Robotic Cleaner Docking Evacuation for Autonomous Bin Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous cleaning robots face challenges in efficiently emptying their debris bins without human intervention, limiting their operational duration and coverage area.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system comprising a portable vacuum, a robotic cleaner with a debris bin, and an evacuation station that allows for automated suction transfer from the vacuum motor to the bin, enabling the robotic cleaner to dock and empty its bin into the portable vacuum, which can then store the debris and charge the robot's battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the robotic cleaner uses a larger debris bin, then it can operate for longer periods, but it increases the device complexity and difficulty of evacuation
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the robotic cleaner's debris bin from the evacuation function by using a portable vacuum as an external evacuation device. The robotic cleaner maintains a compact bin while the portable vacuum handles debris removal, eliminating the need for complex built-in evacuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable vacuum acts as an intermediary device between the robotic cleaner and the final debris disposal location. It receives debris from the robotic cleaner via wireless transmission and transports it separately, simplifying the robotic cleaner's design while extending operational duration.
2Extent of automation
If the robotic cleaner includes built-in evacuation mechanism, then it can empty its bin autonomously, but it increases the device complexity and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The evacuation function is extracted from the robotic cleaner and transferred to a separate portable vacuum device. This allows the robotic cleaner to maintain autonomous operation while offloading the complex evacuation mechanism to an external device that can be easily emptied and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable vacuum serves multiple functions: it evacuates debris from the robotic cleaner, can be used as a standalone vacuum cleaner, and provides wireless transmission capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized complex mechanisms in the robotic cleaner.
3Area of stationary object
If the robotic cleaner uses a larger debris bin, then it can cover larger areas, but it increases the weight and reduces mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a single-unit solution to a multi-unit wireless system. The robotic cleaner maintains a compact, lightweight design for optimal mobility, while the portable vacuum handles the debris storage and evacuation functions in a separate unit, allowing the robot to cover larger areas without weight penalties.
4Productivity
If the robotic cleaner evacuates debris frequently, then it maintains cleaning efficiency, but it increases the loss of time due to navigation to evacuation station
Solution Approach 1:
The portable vacuum enables the robotic cleaner to operate continuously without frequent returns to a fixed evacuation station. The wireless transmission capability allows the robot to evacuate debris on-demand while maintaining its cleaning route, minimizing interruptions and time loss.
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
Enables the robotic cleaner to operate for longer periods without human interaction, cover larger areas by eliminating the need for a larger bin, and facilitates convenient debris evacuation and battery charging.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum motor, a cleaning head, an evacuation port, and a bypass mechanism configured to direct suction from the vacuum motor
Implementation Method 2
a linkage connecting the evacuation port assembly of the debris bin and the evacuation port of the portable vacuum
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system includes a robotic cleaner and an evacuation station. The robotic cleaner can dock with the evacuation station to have debris evacuated by the evacuation station. The robotic cleaner includes a bin to store debris, and the bin includes a port door through which the debris can be evacuated into the evacuation station. The evacuation station includes a vacuum motor to evacuate the bin of the robotic cleaner.