Robot Vacuum Side Brush Mobility to Reduce Jamming and Power Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robotic vacuum cleaners with side brushes face issues of jamming in narrow openings and edges due to limited mobility and increased power consumption from high rotational speeds needed for effective cleaning of edge and corner areas.

Innovation Solution

The side brushes are designed with a rotary element that can move perpendicularly and independently to the axis of rotation, allowing for enhanced mobility and adaptation to surface geometries, reducing the risk of jamming and enabling the arrangement of additional brush elements without increasing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of brush elements on side brushes is increased to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness in edge and corner areas is improved, but the side brushes quickly become jammed in narrow openings and edges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidjamming risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary element is made movable relative to the axis of rotation through a guide mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. This dynamic capability enables the rotary element to move away from obstacles when jamming is detected, preventing complete blockage while maintaining contact for cleaning purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The side brush system is divided into separable components: the stationary axis of rotation and the movable rotary element. This segmentation allows the rotary element to independently move relative to the axis, providing the flexibility to avoid jamming while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If side brushes are spring-loaded in the direction of the surface to be cleaned to improve adaptation to surface profiles, then adaptability to surface geometries is improved, but the pushing forces for the driving drive increase too much

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to surface profilesVSAvoidpushing forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using spring loading to provide adaptability, the invention uses a guide mechanism that allows the rotary element to move dynamically in response to surface variations. This dynamic adjustment provides adaptability without the continuous pushing forces that would increase drive power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded mechanical system is replaced with a guide-based mechanical system. The guide mechanism allows passive adaptation to surface profiles through controlled movement of the rotary element, eliminating the need for active spring forces that would increase pushing resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If side brushes operate at high rotational speeds to ensure complete collection of dust particles, then cleaning completeness is improved, but power consumption increases and dust particles are thrown into already cleaned areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The movable rotary element can adjust its position dynamically during operation. This allows the system to optimize brush element engagement with the surface, maintaining effective dust collection at lower rotational speeds by ensuring proper contact geometry rather than relying on high speed alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If a rail system is used to guide rotary elements in an elliptical path to improve mobility, then rotational mobility is improved, but the mobility perpendicular to the axis of rotation is insufficient to prevent jamming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational mobilityVSAvoidjamming prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance system is segmented into two independent functional components: the rail system provides elliptical rotational guidance, while the additional guide mechanism provides perpendicular movement capability. This segmentation allows each guide to specialize in one type of motion without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Two guidance mechanisms are merged into a single integrated system: the rail system for elliptical rotation and the additional guide for perpendicular movement. This combination provides comprehensive mobility in multiple directions, enabling the rotary element to effectively avoid jamming while maintaining proper rotational cleaning action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2891444B1Robot vacuum cleaner with side brushes

Publication Date: 2020.04.15 MIELE & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a robotic vacuum cleaner for autonomous cleaning of surfaces, which has at least one side brush facing the surface to be cleaned, wherein the at least one side brush has a rotating element, wherein brush elements are arranged on the rotating element, wherein the rotating element is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis.