Retractable Side Brush Assembly for Robot Cleaner Edge Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic cleaners are limited in effectively cleaning areas outside the footprint of their suction port due to the length constraints of their side brushes, which can lead to reduced cleaning efficiency and increased storage requirements.
Innovation Solution
The automatic cleaner features a side brush assembly with a rotatable brush housing and a cam mechanism that allows the side brush to extend and retract within a predetermined angle range, using a combination of gears and elastic members to absorb shock and maintain a preset trace, enabling efficient cleaning while minimizing storage space and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the length of the side brush is increased to expand the cleaning area, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the side brush may be damaged during operation or storage and the automatic cleaner requires a large storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush assembly is designed to be movable relative to the casing, allowing it to dynamically extend during cleaning operations and retract during storage. The brush housing can rotate about a first rotation shaft, and the brush rotates relative to the brush housing via a second rotation shaft, enabling the side brush to adapt its position and length according to operational needs rather than being fixed at a constant extended length.
Solution Approach 2:
The side brush assembly is nested within the casing when not in use, with the brush housing and brush components able to retract inside the casing boundaries. This nesting capability allows the automatic cleaner to maintain a compact storage footprint while still providing extended cleaning capability when the side brush is deployed outward during operation.
2Productivity
If the length of the side brush is increased to expand the cleaning area, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the automatic cleaner requires a large storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush assembly transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic adjustable-length design. The brush housing rotates about a first rotation shaft to extend the side brush outward during cleaning, then retracts inward during storage. This dynamic movement allows the cleaning area to be expanded temporarily during operation while maintaining a compact storage footprint when the side brush is retracted within the casing boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The side brush assembly utilizes rotational movement in a angular dimension rather than simply increasing linear length. By rotating the brush housing about the first rotation shaft and the brush about the second rotation shaft, the side brush can extend outward in a radial direction during cleaning, then retract along the same rotational path during storage, effectively using dimensional transformation to resolve the space conflict.
3Productivity
If a side brush is disposed on the bottom of the casing to move foreign substances outside the suction port footprint, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the side brush may be damaged while the automatic cleaner is in a cleaning operation or is stored
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush assembly is designed with movable components including the brush housing that can rotate about a first rotation shaft and the brush that can rotate relative to the brush housing about a second rotation shaft. This dynamic design allows the side brush to be extended during cleaning operations to improve cleaning efficiency while being retractable during storage to reduce damage risk, rather than being permanently extended in a fixed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is configured to provide elastic force to the link member, acting as a cushioning element that absorbs shocks and impacts before they can damage the side brush or its mounting mechanism. This beforehand cushioning protects the side brush assembly during both cleaning operations and storage, reducing the risk of damage while maintaining the ability to extend the brush when needed.
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 enhances cleaning efficiency by allowing the side brush to effectively reach areas outside the suction port's footprint without increasing storage space or damaging the brush, while also providing a compact storage solution.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that provides elastic force to the first or second link member
Implementation Method 2
The second driving force transmission member comprises at least one gear and a cam mechanism connected to the at least one gear
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An automatic cleaner (100) includes a casing (110) including a suction port (111), a suction device disposed in the casing (110) to suction a foreign substance through the suction port (111), a moving device (140) that moves the casing (110), and a side brush assembly (200) movably installed on the casing (110). The side brush assembly (200) includes a brush housing (210) rotatable about a first rotation shaft (211), and a brush (230) rotatably mounted on the brush housing (210) by a second rotation shaft (232). The second rotation shaft (232) is moved according to a rotation of the brush housing (210).