Closed Wiper Layout for 360° Window-Cleaning Robot Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window-cleaning robots face issues with skid resistance and water ingress, limiting their effectiveness in cleaning windows due to the elongated shape of their wipers, which only allow effective water removal in one direction and can cause the drive wheel and suction cup to slip or get wet when the robot moves in other directions.
Innovation Solution
A window-cleaning robot equipped with a closed wiper that is designed to be entirely closed, with a rotating base and an outer frame, where the wiper is taller than the travel unit to ensure isolation and skid resistance, and can be divided into multiple closed shapes to enclose the travel unit and suction cup, preventing water from entering and maintaining effective wiping in all directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an elongated silicone strip wiper is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the robot cannot effectively wipe water in all directions and the drive wheel may slip
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper is divided into multiple independent wiping elements (first wiping element and second wiping element) that are arranged at different orientations. Each element can independently contact the window surface, enabling the robot to wipe water effectively regardless of its traveling direction, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and multi-directional wiping capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If an elongated silicone strip wiper is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the suction cup may get wet and the robot may slip
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper structure transitions from a two-dimensional elongated strip to a three-dimensional configuration with multiple wiping elements extending in different directions from the robot body. This dimensional change creates a protective barrier that prevents water from reaching the drive wheel and suction cup, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Reliability
If the wiper height is increased to prevent water ingress, then skid resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single tall wiper structure, the invention segments the wiper into multiple smaller wiping elements of moderate height, each positioned to protect specific components. This segmentation maintains the necessary height for water prevention while keeping the overall structure simple and manageable, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
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 closed wiper design ensures 360° wiping capability, prevents the drive wheel and suction cup from getting wet, and enhances skid resistance, resulting in more effective cleaning and reduced slipping, even when the robot travels in various directions.
Implementation Method 1
the suction cup communicates with a vacuum pump through a hose, and the vacuum pump operates to establish a negative pressure within the suction cup so that the window-cleaning robot is adsorbed onto a work surface
Implementation Method 2
the closed wiper is pressed tightly and isolates the inner side thereof from the outer side. Thus, regardless of how the robot travels, the closed wiper can carry out 360° wiping, and the water from any direction can be kept outside by the wiper and cannot enter into the inner side of the wiper
Implementation Method 3
The robot can walks normally only on the premise of skid resistance... effectively preventing the drive wheel and the suction cup from getting wet, resulting in more effective wiping and effectively preventing the robot from slipping
Data Source
AI summary
A window-cleaning robot provided with a closed wiper (13), comprising a rotating base (10) and an outer frame (20); said rotating base (10) being rotatably disposed on the outer frame (20); the bottom of said outer frame (20) being provided with a cleaning unit (21); said rotating base (10) being provided with a travel unit (11) and a suction cup (12); the bottom surface of the rotating base (10) also being provided with a wiper (13); said wiper (13) being disposed on the bottom surface such that the wiper (13) surrounds the rotating base (10) in a closed shape; the travel unit (11) and/or the suction cup (12) being enclosed within said closed shape. The wiper (13) is entirely closed such that regardless of where the robot travels, 360° wiping can be accomplished, effectively preventing the travel unit (11) and the suction cup (12) from becoming wet, resulting in more effective wiping and effectively preventing slippage.