Plurality of autonomous cleaner and controlling method for the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous cleaners lack the ability to collaboratively clean different regions without sharing maps, limiting their effectiveness in optimized collaborative cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an autonomous cleaner system that uses Ultra-WideBand (UWB) signals for communication and position determination, allowing control units to set and update area information for each cleaner, enabling them to perform cleaning tasks independently and optimize their operations without shared maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple autonomous cleaners operate independently without shared maps, then system complexity and communication requirements are reduced, but coordination efficiency and cleaning optimization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into independent cleaner units, each with its own local map and control logic. Each cleaner operates autonomously within its designated area without requiring access to a centralized map, reducing system complexity while maintaining coordinated cleaning through area-based task assignment.
2Productivity
If cleaners share maps for collaborative cleaning, then coordination and optimization improve, but information security and system vulnerability increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each cleaner maintains a local map specific to its operating area rather than sharing a global map. This local quality approach allows cleaners to have the necessary spatial information for their specific tasks while preventing exposure of complete facility layout information, thus balancing coordination needs with information security.
3Ease of operation
If cleaners maintain fixed cleaning areas, then task assignment simplicity increases, but adaptability to dynamic cleaning needs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning area assignments are dynamic rather than fixed. Cleaners can receive updated area information and adjust their operating zones in real-time based on cleaning progress, newly identified areas, or changing requirements. This dynamic reassignment maintains operational simplicity while enabling adaptability to evolving cleaning needs.
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
This solution enables multiple autonomous cleaners to perform optimized collaborative cleaning across different regions without the need for shared maps, allowing them to operate effectively even if they have different specifications, thereby improving cleaning efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
determine a position of the second cleaner using an Ultra-WideBand (UWB) signal output from the communication unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a plurality of autonomous cleaners. A first cleaner of the plurality of autonomous cleaners according to one embodiment of the present invention 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.