Front Housing Collision Sensor With Dust-Blocking Rocker Arm Reset

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reliability of sensing devices in automatic cleaning apparatuses is reduced due to dust accumulation, which affects the sensitivity of sensors and makes it difficult to reset the rocker arm after collisions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a dust blocking member with an elastic part, including a series of elastic rings, into the sensing device to prevent dust entry and facilitate rocker arm reset, ensuring the sensing device remains functional and sensitive during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the rocker arm is rotatably arranged inside the sensing device, then the sensing device can detect obstacles effectively, but dust easily enters the sensing device and reduces reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing device reliabilityVSAvoiddust entry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A dust blocking member is introduced as an intermediary component between the external environment and the sensing device interior. This member selectively blocks dust particles while allowing the rocker arm to pass through and maintain its sensing function, thus resolving the contradiction between obstacle detection capability and dust protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dust blocking member is designed as a flexible component that can deform to accommodate the rocker arm's rotational movement while maintaining its dust-blocking function. This flexible structure allows the sensing mechanism to operate freely while preventing dust contamination inside the sensing device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If the rocker arm extends through the sensing device, then the sensing function is maintained, but the rocker arm becomes difficult to reset after collision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverocker arm resetVSAvoidsensing device functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dust blocking member is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to deform and move during collision events to facilitate rocker arm reset, then return to its blocking position. This dynamic behavior enables both easy reset operation and maintained sensing functionality without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The dust blocking member is divided into multiple elastic rings that can independently deform and move. This segmentation allows the structure to flex during collision for easy reset while maintaining overall dust blocking capability, resolving the contradiction between operability and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a dust blocking member is added to prevent dust entry, then sensing device reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing device reliabilityVSAvoidsensing device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust blocking member utilizes a flexible membrane structure composed of elastic rings, which provides effective dust protection with minimal added complexity. The flexible film approach requires fewer components and simpler assembly compared to rigid blocking structures, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The dust blocking member changes its physical parameters (shape, position) dynamically in response to collision forces, allowing it to serve multiple functions with a single component. This parameter variability enables the structure to maintain simplicity while achieving reliable dust protection and facilitating rocker arm reset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 dust blocking member effectively prevents dust from entering the sensing device, enhancing the operational reliability of the automatic cleaning apparatus by maintaining sensor sensitivity and facilitating the reset of the rocker arm after collisions.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic part coupled to the rocker arm and capable of biasing the rocker arm toward an initial position of the rocker arm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a dust blocking member... The dust blocking member can prevent dust from entering the sensing device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4115784B1Automatic cleaning apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 BEIJING SHUNZAO TECH CO LTD
  • EP4115784B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4115784B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4115784B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An automatic cleaning apparatus includes: a chassis; a front housing arranged at a front end of the chassis; and a sensing device capable sensing movement of the front housing and sending a signal to a control mainboard of the automatic cleaning apparatus when the front housing touches an obstacle and moves relative to the chassis. The sensing device includes a dust blocking member and a rocker arm that triggers the sensing device to send the signal. The rocker arm has a first end rotatably arranged inside the sensing device, and a second end passing through the dust blocking member and extending out of the sensing device. A front housing reset device is arranged on the chassis and capable of biasing the front housing toward an initial position of the front housing.