Auto clean machine, cliff determining method and surface type determining method

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional auto clean machines lack mechanisms to determine the existence of cliffs and surface types, requiring manual user input for operation, which is inefficient and not adaptable to varying environments.

Innovation Solution

An auto clean machine equipped with an internal and external light source, optical sensor, and control circuit that analyzes optical data to automatically detect cliffs and surface types by activating and deactivating the light sources based on variation thresholds, allowing for adaptive operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual input mechanism is used for surface type, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and productivity deteriorate due to inefficiency and lack of automatic adaptation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying environmentsVSAvoidcomplexity of determination mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auto clean machine performs self-determination of cliff existence and surface type through its own optical sensors and control circuit, eliminating the need for external manual input. The system serves itself by automatically detecting environmental conditions and adjusting operation parameters accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical input with an optical detection system. The optical sensor detects reflected light from internal and external light sources, and the control circuit processes this optical information to automatically determine cliffs and surface types, substituting human operation with automated optical-mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If no cliff determination mechanism is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to detect cliffs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to detect cliffsVSAvoidcomplexity of cliff determination mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary optical detection system between the auto clean machine and the cliff/surface. The optical sensor acts as an intermediary that converts physical cliff and surface characteristics into optical information that the control circuit can process for reliable detection and determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of cliffs and surface types before the actual cleaning operation begins. By using optical sensors to scan and analyze the environment in advance, the system prepares necessary information for safe and effective cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If internal light source is activated continuously, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of optical dataVSAvoidenergy consumption of light source

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The internal light source operates periodically rather than continuously. The control circuit activates the internal light source only when optical information variation exceeds a threshold, creating a periodic on-demand operation pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The light source activation state is dynamic rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts between activated and non-activated states of the internal light source based on real-time optical information quality, allowing the measurement system to adapt its energy consumption to actual measurement needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables the auto clean machine to automatically determine cliffs and surface types, eliminating the need for manual user input and ensuring optimal cleaning parameters based on the detected environment.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensor, configured to sense optical data generated according to reflected light of the external light or according to reflected light of the internal light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflected light: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11510539B2Auto clean machine, cliff determining method and surface type determining method

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 PIXART IMAGING INC

AI summary

An auto clean machine comprising: a chassis; an internal light source, located inside the chassis, for emitting internal light; an external light source, located outside the chassis, for emitting external light; an optical sensor, configured to sense optical data generated according to the external light or according to the internal light; and a control circuit, configured to analyze optical information of the optical data. If the internal light source is activated, the external light source is de-activated and the control circuit determines variation of the optical information is larger than a variation threshold, the control circuit changes the internal light source to be non-activated and the external light source to be activated.