Processing station and cleaning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing processing stations for autonomous navigation cleaning robots have a low versatility and high production cost due to the use of filter bags, which are not conducive to widespread promotion.
Innovation Solution
A processing station with a suction mechanism and filter that uses air pressure to transport trash from the robot to a trash cassette, featuring a sealing surface and adjustment member with a spring or power mechanism to clamp the cassette, allowing for various cassette sizes and shapes, and an alignment detection system to ensure proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a filter bag is used in the processing station, then the trash evacuation function is achieved, but the versatility is poor and production cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the filter from the integrated filter bag design and makes it a separate, replaceable component. The filter can be independently replaced without replacing the entire cassette, reducing production costs and improving versatility. The filter is positioned at the suction port and can be accessed separately from the cassette body.
Solution Approach 2:
The trash cassette is divided into multiple independent components: the cassette body, the filter, the sealing ring, and the opening/closing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, manufactured separately at lower cost, and replaced as needed, thereby improving both production cost efficiency and versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed sealing structure is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different cassette sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure employs a flexible sealing ring that can dynamically adapt to different cassette sizes and shapes. The sealing ring is elastically deformable and can be compressed against the cassette opening by the clamping mechanism, creating an effective seal regardless of the specific dimensions or geometry of the cassette being used.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing station is designed with a universal clamping mechanism that can accommodate multiple types of trash cassettes with different sizes and shapes. The base and sealing surface combination provides a standardized interface that works with various cassette designs, making the processing station versatile without requiring multiple specialized fixtures.
3Reliability
If manual alignment is required for the trash cassette, then the structure is simple, but the sealing efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment detection device provides feedback about the position of the trash cassette relative to the base. When the cassette is not properly aligned, the system can detect this through sensors and provide signals to adjust the position, ensuring proper sealing before the clamping mechanism engages. This feedback loop ensures high sealing efficiency while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment detection and adjustment occurs before the clamping and sealing process. The system preliminarily checks and corrects the cassette position to ensure proper alignment, then proceeds with the sealing operation. This preliminary action prevents sealing failures and ensures reliable operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the base is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different cassette heights
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed to be vertically adjustable rather than fixed in position. The base can move up and down along the sealing surface to accommodate cassettes of different heights. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the processing station to work with various cassette dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded adjustment mechanism provides automatic height adaptation. When a cassette of a different height is placed on the base, the spring force automatically adjusts the base position to achieve proper contact and sealing, without requiring manual intervention or complex control systems.
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 enhances the versatility and reduces production costs by accommodating different trash cassette sizes and shapes, improving the sealing efficiency and ease of use while maintaining effective trash evacuation.
Implementation Method 1
an air pressure formed during the operation of the suction mechanism sequentially transports the trash collected in the cleaning robot through the trash suction port, the trash outlet, and the opening
Implementation Method 2
precipitates into the trash cassette through a filtering action of the filter
Implementation Method 3
when the external force is released, the spring provides an elastic force to urge the base to be adjacent to the sealing surface in the vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a processing station and a cleaning system. The cleaning system includes a processing station and a cleaning robot, the processing station for evacuating trash collected in the cleaning robot, and including a body formed with a sealing surface, a base located below the sealing surface and configured for supporting a trash cassette having an opening at a top, a suction mechanism and a filter, and an adjustment member connected the body with the base; the adjustment member urges the base to be vertically adjacent to the sealing surface to clamp the trash cassette between the base and the sealing surface, such that the opening edge of the trash cassette abuts against the sealing surface.