Pool Cleaner Axle Steering Mechanism for Surface Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robotic cleaning vehicles for large liquid containers, such as swimming pools, often fail to efficiently cover the entire surface area due to their fixed wheel orientation, leading to repetitive paths and incomplete cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A self-directed pool cleaning vehicle with a steering structure that includes a flexible member and locking mechanism, allowing the rear axle to tilt and change direction, enabling the vehicle to move in two opposed directions and cover the entire surface by reversing its direction based on a timer-controlled motor rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the wheels are mounted on fixed axles perpendicular to the direction of movement, then the vehicle structure is simple and stable, but the vehicle follows repetitive paths and cannot cover the entire surface area efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the axle mounting structure adjustable rather than fixed. The slots in the side walls allow the axles to be positioned at different angles relative to the vehicle body, enabling the vehicle to change its movement path from straight lines to curved trajectories, thereby improving surface coverage efficiency without requiring a completely complex new structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the angular parameter of the axle mounting. The slots enable the axles to be mounted at various angles (not just perpendicular), which changes the vehicle's movement characteristics from fixed linear paths to adjustable curved paths, allowing comprehensive surface coverage
2Productivity
If the axles are mounted at an angle to change the vehicle path, then the vehicle can cover more surface area, but the axle positioning becomes less stable and requires complex mounting structures
Solution Approach 1:
The slot-based mounting structure provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the axles to be set at different angles for different cleaning passes. This dynamic adjustment enables the vehicle to vary its path to cover the entire surface while maintaining stable axle positioning at each selected angle during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is segmented into discrete positioning locations along the slots. This segmentation allows the axles to be positioned at specific, stable intervals rather than requiring continuous adjustment, maintaining positioning stability while enabling multiple path configurations for comprehensive surface coverage
3Productivity
If the vehicle follows a fixed linear path, then the axle structure is simple, but the cleaning coverage is incomplete with repetitive movements
Solution Approach 1:
The steering structure utilizes the slot-based axle mounting to enable dynamic path changes. By adjusting axle angles within the slots, the vehicle can transition from fixed linear paths to curved trajectories, ensuring complete cleaning coverage without requiring complex active steering mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The slot-based mounting structure serves multiple functions: it provides simple stable mounting when axles are positioned perpendicularly, enables path variation when axles are angled, and requires minimal additional structural components. This multi-functionality achieves improved cleaning coverage without proportionally increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A self directed pool cleaning vehicle comprising a body carrying water inlet and outlet ports with the inlet port being located on the bottom of the body with the body containing a filter is described. A drive mechanism propels the vehicle in two generally opposed directions. Two axles which each carry two wheels support the body and control its direction of movement. One axle is mounted to the body via slots that extend in the directions of motion such that this axle can move toward either end of the slots. A steering structure is provided with a portion that moves to close a portion of one of the slots and can be locked in a position that prevents one end of an axle from traversing its slot. Thus when this axle is the trialing axle it is held at other than a right angle to the two generally opposed directions.