Robotic Cleaning System with Automated Mopping Module Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning robots lack the ability to automatically replace mopping modules, requiring manual intervention and leading to degraded cleaning performance if modules are not timely replaced, especially in large indoor areas.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaning system with a detachable mopping module and a base station that includes a storage module, transfer module, and control unit to automate the replacement process, allowing the cleaning robot to dock and exchange mopping modules automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual replacement of mopping modules is used, then device complexity is reduced, but extent of automation deteriorates and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station is divided into functional modules: storage module for holding multiple mopping modules, transfer module for moving modules between storage and operating positions, and operating position for robot docking. This segmentation allows automated replacement while keeping each module's structure relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer module acts as an intermediary mechanism between the storage module and the robot's operating position. It automatically transfers mopping modules without requiring direct manual intervention, thus achieving automation while isolating the complexity into a dedicated transfer mechanism rather than distributing it throughout the entire system.
2Productivity
If manual replacement of mopping modules is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to time loss
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple mopping modules are pre-stored in the storage module before the cleaning task begins. When the robot needs to replace a module, it simply docks at the operating position and receives a pre-prepared module from the storage module, eliminating the time needed for manual retrieval and replacement during the cleaning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service replacement where the robot autonomously docks at the base station, and the transfer module automatically delivers a fresh mopping module to the robot. This eliminates the need for user intervention and continuous monitoring, allowing the robot to maintain cleaning productivity without time loss for manual module replacement.
3Reliability
If mopping modules are not replaced in time, then ease of operation is maintained, but cleaning quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect when a mopping module becomes dirty or depleted. This feedback triggers an automatic return to the base station for module replacement, ensuring cleaning effectiveness is maintained without requiring users to continuously monitor the cleaning process or manually judge when replacement is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot autonomously monitors its own mopping module status and self-initiates replacement by returning to the base station when needed. This eliminates the burden on users to monitor cleaning quality and manually replace modules, while ensuring cleaning effectiveness is maintained through timely automated replacement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A robot cleaning system, including: a cleaning robot capable of being detachably connected to a mopping module of the cleaning robot, and a base station provided for the cleaning robot to dock, where the cleaning robot includes: a main body; a mobile module, disposed on the main body, configured to drive the cleaning robot to move on a working surface; and a connection assembly, configured to detachably dispose the mopping module on the body of the robot; the base station includes: a storage module, configured to store at least one mopping module; an operating position, formed in the base station, and forming a partition space between the operating position and the storage module, for the cleaning robot to dock to replace the mopping module; and a transfer module, configured to transfer the mopping module between the storage module and the operating position; and the robot cleaning system further includes a control unit, where the control unit is configured to control the connection assembly to mount and/or unload a corresponding mopping module at the operating position, for the robot to replace the mopping module. Beneficial effects of the present invention are: the cleaning robot is more intelligent, and the corresponding base station is compact in structure and small in occupied area.