Robot Vacuum Cleaner Movable Shutter for Wall and Obstacle Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot vacuum cleaners face inefficiencies in cleaning areas adjacent to walls and obstacles due to limited suction power and ineffective flank cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
The robot vacuum cleaner incorporates a shutter mechanism powered by a shutter driver and a power transfer link, allowing the shutter to be extended and retracted to effectively clean areas adjacent to walls and obstacles, with a unique suction path design that includes nozzle blades and a flank fluid path to enhance cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the robot vacuum cleaner uses a fixed shutter position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning efficiency around walls and obstacles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between retracted and extended states. This dynamic capability enables the shutter to adapt to different cleaning scenarios (open areas vs. wall/obstacle areas), thereby improving cleaning efficiency without requiring an overly complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter operates periodically by alternating between retracted and extended positions based on cleaning needs. The shutter driver controls this periodic motion, extending the shutter when approaching walls or obstacles and retracting it when moving to open areas, thus maintaining high cleaning efficiency across different zones.
2Productivity
If the shutter is extended to clean areas adjacent to walls, then the cleaning performance around obstacles is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power transfer link acts as an intermediary mechanism between the shutter driver and the shutter. It translates the rotational motion of the shutter driver into the linear extension and retraction of the shutter, enabling controlled movement without requiring a complex direct drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces a potentially complex mechanical linkage system with a more efficient power transfer link mechanism. This substitution simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the ability to extend and retract the shutter effectively for flank cleaning.
3Productivity
If the shutter is made of soft material, then the cleaning performance on the floor is improved, but the structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is designed with local quality differentiation: the portion contacting the floor is made of soft material to effectively sweep and clean the floor surface, while the main body of the shutter maintains sufficient structural strength. This localized material selection optimizes both cleaning performance and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter employs composite construction by combining soft material (for floor contact) with stronger structural material (for the main body). This composite approach allows the shutter to simultaneously achieve effective floor cleaning through the soft portion and maintain adequate structural strength through the stronger framework.
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 design significantly improves cleaning efficiency and performance around walls and obstacles by allowing the robot to effectively sweep and suck dust from these hard-to-reach areas, enhancing overall cleaning effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a power transfer link movably connected to transfer the power of the shutter driver to the shutter
Implementation Method 2
a shaft arranged to transfer a rotational force of the shutter driver to the power transfer link
Implementation Method 3
a sensor installed in the main body to detect an obstacle, wherein the shutter is drawn out from the main body at a point adjacent to the obstacle if the sensor detects the obstacle
Implementation Method 4
the shutter is arranged to come into contact with the floor at a point adjacent to the obstacle while the main body is being driven
Implementation Method 5
a main body having an intake to suck in dust and air while the main body is driven on a floor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A robot vacuum cleaner that may increase cleaning efficiency around obstacles includes a main body having an intake to suck in dust and air while the main body is driven on a floor, a shutter installed in front of the intake to be able to move from the main body toward the floor, and a shutter driver configured to supply power to move the shutter.