Mobile floor cleaning robot with pad holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional floor cleaning methods, such as using wet mops, can be cumbersome and exhausting, especially when cleaning large areas, as they require frequent dipping and bending, which can lead to injuries and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning pad with an absorbent core and a liner layer that absorbs and retains liquid and debris without expanding, allowing for effective cleaning by a compact mobile robot that applies maximum downward force without impeding movement, featuring a design that includes airlaid layers and a meltblown abrasive layer to prevent sticking and enhance fluid retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional wet mop is used for floor cleaning, then the cleaning function is achieved, but the operation becomes cumbersome and exhausting requiring frequent dipping and bending
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is designed to be self-sufficient with an integrated fluid reservoir that automatically supplies cleaning fluid to the pad during operation, eliminating the need for frequent manual dipping and refilling. The robot autonomously navigates and performs cleaning without continuous human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is divided into separate functional components: a fluid reservoir, a cleaning pad with absorbent core, and a robotic platform. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the pad being replaceable and the fluid reservoir being refilled independently.
2Quantity of substance
If a cleaning pad absorbs large amounts of liquid material, then the retention capacity is improved, but the pad expands and raises the front edge of the robot impeding movement
Solution Approach 1:
The pad incorporates a flexible wrap layer that encloses the absorbent core, preventing lateral expansion of the pad when the core absorbs fluid. This flexible containment allows the pad to retain large quantities of liquid while maintaining a consistent thickness profile that does not impede robot movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent core material is selected and engineered to absorb fluid primarily through its volume capacity while minimizing dimensional expansion. The material properties are optimized to achieve high fluid retention (up to 90% by volume) while maintaining structural stability and consistent thickness during the cleaning process.
3Weight of moving object
If the cleaning pad is made lightweight for compact robot design, then the robot weight is reduced, but the downward force application capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning pad utilizes composite material construction combining an absorbent core with a structural wrap layer and a rigid backing layer. This composite structure provides the necessary mechanical strength and rigidity to transmit downward force effectively from the lightweight robot body to the floor surface, while the overall pad weight remains minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad design concentrates structural reinforcement at the backing layer and contact surface areas where force transmission is critical, while keeping the absorbent core material lightweight. This localized quality distribution ensures adequate force application capability without increasing overall pad weight.
4Quantity of substance
If the cleaning pad uses traditional materials, then the absorbency is achieved, but the pad sticks to the floor surface impeding movement
Solution Approach 1:
The wrap layer serves as a flexible barrier that prevents the absorbent core materials from directly contacting the floor surface. This separation eliminates sticking between the pad and floor while allowing the core to absorb fluid through capillary action from the floor via the wrap layer interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrap layer acts as an intermediary between the absorbent core and the floor surface, enabling fluid transfer while preventing direct adhesion. This intermediate layer allows the pad to maintain mobility and be easily removed from the floor without sticking, while still achieving effective fluid absorption.
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 cleaning pad effectively absorbs and retains fluid and debris, allowing the robot to maintain maximum downward force and prevent injuries, ensuring efficient and thorough cleaning without the need for frequent dipping or bending, while maintaining mobility and cleaning efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent core containing fiber material which absorbs and retains liquid material
Implementation Method 2
a liner layer in contact with and covering at least one side of the absorbent core, containing fiber material which retains and wicks liquid material through the liner layer
Data Source
AI summary
A pad particularly adapted for surface cleaning. The pad includes an absorbent core having the ability to absorb and retain liquid material, and a liner layer in contact with and covering at least one side of the absorbent core. The liner layer has the ability to retain and wick liquid material through the liner layer. Cleaning apparatus containing such pads and methods of using such pads are also described.