Robotic window-cleaning system and safety cord system therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic window-cleaning systems face issues with attachment failure, leading to potential robot falls and safety risks due to inadequate safety mechanisms, especially when cleaning high windows.
Innovation Solution
A safety cord system with an anchor component, a spool, and a braking mechanism that automatically activates when the spool's angular velocity exceeds a threshold, using moveable elements and frictional forces to halt the robot's fall by winding the cord around the spool, maintaining constant tension until the robot is secured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a robotic window cleaner is used to clean high or hard-to-access windows, then productivity and cleaning capability are improved, but safety risks increase due to potential attachment failure and robot falls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a safety cord system with a spool and braking mechanism that activates beforehand to prevent complete falls. The braking mechanism engages when the cord unwinds beyond a safe threshold, cushioning the impact and preventing robot damage or injury to persons below, thus addressing safety risks while maintaining cleaning productivity
2Productivity
If an attachment system is used to enable the robot to clean windows, then cleaning capability is improved, but reliability decreases when attachment fails causing robot falls
Solution Approach 1:
The safety cord system acts as an intermediary between the robot and the window/ground. It provides a backup safety mechanism that independent of the primary attachment system, monitoring cord unwinding and activating the braking mechanism to prevent falls, thus improving reliability without interfering with cleaning operations
3Reliability
If a safety cord system with braking mechanism is implemented, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety cord system is designed to be self-regulating through the spool and braking mechanism. The system automatically monitors cord unwinding and activates braking when angular velocity exceeds a threshold, without requiring external control systems or user intervention, thus improving safety while minimizing the increase in complexity
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 safety cord system effectively prevents the robot from falling, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring user safety by maintaining constant tension and limiting the fall distance, thus enhancing the reliability and safety of robotic window-cleaning operations.
Implementation Method 1
a braking mechanism, which is configured to halt the unwinding of the cord from the spool, thereby halting the robot's fall from the window
Implementation Method 2
a braking mechanism, which is configured to halt the unwinding of the cord from the spool, thereby halting the robot's fall from the window
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a safety cord system for a window cleaning robot. The system comprises an anchor component, the anchor component being coupleable to, or adjacent to, a window; a cord; and a cord-handling unit, which is configured to be coupled to one of the anchor component and the robot and which comprises: a spool, which is configured to automatically rotate about a winding axis in a winding direction, the cord thereby being wound around the spool, the cord extending from a first end to a second end, the first end being secured at said spool, the second end being configured to be secured to the other of the anchor and the robot; and a braking mechanism, which is configured to halt the unwinding of the cord from the spool, thereby halting the robot's fall from the window, and which is activated when the angular velocity of the spool exceeds a threshold.