Cleaning Robot Water Pipeline Layout for Larger Tank Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning machines with water discharge pipelines inside the tank occupy space, reducing water tank capacity, leading to frequent water additions and inefficient mopping due to limited pipeline length, which affects cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The water discharge pipeline is independently disposed outside the water tank, allowing for a larger tank capacity and a more compact robot design, with the pipeline located below the dust box to enhance cleaning efficiency and reduce damage risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the water discharge pipeline is disposed inside the water tank, then the structure is compact, but the water tank capacity is reduced and operation time is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The water discharge pipeline is relocated from the internal space of the water tank to the external space below the dust box, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This allows the pipeline to be positioned outside the water tank's volume constraints while maintaining a compact overall structure through vertical arrangement below the robot body.
Solution Approach 2:
The water discharge pipeline is extracted from the water tank interior and positioned independently below the dust box. This separation allows the water tank capacity to be maximized without the pipeline occupying internal space, while the pipeline remains functionally connected through the robot body's structural space.
2Area of stationary object
If the water discharge pipeline is made longer to reach the mopping component, then the mopping area can be larger, but liquid residue remains in the tank and water cannot be fully exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The water discharge pipeline is positioned at the lowest point below the dust box, creating a gravity-driven flow path where water naturally drains to the outlet. This equipotential arrangement ensures complete water exhaustion without requiring excessive pipeline length, as the gravitational potential difference drives the flow efficiently from the water tank through the pipeline to the mopping component.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipeline configuration allows water to flow and exhaust itself through gravity without requiring additional pumping or complex control mechanisms. The natural drainage path from the water tank through the optimized pipeline length ensures complete water delivery to the mopping component and full exhaustion back to the tank.
3Volume of stationary object
If the water discharge pipeline is disposed outside the water tank, then the water tank capacity is increased, but the pipeline is more exposed to damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The water discharge pipeline is nested within the robot body's structural space, specifically positioned below the dust box and integrated into the overall chassis architecture. This nesting approach allows the pipeline to be externally disposed relative to the water tank (increasing capacity) while still being protected within the robot's body structure (enhancing durability).
Solution Approach 2:
The pipeline routing is merged with the robot body's structural framework, utilizing the space between the dust box and the bottom wall. This integration combines the pipeline placement with the overall structural design, providing both capacity optimization and mechanical protection through the unified structure.
4Productivity
If the water discharge pipeline is positioned to allow complete water flow, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the pipeline length is constrained by the robot body space
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline is positioned asymmetrically below the dust box rather than centrally or symmetrically arranged. This asymmetric placement optimizes the flow path length and gradient, allowing water to flow efficiently through the pipeline to the mopping component while utilizing the available space beneath the dust box structure. The asymmetric arrangement enables better water exhaustion and mopping coverage within the constrained body space.
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
This configuration prolongs operation time, increases water tank capacity, enhances cleaning efficiency by allowing a larger mopping area, and reduces the risk of damage to the water discharge pipeline, thereby extending the machine's service life.
Implementation Method 1
the water in the tank flows out by its own gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning robot, includes a body provided with a dust box, a water tank, a cleaning unit disposed at a bottom of the body, a water outlet mechanism outputting liquid in the water tank through the water discharge pipeline and a water discharge pipeline independently disposed outside the water tank and at least partially located directly below the dust box, so that the capacity of the water tank is increased, without requiring adding water frequently, thereby prolonging the time of operation, the layout of various parts in the body is more compact and feasible, a longer water discharge pipeline enables the corresponding cleaning unit to be made larger, by which a working area of the robot is expanded and the working efficiency is enhanced, the probability for damage is reduced, and the service life of the machine is prolonged.