Robotic cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning robots with water discharge pipelines inside the water tank occupy space, reducing tank capacity, requiring frequent water additions and limiting cleaning efficiency due to restricted pipeline length, which affects the size of the mopping component and overall cleaning performance.

Innovation Solution

The water discharge pipeline is independently disposed outside the water tank, allowing for a larger tank capacity and longer pipeline, which is located partially below the dust box to enhance cleaning efficiency and reduce damage risk, while being built within the body to optimize space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the water discharge pipeline is disposed inside the water tank, then the structure is compact, but the water tank capacity is reduced and operation time is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure compactnessVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The water discharge pipeline is relocated from the internal space of the water tank to the external space below the dust box, utilizing the vertical dimension and unused space in the robot body. This spatial reconfiguration allows the pipeline to be positioned in a previously underutilized area, thereby increasing water tank capacity without compromising structural compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of stationary object

If the water discharge pipeline is made longer to increase water tank capacity, then the tank capacity increases, but the mopping component size is limited and cleaning efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater tank capacityVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By relocating the pipeline to the space below the dust box, the patent creates additional spatial freedom that allows for both a longer pipeline (increasing water tank capacity) and a larger mopping component (improving cleaning efficiency). The vertical arrangement and external positioning resolve the spatial conflict between pipeline length and mopping component size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of stationary object

If the water discharge pipeline is disposed outside the water tank, then the water tank capacity and pipeline length are increased, but the probability of damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater tank capacityVSAvoidpipeline durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pipeline is positioned in the vertical space below the dust box, which is a protected area within the robot body structure. This location provides natural protection from external damage while still being external to the water tank, thus maintaining both increased capacity and improved durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Volume of stationary object

If the water discharge pipeline is located below the dust box, then the space utilization is improved and tank capacity increases, but the layout complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidlayout complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot body is segmented into functional zones: the dust box occupies the upper space, the water tank is positioned in the middle section, and the water discharge pipeline is routed in the lower space below the dust box. This vertical segmentation allows each component to occupy its optimal position without interfering with others, simplifying the overall layout despite the increased space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration prolongs the operating time of the cleaning robot, increases the working area, and enhances cleaning efficiency by allowing a larger mopping cloth assembly and reducing the likelihood of damage, thus extending the service life.

Implementation Method 1

the water in the tank flows out by its own gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3583883B1Robotic cleaner
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 ECOVACS ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP3583883B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3583883B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3583883B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A cleaning robot, includes a body (100) provided with a dust box (200), a water tank (300), a cleaning unit, a water outlet mechanism (310) and a water discharge pipeline, the cleaning unit is disposed at a bottom of the body, the water outlet mechanism outputs liquid in the water tank through the water discharge pipeline, the water discharge pipeline is independently disposed outside the water tank, and the water discharge pipeline is at least partially located directly below the dust box. The water discharge pipeline of the present disclosure is independently disposed outside the water tank, so that the capacity of the water tank is increased, without requiring adding water frequently, thereby prolonging the time of operation. Meanwhile, the water discharge pipeline is at least partially located directly below the dust box, to fully utilize the space between the dust box and the bottom wall of the robot body, so that the layout of various parts in the body is more compact and feasible, and a longer water discharge pipeline enables the corresponding cleaning unit to be made larger, by which a working area of the robot is expanded and the working efficiency is enhanced. Additionally, the water discharge pipeline is built within the body, therefore the probability for damage is reduced and the service life of the machine is prolonged.