Robotic vacuum cleaning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The robotic vacuum cleaner market lacks diversity in form factor and functionality, with most devices being circular and limited in their ability to adapt to demanding environments, despite advancements in navigation and autonomy.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid robotic vacuum cleaning system comprising a robotic unit with a docking interface for a handheld vacuum cleaner, allowing for shared suction tools and optimized cleaning for various surfaces, with the battery pack extending over the robotic unit for improved mass distribution and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery pack extends over the top of the robotic unit when docked, then mass distribution is improved for better maneuverability, but the supporting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is positioned to extend over the top of the robotic unit when docked, acting as a counterweight that balances the mass distribution. This positioning improves maneuverability by creating a more balanced center of gravity, allowing the robotic unit to navigate more effectively while the battery remains securely supported through the docking interface
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 system provides a user-friendly solution for both spot cleaning and autonomous tasks, offering enhanced ergonomics and efficiency by allowing the handheld vacuum cleaner to dock with the robotic unit, sharing suction tools and benefiting from improved mass distribution for better maneuverability.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum motor for drawing air through a suction flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
A vacuum cleaning system comprising a robotic unit (2) including a traction arrangement, and a docking interface (84) for receiving a handheld vacuum cleaner (6), and a handheld vacuum cleaner configured to be docked with the docking interface. The handheld vacuum cleaner (6) comprises a vacuum motor for drawing air through a suction flow path defined by the robot unit when docked with the docking interface, wherein the handheld vacuum cleaner comprises a main body from which extends a battery pack (26). When the handheld vacuum cleaner is docked with the docking interface, it is configured such that the battery pack extends over the top of at least part of the robotic unit. Advantageously, the invention provides a particularly user friendly cleaning system for a user who is able to use the handheld vacuum cleaner for spot cleaning or larger cleaning tasks, but is then able to dock the handheld vacuum cleaner onto the robotic unit for autonomous cleaning tasks. Advantageously, the configuration of the battery pack extending over the main body of the robotic unit means that a relatively heavy component is held close to a central position over the main body which is helpful for mass distribution as the machine moves around the floor. Conveniently, the robotic unit and the handheld vacuum cleaner may share one or more common suction tools, which means that both machines can be optimised for the surfaces they are intended to clean. The suction tools may be passive, that is without a motorised bush bar or agitator, such as may be the case for floor tools optimised for hard floors, or the suction tools may be motorised which makes them particularly suited to piled floor coverings such as carpets and rugs.