Robotic cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face challenges in efficiently cleaning large areas with rolling mops, as dust accumulates on the outer circumference and replacing dustcloths is difficult due to fixed rotary shafts, limiting the replacement cycle and versatility of cleaning modules.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design featuring a detachable cleaning module with a rotational member, a dust pocket for easy dust removal, and a coupler system for stable attachment and detachment, allowing for various cleaning modules and extended replacement cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rolling mop with fixed rotary shaft is used, then the robot cleaner can clean the floor by rotating the mop, but it becomes difficult to attach and detach dustcloths and replace them with new ones
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary shaft is divided into a dustcloth attachment unit and a drive transmission unit. The dustcloth attachment unit can be independently attached and detached, while the drive transmission unit remains fixed to the main body. This segmentation allows easy dustcloth replacement without affecting the overall structure stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dustcloth attachment function is extracted from the fixed rotary shaft structure and implemented as a separate, removable module. This extracted module can be easily attached and detached, solving the problem of difficult dustcloth replacement while maintaining the fixed shaft's rotational stability.
2Productivity
If a rolling mop is used, then the robot cleaner can clean the floor, but dust accumulates on the outer circumference of the rolling mop making it difficult to clean large areas efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collection function is extracted from the rolling mop structure and implemented as a separate dust collection device. This device includes a dust collection chamber and dust discharge mechanism that operates independently from the rolling mop, preventing dust accumulation on the mop itself and maintaining cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A dust collection chamber is introduced as an intermediary between the rolling mop and the environment. This chamber captures dust particles before they can accumulate on the rolling mop surface, and provides a dedicated discharge path that prevents re-deposition on the cleaning elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaning module is made detachable, then the replacement cycle is increased and various cleaning modules can be used, but the attachment and detachment mechanism adds structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A universal coupling structure is designed with standardized interfaces that can accommodate different cleaning module types. The coupling structure includes position-limiting protrusions and engagement features that work with multiple module configurations, providing versatility without requiring complex custom mechanisms for each module type.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable cleaning module is segmented into functional sub-components that can be independently attached and detached. This segmentation allows for easier handling and replacement while maintaining a relatively simple overall coupling mechanism that connects the modules to the main body.
4Ease of operation
If both sides of the rotary shaft are fixed in the rolling mop, then the structure is stable, but it is not easy to attach and detach dustcloths
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary shaft is segmented into a fixed drive portion and a removable dustcloth attachment portion. The fixed drive portion maintains structural stability and rotational precision, while the removable portion allows easy dustcloth attachment and detachment without compromising the overall shaft stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dustcloth attachment function is extracted as a separate, removable component from the rotary shaft structure. This extracted component can be easily attached and detached while the main rotary shaft remains fixed and stable, solving both requirements simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a robot cleaner including a main body forming an external appearance of the robot cleaner, moving units configured to move the main body, a cleaning module arranged at one side of the main body so as to contact a floor and rotated, a module driving unit arranged in the main body and rotating the cleaning module, and a dust pocket configured to remove foreign substances attached to the outer circumference of the cleaning module.