Robot Cleaner Station with Scraper-Based Mop Washing and Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot cleaners with wet mops lack effective mechanisms for maintaining and managing the cleanliness of the mop, leading to user inconvenience and inefficiencies in washing and drying processes.

Innovation Solution

A station and cleaning device that includes a washing chamber with a wash frame dividing into regions, featuring scrapers and water/steam supply mechanisms to clean and dry the wet mop, and a drainage frame to collect dirt, enhancing mop maintenance and user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a robot cleaner with wet mop is used for cleaning, then cleaning functionality is improved, but maintenance and management of the mop becomes complex and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning functionalityVSAvoidmop maintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The station enables the wet mop to clean itself through automatic washing and drying functions. The mop is washed by water supply mechanisms and dried by heating elements, eliminating the need for manual maintenance by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The station divides the washing chamber into multiple regions (first region for water supply, second region for drainage) and uses separate scrapers (first scraper for water delivery, second scraper for drainage) to handle different aspects of the washing process independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If manual washing of wet mop is required, then device complexity is reduced, but user convenience and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing mechanism complexityVSAvoidmop maintenance efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically washes and dries the wet mop without requiring user intervention. The station performs the entire washing cycle including water supply, friction cleaning via scrapers, drainage, and heating drying autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The station prepares the mop for the next cleaning task by automatically completing the washing and drying process before the user needs to use the mop again, ensuring the mop is always ready for use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If wet mop is not properly maintained, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning reliability and hygiene deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance system complexityVSAvoidmop cleanliness and hygiene

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wet mop automatically cleans itself through the station's washing mechanisms, ensuring consistent hygiene maintenance without relying on user behavior or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The station maintains continuous cleaning capability by ensuring the mop is always clean and dry through automated washing and drying cycles, preventing degradation of cleaning performance over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If a comprehensive washing system is implemented, then mop cleanliness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemop cleanlinessVSAvoidstation manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The washing system is divided into modular components including separate scrapers, water supply mechanisms, drainage systems, and heating elements, each performing a specific function that can be manufactured and assembled independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively washes, dries, and manages the wet mop, improving user convenience and maintaining cleaning efficiency by ensuring the mop is clean and ready for use.

Implementation Method 1

water received by the second scraper is supplied to the wettable mop to wet the wettable mop

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

frictional forces are applied to the wettable mop by the first scraper and the second scraper so as to remove dirt from the wettable mop

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

a wash frame in the washing chamber and including: a frame body dividing the washing chamber into a first region and a second region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical separation:

Data Source

PatentUS20250295282A1Station and cleaning device having the same

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A station, to which a robot cleaner (RC) including a wettable mop (WM) that is rotatable by the RC, is dockable, may include: a tank to store water; a washing chamber; and a wash frame in the washing chamber and including: a body dividing the washing chamber into a first region (FR) and a second region (SR), an opening penetrating the body and connecting the FR to the SR, and a scraper crossing the opening and including: a first scraper having a through-hole, and a second scraper to receive water from the tank, wherein the station is configured so that, with the RC docked, the WM accommodated in the FR and rotated by the RC, the received water is supplied to the WM and the first and second scraper apply frictional forces to the WM to remove dirt from the WM through the opening and through-hole to the SR.