Cleaning Robot Platform with Angled Corners for Narrow-Space Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning robots, particularly those with circular and quadrangular shapes, struggle to effectively clean narrow spaces such as corners and wall edges due to design limitations, including low internal space utilization and instability when navigating obstacles, leading to limited cleaning territory and potential sticking issues.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning robot with a non-circular platform having angles of less than 90°, featuring a main cleaning module positioned at the largest horizontal length, sub cleaning modules on corners, and driving wheels offset to create a rotational central point different from the central point, equipped with sensors and a control system to prevent sticking, allowing deeper penetration into narrow areas and improved stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a circular platform is used for the cleaning robot, then the robot can move smoothly, but it cannot clean corners or wall edged territories

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capability in narrow spacesVSAvoidplatform shape
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the platform shape from circular to non-circular (quadrangular or triangular) with specific angle requirements (at least one angle ≤ 90°). This asymmetric shape allows the robot to access and clean corners and wall edges that are inaccessible to circular robots, directly resolving the contradiction between smooth movement and cleaning capability in narrow spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Device complexity

If the center point of the platform and the rotary center point coincide, then the structure is simplified, but the robot requires additional contact points for stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform structureVSAvoiddriving stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent offsets the rotary center point from the platform center point, creating a dimensional separation between these two reference points. This offset configuration allows the robot to achieve stable polygonal contact with the ground surface without requiring additional auxiliary contact points, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring driving stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If driving wheels are positioned parallel to forward direction, then the design is simple, but internal space utilization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel arrangementVSAvoidinternal space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the driving wheels at asymmetric angles relative to the forward direction, rather than parallel alignment. This asymmetric wheel arrangement optimizes internal space utilization within the non-circular platform, allowing for better component layout and increased functional space without significantly complicating the overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Adaptability or versatility

If obstacle climbing features are added to driving wheels, then climbing capability improves, but slipping occurs on contact surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstacle climbing capabilityVSAvoidclimbing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the contact surface parameters of the driving wheels, specifically adjusting the contact area size and distribution. By optimizing these parameters, the robot achieves reliable obstacle climbing without excessive slipping, balancing climbing capability with climbing reliability through parameter optimization rather than adding complex climbing features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2979603B1Cleaning robot having expanded cleaning territory
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 YUJIN ROBOT
  • EP2979603B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2979603B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2979603B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed is a cleaning robot having an expanded cleaning territory. The cleaning robot of the present invention comprises: a platform in which at least one corner of the exterior thereof has an angle of less than 90°; a first driving wheel of which the central axis is attached to the bottom portion of the platform at a predetermined first angle (θ) and a predetermined second angle (-θ) with respect to the forward direction of the platform; and a second driving wheel of which the central axis is attached to the bottom portion of the platform at the predetermined second angle (-θ) with respect to the forward direction of the platform.