Mopping extension for a robotic vacuum

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current robotic floor cleaning devices require separate devices for vacuuming and mopping, leading to high costs, maintenance, and longer cleaning times, as users need to operate multiple devices sequentially to thoroughly clean a workspace.

Innovation Solution

A single autonomous robotic device equipped with a detachable mopping extension that includes a fluid reservoir, a cloth, and sensors, allowing for simultaneous vacuuming and mopping by moving the mopping assembly up and down and back and forth, with fluid delivery via nozzles and optional ultrasonic oscillation or vibration for enhanced cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate robotic devices are used for vacuuming and mopping, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the cost of ownership increases, maintenance requirements increase, and cleaning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines vacuuming and mopping functions into a single robotic device. The robotic device includes a vacuuming system with a brush roll and suction mechanism, and a mopping system with a removable mopping assembly that includes a mop head, cleaning cloth, and fluid reservoir. This integration allows the device to perform both functions sequentially or simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing total cleaning time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both vacuuming and mopping operations. The mopping assembly can be attached to or removed from the main body, allowing the device to adapt between different cleaning modes. The control system automatically manages transitions between vacuuming and mopping based on sensor input and pre-programmed sequences, providing universal cleaning capability in a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate robotic devices are used for vacuuming and mopping, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the cost of ownership increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidcost of ownership

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If separate robotic devices are used for vacuuming and mopping, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The mopping assembly is designed as a removable, segmented component that can be easily detached from the main robotic device body. The assembly includes a mop head, cleaning cloth, and fluid reservoir that can be separated and cleaned independently. This segmentation allows users to maintain the mopping components separately from the vacuuming system, simplifying maintenance procedures and reducing the complexity of servicing a multi-functional device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If a single robotic device performs both vacuuming and mopping, then cost of ownership decreases and cleaning time decreases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning timeVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Adaptability or versatility

If a single robotic device performs both vacuuming and mopping, then cost of ownership decreases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost of ownershipVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution reduces the need for multiple robots, lowers maintenance, and decreases the time required to complete a comprehensive cleaning job, while improving cleaning effectiveness by integrating both functions into a single device.

Implementation Method 1

The mopping extension may include a set of ultrasonic oscillators that vibrate the mopping extension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

at least one nozzle set for controlling delivery of the cleaning fluid to the cloth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid delivery:

Data Source

PatentUS11864715B1Mopping extension for a robotic vacuum

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 AI INC

AI summary

Provided is an autonomous coverage robot including: a chassis; a set of wheels; a plurality of sensors; and a mopping assembly including: a fluid reservoir for storing a cleaning fluid; a cloth for receiving the cleaning fluid, wherein the cloth is oriented toward a work surface; a means to move at least the cloth of the mopping assembly up and down in a plane perpendicular to the work surface, wherein the means to move at least the cloth of the mopping assembly up and down is controlled automatically based on input provided by at least one of the plurality of sensors; and a means to move at least a portion of the mopping assembly back and forth in a plane parallel to the work surface.