Robot Floor Cleaner Tilt Warning to Prevent Tank Spills
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous floor cleaners, particularly wet robotic cleaners, are prone to improper use by consumers, leading to potential liquid spills due to incorrect orientation or handling, which can result in accidents and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous floor cleaner equipped with a warning system that includes sensors and an audible alert mechanism to notify users when the device is tilted beyond a predetermined angle or lifted, preventing spills and ensuring proper operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wet robotic cleaners hold liquid in on-board tanks for wet cleaning operation, then cleaning functionality is improved, but liquid can spill inside the cleaner if the user is not careful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a warning system that alerts users before liquid spill can occur. The system proactively detects improper orientation conditions and issues warnings to prevent the harmful event, rather than reacting after the spill has already happened.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a closed-loop system where sensors continuously monitor the cleaner's orientation, the controller processes this information, and the warning system provides real-time feedback to the user when improper conditions are detected, enabling corrective action.
2Ease of operation
If the cleaner is tilted beyond a predetermined angle, then the cleaner may be repositioned or adjusted, but liquid can spill out of the supply tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a warning system that counteracts the potential harmful effect before it occurs. When the sensor detects that the cleaner is tilted beyond the predetermined angle, the system issues a warning to prevent liquid spill, thereby opposing the potential harmful outcome in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to the user when the cleaner is tilted beyond the safe angle, allowing the user to adjust the position before liquid spill occurs, thus maintaining both repositioning capability and preventing liquid loss.
3Ease of operation
If the cleaner is lifted off the surface, then the cleaner can be moved to a different location, but the cleaner may be oriented incorrectly leading to spills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect when the cleaner is lifted off the surface and providing real-time warnings to the user. This feedback mechanism ensures that users are aware of the cleaner's state during handling, enabling them to maintain proper orientation and prevent spills while moving the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring through onboard sensors that automatically detect improper orientation conditions during handling and movement, eliminating the need for user vigilance and providing autonomous protection against spills.
4Reliability
If a warning system is added to detect orientation and prevent spills, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical spill prevention mechanisms with electronic sensing and warning systems. Instead of using elaborate mechanical structures to physically prevent spills, the system uses sensors to detect orientation conditions and provides electronic warnings, achieving spill prevention with simpler, more reliable electronic components.
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 warning system effectively discourages improper use and prevents spills by alerting users to correct the orientation or operational condition, enhancing safety and efficiency during cleaning operations.
Implementation Method 1
the presence of moisture inside the housing
Implementation Method 2
the controller can receive inputs from at least one sensor, and at least one audible warning can be issued based on input from the at least one sensor. In certain embodiments, the at least one sensor is an IMU, a gyroscope
Data Source
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AI summary
An autonomous floor cleaner can include a housing, a drive system for autonomously moving the housing over the surface to be cleaned, a controller for controlling the operation of the autonomous floor cleaner, and warning system for issuing an audible warning based on an operational condition of the robot. Methods for issuing an audible warning are disclosed.