Floor cleaning robot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous floor cleaning robots are bulky and have inefficient suction systems due to complex air circuits with many elbows, making them less compact and less effective in navigating under furniture and between obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A compact floor cleaning robot design featuring a cyclonic dust separation unit with a spiral duct, a fan motor with a parallel and offset rotation axis, and a stable four-wheel configuration that optimizes space and reduces air pressure losses, allowing for efficient suction and obstacle clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cyclonic separator axis is perpendicular to the wheel axis (prior art), then the robot structure is conventional, but the robot becomes bulky and loses compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the cyclonic separator axis from perpendicular to parallel with the wheel axis, effectively changing the spatial dimension of component arrangement. This dimensional shift allows the motor to be positioned offset from the spiral axis within the same longitudinal plane, creating a compact longitudinal layout that reduces robot width and improves overall compactness while maintaining functional separation of components
2Productivity
If the motor rotation axis coincides with the spiral axis, then the structure is simplified, but aerodynamic pressure losses increase and suction efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry by offsetting the motor rotation axis from the spiral axis while keeping them parallel. This asymmetric arrangement creates an optimized airflow path where air enters the cyclonic separator tangentially at an optimal angle, reducing turbulence and pressure losses. The offset positioning allows the motor to drive the impeller without being directly aligned with the spiral axis, improving aerodynamic efficiency and suction performance
3Stability of the object's composition
If the robot lacks stability, then the design is simpler, but the robot tilts excessively during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent strategically positions heavy components (motor-fan assembly and battery) to create a balanced weight distribution that acts as a counterweight system. The motor-fan is positioned between the drive wheels with its rotation axis between the wheel contact points, and the battery is placed in the longitudinal center plane, creating a stable center of gravity that prevents excessive tilting during operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall design
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 design results in a compact, stable, and efficient floor cleaning robot that can navigate easily under furniture and between obstacles with improved suction efficiency and reduced tilting, enhancing cleaning performance and usability.
Implementation Method 1
A cyclonic dust separation unit, comprising at least one spiral or helical duct around a spiral axis to create a spiral motion of the suction airflow
Implementation Method 2
a motor-fan arranged to create the suction airflow
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Floor cleaning robot, comprising: - a cyclonic dust separation unit (20), comprising at least one spiral- or helix-shaped pipe around a spiral axis, for creating a spiral movement of a suction air flow, - an electric fan (30) arranged for creating the suction air flow, - at least one drive wheel (10) arranged for pivoting around a wheel axis, for causing a movement of the floor cleaning robot, characterised in that the spiral axis is parallel to the wheel axis, in that the electric fan (30) has a rotating motor axis, and in that the rotating motor axis is parallel to the spiral axis and separate from the spiral axis.