Leak-Proof Robot Garbage Basket With Rotating Inlet Baffle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water surface cleaning robots experience garbage overflow and leakage from the garbage basket when moving backwards or stopping, affecting cleaning efficiency and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A leak-proof garbage basket with a rotatable baffle that closes the inlet when not in use, featuring a material density less than water, an air cavity, or a counterweight to facilitate quick return to the closed position, and a limiting feature to stabilize the baffle's rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the water surface cleaning robot stops or moves backwards, then energy consumption is reduced, but garbage overflows from the garbage basket
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between open and closed states. When the robot moves forward, the baffle opens to allow garbage in; when the robot stops or moves backward, the baffle closes to prevent overflow, thus adapting to different operational states
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle utilizes the robot's own movement and water flow to automatically open and close without requiring external control. The forward motion naturally opens the baffle, while stopping or backward motion causes it to close, making the system self-regulating
2Reliability
If a rotatable baffle is added to the garbage basket, then garbage leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A counterweight is attached to the baffle to utilize gravitational force for automatically closing the baffle when the robot stops or moves backward. This simple mechanical addition eliminates the need for complex motors or control systems while achieving reliable garbage containment
Solution Approach 2:
An air cavity is introduced into the baffle structure, utilizing buoyancy and water pressure to assist in the baffle's rotation. The air cavity provides upward force to help close the baffle, working together with the counterweight to achieve reliable containment with minimal mechanical complexity
3Reliability
If the baffle is made to return quickly to closed position, then garbage leakage is prevented, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight creates a torque that actively pulls the baffle to the closed position, ensuring rapid return when the robot stops or reverses. This single component provides both the closing force and the speed needed for effective containment
Solution Approach 2:
The air cavity changes the buoyancy and weight distribution parameters of the baffle, enabling faster rotation to the closed position. By modifying the physical parameters of the baffle itself rather than adding separate mechanisms, the system achieves quick response with minimal additional components
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
Prevents garbage leakage effectively, ensuring consistent cleaning performance and improved user experience by maintaining the integrity of the garbage basket contents.
Implementation Method 1
A density of a material of the at least partial area of the leak-proof baffle is less than a density of water, and/or the leak-proof baffle is provided thereon with an air cavity
Implementation Method 2
The leak-proof baffle is provided thereon with a counterweight, and on a condition that the leak-proof baffle is at the first position, the counterweight is positioned below a rotation center axis of the leak-proof baffle
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a leak-proof garbage basket and a water surface cleaning robot. The leak-proof garbage basket comprises a body with an inlet, where the body is provided thereon with a leak-proof baffle rotatably connected with the body and disposed close to the inlet. when being in a first position, the leak-proof baffle closes at least a partial area of the inlet. The garbage basket has a novel structure where a leak-proof baffle is disposed at the inlet, which can effectively prevent garbage in the garbage basket from overflowing through the inlet of the garbage basket on a condition that the water surface cleaning robot is stopped or moved backwards, and thus accomplish the objective of preventing garbage leakage, guarantee the cleaning effect of the water surface cleaning robot, and improve the user experience.