Lawn Mower Robot Blade Cleaning Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lawn mower robots require lifting or tilting to clean blades, which is cumbersome and inefficient, and lack a method to utilize rainwater for cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A lawn mower robot with a cleaning module that includes a water tank for collecting and storing external water, a nozzle for spraying water on the blades, and a blower fan for drying, allowing for blade cleaning without lifting the robot and utilizing rainwater for cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If blades are disposed on the lower side of the body, then cutting performance is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting performanceVSAvoidcleaning difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional cleaning approach by spraying water from below the blades upward, rather than attempting to access blades from above. The nozzle is positioned to spray water against the rotation direction of the blades, allowing water to reach the blade surfaces effectively without requiring the mower to be tilted or lifted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces water as an intermediary cleaning medium that can reach the blades through spray injection. The cleaning module uses a nozzle to inject water as a mediator that contacts the blades during rotation, eliminating the need for direct mechanical access to the blade surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If rainwater collection is implemented, then water resource utilization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater resource utilizationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water tank serves multiple functions: it stores rainwater collected during non-operational periods, provides water for blade cleaning during operation, and can be drained when full. This multi-functionality allows the system to utilize rainwater resources without requiring separate systems for collection and storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically collects rainwater through the water collecting part integrated with the water tank, stores it, and uses it for cleaning operations without external intervention. The controller automatically manages water level monitoring and drainage when the tank is full, making the system self-sufficient in water resource management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables easy cleaning of blades without lifting the robot and utilizes rainwater for cleaning, reducing battery consumption and improving cleaning efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a nozzle for spraying the water stored in the water tank on the blades

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Implementation Method 2

a blower fan for generating an air flow toward the blades and in the opposite direction to the rotation axis of the blades

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11647690B2Lawn mower robot and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A lawn mower robot includes a water tank configured to store water, a nozzle, and a cleaning module that is configured to clean the cutting blades of the robot by spraying water stored in the water tank on the blades through the nozzle.