Side brush and cleaning robot having a side brush
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side brushes for cleaning robots are inefficient in sweeping and loosening dirt particles, as they lack directional control over tangential forces and flexural rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A side brush design with cleaning arms that exert different tangential forces and flexural rigidity based on the direction of rotation, achieved through geometric shapes and mechanical support elements that change the effective length and stiffness of the cleaning arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the side brush uses uniform cleaning arms with constant flexural rigidity, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cleaning efficiency is insufficient because it cannot provide different tangential forces for sweeping and loosening dirt particles
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning arm is designed with an asymmetric curved profile rather than a uniform straight structure. The curvature radius varies along the length of the cleaning arm, creating different flexural rigidity characteristics for different rotation directions. This asymmetric geometry enables the side brush to exert different tangential forces when rotating in either direction, thereby improving cleaning efficiency without requiring multiple separate cleaning arms or complex mechanical switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the cleaning arm have different flexural rigidity properties. The cleaning arm features a curved profile where the curvature radius changes along its length, with the first section having a different curvature radius than the second section. This local variation in geometric properties allows the cleaning arm to provide direction-dependent tangential forces, enabling both sweeping and loosening functions with a single uniform structure.
2Force
If the cleaning arms have high flexural rigidity in both rotation directions, then the tangential force for loosening dirt is sufficient, but the sweeping efficiency decreases because the cleaning arms cannot flex properly to sweep particles toward the suction mouth
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric curved profile of the cleaning arm creates direction-dependent flexural characteristics. When the side brush rotates in the first direction, the cleaning arm geometry allows greater flexing for effective sweeping. When rotating in the second direction, the same geometry provides higher effective stiffness for loosening dirt particles. This asymmetric design resolves the contradiction by making the cleaning arm's mechanical response dependent on rotation direction rather than using separate structures for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the side brush can switch between different cleaning modes, then the adaptability to different cleaning scenarios is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush automatically adapts to different cleaning scenarios by utilizing the natural direction-dependent mechanical properties of the curved cleaning arms. The system does not require external sensors, controllers, or switching mechanisms to change cleaning modes. Instead, the cleaning arm geometry itself provides the adaptability, with the curved profile automatically providing appropriate flexural characteristics based on the rotation direction and operating conditions, thereby achieving versatility without additional control complexity.
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
This design enhances the sweeping efficiency in one direction and intensifies dirt loosening in the opposite direction, thereby improving the overall cleaning quality of the cleaning robot.
Implementation Method 1
a tangential force acting perpendicular to the radial direction, which is exerted by the cleaning arms on a surface to be cleaned during a rotational movement of the side brush
Implementation Method 2
the flexural rigidity of the cleaning arms is higher in the second direction of rotation than in the first direction of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2a
Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
A side brush (140) for a cleaning robot (100) is described, wherein the side brush (140) comprises a hub (142) with a coupling element, and wherein the side brush (140) is designed to be connected to a drive of the cleaning robot (100) via the coupling element in order to effect a rotational movement of the side brush (140) about a rotation axis selectively in a first rotational direction (201) or in an opposite second rotational direction (202). The side brush (140) has a plurality of cleaning arms (141), each of which is fastened to the hub (142) and each of which extends radially away from the hub (142). The side brush (140) is designed such that a tangential force acting perpendicular to the radial direction, which is exerted on a surface to be cleaned by the cleaning arms (141) during a rotational movement of the side brush (140), is higher in the second direction of rotation (202) than in the first direction of rotation (201).