Cleaning roller for cleaning robots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning rollers for autonomous cleaning robots are inefficient in debris pickup due to material usage and structural design, leading to vibrations and noise, and require complex assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning roller design featuring a sheath and core with an air gap and radial support members, allowing for efficient debris ingestion and reduced material usage, along with a locking mechanism for assembly without fasteners or adhesives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional solid construction is used for cleaning rollers, then structural strength is maintained, but material usage increases leading to vibrations and noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidvibrations and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The roller uses a thin-walled shell structure with radius of curvature at least 0.5 times the roller radius, replacing solid construction while maintaining structural integrity through geometric design rather than material volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The roller is divided into a shell portion and a core portion with an air gap between them, creating a segmented structure that reduces material usage while maintaining strength through the interlocking engagement features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If traditional cleaning roller design is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but debris ingestion efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddebris ingestion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The thin-walled shell with specific radius of curvature allows the roller to conform to floor surfaces and debris, improving contact and ingestion efficiency while maintaining structural integrity through the curved geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The air gap between the shell and core allows the shell to deform and flex dynamically during operation, enabling better adaptation to debris and floor conditions for improved ingestion efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If complex fastening systems are used for assembly, then connection reliability is ensured, but assembly process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The roller features self-aligning and self-locking engagement features between the shell and core portions, allowing the components to automatically assemble and secure themselves without external fasteners or adhesives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The air gap structure serves as an intermediary space that accommodates the engagement features, enabling reliable connection between the shell and core while simplifying the assembly process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11241082B2Cleaning roller for cleaning robots

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 IROBOT CORP

AI summary

A cleaning roller is mountable to a cleaning robot. The cleaning roller includes a sheath comprising a shell, an outer diameter of the shell tapering from a first end portion of the sheath and a second end portion of the sheath toward a center of the roller. The cleaning roller further includes a core including a central portion interlocked with the sheath to rotationally couple the core to the sheath and inhibit relative translation of the sheath and the core along an axis of rotation. An inner surface of the sheath and an outer surface of the core define an air gap therebetween, the air gap extending from the central portion of the core longitudinally along the axis of rotation toward the first end portion or the second end portion.