Robot Cleaner Dock Airflow Layout for Dirt Discharge and Motor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous navigation robots, such as robot cleaners, face issues with temperature increases due to fan motor malfunctions or extended operation times, leading to potential damage to surrounding components and reduced durability, as well as inefficient dirt discharge and cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system comprising a robot cleaner and a maintenance station with a draft apparatus, circulating passage, and cooling passage to manage air flow and temperature, including a radiator and separate air intake and discharge passages to prevent overheating and facilitate automatic dirt discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the fan motor operates for extended periods or malfunctions, then the cleaning function is maintained, but the temperature around the fan motor increases and may damage surrounding components
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage is divided into a circulating passage for dirt discharge and a cooling passage for fan motor cooling, separating the two functions to independently manage temperature and dirt discharge operations
Solution Approach 2:
A radiator is introduced as an intermediary component in the cooling passage to facilitate heat dissipation from the fan motor, acting as a heat exchange medium between the motor and the air flow
2Productivity
If the fan motor temperature increases, then the cleaning operation continues, but the durability of the product is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling passage and radiator are pre-configured in the maintenance station to provide continuous cooling during fan motor operation, preventing temperature-induced damage before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The radiator serves as a protective intermediary that absorbs and dissipates heat from the fan motor, protecting surrounding components from thermal damage while maintaining operational continuity
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the air heated by the fan motor circulates inside the robot cleaner and maintenance station, then the cleaning system operates continuously, but the component inside the robot cleaner or the structure may be deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage is segmented into separate circulating and cooling passages, allowing heated air to be directed through the radiator for cooling while preventing hot air circulation that could deform components
Solution Approach 2:
The heat generated by the fan motor is converted into a beneficial cooling effect by directing the air flow through the radiator, where the heat is dissipated to protect surrounding components from thermal damage
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 system effectively prevents temperature increases, enhances product durability, and improves cleaning performance by ensuring efficient dirt discharge and cooling of the fan motor, thereby maintaining component integrity and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The draft apparatus includes a draft fan and a fan motor to drive the draft fan and allows air to flow through the circulating passage
Implementation Method 2
The maintenance station further includes a radiator configured to cool the fan motor
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system includes a robot cleaner having an opening unit and a first dirt container funneled to the opening unit, and a maintenance station to which robot cleaner is docked to discharge dirt stored in the first dirt container. The maintenance station includes a first inlet hole configured to intake dirt from the first dirt container through the opening unit, a first outlet hole configured to blow air into the first dirt container, a circulating passage provided between the first inlet hole and the first outlet hole, a second dirt container disposed on the circulation passage to store dirt taken in from the robot cleaner, a draft apparatus having a draft fan and a fan motor to drive the draft fan to circulate air through the circulating passage, and a second outlet hole configured to discharge air inside the circulating passage of the maintenance station to an outside.