Segmented Angled Brush Arms for Autonomous Robot Corner Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous cleaning robots face challenges in effectively sweeping debris from floor surfaces, particularly around obstacles and corners, due to the geometry of their brushes, which can lead to entanglement and reduced cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a side brush with angled arms and bristle bundles that rotate about a vertical axis, allowing it to sweep debris under a main brush without interfering with other components, and features a hub with an inset portion to collect filament debris, enabling broader cleaning coverage and preventing entanglement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the brush uses a conventional geometry with straight arms extending radially from the hub, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the brush cannot effectively sweep debris from hard-to-reach areas without causing entanglement with other components
Solution Approach 1:
The brush arms are segmented into multiple portions (first portion and second portion) with different orientations. The first portion extends radially from the hub, while the second portion angles downward toward the floor surface. This segmentation allows each portion to perform a specific function: the first portion provides structural support and connection, while the second portion enables effective debris engagement and sweeping motion without interfering with the robot's main body.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush arm structure transitions from a two-dimensional radial configuration to a three-dimensional configuration by angling the second portion downward. This dimensional change allows the bristle bundles to reach the floor surface effectively while the upper portions of the arms remain clear of the robot's main body, preventing entanglement and enabling access to hard-to-reach areas.
2Productivity
If the brush arms extend radially outward from the hub, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the brush cannot access debris under the main brush without causing entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The brush arm is divided into functional segments: the first portion provides radial support from the hub, while the second portion angles downward to reach the floor. This segmentation enables the brush to access debris under the main brush effectively while maintaining clear separation from the robot's body, preventing entanglement and ensuring reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled second portion of the arm acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the radial hub structure and the floor surface. It transmits the rotational motion from the motor while positioning the bristle bundles at the optimal angle for debris engagement, mediating between the rotational motion and the cleaning function without causing interference with other components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the brush uses a simple radial arm structure, then the device is easy to manufacture, but filament debris can wrap around the arms and impede rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented arm structure with its angled second portion creates a geometry that prevents filament debris from wrapping around the rotation axis. The downward angle of the second portion directs filaments away from the hub area, reducing the likelihood of entanglement while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the modular segmented design.
4Productivity
If the brush arms are positioned to maximize cleaning coverage, then debris collection from corners and obstacles is improved, but the arms may interfere with other robot components
Solution Approach 1:
The brush arm structure utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by angling the second portion downward toward the floor surface. This dimensional positioning maximizes cleaning coverage in corners and along obstacles while maintaining clear separation from the robot's main body in the horizontal plane, preventing interference with other components.
Data Source
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AI summary
An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive configured to move the robot across a floor surface, a brush proximate a lateral side of the robot, and a motor configured to rotate the brush about an axis of rotation. The brush includes a hub configured to engage the motor of the robot and arms each extending outwardly from the hub away from the axis of rotation and each being angled relative to a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the brush. Each of the arms include a first portion extending outwardly from the hub away from the axis of rotation and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion away from the axis of rotation. An angle between the first portion of each of the arms and the plane is larger than an angle between the second portion of the each of the arms and the plane.