Automated Footwear
Outsole Cleaner
- Restaurants and commercial spaces require frequent floor cleaning due to dirt carried in on footwear, increasing frequent cleaning and maintenance costs.
- The project explored an automated sole cleaner to replace traditional doormats and reduce usage of expensive cleaning bots.
- Designed a smart sole cleaner combining a brush, fan, dust collector and heating coil.
- Evaluated multiple design concepts using customer requirements to select a practical and cost effective solution.
- Designed a hands-free operating machine, requiring users to stand on the machine for a target cleaning cycle of 3 seconds or less.
Gathered feedback from 20 local shops and restaurants to understand cleaning needs and customer requirements.
Evaluated five design concepts and selected Model BE based on cleaning efficiency, cost, power consumption and safety.
The Assembly
Component Breakdown
Main Casing
Houses the internal components, supports the assembly and contains dirt during cleaning.
Material: Mild steel sheet
Sieve Plate
Provides a surface for users to place their feet while the brushes clean dirt from their shoe soles.
Material: Stainless steel perforated sheet
Base
Provides structural support for the casing and helps distribute the user's weight.
Material: Mild steel
Base of Heating Element
Supports the blowers and provides vents for hot air to circulate and escape.
Material: Mild steel
Brush
Removes mud and dirt from shoe soles and the grooves of the tread.
Material: Nylon bristles
Brush Support
Secures the brush assembly to the frame and transfers the forces generated during cleaning.
Material: Mild steel sheet
Blower
Circulates air through the system to help remove loose dirt and support the drying process.
Material: ABS plastic
Dust Collector
Collects dirt and debris removed from shoe soles during cleaning.
Material: Mild steel sheet
Control Box
Houses the electrical controls and connections used to operate the cleaning system.
Material: ABS plastic
Dust Collector
Generates heat to help dry footwear after the cleaning process.
Material: Nichrome resistance wire
Linear Actuator
Provides controlled linear motion to operate the cleaning mechanism.
Material: Aluminium alloy housing