Washable bin for a robot vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning bins for autonomous cleaning robots often have design flaws that hinder easy detachment, expose metallic components to water, and do not optimize airflow for debris collection, leading to inefficiencies and potential corrosion issues.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning bin design with a pivotable attachment mechanism that forms a continuous outer surface with the robot, lacks exposed metallic components, and features a prefilter and filter orientation that maximizes airflow and volume, allowing for easy one-handed removal and reattachment, and facilitates rinsing without risk of corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cleaning bin uses traditional attachment mechanisms, then it can be securely mounted to the robot, but it becomes difficult to detach and reattach easily
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into discrete components: a hook element on the cleaning bin and corresponding engagement features on the robot body. This segmentation allows the bin to be easily detached by lifting while maintaining secure mounting during operation through precise geometric engagement of the segmented parts.
2Strength
If the cleaning bin includes exposed metallic components, then it can provide structural strength, but it becomes susceptible to corrosion when exposed to water during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning bin employs composite construction combining metal components with corrosion-resistant coatings or protective materials. The metal provides structural strength while the protective layer prevents water exposure, eliminating corrosion risk during washing operations.
3Volume of moving object
If the cleaning bin has a compact design, then it can fit within the robot body, but it reduces the volume available for debris collection
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is oriented perpendicular to the prefilter, utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal footprint. This dimensional reconfiguration maximizes debris chamber volume while maintaining a compact overall form factor that fits within the robot body constraints.
4Productivity
If the prefilter and filter are arranged parallel to each other, then the airflow path is simple, but the filter area is limited and airflow optimization is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is positioned perpendicular to the prefilter, creating a three-dimensional airflow path that increases the effective filter area. This spatial arrangement optimizes airflow efficiency by allowing greater surface area for particle capture while maintaining a straightforward structural implementation.
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 design enables seamless detachment and reattachment of the cleaning bin, optimizes airflow for efficient debris collection, and prevents corrosion by eliminating exposed metallic components, making it easier to clean and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
the vacuum assembly operable to direct an airflow from the inlet of the cleaning bin to the outlet of the cleaning bin
Implementation Method 2
an airflow chamber separated from the debris chamber by a prefilter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A cleaning bin 100 mountable to an autonomous cleaning robot 102 operable to receive debris from a floor surface includes an inlet 104 positioned between lateral sides of the cleaning bin and an outlet configured to connect to a vacuum assembly, the vacuum assembly operable to direct an airflow from the inlet of the cleaning bin to the outlet of the cleaning bin. The cleaning bin includes a debris chamber 210 to receive debris from the airflow, separated from the debris chamber by a prefilter 300, forming at least a portion of a top surface of the debris chamber and at least a portion of a bottom surface of the airflow chamber, and a filter socket 214 configured to receive a filter 212 and provide the airflow through the filter to the outlet of the cleaning bin, wherein the filter is positioned substantially perpendicular to the prefilter when the filter is positioned in the filter socket.