Docking station for an autonomous floor cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous floor cleaners adapted for wet cleaning require frequent human intervention for servicing, which is time-consuming and defeats the purpose of automation.
Innovation Solution
A docking station for autonomous floor cleaners equipped with a refilling system that heats cleaning fluid and recirculates unused fluid back to the robot, reducing the need for human intervention by maintaining optimal cleaning fluid temperature and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the autonomous floor cleaner is adapted for wet cleaning with onboard heating, then cleaning fluid temperature can be maintained, but the robot's weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the mobile robot and relocated to the stationary docking station. The docking station includes a heater that heats cleaning fluid in the discharge path before it is supplied to the robot's supply tank, eliminating the need for an onboard heater on the robot.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station acts as an intermediary system that provides heated cleaning fluid to the robot. The recirculation system with heater in the discharge path serves as a mediator between the storage tank and the robot, maintaining fluid temperature without requiring the robot to carry heating equipment.
2Temperature
If the autonomous floor cleaner is adapted for wet cleaning with onboard heating, then cleaning fluid temperature can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is extracted from the robot and placed in the docking station, reducing the robot's device complexity. The docking station's heater and recirculation system handle temperature maintenance, simplifying the robot's onboard equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation system automatically circulates cleaning fluid from the robot back to the docking station where it is reheated, creating a self-service temperature maintenance system that operates without user intervention.
3Quantity of substance
If the autonomous floor cleaner returns to docking station frequently for servicing, then cleaning fluid can be replenished, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station pre-heats cleaning fluid in the discharge path before it reaches the robot, so that the robot receives freshly heated fluid without needing to return frequently for reheating. The recirculation system maintains fluid temperature over extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation system enables continuous circulation and reheating of cleaning fluid, maintaining its temperature and effectiveness throughout the robot's operational cycles. This continuous action reduces the frequency of servicing interruptions.
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
Reduces the frequency of human intervention and maintains high cleaning efficacy by supplying heated cleaning fluid, conserving space and weight on the robot, and avoiding the need for onboard heaters.
Implementation Method 1
a heater to heat cleaning fluid supplied to the robot
Implementation Method 2
a pump to move cleaning fluid through the discharge path
Implementation Method 3
a recirculation chamber in the discharge path, the recirculation chamber having an outlet in fluid communication with a discharge path configured to convey cleaning fluid from the storage tank to the dispensing port, and a recirculation port configured to couple with a second port on the autonomous floor cleaner to circulate cleaning fluid from the supply tank on the autonomous floor cleaner to the recirculation chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous floor cleaning system includes an autonomous floor cleaner with a docking station. The docking station is configured to performing maintenance for the autonomous floor cleaner, such as refilling the autonomous floor cleaner, emptying the autonomous floor cleaner, washing mopping pads, and/or recharging the autonomous floor cleaner. The docking system can supply heated cleaning fluid to the autonomous floor cleaner. Methods for servicing or performing maintenance on an autonomous floor cleaner by a docking station are disclosed.