Nested Flexible Bladder Liquid Storage for Compact Cleaning Robots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional cleaning apparatuses with two water storage tanks occupy a large volume and have high construction costs due to their bulky design.

Innovation Solution

A liquid storage device with a first and second liquid storage structure, where the second liquid storage structure is flexible and has a variable volume, allowing the second liquid to flow into or out through a guiding assembly, enabling storage of both liquids in a single compartment by adjusting volume based on liquid levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If two separate water storage tanks are used to store clear water and waste liquid, then the cleaning apparatus can store both liquids, but the occupied volume and construction cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacity for clear water and waste liquidVSAvoidoccupied volume of the cleaning apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate water storage tanks into a single integrated storage structure. The first liquid storage structure stores waste liquid, while the second liquid storage structure (flexible bladder) stores clear water. This consolidation reduces the overall occupied volume and decreases construction cost while maintaining the ability to store both clear water and waste liquid separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second liquid storage structure (flexible bladder storing clear water) is nested inside the first liquid storage structure (container storing waste liquid). This nested arrangement allows both liquids to be stored in a compact configuration, significantly reducing the occupied volume compared to using two separate external tanks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If two separate water storage tanks are used to store clear water and waste liquid, then the cleaning apparatus can store both liquids, but the construction cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacity for clear water and waste liquidVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If a flexible second liquid storage structure is used inside the first liquid storage structure, then the occupied volume is reduced, but the liquid guiding assembly becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupied volume of the cleaning apparatusVSAvoidcomplexity of the liquid guiding assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid guiding assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that manages the interaction between the flexible second liquid storage structure and the external environment. It includes liquid guiding structures that direct liquid flow into and out of the flexible bladder, and a sealing structure that prevents leakage. This intermediary system enables the compact nested design to function properly while controlling the complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The second liquid storage structure uses a flexible bladder (thin film structure) instead of a rigid tank. This flexible shell allows the structure to adapt its shape and volume based on the amount of clear water stored, enabling the compact nested configuration within the first liquid storage structure while simplifying the overall design compared to rigid alternative structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This design reduces the occupied volume and construction cost by storing both liquids in a single compartment, allowing for efficient storage and distribution of clear water and waste liquid in cleaning apparatuses like robots, optimizing space and resource management.

Implementation Method 1

the second liquid storage structure is flexible and includes a variable volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11812908B2Liquid storage device and cleaning apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 SHENZHEN FLY RODENT DYNAMICS INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A liquid storage device includes a first liquid storage structure, a second liquid storage structure, and a liquid guiding assembly. The second liquid storage structure is arranged inside the first liquid storage structure, and the second liquid storage structure is flexible and includes a variable volume. A space between a structural wall of the first liquid storage structure and a structural wall of the second liquid storage structure is configured to store a first liquid, and the second liquid storage structure is configured to store a second liquid. The second liquid is capable of flowing into or flowing out of the second liquid storage structure through the liquid guiding assembly.