Devices for moving on vertical surfaces, tools for cleaning vertical surfaces and systems for cleaning vertical surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual cleaning of high-rise building surfaces, such as windows and walls, is inefficient due to risks of falling and imprecision, and lacks availability of human labor for consistent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A device and system for automatically cleaning vertical surfaces, featuring a frame with rotatable arms and vacuum suction cups, a vacuum pump, and a controller to manage arm rotations and vacuum operations, along with a cleaning tool equipped with propellers for horizontal and vertical movement, enabling precise and safe cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning is used by high rise cleaning professionals, then human labor can perform cleaning tasks, but there is falling risk and imprecision of human labor
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is designed to autonomously navigate and clean vertical surfaces without human intervention. The device self-propels using propellers, self-positions using vacuum suction cups, and self-controls cleaning operations through onboard sensors and controllers, eliminating the need for human operators to physically ascend to dangerous heights
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical human climbing and cleaning system with an automated robotic system. Human manual operations are substituted by automated propellers for propulsion, vacuum suction cups for positioning, and robotic cleaning mechanisms, thereby eliminating falling risks associated with manual high-rise cleaning
2Productivity
If manual cleaning is used by high rise cleaning professionals, then cleaning tasks can be performed, but there is unavailability of human labor for consistent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device operates autonomously without requiring human labor deployment. It self-navigates to cleaning locations, self-manages cleaning operations, and self-monitors performance through onboard sensors and controllers, ensuring consistent maintenance availability regardless of human labor constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from human-dependent manual cleaning to automated robotic cleaning. This parameter change enables continuous operation, improved precision through automated control systems, and consistent productivity without being limited by human availability or fatigue
3Measurement precision
If automated device with rotatable arms and vacuum suction cups is used, then precise and safe cleaning is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is divided into modular functional segments: propulsion module with propellers, positioning module with vacuum suction cups, cleaning module with cleaning tools, and control module with sensors and processors. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function precisely while simplifying the overall system design and maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single platform: propulsion, positioning, cleaning, and monitoring. The rotatable arms serve multiple purposes including positioning the cleaning tools and adapting to different surface geometries, thereby achieving precise cleaning without proportionally increasing 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 system allows for efficient, precise, and safe cleaning of vertical surfaces, reducing the risk of accidents and labor constraints by providing automated and controlled movement and cleaning capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the first vacuum suction cup and the second vacuum suction cup; a first valve to control generation of vacuum in and release of vacuum from the first vacuum suction cup; a second valve to control generation of vacuum in and release of vacuum from the second vacuum suction cup
Implementation Method 2
one or more propellers disposed on the body, wherein at least one of the one or more propellers to generate thrust at least in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal body axis to push the tool against the substantially vertical surface
Data Source
AI summary
Devices for moving on substantially vertical surfaces, tools for cleaning substantially vertical surfaces and systems for cleaning substantially vertical surfaces are disclosed.