Cleaning robot and robot system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning robots are limited to their original function of floor cleaning and cannot be easily modified or expanded for additional uses, lacking flexibility in their functionality.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning robot equipped with a recording device that allows for tool-less attachment and detachment of additional cameras, providing energy and data interfaces for image and sound transmission, enabling the robot to be used for extended household monitoring and allowing users to choose from various camera types based on specific needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaning robot is equipped with fixed original cleaning equipment, then the cleaning function is reliable, but the adaptability for additional functions is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning robot is designed with a universal mounting structure that can accommodate both the original cleaning equipment and additional cameras. The mechanical interface with electrical and data interfaces enables the robot to perform multiple functions (cleaning and monitoring) without requiring separate dedicated structures for each function, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The additional camera is designed as a separable module that can be independently mounted or removed from the cleaning robot. This segmentation allows the camera to be added or removed without affecting the core cleaning function, enabling flexibility in configuring the robot for different uses while maintaining manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the cleaning robot structure is fixed and sealed, then the reliability is high, but the ease of modification is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of modificationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The robot structure incorporates a dedicated mounting structure for the additional camera that is integrated into the sealed housing. This segmentation allows the camera to be mounted or removed through a defined interface without compromising the overall sealing and structural integrity of the robot, thus enabling easy modification while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaning robot has fixed equipment, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability for different uses is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical interface with integrated electrical and data interfaces serves as a universal connection point that supports both the original cleaning equipment and additional cameras. This universal interface design enables the robot to be adapted for different uses (cleaning only, or cleaning plus monitoring) without requiring complex custom interfaces for each application, thus improving versatility while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaning robot is used only for cleaning, then the ease of operation is simple, but the adaptability for monitoring is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The additional camera is designed as an independently controllable module with its own power and data interfaces. When mounted on the cleaning robot, it can be operated separately from the cleaning functions, allowing users to activate monitoring mode without affecting the simplicity of cleaning operations. The camera can be controlled independently through wireless communication, maintaining ease of operation while adding adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3490417B1Cleaning robot and robot system
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3490417B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3490417B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3490417B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning robot for a floor surface, comprising an electrical energy store, an electrical drive device, a sensor for scanning an environment of the cleaning robot, a control device configured for controlling the drive device, based on signals of the sensor, in such a way that the cleaning robot is moved over the floor surface, and a cleaning device for cleaning a section of the floor surface. In addition, a receiving unit for an additional camera is provided, wherein the receiving unit comprises a mechanical interface for attaching the additional camera, an electrical interface for supplying the additional camera with energy from the energy store, and a data interface for transmitting image or sound information from the additional camera or control data to the additional camera.