Mobile Robot Mop Attachment Guider for Alignment and Floor Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile robots struggle with precise alignment and effective mopping due to lack of alignment marks, variable water levels, and insufficient driving power, leading to incomplete cleaning and potential damage from mop interference.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot equipped with an attachment guider featuring a guide rim and elastic pieces to guide the mop portion to its original position, ensuring full contact with the floor and enhanced friction for efficient cleaning, along with a circular body design for easy rotation and increased cleaning area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If alignment marks are not used when attaching the mop, then the attachment process is simple, but the mop may be attached at an incorrect position causing interference between mops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses alignment marks with different colors or visual indicators on the rotating member and mop to guide the user during attachment. The visual contrast helps the user quickly identify the correct alignment position without complex procedures, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and attachment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an alignment mark as an intermediary element between the rotating member and the mop. This intermediary provides a visual reference that mediates the attachment process, ensuring accurate positioning while keeping the process simple and user-friendly.
2Loss of time
If the mop is attached at a position out of the original position, then the attachment process is faster, but interference between mops occurs and the rotating member may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the attachment structure with preliminary anti-action features such as mechanical guides, snap-fit mechanisms, or interlocking elements that prevent the mop from being attached at incorrect positions. These features proactively block misalignment before it can cause interference or damage, while still allowing for quick attachment when aligned correctly.
3Device complexity
If the robot moves only by friction force of spin mops, then the structure is simple, but driving power is insufficient and straight driving is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple driving mechanisms (such as spin mops, oscillating mops, or additional drive wheels) to work together for movement. This merging of mechanisms increases driving power and improves straight-line stability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs components to serve multiple functions - for example, the mop assembly serves both cleaning and driving functions, while additional elements provide both structural support and propulsion. This multi-functionality increases power and stability without proportionally increasing complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the body has a circular shape for easy rotation, then rotation is easy, but the width of the agitator is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cleaning system into segmented components - the circular body for rotation and the agitator width optimized for cleaning effectiveness. The segmentation allows the circular body to rotate easily while the agitator can be positioned and sized independently to maximize cleaning width without being constrained by the body's circular geometry.
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 solution allows for accurate and efficient mopping, preventing mop interference and ensuring complete floor coverage, even at corners and near walls, while maintaining stability and reducing friction with obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
an attachment guider for guiding an attachment of a mop portion to a rotating plate... an attachment guider installed on the lower surface of the rotating plate to guide an attachment position of the mop portion
Implementation Method 2
a mobile robot being able to increase friction between a mop portion and a floor for effective mopping and driving of the mobile robot
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a mobile robot including a body, a rotating plate rotatably installed on the body and having a lower surface where a mop portion is attached, and an attachment guider installed on the lower surface of the rotating plate to guide an attachment position of the mop portion. The attachment guider includes a guide rim and a plurality of elastic pieces. The guide rim is disposed to surround a rotation axis of the rotating plate. The plurality of elastic pieces extend from the guide rim in a direction toward the rotation axis, have a free end protruding to a lower side or downward than the guide rim, and are spaced apart from each other along a circumference of the guide rim.