Base station for an automatic floor wiper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic floor cleaners can cause moisture damage to sensitive floor surfaces like laminate or parquet due to residual moisture on cleaning pads, and existing base stations do not effectively prevent this damage or enhance cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A base station with a ramp and a movable floor protection element that automatically extends to cover the floor when the cleaner is parked, preventing moisture exposure and enhancing drying, while allowing cleaning access when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the floor mop remains stationary on the floor after cleaning, then the cleaning element can dry naturally, but the residual moisture on the cleaning element damages the floor surface
Solution Approach 1:
A floor protection element is introduced as an intermediary component between the cleaning element and the floor surface. This protective plate prevents direct contact between moisture on the cleaning element and the floor, thereby preventing damage while allowing the cleaning element to remain stationary for drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station is segmented into functional zones including a ramp area and a stationary area. The cleaning element can be positioned on the ramp for drying with improved airflow, while the floor protection element covers the area beneath, creating separate functional zones that address both drying and protection needs.
2Reliability
If a fixed protective plate is used to prevent moisture damage, then the floor is protected from moisture, but the cleaning element cannot access the floor area for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The floor protection element is designed to be movable rather than fixed. It can extend to cover the floor area when the cleaning element is retracted or positioned on the ramp, and retract when the cleaning element needs to access the floor for cleaning. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt between protection mode and cleaning mode.
3Productivity
If the cleaning element accumulates liquid during wet cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the floor area beneath becomes persistently damp
Solution Approach 1:
The floor protection element acts as a mediator that prevents liquid accumulated during cleaning from dripping onto the floor. By positioning the protective plate between the cleaning element and the floor, the system allows effective wet cleaning to occur while preventing the harmful effect of persistent moisture on the floor surface.
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
Prevents moisture damage to floors and improves cleaning efficiency by ensuring the floor protection element is out of the way during cleaning and facilitates quick drying of the cleaning element.
Implementation Method 1
a movable floor protection element which can be extended from the base station in the area of the approach edge... In its first position, the floor protection element can form a kind of tray that prevents liquid dripping from the mop head onto the floor protection element from running onto the floor
Implementation Method 2
a ramp with an approach edge over which the floor wiper can drive from the floor onto the ramp
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A base station (110) for an automatic floor wiper (105) comprises a ramp (150) with a drive-on edge (155) over which the floor wiper (105) can drive from the floor (115) onto the ramp (150); and a movable floor protection element (170) that can be extended from the base station (110) in the area of the drive-on edge (155). The floor protection element (170) can be moved into a first position in which it covers a floor section (165) located in front of the drive-on edge (155), or into a second position in which it releases the floor section (165).