Method for planning cleaning operations at a facility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for planning cleaning operations for autonomous cleaning vehicles in facilities with flexible resources often result in conflicts between the operation of these resources, leading to suboptimal cleaning coverage and frequency, as existing scheduling systems prioritize facility resources over cleaning vehicles, limiting the cleaning vehicle's access to certain areas.
Innovation Solution
A method that integrates facility resource scheduling systems and cleaning scheduling systems to co-optimize the operation of flexible resources and autonomous cleaning vehicles, allowing both to operate subject to defined constraints while prioritizing high-ranking tasks and avoiding conflicts, ensuring efficient and frequent cleaning without compromising primary facility operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the facility resource scheduling system is given permanent priority over the cleaning scheduling system, then conflicts between flexible resources and cleaning vehicles are avoided, but the cleaning vehicle is unable to perform required cleaning operations to the extent which fulfils certain obligations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic priority adjustment where the cleaning scheduling system can temporarily override the facility resource scheduling system when cleaning obligations are not met. The system dynamically changes priorities based on whether minimum cleaning coverage is achieved, allowing the cleaning vehicle to access restricted areas when necessary while maintaining facility operations during normal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the priority parameter of the cleaning scheduling system from permanently low to conditionally high. When the cleaning vehicle fails to meet minimum cleaning coverage or frequency requirements, the system adjusts the priority parameter to allow the cleaning schedule to override facility resource schedules, thereby ensuring cleaning obligations are fulfilled
2Productivity
If the cleaning vehicle is allowed to operate in all areas without restrictions, then cleaning coverage and frequency are improved, but conflicts with flexible resources occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different access rights to different areas of the facility. The cleaning vehicle is granted full access to some areas while having restricted access to others during facility operations. This local differentiation allows the cleaning vehicle to achieve adequate cleaning coverage in non-critical areas while avoiding conflicts in areas where flexible resources are actively operating
3Productivity
If the cleaning vehicle operates autonomously without operator intervention, then operational efficiency is improved, but the ability to handle unexpected situations and optimize in real-time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the autonomous cleaning vehicle reports its operational status, cleaning coverage achieved, and encountered obstacles to the scheduling system. The scheduling system processes this feedback and adjusts the cleaning vehicle's schedule and route in real-time, allowing the autonomous system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining operational efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A method for planning cleaning operations for an autonomous cleaning vehicle at a facility, includes one or more flexible resources. A facility resource scheduling system and a cleaning scheduling system are provided. The facility resource scheduling system defines constraints for operation of the flexible resources of the facility, and schedules operation of the flexible resources subject to the defined constraints. The cleaning scheduling system defines constraints for operation of the autonomous cleaning vehicle, and schedules operation of the autonomous cleaning vehicle subject to the defined constraints. The facility resource scheduling system and the cleaning scheduling system cooperate in scheduling operation of the flexible resources and operation of the autonomous cleaning vehicle, at the facility, subject to the constraints for operation of the flexible resources and to the constraints for operation of the autonomous cleaning vehicle, while co-optimizing operation of the flexible resources and operation of the autonomous cleaning vehicle.