Robotic cleaner with air jet assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic cleaning devices face challenges in effectively cleaning vertical surfaces and corners due to design and navigational complexities, making it difficult to dislodge debris from these areas without getting stuck or obstructed.
Innovation Solution
A robotic cleaner equipped with an air jet assembly that generates an air jet to dislodge debris from vertical surfaces and corners, using nozzles and vents to shape and direct air, allowing the debris to be drawn into the agitator chamber, thereby increasing the effective cleaning width beyond the device's movement path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robotic cleaner uses a rotating agitator and suction motor to clean surfaces, then it can effectively clean flat surfaces within its movement path, but it cannot effectively clean vertical surfaces and corners without getting stuck or obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating agitator system with a pneumatic air jet system to dislodge debris from vertical surfaces and corners. The air jet assembly uses high-velocity air flow generated by the suction motor to create a virtual cleaning extension that can reach surfaces without the physical contact required by traditional mechanical agitators, thereby avoiding navigation issues while expanding cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium between the suction motor and the debris on vertical surfaces and corners. Instead of directly contacting debris with mechanical components that would require physical access, the air jet acts as a mediator to transfer momentum and dislodge debris, enabling cleaning of previously inaccessible areas without compromising navigational simplicity.
2Productivity
If the robotic cleaner maintains a compact design for navigation, then it can move through tight spaces, but its effective cleaning width is limited to its movement path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the cleaning capability into a third dimension by projecting air jets laterally from the device body. This creates a virtual cleaning zone that extends beyond the physical boundaries of the compact device, effectively increasing the cleaning width without increasing the device volume. The air jet assembly acts as a dimensional extension, allowing the compact robot to clean areas outside its immediate movement path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the robotic cleaner adds specialized components for vertical surface cleaning, then it can clean walls and corners, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the suction motor perform multiple functions by directing its exhaust air flow through the air jet assembly for debris dislodgement, while the same air flow also provides suction for debris collection. This multi-functional use of the suction motor eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for vertical surface cleaning, maintaining device simplicity while expanding cleaning versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the debris dislodgement function and the suction function into a single integrated system. The air jet assembly combines the high-velocity air flow for knocking down debris with the suction capability to collect it, creating a unified cleaning mechanism that reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.
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 air jet assembly enables the robotic cleaner to efficiently clean surfaces that would otherwise be difficult to reach, such as walls and corners, by dislodging debris and drawing it into the cleaning path, enhancing the cleaning performance and coverage area.
Implementation Method 1
The air jet assembly may include a nozzle configured to generate the air jet
Implementation Method 2
a suction motor configured to draw air into the agitator chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An example of a robotic cleaner, consistent with the present disclosure, may include a body, an agitator chamber defined in the body, a suction motor fluidly coupled to the agitator chamber and configured to cause air to flow into the agitator chamber, and at least one air jet assembly coupled to the body, the air jet assembly being configured to generate an air jet, the air jet being configured to urge debris toward the agitator chamber.