Apparatus and methods for programming and training of robotic household appliances
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic devices face challenges in navigating complex environments and performing tasks efficiently, particularly in avoiding obstacles and prioritizing cleaning areas, due to limitations in their control systems and navigation methods.
Innovation Solution
A robotic vacuum cleaning apparatus with a sensor component, propulsion component, brushing component, and air pump component, along with a controller that determines the presence of obstructions and adjusts its motion to avoid damage, and a method for prioritizing cleaning areas based on user input and debris detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robotic device operates with multiple degrees of freedom to perform complex movements, then the capability to navigate and clean effectively is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple independent controllers, each responsible for specific degrees of freedom or functional components. This segmentation allows complex navigation tasks to be broken down into manageable control modules, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to universally manage multiple degrees of freedom and various cleaning functions through a unified control architecture. This multi-functional approach allows the same control system to handle navigation, obstacle avoidance, and cleaning operations without requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
2Ease of operation
If the robotic device uses pre-programmed functionality out of the box, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to specific cleaning environments decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is pre-programmed with basic cleaning functions and default behaviors that work effectively out of the box. These preliminary configurations provide immediate ease of operation while the system retains the capability to learn and adapt to specific environmental characteristics during initial operation periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic device incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow it to sense environmental conditions and adjust its pre-programmed behaviors accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain ease of operation while progressively adapting to specific cleaning environments through automated learning and adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for training and operating of robotic appliances. Robotic appliance may be operable to clean user premises. The user may train the appliance to perform cleaning operations in constrained areas. The appliance may be configured to clean other area of the premises automatically. The appliance may perform premises exploration and/or determine map of the premises. The appliance may be provided priority information associated with areas of the premises. The appliance may perform cleaning operations in order of the priority. Robotic vacuum cleaner appliance may be configured for safe cable operation wherein the controller may determine one or more potential obstructions (e.g., a cable) along operating trajectory. Upon approaching the cable, the controller may temporarily disable brushing mechanism in order to prevent cable damage.