Environment cleaning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for cleaning environments with autonomous cleaning devices require manual intervention for tasks like emptying wastebaskets and refilling consumables, which are not efficiently automated, leading to suboptimal distribution of work tasks.
Innovation Solution
A system with a computing device that analyzes environmental parameters and operating statuses to create a work plan, distinguishing between activities that can be automatically executed by cleaning devices and those requiring manual intervention, and automatically prioritizing and scheduling tasks based on urgency and capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual intervention is used for tasks like emptying wastebaskets and refilling consumables, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity and automation extent are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is equipped with a detachable container that can be automatically emptied at a base station or docking station. The system autonomously performs the emptying operation without requiring manual intervention, while still allowing manual override when needed. This enables self-service automation while preserving adaptability for manual tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is divided into modular components including a detachable container, base station, and control unit. This segmentation allows the container to be automatically emptied at the base station while maintaining the option for manual emptying, thus achieving both automation and adaptability through modular design.
2Productivity
If all work activities are automatically executed by cleaning devices, then productivity increases, but device complexity and operational limitations worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial automation where only suitable cleaning tasks are automatically executed by the cleaning device, while tasks requiring manual intervention are identified and assigned to users. The computer distinguishes between automatically executable tasks and manually required tasks, avoiding the complexity of making the device capable of all possible tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
A computer system acts as an intermediary between the cleaning device and the user. It receives work orders, determines which tasks can be automatically executed versus which require manual intervention, and coordinates the execution. This intermediary manages the complexity centrally rather than requiring the cleaning device itself to handle all task types.
3Productivity
If manual decision-making is required for task distribution, then adaptability to specific situations is maintained, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from environmental detection devices and status detection devices to automatically determine task distribution. The computer receives real-time information about the cleaning device's status, environmental conditions, and completed tasks, and uses this feedback to dynamically assign new tasks without manual intervention, thus eliminating time loss while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer pre-determines the distribution of work activities based on received work orders and current system status before execution begins. By performing the task allocation decision in advance automatically, the system eliminates the time that would otherwise be spent on manual task distribution planning.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for cleaning an environment, comprising at least one self-propelled cleaning device (1) which includes a status detection device (6), at least one environment detection device (2, 3, 4, 5), a computing device (7) for defining a work activity (10) to be performed depending on the detected environmental parameter (17) and/or the detected operating status (18), and a database (8). In order to plan the multitude of work activities (10) fully automatically, it is proposed that the system has an input-output interface (9) that communicates with the computing device (7) and is configured to receive at least one work order (11) relating to a work activity (10) to be performed from a user of the system, wherein the computing device (7) is configuredto analyze the entirety of the work activities (10) defined on the basis of the environmental parameters and/or operating status and the work orders (11) received via the input-output interface with regard to an execution time (27) of the work activities (10) to be performed, and to create a work plan (12) which defines work activities (10) to be performed manually by a user in a specific time period and to output it to the user via the input-output interface (9), wherein the computing device (7) is configured to filter the entirety of the work activities (10) and to define a first set of activities which includes at least one work activity (10) that can be performed automatically by the at least one cleaning device (1), and to define a second set of activities which includes at least one work activity (10) that can be performed exclusively manually by a user.