Detachable Hand Vacuum Docking for Raised-Surface Robot Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot vacuum cleaners are limited in their ability to effectively vacuum raised surfaces such as stairs, shelves, and walls due to suboptimal aeraulic performance, requiring users to also carry a hand-held vacuum cleaner for these tasks.
Innovation Solution
A robot vacuum cleaner design that includes a mobile base with a navigation system and a detachable hand-held vacuum cleaner with a funnel-shaped housing and sealing means for improved suction performance, along with a single set of rechargeable batteries for simplified power supply and reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hand-held vacuum cleaner is attached to the mobile base for vacuuming raised surfaces, then the ability to clean inaccessible surfaces is improved, but the aeraulic performance deteriorates due to improper connection between the suction tube and mouthpiece
Solution Approach 1:
A mouthpiece is introduced as an intermediary component between the hand-held vacuum cleaner's suction tube and the mobile base. The mouthpiece features a conical outer surface that interfaces with a corresponding conical recess in the base, creating a sealed connection that ensures proper aeraulic performance while enabling the hand-held cleaner to effectively vacuum raised surfaces.
2Duration of action of moving object
If separate power supply batteries are provided for both the mobile base and hand-held vacuum cleaner, then the operational autonomy of each component is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply systems of the mobile base and hand-held vacuum cleaner are merged into a single integrated battery unit. This unified power source charges both components simultaneously when they are connected, reducing the total number of batteries needed while maintaining operational autonomy for both the base and the hand-held cleaner.
3Manufacturing precision
If a mouthpiece with brush roller is added to lift dust before suction, then the cleaning quality is improved, but the device complexity and potential clogging increase
Solution Approach 1:
A mouthpiece serving as an intermediary component is positioned between the suction tube and the mobile base. It features a conical outer surface that fits into a corresponding conical recess, ensuring proper alignment and sealed connection. The mouthpiece includes a brush roller that lifts dust particles before they enter the suction stream, improving cleaning quality for raised surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple structure.
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
Enhances suction quality and efficiency by ensuring direct connection between the suction tube and mouthpiece, reducing clogging, and simplifies maintenance by eliminating redundant battery sets, allowing for better access to inaccessible surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the first receiving means comprising a funnel-shaped housing which communicates with a suction mouth under the mobile base through a second nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A robotic vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a mobile base (5) and a handheld vacuum cleaner (6), first receiving means being arranged between the mobile base (5) and the handheld vacuum cleaner (6) to allow them to engage with each other in order to vacuum a surface (7) by means of the handheld vacuum cleaner (6) during the movement of the mobile base (5) over this surface (7), said handheld vacuum cleaner (6) being detachable from said mobile base (5) for individual use, characterized in that the handheld vacuum cleaner (6) comprises a body (23) and a suction tube (26) having at its end a first nozzle (27), the first receiving means comprising a funnel-shaped housing (31) which communicates with a suction inlet (19) under the mobile base (5) by means of a second nozzle (32), the first (27) and second (32) nozzles being configured to fit together the other during the engagement of the body (23) and the suction tube (26) in the housing (31),the shapes of the body (23) and the suction tube (26) being complementary to those of the housing (31),