Retractable Side Brush Assembly for Robot Cleaner Corners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners face challenges in maintaining external esthetic quality while effectively cleaning corners and areas adjacent to walls, as traditional side brushes protrude outward, degrading appearance and failing to reach all cleaning zones.
Innovation Solution
A side brush assembly with a motor, rotation shaft, and variable member that adjusts the intervals between side brushes based on rotation direction, allowing them to be housed within the body and efficiently clean corners and edges without being exposed externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the side brush is installed protruding outward from the body, then the cleaning performance is improved, but the external esthetic quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush assembly is designed to dynamically change its configuration between an extended cleaning state and a retracted aesthetic state. The variable member allows the side brush to be positioned outward for cleaning and inward for appearance, making the system adaptable to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The side brush assembly is nested within the body when not in use, with the variable member enabling it to be stored inside the housing. This nesting approach allows the cleaning component to be hidden when not needed, improving external appearance while maintaining cleaning capability.
2Shape
If the side brush is installed at the inner side of the body, then the external esthetic quality is improved, but the cleaning capability in corners is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush assembly transitions from a static inner-side installation to a dynamic system that can extend outward when needed. The variable member enables the brush to move between retracted and extended positions, providing both aesthetic quality and cleaning capability at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The side brush assembly is segmented into movable components connected by the variable member, allowing different parts of the assembly to be positioned independently. This segmentation enables the brush to reach corner areas while maintaining a compact overall structure.
3Device complexity
If the side brush is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the ability to clean both corners and maintain appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The variable member introduces controlled dynamics to the side brush assembly, enabling it to adjust its position based on cleaning needs. This dynamic capability provides versatility in cleaning different areas while maintaining relatively simple structural implementation.
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
Enhances cleaning performance by ensuring all areas are cleaned, including corners, while improving the external appearance of the robot cleaner by preventing side brushes from being visible.
Implementation Method 1
A robot cleaner may include a motor, a rotation shaft and a plurality of side brushes. The motor may be configured to supply a power while being installed at the body.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner capable of improving the external esthetic quality thereof while enhancing the cleaning performance, the robot cleaner including a body configured to remove dust while navigating on a floor and to form an external appearance of the robot cleaner, and a side brush assembly installed at the body to clean corners of the floor, wherein the side brush assembly includes a motor configured to supply a power while being installed at the body, a rotation shaft coupled to the motor, and a plurality of side brushes rotatably coupled to the rotation shaft, and wherein the plurality of side brushes have respective intervals changed with respect to one another such that the plurality of side brushes are prevented from being exposed to outside the body.