Cleaning Robot Infrared Tracking for User-Directed Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning robots require users to manually locate and navigate them, especially in difficult-to-reach areas like under sofas or beds, and the process is inconvenient, especially when the robot's position is unknown.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning robot equipped with a navigation unit and multiple infrared ray receivers that track a modulated infrared ray emitted by a remote controller, allowing the robot to automatically move towards the source and perform cleaning tasks along designated paths, including spiral cleaning for intensive cleaning and avoiding obstacles and forbidden areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cleaning robot performs automatic cleaning navigation, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the ability to respond to user-directed positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot dynamically switches between automatic cleaning mode and manual positioning mode. The controller receives infrared signals from the remote controller and determines whether to execute user-directed movement commands or continue automatic cleaning navigation, allowing flexible adaptation between different operational requirements
2Measurement precision
If the user manually navigates the cleaning robot using a remote controller, then positioning accuracy is improved, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot autonomously navigates to the position indicated by the remote controller without requiring manual manipulation. The robot uses its infrared receivers to detect the remote controller's signal, calculates the indicated position, and automatically moves itself to that location, eliminating the need for users to manually guide the robot
3Productivity
If the cleaning robot operates in difficult-to-reach areas, then cleaning completeness is improved, but user ability to locate the robot is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The remote controller emits both infrared rays and visible light to form a light spot on the floor. The visible light spot serves as a visual indicator that helps users locate the robot or the target cleaning position, even when the robot is operating in difficult-to-reach areas under furniture
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient and efficient movement of the cleaning robot to designated positions, ensuring thorough cleaning while avoiding obstacles and forbidden areas, reducing user intervention and improving navigation accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of infrared ray receivers configured to receive an infrared ray from a remote controller configured to output the infrared ray and visible light to form a light spot
Data Source
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AI summary
A cleaning robot includes a navigator to move a main body, a remote controller to output a modulated infrared ray in accordance with a control command of a user and to form a light spot, a light receiver to receive the infrared ray from the remote controller, and a controller to control the navigator such that the main body tracks the light spot when the modulated infrared ray is received in accordance with the control command. Because the cleaning robot tracks a position indicated by the remote controller, a user may conveniently move the cleaning robot.