Autonomous vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vacuum cleaners face challenges in effective distance sensing, brush chamber design, bumper functionality, and drive system efficiency, which affect their navigation and cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
The autonomous vacuum cleaner features improved distance sensing with staggered, above-brushroll-mounted sensors, a larger front-mounted brushroll, a dual-directional bumper assembly, and an efficient drive system with a forward pivot design, along with advanced sensor integration and navigation systems for enhanced obstacle avoidance and cleaning coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distance sensors are mounted on the front of the housing, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but the sensors are exposed to damage and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent sensor cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the distance sensors and the external environment. The cover protects the sensors from physical damage and environmental factors while allowing optical signals to pass through for obstacle detection, thus resolving the contradiction between sensor protection and detection capability.
2Productivity
If the brushroll is positioned at the front of the housing, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the brushroll interferes with sensor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors are repositioned from the front surface to the top surface of the housing, changing their spatial dimension relative to the brushroll. This vertical separation allows the brushroll to contact the floor for effective cleaning while the sensors mounted above do not interfere with either the brushroll operation or the optical detection path.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are installed for improved navigation, then navigation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance sensors are designed to perform multiple functions: obstacle detection, navigation, and brushroll interference avoidance. By making the sensors multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vacuum cleaner includes an autonomously moveable housing carrying a vacuum collection system for generating a working air flow for removing dirt from the surface to be cleaned and storing the dirt in a collection space. Distance sensors for position sensing are mounted to the housing, behind a sensor cover. The distance sensors can be staggered and/or positioned above a brush chamber for a brushroll.