Glass-wiping robot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass-wiping robots face issues with accidental falling due to the safety buckle disconnecting from the window frame, either due to machine sway or user negligence, leading to potential damage or safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A glass-wiping robot equipped with a safety buckle featuring a suction cup that secures the power cord and safety buckle to the glass, providing dual protection through the suction force and a secondary mechanism for maintaining contact with the frame, even if the suction fails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the safety buckle is stuck between the glass and the frame to prevent falling, then the robot's safety is improved, but the safety buckle may disconnect due to machine sway or user negligence, causing the robot to fall and potentially damage the window

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidfalling damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a suction cup on the safety buckle that can adhere to the glass surface. This creates a preparatory protective mechanism that cushions against the harmful effect of falling before it occurs. The suction cup is activated in advance to hold the safety buckle in position, and if the robot falls, the suction cup's adhesion force provides a cushioning effect that prevents the safety buckle from disconnecting and causing window damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the power cord is connected to the robot main body and winds onto the safety buckle, then the robot is easier to carry, but the safety buckle may escape from the glass and frame when the robot sways or falls, leading to accidental falling

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the safety buckle and suction cup into a single integrated component. The suction cup is directly provided on the safety buckle, combining the safety function (buckle) with the adhesion function (suction cup). This merging ensures that when the power cord winds onto the safety buckle for portable carrying, the suction cup simultaneously provides adhesive force to keep the safety buckle firmly attached to the glass, preventing escape during swaying or falling movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the suction cup is added to the safety buckle to provide additional holding force, then the safety against falling is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and threading holes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety buckle is designed with multi-functionality by integrating a suction cup directly on it. This single component simultaneously performs multiple functions: (1) mechanical fastening through the buckle mechanism, (2) adhesive attachment to the glass surface through the suction cup, and (3) power cord winding storage. The threading holes are strategically positioned to serve both the suction cup installation and power cord routing, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity despite the enhanced safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 suction cup effectively prevents accidental falls and ensures the safety buckle remains attached to the window, reducing the risk of damage and enhancing safety by neutralizing forces that could open the window, thus providing reliable protection and ease of carrying.

Implementation Method 1

the safety buckle is provided with a suction cup through which the safety buckle sucks on the glass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3482665B1Glass-wiping robot
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 ECOVACS ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP3482665B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3482665B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3482665B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A glass-wiping robot comprising a robot main body (1), a power cord (4) connected to the robot main body (1) and a safety buckle (3) wound by the power cord (4), characterized in that a suction cup (2) is provided on said safety buckle (3) for sucking the safety buckle (3) onto a glass.