Autonomous Refuse Bag Replacement for Self-Servicing Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous robotic devices often require human intervention for tasks like refuse bag replacement, as they cannot automate the entire process from start to finish, leading to inefficiencies and increased user burden.
Innovation Solution
A robotic refuse container system equipped with sensors, a processor, and a machine-readable medium that detects when the refuse bag is full, navigates to a designated collection site, and requests or performs the replacement of the bag, either from internal or external storage, using a separate device for actual bag replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If autonomous robotic devices are used for tasks like vacuuming or extrusion, then automation of partial tasks is achieved, but human intervention is still required for complete task completion
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device is equipped with a refuse container that can autonomously detect when it is full and navigate to a collection site for emptying, allowing the system to service itself without human intervention. The container includes sensors to detect refuse volume and communication systems to request emptying services, enabling the robot to maintain operational autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting refuse accumulation before the container becomes completely full, then autonomously navigating to collection sites and requesting emptying services in advance. This prevents task interruption and ensures the robot is always ready for operation.
2Extent of automation
If a robotic device autonomously navigates to collection sites for refuse emptying, then task completion automation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous refuse management system is divided into separate functional modules: a refuse container with sensors for detecting fill levels, a navigation system for locating collection sites, a communication system for requesting emptying services, and a control system for coordinating actions. This modular segmentation manages complexity by making each subsystem independent and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication system acts as an intermediary between the robotic device and external collection services. The robot sends requests for emptying and receives instructions or confirmation, allowing complex refuse management tasks to be handled through standardized communication protocols rather than requiring direct integration with collection infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and navigation systems are added to enable autonomous refuse management, then automation capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device utilizes existing multi-functional components for refuse management: the navigation system serves both for routine task navigation and for locating collection sites; the communication system handles both task coordination and refuse emptying requests; the sensor system detects both task environment features and refuse fill levels. This universal use of components avoids duplicating systems and manages complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a robotic refuse container, including a chassis; a set of wheels coupled to the chassis; a refuse container coupled to the chassis for collecting refuse; a rechargeable battery; a plurality of sensors; a processor; and a tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by the processor effectuates operations including: detecting, with at least one sensor disposed on the robotic refuse container, an amount of refuse within the refuse container; instructing, with the processor, the robotic refuse container to navigate to a location to empty the refuse upon detecting the amount of refuse exceeds a predetermined refuse amount in the refuse container; and emptying, by a separate device, the refuse within the refuse container at the location.