Robot Debris Bin Flap and Evacuation Seal for Low-Leak Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning robots face challenges in efficiently evacuating debris from their bins without causing damage or reducing operational efficiency, particularly due to friction and air leakage during the evacuation process.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot with a debris bin featuring a semi-spherical support structure and a flap door mechanism that opens in response to air pressure, combined with an evacuation station that uses negative air pressure and a deformable seal to improve airflow and prevent leakage, allowing for adaptive control of evacuation time based on air pressure monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional door mechanism is used for the debris bin exhaust port, then the structure is simple, but friction and air leakage occur during evacuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a static door mechanism with a dynamic flap system that automatically opens and closes based on air pressure differential. The flap is held closed by elastic biasing elements during normal operation and automatically opens when negative pressure is applied during evacuation, eliminating friction and leakage issues associated with traditional mechanical doors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses air pressure differential to control the flap opening. During evacuation, negative pressure applied to the exhaust port creates a pressure differential that overcomes the elastic biasing force, causing the flap to open automatically. This pneumatic control mechanism eliminates the need for complex mechanical actuation systems.
2Productivity
If the flap is positioned to maximize debris evacuation, then evacuation efficiency improves, but the flap may extend beyond the robot exterior and cause contact with objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the flap mechanism at a corner of the debris bin rather than on a flat surface, utilizing three-dimensional space optimization. The flap is oriented to face outwardly towards the bin from the corner, allowing it to extend maximally for evacuation while remaining within the robot's exterior envelope, thus avoiding contact with external objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure for the flap is designed as a semi-spherical element, and the flap itself is concavely curved relative to this support. This curved geometry allows the flap to open in an arc that maximizes the evacuation opening while maintaining a compact profile that stays within the robot's exterior boundaries.
3Reliability
If a rigid door is used to prevent air leakage, then sealing improves, but friction increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible flap instead of a rigid door to seal the exhaust port. The flap is held against the port opening by elastic biasing elements, creating an effective seal through flexible contact rather than rigid mechanical engagement. This flexible sealing mechanism significantly reduces friction during operation while maintaining air tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic biasing elements automatically maintain the flap in the closed position without requiring active mechanical engagement or sealing mechanisms. The system self-regulates the seal strength based on the natural elastic properties of the biasing elements, eliminating the need for additional power or complex sealing mechanisms.
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 ensures efficient debris evacuation with reduced friction, improved airflow, and minimized user intervention, enhancing power efficiency and reducing noise and debris entrapment issues.
Implementation Method 1
a flap configured to move, in response to air pressure at the exhaust port, between a closed position to cover the exhaust port and an open position to open a path between the chamber and the exhaust port
Implementation Method 2
a motor that is responsive to commands from the control system to remove air from the canister and thereby generate negative air pressure in the canister to evacuate the debris bin by suctioning the debris from the debris bin
Implementation Method 3
evacuate the debris bin by suctioning the debris from the debris bin
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile robot includes a body configured to traverse a surface and to receive debris from the surface, and a debris bin within the body. The debris bin includes a chamber to hold the debris received by the mobile robot, an exhaust port through which the debris exits the debris bin; and a door unit over the exhaust port. The door unit includes a flap configured to move, in response to air pressure at the exhaust port, between a closed position to cover the exhaust port and an open position to open a path between the chamber and the exhaust port. The door unit, including the flap in the open position and in the closed position, is within an exterior surface of the mobile robot.