Cleaner and method for controlling same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaners face difficulties in detecting and avoiding obstacles that are spaced apart from the floor, such as steps, leading to potential collisions and inefficient cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A self-driving cleaner equipped with a first and second pattern irradiation unit for projecting light patterns, a camera for capturing these patterns, and a control unit to determine the presence and distance of obstacles above the floor, allowing the cleaner to adjust its movement accordingly to avoid collisions and maintain optimal cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a robot cleaner uses conventional obstacle detection technology designed for floor-level obstacles, then it can detect obstacles on the floor, but it cannot detect obstacles spaced apart from the floor such as steps or kitchen sink structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional floor-level obstacle detection to three-dimensional spatial obstacle detection by introducing vertical dimension detection. The obstacle detection unit is configured to detect obstacles not only on the floor but also at elevated positions, enabling the robot to perceive obstacles in the vertical dimension such as steps and kitchen sink structures that were previously undetectable.
2Reliability
If the robot cleaner does not detect elevated obstacles, then it maintains simple navigation, but it collides with obstacles spaced apart from the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The obstacle detection unit is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: detecting both floor-level obstacles and elevated obstacles spaced apart from the floor. This universal detection capability allows the robot cleaner to maintain reliable collision avoidance across various obstacle types and positions without requiring separate detection systems for each obstacle category.
3Productivity
If the robot cleaner enters structures with steps or elevated obstacles, then it can access more cleaning areas, but it determines there is no obstacle and risks collision
Solution Approach 1:
The robot cleaner performs preliminary obstacle detection at elevated positions before entering structures with steps or kitchen sink configurations. By detecting obstacles spaced apart from the floor in advance, the robot can plan its navigation path to avoid collisions while still accessing cleaning areas above steps or around kitchen sink structures, thereby maintaining both productivity and reliability.
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 cleaner performs precise driving in corner areas, reduces uncleaned zones, and enhances user satisfaction by effectively navigating and cleaning around obstacles spaced apart from the floor, improving overall cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first pattern irradiation unit arranged on a front surface of the main body, for radiating light in a predetermined pattern towards a front lower side of the main body, a second pattern irradiation unit arranged on the front surface of the main body, for radiating light in a predetermined pattern towards a front upper side of the main body
Implementation Method 2
a camera arranged on the front surface of the main body, for capturing, at a preset interval, an image comprising a first light pattern formed by the first pattern irradiation unit and a second light pattern formed by the second pattern irradiation unit
Data Source
AI summary
A self-driving cleaner includes a main body and a driving unit for driving in a cleaning area. The cleaner suctions foreign material on the floor in the cleaning area. The cleaner includes a first pattern irradiation unit and a second pattern irradiation unit on the front surface of the main body, the first and second pattern irradiation units radiating light in a preset pattern towards the front lower side and the front upper side of the main body, respectively. The cleaner includes a camera on the front surface of the main body, for capturing, at a preset interval, an image including a first light pattern and a second light pattern formed by the first and the second pattern irradiation units, respectively. The cleaner includes a control unit for determining whether a first obstacle exists at a location upwardly spaced apart from the floor, using the image captured by the camera.