Robotic cleaner with sweeper and rotating dusting pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous floor cleaners lack an efficient and integrated system for sweeping and mopping, often requiring multiple passes or separate devices, and suffer from inconsistent fluid distribution and complex circuitry for fluid delivery.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous floor cleaner with a brush chamber, fluid delivery system, and pulse-width modulation control for consistent fluid flow, integrated with a unitary assembly for easy maintenance and efficient cleaning, including a detachable tank assembly for refilling and debris removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate devices or multiple passes are used for sweeping and mopping, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but cleaning time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sweeper assembly and dusting assembly into a single integrated robotic cleaning device. The sweeper brushroll, dusting pads, and fluid delivery system are all mounted on the same housing and operate simultaneously during a single cleaning pass, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices or multiple passes to achieve both sweeping and mopping functions.
2Reliability
If traditional fluid delivery systems are used without pulse-width modulation control, then system simplicity is maintained, but fluid distribution consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pulse-width modulation (PWM) control circuitry that receives input from a flow sensor to automatically adjust the fluid pump's operation. The flow sensor provides feedback on the actual fluid flow rate, and the PWM controller adjusts the pump duty cycle to maintain a consistent predetermined flow rate, ensuring uniform fluid distribution across the cleaning surface.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fluid delivery system is integrated into the main housing, then structural stability is improved, but ease of maintenance and refilling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the robotic cleaner into distinct modular assemblies: a main housing containing the drive system, and a separate removable dusting assembly containing the fluid reservoir, dusting pads, and associated components. This segmentation allows the fluid delivery components to be easily detached and serviced independently without affecting the structural integrity or operation of the main housing.
4Reliability
If a high flow rate of cleaning fluid is used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but fluid consumption and potential oversaturation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pulse-width modulation to dynamically control the fluid pump's flow rate parameter. Instead of operating at a constant high flow rate, the PWM controller adjusts the pump's duty cycle to deliver an optimized flow rate that provides sufficient cleaning effectiveness while minimizing fluid consumption and preventing oversaturation of the cleaning surface.
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 efficient single-pass sweeping and mopping with consistent fluid distribution, reduced circuit complexity, and easy maintenance, improving cleaning performance and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a pulse width modulation signal powering the pump, from the controller, is further configured to provide a set flowrate of deposited cleaning fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous floor cleaner can include a brush chamber, a brushroll rotatably mounted in the brush chamber, a controller for controlling the operation of the autonomous floor cleaner; and a fluid delivery system with a supply tank and at least one fluid distributor configured to deposit cleaning fluid onto a surface to be cleaned.