Method and appliance for mopping up an accumulation of liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile cleaning appliances, such as robot vacuum cleaners and sweepers, face challenges in effectively mopping up liquid accumulations without leaving visible trails or contaminating components, especially when encountering obstacles or uneven environments.
Innovation Solution
The appliance is controlled to drive forward with a dry cleaning module, detect liquid accumulations, reverse direction, and use the wet cleaning module to mop up the liquid before the dry module encounters it, thereby avoiding contamination and ensuring thorough cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sealing lip pushes liquids in front of it during dry cleaning, then the liquid is distributed on the floor, but this creates visible trails and contaminates the dry cleaning module
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance inverts its normal cleaning sequence by performing wet cleaning before dry cleaning when liquid is detected. The sealing lip and dry cleaning module are positioned in front during wet cleaning to push and absorb liquid, preventing liquid from reaching the rear wet cleaning module during subsequent dry cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance dynamically adjusts its cleaning module configuration based on detected liquid presence. When liquid is detected via sensors, the system switches from the standard front wet/rear dry configuration to front dry/rear wet configuration, allowing the sealing lip to actively manage liquid before dry cleaning begins.
2Productivity
If the robot travels in forward direction with dry cleaning module in front, then dust is effectively removed, but liquid accumulations are pushed forward causing contamination and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of liquid accumulations using sensors before initiating the cleaning sequence. When liquid is detected, the appliance reverses its normal operation order, performing wet cleaning first with the dry cleaning module positioned in front to manage liquid, thereby preventing liquid from reaching and clogging the dry cleaning components.
3Reliability
If the wet cleaning module is placed in the front area, then liquid is mopped before dust removal, but impurities accumulate quickly on the mopping cloth reducing cleaning effect
Solution Approach 1:
The system inverts the cleaning sequence by positioning the dry cleaning module in front and performing wet cleaning first when liquid is detected. This allows the dry cleaning module to remove dust and impurities before the wet cleaning module mops the floor, preventing rapid accumulation of impurities on the mopping cloth and extending its effective lifespan.
4Device complexity
If the robot follows a straight path during cornering, then navigation is simple, but liquid accumulations in corners cannot be reached by the wet cleaning module
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance dynamically adjusts its cleaning module positions and navigation path when liquid accumulations are detected in corner areas. The system modifies its trajectory to ensure the wet cleaning module can reach liquid in corners while maintaining relatively simple navigation logic, balancing path simplicity with effective liquid coverage.
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 method effectively prevents liquid distribution and component contamination while ensuring efficient cleaning by adapting the cleaning behavior to the environment, reducing the need for frequent cloth replacement and maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
mopping up the accumulation of liquid using the wet cleaning module
Implementation Method 2
mopping up the accumulation of liquid using the wet cleaning module
Implementation Method 3
rotating the appliance about substantially 180°
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a mobile, self-propelled appliance, in particular a floor cleaning appliance such as a robot vacuum cleaner and/or a sweeper and mopping robot so as to mop up an accumulation of liquid, includes driving on a floor surface intended for cleaning in a direction of travel in a forward movement of the appliance and cleaning the floor surface by using a dry cleaning module and/or a wet cleaning module of the appliance. The accumulation of liquid is detected in the direction of travel in front of the appliance in a moist area. The forward movement in front of the moist area is terminated and the appliance is rotated about substantially 180°. Driving on the moist area in a reversing movement in the direction of travel of the appliance and mopping up the accumulation of liquid using the wet cleaning module is carried out.