Cleaning Robot Obstacle Sensing With One Multi-Angle IR Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning robots face increased manufacturing costs and blind spots due to the need for multiple light emitting and receiving modules to sense obstacles, particularly struggling to detect objects above their range.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning robot design featuring a single light receiving module that captures images from front, side, and upward light emitting portions, using a reflecting mirror and optical lens to differentiate image areas and calculate obstacle distances and positions, allowing for obstacle sensing without the need for multiple receiving modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple light emitting and receiving modules are installed to sense obstacles in all directions, then obstacle sensing coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light receiving functions into a single light receiving module. The module integrates a light receiving sensor, optical lens, and reflecting mirror that work together to capture light from front, side, and upper light emitting portions, eliminating the need for multiple separate receiving modules and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single light receiving module is designed to perform multiple sensing functions simultaneously. It receives light from different directions (front, side, upper) and processes images from multiple light emitting portions, making one module serve the role of what would traditionally require multiple specialized modules
2Measurement precision
If multiple light receiving portions are installed to receive light from different directions, then obstacle detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light receiving portions into a single integrated module. The light receiving sensor, optical lens, and reflecting mirror are assembled as one unit that can detect obstacles from multiple directions, significantly reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting mirror acts as an intermediary element that redirects light from different directions toward the single light receiving sensor. This allows the sensor to receive light that would otherwise require multiple sensors, achieving multi-directional detection with a single receiving component
3Reliability
If light emitting portions are added to emit light upward, then obstacle sensing capability in blind spots is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper light emitting portion is integrated into the existing light module system. It works in conjunction with the single light receiving module to provide upward light emission and detection, extending the sensing capability to previously uncovered blind spots without requiring a separate receiving system
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
This solution reduces manufacturing costs and enables the detection of obstacles above the robot's range, improving its ability to navigate and clean effectively while maintaining efficient obstacle sensing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
obtains an image signal of an obstacle by receiving the light emitted from the front light emitting portion, the side light emitting portion, and the upper light emitting portion and reflected by the obstacle
Implementation Method 2
The reflecting mirror, to allow the light emitted from the at least one front light emitting portion and the at least one side light emitting portion and reflected by the obstacle to pass through the optical lens, may reflect the reflected light
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a cleaning robot in which light emitting portions emitting infrared rays are installed to face forward, sideward, and upward and infrared rays which are reflected by obstacles and return are received by one light receiving module to sense obstacles to prevent an increase in manufacturing cost caused by installing a plurality of light receiving portions and simultaneously to sense obstacles located above and a method of controlling the cleaning robot. The cleaning robot including a body and a driving portion which moves the body includes at least one light emitting portion which emits light to an obstacle, a light receiving module which obtains an image signal of the obstacle by receiving the light reflected by the obstacle, and a control portion which generates obstacle sensing information based on a position of the image signal obtained by the light receiving module and controls the driving portion based on the generated obstacle sensing information. Here, the light emitting portion is installed to emit light forward, sideward, and upward from the body and to allow the light reflected by the obstacle to be received by the light receiving module, thereby sensing obstacles located forward, sideward, and above from the body.