Robot Cleaner Dual-Module Design for Stable Traveling and Mopping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaners face challenges in maintaining stable traveling operations, navigating straight paths, and performing effective mopping tasks due to varying frictional forces between rotating mops and the floor, which restricts speed and trajectory control and limits their ability to clean areas near walls or perform stationary mopping operations.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design incorporating a combination of left and right spin mops and a rolling member, where the spin mops rotate clockwise or counterclockwise while in contact with the floor, and the rolling member rotates independently to generate various traveling motions, allowing for stable and versatile movement and mopping capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the robot cleaner uses rotating mops disposed in the leftward-rightward direction for traveling, then the mops can contact the floor for movement, but the frictional forces frequently change making it difficult to travel straight
Solution Approach 1:
The traveling function is segmented between two independent rotating members: left and right spin mops for primary propulsion, and a rolling member for auxiliary support and trajectory stabilization. This segmentation allows independent control of each component to achieve stable straight-line travel while maintaining movement capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the robot cleaner is configured to move using the surfaces of a pair of left and right mops, then traveling is enabled, but the traveling speed and trajectory are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the rotation speeds and directions of the left spin mop, right spin mop, and rolling member independently. By varying the rotational parameters of these components, the robot can adapt to different traveling requirements including straight line movement, turning, and varying speeds, thereby achieving both speed and trajectory versatility.
3Ease of operation
If the robot cleaner uses rotating mops for traveling, then movement is achieved, but it is difficult to perform a mopping operation without rotational motion in place or straight motion
Solution Approach 1:
The mopping function is extracted and dedicated to the spin mops, which rotate vertically to clean the floor surface. The traveling function is assigned to the combination of spin mops and rolling member. This functional separation allows the robot to perform mopping operations by rotating the spin mops while maintaining a stationary body position, independent of the traveling mechanism.
4Reliability
If conventional robot cleaners use rotating mops for both traveling and cleaning, then device simplicity is maintained, but stable traveling and effective mopping cannot be achieved simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The spin mops serve dual functions: they generate frictional force for traveling while simultaneously performing the cleaning function through their vertical rotation. The rolling member provides auxiliary support for stable traveling. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable traveling and effective mopping without requiring completely separate systems for each function.
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 enables stable traveling, various trajectory control, and the ability to perform mopping operations while standing in place, enhancing cleaning efficiency and adaptability by combining the rotational motions of the spin mops with the rolling member's motion.
Implementation Method 1
frictional forces generated between the rotating mops and the floor
Implementation Method 2
frictional forces generated between the rotating mops and the floor
Data Source
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AI summary
A robot cleaner is disclosed. The robot cleaner includes a first cleaning module including left and right spin mops configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from above while being in contact with a floor, a second cleaning module including a rolling member configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from a left side while being in contact with a floor, the rolling member being spaced apart from the left and right spin mops in an anteroposterior direction, and a controller for controlling rotational motion of the left and right spin mops and rotational motion of the rolling member, thereby realizing various traveling motions by combining rotational motion of the left and right spin mops and rotational motion of the rolling member.