Docking Apparatus with Nested Sterilization Unit for Spin-Mop Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile robots that move using a spin mop without wheels face challenges in climbing docking apparatuses with thick bases and lack effective sterilization methods for their floor cloths during charging.
Innovation Solution
A docking apparatus with a thin base equipped with a germicidal lamp and reflecting plates that emit germicidal light over a wide area, allowing the mobile robot to easily climb and ensuring uniform sterilization of the spin mop without light leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base of the docking apparatus is made thick to accommodate traditional sterilization components, then sterilization function is improved, but the mobile robot cannot easily climb the docking apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The germicidal lamp and reflecting plates are nested within the base structure of the docking apparatus. The sterilization unit is integrated into the base, with the lamp and reflecting plates arranged in a compact configuration that fits within the base thickness, allowing the base to be thin while still accommodating all necessary sterilization components.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting plates are arranged at specific angles (45 degrees) to redirect germicidal light from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal radiation pattern. This dimensional change in light direction allows the sterilization unit to be compact in the vertical dimension while achieving wide-area coverage horizontally, enabling a thin base design.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple germicidal lamps are installed to sterilize the entire spin mop, then sterilization coverage is improved, but the base thickness increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting plates transform the vertical light arrangement into a horizontal radiation pattern by positioning them at 45-degree angles. This allows a single germicidal lamp to cover a wide horizontal area (entire spin mop) without requiring multiple lamps or increasing base thickness, as the light is distributed laterally through reflection rather than requiring additional vertical stacking of lamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting plates act as intermediaries that redirect and distribute the germicidal light from the single lamp across the entire spin mop area. Instead of using multiple lamps to achieve wide coverage, the reflecting plates mediate the light distribution, expanding the effective coverage area while maintaining a compact base structure.
3Ease of operation
If a thin base is used to allow easy climbing, then climbing ease is improved, but accommodating sterilization components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The germicidal lamp and reflecting plates are nested within the base structure in a space-efficient arrangement. The compact integration of these components within the thin base demonstrates how complex sterilization functionality can be accommodated in a minimal thickness through careful spatial nesting of parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting plates are positioned at 45-degree angles to redirect light horizontally, allowing the sterilization components to be arranged in a compact vertical profile while achieving extensive horizontal coverage. This dimensional transformation enables complex functionality to fit within a thin base structure.
4Area of stationary object
If germicidal light is emitted over a wide area, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but light leakage to the outside occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting plates are positioned and angled specifically to direct germicidal light onto the spin mop area while blocking lateral emission. This localized control of light direction ensures wide coverage of the target area (spin mop) while preventing light leakage to surrounding areas, achieving both wide radiation and containment.
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 mobile robots to efficiently climb the docking apparatus and achieve thorough sterilization of their floor cloths using a reduced number of germicidal lamps, ensuring effective disinfection and preventing light leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a sterilization unit disposed inside the plate, and configured to emit germicidal light to a floor cloth disposed at a lower portion of the mobile robot
Implementation Method 2
light of the germicidal lamp may be provided to a region, which extends from the center of the spin mop to an outer circumference, by using reflecting plates
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a docking apparatus for a mobile robot including a sterilization unit, which emits germicidal light to a floor cloth to sterilize the floor cloth, and which includes: a germicidal lamp which vertically overlaps with the floor cloth of the mobile robot, and emits the germicidal light to a front end thereof; a diffusing part for diffusing the germicidal light to a rear end of the germicidal lamp; and a converging part for converging the germicidal light to a rear end of the diffusing part.