Cleaning robot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning robots face inefficiencies in cleaning unknown environments due to random cleaning modes that often miss uncleaned zones and repeatedly clean already cleaned areas, and rely on expensive Lidar sensors for mapping and navigation, which increase costs and volume.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning robot equipped with a monocular camera mounted at an acute elevation angle, motion sensors, and a data processing device that uses localization and mapping algorithms to set virtual zones and optimize cleaning paths, reducing the need for expensive sensors and improving cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Lidar sensors are used for mapping and navigation, then localization and mapping capability is improved, but cost and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical Lidar sensing system with a camera-based visual sensing system. The cleaning robot uses a camera to capture images and processes these images through algorithms to achieve localization and mapping, substituting the complex Lidar hardware with a more compact visual system that reduces overall robot volume while maintaining navigation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical environment through image processing and generates a virtual zone map. Instead of directly measuring physical distances with Lidar, the system captures optical images and processes them to create a digital representation of the workspace, enabling localization and mapping without expensive sensing hardware.
2Device complexity
If random cleaning mode is used, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the camera continuously captures images of the cleaning environment, the processing device analyzes these images to determine cleaned and uncleaned zones, and this information feeds back to adjust the cleaning path in real-time. This closed-loop control enables systematic cleaning coverage without requiring complex pre-programming, improving efficiency while keeping the control system adaptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary image capture and analysis to identify uncleaned zones before the cleaning robot reaches them. By processing images ahead of time and generating a virtual zone map, the system plans cleaning paths in advance based on actual environmental conditions, ensuring comprehensive coverage without random movement patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning robot is provided. The cleaning robot includes a motion device configured to move the cleaning robot in an environment, and an exterior housing. The cleaning robot also includes a motion sensor configured to obtain parameters relating to a motion of the cleaning robot, and a storage device configured to store data including at least one of the one or more images or the one or more motion parameters. The cleaning robot also includes a camera configured to capture one or more images of the environment. The camera is disposed internal to a slant surface located at a front end of the exterior housing and is pivotable relative to the slant surface. The slant surface inclines upwardly with respect to a forward moving direction. The camera and the slant surface face substantially a same direction. A direction of the camera and the forward moving direction form an acute angle.