Method for cleaning a side brush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cleaning robots face issues with side brushes becoming contaminated, leading to impaired cleaning performance due to dirt and dust accumulation, which can obstruct rotation or damage bearings.
Innovation Solution
The method involves the robot identifying suitable obstacles with protruding contours, approaching them without collision, and rotating the side brush against these obstacles to remove adhering dirt, utilizing the spring properties of the bristles to loosen and wipe away dirt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the side brush rotates continuously during cleaning operations, then cleaning performance is maintained, but dirt and dust accumulate on the side brush leading to bearing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs side brush cleaning in advance by utilizing obstacles encountered during normal cleaning operations. The control unit monitors cleaning time and automatically initiates side brush cleaning against detected obstacles before bearing damage occurs, preventing dirt accumulation rather than addressing it after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
The side brush cleans itself by rotating against detected obstacles in the environment. The robot's navigation system identifies suitable obstacles, positions the side brush against them, and rotates the brush to remove accumulated dirt automatically during routine operations, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the robot stops to clean the side brush manually, then dirt removal is effective, but cleaning productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush performs self-cleaning by rotating against obstacles in the environment under control of the navigation unit. This automated process removes dirt effectively while the robot continues its cleaning operations uninterrupted, maintaining high productivity without requiring manual intervention or stopping.
Solution Approach 2:
The side brush cleaning is integrated into the robot's continuous cleaning operation. The control unit monitors cleaning time and automatically initiates side brush cleaning against detected obstacles during routine operations, ensuring continuous productive action without interruption for manual maintenance.
3Reliability
If the side brush is cleaned frequently manually, then cleanliness is maintained, but user time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush automatically cleans itself by rotating against obstacles detected by the navigation system during normal operations. This eliminates the need for manual cleaning intervention entirely, saving user time and effort while maintaining side brush cleanliness and preventing bearing damage through continuous automated maintenance.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the robot navigates to a specific location for side brush cleaning, then cleaning is thorough, but navigation time is added
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush cleaning function is merged with the robot's normal cleaning operations. The control unit monitors cleaning time and automatically utilizes obstacles encountered during routine cleaning paths for side brush cleaning, combining two functions into one continuous operation without requiring separate navigation to dedicated cleaning locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The side brush cleaning is integrated into the continuous cleaning operation rather than being a separate task. The robot maintains its cleaning path and automatically performs side brush cleaning against detected obstacles, ensuring continuous productive action without interruption or additional navigation time to specific cleaning locations.
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 approach reduces the need for manual cleaning of the side brush, maintaining effective cleaning performance by automatically removing dirt and preventing bearing damage.
Implementation Method 1
the side brush or wiper pad rubs against the protruding contour
Implementation Method 2
rubs its side brush or cleaning pad against them to remove adhering dirt
Implementation Method 3
utilizing the spring properties of the bristles to loosen and wipe away dirt
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~4A
Figure 4B~5
AI summary
A method for cleaning a side brush (5) or a mopping pad of a mobile, self-propelled device (10), in particular a floor cleaning device such as a vacuuming and/or sweeping and/or mopping robot, is described, comprising the following steps: approaching the device (10) to an obstacle having a protruding contour (9) such that the protruding contour (7) of the obstacle intersects a circle described during a rotation of the side brush (5) or the mopping pad, rotating the side brush (5) or the mopping pad while the device (10) is stationary so that the side brush (5) or the mopping pad rubs against the protruding contour (7), and cleaning an area around the obstacle.