Plurality of autonomous cleaner and controlling method for the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous cleaners lack the ability to perform optimized collaborative cleaning without user intervention and without sharing maps, especially when cleaning different regions, which limits their efficiency and flexibility in coordinating their cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous cleaner system that uses Ultra-WideBand (UWB) signals for communication and position determination between cleaners, allowing one cleaner to control another based on area information, enabling them to clean optimally without shared maps by maintaining preset distances and updating area information based on cleaning progress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple autonomous cleaners operate independently without map sharing, then device complexity and ease of operation are improved, but cleaning optimization and coordination efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where cleaners continuously share their current position, cleaning status, and area information with each other through communication units. This allows cleaners to adjust their cleaning paths and avoid conflicts in real-time, maintaining high productivity while operating autonomously without centralized map sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication protocol that enables indirect coordination between cleaners. Instead of requiring complex direct interaction or centralized control, cleaners use standardized area information exchange as an intermediary to achieve coordinated cleaning, resolving the contradiction between autonomous operation and cleaning efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cleaners of different specifications operate together, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision and coordination difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses parameter changes in the UWB communication to adapt to different cleaner specifications. By dynamically adjusting communication parameters and area information formats based on the capabilities of interacting cleaners, the system maintains precise position determination and coordination across devices with different specifications.
3Reliability
If cleaners maintain preset distances for autonomous operation, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and flexibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic distance adjustment where the preset distance between cleaners is not fixed but adapts based on real-time conditions such as cleaning progress, area boundaries, and environmental factors. This allows cleaners to maintain reliable safe operation while responding flexibly to changing conditions, reducing unnecessary waiting time and improving overall cleaning efficiency.
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 efficient collaborative cleaning of divided areas by autonomous cleaners of different specifications without map sharing, optimizing their operations and allowing them to adapt to changing cleaning states and paths.
Implementation Method 1
a communication unit to perform communication with a second cleaner, and a control unit to determine a position of the second cleaner using an Ultra-WideBand (UWB) signal output from the communication unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a plurality of autonomous cleaners. A first cleaner of the plurality of autonomous cleaners according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a traveling unit to move a main body thereof, a communication unit to perform communication with a second cleaner, and a control unit to determine a position of the second cleaner using an Ultra-WideBand (UWB) signal output from the communication unit, and set area information, in which the first and second cleaners are to perform cleaning, based on a position of the first cleaner and the position of the second cleaner, wherein the control unit controls the second cleaner based on second area information in which the second cleaner is to perform cleaning.