Cleaning robot and remote controller included therein
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning robots require users to manually navigate them to specific locations, which is inconvenient, especially when the robot is hidden under furniture, and existing methods lack efficient ways to accurately control the robot's movement to a desired position.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system with a remote controller that emits infrared and visible light, allowing the cleaning robot to track the light emitted by the controller, using a navigation unit and light receivers to move along a designated path, and perform tasks like intensive cleaning or path saving, while avoiding obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the cleaning robot navigates automatically without user manipulation, then the automation level is improved, but the user cannot easily move the robot to specific locations when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote controller as an intermediary device that emits infrared light to guide the cleaning robot to specific locations. The remote controller includes a light transmitter that emits infrared light in the direction of the target location, and the cleaning robot has light receivers that detect this infrared light to determine the direction and distance to move toward the target position, enabling easy manual positioning without complex navigation operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical remote control operation with an optical-based system. Instead of using buttons or directional controls that require complex manipulation, the system uses infrared light transmission and detection to automatically determine movement direction and distance, substituting mechanical control with optical field-based guidance
2Area of stationary object
If the cleaning robot cleans under furniture, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the user cannot find or control the robot when it is hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses infrared light emission and detection to enable the user to locate the cleaning robot even when it is hidden under furniture. The remote controller emits infrared light that the robot's light receivers can detect, creating an optical signal trail that guides the user to the robot's position, effectively making the invisible robot visible through optical signaling
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared light acts as an intermediary between the user and the hidden robot. The remote controller emits infrared light toward the robot's location, and this light serves as a detectable signal that allows the user to track and locate the robot's position under furniture without direct visual contact
3Ease of operation
If the user manually navigates the robot using remote controller, then the robot can reach specific locations, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical navigation control with a simple optical pointing operation. The user only needs to point the remote controller in the direction of the target location, and the infrared light transmission automatically provides directional information to the robot, eliminating the need for complex button sequences or directional control operations
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 accurate movement of the cleaning robot to desired positions, improving user interaction and operational efficiency by allowing precise control and navigation, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Implementation Method 1
a lens module configured to refract the infrared ray and the visible light
Data Source
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AI summary
A cleaning system includes a remote controller (200) configured to emit an infrared ray and visible light; and a cleaning robot (100) configured to track the infrared ray emitted from the remote controller (200). The remote controller (200) comprises: a visible light transmitter (281) configured to emit the visible light, an infrared ray transmitter (283) configured to emit the infrared ray, anda lens module (287) configured to refract the infrared ray and the visible light. The distance between the visible light transmitter (281) and the lens module (287) is different from a distance between the visible light transmitter (283) and the lens module (287).