Cleaning Robot Fault Detection Using Fill-Time Deviation Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning robots fail to promptly detect fault conditions such as blockages in the suction tract, leading to continued cleaning and distribution of dirt across the area instead of collection, which can cause damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves comparing the average filling time of the dirt collection container with individual filling times to detect deviations exceeding a predetermined threshold, allowing for the detection of fault conditions and aborting the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cleaning robot continues cleaning after detecting maximum fill level, then the cleaning process is uninterrupted, but the robot may spread dirt instead of collecting it and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by comparing the current filling time against a stored average filling time. When the current filling time deviates significantly from the average (indicating a blockage or fault), the system generates an error message and stops the cleaning process. This feedback mechanism allows the robot to detect faults and respond appropriately, preventing dirt distribution and potential damage while maintaining productivity during normal operation.
2Reliability
If the robot stops cleaning immediately when maximum fill level is detected, then fault conditions are detected promptly, but the cleaning process is interrupted unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter used for fault detection from a static maximum fill level threshold to a dynamic parameter based on filling time comparison. By comparing the current filling time against the average filling time and applying a deviation threshold, the system can distinguish between normal variations in filling time and actual fault conditions. This allows the robot to continue cleaning during normal operation while stopping only when genuine faults are detected, thus maintaining both reliability and productivity.
3Device complexity
If the robot uses a static threshold for fill level detection, then the detection is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying dirt levels in different environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing the average filling time from previous cleaning operations before comparing it with the current filling time. This pre-stored reference value allows the system to adapt to different environmental conditions (such as varying dirt levels in workshops versus homes) without requiring complex real-time analysis. The comparison between current and stored average filling times provides an adaptive detection mechanism that maintains simplicity while improving environmental versatility.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method (V) for identifying an error state (F) in a cleaning robot having a collection container for collecting dirt, according to which an average duration (1) for filling the collection container with dirt during operation of the cleaning robot is determined, and according to which the existence of an error state (F) is identified as soon as a single duration (2) for filling deviates from the determined average duration (1) for filling by more than a predefined difference value (6).