Robot Cleaner Wheel Assembly for Stable Drive Wheel Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners face a decrease in contact force of the drive wheel when traversing surfaces with height differences due to changes in the elastic force of conventional elastic members, affecting traveling performance.
Innovation Solution
A wheel assembly with a rotation arm and an elastic member where the second end of the elastic member is vertically movable, allowing the drive wheel to maintain contact force by adjusting the angle between the elastic member and the guide, thereby reducing the reduction in contact force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional elastic member (tension coil spring) is used to press the drive wheel against the ground surface, then the drive wheel can maintain contact force on flat surfaces, but the contact force decreases when the drive wheel encounters height differences due to changes in elastic force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the elastic member vertically movable relative to the rotation arm. The second end of the elastic member is installed to be movable in the vertical direction on the rotation arm, allowing the system to dynamically adjust to height differences. This dynamic configuration enables the elastic member to maintain effective pressing force on the drive wheel even when the robot cleaner encounters steps or height variations, resolving the contradiction between maintaining contact force and adapting to different surface conditions.
2Force
If the elastic member is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the contact force varies significantly when traversing surfaces with height differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a vertically movable installation where the second end of the elastic member can move along the vertical direction on the rotation arm. This dynamic configuration allows the elastic member to adjust its position automatically when the robot cleaner encounters height differences, maintaining consistent contact force on the drive wheel without requiring complex active control systems or multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertically movable installation enables the elastic member to self-adjust its position in response to height differences autonomously. When the robot cleaner encounters a step or height variation, the elastic member automatically moves vertically to maintain the appropriate pressing force on the drive wheel, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms or complex structural arrangements.
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 wheel assembly maintains consistent contact force across varying surfaces by increasing torque applied to the rotation arm, minimizing the decrease in contact force due to elastic restoring force reduction.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member including a first end installed at the main body and a second end vertically moveably installed at the rotation arm opposite the first end
Implementation Method 2
the drive wheel drives the main body of the robot cleaner using a frictional force generated between the drive wheel and a ground surface
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a wheel assembly and a robot cleaner including a main body and a wheel assembly coupled to the main body to guide movement of the main body. The wheel assembly has a rotation arm including a first end portion rotatably mounted on the main body, a drive wheel rotatably installed on a second end portion of the rotation arm opposite the first end portion, and an elastic member including a first end installed at the main body and a second end vertically moveably installed at the rotation arm opposite the first end, such that a reduction degree of a contact force due to a descent of the drive wheel.