Mobile robot for cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic floor cleaners face limitations in cleaning reach and effectiveness due to their circular design, which restricts the size and configuration of the cleaning mechanism, and inefficient navigation strategies that lead to incomplete coverage and uneven cleaning of areas.
Innovation Solution
A robotic cleaner design where the cleaning apparatus forms a major part of the mobile robot platform, extending to the front and sides to reach walls and corners, with a flexible suspension system and advanced navigation using sensors and algorithms for systematic cleaning patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cleaning mechanism is contained entirely within the footprint of the mobile robot platform, then the robot maintains a compact circular design for easy navigation, but the cleaning reach and effectiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into two independent parts: a mobile robot platform for navigation and a separate cleaning assembly that can extend beyond the platform footprint. This segmentation allows the platform to remain compact for easy navigation while the cleaning assembly provides extended cleaning reach to walls and corners.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning assembly is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the platform, extending outward from the platform body. This dimensional extension allows the cleaning mechanism to reach areas beyond the platform's circular footprint without increasing the platform's navigation footprint.
2Productivity
If the cleaning mechanism extends beyond the robot platform, then cleaning reach is improved, but the robot requires a more complex suspension system to maintain contact with the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning assembly is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to move between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic configuration enables the system to extend the cleaning reach when needed while maintaining a compact profile during navigation, reducing the need for complex continuous suspension systems.
3Device complexity
If the robot follows random navigation patterns, then obstacle avoidance is simplified, but cleaning coverage becomes uneven and incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system incorporates feedback mechanisms that track the robot's position and cleaning coverage in real-time. This feedback enables the system to adjust navigation patterns dynamically, ensuring systematic coverage of all areas while maintaining relatively simple obstacle avoidance controls.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic cleaner includes a cleaning assembly for cleaning a surface and a main robot body. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and a width of the cleaning assembly is greater than a width of the main robot body. A robotic cleaning system includes a main robot body and a plurality of cleaning assemblies for cleaning a surface. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and each of the cleaning assemblies is detachable from the main robot body and each of the cleaning assemblies has a unique cleaning function.