Robot Vacuum Dust Bin Layout for Access and Bump Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic vacuum cleaners have awkwardly located dust containers that are difficult to access and lack effective bump protection, which complicates maintenance and navigation.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vacuum cleaner design featuring a cylindrical main body with a protruding, upright separating apparatus that serves as both a dust container and a bumper, providing easy access and protection against obstacles, while maintaining a low profile and allowing for navigation sensors to have a 360° field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dust container is housed within the outer cover of the vacuum cleaner, then the vacuum cleaner has a compact structure, but it becomes awkward for users to access the dust container for emptying
Solution Approach 1:
The separating apparatus (dust container) is nested within the main body of the vacuum cleaner, with a portion protruding from the front. This allows the container to be compact when not in use while remaining accessible for emptying, resolving the contradiction between compact structure and ease of access.
2Reliability
If the vacuum cleaner is provided with a bumpers and protection mechanisms, then it has better protection against obstacles, but the profile and upper surface cleanliness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The separating apparatus serves dual functions: it acts as both the dust container for separating debris from air flow and as a bump bumper for collision detection and protection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate bumper components, maintaining a clean profile while providing reliable protection.
3Reliability
If the separating apparatus is located at the front of the vacuum cleaner, then it provides bump protection, but it may interfere with the navigation sensors' field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The separating apparatus is positioned at the front of the vacuum cleaner but extends vertically rather than horizontally blocking the sensor field. By utilizing the vertical dimension, it provides bump protection without interfering with the horizontal field of view of navigation sensors mounted on the upper surface.
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
Enhances user accessibility to the dust container, provides robust bump protection, and enables efficient navigation and cleaning by allowing the vacuum cleaner to detect collisions and adjust its path accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
a separating apparatus arranged in the air flow path between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vacuum cleaner comprising a main body defining a first axis and housing a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, an airflow path between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet and a separating apparatus arranged in the air flow path between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet, the separating apparatus defining a second axis, wherein the separating apparatus is oriented so that the second axis is substantially parallel with the first axis of the main body and wherein a portion of the separating apparatus protrudes from a forward portion of the main body of the vacuum cleaner.