Docking station locator module, cleaning device, and cleaning system

Abstract

This disclosure provides a docking station locator module, a cleaning device, and a cleaning system. The docking station locator module includes a flat master board. The flat master board is equipped with a communication device and a distance sensing device. The communication device includes a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, and the signal transmitter and signal receiver face each other in a first direction. The distance sensing device includes a light-emitting assembly and a reflected light-receiving assembly, and the light-emitting assembly and reflected light-receiving assembly face each other in a direction intersecting the first direction.Thus, the space on the main flat board is used efficiently, allowing the docking station locator module's structure to be more compact. This not only reduces the module's volume but also its overall footprint within the cleaning unit. This design frees up valuable space for other important components, such as a water tank and a dust extraction unit. Consequently, the cleaning unit can accommodate a larger water tank capacity while maintaining its original functionality, thereby improving its continuous operating capacity.

Description

Title of the invention: Docking station locating module, cleaning device, and cleaning system technical field

[0001] The disclosure relates to the field of smart home technologies, and in particular, a docking station location module, a cleaning device, and a cleaning system. Previous art

[0002] In the field of smart home cleaning today, cleaning devices, especially sweeping machines and other products with automatic docking and charging functions, have brought great convenience to people's lives. However, with continuous technological advancements and increasing user demands, certain underlying technical problems have gradually emerged.

[0003] Currently, cleaning devices commonly found on the market lack rationality in the design and layout of a docking station locator module, and the size of the docking station locator module is often large. Furthermore, in the overall structure of the cleaning device, particularly in the rear section, the mounted docking station locator module occupies a substantial portion of the space. This severely limits the available space at the rear of the cleaning device for other important assemblies, such as a water tank and a dust extraction unit. The limited space constrains the capacity and performance of these assemblies, thus affecting the cleaning effect and the continuous operating capacity of the cleaning device. Description of the invention

[0004] Therefore, a technical problem to be solved by this disclosure is to provide a docking station locator module, a cleaning device, and a cleaning system. A communication device and a distance sensing device in the docking station locator module are arranged separately in perpendicular directions, so that the space on a flat master map is used efficiently, allowing the structure of the docking station locator module to be more compact, and reducing the space occupied by the docking station locator module inside the cleaning device.

[0005] To address the above problem, according to a first aspect of this disclosure, a docking station locator module is provided. The docking station locator module includes:

[0006] a flat main card, where the flat main card is equipped with a communication device and a distance sensing device, the communication device includes a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, and the signal transmitter and signal receiver face each other in a first direction; and the distance sensing device includes a light transmitter assembly and a reflected light receiver assembly, and the light transmitter assembly and reflected light receiver assembly face each other in a direction intersecting the first direction.

[0007] Optionally, the light-emitting assembly and the reflected light-receiving assembly face each other in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] Optionally, the signal transmitter and signal receiver are fixed to the flat main board in the form of a surface mount.

[0009] Optionally, the flat main board is equipped with a connection unit on a side opposite the communication device and the distance sensing device, and the connection unit is configured to electrically couple the flat main board to an external circuit.

[0010] Optionally, the main flat board is further equipped with a protective cover on the side opposite the communication device and the distance detection device, and the connection unit is located inside the protective cover.

[0011] Optionally, the protective cover has a thickness of less than 9 mm.

[0012] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device comprises:

[0013] the docking station location module according to any one of the above embodiments,

[0014] where a signal window is provided on a side wall of the cleaning device, and the docking station locating module is located inside the signal window.

[0015] Optionally, a window deflector is provided at an opening of the signal window, and the window deflector is made of an optical lens or a high-transmission material that transmits signals of the required wavelengths.

[0016] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, a cleaning system is provided. The cleaning system comprises:

[0017] the cleaning device according to any one of the above embodiments; and

[0018] a base station configured to be hosted by the cleaning device.

[0019] Optionally, the base station includes a controller and at least two communication signal transmission devices, and the controller is electrically connected to the at least two communication signal transmission devices separately.

