Vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaning system and methods of use in a raised floor environment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vacuum cleaners require the removal of a large number of raised access flooring panels to clean underneath, which is labor-intensive and disrupts work environments, and struggle to locate and remove objects like dead animals effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner designed for raised floor environments with a body that fits between panels, equipped with a powerful suction module, independent drive systems, infrared sensors, and a remote control module, allowing for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation and efficient cleaning without panel removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional vacuum cleaners are used to clean under raised access flooring, then cleaning can be performed, but a large number of panels must be removed which increases labor requirements and disrupts work environments
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner is divided into multiple independent modules including a drive module with wheels, a vacuum module with suction head, a control module, and a communication module. This segmentation allows the system to navigate under raised flooring panels independently without requiring panel removal, as each module can adapt to the confined space and obstacles separately
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum cleaner is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities through onboard sensors, processors, and communication modules that enable it to locate itself, plan cleaning paths, and operate independently under the raised flooring. The system can autonomously detect obstacles, avoid them, and return to charging docks without human intervention, eliminating the need for manual panel removal and setup
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional vacuum cleaners are used in raised floor environments, then cleaning is possible, but it is difficult to locate and remove large objects like dead animals
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensor modules including infrared sensors, cameras, and other detection devices as intermediaries to locate objects under the raised flooring. These sensors detect thermal signatures, visual characteristics, or other properties of objects like dead animals, transmitting information to the control module which then navigates the vacuum cleaner to the detected location for removal
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum cleaner integrates multiple detection functions into a single system, combining object detection, navigation, cleaning, and communication capabilities. The sensor module can detect various types of objects (debris, pests, dead animals) using different sensing methods, making the system universally applicable to diverse cleaning scenarios under raised flooring without requiring separate detection equipment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cleaning is performed under raised access flooring in work environments, then sanitation is improved, but cleaning can only be performed on weekends and at nights causing disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vacuum cleaner can operate independently during work hours without requiring human presence or manual intervention. The system autonomously navigates, cleans, avoids obstacles, and returns to charging docks automatically, enabling cleaning operations during normal business hours without disrupting work activities. Multiple vacuum cleaners can operate simultaneously in different areas, further increasing cleaning frequency and sanitation quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous cleaning operations throughout the week including weekdays during work hours, rather than being limited to weekends and nights. The autonomous operation allows uninterrupted cleaning cycles, with vacuum cleaners continuously cleaning different areas and returning to charge, maintaining constant sanitation improvement without temporal restrictions
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 thorough and efficient cleaning of raised access flooring systems with reduced labor, improved sanitation, and minimal disruption to work environments, while allowing for the effective removal of debris and objects.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared sensor supported by the body. The infrared sensor may be coupled to the processor and configured to detect objects proximate to the body of the vacuum cleaner
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum module supported by the body and configured to intake air and exhaust air
Data Source
AI summary
A method of cleaning a raised access flooring system includes providing a vacuum cleaner for raised floor environments. The vacuum cleaner includes a body sized to fit underneath the raised access floor system, a power source supported by the body, a vacuum module supported by the body, the vacuum module being configured to intake air and exhaust air, and a drive module supported by the body. The method further includes placing the vacuum cleaner into a space formed between an original floor and a plurality of raised panels of the raised access flooring system, and operating the vacuum cleaner to perform a cleaning operation.