Robot Cleaner Spin Mop Layout for Stable Wiping and Debris Collection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face challenges in effectively wiping and traveling due to inconsistent frictional forces generated by rotating rag surfaces, instability during forward and backward movement, and difficulty in collecting large foreign substances, which affects cleaning efficiency and stability.
Innovation Solution
A cleaner design featuring a pair of spin mops that rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, a collection module with left-right symmetric sweeping units, and a body connecting the mop and collection modules, along with a water tank and battery center of gravity aligned with the central vertical plane, to enhance frictional force, stability, and efficient substance collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a robot cleaner uses rotating rag surfaces for wiping and traveling, then it can perform autonomous cleaning, but the frictional force becomes inconsistent causing instability during forward and backward movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner is divided into functionally independent modules: a wiping module with spin mops for cleaning, a collection module with sweeping units for debris collection, and a body module housing power and control systems. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system stability through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery and water tank are positioned with their centers of gravity aligned on the central vertical plane of the body, creating a balanced weight distribution that counteracts instability during movement. This counterbalancing arrangement prevents tilting and ensures stable operation during both wiping and collection operations.
2Device complexity
If the cleaner uses a single rotating rag surface for both wiping and traveling, then the structure is simplified, but it cannot effectively collect large foreign substances
Solution Approach 1:
The spin mops serve multiple functions: they can rotate to perform wet wiping when water is supplied, and they can also function as driving wheels for locomotion by rotating in reverse or at different speeds. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate systems while maintaining structural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection module includes dedicated sweeping units with symmetric left-right configuration that work in conjunction with the spin mops. This segmentation allows the system to handle different types of contaminants effectively - the spin mops for fine particles and the sweeping units for larger foreign substances.
3Speed
If the cleaner uses tilted rag surfaces for rotation, then it can generate frictional force for traveling, but the wiping efficiency is reduced due to inconsistent contact with the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The spin mops are designed to rotate dynamically around vertical axes, allowing them to adapt their contact pressure and coverage area with the floor. This dynamic rotation enables consistent wiping efficiency while maintaining the ability to generate frictional force for traveling through controlled rotation in different directions.
4Speed
If the cleaner uses asymmetric configuration for rotation members, then it can generate directional movement, but stability during leftward and rightward movement is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spin mops are configured with asymmetric tilt angles relative to the vertical axis, allowing them to generate differential frictional forces for directional movement and turning. This asymmetric configuration enables the cleaner to navigate efficiently while the symmetric placement of multiple spin mops maintains overall lateral stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery and water tank are positioned symmetrically with their centers of gravity aligned on the central vertical plane, creating a balanced weight distribution that counteracts lateral instability. This counterbalancing ensures stable operation during leftward and rightward movements despite the asymmetric configuration of the rotation members.
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
The design improves wiping efficiency, stability during leftward and rightward movement, and prevents overturning, allowing the cleaner to move straight and effectively collect large foreign substances, while enabling both wet-type and dry-type wiping.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of spin mops that rotate clockwise or counterclockwise... to enhance frictional force
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaner according to the present disclosure includes: a mop module which includes a pair of spin mops that contacts a floor while rotating clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from a top and is left-right symmetric with a virtual central vertical plane; a collection module which includes at least one collection unit that collects foreign substances from the floor at a position spaced apart from the mop module in a forward and backward direction, forms a collection space which stores the collected foreign substances, and is left-right symmetric with respect to the central vertical plane; and a body that connects the mop module and the collection module.