Robotic Cleaner Dock With Pneumatic Debris Evacuation and Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic cleaners face challenges in efficiently evacuating debris and charging while docked, as current solutions do not effectively integrate debris removal and energy charging processes, and lack user-friendly operation modes for debris management.
Innovation Solution
An evacuation station with a base and removably attached canister that pneumatically interfaces with the robotic cleaner's debris bin, allowing simultaneous debris evacuation and battery charging, featuring a ramp for angled debris intake, a filter system for air purification, and user-friendly operation modes via a controller and interface for managing debris and filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If robotic cleaners evacuate debris locally without a centralized station, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and efficiency of debris removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The evacuation system is segmented into a mobile robotic cleaner that collects debris and a stationary evacuation station that processes and stores debris. This segmentation allows the robot to remain simple while the stationary station handles the complex evacuation functions, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The evacuation station acts as an intermediary between the robotic cleaner and the final debris disposal location. It receives debris from the robot, processes it through filtration and separation systems, and stores it in a collection container, thereby improving debris removal efficiency without requiring the robot itself to be complex.
2Productivity
If the evacuation station processes large volumes of air for effective debris removal, then the productivity improves, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evacuation station operates periodically rather than continuously, activating the air mover only when debris evacuation is needed. This periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining high productivity during active evacuation cycles, resolving the contradiction between debris evacuation rate and energy consumption.
3Productivity
If the robotic cleaner docks frequently for debris evacuation and charging, then the productivity of debris management improves, but the loss of time for cleaning operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evacuation station combines multiple functions into a single docking operation: debris evacuation, battery charging, and air filtration. By merging these functions, the robot can perform comprehensive maintenance in one stop rather than multiple separate operations, reducing the total time lost during docking while improving overall debris management efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The air filtration system operates continuously or near-continuously to maintain air quality in the evacuation area, while the debris evacuation and charging functions are performed during docking. This continuity ensures that useful actions are maximized during the time the robot is docked, reducing the relative time loss for cleaning operations.
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
Facilitates efficient debris removal and battery charging of robotic cleaners, enhances air filtration, and provides user-friendly operation for managing debris and filtration processes, improving the overall efficiency and usability of robotic cleaning systems.
Implementation Method 1
an air mover (126) arranged to draw air into an evacuation intake opening (200) to draw debris from the bin (50) into the canister (110)
Implementation Method 2
The canister (110) may enclose a filter (650) arranged to separate debris from air flowing through the canister (110)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An evacuation station includes a base and a canister removably attached to the base. The base includes a ramp having an inclined surface for receiving a robotic cleaner having a debris bin. The ramp defines an evacuation intake opening arranged to pneumatically interface with the debris bin. The base also includes a first conduit portion pneumatically connected to the evacuation intake opening, an air mover having an inlet and an exhaust, and a particle filter pneumatically the exhaust of the air mover. The canister includes a second conduit portion arranged to pneumatically interface with the first conduit portion to form a pneumatic debris intake conduit, an exhaust conduit arranged to pneumatically connect to the inlet of the air mover when the canister is attached to the base, and a separator in pneumatic communication with the second conduit portion.