AI robot cleaner and robot system having the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face reduced cleaning efficiency and uniformity due to the lack of initial water content measurement before starting the cleaning process, leading to inefficient pattern traveling and difficulty in cleaning corners and areas adjacent to walls.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling the water content of a robot cleaner that includes a water content sensor and a controller to measure and adjust the water level before starting the cleaning process, using the output current of the drive motor to determine sufficient water content, allowing for pattern traveling and ensuring uniform cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water cleaning is performed without measuring initial water content, then cleaning operation can start immediately, but cleaning efficiency and uniformity are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary water content measurement and reinforcement before the main cleaning operation. The controller measures the initial water content of the rotary mop, and if insufficient, supplies water in advance through the water supply unit. This preliminary action ensures the mop has adequate water content before cleaning starts, improving cleaning efficiency and uniformity without significant time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot cleaner autonomously measures its own water content and self-regulates by supplying additional water when needed. The water content sensor detects the moisture level, and the controller automatically activates the water supply unit to reinforce water content, eliminating the need for manual intervention and optimizing cleaning performance automatically.
2Productivity
If only random traveling is used for cleaning, then the cleaning robot can cover the cleaning area, but it cannot accomplish meticulous cleaning of corners and areas adjacent to walls
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot dynamically switches between random traveling mode for general area coverage and pattern traveling mode for meticulous cleaning of specific zones. The controller detects corner and wall-adjacent areas, then transitions to structured pattern traveling with multiple passes to ensure thorough cleaning of these difficult-to-reach locations, combining the benefits of both exploration and precision cleaning.
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 enables efficient and uniform cleaning by ensuring sufficient water content before initiating the cleaning process, improving the robot cleaner's ability to perform pattern traveling and maintain cleanliness in all areas, including corners and adjacent to walls.
Implementation Method 1
determining the water content of the rotary mop based on a detection signal from the water content sensor
Implementation Method 2
a drive motor for rotating the rotary mop
Implementation Method 3
a pump that sprays water to the rotary mop
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a robot cleaner including: a main body forming an outer shape; a pair of rotary mops moving the main body while rotating in contact with a floor; a drive motor rotating the pair of rotary mops; a pump connected to a water tank and driving a nozzle for spraying water to the rotary mop; and a controller for determining water content of the rotary mop in a preliminary step before wet cleaning, and controlling to start the wet cleaning after driving the pump until the water content of the rotary mop satisfy a certain level. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a change in the output current of the motor of the rotary mop of the robot cleaner and determine the water content according to the change in the current value.