Method for operating a mobile, self-propelled appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vacuum robots face issues with battery recharge times prolonging cleaning tasks, leading to user inconvenience and reduced battery lifespan due to frequent trickle charging.
Innovation Solution
A user-defined time window system allows the robot to perform cleaning tasks and recharge the battery within specified time limits, optimizing battery usage and extending its lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rechargeable battery is fully charged after each cleaning task to ensure readiness for spontaneous cleaning tasks, then the robot is always ready for new cleaning tasks, but the repeated trickle charging and permanently high charge level cause stress for the rechargeable battery and reduce its service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic charging behavior by switching between different charging modes (full charging vs. storage charging) based on real-time conditions such as whether a cleaning task is imminent, current battery charge level, and time since last cleaning. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both readiness and battery longevity by avoiding unnecessary full charges when the robot will not be used soon.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the charging parameter (charge level target) based on operational context. Instead of always charging to 100%, the system adjusts the target charge level dynamically - charging to full when cleaning is imminent, and to a lower storage level when cleaning is not expected soon, thereby reducing battery stress while maintaining operational readiness.
2Productivity
If the rechargeable battery is only charged to sufficient level before cleaning tasks (reducing interim recharging time), then the total cleaning duration is reduced, but the vacuum robot has a fully discharged rechargeable battery immediately after cleaning and cannot be used for spontaneous further cleaning tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary charging actions in advance of when they are strictly needed. By charging the battery to a higher level after cleaning tasks when time permits, the system prepares the robot for potential spontaneous cleaning tasks, ensuring availability without compromising the efficiency of scheduled cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic charging cycles where the robot alternates between charging to full capacity and charging only to sufficient levels based on the timing and nature of cleaning tasks. This periodic variation in charging behavior balances productivity optimization with maintaining battery availability for unexpected cleaning needs.
3Ease of operation
If the rechargeable battery is kept at full charge level by repeated trickle charging, then the robot is always ready for cleaning tasks, but the rechargeable battery ages faster and can store less capacity with each charging cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the battery management system to autonomously determine optimal charging behavior without constant user intervention. The system monitors its own charge level, cleaning task history, and usage patterns to self-regulate charging frequency and intensity, thereby reducing unnecessary trickle charging and preserving battery capacity over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors battery charge level, age, and usage patterns, then adjusts future charging behavior based on this feedback. This closed-loop control prevents excessive trickle charging by learning from past charging cycles and their impact on battery health, optimizing the balance between availability and capacity retention.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a mobile, self-propelled appliance, in particular a floor cleaning device such as a vacuum and/or sweeping and/or wiping robot, having a rechargeable battery. A user specifies on a portable additional device, a time window in which the mobile, self-propelled appliance should carry out at least one specified cleaning task and the mobile appliance automatically determines its recharging time of the rechargeable battery in this time window, and/or the user specifies the time period in which the mobile, self-propelled appliance should carry out no cleaning tasks. The mobile, self-propelled appliance automatically determines at an end of the time period to charge the rechargeable battery to its full charge capacity.