Maintenance alerts for autonomous cleaning robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous cleaning robots often require periodic maintenance that can be overlooked by users, leading to reduced performance and lifespan due to unnoticed issues such as debris accumulation or component damage, especially when users have infrequent interactions with the robots.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a camera in the robot docking station or the robot itself to capture imagery of the underside, allowing for the detection of maintenance conditions like debris, damage, or obstructions, and sending alerts to users, along with optional image and location details, to prompt timely maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a camera system is added to detect maintenance conditions, then the reliability of robot operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system performs preliminary detection of maintenance conditions (debris, damage, obstructions) before they become critical problems. By capturing imagery of the robot's underside during docking and analyzing it for maintenance conditions, the system proactively identifies issues that need attention, improving operational reliability without requiring complex real-time monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system acts as an intermediary between the robot and the user, providing visual evidence of maintenance conditions. The camera captures imagery and transmits it to a remote device, allowing users to see actual conditions (debris, damage, obstructions) without physically inspecting the robot, thus simplifying the user interface while maintaining high reliability.
2Loss of time
If automated detection systems are implemented, then the loss of time for user maintenance is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service maintenance monitoring by automatically capturing and analyzing imagery of the robot's underside during normal docking operations. The camera system and image analysis perform maintenance detection without requiring user intervention or additional manual inspection steps, reducing maintenance time while using relatively simple, cost-effective components.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system serves multiple functions: it detects debris accumulation, identifies component damage, and monitors obstructions at the evacuation opening. By using a single camera system for multiple detection purposes, the patent avoids the need for multiple specialized sensors, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while still achieving comprehensive maintenance monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaning system includes a mobile cleaning robot, a robot docking station, and a camera. The mobile cleaning robot includes a drive operable to move the mobile cleaning robot across a floor surface, a cleaning assembly configured to clean the floor surface, and a debris bin. The robot docking station includes a housing and a platform defined in the housing, the platform configured to receive the mobile cleaning robot in a docking position. The camera is configured to capture imagery of an underside of the mobile cleaning robot. In some implementations, the camera is disposed on or within the mobile cleaning robot. In some implementations, the camera is disposed in the platform of the robot docking station.