Robot Cleaner Slanted Pad Assembly for Omnidirectional Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaners face limitations in efficiently navigating diverse directions and enhancing cleaning efficiency due to uniform frictional force between the pad and the floor, restricting their ability to effectively clean complex floor layouts.
Innovation Solution
The robot cleaner incorporates multiple driving units with rotating plate assemblies that can be slanted relative to the floor, generating nonuniform frictional forces by adjusting the slanted direction and angle of the pads, allowing it to travel in various directions and maintain contact with the floor through compressible pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot cleaner uses a conventional design with uniform frictional force between pad and floor, then the structure is simple, but the cleaning efficiency and ability to navigate diverse directions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pad assembly is designed to be rotatable relative to the main body, allowing the frictional force direction to be dynamically adjusted. The rotation mechanism enables the pad to change its orientation angle, transforming the static frictional force into a dynamic variable that can be adjusted to improve cleaning efficiency and navigation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of frictional force by rotating the pad assembly to different angles. By adjusting the rotation angle of the pad relative to the main body, the frictional force between the pad and floor changes in both magnitude and direction, enabling the robot to navigate diverse directions and enhance cleaning efficiency
2Adaptability or versatility
If the robot cleaner uses a separate moving unit and cleaning unit, then the functions are distinct, but the ability to move smoothly in diverse directions is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the moving unit and cleaning unit into an integrated structure where the pad assembly serves both cleaning and movement functions. The rotatable pad assembly allows the same component to contribute to both propulsion and cleaning, reducing structural complexity while enhancing directional movement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The pad assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the cleaning element that contacts the floor and the propulsion element that generates frictional force for movement. By making the pad assembly rotatable, it can adjust its function between cleaning and directional movement, achieving multi-functionality
3Reliability
If the pad is made rigid to maintain contact with the floor, then the contact stability is high, but the ability to adapt to different floor surfaces and maintain majority contact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is designed with flexible material properties that allow it to deform and adapt to different floor surfaces while maintaining stable contact. The flexibility of the pad enables it to conform to irregular floor topographies, ensuring majority contact area while preserving contact stability through material compliance
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 enables the robot cleaner to efficiently navigate and clean in all directions by varying the frictional force, enhancing cleaning efficiency and allowing it to operate freely without being restricted by floor materials or obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
nonuniform frictional force may be generated between a bottom surface of the pad and the floor. The robot cleaner may travel in a specific direction through the nonuniform frictional force.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner capable of moving in diverse directions and enhancing cleaning efficiency by increasing frictional force between a pad and a floor includes two or more driving units. Each of the driving units includes plural motors, a first subframe connected to at least any one of the motors and configured to rotate by receiving rotational force from the motor, a rotating plate assembly mounted to the first subframe and configured to be slanted with respect to a floor by rotation of the first subframe and to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise by receiving rotational force from another motor, and a pad provided at the rotating plate assembly and configured to contact the floor. When the rotating plate assembly is slanted with respect to the floor, nonuniform frictional force is generated between the pad and the floor, through which the robot cleaner travels.