Robotic Cleaner Layout for Wall Reach and Systematic Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic floor cleaners face limitations in cleaning reach and effectiveness due to their circular design, which restricts the size and configuration of the cleaning mechanism, and inefficient navigation strategies that lead to incomplete coverage and uneven cleaning patterns in complex environments.
Innovation Solution
A robotic cleaner design where the cleaning apparatus forms a major part of the mobile platform, extending along the front and sides to reach walls and corners, with a large surface area for maximum floor coverage, and utilizing a unique navigation system that combines local and global positioning for systematic cleaning patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cleaning mechanism is contained entirely within the footprint of the mobile robot platform with a circular design, then the robot maintains good mobility and ease of navigation around obstacles, but the cleaning reach and effectiveness are limited and cannot directly reach walls and corners
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot is divided into two main segments: a circular mobile platform for navigation and a rectangular cleaning mechanism that extends beyond the platform boundary. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function - the circular platform maintains mobility while the extended cleaning mechanism achieves wall and corner reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism extends in the lateral dimension beyond the circular platform footprint, creating a rectangular overall shape. This dimensional extension allows the cleaning apparatus to reach walls and corners that would be inaccessible to a purely circular design, while the circular platform underneath maintains navigational capabilities.
2Productivity
If the cleaning mechanism extends beyond the circular platform boundary to reach walls and corners, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the robot may hit exterior obstacles when turning in place
Solution Approach 1:
Separating the navigation function (circular platform) from the cleaning function (extended rectangular mechanism) allows the platform to turn in place without the cleaning mechanism contacting obstacles, while still achieving wall reach during the cleaning operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between navigation mode (circular platform rotating in place) and cleaning mode (extended mechanism making contact with surfaces). This dynamic operation allows the robot to avoid obstacles during movement while still achieving wall and corner cleaning when needed.
3Productivity
If the cleaning mechanism is made larger to cover more floor area, then cleaning productivity improves, but the robot size increases and reduces ability to navigate tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The robot consists of a compact circular platform for navigation and an extended cleaning mechanism for area coverage. The platform dimensions are optimized for tight space navigation, while the cleaning mechanism extends to maximize floor coverage during cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The overall robot footprint becomes rectangular due to the extended cleaning mechanism, maximizing floor coverage area. However, the navigational platform remains circular and compact, allowing the robot to navigate tight spaces while maintaining large cleaning coverage capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A robotic cleaner includes a cleaning assembly for cleaning a surface and a main robot body. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and a width of the cleaning assembly is greater than a width of the main robot body. A robotic cleaning system includes a main robot body and a plurality of cleaning assemblies for cleaning a surface. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and each of the cleaning assemblies is detachable from the main robot body and each of the cleaning assemblies has a unique cleaning function.