[0020] Beneficial effects

[0021] The embodiments of this disclosure provide a docking station locator module, a cleaning device, and a cleaning system. When a communication device and a distance sensing device are arranged in a single column or row, they occupy excessive space in one direction and may encounter constraints related to the mounting environment, particularly in a device with limited space. However, in the disclosed docking station locator module, the communication device and the distance sensing device are arranged separately in different directions, which allows for full use of the two-dimensional space on the flat main board, making the overall structure more compact, offering adaptability to more mounting scenarios with different sizes and shapes, and improving space utilization. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] [Fig.1] is a structural diagram of a docking station location module according to an optional embodiment of this disclosure;

[0023] [Fig.2] is a structural diagram of the embodiment shown in [Fig.1] under a certain angle;

[0024] [Fig.3] is a structural diagram of the embodiment shown in [Fig.1] under another angle;

[0025] [Fig.4] is a structural diagram of a cleaning device according to a mode of optional implementation of this disclosure; and

[0026] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of a signal window according to one embodiment optional of this disclosure.

[0027] The reference numbers are as follows:

[0028] 1, main flat board; 2, communication device; 21, signal transmitter; 22, signal receiver; 3, distance detection device; 31, light emitter assembly; 32, reflected light receiver assembly; 4, connection unit; 5, protective cover; 6, signal window; 7, window deflector. Examples of implementation of the invention

[0029] In the description of this disclosure, it shall be understood that the orientation or position relationships indicated by the terms "central," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inside," "outside," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," and the like, are those shown on the basis of the drawings and are intended simply to describe this disclosure and simplify the description rather than to indicate or imply that the indicated device or element must have a specific orientation and be configured and operated in that specific orientation. These relationships shall not be construed as limiting this disclosure.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used herein for descriptive purposes only and shall not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features described. Thus, the features defined by "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description in this disclosure, unless otherwise clearly and specifically stated, "plurality" refers to two or more.

[0031] In this disclosure, unless otherwise clearly stated, the terms

[0032] 5 "mount", "interconnect", "connect", "fix", and similar terms should be understood in their broadest sense. For example, they can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated connection; or a mechanical or electrical connection; or a direct connection, an indirect connection via an intermediary, or internal communication between two elements. For those with ordinary skills in the field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this disclosure can be understood under specific circumstances.

[0033] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are used solely to illustrate and explain this disclosure and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0034] With reference to [Fig. 1] to 5, in an embodiment according to a first aspect of this disclosure, a docking station locating module is provided; in an embodiment according to a second aspect of this disclosure, a cleaning device is provided; in an embodiment according to a third aspect of this disclosure, a cleaning system is provided.

[0035] The docking station location module is used in a cleaning device, which may be a sweeping robot, a cleaning robot, an integrated sweeping and cleaning machine, or another cleaning device meeting the requirements.

[0036] More specifically, the cleaning device comprises, but is not limited to, a machine body, a cleaning system, a drive system, a control system, etc. The above systems are coordinated with each other, so that the cleaning device can move autonomously to perform a cleaning function. In the cleaning device, the functional and similar elements constituting the above systems are arranged in an integrated manner within the machine body. It can be understood that the cleaning device can be an automotive cleaning device. An automotive cleaning device is a device that automatically performs a cleaning operation in a specific area without user intervention.

[0037] The cleaning system includes a base station, and the base station is used in cooperation with the cleaning device.

[0038] More specifically, when the cleaning device starts operating, it leaves the base station to perform a cleaning task. When the cleaning device finishes the cleaning task, or in other cases where a task interruption is necessary, the cleaning device can return to the base station to recharge or perform other operations, such as refilling with water, and / or cleaning, and / or collecting dust.

[0039] Furthermore, the docking station locator module is applied to the cleaning device. For example, the docking station locator module is connected to the body of the cleaning device, so that the docking station locator module can move with the cleaning device, thus providing reliable support for the precise navigation, docking, and charging of the cleaning device.

