasive brush (4), to maintain the operating speed constant, and comprises means (17) for remote communication with a portable electronic device (7), operatively associable therewith, wherein said grinding machine (1) comprises software (18) executable by said electronic device (7), adapted to allow setting, managing and memorizing of movement paths (P) of the grinding machine (1), so as to obtain the surface finish of the floor under said grinding machine (1), along said movement path (P).