Robot Cleaner Station Lever Mechanism for Tangle-Free Dust Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners require manual emptying of dust collectors or complex automatic systems, and there is a risk of dust tangling in the collecting flow path during automatic emptying.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system with a robot cleaner and station that includes a dust collector with a slidable outlet door and a lever device that opens the outlet door when pressed by the robot cleaner, allowing for automatic dust emptying and preventing tangling through a simple configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual emptying of dust collector is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to user intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collector is equipped with an automatic emptying system that operates autonomously without user intervention. The outlet door automatically opens to allow dust to be emptied, and the system self-regulates the emptying process, eliminating the need for manual user actions while maintaining high productivity.
2Productivity
If complex automatic emptying system is used, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic emptying system is divided into independent functional modules: an outlet door mechanism for opening/closing, a dust discharge path, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply and reliably, achieving high productivity without requiring an overly complex integrated system.
3Ease of operation
If outlet door is opened during dust collection, then dust emptying is facilitated, but dust tangling in flow path occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet door is opened in advance before the dust collection process begins, and remains open throughout the collection period. This preliminary action ensures that the dust discharge path is clear and ready, allowing dust to be collected without tangling while maintaining ease of operation for the user.
4Device complexity
If simple communication mechanism is used between robot cleaner and station, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of automatic emptying may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The communication mechanism between the robot cleaner and the station replaces complex mechanical or electronic signaling systems with a simple physical contact-based lever mechanism. When the robot cleaner approaches the station, the lever is naturally activated, reliably triggering the automatic emptying process without requiring sophisticated communication protocols.
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
Enables automatic emptying of dust from the robot cleaner without tangling issues, using a straightforward communication mechanism between the robot cleaner and station, ensuring efficient and untangled dust collection.
Implementation Method 1
a friction member configured to contact the outlet door and prevent the outlet door from being opened when a robot cleaner is not placed on the cleaner seating portion
Implementation Method 2
the lever device may include a lever having one end configured to be pressed by the robot cleaner, a lever support member configured rotatably support the lever, and a connection member arranged at the other end opposite to one end of the lever
Implementation Method 3
When the robot cleaner is seated on the cleaner seating portion, the connection member may slide along a surface on which the dust outlet of the dust collector is formed, and open the outlet door
Implementation Method 4
a cleaner suction device configured to generate a suction force for suctioning dust
Implementation Method 5
the collector may include a station suction device configured to generate a suction force
Implementation Method 6
The robot cleaner may include a door elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to the outlet door in a direction of closing the dust outlet
Implementation Method 7
The lever device may include a lever elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to the lever to allow one end of the lever to protrude from the cleaner seating portion
Implementation Method 8
The connection member may include a sealing member configured to seal the periphery of the dust outlet when the connection member is connected to the dust outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system, including a robot cleaner and a station are provided. The cleaning system includes a robot cleaner including a dust collector, the dust collector provided with a dust outlet, and an outlet door configured to open and close the dust outlet. The robot cleaner further includes a station including a lever device configured to open the outlet door and communicate with the dust collector when the lever device is pressed by the robot cleaner, and a collector configured to communicate with the lever device, and generate a suction force to suction dust collected in the dust collector.