[0040] The docking station location module provided by the embodiment according to the first aspect of this disclosure comprises: a flat main board 1. The flat main board 1 is equipped with a communication device 2 and a distance sensing device 3, the communication device 2 comprises a signal transmitter 21 and a signal receiver 22, and the signal transmitter 21 and the signal receiver 22 face each other in a first direction; the distance sensing device 3 comprises a light transmitter assembly 31 and a reflected light receiver assembly 32, and the light transmitter assembly 31 and the reflected light receiver assembly 32 face each other in a direction intersecting the first direction.

[0041] For example, the docking station locator module is used in an integrated sweeping and cleaning machine. The docking station locator module can be mounted on the rear of the integrated sweeping and cleaning machine. More specifically, the docking station locator module is mounted on a rear side wall of the machine body of the integrated sweeping and cleaning machine. Cleaning. In one respect, mounting on the rear side wall reduces the workspace occupied by a cleaning component at the front of the integrated sweeping and cleaning machine, allowing the machine to clean the area at the front more efficiently. In another respect, the rear side wall is relatively stable, which can reduce the impact of vibrations and collisions on the docking station locator module during the movement and operation of the integrated sweeping and cleaning machine, thus ensuring the normal operation and detection accuracy of the docking station locator module.

[0042] More specifically, in a practical application, the docking station locator module can exchange signals with the base station via the communication device 2 located on the main flat board 1 to determine the approximate orientation and distance of the base station. As the docking station locator module approaches the base station, the distance to the base station is measured more precisely in real time by the distance sensing device 3. For example, when the integrated sweeping and cleaning machine is operating far from the base station in a large room, the communication device 2 first receives a weak signal transmitted by the base station, thus approximately determining that the base station is located in the southeast corner of the room.As the integrated scanning and cleaning machine gradually approaches the base station, the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly 31 in the distance-sensing device 3 is reflected onto the base station or a surrounding object. The reflected light-receiving assembly 32 receives the reflected light and calculates a precise distance to the base station based on the propagation time and intensity of the light. This progressively refined positioning method allows the integrated scanning and cleaning machine to dock accurately with the base station during the docking and charging process.Even when other interfering objects are present near the base station, the docking station's localization module can continuously adjust and optimize measurement data to ensure that the integrated scanning and cleaning machine accurately docks with the base station for charging or other operations.

[0043] The main flat board 1 can specifically be a printed circuit board.

[0044] The communication device 2 comprises the signal transmitter 21 and the signal receiver 22. The signal transmitter 21 continuously transmits specifically coded signals with specific frequencies. These signals can be in the form of radio waves, infrared rays, or other specific electromagnetic waves. The signal receiver 22 decodes and analyzes the received signals. The signal receiver can Determine the relative positions and distance between the integrated scanning and cleaning machine and the base station based on signal intensities, frequency changes, and coding information. When the integrated scanning and cleaning machine is far from the base station, the signal receiver 22 receives weak signals. As the integrated scanning and cleaning machine gradually approaches the base station, the intensities of the signals received by the receiver gradually increase. A substantial and sudden increase in the received signal intensity may indicate direct linear movement of the integrated scanning and cleaning machine toward the base station, while a gradual change may indicate that the integrated scanning and cleaning machine is approaching the base station at an angle.In addition, the signal transmitter 21 and the signal receiver 22 can also acquire status information, such as charge state and the existence of other task instructions, from the base station via bidirectional communication with the base station.

[0045] More specifically, in this embodiment, the signal transmitter 21 is an infrared communication transmitting lamp, the signal receiver 22 is an infrared communication receiving lamp, and the infrared communication transmitting lamp and the infrared communication receiving lamp are arranged opposite each other on the main flat board 1 in the first direction. In some specific examples, the first direction is a width direction of the main flat board 1. In other specific examples, the first direction is a length direction of the main flat board 1.

[0046] The distance detection device 3 comprises a light-emitting assembly 31 and a reflected light-receiving assembly 32. The light-emitting assembly 31 can emit light at specific wavelengths and intensities. This light has good directionality and stability, ensuring that it is accurately irradiated onto the target object. The reflected light-receiving assembly 32 can accurately capture the reflected light and convert it into electrical signals for processing. In practice, the light-emitting assembly 31 and the reflected light-receiving assembly 32 cooperate to measure in real time the distance between the integrated scanning and cleaning machine and the base station or a surrounding obstacle.For example, when the integrated scanning and cleaning machine approaches the base station, the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly 31 is quickly reflected and received by the reflected light-receiving assembly 32, in order to detect the change in distance in a timely manner, and transmit a signal to the control system to adjust the direction and speed of movement of the integrated scanning and cleaning machine in order to avoid a collision.

