Underwater Cleaning Machine Chassis System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing underwater cleaning machines are limited in their versatility, as they can only be used independently with all functions active, and not for manual operation with single functionalities like vacuuming or brushing, nor can they adapt to different cleaning tasks such as cleaning containers or uneven surfaces effectively.

Innovation Solution

The underwater cleaning machine features a detachable chassis device that allows for both robotic and manual operation, with modular components including wheels, rollers, and a drive system, enabling adaptation to various surfaces and tasks, and can be used with different functions like filtration, brushing, and hose operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the chassis is permanently attached to the cleaning unit, then the machine can operate autonomously as a cleaning robot, but it cannot be easily used for manual operation or single-function tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidstructure integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning machine is divided into separate modular components: a cleaning unit and a chassis device. The cleaning unit can be detached from the chassis, allowing the system to be configured for different operational modes (robotic operation with chassis, manual operation without chassis). This segmentation enables versatility while maintaining structural simplicity in each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning unit is designed as a universal module that can function with or without the chassis. It can perform multiple functions including vacuuming, brushing, and can be operated either autonomously as a robot or manually by an operator. The chassis provides additional autonomous navigation capabilities when attached.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaning machine is designed for autonomous robotic operation, then it can clean large areas automatically, but it cannot effectively clean smaller areas or difficult-to-reach surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface adaptabilityVSAvoidmanual handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic reconfiguration between autonomous robotic mode (with chassis) for large areas and manual mode (without chassis) for small or difficult-to-reach areas. The cleaning unit can be quickly detached from the chassis and guided manually by an operator to access steps, ladders, small platforms, and other surfaces that autonomous navigation cannot reach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the chassis components are fixed relative to the cleaning assembly, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot adapt to uneven surfaces or contours

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface contour adaptationVSAvoidchassis configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis components are designed with mobility relative to the cleaning assembly. At least one chassis component can move towards and away from the surface to be cleaned, allowing the system to adapt to uneven surfaces and contours. This dynamic configuration enables the cleaning machine to maintain contact with irregular surfaces while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3224433B1Underwater cleaning machine having a chassis system
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 REUSS TORSTEN
  • EP3224433B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3224433B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3224433B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an underwater cleaning machine (10), comprising a cleaning assembly (20), which has a suction unit (35) for producing a suction flow (E) for sucking in dirt via at least one suction inlet (33), which is fluidically connected to a dirty-water outlet (46) for connecting a hose or for connecting a separating device (40), in particular a filter device (43), for separating dirt sucked in with the suction flow (E), and comprising a chassis system (50) for moving the cleaning assembly (20) on a surface (U) to be cleaned by the underwater cleaning machine (10). According to the invention, the chassis system (50) is detachably connected to the cleaning assembly (20) by means of connecting elements (60).