Cleaning of pet areas by autonomous cleaning robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning robots lack the capability to autonomously detect and respond to pet activity in pet areas, such as litter boxes, pet doors, and bird cages, leading to inefficient and scattered pet debris cleanup, which burdens pet owners and contributes to household mess.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous cleaning robot equipped with sensors to detect pet activity, a receiver to initiate cleaning missions, and a controller to navigate to pet areas, employing adjustable vacuum power and cleaning modes based on the type of pet area, and a method to ventilate undesirable scents, allowing for efficient and targeted cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cleaning robots autonomously navigate to pet areas to clean debris, then household cleanliness is improved, but device complexity increases due to added sensors and controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot is designed to perform multiple functions: standard floor cleaning, pet area detection and cleaning, and scent ventilation. A single robot unit equipped with sensors can identify different pet areas (litter boxes, pet doors, bird cages) and automatically adjust cleaning parameters, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot autonomously detects pet areas using sensors, navigates to them independently, and executes appropriate cleaning actions without human intervention. The system self-manages the entire process from detection through cleaning, reducing the burden on pet owners and eliminating the need for manual debris removal.
2Productivity
If the robot uses higher vacuum power for bird cages, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot dynamically adjusts vacuum power based on the detected pet area type. Sensors identify whether the area is a litter box, pet door, or bird cage, and the controller automatically modifies vacuum strength accordingly. Higher power is applied only when needed for bird cages, while lower power suffices for other areas, optimizing energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (vacuum power level) based on the specific pet area being cleaned. By modifying the vacuum strength parameter according to the type of pet area detected, the robot achieves effective cleaning while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the robot cleans promptly after pet activity, then debris tracking is reduced, but response time requirements increase system reactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs preliminary detection of pet areas and debris using sensors before initiating full cleaning operations. This early detection capability allows the system to prepare for and respond to cleaning needs promptly, reducing the time between pet activity and effective cleanup.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback to continuously monitor for pet areas and debris conditions. When debris or pet activity is detected, the robot receives immediate feedback and automatically initiates navigation and cleaning, creating a responsive closed-loop system that minimizes debris tracking time.
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
The autonomous cleaning robot effectively and promptly cleans pet areas, reducing debris tracking and enhancing household cleanliness by automatically detecting pet activity and deploying cleaning operations tailored to the specific needs of each area.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning assembly is configured to vacuum debris from the floor surface
Implementation Method 2
The vacuum power level of the autonomous cleaning robot is increased during the cleaning mission to ventilate an undesirable scent at the pet area
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive operable to move the autonomous cleaning robot across a floor surface; a cleaning assembly configured to clean the floor surface; a receiver configured to receive an indication of cat activity in a cat box; and a controller configured to navigate the autonomous cleaning robot to the cat box to execute a cleaning mission in response to the received indication of cat activity.