Vacuum robot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic vacuum cleaners require users to handle the entire device to replace the suction mouth, making it cumbersome and unhygienic, and there is a need for improved cleaning efficiency based on different floor types.

Innovation Solution

A robotic vacuum cleaner with a fluidically interchangeable suction mouth upstream of the suction opening, allowing users to choose from various suction mouths suited for specific cleaning tasks, such as hard or non-hard floors, with modular design and interchangeable lips for optimized performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the suction mouth is made interchangeable upstream of the suction opening, then the cleaning efficiency for different floor types is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiency for different floor typesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction mouth is separated from the main vacuum robot body into an independent, interchangeable component. This segmentation allows the suction mouth to be exchanged based on different cleaning tasks (hard floors vs. non-hard floors) without replacing the entire robot, thus improving adaptability while managing device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum robot is designed with a universal mounting interface that accepts different types of suction mouths for different floor types. This multi-functionality approach allows a single robot body to perform multiple cleaning functions by simply changing the suction mouth attachment, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If the entire vacuum robot must be handled to replace the suction mouth, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suction mouth is designed as a separable module with a specific mounting interface on the robot body. This segmentation enables users to replace only the suction mouth component rather than handling the entire robot, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining the structural integrity of the main robot body through the designed interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction mouth is extracted as an independent replaceable component from the integrated robot structure. This extraction allows users to easily remove and replace the suction mouth without disturbing the main robot body, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and improving operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the entire vacuum robot is handled for suction mouth replacement, then the connection stability is ensured, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidtime for replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The suction mouth is segmented as a separate module with a dedicated mounting interface. This segmentation enables quick replacement of the suction mouth without moving the entire robot, reducing the time required for replacement while ensuring connection stability through the designed interface mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting interface for the suction mouth is pre-designed and prepared on the robot body, allowing for rapid attachment and detachment. This preliminary preparation of the interface structure enables quick replacements without time-consuming adjustments, resolving the contradiction between connection stability and replacement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables users to easily switch suction mouths for different cleaning tasks, improving cleaning efficiency and hygiene by allowing for targeted suction and dust collection, enhancing the overall cleaning result.

Implementation Method 1

solids picked up by the vacuum robot during operation are conveyed through the suction mouth and the suction opening into the dust collection space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3222186B1Vacuum robot
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3222186B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3222186B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3222186B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Robotic vacuum cleaner with a dust collection space (9) accessible via a suction opening (8), a suction mouth (11) being provided which is fluidically interchangeable upstream of the suction opening (8) in the suction direction (19).