Wet Floor Cleaner Orientation Alerts for Liquid Spill Risk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current autonomous floor cleaners, particularly wet models, are prone to improper use by consumers, leading to potential liquid spills due to incorrect orientation or handling, which can result in accidents and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous floor cleaner equipped with a warning system that includes sensors and an audible alert mechanism to notify users when the device is tilted beyond a certain angle or lifted, preventing spills and ensuring proper operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If autonomous floor cleaners are equipped with liquid storage tanks for wet cleaning, then cleaning functionality is improved, but risk of liquid spillage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning functionalityVSAvoidliquid spillage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of improper orientation using sensors (tilt sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes) before liquid spillage occurs. The warning system alerts users in advance when the cleaner is tilted beyond safe angles or lifted off the floor, allowing users to correct the orientation before liquid spills.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the cleaner's orientation and operational status using multiple sensors, and provides real-time feedback to users through audible warnings, visual LED indicators, and haptic vibrations. This feedback loop enables users to understand the current risk state and take corrective actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If warning systems are added to alert users of improper orientation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The warning system integrates multiple functions into a single unified system: tilt detection, lift detection, moisture sensing, and multiple warning modalities (audible, visual, haptic) are combined in one integrated architecture. This multi-functional approach provides comprehensive safety coverage while minimizing the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically monitors its own operational status and orientation without requiring external monitoring devices. The integrated sensors and controller enable the cleaner to self-diagnose improper conditions and autonomously generate appropriate warnings, reducing the need for additional external complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to detect orientation and operational conditions, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines multiple sensing functions (tilt detection, acceleration measurement, rotation rate detection, moisture sensing) into an integrated sensor suite with a single controller. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining high detection accuracy through the complementary nature of the different sensor types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The warning system effectively reduces the risk of liquid spills and improper use by alerting users to correct the orientation or operational condition, enhancing safety and efficiency during cleaning operations.

Implementation Method 1

The controller can receive inputs from at least one sensor, and at least one audible warning can be issued based on input from the at least one sensor. In certain embodiments, the at least one sensor is an IMU

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial measurement: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

In certain embodiments, the at least one sensor is an IMU, a gyroscope

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyroscopic effect: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 3

the orientation or operational condition is one of: the robot being lifted off the surface to be cleaned

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectContact detection:

Implementation Method 4

the at least one sensor is an IMU, a gyroscope, a lift-up sensor, a cliff sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Implementation Method 5

the at least one sensor is an IMU, a gyroscope, a lift-up sensor, a cliff sensor, or a moisture sensor inside the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMoisture detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11213180B2Autonomous floor cleaner with audible warning

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 BISSELL INC

AI summary

An autonomous floor cleaner can include a housing, a drive system for autonomously moving the housing over the surface to be cleaned, a controller for controlling the operation of the autonomous floor cleaner, and warning system for issuing an audible warning based on an orientation or operational condition of the robot. Methods for issuing an audible warning are disclosed.