Robot Cleaner Single-Motor Brush Drive to Reduce Cost and Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners require multiple motors to operate various brushes, increasing material costs and size, while also facing challenges in suction force and dust particle collection due to varying suction port heights.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design that uses a single motor to interlock and rotate a main brush, an auxiliary brush, and at least one side brush via connection members with gears, allowing them to operate at different speeds and orientations to efficiently move dust to a suction port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple motors are used to rotate the main brush and side brush, then the brushes can be driven independently, but the material cost increases and the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple brush driving functions into a single motor by using a transmission mechanism with gears and belts. The single motor rotates a main brush directly, while also driving side brushes through a transmission system that includes a first transmission mechanism with a belt and pulley, and a second transmission mechanism with gears. This merging approach reduces the number of motors from multiple to one, thereby reducing material cost and device size while still enabling independent rotation of all brushes through the transmission mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transmission mechanism as an intermediary between the single motor and the multiple brushes. The transmission mechanism includes a motor shaft connected to the main brush, a first transmission mechanism with a belt and pulley that transfers power to intermediate shafts, and a second transmission mechanism with gears that distributes power to the side brushes. This intermediary system allows one motor to control multiple brushes independently, resolving the contradiction between using multiple motors and using a single motor.
2Quantity of substance
If the suction port height is increased, then large-sized dust particles can be suctioned, but suction force decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dust collection function into two parts: a main brush that rotates in the suction port to agitate and lift dust particles, and side brushes that rotate along the bottom surface to push dust toward the suction port. The side brushes have brush elements that extend downward to contact the surface, allowing them to effectively push both small and large dust particles toward the suction port without requiring an increased suction port height. This segmentation maintains suction force while expanding the range of collectable dust particle sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic brush rotation mechanisms where the main brush and side brushes rotate at different speeds and in different directions based on operational requirements. The transmission mechanism allows variable speed control, enabling the brushes to adapt their rotation speed to different dust types and surface conditions. This dynamic operation optimizes both suction force and the ability to collect various dust particle sizes without requiring structural changes to the suction port.
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
This design improves suction efficiency by allowing the main, auxiliary, and side brushes to be driven by a single motor, enhancing dust collection capabilities and reducing the size and material costs of the cleaner while optimizing suction force for different dust particle sizes.
Implementation Method 1
the main brush, the auxiliary brush, and the at least one side brush may be driven by a single motor in an interlocking fashion
Implementation Method 2
The second connection member may include at least one gear to interconnect the main brush and the auxiliary brush such that the main brush and the auxiliary brush may be rotatable in the same direction
Implementation Method 3
a main brush rotatably disposed in the suction port, an auxiliary brush rotatably disposed adjacent to the main brush, and at least one side brush rotatably installed to move the dust to the suction port
Data Source
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AI summary
A robot cleaner drives various brushes using a single motor. The robot cleaner includes a main body having a suction port, a main brush rotatably disposed in the suction port, an auxiliary brush rotatably disposed adjacent to the main brush and at least one side brush rotatably installed to move dust to the suction port, wherein the main brush, the auxiliary brush, and the at least one side brush are driven by a single motor in an interlocking fashion.