Robot Cleaner Maintenance Station Cooling for Dirt Discharge Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous navigation robots, such as robot cleaners, face issues with temperature increases due to fan motor malfunctions or extended operation times, which can damage surrounding components and deform the robot's structure, affecting cleaning performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
The proposed cleaning system includes a maintenance station with a draft apparatus and a circulating passage that uses outside air to cool the fan motor, preventing temperature increases by introducing cooler air through separate inlet and outlet passages, and limiting the frequency of dirt discharge to manage heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fan motor operates continuously or for extended periods to discharge dirt from the robot cleaner, then the dirt discharge function is improved, but the temperature around the fan motor increases and may damage surrounding components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cooling fan as an intermediary device that generates cooling air flow to dissipate heat from the fan motor. This mediator component specifically addresses the thermal problem without interfering with the primary dirt discharge function, allowing continuous operation while preventing overheating damage to surrounding components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fan operates to prevent temperature increase before it can cause damage to surrounding components. By continuously or periodically activating the cooling function, the system preemptively counteracts the harmful thermal effects of extended fan motor operation, ensuring component durability is maintained throughout the operating cycle.
2Productivity
If the fan motor operates for extended periods to improve dirt discharge, then cleaning performance is improved, but the heated air circulates inside the robot cleaner and maintenance station causing deformation of components
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan serves as a mediator that introduces cooler air into the system to counteract the heated air generated by the fan motor. This intermediary cooling air flow prevents the accumulation of hot air inside the robot cleaner and maintenance station, thereby preventing thermal deformation of internal components while allowing extended cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameter of the air circulation system by introducing cooling air flow that lowers the overall temperature of the circulated air. This parameter change from hot to cool air prevents the thermal deformation issues that would otherwise occur during extended operation, maintaining structural integrity while preserving cleaning performance.
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 solution improves the durability and cleaning performance of the robot cleaner by preventing temperature-related damage, ensuring consistent operation and extending the lifespan of components within the cleaning system.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fan configured to cool the fan motor by generating air flow
Implementation Method 2
a draft fan along with a fan motor configured to generate an intake force at the inlet
Data Source
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AI summary
A cleaning system includes a robot cleaner having an opening unit and a first dirt container funneled to the opening unit, and a maintenance station to which robot cleaner is docked to discharge dirt stored in the first dirt container The maintenance station includes a first inlet hole configured to intake dirt from the first dirt container through the opening unit, a first outlet hole configured to blow air into the first dirt container, a circulating passage provided between the first inlet hole and the first outlet hole, a second dirt container disposed on the circulation passage to store dirt taken in from the robot cleaner, a draft apparatus having a draft fan and a fan motor to drive the draft fan to circulate air through the circulating passage, and a radiator disposed to receive heat from the fan motor so that the fan motor is cooled.