Station and cleaning device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face issues with contamination of the dust inlet and damage to the suction motor during the emptying of the dust bin, which are not adequately addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device comprising a station and a robot cleaner that allows the robot cleaner to move to specific positions on the station, where a washing chamber washes the mop and a suction motor provides a suction force to empty the dust bin through a dust outlet and inlet, with alignment portions guiding the cleaner to these positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the dust inlet is positioned close to the washing chamber for compact design, then the station structure is more compact, but the dust inlet becomes contaminated by water spray during mop washing
Solution Approach 1:
The station is divided into distinct functional zones: a washing chamber for mop washing and a dust collection area with dust inlet. By spatially segmenting these functions and positioning the dust inlet away from the washing chamber, the patent prevents water spray from contaminating the dust inlet while maintaining overall compactness through optimized layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The dust inlet is extracted from the washing chamber area and positioned at a separate location on the station. This extraction eliminates the harmful interaction between water spray and the dust inlet, allowing the dust collection function to operate independently without contamination risk.
2Ease of operation
If the robot cleaner performs both mop washing and dust emptying at the same position, then the station operation is simplified, but the suction motor is damaged by water exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The robot cleaner is designed to dynamically reposition between two distinct locations on the station: a first position for mop washing and a second position for dust emptying. This dynamic positioning ensures that the dust outlet aligns with the dust inlet only during dust emptying operations, preventing water from entering the suction motor while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The station operations are segmented into distinct spatial zones: mop washing occurs at one location while dust emptying occurs at another. This functional segmentation protects the suction motor from water exposure during dust emptying operations, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating the overall operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the dust inlet is positioned away from the washing chamber to prevent contamination, then dust inlet contamination is reduced, but the station structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The station is designed with multi-functional areas that serve multiple purposes. The dust collection area, positioned away from the washing chamber, not only prevents contamination but also efficiently collects dust from the robot cleaner. This universal design achieves both contamination prevention and effective dust collection without requiring overly complex structures.
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 configuration reduces contamination of the dust inlet and minimizes damage to the suction motor, enhancing the efficiency and durability of the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
a suction motor configured to, with the robot cleaner being at the second position on the station, provide a suction force so that dust is suctioned out of the dust bin through the dust outlet and the dust inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device includes a station, and a robot cleaner movable to a first position on the station and a second position on the station. The robot cleaner includes a mop, a dust bin, and a dust outlet. The station includes a washing chamber configured to, with the robot cleaner being at the first position on the station, wash the mop, a dust inlet spaced away from the washing chamber, and a suction motor configured to, with the robot cleaner being at the second position on the station, provide a suction force so that dust is suctioned out of the dust bin through the dust outlet and the dust inlet.