Autonomous vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vacuum cleaners face challenges in effective distance sensing and obstacle avoidance due to limitations in sensor placement and bumper design, which affect their navigation and cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The autonomous vacuum cleaner incorporates a unique bumper assembly that slides in response to forces for dual-direction movement and features distance sensors mounted above the brushroll for improved obstacle detection, allowing for more precise navigation and enhanced cleaning coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bumper assembly is made fixed and robust for reliable obstacle detection, then the reliability of obstacle detection is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper assembly is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to slide within a clearance when force is applied. This dynamic design enables the bumper to detect obstacles through its movement while maintaining a compact structure. The optical sensor detects the bumper's position changes to determine obstacle presence, achieving reliable detection without requiring a complex fixed bumper structure.
2Productivity
If the brushroll is positioned closer to the front for improved cleaning coverage, then the productivity is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is positioned above the brushroll and detects obstacles in a vertical dimension rather than only at the front horizontal level. This allows the sensor to detect obstacles before they reach the front-positioned brushroll, solving the detection difficulty while maintaining the productivity benefit of the forward brushroll position.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bumper assembly slides within a clearance for multi-directional movement, then the adaptability is improved, but the measurement precision of obstacle position decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor provides continuous feedback on the bumper's position within the clearance. This feedback mechanism allows the system to accurately determine obstacle position and type based on the bumper's displacement, maintaining measurement precision despite the bumper's multi-directional sliding capability for adaptability.
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
This configuration enables the vacuum cleaner to navigate more effectively around obstacles and maintain better cleaning coverage by allowing the brushroll to be positioned closer to the front, improving its ability to detect and avoid front and side impacts.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor configured to detect a presence or absence of a light beam that is indicative of a position of the bumper assembly relative to the clearance
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vacuum cleaner includes an autonomously moveable housing carrying a vacuum collection system for generating a working air flow for removing dirt from the surface to be cleaned and storing the dirt in a collection space. Distance sensors for position sensing are mounted to the housing. The distance sensors can be staggered and/or positioned on one or more sides or above a brush chamber for a brushroll.