Cleaning Device Door Closure Using Camera and Motor Current Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices, such as dishwashers, face challenges in automatically closing doors safely and efficiently, particularly when baskets are loaded or tilted, which can lead to accidents and mechanical issues, and require additional sensors or actuators, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a camera and motor current sensor to monitor the interior and loading area, providing a control signal to a motor to automatically close the door, adapting to basket mobility and stopping if obstacles are detected, utilizing existing sensor technology and AI for safe operation, and allowing remote control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If additional sensors or actuators are added to enable automatic door closing, then the door can close automatically, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor serving the door drive is made multi-functional by equipping it with both position sensing and obstacle detection capabilities. The motor's existing components (encoders for position, current sensors for torque) are utilized for multiple purposes, eliminating the need for separate sensors and actuators while enabling automatic door closing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The door drive system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by using its own motor current and position data to detect obstacles and adapt closing force. The system monitors its own operational parameters (current consumption, position feedback) to automatically adjust behavior without external intervention or additional sensing equipment.
2Speed
If the door closes automatically with high force, then closing speed increases, but the risk of accidents and mechanical damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door drive system continuously monitors motor current and position feedback during the closing operation. When an obstacle is detected through current spike or position deviation, the system provides immediate feedback to reduce closing force or reverse direction, enabling safe automatic closing at higher speeds while preventing accidents and mechanical damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The door closing process is made dynamic and adaptive, with the system automatically adjusting closing speed and force based on real-time conditions. The motor control varies torque and velocity profiles during closing, allowing fast closing when clear but gentle stopping when obstacles are detected, optimizing both speed and safety.
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
Enables safe and automatic door closure without additional sensors, reducing costs and complexity, ensuring reliable operation by adapting to basket positions and preventing collisions, and allowing remote operation.
Implementation Method 1
The camera signal is read by a camera for optically monitoring an interior of the cleaning device and/or a loading area of the cleaning device
Implementation Method 2
The motor current signal is read by a current sensor of the motor
Implementation Method 3
The control signal is provided to a motor for driving a door of the cleaning device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a cleaning device (100). The method comprises a step of reading a door closing signal, a step of providing a control signal, and a control step. The door closing signal represents a command to control the closing of a door (110) of the cleaning device (100). The control signal is provided to a motor (220) for driving a door (110) of the cleaning device (100), wherein the control signal is provided using a camera signal and a motor current signal. The camera signal is read by a camera (125) for optical monitoring of an interior (115) of the cleaning device (100) and/or a loading area of the cleaning device (100). The motor current signal is read by a current sensor (235) of the motor (220). The control step is performed to control the motor (220) using the control signal.