Cleaning Robot Boundary Traversal for Precise No-Go Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning robots face difficulties in precisely defining sections of a floor area that should not be cleaned, particularly when distinguishing between similar surfaces like carpeted floors, leading to potential tangling or incomplete cleaning due to user input challenges on small mobile device screens.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling cleaning robots to determine and traverse the boundary of sections not to be cleaned, allowing user confirmation and adjustment, with options for reduced speed and precise navigation to avoid specific areas, such as long-pile carpets, using a map generated by the robot itself for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user defines the no-go section on a mobile device screen, then the user can specify areas to avoid, but the precision of boundary definition is insufficient due to small screen size
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot serves as an intermediary between the user and the floor area. The robot physically travels along the boundary of the no-go section while the user provides confirmation input, translating the user's confirmation into precise boundary definition without requiring precise manual input on a small screen
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning robot autonomously navigates to and travels along the boundary of the no-go section based on user confirmation input. The system uses the robot's own movement and sensor capabilities to self-determine the precise boundary location, reducing the precision burden on the user
2Productivity
If the cleaning robot travels at normal speed, then cleaning productivity is maintained, but the user cannot adequately observe and confirm the boundary in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot dynamically adjusts its travel speed based on the operational phase. During boundary traversal for user confirmation, the robot reduces speed to allow adequate user observation and confirmation. During normal cleaning operations, the robot operates at full speed to maintain productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process is divided into periodic phases: boundary traversal phase (slow speed for user confirmation) and cleaning execution phase (normal speed for productivity). The system alternates between these phases based on operational requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning robot is configured to clean a predetermined floor area. A method for controlling the cleaning robot includes determining a section of the floor area, the treatment of which by the cleaning robot is intended to differ from that of the remaining floor area, deactivating a cleaning facility of the cleaning robot, controlling the cleaning robot to travel along a boundary of the section, detecting a user-controlled confirmation of the boundary traveled along, and enabling the cleaning facility. A control apparatus and a system including a cleaning robot are also provided.