[0047] More specifically, in this embodiment, the light-emitting assembly 31 is a laser emitter, the reflected light-receiving assembly 32 is a laser receiver, and the laser emitter and laser receiver are arranged opposite each other on the main flat board 1 in the direction intersecting the first direction. It should be noted that when the signal emitter 21, the signal receiver 22, the light-emitting assembly 31, and the reflected light-receiving assembly 32 are arranged in a single column or row, they occupy excessive space in one direction and may encounter constraints related to the mounting environment, particularly in a device with limited space.However, in the leaked docking station location module, the communication device and the distance sensing device are arranged separately in different directions, which allows for full use of the two-dimensional space on the flat main board, making the overall structure more compact, offering adaptability to more mounting scenarios with different sizes and shapes, and improving space utilization.

[0048] In certain specific examples, the light-emitting assembly 31 and the reflected light-receiving assembly 32 are arranged opposite each other in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0049] In this embodiment, the signal emitter 21 and the signal receiver 22 are arranged opposite each other in the first direction, and the light emitter assembly 31 and the reflected light receiver assembly 32 are arranged opposite each other in the direction perpendicular to the first direction. That is, when the first direction is the width direction of the main flat board 1, the light emitter assembly 31 and the reflected light receiver assembly 32 are arranged opposite each other in the length direction of the main flat board 1. Similarly, when the first direction is the length direction of the main flat board 1, the light emitter assembly 31 and the reflected light receiver assembly 32 are arranged opposite each other in the width direction of the main flat board 1.

[0050] The signal transmitter 21, the signal receiver 22, the light transmitter assembly 31, and the reflected light receiver assembly 32 are located on the same side of the main flat board 1, and can specifically be located on a side opposite to the forward direction of movement of the integrated scanning and cleaning machine, of the main flat board.

[0051] More specifically, in terms of space utilization, the communication device 2 and the distance detection device 3 are arranged respectively in the width and length directions, so that the planar space on the main planar board 1 is fully utilized, allowing the overall structure to be more compact, reducing the volume occupied by the station location module This design reduces the space occupied by the docking station locator module inside the integrated sweeping and cleaning machine. This design frees up valuable space for other important components within the machine, such as a water tank and a dust extraction unit. In this way, the integrated sweeping and cleaning machine can accommodate a larger water tank while maintaining its original functionality, thus improving its continuous operating capacity; or it can be equipped with a more efficient dust extraction unit, thereby enhancing the cleaning effect.

[0052] In some potentially implemented embodiments provided by this disclosure, as shown in [Fig.1], the signal transmitter 21 and the signal receiver 22 are fixed to the main flat board 1 in a surface mount configuration.

[0053] In this embodiment, the signal emitter 21 and the signal receiver 22 are both implemented in the form of surface-mounted lamps.

[0054] More specifically, the signal transmitter 21 and the signal receiver 22 are directly mounted on the surface of the flat main board 1 using surface mount technology (SMT). The surface mount design means that both elements have a flat, miniaturized package shape, with their connection pins or terminals designed to precisely match the corresponding pads on the flat main board 1. During the mounting process, the pins of the elements are soldered to the pads on the flat main board 1 using a process such as reflow soldering, to achieve a secure electrical connection and mechanical fastening.This mounting method ensures closer contact between the components and the main board, reducing the length of connecting lines and minimizing undesirable effects such as parasitic inductance and capacitance, thereby contributing to improved signal quality and transmission speed. Furthermore, due to the small size of the surface-mounted components, space on the flat main board 1 can be efficiently saved, which is favorable for miniaturization and high-density integration of the docking station locator module, thus reducing the space occupied by the docking station locator module within the integrated scanning and cleaning machine.

