Cleaning Robot Light-Spot Tracking for Easier Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning robots require users to manually locate and move them, which is inconvenient, especially when the robot is under furniture or in hard-to-reach areas, and involves complex navigation commands.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning robot system that includes a remote controller capable of transmitting modulated infrared and visible light to guide the robot, allowing it to track a light spot and move accordingly, with signal detection units to determine distance and direction, enabling easy positioning and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user manually locates and moves the cleaning robot using a remote controller, then the robot can be moved to a particular location, but the user must find the robot which is difficult when it is under furniture or in hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light receiver and infrared signal system as an intermediary between the user and the robot. The robot emits infrared signals that can be detected by the user's smartphone or remote controller, providing real-time location information without requiring the user to physically search for the robot under furniture or in hard-to-reach areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of manually navigating to the robot with an optical/electronic system. Instead of physically locating the robot through visual search, the system uses infrared signal transmission and reception to provide electronic location information, substituting mechanical searching with electronic detection.
2Ease of operation
If the user manipulates the navigation of the cleaning robot using a remote controller, then the robot can be moved to a particular location, but the navigation manipulation is complex and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the robot to autonomously navigate to the target location based on signals received from the user's device. Once the user designates a location through the smartphone or remote controller, the robot independently calculates the navigation path and executes the movement without requiring complex manual manipulation, making the system self-sufficient in the navigation execution phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication system as an intermediary between the user and the robot's navigation system. The user's smartphone or remote controller transmits location information and navigation commands through wireless communication, simplifying the interaction compared to direct manual manipulation of the robot's physical controls.
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
The system allows for convenient and precise movement of the cleaning robot to designated areas, simplifying user interaction and improving navigation, especially in complex environments.
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 light receiver to receive the infrared ray from the remote controller
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.