Robot Cleaner Station with Automated Pad Replacement and Transfer Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners with wiping functions face challenges in managing dirty cleaning pads, as they require frequent replacement without user intervention.
Innovation Solution
A station with a pad replacement unit, storage containers, and a transfer unit that automatically retrieves used pads and supplies new ones to the robot cleaner, allowing for seamless pad replacement and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual pad replacement is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to frequent user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The station enables automatic pad replacement through self-service mechanisms. The robot cleaner autonomously docks with the station, the transfer unit automatically retrieves used pads from the robot's pad holder, and new pads are supplied from the station's storage without any manual user intervention, allowing continuous cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The station acts as an intermediary between pad storage and the robot cleaner. It includes a received pad container for storing used pads, a pad supply container for new pads, and a transfer unit that mediates the automatic exchange of pads between the station and robot cleaner through docking and transfer mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If automated pad replacement is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated pad replacement system performs the entire pad exchange process autonomously. The robot cleaner automatically docks with the station, the transfer unit retrieves used pads and supplies new pads through automated mechanisms including pressurized air delivery and mechanical transfer components, eliminating the need for user intervention in pad replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The station serves as an intermediary system that automates the complex pad replacement process. It includes a received pad container, pad supply container with multiple storage levels, and a transfer unit with various mechanical and pneumatic components that work together to automatically exchange pads between the robot and station without direct user control
3Reliability
If frequent pad replacement is required, then cleaning quality is maintained, but loss of time increases due to user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The automated station enables continuous cleaning operations by eliminating downtime associated with manual pad replacement. The robot cleaner can automatically dock with the station during or between cleaning cycles, and the automated transfer unit rapidly exchanges pads using mechanical and pneumatic mechanisms, ensuring the cleaning operation resumes immediately without user intervention delays
Solution Approach 2:
The station prepares new pads in advance in the pad supply container with multiple storage levels, and pre-positions them for automatic retrieval. The transfer unit is pre-configured with the necessary mechanical and pneumatic systems to quickly transfer pads from the supply container to the robot cleaner, minimizing replacement time while maintaining cleaning quality
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a station configured to retrieve a used pad detached from a robot cleaner and supply a new pad to be attached to the robot cleaner, the station including a station body, a pad replacement unit provided at the station body to load the used pad detached from the robot cleaner, a pad storage having a received pad container configured to store the used pad and a pad supply container configured to store the new pad, and a pad transfer unit configured to sequentially press the used pad and the new pad, wherein the pad supply container is arranged above a movement path of the pad transfer unit, and the received pad container is arranged below the movement path of the pad transfer unit.