[0055] In some potentially implemented embodiments provided by this disclosure, as shown in [Fig.1], the signal emitter 21 and the signal receiver 22 are located between the light-emitting assembly 31 and the reflected light-receiving assembly 32.

[0056] On the main flat card 1, the light-emitting assembly 31 and the reflected light-receiving assembly 32 are arranged sequentially in one direction, and the signal emitter 21 and the signal receiver 22 are located within a range of the region occupied by the light emitter assembly 31 and the reflected light receiver assembly 32.

[0057] More specifically, in this embodiment, if the position of the light-emitting assembly 31 is marked as point A and the position of the reflected light-receiving assembly 32 is marked as point B, the mounting positions of the signal emitter 21 and the signal receiver 22 are located in the segment between point A and point B.

[0058] It should be noted that when the signal emitter 21 and the signal receiver 22 are located between the light-emitting assembly 31 and the reflected light-receiving assembly 32, two advantages are offered. In one respect, a more compact arrangement of the assemblies on the main flat board 1 is permitted, thus reducing the overall size of the docking station locating module. In another respect, a degree of physical isolation can be created, thereby reducing the impact of light and electromagnetic interference generated during the operation of the light-emitting assembly 31 and the reflected light-receiving assembly 32 on signal transmission and reception, and ensuring signal accuracy and stability. Furthermore, this arrangement is also conducive to optimizing the heat dissipation design.Because the components are relatively concentrated, heat dissipation channels can be arranged more precisely, allowing for more efficient heat dissipation and preventing localized overheating that could affect the performance and lifespan of the assemblies. Furthermore, the compact layout also facilitates standardized protection measures for these components. For example, an integrated protective housing or a protective coating can be used to reduce damage caused by external environmental factors, thereby improving the reliability and durability of the docking station locator module.

[0059] In some potentially implemented embodiments provided by this disclosure, as shown in [Fig.2] and 3, the main flat board 1 is equipped with a connection unit 4 on a side opposite the communication device 2 and the distance sensing device 3, and the connection unit 4 is configured to electrically couple the main flat board 1 to an external circuit.

[0060] The main flat card 1 comprises front and rear surfaces, and the communication device 2 and the distance detection device 3 are arranged on one of the surfaces, while the connection unit 4 is mounted on the opposite surface, i.e. the rear surface of the main flat card 1.

[0061] More specifically, the connection unit 4 can interface with an external power supply line, a signal line, or similar via a pin, a connector, a flat cable, or similar, to establish a conductive path between the main flat board 1 and the external circuit, so that the main flat board 1 can acquire electrical power from the external circuit to support the normal operation of assemblies such as the communication device 2 and the distance sensing device 3. Furthermore, signals and data detected on the main flat board 1 can also be transmitted to the external circuit to implement information exchange and coordination with an external control system or other related component. In this embodiment, the external circuit is specifically a main circuit board of the cleaning device.

[0062] It should be noted that the placement of the connection unit 4 on the opposite side of the main flat board 1 allows for efficient use of space, avoids mutual interference with the communication device 2 and the distance sensing device 3, ensures a clean layout on the front surface of the main flat board 1 and the normal operation of the functional assemblies, and helps improve the maintainability of the docking station locator module. When the connection unit 4 needs to be inspected, repaired, or replaced, the operations can be conveniently performed from the rear surface of the main flat board 1 without affecting the critical assemblies on the front surface.For example, when the circuit design of the cleaning device changes, only connection unit 4 needs to be adjusted accordingly, without having to redesign or manufacture the entire docking station locator module, which significantly reduces costs and development time.

[0063] In some potentially implemented embodiments provided by this disclosure, as shown in [Fig.3], the main flat board 1 is further equipped with a protective cover 5 on the side opposite the communication device 2 and the distance sensing device 3, and the connection unit 4 is located inside the protective cover 5.

[0064] The flat main board 1 comprises front and rear surfaces, and the communication device 2 and the distance sensing device 3 are mounted on the front surface. The protective cover 5 is further mounted on the rear surface of the flat main board 1, i.e., the surface opposite the front surface, and the connection unit 4 is placed in the internal space of the protective cover 5.

