Window cleaning machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional window cleaner robots fail to effectively detect collisions with window edges, leading to suction cup gas leaks and loss of adhesion, which results in incomplete cleaning and potential safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A window cleaning machine equipped with a resilient member between the body and the cleaning device to prevent external air from entering the suction space, and a driving device that causes the cleaning device to undergo a reciprocating motion, ensuring effective cleaning and collision detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional window cleaner robot uses only a walking module to detect collisions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of collision detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidcollision detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensing modules: walking module resistance sensing, air pressure sensor detection, and suction cup deformation detection. Each module performs a specific detection function, and their results are integrated to achieve comprehensive collision detection with high precision while maintaining reasonable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air pressure sensor is nested within the body cavity, and the suction cup is nested within the cleaning device. The air pressure sensor detects pressure changes in the sealed cavity formed by the suction cup, creating a nested detection structure that enables precise collision detection without adding external complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the window cleaning machine rinses rather than excessively scrubbs and washes, then the safety is improved by preventing workers from slipping, but the cleaning completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidcleaning completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device undergoes reciprocating motion dynamically, alternating between scrubbing phases and rinsing phases. This dynamic operation allows the system to achieve both thorough cleaning during scrubbing and safety during rinsing, eliminating the need to choose between cleaning completeness and operational safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The reciprocating motion ensures continuous useful action by seamlessly transitioning between scrubbing and rinsing operations. The cleaning process never stops - it continuously alternates between aggressive cleaning and safety-oriented rinsing, maintaining both cleaning effectiveness and operational safety throughout the entire cleaning cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful 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

The window cleaning machine efficiently cleans non-horizontal pane surfaces by maintaining suction and detecting collisions, ensuring complete cleaning and enhanced safety.

Implementation Method 1

The air extracting module (13) is disposed on the bottom board (130) and is adapted to extract air in the vicinity of the pane surface (40A) via the first cleaning device (81), second cleaning device (82), carrying board (120) and bottom board (130)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The body (11) further comprises a first resilient member (141). The first resilient member (141) defines a first through hole (451), and the first suction cup wall portion (813) is disposed in the first through hole (451)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The driving device (16) is connected to the first cleaning device (81) to cause the first cleaning device (81) to undergo a reciprocating motion and thus wipe the pane surface (40A) back and forth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4497359A1Window cleaning machine
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 HOBOT TECH INC
  • EP4497359A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4497359A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4497359A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A window cleaning machine provided according to an embodiment of the disclosure comprises a resilient member disposed between a body and a first cleaning device to prevent external air from passing between the body and the first cleaning device and entering a primary suction space of the body.