Evacuation dock with fluid management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous cleaning robots can ingest water while collecting debris, leading to electrical issues when water is evacuated into the docking station's fan or vacuum system, potentially causing fluid to be sprayed and contact sensitive electronics.

Innovation Solution

A side-by-side docking station design with a fan system positioned adjacent to the debris bin, along with bosses of extended height to receive fasteners epoxied to them, helps to contain and direct fluid away from electronics, utilizing a weep hole for controlled drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the fan system is positioned centrally above the debris bin, then the docking station height is reduced, but water can easily reach and damage the fan system and electronics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocking station heightVSAvoidwater exposure to fan system

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The docking station is divided into separate functional zones: a fan compartment housing the fan system away from the center, and a debris bin area. This segmentation isolates the water-sensitive fan system from the water-prone debris evacuation path while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A water management system including bosses with extended height, fasteners epoxied to them, and weep holes acts as an intermediary barrier. This intermediary structure contains and directs water away from the fan system, allowing the fan to be positioned in a location that balances height reduction with water protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the fan system is positioned away from the debris bin, then water exposure risk is reduced, but the docking station height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater exposure to fan systemVSAvoiddocking station height

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fan system is positioned in a lateral dimension adjacent to the debris bin rather than directly above or below it. This dimensional rearrangement allows water to be contained in the vertical space above the debris bin while the fan operates in a separate lateral zone, achieving both water protection and height reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The canister and its components including bosses with extended height create flexible containment structures that can be shaped to direct water flow. These structures form protective barriers that adapt to the spatial arrangement, containing water in specific zones while leaving other zones accessible to the fan system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If fasteners are simply attached to standard-height bosses, then assembly is simple, but fluid can escape the canister and reach electronics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener installation simplicityVSAvoidfluid escape to electronics

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bosses are designed with extended height as a preliminary protective feature before assembly. This extended height creates a built-in barrier that prevents fluid escape, and the fasteners are epoxied to these pre-formed bosses during assembly, maintaining simplicity while adding protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system combines mechanical fasteners with epoxy adhesive material. This composite approach provides both the simplicity of mechanical assembly and the sealing capability of chemical bonding, preventing fluid escape while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This configuration reduces the risk of electrical issues by minimizing water exposure to sensitive components, while also lowering the docking station's height and enhancing fluid management during debris evacuation.

Implementation Method 1

a fan or vacuum system pulls the fluid and debris from the mobile robot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

direct fluid to a weep hole or drain port of the canister for controlled discharge or drainage of the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid direction through gravity and structure: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12274412B2Evacuation dock with fluid management

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 IROBOT CORP

AI summary

A docking station for a mobile cleaning robot can include a canister and a base configured to receive the mobile cleaning robot thereon, where the base can include a front portion and a back portion opposite the front portion. The base can include a vacuum port extending at least partially through the base. The canister can be connected to the back portion of the base and can be located at least partially above the base. The canister can include a debris bin connected to the vacuum port to receive debris therefrom and a fan compartment connected to a side wall of the debris bin and including a fan system operable to draw debris through the vacuum port and the debris bin.