Pool Cleaning Robot Interface Manipulation for Autonomous Exit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pool cleaning robots require significant human intervention for immersion and retrieval, making the process time-consuming and difficult.
Innovation Solution
A fully automatic and autonomous pool cleaning robot equipped with a drive system, interfacing modules, and an interface manipulator that allows it to exit the pool independently by climbing the sidewall and using an external surface interface, reducing the need for manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If pool cleaning robots require manual immersion and retrieval, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is divided into a main portion for movement during cleaning operations and an auxiliary portion for movement during exit processes. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the overall complexity burden while achieving automatic exit capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pool cleaning robot employs interfacing modules that can change their spatial relationship with the housing through an interface manipulator. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the robot to adapt its structure for different phases of operation (cleaning vs. exit), enabling automatic exit without permanently increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If manual handling is required for pool cleaner immersion and retrieval, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary portion of the drive system is prepared and positioned in advance for the exit process. By having the auxiliary portion ready and configured beforehand, the robot can efficiently transition from cleaning to exit mode without time-consuming manual intervention, thereby improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pool cleaning robot performs its own exit from the pool using its auxiliary drive portion and interfacing modules. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual retrieval, significantly improving operational efficiency and productivity.
3Ease of operation
If simple interfacing modules are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates during exit process
Solution Approach 1:
The interfacing modules are designed to dynamically change their spatial relationship with the housing through the interface manipulator during the exit process. This dynamic capability allows simple modules to achieve complex exit maneuvers by reconfiguring their positions and orientations as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The interfacing modules serve multiple functions: they interface with the pool environment during cleaning operations and then reconfigure to enable exit from the pool. This multi-functionality allows the same modules to handle both cleaning and exit tasks, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
A pool cleaning robot (10) for cleaning a pool, comprising: a housing (20); and a drive system (30) that is arranged to move the pool cleaning robot in relation to an environment of the pool cleaning robot; wherein the environment comprises the pool and an exterior surface; wherein the drive system comprises: a drive motor system (40); a group of interfacing modules (50); a transmission system (60) that is arranged to couple the drive motor system to the group of interfacing modules; and an interface manipulator (70); wherein interfacing modules of the group are arranged to interface between the pool cleaning robot and the environment; wherein the interface manipulator is arranged to change a spatial relationship between (a) the housing and (b) a selected interfacing module of the group, during an exit process during which the pool cleaning robot exits the pool.