Cleaning robot and method of performing task thereof

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning robots are limited in their ability to determine specific tasks based on objects in their vicinity due to limited sensor combinations, resulting in repetitive avoidance patterns without effective interaction with objects.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning robot equipped with a camera, a guard portion, and AI models that capture images of objects, determine appropriate tasks, and control the guard portion to descend and move objects, allowing for optimized task performance based on object attributes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a general cleaning robot uses only basic sensors for obstacle detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the robot cannot determine specific tasks based on object attributes and can only perform repetitive avoidance patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask determination capabilityVSAvoidsensor combination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera serves multiple functions: it captures images for object recognition, determines object attributes (shape, size, color), and enables the robot to differentiate between various objects. This single component replaces multiple specialized sensors, achieving multi-functionality while controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical sensors (ultrasonic, infrared, laser) with a camera-based vision system. The camera captures visual information that is then processed to determine object attributes and generate appropriate tasks, substituting mechanical sensing with optical sensing and computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the cleaning robot uses a limited sensor combination, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of object information is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject information accuracyVSAvoidsensor combination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical sensors (ultrasonic, infrared, laser) with a camera-based vision system. The camera captures visual information that is then processed to determine object attributes, substituting mechanical sensing with optical sensing and computational analysis to achieve precise object characterization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera acts as an intermediary that captures comprehensive visual information about objects. This single component provides multiple types of data (shape, size, color, position) that would otherwise require multiple specialized sensors, serving as a mediator between the robot and the environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the cleaning robot performs only avoidance driving, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the productivity is reduced due to inability to perform specific tasks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoiddriving control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The robot's behavior dynamically adapts based on object attributes. The same camera and processing system enable different driving patterns (avoidance, pushing, moving) depending on what is detected, making the system dynamic rather than static. This allows high productivity through task differentiation while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from camera images to determine object attributes and select appropriate tasks. The processed visual information feeds back into the control system, which automatically selects the suitable driving pattern, creating a closed-loop system that enhances productivity without requiring complex manual operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaning robot lacks object recognition capability, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different objects is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject-specific task performanceVSAvoidAI model processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical sensors (ultrasonic, infrared, laser) with a camera-based vision system. The camera captures visual information that is then processed to determine object attributes, substituting mechanical sensing with optical sensing and computational analysis to achieve precise object characterization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12232687B2Cleaning robot and method of performing task thereof

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method, performed by a cleaning robot, of performing a task, is provided. The method includes capturing an image of an object in a vicinity of the cleaning robot, determining a task to be performed by the cleaning robot, by applying the captured image to at least one trained artificial intelligence (AI) model, controlling a guard portion to descend from in front of an opened portion to a floor surface of the cleaning robot, according to the determined task, and driving towards the object so the object is moved by the descended guard portion.