Robot Mop Layout for Stable Cleaning and Floor Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face issues with stability and damage due to separation of cleaning components during operation, leading to imbalanced movement and potential floor damage, as well as design constraints from central liquid management units affecting frictional forces and center of gravity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pair of rotating plates with mops that can detachably attach to the cleaner, featuring a support wheel and auxiliary wheel configuration to prevent floor damage and maintain stability, with a water bottle and actuators positioned to maintain contact and balance despite liquid consumption, allowing for controlled movement and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the liquid management unit is disposed at a central position to maintain center of gravity balance, then the cleaner maintains stable movement, but the design constraints limit locations for the liquid management unit and prevent other components from being positioned at this central region
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid management unit is divided into a liquid container and a liquid supply mechanism. The liquid container is positioned at the rear of the cleaner body, while the liquid supply mechanism extends forward to supply liquid to the mops. This segmentation allows the heavy liquid container to be positioned away from the center, while still maintaining overall balance through the distributed mass of the liquid supply system and mop assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid management system transitions from a centralized vertical arrangement to a distributed horizontal arrangement. The liquid container is positioned at the rear, the supply tube extends forward through the body, and the supply mechanism is located near the mop attachment point. This spatial distribution along the longitudinal axis resolves the conflict between balance and component placement flexibility.
2Productivity
If the first cleaner or second cleaner is rotated by the rotational motion of the rotating members, then foreign matter is removed through friction, but the cleaner may be inadvertently operated while the cleaner is separated from the fixing member, causing damage to the fixing member or floor
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor detects whether the mop is properly attached to the cleaner body, and the controller receives this signal. When the mop is detached, the controller prevents the rotating members from operating, thereby avoiding damage to the fixing members or floor. This feedback mechanism ensures that cleaning operations only occur when the cleaning components are properly installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment detection is performed before the cleaning operation begins. The sensor verifies proper mop installation, and only after successful verification does the controller enable rotation of the cleaning members. This preliminary check prevents inadvertent operation with detached components.
3Extent of automation
If the cleaner moves based on frictional forces generated by rotating cleaners, then the cleaner can travel autonomously, but changes in center of gravity as liquid is consumed cause changes in frictional force and contact points, preventing movement in the intended direction or at intended speed
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply mechanism is designed to maintain a relatively constant liquid level in the liquid container during operation. By controlling the rate of liquid supply to the mops to match the rate of liquid consumption, the system maintains a stable center of gravity position, which in turn maintains consistent frictional forces and contact points for reliable autonomous movement at the intended speed and direction.
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 ensures stable and effective cleaning while preventing damage to the cleaner and floor, even when components are separated, by maintaining contact points and balancing the center of gravity, allowing for efficient movement and mopping performance.
Implementation Method 1
the first cleaner and the second cleaner are rotated by the rotational motion of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, and foreign matter stuck to the floor may be removed through friction between the first cleaner and the second cleaner and the floor surface
Implementation Method 2
the support wheel and the auxiliary wheel may contact the floor together with the first mop and the second mop, and thus even when the first mop or the second mop is separated from the first rotating plate or the second rotating plate, the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate may not scratch the floor
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaner is provided. The cleaner includes a body, a first rotating plate, a second rotating plate, a first mop, a second mop, a support wheel, and an auxiliary wheel. The lowest parts of the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate are higher than a virtual reference line connecting the lowest part of the support wheel to the lowest part of the auxiliary wheel, and the lowest parts of the first mop and the second mop are lower than the reference line. The cleaner can prevent the first rotating plate, the second rotating plate, and the floor from being damaged while mopping of the floor is performed by the first mop and the second mop.