Removable Cleaning Pad Detection for Autonomous Floor Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional floor cleaning methods, such as using wet mops, are cumbersome and require manual scrubbing, which can be exhausting and inefficient, especially for large areas, as they necessitate frequent dipping in cleaning solutions and bending, leading to user fatigue.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous floor cleaning robot equipped with a pad sensor that identifies the type of cleaning pad attached, allowing it to autonomously select the appropriate cleaning mode, including spraying schedule and navigational behavior, thereby reducing user intervention and error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional wet mops are used for floor cleaning, then cleaning can be performed, but user fatigue increases due to manual scrubbing and frequent dipping
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system performs cleaning operations autonomously without requiring continuous user intervention. The robot navigates, applies cleaning solution, and scrubs the floor automatically, allowing it to serve itself in the cleaning task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical scrubbing with an automated robotic system that uses a motorized drive mechanism to oscillate the cleaning pad, substituting human physical effort with mechanical automation.
2Reliability
If manual floor cleaning is performed, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but user exhaustion occurs especially for large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic cleaning system autonomously performs all cleaning operations including navigation, solution application, and scrubbing, eliminating the need for user physical effort while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through programmed operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning pad is designed with an oscillating mechanism that dynamically moves back and forth during cleaning operations, enhancing cleaning effectiveness through varied motion patterns while the robot adapts its navigation dynamically to cover large areas efficiently.
3Productivity
If cleaning pad type is not identified, then quick operation is maintained, but cleaning mode selection errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a sensor to detect the cleaning pad type and provides feedback to the controller, which then automatically selects the appropriate cleaning mode. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate mode selection without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system automatically identifies the cleaning pad type through sensor detection and self-configures the appropriate cleaning parameters and modes, eliminating the need for manual selection and preventing user errors.
4Extent of automation
If automated pad detection is implemented, then user intervention is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A simple optical sensor detects the presence and type of cleaning pad by monitoring light reflection patterns, providing feedback to the controller to automatically adjust cleaning modes without requiring complex detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an optical sensor as an intermediary element to detect cleaning pad characteristics. This simple sensor acts as a mediator between the cleaning pad and the control system, enabling automated detection without complex machinery.
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 robot enhances cleaning efficiency by reducing user fatigue and errors, allowing for autonomous operation and quick initiation of cleaning tasks without manual selection of cleaning modes, while ensuring effective floor cleaning with the appropriate cleaning pad type.
Implementation Method 1
The radiation detector may exhibit a peak spectral response in a visible light range. The feature may be a colored ink disposed on a surface of the cleaning pad, the pad sensor senses a spectral response of the feature
Implementation Method 2
The pad sensor may include a radiation emitter configured to emit a first radiation and a second radiation, and the pad sensor may sense a reflection of the first and the second radiations off of the feature to sense the spectral response of the feature
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a body, a controller supported by the body, a drive supporting the body to maneuver the robot across a floor surface in response to commands from the controller, and a pad holder attached to an underside of the body to hold a removable cleaning pad during operation of the robot. The pad includes a mounting plate and a mounting surface. The mounting plate is attached to the mounting surface. The robot includes a pad sensor to sense a feature on the pad and to generate a signal based on the feature, which is defined in part by a cutout on the card backing. The mounting plate enables the pad sensor to detect the feature. The controller is responsive to the signal to perform operations including selecting a cleaning mode based on the signal, and controlling the robot according to a selected cleaning mode.