Robot Cleaner Mop Support Structure to Reduce Non-Cleaned Floor Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face issues with non-cleaned areas due to reduced friction between mops at the center of the cleaner, leading to inadequate cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
The robot cleaner incorporates a mop support portion that ensures the mops are in contact with the floor, increasing frictional force and preventing non-cleaned areas by using a structure that includes rotary plates, mop support surfaces, and guide bars to maintain contact with the floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mops are disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the ground surface, then the robot cleaner can move by controlling rotational speeds and rotation directions of the mops, but a portion of the mops that come into contact with each other may not come into contact with the floor or have very low friction
Solution Approach 1:
A mop support portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the mops and the floor. This support portion includes a support surface that contacts the mops and provides upward support force, ensuring that the mops maintain proper contact with the floor even in the central region where mops overlap. The intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing mechanical assistance without affecting the rotational control mechanism.
2Force
If the frictional force between the mop and the floor surface increases, then the mop can strongly wipe the floor surface for effective cleaning, but the mops may not maintain adequate contact in the central region
Solution Approach 1:
The mop support portion is strategically positioned in the central region where mops overlap and contact is inadequate. The support surface provides localized upward support force precisely where needed, creating different support conditions in different regions of the cleaner. This local intervention ensures consistent floor contact in the critical central area without affecting the overall friction-based movement mechanism.
3Productivity
If the robot cleaner moves in a zigzag pattern to reduce non-cleaned areas, then existing non-cleaned areas can be wiped again, but the occurrence of non-cleaned areas cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The mop support portion provides preliminary mechanical assistance to ensure proper mop-floor contact before the cleaning process begins in each area. By pre-establishing adequate contact through the support surface, the system prevents non-cleaned areas from occurring in the first place, eliminating the need for corrective zigzag movement patterns and ensuring complete cleaning coverage on the first pass.
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 increased frictional force between the mops and the floor enhances cleaning performance, particularly at the central portion of the cleaner, reducing non-cleaned areas and improving overall cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a frictional force generated when a plurality of mops rotates in a state of being in contact with the floor surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a robot cleaner including: a body including a lower body and an upper body for covering the lower body, the body having a space for accommodating a battery, a water container, and a motor therein; a first rotary plate having a lower portion to which a first mop is coupled; and a second rotary plate having a lower portion to which a second mop is coupled, in which the body includes a bottom surface disposed to be directed toward a floor, and a mop support portion disposed on the bottom surface, protruding downward, and configured to be in contact with the first mop and the second mop, and the mops are bent by being brought into contact with the mop support portion, thereby increasing a frictional force between the floor and the mops.