Robotic Vacuum Moving Base With Single-Motor Clutch Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robotic vacuum cleaners require two separate motors to control their wheels, increasing manufacturing costs and volume due to the need for additional space and components.
Innovation Solution
A moving base with a single motor that uses a clutch assembly to alternately drive a primary wheel clockwise or counterclockwise, disengaging the secondary wheel when reversing, allowing the robotic vacuum cleaner to change direction effectively with reduced component count and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two separate motors are used to control each wheel, then the robotic vacuum cleaner can effectively change direction and navigate obstacles, but the manufacturing cost and device volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate motors into a single motor by introducing a clutch assembly. The single motor alternately drives the left and right wheels through the clutch mechanism, achieving directional control without requiring two independent motors. This combining approach reduces component count while maintaining the ability to navigate obstacles and change direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor is designed to perform multiple functions: driving the left wheel forward, driving the right wheel forward, driving one wheel in reverse while the other forward for turning, and controlling differential rotation for obstacle avoidance. The clutch assembly enables this universal motor to adapt its output to various directional requirements, making one motor replace two specialized motors.
2Ease of operation
If two motors are mounted on the robotic vacuum cleaner, then each wheel can be independently controlled, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two motor units into one motor unit with a clutch assembly. This merging reduces the bill of materials, assembly complexity, and manufacturing cost. The single motor with clutch mechanism achieves the same wheel control precision as two separate motors would provide, making the system more cost-effective while maintaining operational capability.
3Ease of operation
If two motors are installed on the robotic vacuum cleaner, then independent wheel control is achieved, but the volume of the cleaner increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging two motors into one motor with a clutch assembly, the patent significantly reduces the space required for motor housing and mounting structures. The compact clutch mechanism allows the single motor to replace the volume occupied by two separate motors, thereby reducing the overall cleaner volume while maintaining full navigation and obstacle avoidance capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A moving base for robotic vacuum cleaner includes a base; a motor mounted in a motor chamber on the base to alternatively drive a drive shaft thereof to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise; a primary wheel fixed to and rotating along with the drive shaft of the motor; a clutch assembly connected to the primary wheel; an axle connected at an end to the clutch assembly, so as to be driven by the primary wheel to rotate when the drive shaft of the motor rotates clockwise, or to disengage from the driving by the primary wheel when the drive shaft of the motor rotates counterclockwise: and a secondary wheel connected to another end of the axle to rotate along with the axle. Since only one motor is needed to control a moving direction thereof, the robotic vacuum cleaner can have effectively reduced manufacturing cost and overall volume.