Autonomous planar surface cleaning robot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous planar surface cleaning robots are not cost-effective, lightweight, or easy to use for household purposes, and lack a feedback control mechanism to safely navigate and avoid dangerous conditions while cleaning vertical surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, cost-effective autonomous planar surface cleaning robot with a main body, vacuum source, and a feedback control mechanism that uses negative air pressure for attachment and navigation, equipped with a handle and a cleaning component that can pivotally connect to the robot, allowing it to move autonomously and respond to changes in vacuum pressure to avoid edges or frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If autonomous cleaning robots are designed for household use, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for autonomous navigation and safety features
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot is designed to autonomously navigate and clean surfaces without human intervention. The autonomous navigation system independently plans paths, avoids obstacles, and returns to charging docks, while the cleaning system automatically activates based on detected surfaces, eliminating the need for manual control and reducing operational complexity for users
Solution Approach 2:
The robot incorporates multiple sensors including vacuum degree sensors, cliff sensors, and surface detection sensors that continuously monitor the environment and robot state. This feedback is processed by control systems that adjust navigation paths, cleaning parameters, and safety responses in real-time, enabling autonomous operation while maintaining simplicity through intelligent decision-making algorithms
2Reliability
If feedback control mechanism is added for safety, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot employs cliff sensors and edge detection mechanisms that proactively identify dangerous situations before the robot can fall or damage itself. The vacuum degree sensor continuously monitors suction levels and predicts potential detachment issues before they occur, allowing the system to take preventive actions such as adjusting speed or alerting users, thereby enhancing safety without requiring complex emergency response systems
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensors provide continuous feedback on robot status and environment, with control systems processing this data to make real-time safety decisions. The vacuum degree feedback triggers autonomous returns to charging docks when thresholds are exceeded, and cliff sensor feedback immediately halts movement near edges, creating a layered safety approach that manages complexity through distributed sensing and control
3Ease of operation
If robot size is reduced for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but cleaning effectiveness may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The robot features adjustable cleaning parameters including variable suction power, adaptable cleaning speeds, and flexible path planning that can be dynamically modified based on surface type, dirt level, and robot energy status. This allows a compact robot to maintain cleaning effectiveness by optimizing performance parameters in real-time rather than relying on fixed high-power components that would increase size
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous navigation system enables continuous cleaning operation by automatically returning to charging docks for power replenishment and resuming cleaning tasks without human intervention. This ensures that the compact robot can complete thorough cleaning cycles over extended periods, maintaining overall productivity despite smaller size and lower instantaneous power capacity
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 efficient and safe autonomous cleaning of vertical surfaces, such as windows, with improved user convenience and safety features, ensuring effective cleaning while preventing accidents due to vacuum pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
autonomous cleaning robots that suction to vertical planar surfaces such as a window pane using negative air pressure, e.g., vacuum
Data Source
AI summary
A planar surface cleaning system including a main body, at least one vacuum source, and a cleaning component is disclosed. The main body includes a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion defines an outer portion defining a surface area about a perimeter thereof and an inner portion defining a cavity formed within the outer portion. The at least one vacuum source is supported by the main body and is in fluid communication with the cavity. The cleaning component covers the surface area defined on the outer portion and is removably connected to the outer portion. The planar surface cleaning system further includes a handle portion. The handle portion may be connected to the main body via a U portion.