Robot Cleaner Mop Support Layout for Full Floor Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face issues with non-cleaned areas due to low friction between mops, leading to incomplete floor cleaning, despite efforts to control movement patterns and rotational speeds.
Innovation Solution
The robot cleaner design incorporates symmetric first and second rotary plates with mop support portions and foreign substance blocking ribs, allowing for increased frictional force generation and improved cleaning performance by ensuring consistent contact between mops and the floor, enabling rectilinear movement and directional changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot cleaner uses spinning mops disposed at an angle to contact the floor at distant portions, then the robot cleaner can move and wipe the floor effectively, but non-cleaned areas occur where mops contact each other due to low friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the symmetric disposal of spinning mops at angles to an asymmetric linear arrangement where mops are disposed along the movement direction. This asymmetric configuration ensures that the mops do not contact each other during rotation, eliminating non-cleaned areas while maintaining effective floor contact and cleaning coverage.
2Force
If the spinning mops are disposed to contact the floor at portions distant from each other, then the robot cleaner can generate frictional force for movement, but the central portion between mops creates non-cleaned areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a symmetric angular disposal (two-dimensional symmetric arrangement) to a linear disposal along the movement direction (one-dimensional arrangement). This dimensional change allows the mops to maintain sufficient frictional force for movement while eliminating the central non-cleaned area problem through proper spacing and alignment along the movement axis.
3Reliability
If the robot cleaner moves in a zigzag pattern to reduce non-cleaned areas, then existing non-cleaned areas are wiped again, but the robot cleaner cannot prevent the occurrence of non-cleaned areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by configuring the mops in a linear arrangement along the movement direction before cleaning begins. This preventive configuration ensures that no non-cleaned areas are created in the first place, eliminating the need for time-consuming zigzag re-wiping patterns and achieving complete cleaning coverage on the first pass.
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 enhances cleaning performance by generating sufficient frictional force between the mops and the floor, reducing non-cleaned areas and improving central portion cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a frictional force generated when a plurality of mops rotates in a state of being in contact with the floor surface
Implementation Method 2
a frictional force generated when a plurality of mops rotates in a state of being in contact with the floor surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a robot cleaner including a body having a space for accommodating a battery, a water container, and a motor therein, a first rotary plate having a lower portion to which a first mop is coupled, and a second rotary plate having a lower portion to which a second mop is coupled, in which the body includes a bottom surface disposed to be directed toward a floor, and mop support portions disposed on the bottom surface, protruding downward, and configured to be in contact with the first mop and the second mop, and the mops are bent by being brought into contact with the mop support portions, thereby increasing a frictional force between the floor and the mops.