Self-Cleaning Modular Floor System for Autonomous Vehicle Uptime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manual cleaning methods for automobile vehicles are time-consuming, require external equipment, and cannot be performed while the vehicle is in transit, leading to lost operating time, especially for taxi and ride-sharing services.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning modular floor system with a tread portion that collects waste items and automatically displaces them into a collection tray when no passengers are present, using a power device and sensing technology to initiate cleaning operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cleaning procedures are used, then waste items can be removed from the vehicle interior, but cleaning requires external equipment and cannot be performed while the vehicle is in transit, leading to lost operating time
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle floor to clean itself automatically through a moving tread portion that transports waste from a first position to a second position without requiring external cleaning equipment or manual intervention, allowing cleaning to occur during vehicle operation
Solution Approach 2:
The tread portion is configured to move between a first position (for collecting waste) and a second position (for depositing waste), transforming the static floor into a dynamic cleaning mechanism that operates during vehicle transit
2Ease of operation
If manual cleaning procedures are used, then waste items can be removed from the vehicle interior, but the process is time-consuming and requires access to cleaning equipment not commonly present in a vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The tread portion serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural floor element for passenger standing and a cleaning mechanism for waste removal, eliminating the need for separate cleaning equipment while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is merged with the existing floor structure by integrating the tread portion into the vehicle floor, combining waste collection and transport capabilities with the structural requirements of the passenger compartment
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
Enables efficient and automatic waste removal during vehicle operation, enhancing passenger safety and reducing downtime for cleaning, allowing for continuous operation without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a heating mechanism is positioned proximate to the tread portion and energized to thaw out a frozen object defining the waste item including snow or ice adhered to the tread portion
Implementation Method 2
a power device is included. A transfer member is connected to the power device and to one of the first or the second roller member to rotate the first roller member or the second roller member and displace the tread portion when the power device is operated
Data Source
AI summary
An automobile vehicle self-cleaning modular floor system includes a self-cleaning modular assembly positioned in a passenger compartment of an automobile vehicle and including a tread portion, the tread portion having a first face and an oppositely directed second face. The first face of the tread portion when upwardly directed defines a first position of the tread portion, with a waste item collecting onto the first face in the first position during operation of the automobile vehicle. The tread portion is selectively moved from the first position to a second position having the first face downwardly directed and the second face upwardly directed. A waste collection tray is positioned below the tread portion to receive the waste item when the tread portion is in the second position.