[0065] More specifically, the protective cover 5 completely encloses or covers the connection unit 4 to form a relatively closed space, so that the connection unit 4 is isolated from the external environment to a certain extent. In one aspect, dust, moisture, and other substances can be blocked from entering the connection unit 4, in order to prevent poor contact caused by dust accumulation, or short circuits or other defects caused by the environment. humid, thus improving the lifespan and stability of the connection unit 4. In another aspect, the lines of the connection unit 4 can be neater and better organized, thus reducing mutual interference and faults that can be caused by tangled lines.

[0066] In some potentially implemented embodiments provided by this disclosure, the protective cover 5 has a thickness of less than 9 mm. Consequently, an ultra-thin design is achieved for the protective cover 5, and the protective cover occupies less space, so that the docking station locator module can be easily integrated into the cleaning device without space limitations due to a thick protective cover. Furthermore, the ultra-thin design of the protective cover 5 generally means the use of less material. This can reduce the manufacturing cost of the protective cover 5, thereby reducing the overall cost of the docking station locator module and yielding significant economic benefits.

[0067] The thickness of the protective cover 5 can be defined as a distance between a surface of the protective cover 5 on a far side of the main flat card 1 and the main flat card 1.

[0068] More specifically, in this embodiment, the distance between the surface of the protective cover 5 on the far side of the main flat card 1 and the main flat card 1 is less than 9 mm.

[0069] The cleaning device provided by the embodiment according to the second aspect of this disclosure comprises: the docking station locator module according to any one of the above embodiments, wherein a signal window 6 is provided on a side wall of the cleaning device, and the docking station locator module is located inside the signal window 6. It can be understood that the provision of the signal window offers a good signal transmission environment for the docking station locator module. By placing the docking station locator module inside the signal window 6, the signal transmitter 21 and the signal receiver 22 can communicate effectively with the base station, thereby improving signal strength and stability.Furthermore, the distance detection device 3 can also measure the distance between the cleaning device and the base station more precisely, in order to provide accurate guidance for the movement and positioning of the cleaning device.

[0070] The signal window 6 is provided on the side wall of the cleaning device. More specifically, the signal window 6 is provided on a rear side wall of the body of the cleaning device.

[0071] More specifically, the signal window 6 has a recessed structure. In a practical application, the docking station locator module is placed in the signal window 6, and signal window 6 serves to conceal and protect the docking station locator module to ensure its normal operation and reduce the risk of damage to the docking station locator module due to collisions during the operation of the cleaning device.

[0072] In some potentially implemented embodiments provided by this disclosure, as shown in [Fig.4] and 5, a window deflector 7 is provided at a signal window opening 6, and the window deflector 7 is made of an optical lens or a high-transmission material that transmits signals of the required wavelengths.

[0073] The window deflector 7 is provided at the opening of the signal window 6, i.e., the window deflector 7 is provided at an open part of the signal window 6. The window deflector 7 can protect the docking station locator module, reducing the direct entry of dust, moisture, external debris, and the like into the signal window 6, thereby reducing the risk of pollution and damage to the docking station locator module and extending its service life.

[0074] More specifically, since the window deflector 7 is made of optical lens or high-transmission material that transmits signals of the required wavelengths, the signals of specific wavelengths required by the docking station locator module can be assured of passing successfully without significant attenuation or blocking, thus ensuring the quality and stability of signal transmission. Furthermore, filtering can be performed to some extent to reduce the entry of external noise and interference signals into the signal window 6, thereby improving the reception and signal identification accuracy of the docking station locator module.

[0075] The cleaning system provided by the embodiment according to the third aspect of this disclosure comprises: the cleaning device according to any one of the above embodiments; and a base station configured to be hosted by the cleaning device. The base station comprises a controller and at least two communication signal transmission devices, and the controller is electrically connected to the at least two communication signal transmission devices separately.

[0076] Each of the at least two communication signal transmission devices transmits optical signals that are coded to form a corresponding coded radiation zone. By analyzing the coding, the docking station locator module can distinguish the area where the cleaning is located, in order to perform locating and returning to the docking station operations based on different zones, without needing to create additional locating and returning to the docking station maps or adding corresponding hardware.

