Autonomous Floor Cleaning Robot With Dual Vacuum Squeegees
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual and industrial wet floor cleaning methods are labor-intensive, inefficient, and require large, complex robots that are costly and often require operator attendance, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage from sensor failures or navigation issues.
Innovation Solution
A mobile surface cleaning robot with a drive system, cleaning module, and controller that includes a vacuum squeegee, driven roller brush, and liquid applicator, allowing autonomous operation, efficient fluid distribution, and waste collection, with an active anti-spill device to prevent fluid loss during operation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual wet cleaning methods are used, then cleaning can be performed on household surfaces, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is designed to be self-contained with automatic fluid distribution through capillary action, autonomous navigation capabilities, and self-monitoring sensors that eliminate the need for human operators during cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical scrubbing with a combination of fluid distribution via capillary wicking and vacuum-based waste collection, eliminating the need for human physical labor in the cleaning process
2Extent of automation
If industrial wet cleaning robots are used, then autonomous floor cleaning can be achieved, but the devices are large, costly, and complex requiring operator attendance
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into modular components including a separate cleaning head with wicking elements, a vacuum collection system, and a control unit, allowing for simplified individual components rather than a complex integrated industrial robot
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from heavy-duty industrial cleaning to lighter household cleaning tasks, enabling the use of smaller, less complex components while maintaining autonomous operation capabilities
3Extent of automation
If industrial wet cleaning robots are used, then autonomous cleaning can be performed, but significant damage can arise from sensor failure or unanticipated control variables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates multiple sensor types (optical, acoustic, tactile) that provide redundant detection capabilities before potential failures occur, and designs the system to gracefully handle unanticipated conditions without causing damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors its environment and operational status through various sensors, providing real-time feedback that allows the autonomous robot to adjust its behavior and avoid potential damage from sensor failures or unexpected conditions
4Duration of action of moving object
If cleaning fluid is repeatedly dipped and reused, then the cleaning process can continue, but the cleaning fluid becomes increasingly contaminated and effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the waste liquid from the cleaning area using a vacuum system that continuously removes contaminated fluid, preventing it from mixing with fresh cleaning fluid and maintaining cleaning effectiveness throughout the operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously discards contaminated cleaning fluid through the vacuum collection system and recovers clean fluid through capillary wicking from the cleaning head, maintaining a separation between clean and waste fluids throughout the cleaning process
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 enables efficient, autonomous, and safe wet floor cleaning, reducing labor and operational costs while minimizing the risk of damage, with improved fluid management and waste collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The scrubbing action serves to agitate the cleaning fluid for mixing with contaminants
Implementation Method 2
a first vacuum squeegee having a first duct, a driven roller brush rotatably supported rearward of the first vacuum squeegee
Implementation Method 3
capillary wicking to deliver cleaning fluid from a reservoir
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile surface cleaning robot (100) including a robot body (110) having a forward drive direction (F), a drive system (120) supporting the robot body above a floor surface (10), and a robot controller (150) in communication with the drive system. The robot also includes a collection volume (202b) and a cleaning module (180) supported by the robot body. The cleaning module includes a first vacuum squeegee (206a) having a first duct (208a), a driven roller brush (310) rotatably supported rearward of the first vacuum squeegee, a second vacuum squeegee (206b) disposed rearward of the roller brush and having a second duct (208b), and a third duct (208c) in fluid communication with the first and second ducts. The third duct is connectable to the collection volume at a fluid-tight interface formed by selectively engaging the cartridge with the robot body.