Docking Station Pad Washing System for Autonomous Mopping Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous cleaning robots that perform both vacuuming and mopping operations require frequent replacement or cleaning of mopping pads, increasing user interaction and labor during cleaning missions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile cleaning robot and docking station system that autonomously cleans or refreshes the mopping pad using a rotating agitator and cleaning fluid, with features for debris evacuation and pad drying, reducing user intervention and enhancing robot autonomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pad type mopping system is used in a two-in-one robot, then the robot can perform both vacuuming and mopping operations, but the cleaning pad requires frequent replacement or cleaning during cleaning missions
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station automatically cleans the mopping pad by rotating it in a reservoir with cleaning fluid and an agitator, and then dries it using a blower, enabling the robot to service itself without user intervention during cleaning missions
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station performs pad cleaning and drying in advance before the robot returns to cleaning operations, so the pad is ready for use without interrupting the cleaning mission
2Reliability
If the user replaces or cleans the mopping pad during missions, then the pad can be maintained, but user interaction increases and creates more labor
Solution Approach 1:
The system transfers pad maintenance from user operation to automated operation at the docking station, which cleans and dries the pad using an agitator, reservoir, and blower, eliminating the need for user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station acts as an intermediary between the robot and the user, handling all pad maintenance tasks automatically so the user does not need to directly interact with the robot during missions
3Extent of automation
If the docking station cleans the pad using an agitator and cleaning fluid, then the pad can be refreshed autonomously, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station uses a multi-functional design where the reservoir and agitator system serves both to clean the pad and to dry it (by removing excess fluid), and the blower serves both debris evacuation and pad drying functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines pad cleaning and drying functions into a single integrated system at the docking station, merging the reservoir, agitator, and blower operations to reduce the need for separate mechanisms
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 reduces user interaction and increases robot autonomy by autonomously cleaning and drying the mopping pad, improving efficiency and reducing labor during cleaning operations.
Implementation Method 1
a blower connected to the debris bin and operable to generate an evacuation stream to draw debris out of the mobile cleaning robot, through the evacuation port, and into the debris bin
Implementation Method 2
The docking station can clean the pad using an agitator, such as a rotating cleaner in a reservoir
Implementation Method 3
a drying blower connected to the housing and operable to discharge a drying stream toward the cleaning pad when the arm lifts the pad tray and the cleaning pad
Data Source
AI summary
A docking station for a mobile cleaning robot can include a base, a housing, and a pad cleaning system. The base can be configured to receive the mobile cleaning robot. The housing can be connected to the base. The pad cleaning system can be connected to the housing and can include a reservoir configured to retain liquid therein. The pad cleaning system can also include an agitator located at least partially within the reservoir. The agitator can be engageable with a cleaning pad of the mobile cleaning robot.