Interchangeable Agitator Structure for Multi-Surface Robot Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face challenges in achieving uniform cleaning performance across different environments due to the inability to easily replace the agitator, leading to inconsistent cleaning results.
Innovation Solution
The agitator is designed with a rotating body featuring multiple coupling units with differently configured and materialized members, such as blades and brushes, which can be mounted alternately to adapt to various surfaces, minimizing resistance and adhesion while enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed agitator design is used in robot cleaners, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different cleaning environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The agitator is divided into a body and multiple independently replaceable members (brushes, blades, rollers) that can be coupled to different coupling units on the body. This segmentation allows users to select and attach specific members suitable for different cleaning environments without changing the entire agitator structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitator body is designed with multiple coupling units that can accommodate different types of cleaning members (brushes for carpets, blades for hard floors, rollers for delicate surfaces). This universal design enables a single agitator body to perform multiple cleaning functions by simply changing the attached members.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the agitator structure is made complex to accommodate different members, then the adaptability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the agitator into a standardized body and interchangeable members with matching coupling mechanisms, the system enables easy attachment and detachment. Users can quickly change members by simply coupling them to the body without complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling units are designed to allow dynamic reconfiguration of the agitator members. The coupling mechanism enables quick connection and disconnection of members, allowing users to adapt the agitator configuration based on cleaning needs without permanent fixed installations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different types of members are coupled to the same coupling unit, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling units are designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of members (brushes, blades, rollers) with different functions. This universal coupling design allows a single coupling unit to support various member types without requiring different coupling mechanisms for each member type.
Solution Approach 2:
Different members are designed with specific local characteristics (bristle density for brushes, blade angle for scrapers, roller surface texture) that are optimized for particular cleaning tasks, while maintaining a standardized coupling interface for easy interchangeability.
Data Source
AI summary
An agitator and a robot cleaner including an agitator. The agitator includes a body configured to be rotated, a plurality of couplers formed at the body and arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and a first member and a second member coupled to any one of the couplers and configured to contact a surface to be cleaned during rotation of the body. The first member and the second member extend different lengths from the body in a radial direction.