Robot Cleaner Wiper Module to Prevent Wheel Slippage on Wet Floors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners with water mopping capabilities often experience wheel slippage due to water accumulation on the floor, especially on surfaces with low friction coefficients like marble, which hinders smooth operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wiper module within the water bucket unit that extends diagonally in front and rear directions of the driving wheel to sweep water away from the wheel's contact area, preventing slip and ensuring stable movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a water mop supplies water to perform entire cleaning, then cleaning capability is improved, but wheel slippage occurs on low friction surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into separate functional modules: water supply module, mopping module, and wheel module. The wiper module is introduced as an additional segmented component that specifically addresses water management at the wheel contact area, allowing the cleaning function to operate independently without compromising driving stability.
Solution Approach 2:
A wiper module is introduced as an intermediary component between the water mop and the driving wheel. This mediator removes excess water from the floor surface in the wheel contact area, preventing direct contact between water and wheels, thus maintaining driving stability while preserving cleaning effectiveness.
2Area of stationary object
If water remains on the floor for mopping, then cleaning coverage is improved, but slip occurs on low friction coefficient surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The floor surface is treated with different water amounts in different locations. The wiper module creates a local dry zone at the wheel contact area while maintaining adequate moisture in the cleaning path. This localized quality differentiation allows the robot to traverse the floor without slipping while still achieving cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper module performs preliminary water removal action in advance of the wheel's contact with the floor. By clearing water from the wheel contact area before the wheel arrives, the system prevents slip hazards while maintaining water presence in areas needed for cleaning, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning coverage and slip prevention.
3Reliability
If a wiper module is added to remove water, then driving stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper module is merged with the existing water bucket unit structure. The wiper assembly is integrated into the water bucket housing, sharing common mounting points and structural support. This merging approach adds the water removal function while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing existing structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The water bucket unit is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both water storage for the mopping system and as the mounting structure for the wiper module. This universal design allows a single structural component to fulfill multiple functions, reducing the need for additional dedicated structures and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 wiper module effectively prevents wheel slippage by removing or reducing water at the wheel's contact points, enhancing the robot cleaner's driving performance on surfaces with low friction coefficients.
Implementation Method 1
wheels of the robot cleaner may be slid by water, whereby driving of the robot cleaner may not be performed smoothly
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner is disclosed, which comprises a main body forming an external appearance, a water bucket unit provided in the main body, supplying water to a water mop, a driving wheel rotated by a rotational force of a driving motor provided in the main body, moving the main body, and a wiper module provided in the water bucket unit, wherein the wiper module is extended to front and rear directions of the driving wheel and formed to be protruded toward the floor where the main body drives.