Corner Cleaning Module with Protruding Suction Mouth for Robot Vacuums
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning robots are ineffective in reaching and cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as corners and edges due to their design limitations, which restrict the suction nozzle's ability to penetrate these spaces.
Innovation Solution
A corner cleaning module with a suction mouth that protrudes beyond the outer contour of the robot unit, allowing it to extend into corners and edges, coupled with a blower unit for generating suction airflow, and a mechanical interface for detachable connection to the robot unit, enabling efficient cleaning of hard-to-reach areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the suction mouth is positioned within the outer contour of the robot unit, then the robot unit has a compact structure and is easy to navigate, but it cannot reach corner and edge areas effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into a robot unit and a separate corner cleaning module that can be detached. The suction mouth is positioned on the corner cleaning module, which extends beyond the robot unit's outer contour when attached, enabling corner access without permanently increasing the robot's size
Solution Approach 2:
The corner cleaning module is designed to be detachably connected to the robot unit via a mechanical interface. This dynamic configuration allows the suction mouth to extend beyond the outer contour during corner cleaning operations, while maintaining a compact structure during normal navigation
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate corner cleaning module is added to extend the suction mouth beyond the outer contour, then corner cleaning capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The corner cleaning module is designed to be detachably connected to the robot unit via a mechanical interface, allowing it to serve multiple purposes: extending cleaning reach to corners and edges while maintaining compatibility with the existing robot unit's navigation and control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The corner cleaning module integrates several functions into a single component: it houses the suction mouth, provides structural extension beyond the outer contour, and includes a mechanical interface for detachable connection, thereby reducing the need for additional separate components
3Reliability
If the suction mouth protrudes beyond the outer contour of the robot unit, then hard-to-reach areas can be cleaned, but the robot unit may collide with obstacles more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The corner cleaning module is detachably connected to the robot unit, allowing it to be attached only when corner cleaning is required. This dynamic configuration enables the suction mouth to extend beyond the outer contour for effective corner cleaning while allowing the robot to operate with a compact profile during navigation to minimize collisions
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 corners and edges by positioning the suction mouth outside the robot's outer contour, allowing it to reach areas the robot itself cannot access, enhancing the robot's cleaning capabilities without the need for additional components like separate chassis or controllers.
Implementation Method 1
a blower unit (16) configured to generate a suction airflow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
A corner cleaning module (3) is described which has a suction mouth (6) for sucking off a suction area and a blower unit which is designed to generate a suction air flow, the flow path for the suction air flow extending to the suction mouth (6). The corner cleaning module (3) has a mechanical interface with which a detachable mechanical connection can be formed between the corner cleaning module (3) and a robot unit (2). The suction mouth (6) is arranged on the corner cleaning module (3) in such a way that when the corner cleaning module (3) is coupled to the robot unit (2), the suction mouth (6) protrudes beyond an outer contour of the robot unit (2) to such an extent that the suction mouth ( 6) a suction area outside the outer contour of the robot unit (2) can be sucked off. The suction area of the suction mouth (6) is outside the outer contour (8) of the robot unit (2). When the corner cleaning module (3) is coupled to the robot unit (2), the corner cleaning module (3) protrudes laterally beyond the outer contour (8) of the robot unit (2) as seen in the forward travel direction (7) of the robot unit (2) and the suction mouth (6) is seen in the forward travel direction (7) of the robot unit (2) to the side of the robot unit (2).