Docking station for an autonomous floor cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous floor cleaners that perform wet cleaning require frequent human intervention to clean and maintain their mopping implements, which is time-consuming and defeats the purpose of an autonomous cleaning system.
Innovation Solution
A docking station equipped with mechanisms to automatically remove, clean, and install mopping implements on autonomous floor cleaners, including features like platform movement for scrubbing, cleaning fluid heating, and supply tank refilling, reducing the need for human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous floor cleaners are equipped with mopping implements for wet cleaning, then cleaning functionality is improved, but frequency of human intervention increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station enables the mopping implement to service itself through automated cleaning cycles. The platform raises to scrub the cleaning pad, removes it for deep cleaning, and reinstalls it, allowing the system to maintain cleaning capability without human intervention between dockings.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station performs preliminary cleaning actions on the mopping implement before it becomes excessively dirty. By automatically scrubbing and removing the cleaning pad during docking events, the system prevents accumulation of dirt that would require manual intervention.
2Reliability
If mopping implements are cleaned manually by users, then cleaning maintenance is achieved, but time consumption and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical cleaning process is replaced with an automated mechanical system at the docking station. Motors drive the platform to raise and lower, scrubbers rotate to agitate cleaning pads, and mechanisms automatically remove and reinstall implements, eliminating the need for manual user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs its own maintenance automatically. When the floor cleaner docks, the docking station autonomously cleans the mopping implement through scrubbing and removal cycles without requiring user presence or action, making the system self-maintaining.
3Extent of automation
If docking station automates mopping implement maintenance, then autonomy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station serves multiple functions: it charges the floor cleaner's battery, cleans the collection bin, and maintains mopping implements. By consolidating these functions in one station, the overall system complexity is managed rather than distributing complex mechanisms across multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The mopping implement maintenance function is segmented into distinct operational phases: docking detection, platform raising, scrubbing agitation, pad removal, deep cleaning, and reinstallation. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be independently optimized and controlled, managing complexity through modular functional decomposition.
Data Source
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AI summary
A docking station (14) for an autonomous floor cleaner (12) performs maintenance on the autonomous floor cleaner (12), including removing a mopping implement (16) from the autonomous floor cleaner (12) and/or installing a mopping implement (14) on the autonomous floor cleaner (12). The docking station (14) can further perform other maintenance services on the autonomous floor cleaner (12). An autonomous floor cleaning system (10) including an autonomous floor cleaner (12) and a docking station (14) is also disclosed. Methods for servicing or performing maintenance on an autonomous floor cleaner (12) by a docking station (14) are also disclosed.