Water Outlet Filter for Robot Mop Tank Flow and Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous cleaning robots face challenges with water tank installation and disassembly, leading to potential damage and leakage issues, as well as difficulties in controlling water flow rates, which can result in inefficient cleaning and economic losses.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a liquid container with a water outlet filter that regulates water flow rates and is easily removable, eliminating the need for a water seepage cloth and allowing for horizontal installation and disassembly without inverting the robot, and incorporating an obstacle-assisting wheel for improved obstacle navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the water tank is connected to the robot at the bottom and requires inversion for installation/disassembly, then the water source can be provided for mopping, but the top of the robot may collide or damage, sensors may be damaged, and water leakage may occur during installation/disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional installation approach by providing a buckle structure at the top of the robot instead of the bottom. The water tank connects to the robot body through a buckle and groove structure at the top, eliminating the need to invert the robot for installation or disassembly. This directly resolves the contradiction by changing the installation location from bottom to top, thereby avoiding sensor damage and water leakage risks associated with bottom-mounted tanks.
2Productivity
If a water seepage cloth is used to control water flow, then water can be guided to the outlet, but the flow rate is difficult to control and the cloth requires complete placement inside the container making replacement inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from passive seepage cloth to an active water outlet filter with adjustable flow rates. The filter structure includes a filter body with multiple outlets and a control component that can adjust the opening area of each outlet independently. This allows precise control of water flow rate by changing the outlet opening area parameter, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the water flow control function from the water tank interior to an external water outlet filter assembly. The filter is installed at the water outlet position rather than requiring complete placement inside the container. This extraction makes the control component accessible for easy adjustment and replacement without disassembling the entire water tank, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining water flow control efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the robot is equipped with obstacle crossing capability, then it can navigate various terrains, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the water tank structure to avoid adding separate obstacle crossing mechanisms. The water tank is designed with an integrated buckle structure for easy installation, a water outlet filter for flow control, and the tank body itself serves as part of the robot's structural framework. This multi-functionality approach provides obstacle navigation capability through the integrated design without significantly increasing overall structural 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
This solution enhances the ease of water control, reduces the risk of damage during installation, and improves the robot's ability to navigate obstacles, ensuring effective and efficient cleaning operations.
Implementation Method 1
A water outlet filter is defined on the water outlet and is used to regulate the rate of the water outlet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A liquid container (3) and an autonomous cleaning robot are provided. The liquid container (3) may include a container case and a water outlet filter (34). The container case may define a water outlet (321) thereon and a liquid accommodating room therein. The water outlet (321) communicates with the liquid accommodating room in the container case. The water outlet filter (34) is mounted on the water outlet (321). The water outlet filter (34) is configured to regulate the rate of the water outlet (321). The rate of the liquid container (3) is better.