Cyclonic Cleaning Bin for Autonomous Robot Debris Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning bins for autonomous cleaning robots are inefficient in debris separation, leading to increased power consumption and frequent filter cleaning or replacement, as they do not effectively separate debris from airflow before it reaches the filter, and occupy more space due to larger profiles.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning bin with multiple stages of debris separation, including a debris compartment, particulate compartment, and cyclone formation within a debris separation cone, which separates debris from airflow, reducing the amount of debris reaching the filter and allowing for a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional single-stage cleaning bin design is used, then device complexity is low, but debris separation efficiency is poor leading to increased power consumption and frequent filter maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning bin is divided into multiple functional compartments: a debris compartment for large debris, a particulate compartment for fine particles, and a filter compartment. This segmentation allows different types of debris to be separated at different stages, improving separation efficiency while organizing complexity into manageable functional units.
Solution Approach 2:
The design performs preliminary debris separation in the debris compartment and particulate compartment before air reaches the filter. By removing debris and particulate matter in advance, the filter is protected from premature clogging, reducing maintenance frequency and extending service intervals.
2Quantity of substance
If larger cleaning bin profile is used, then debris capacity is increased, but robot occupies more space reducing ability to operate in smaller spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The design nests multiple functional compartments within each other: the debris compartment contains the particulate compartment, which in turn surrounds the filter assembly. This nested configuration maximizes debris capacity within a compact overall volume, allowing the robot to maintain adequate storage while fitting through narrower openings and operating in smaller spaces.
3Use of energy by moving object
If debris separation is not effective, then cleaning bin structure is simple, but power consumption increases due to debris reaching the filter
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary separation of debris and particulate matter before air enters the filter. This preliminary action prevents debris from reaching the filter, maintaining high airflow efficiency and reducing the power required by the vacuum motor to maintain cleaning performance throughout the operational cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows clean air to skip through the debris compartment and particulate compartment via strategically positioned air channels that bypass debris-filled zones. This rushing through mechanism ensures that only clean air reaches the filter, minimizing pressure drop and power consumption while maintaining effective debris capture.
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 solution reduces power consumption by minimizing debris reaching the filter, extends filter maintenance intervals, and enables the cleaning bin to be more compact, allowing the autonomous cleaning robot to operate in smaller spaces with improved efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The inner conduit tapers from the upper opening to the lower opening such that the airflow forms a cyclone within the inner conduit
Implementation Method 2
the airflow forms a cyclone within the inner conduit such that a portion of the debris is separated from the airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning bin mountable to an autonomous cleaning robot operable to receive debris from a floor surface includes a debris compartment to receive a first portion of debris separated from the airflow and a particulate compartment to receive a second portion of debris separated from the airflow. The cleaning bin also includes a debris separation cone having an inner conduit defining an upper opening and lower opening. The upper opening receives the airflow from the air channel. The inner conduit tapers from the upper opening to the lower opening such that the airflow forms a cyclone within the inner conduit.