Cleaning cloth switching device and method, and sweeping and mopping robot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sweeping and mopping robots face issues with stains from cleaning cloths contaminating carpets due to strong water absorption, limiting their cleaning effectiveness on different surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning cloth switching device with a mop comprising first and second cleaning portions made of different materials, controlled by a roller assembly and detection members to adapt to various surfaces, ensuring effective stain removal without carpet contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a cleaning cloth with strong water absorption capacity is used, then water absorption capacity is improved, but stains on the cleaning cloth contaminate the carpet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater absorption capacityVSAvoidstain contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning cloth is divided into multiple independent cleaning portions with different materials. Each portion can be independently selected and switched to the bottom surface based on the cleaning object, allowing the robot to use different portions for different surfaces (e.g., hard floor vs. carpet) to avoid stain contamination while maintaining water absorption capacity when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning cloth is designed to be dynamically switchable between different cleaning portions through the roller assembly. The system can adjust which portion contacts the bottom surface in real-time based on detection of the cleaning surface type, transforming a static single-material cloth into a dynamic multi-material system that adapts to different cleaning scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If a single material cleaning cloth is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but cleaning effectiveness on different surfaces is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness on different surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning cloth assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating different cleaning portions made of different materials. This universal design allows a single cleaning cloth assembly to effectively clean various surfaces including hard floors, carpets, and other surfaces by switching to the appropriate portion, thereby achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate cleaning cloths for each surface type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances cleaning versatility by preventing water stains from reaching carpets while maintaining effective floor cleaning, improving the applicability of the robot on diverse surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

the roller assembly rolls so as to drive the first cleaning portion or the second cleaning portion to move to the bottom of the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP4627991A2Cleaning cloth switching device and method, and sweeping and mopping robot
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 SHENZHEN ZBEETLE INTELLIGENCE CO LTD
  • EP4627991A2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4627991A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided in the present invention are a cleaning cloth switching device and method, and a sweeping and mopping robot. The cleaning cloth switching device comprises a housing (20), a roller assembly (30) and a mop (10), wherein the roller assembly (30) is arranged at the bottom of the housing (20); the mop (10) is sleeved on the roller assembly (30), and the mop (10) is provided with a first cleaning portion (11) and a second cleaning portion (12); the roller assembly (30) rolls to drive the first cleaning portion (11) to roll towards the bottom of the housing (20) or to drive the second cleaning portion (12) to roll towards the bottom of the housing (20); and the first cleaning portion (11) and the second cleaning portion (12) are made of different materials