Wheel Drive Geartrain Sharing Motor Power With Cleaner Head

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaner robots require multiple motors for wheel, main brush, and subbrush operation, leading to increased power consumption and reduced operating time due to battery-driven power supply, necessitating frequent recharging and decreased cleaning efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A wheel driving device utilizing a single motor with a gear set to simultaneously drive both the wheel and cleaner head, reducing the number of motors needed and incorporating a flexible power transmission part for improved design flexibility and reduced power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple motors are used to drive the wheel, main brush, and subbrush separately, then each component can be driven independently, but the power consumption increases and operating time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent driving capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple driving functions into a single motor by using a differential mechanism. The motor drives both wheels through the differential, allowing independent rotation of each wheel while using only one motor. This merging of functions reduces power consumption and eliminates the need for multiple separate motors for wheel and brush driving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single motor in the invention serves multiple functions: it drives both wheels through the differential mechanism and can also drive the main brush and subbrush through shared power transmission paths. This multi-functionality allows one motor to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate motors, reducing overall power consumption.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple motors are arranged for different components, then each component has dedicated power source, but the device complexity and number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent independenceVSAvoidnumber of motors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The differential mechanism merges the function of multiple motors into a single motor system. Instead of having separate motors for left and right wheels, the differential allows one motor to drive both wheels independently through mechanical differentiation of the power transmission, reducing the number of motors from two to one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The differential acts as an intermediary mechanism between the single motor and the wheels. It mediates the power transmission to allow independent rotation of each wheel while being driven by a single motor, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If batteries supply power to multiple motors, then all components can operate, but the operating time is reduced due to high power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning functionalityVSAvoidoperating time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple motor functions into a single motor through the differential mechanism, the overall power consumption of the system is reduced. This allows the battery to supply power for a longer duration, extending operating time while maintaining all cleaning functionalities including wheel driving and brush operation.

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 solution decreases power consumption, increases operating time, and enhances cleaning efficiency by allowing flexible arrangement of the cleaner head and larger suction module or dust collection box, while preventing dust and trash dispersal during backward movement.

Implementation Method 1

an input gear fixed to the shaft; at least one transmission gear meshed with the input gear to transmit power of the motor; and a final gear meshed with the transmission gear and connected with a wheel via an axis to transmit the power from the transmission gear to the wheel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3199082B1Wheel driving device and cleaner robot having the same
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 NIDEC CORP(US)
  • EP3199082B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3199082B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3199082B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A wheel driving device (100) includes: a motor (10) rotating a shaft (10a); an input gear (12) fixed to the shaft (10a); at least one transmission gear (14) meshed with the input gear (12) to transmit power of the motor (10); and a final gear (18) meshed with the transmission gear (14) and connected with a wheel (40) via an axis (18a) to transmit the power from the transmission gear (14) to the wheel (40). The wheel driving device (100) includes an extraction gear (20) meshed with the final gear (18) or the transmission gear (14), and a power transmission part (30) connected with the extraction gear (20) to transmit the power from the extraction gear (20) to a cleaner head (322).