Reuleaux Triangle Body Shape for Autonomous Cleaner Corner Approach
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous travel-type cleaners with circular bodies struggle to efficiently suction rubbish from corners due to a wide gap between the suction port and the corner, limiting their corner cleaning ability, and existing solutions with side brushes face constraints in bristle length and mobility.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous travel-type cleaner with a body shape resembling a Reuleaux triangle, equipped with a corner detection unit, a reciprocating driving unit, and a control system that allows the cleaner to perform a specific turning motion to effectively approach and clean corners, reducing the gap between the suction port and the corner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a circular body shape is used, then turning performance is improved, but corner cleaning ability deteriorates due to wide gap between suction port and corner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the body shape from a symmetric circular form to an asymmetric shape with a protruding portion. This asymmetric design allows the suction port to extend closer to the corner during rotation, reducing the gap between the suction port and corner while maintaining good turning performance through the rounded overall form.
2Productivity
If side brushes with long bristle bundles are used, then corner cleaning ability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the corner cleaning function from the side brush component and transfers it to the body shape design itself. The protruding portion of the body directly enables the suction port to approach the corner, eliminating the dependency on long bristle bundles and simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The body shape serves multiple functions: it provides the overall structure of the cleaner, enables turning motion, and through its protruding portion, directly contributes to corner cleaning capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components like extended bristle bundles.
3Productivity
If a D-shaped body is used, then corner cleaning ability is improved by approaching vertex closer, but mobility deteriorates due to contact with walls preventing rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates rounded curved surfaces in the body shape design, particularly in the overall form and at the protruding portion. This curvature allows the cleaner to rotate smoothly even when in contact with walls, preventing the mobility issues experienced with sharp-angled D-shaped designs while maintaining the ability to approach corners effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
Once it is determined in Step S2 that a corner has been detected, a control unit causes a body to perform a reciprocating motion and initiate corner cleaning in Step S3. Then, once it is determined in Step S4 that a rubbish detection sensor detects no rubbish, the corner cleaning is terminated in Step S6. Once it is determined in Step S4 that the rubbish detection sensor detects rubbish, the corner cleaning continues to be executed by the body being caused to perform the reciprocating motion in Step S5. In other words, an autonomous travel-type cleaner is realized that can remove a large amount of the rubbish accumulating at the corner by causing the body to perform the reciprocating motion.