Magnetic Window Cleaner Control for Stable Attachment and Mobility

Solution Overview

Problem

Windows, especially those on tall buildings, are difficult to clean due to their exterior surface being harder to access and posing safety risks during cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A window cleaning apparatus using magnetic forces to attach and move synchronized cleaning units on both surfaces of a window, with a magnetic force detection and control system to ensure stable attachment and easy mobility, allowing for efficient cleaning while ensuring safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnetic force is increased to ensure stable attachment of cleaning units on tall buildings, then attachment stability is improved, but mobility and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidmobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic force is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit modifies the magnetic force intensity based on operational needs, enabling the system to transition between strong attachment (for stability) and weak attachment (for mobility) states, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable attachment and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic force parameter is changed adaptively during operation. By adjusting the magnetic force intensity according to different operational phases (attachment, cleaning, detachment), the system achieves both stable attachment when needed and easy mobility when required, resolving the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If magnetic force is decreased to improve mobility and ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but attachment stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidattachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic force is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit modifies the magnetic force intensity based on operational needs, enabling the system to transition between strong attachment (for stability) and weak attachment (for mobility) states, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable attachment and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic force parameter is changed adaptively during operation. By adjusting the magnetic force intensity according to different operational phases (attachment, cleaning, detachment), the system achieves both stable attachment when needed and easy mobility when required, resolving the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If fixed magnetic force is used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying window thicknesses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to window thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A detection unit measures the actual magnetic force or operational conditions, and this information is fed back to the control unit, which adjusts the magnetic force accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to varying window thicknesses automatically without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms, thus improving adaptability while maintaining relative system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of magnetic force based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms. The cleaning apparatus automatically adapts to different window thicknesses through its own detection and control capabilities, improving versatility without significantly increasing device complexity

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

The apparatus enables safe and efficient cleaning of window exteriors by maintaining stable magnetic attachment and adjustable magnetic forces, accommodating varying window thicknesses and conditions, thus improving cleaning performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

first and second cleaning units which are respectively attached on both surfaces of a window using a magnetic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9215956B2Glass window cleaning device and a control method therefor

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 INTELLECTUAL DISCOVERY CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are a window cleaning apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The window cleaning apparatus including first and second cleaning units which are respectively attached on both surfaces of a window using a magnetic force to move together with each other includes a first magnetic module provided in the first cleaning unit, a second magnetic module provided in the second cleaning unit, a magnetic force detection part for detecting a magnetic force between the first and second magnetic modules, and a magnetic force control part for controlling the magnetic force between the first and second magnetic modules.