Compact Cleaning Apparatus for Optical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems for optical devices in robotic imaging systems require frequent manual intervention due to staining, leading to reduced operational efficiency and increased system size due to the need for multiple devices along the conveyor.
Innovation Solution
A compact cleaning apparatus with a cleaning cloth mechanism that includes an ascend/descend member, projection unit, and optional cleaning liquid ejection, integrated with a robot to automatically clean optical devices at predetermined intervals, reducing the need for separate spraying, humidifying, and wiping devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple devices (spraying device, humidifying device, wiping device) are arranged along the conveying direction of the conveyor to clean optical components, then the cleaning function is improved, but the space occupied by these devices is increased and the entire system becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spraying device, humidifying device, and wiping device into a single integrated cleaning device. The cleaning device includes a housing that contains both the spraying unit and the wiping unit, allowing both functions to be performed within a compact structure rather than requiring separate devices arranged along the conveyor direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiping unit is nested within the housing of the cleaning device, and the cleaning cloth is wound around a winding roller that is positioned inside the housing. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to be contained within a compact structure, reducing the overall space occupied by the cleaning system.
2Reliability
If manual cleaning of optical devices is performed at regular intervals, then optical device cleanliness is maintained, but the operating rate of the system is lowered due to frequent stops
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is designed to automatically clean the optical device without requiring manual intervention or system stops. The robot system controls the cleaning device to perform cleaning operations automatically at predetermined intervals or when contamination is detected, allowing the system to maintain optical device cleanliness while continuing to operate without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a control unit that monitors the cleaning needs of the optical device and automatically activates the cleaning device when necessary. The control unit can detect when the optical device requires cleaning based on predetermined criteria or contamination levels, and then automatically initiates the cleaning process without requiring manual intervention or stopping the robot operation.
3Area of stationary object
If a compact cleaning apparatus is designed with integrated cleaning functions, then system size is reduced, but the complexity of the cleaning cloth mechanism is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is divided into distinct functional units: a housing, a spraying unit, a wiping unit, and a cleaning cloth supply mechanism. The cleaning cloth is divided into sections with different functionalities (dry cleaning section, wet cleaning section). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning cloth is designed to be dynamically supplied and replaced through the winding roller mechanism. The ascend/descend member dynamically adjusts the position of the cleaning cloth as it is used, automatically feeding new sections of the cleaning cloth as the previous sections become contaminated. This dynamic mechanism reduces the need for complex manual intervention while maintaining compact dimensions.
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 solution maintains optical device cleanliness, enhances system operational efficiency by reducing manual intervention, and minimizes system size by eliminating the need for extensive device arrangements, allowing for continuous imaging and increased robot uptime.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning liquid ejection unit that ejects a cleaning liquid onto the cleaning cloth in the cleaning cloth setting mechanism unit
Implementation Method 2
the projection unit engages the cleaning cloth, and cleaning is performed using the cleaning cloth engaged by the projection unit
Implementation Method 3
an ascend/descend member that ascends and descends between the accommodation unit and the drawing-out unit together with the cleaning cloth drawn out by the drawing-out unit
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning apparatus includes: an accommodation unit that accommodates a cleaning cloth; a drawing-out unit that draws out the cleaning cloth; a cleaning clot setting mechanism unit including an ascend/descend member that ascends and descend together with the cleaning cloth drawn out by the drawing-out unit; and a projection unit that upwardly projects as far as a position between an ascended position and a descended position of the ascend/descend member. When the ascend/descend member is located at the ascended position, the cleaning cloth can be drawn out, and when the ascend/descend member is located at the descended position, the projection unit engages the cleaning cloth, and a robot causes an optical device to be pressed against the cleaning cloth engaged by the projection unit, thereby cleaning the optical device.