Control of cleaning robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning robots lack efficiency and adaptability in cleaning tasks, as they do not account for the actual usage of premises or environmental conditions, leading to suboptimal cleaning and increased personnel and security risks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a mobile cleaning robot is controlled by a controller that loads cleaning tasks, determines its position using an indoor positioning system, and communicates with a building management system to activate necessary facilities based on its location and usage data, adapting cleaning intensity according to weather and occupancy information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cleaning robots operate autonomously with basic sensors for orientation and obstacle avoidance, then they can perform cleaning tasks independently, but their cleaning efficiency and adaptability to actual usage conditions remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the cleaning robot receives real-time information about room usage conditions from sensors and adjusts its cleaning behavior accordingly. The control unit processes usage information and modifies cleaning parameters dynamically, creating a closed-loop system that continuously adapts to changing environmental conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between autonomous operation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning robot transitions from static, pre-programmed cleaning patterns to dynamic, real-time adaptive cleaning. The system continuously monitors usage conditions and adjusts cleaning intensity, speed, and priority of areas based on current environmental feedback, enabling the robot to optimize cleaning efficiency while adapting to actual usage conditions throughout the cleaning cycle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cleaning robots use fixed cleaning programs, then they can operate with simple control systems, but they cannot adapt to varying usage patterns and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it manages basic cleaning operations, processes real-time usage information from sensors, makes adaptive decisions about cleaning priorities, and adjusts cleaning parameters dynamically. This multi-functional control system enables the robot to handle diverse usage patterns and environmental conditions without requiring separate specialized systems for each function, balancing adaptability with manageable complexity.
3Loss of information
If cleaning robots operate without integration to building management systems, then they can function independently, but they lack access to real-time usage information for optimizing cleaning tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication interface that acts as an intermediary between the cleaning robot and the building management system. This interface enables the robot to receive real-time usage information from the building management system and transmit cleaning status data back, allowing the robot to optimize its cleaning tasks based on current building conditions without requiring direct integration or complex system modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and corresponding arrangement are provided for controlling a mobile cleaning robot for cleaning of a building. A cleaning program with cleaning tasks is loaded into a control unit of the cleaning robot, the current position of the cleaning robot in the building is determined, the respective cleaning tasks are carried out taking into account the current position of the cleaning robot, and based on the current position of the cleaning robot and the cleaning task to be performed at the respective position, at the request of the control unit a building management system activates facilities located at the respective position, so that a corresponding cleaning task is able to be carried out for the cleaning robot.