Cleaning Robot with Flexible Element for Obstacle Collision Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cleaning robots with large cleaning elements face maneuverability issues due to collisions with obstacles, limiting their ability to clean small corners and angles, and require complex control adaptations to accommodate the protruding elements.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning robot with a flexible cleaning element that can deform vertically upon collision and a pressing device to maintain contact with the floor, allowing a large cleaning element without needing control system adaptations, combined with a drive mechanism for efficient movement and pressure elements to reduce friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large cleaning element is used to increase cleaning efficiency and coverage area, then the cleaning path width and cleaning efficiency are improved, but the cleaning element extends beyond the robot's footprint and collides with obstacles such as furniture or walls
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element is made flexible so that it can deform vertically upon collision with obstacles. This flexibility allows the cleaning element to adapt to obstacles by bending upward rather than causing damage or getting stuck, resolving the contradiction between having a large cleaning area and avoiding harmful collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning element transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic, flexible structure that can change its shape in response to external forces. This dynamic behavior allows the cleaning element to maintain its large size for efficient cleaning while adapting to obstacles through vertical deformation.
2Productivity
If a large cleaning element projects beyond the housing outline to widen the cleaning path, then fewer robot movements are needed to cover a predetermined area, but the control system requires complex adaptations to accommodate the protruding element
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cleaning element serves itself by automatically deforming in response to obstacles through its inherent flexibility, without requiring complex control system interventions. The element's passive mechanical response eliminates the need for sophisticated sensors and control algorithms to manage the protruding portion.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cleaning element is made flexible to deform upon collision, then obstacles are protected from damage and the cleaning element can navigate around them, but maintaining contact pressure with the floor surface becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing device applies a counteracting force to compensate for the vertical deformation of the flexible cleaning element. By pressing the cleaning element against the floor surface, the pressing device ensures that contact pressure is maintained even as the element bends upward upon collision with obstacles.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the cleaning element is attached to the cleaning robot to maintain stability, then the cleaning element can be pressed against the floor surface, but maneuverability and the ability to clean small corners or angles are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cleaning element can be attached to the robot while maintaining the ability to deform. This flexibility allows the element to adapt to tight corners and angles by bending as needed, while still being securely attached to provide stable contact with the floor surface during normal operation.
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 effective cleaning of large areas with minimal movements, including small corners and angles, while preventing damage to obstacles and reducing energy consumption through flexible deformation and controlled pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a section of the cleaning element projecting beyond the outline of the housing and being flexible enough to deform vertically upon collision with an obstacle
Implementation Method 2
The pressing device is configured to press a section of the cleaning element located below the housing against the floor surface
Implementation Method 3
To further reduce frictional forces between the pressure device and the cleaning element, the pressure device comprises one or more pressure elements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A cleaning robot (100) has a housing (110); a flat cleaning element (125) designed to be moved along a floor surface (105); a portion (145) of the cleaning element (125) projecting from a periphery of the housing (110); the cleaning element (125) being flexible such that it can be vertically deformed when colliding with an obstacle (165); and a pressing device (150) for pressing a portion of the cleaning element (125) located under the housing (110) against the floor surface.