Duster cloth for cleaning robot and cleaning robot using same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning robots face issues with negative pressure leakage due to the air permeability of conventional duster cloths, which affects their ability to firmly adsorb onto surfaces like glass, leading to inadequate adhesion.

Innovation Solution

A duster cloth with an elastic sealing layer, made of foamed EPDM material, integral skin sponge, or common sponge with a sealing film, is integrated between the wiping cloth and the detachable connection part, enhancing air-tightness and elasticity to improve the robot's adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a common sponge is used as the duster cloth, then the compression property is good, but the air permeability is too good causing negative pressure leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression propertyVSAvoidair-tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The duster cloth is constructed as a composite structure combining a common sponge layer (providing compression and elasticity) with an elastic sealing layer made of foamed EPDM material or integral skin sponge (providing air-tightness). This composite design allows the cloth to simultaneously achieve good compression properties and effective sealing to prevent negative pressure leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the duster cloth are assigned different functional properties: the common sponge portion provides compression and deformation capability, while the elastic sealing layer portion specifically addresses air-tightness requirements. This local differentiation of material properties allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the duster cloth has good air-tightness, then negative pressure leakage is reduced, but the elasticity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair-tightnessVSAvoidelasticity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic sealing layer is specifically designed using foamed EPDM material or integral skin sponge, which are elastomeric materials that inherently possess both air-tightness and elasticity. This allows the sealing function to be achieved without sacrificing the elastic deformation capability needed for the robot to adapt to surface irregularities and maintain contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The choice of elastomeric materials for the sealing layer allows adjustment of physical parameters such as durometer hardness, foam density, and layer thickness to optimize the balance between sealing effectiveness and elastic compliance. These parameter adjustments enable the sealing layer to maintain air-tightness while retaining sufficient elasticity for surface adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improved air-tightness and elasticity of the duster cloth significantly enhance the robot's ability to maintain a strong vacuum, ensuring better adhesion to surfaces, thereby improving the overall cleaning performance.

Implementation Method 1

The duster cloth has good elasticity, and the air-tightness of the negative pressure chamber of the cleaning robot is greatly improved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an elastic sealing layer located between the wiping cloth and the detachable connection part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 3

the vacuumizing unit comprises a fan motor and fan blades; and the negative pressure space is formed to be surrounded by a base of the robot, a surface to be cleaned and a duster cloth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 4

The negative pressure chamber 400 is vacuumized via a fan 4 so as to adsorb the machine onto the surface of the glass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3195775B1Duster cloth for cleaning robot and cleaning robot using same
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 ECOVACS ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP3195775B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3195775B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3195775B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a duster cloth for a cleaning robot and a cleaning robot using the duster cloth. The duster cloth comprises a detachable connection part (21) close to a base of the robot, a wiping cloth (22) close to a surface to be cleaned, and an elastic sealing layer located between the detachable connection part (21) and the wiping cloth (22). The elastic sealing layer is attached to both the detachable connection part (21) and the wiping cloth (22). The elastic sealing layer is made from a foamed EPDM material (23), an integral skin sponge (33) or a common sponge (43), wherein a sealing film (24) is arranged on at least one side of the common sponge (43). The detachable connection part (21) may be a Velcro. With the structure of the elastic sealing layer between the detachable connection part and the wiping cloth, the duster cloth has good elasticity, and the air-tightness of the negative pressure chamber of the cleaning robot is greatly improved.