Robot Cleaner Suction Module Layout for Narrow-Space Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaners are limited in their ability to clean spaces other than the floor and require manual operation to effectively clean areas where the device cannot enter, leading to degraded suction performance and reduced cleaning convenience.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design featuring a main body with a suction motor, a moving unit, and a modular suction system that protrudes from the body, allowing for cleaning of areas inaccessible to the main body and enabling manual or automatic operation with enhanced suction performance by switching between suction modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robot cleaner operates while being put on the floor, then it can clean the floor surface, but it cannot clean spaces other than the floor or areas with height smaller than the robot cleaner
Solution Approach 1:
The suction module is separated from the main body and can be independently positioned in front of the robot cleaner. This segmentation allows the suction module to access narrow spaces and areas under furniture while the main body remains in open areas, thereby expanding the overall cleaning coverage without increasing the main body size.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction module is extended forward from the main body in the traveling direction, creating a spatial separation between the main body and the cleaning element. This dimensional extension allows the suction module to reach into spaces that would be inaccessible to the main body, effectively adding a new dimension to the cleaning capability.
2Device complexity
If the suction module is integrated into the main body, then the structure is compact, but the suction performance degrades during manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The suction module is designed to be movable relative to the main body, capable of extending forward during automatic operation and being manually repositioned during manual operation. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different operational modes, maintaining optimal suction performance in both automatic and manual scenarios while preserving a relatively compact integrated structure.
3Area of stationary object
If the robot cleaner main body enters narrow spaces, then it can clean those areas, but it cannot maneuver effectively in very narrow corridors or under furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The suction module is extracted from the main body and positioned on a movable guide extending forward from the robot cleaner. This extraction allows the suction module to be positioned in narrow spaces and under furniture while the main body remains in more open areas for stable operation and easy maneuvering, effectively separating the navigation function from the cleaning function.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the suction module protrudes forward from the main body, then it can clean areas inaccessible to the main body, but the device becomes more complex and harder to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
A movable guide acts as an intermediary between the main body and the suction module, providing a guided path for the suction module to extend forward. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall configuration by providing a defined movement path, reducing the complexity of unguided modular arrangements while still enabling the suction module to access inaccessible areas.
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 effective cleaning of both floor and non-floor spaces, prevents suction performance degradation during manual operation, and enhances user convenience by allowing automatic movement with the user, expanding the cleanable area and improving operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a suction motor configured to generate a suction force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A robot cleaner includes a main body having a suction motor; a moving unit to automatically move the main body; and a suction module to be in communication with the suction motor and to clean a floor, wherein an accommodating portion in which a part of the suction module is accommodated is provided at a lower portion of a front side of the main body, and while the suction module is located in the accommodating portion, a part of the suction module is disposed to be vertically overlapped with the main body, and another part of the suction module protrudes toward both sides from a front portion of the main body, and still another part of the suction module protrudes to a front of the main body.