Floor cleaning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning systems require manual operation for filling cleaning liquids and rinsing dirty liquid containers, which is not user-friendly, especially for self-propelling and self-steering cleaning robots.
Innovation Solution
A docking station with supply and liquid conduits that connect to the cleaning apparatus, allowing for automatic filling of the cleaning liquid reservoir and rinsing of the dirty liquid container, facilitated by valves and a control device that manages the filling and rinsing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used for filling cleaning liquids and rinsing dirty liquid containers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The floor cleaning apparatus is designed to automatically fill its own cleaning liquid reservoir and rinse its own dirty liquid container by docking with the station, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling the system to service itself
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station pre-prepares cleaning liquid in the reservoir and rinsing liquid in the dirty liquid container before the floor cleaning apparatus needs them, so that when docking occurs, the filling and rinsing processes can begin immediately without delay
2Ease of operation
If automatic filling and rinsing processes are implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: the mobile floor cleaning apparatus and the stationary docking station. The docking station handles the complex functions of liquid storage, pumping, and conduit management, while the floor cleaning apparatus focuses on cleaning operations, distributing the complexity across multiple components
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible conduits serve as intermediaries between the docking station and the floor cleaning apparatus, enabling automatic liquid transfer for filling and rinsing operations while maintaining system modularity and ease of connection
3Productivity
If self-propelling and self-steering cleaning robots are used, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to manual filling and rinsing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous cleaning robot automatically docks with the station to refill cleaning liquid and rinse its container, enabling it to service itself without human intervention and maintain continuous autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic docking and refilling system enables the floor cleaning apparatus to resume cleaning operations immediately after brief docking periods, maintaining continuous productive action without manual intervention delays
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a floor cleaning system, having a mobile floor cleaning apparatus that comprises at least one cleaning unit for cleaning a floor surface, a reservoir for receiving a cleaning liquid, a dirt receiving device for taking up dirty liquid from the floor surface, and a dirty liquid container into which the dirty liquid is transferable; and further having a docking station for the floor cleaning apparatus, which is docked thereto in a docked position; wherein the docking station has at least one supply conduit with a connection element arranged thereon, the floor cleaning apparatus having at least one liquid conduit with a connection element arranged thereon; wherein the floor cleaning apparatus comprises a rinsing device on or in the dirty liquid container; and wherein, when the floor cleaning apparatus is in the docked position, the connection elements are coupled to one another such that the reservoir is fillable with the cleaning liquid via the at least one liquid conduit and a rinsing liquid for rinsing the dirty liquid container is applicable to the rinsing device via the at least one liquid conduit.