Robotic Cleaner Wheel Assembly With Pivot Arm Spring Bias
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic cleaners face challenges in maintaining consistent and efficient movement across surfaces due to limitations in wheel assembly design, particularly in transitioning between retracted and extended positions, which affects cleaning efficacy and durability.
Innovation Solution
A wheel assembly for robotic cleaners featuring a frame with a pivotally coupled arm, a driven wheel, and a torsion spring biasing mechanism that urges the wheel towards an extended position, minimizing interference with rotation and maximizing spring force consistency, allowing for effective surface engagement and reduced debris ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the driven wheel is coupled closely to the frame for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but the spring force consistency deteriorates due to increased interference with wheel rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary arm mechanism between the frame and the driven wheel. The arm is pivotally coupled to the frame and carries the driven wheel, which is rotatably coupled to the arm. This intermediary structure allows the biasing mechanism to apply force to the arm rather than directly to the wheel, reducing interference with wheel rotation and improving spring force consistency while maintaining compact design.
2Device complexity
If the biasing mechanism is positioned close to the driven wheel for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but the spring force consistency deteriorates due to interference with wheel rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The arm acts as an intermediary carrier that separates the biasing mechanism from direct contact with the driven wheel. The biasing mechanism couples to the arm at a location spaced apart from the wheel's rotation path, allowing compact overall design while ensuring consistent spring force application that does not interfere with wheel rotation, thereby maintaining reliability and cleaning efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the biasing mechanism in a different spatial dimension relative to the driven wheel's rotation plane. By coupling the biasing mechanism to the arm at a location spaced apart from the wheel, the force application occurs in a dimension that does not interfere with the wheel's rotational movement, resolving the contradiction between compact design and consistent force application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the driven wheel is allowed to pivot freely for adaptability, then adaptability to different surfaces is improved, but the spring force consistency deteriorates due to variable rotation interference
Solution Approach 1:
The arm serves as a pivotal intermediary that allows the driven wheel to pivot and adapt to different surface conditions while the biasing mechanism maintains consistent force application. The arm's pivotal coupling to the frame enables adaptability, while the biasing mechanism's coupling to the arm at a spaced location ensures that spring force consistency is maintained regardless of the wheel's rotational position or surface variations.
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 solution enhances the robotic cleaner's ability to maintain consistent and efficient movement across surfaces, improving cleaning efficacy and durability by ensuring a more consistent spring force application and reduced interference with the wheel's rotation.
Implementation Method 1
A torsion spring may provide a more consistent spring force as the driven wheel transitions towards the extended position when compared to, for example, a tension spring.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel assembly for a robotic cleaner may include a frame, a moveable arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a driven wheel rotatably coupled to the moveable arm such that the driven wheel pivots with the moveable arm, and a biasing mechanism configured to urge the driven wheel towards an extended position, the biasing mechanism being coupled to the frame and spaced apart from the moveable arm.