Self-propelled floor cleaning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatically movable floor cleaning devices are complex and expensive to manufacture due to the need for sophisticated lifting mechanisms to overcome obstacles, which increases production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A floor cleaning device that utilizes a variable spring force mechanism to adjust contact pressure, allowing the device to overcome obstacles without a separate lifting device, by changing the spring force independently of its extension or retraction, and using a sensor-activated gear train to adjust the spring force for optimal traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex lifting device with swivel arms and gears is used to overcome obstacles, then the floor cleaning device can reliably climb obstacles, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the obstacle-overcoming function from a complex separate lifting device and integrates it into the existing wheel-suspension system. By removing the unnecessary swivel arms and complex gear mechanisms, the solution retains only the essential wheel suspension capability while adding spring force control, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the obstacle-overcoming function with the existing wheel suspension system. Instead of using a separate lifting device, the wheel suspension is enhanced with variable spring force control to provide both obstacle overcoming and surface following capabilities in a single integrated system, reducing overall device complexity.
2Force
If the spring force is increased to improve traction on obstacles, then the wheel contact pressure increases, but the spring extension decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic spring force adjustment through a variable ratio mechanism. As the wheel encounters an obstacle and the spring extends, the mechanism automatically changes the gear ratio to increase spring force while maintaining appropriate extension. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain both sufficient contact pressure and adequate spring extension throughout the obstacle traversal process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spring force parameter dynamically during operation. By using a variable ratio mechanism that adjusts the effective spring constant based on the wheel's position and contact conditions, the system can increase spring force when needed for traction while allowing sufficient extension for obstacle clearance, resolving the contradiction between force and extension.
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 the device to navigate level surfaces and overcome obstacles automatically, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while ensuring reliable obstacle traversal without user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
the wheel (3) is under the action of a spring force of a spring (7) and can be extended and retracted relative to the chassis (2)
Implementation Method 2
The force of the spring is changed as a function of a distance, in particular a distance between the chassis (2) and the ground (6), which is detected by a sensor (8)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Automatically movable floor cleaning device (1), which has a chassis (2) and several wheels (3), at least one wheel (3) being drivable and the drivable wheel (3) connected to the chassis (2) via a wheel (3) bearing and relative to the chassis (2) movable suspension part (5). In order to overcome an obstacle, the wheel (3) stands for support on a surface over which the floor cleaning device (1) can be moved, under the action of a spring (7) exerting a spring force, and with the aid of the suspension part (5) it is in relation to the The chassis (2) can be retracted or extended, the spring force being variable independently of an increase or decrease in the spring force caused by retraction or extension, in particular being increased with increasing extension of the wheel (3).