Robot Cleaner Sliding Mop Module for Easy Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaners face inefficiencies in mopping operations due to large particulate foreign matter not clinging to the mop, requiring inconvenient mop replacement, and struggles with fixing and removing the mop, which affects performance and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
The robot cleaner incorporates a sliding module with a mop fixing unit that uses a friction-forming surface and guide protrusions to securely attach and detach the mop, along with an air channel to enhance mopping efficiency and prevent micro-scale foreign matter from being blown away.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the robot cleaner uses a conventional mop attachment design, then the mop can be attached to the lower side of the robot cleaner, but the user must overturn the entire robot cleaner to replace the mop, which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The robot cleaner is divided into an upper body and a lower sliding module that can be detached from each other. The mop is attached to the sliding module rather than the main body, allowing the sliding module (with mop) to be removed independently without overturning the entire robot cleaner. This segmentation enables convenient mop replacement while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If the mop is strongly fixed to the robot cleaner, then the mop will not separate during mopping operation, but a large amount of time or effort is required to detach the mop for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation mechanism uses a dynamic balance approach: during normal operation, the mop is strongly fixed through friction between the mop fixing unit and mop surface, plus engagement of guide protrusions with guides, preventing separation. For replacement, the user simply needs to overcome the spring force by pushing the sliding module upward, which releases the fixation. This dynamic design provides strong fixation during use but easy release when needed.
3Speed
If air flows from the front end of the contact region between the mop and the floor during mopping, then the robot cleaner can move forward, but micro-scale foreign matter may fly away without clinging to the mop, lowering mopping performance
Solution Approach 1:
The air channel is designed to counteract the harmful air flow that would otherwise blow micro-scale foreign matter away from the mop. Air is supplied through the air channel to the front end of the mop contact region, creating a counter-flow that prevents foreign matter from being blown away. This preliminary anti-action maintains both robot movement capability and effective mopping performance by controlling air flow dynamics.
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 efficient removal of both large and micro-scale foreign matter, improves mop replacement convenience, and enhances mopping performance by ensuring the mop is securely fixed and easily replaceable, while also preventing air-borne micro-scale debris from being lost during operation.
Implementation Method 1
a friction-forming surface that provides relatively high frictional force in the state in which the mop is in contact with the friction-forming surface
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a robot cleaner including a body having a module location portion, a traveling module for moving the body, and a sliding module having a body location portion detachably coupled to the module location portion, the sliding module being configured to slide along a floor when the body is moved. A mop fixing unit for fixing a replaceable mop is provided between the module location portion and the body location portion.