Method for controlling an autonomous cleaning system provided with a docking station provided with scraping members
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous cleaning systems require user intervention for mop cleaning, leading to reduced cleaning performance if not regularly maintained, and existing docking stations provide suboptimal mop cleaning quality compared to washing machines.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous cleaning system with a docking station that includes upwardly projecting scraping members, allowing the mop to be cleaned by moving the mop support in a horizontal plane to contact these members, ensuring optimal mop cleaning without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the user manually removes and cleans the mop in a washing machine, then the mop cleaning quality is high, but the user must perform numerous manipulations and handle the autonomous cleaning robot
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the autonomous cleaning robot to automatically dock with the docking station, lower the mobile unit with the mop to contact the scraping members, move the mop support in the horizontal plane to scrape the mop, and then raise the mobile unit. This entire sequence occurs without user intervention, making the system serve itself by automatically cleaning its own mop components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from vertical immersion cleaning (dipping the mop vertically into a cleaning tank) to horizontal planar scraping (moving the mop support horizontally across scraping members). This dimensional change from vertical to horizontal movement enables more effective scraping action while maintaining automatic operation
2Extent of automation
If the docking station uses a cleaning tank with vertical mop immersion, then automatic mop cleaning is achieved, but the cleaning quality is much lower than washing machine cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces vertical immersion cleaning with horizontal planar scraping. The mop support moves in a horizontal plane, causing the mop to scrape against scraping members that extend upwardly. This horizontal movement across a planar surface provides superior cleaning contact and friction compared to vertical dipping, achieving washing-machine-quality cleaning while maintaining automation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of immersing the mop vertically into a liquid cleaning tank, the system inverts the approach by having the mop horizontally scrape against solid scraping members. This inversion from liquid immersion to solid contact scraping dramatically improves cleaning effectiveness while preserving automatic operation
3Productivity
If the autonomous cleaning robot operates without regular mop cleaning, then user time is saved, but the cleaning performance is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically maintains itself by docking with the station and performing self-cleaning of the mop through horizontal scraping action. This eliminates the need for user intervention while ensuring the mop remains clean and effective, thereby maintaining high cleaning performance without sacrificing user time
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous operation by automatically cleaning the mop between cleaning tasks. The robot can dock, clean its mop, and resume cleaning operations without user intervention, ensuring the mop is always in optimal condition for effective cleaning while allowing users to continuously utilize their time for other activities
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 system achieves enhanced cleaning performance of the mop by scraping it effectively during the cleaning operation, improving the overall cleaning efficiency of the autonomous cleaning system.
Implementation Method 1
moving the at least one mop support in the plane of movement, scraping the at least one mop, and for example a lower face of the at least one mop, by the scraping members
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The method comprises providing an autonomous cleaning system comprising an autonomous cleaning robot (2) and a docking station (3), the autonomous cleaning robot (2) comprising a mobile unit (15) having a mop holder (17) and a mop (18) mounted on the mop holder (17); docking the autonomous cleaning robot (2) in the docking station (3); moving the mobile unit (15) to a lowered position until the mop (18) contacts scraping members (27) provided on the docking station (3); moving the mop holder (17) in a horizontal movement plane; scraping the mop (18) by the scraping members (27); moving the mobile unit (15) to a raised position.