Cleaning Robot Light Spot Tracking for Simplified Remote Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 involves complex remote control operations.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning robot system that includes a remote controller capable of transmitting modulated infrared rays to guide the robot, allowing it to track a light spot and move automatically to designated positions, using multiple signal detection units to calculate distance and direction, and an obstacle detection system to avoid obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional remote controller is used to manually navigate the cleaning robot, then the robot can be moved to specific locations, but the operation becomes complex and inconvenient especially when the robot is hidden under furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical remote control navigation system with an optical tracking system. The remote controller emits infrared light that forms a visible light spot on the floor, and the robot uses infrared receivers to detect and track this light spot, automatically navigating to the indicated position without requiring complex remote control operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light spot as an intermediary between the user and the robot. The user simply points the remote controller at the desired location, creating a light spot that serves as a visual and detectable marker. The robot tracks this intermediary light spot to determine its movement target, simplifying the interaction.
2Ease of operation
If the cleaning robot navigates automatically without user intervention, then operation convenience is improved, but the ability to move to specific user-designated locations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges automatic tracking functionality with user-designated positioning. The robot combines its automatic navigation capability with the ability to detect and track the infrared light spot emitted by the remote controller, allowing it to automatically move to specific locations designated by the user through simple pointing action.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote controller serves multiple functions: it emits the infrared light spot for position indication, and simultaneously transmits control commands for various robot operations such as starting cleaning, returning to base, and triggering intensive cleaning at the designated location.
3Measurement precision
If multiple infrared ray receivers are used to detect the light spot position, then navigation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task among multiple infrared ray receivers positioned at different locations on the robot body. Each receiver detects the infrared light from the remote controller independently, and the control unit processes these segmented detection results to calculate the light spot position and determine the robot's movement direction and distance.
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 specific locations without user intervention, improving navigation and reducing the complexity of remote control operations by using a light spot tracking mechanism and obstacle detection.
Implementation Method 1
a remote controller to output a modulated infrared ray in accordance with a control command of a user
Implementation Method 2
a visible light transmitter to transmit visible light in order to form the light spot
Data Source
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.