[0077] More specifically, the at least two communication signal transmission devices comprise a first communication signal transmission device and a second communication signal transmission device. The controller is mounted inside the base station and is configured to control the first and second communication signal transmission devices to transmit optical signals according to a defined optical signal transmission sequence and to encode the transmitted optical signals. The optical signals transmitted by the first communication signal transmission device are encoded to form a first coded radiation zone, and the optical signals transmitted by the second communication signal transmission device are encoded to form a second coded radiation zone.

[0078] It should be noted that providing a plurality of communication signal transmission devices increases the coverage range and signal strength, enabling the cleaning device to receive clear signals from the base station even at greater distances or in more complex environments, thus improving the reliability of the cleaning device in docking, charging, and communicating with the base station. The controller is electrically connected to the plurality of communication signal transmission devices separately, allowing for flexible control of the operating status and signal parameters of each communication signal transmission device, enabling more precise signal planning and optimization to better guide the movement of the cleaning device.When one of the communication signal transmission devices fails, the other devices that are functioning normally can still maintain basic signal transmission, thus improving the stability and fault tolerance of the entire system. Furthermore, this configuration helps improve the accuracy and speed of the cleaning device's docking at the base station. The multiple signal sources can provide more precise positioning information, allowing the cleaning device to dock more quickly and accurately at a designated position on the base station.

[0079] People skilled in the art can easily understand that the advantageous methods above can be freely combined and superimposed provided there is no conflict.

[0080] The above descriptions are simply preferred embodiments of this disclosure, but are not intended to limit this disclosure. Any modification, equivalent substitution, or improvement made in the spirit and principle of this disclosure shall fall within the scope of protection of this disclosure. The descriptions above are simply preferred embodiments of this disclosure. It should be noted that those with ordinary skill in the art may still make several improvements and variations without departing from the technical principle of this disclosure, and such improvements and variations must fall within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

Claims

Demands

1. Docking station location module, comprising: a flat main board (1), characterized in that the flat main board (1) is equipped with a communication device (2) and a distance sensing device (3), the communication device (2) comprises a signal transmitter (21) and a signal receiver (22), and the signal transmitter (21) and the signal receiver (22) face each other in a first direction; and the distance sensing device (3) comprises a light emitter assembly (31) and a reflected light receiver assembly (32), and the light emitter assembly (31) and the reflected light receiver assembly (32) face each other in a direction intersecting the first direction.

2. Docking station location module according to claim 1, characterized in that the light-emitting assembly (31) and the reflected light-receiving assembly (32) face each other in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

3. Docking station location module according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal emitter (21) and the signal receiver (22) are located between the light emitter assembly (31) and the reflected light receiver assembly (32).

4. Docking station location module according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal transmitter (21) and the signal receiver (22) are fixed on the flat main board (1) in the form of a surface mount.

5. Docking station location module according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat main board (1) is equipped with a connection unit (4) on a side opposite the communication device (2) and the distance sensing device (3), and the connection unit (4) is configured to electrically couple the flat main board (1) to an external circuit.

6. Docking station location module according to claim 5, characterized in that the main flat board (1) is further equipped with a protective cover (5) on the side opposite the communication device (2) and the distance detection device (3), and the connection unit (4) is located inside the protective cover (5).

7. Docking station locator module according to claim 6, characterized in that the protective cover (5) has a thickness of less than 9 mm.

8. Cleaning device, comprising: the docking station locating module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a signal window (6) is provided on a side wall of the cleaning device, and the docking station locating module is located inside the signal window (6).

9. Cleaning device according to claim 8, characterized in that a window deflector (7) is provided at an opening of the signal window (6), and the window deflector (7) is made of an optical lens or a high-transmission material that transmits signals of the required wavelengths.

10. Cleaning system, comprising: the cleaning device according to any one of claims 8 to 9; and a base station configured to be hosted by the cleaning device.

11. Cleaning system according to claim 10, characterized in that the base station comprises a controller and at least two communication signal transmission devices, and the controller is electrically connected to the at least two communication signal transmission devices separately.

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