Modular Self-Moving Platform With Swappable Functional Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-moving devices, such as automatic mowers and vacuum cleaners, face challenges due to high costs of functional modules, complexity in managing multiple models, and the need for users to purchase new machines for each new feature, as well as difficulties in adapting to varying working environments.
Innovation Solution
A self-moving device with a modular design that includes a housing with primary and secondary cavities, a moving module, a primary working module, and a control module, allowing for the selective mounting of different functional modules via interfaces, and ensuring isolation between cavities to prevent water and dirt ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manufacturers configure various functional modules to improve device performance, then the device can provide better services and complete tasks more reliably, but the device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a base unit and separate functional modules. The housing contains a primary cavity for the control module and a secondary cavity for optional functional modules. This segmentation allows users to purchase only the base unit or add specific functional modules as needed, reducing overall device cost while maintaining reliability when modules are required.
Solution Approach 2:
The base device is designed with universal interfaces and mounting structures that can accommodate multiple types of functional modules. The secondary cavity and interface design enable the same base unit to work with different functional modules (e.g., sensing modules, communication modules), allowing one device platform to serve multiple functions and reduce the need for separate specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers produce machines of different models to meet different user demands, then user needs are satisfied, but device complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single base model with standardized interfaces and a secondary cavity can accommodate multiple functional modules, replacing the need for multiple specialized models. Users can configure their desired functionality by selecting different functional modules, while manufacturers manage only one base model design, significantly reducing model management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. Functional modules can be added or removed based on user needs, allowing the same physical device to adapt to different requirements without requiring separate models for each configuration scenario.
3Reliability
If manufacturers design sealed cavities to prevent water vapor and dirt ingress, then device reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into separate sealed cavities (primary and secondary) with defined interfaces. Each cavity can be sealed independently, and the interface between cavities includes waterproof design. This segmented approach allows for simpler manufacturing of each section while maintaining overall reliability through localized sealing at critical interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a self-moving device, including: a housing, in which a primary cavity is formed; a moving module, mounted on the housing, and configured to actuate the self-moving device to move; a primary working module, mounted on the housing, and configured to perform a work task; a control module, including a main control board, and configured to control the moving module to actuate the self-moving device to move, and control the primary working module to perform the work task, where: the main control board is disposed in the primary cavity, where at least one secondary cavity is further formed in the housing; the secondary cavity is configured to mount at least one functional module different from the moving module and the primary working module; and the self-moving device includes at least one first interface corresponding to the secondary cavity and capable of connecting to a second interface of the functional module, and the first interface is connected to the second interface, so that the functional module is mounted to the secondary cavity.