Cleaning Robot Pad Contamination Detection Using Light Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning robots using wet cloth pads face low accuracy in predicting contamination, leading to inefficient cleaning or unnecessary notifications due to the reliance on distance-based contamination prediction rather than actual cleaning capability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light sensor module that irradiates light to the wet cloth pad and adjusts the rotation speed of the pad motor and motion driver based on the amount of light reflection, allowing the robot to determine when to return to a docking station for cleaning or replacement, thereby improving cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If distance-based contamination prediction is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the measurement precision of contamination level is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical distance-based contamination prediction method with an optical detection system. A light source irradiates light to the pad, and a light sensor detects the amount of reflected light. The controller determines contamination level based on this optical feedback, achieving high-precision contamination detection without complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary to detect contamination level. The light source and light sensor act as mediators between the controller and the pad, enabling indirect but accurate measurement of contamination through optical properties rather than direct physical contact or complex sensing.
2Productivity
If distance-based contamination prediction is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity of cleaning operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the light sensor continuously monitors the amount of light reflected from the pad and provides this information to the controller. The controller adjusts the rotation speed of the pad motor based on this feedback, optimizing cleaning performance in real-time and improving overall cleaning operation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the pad rotation speed dynamic rather than fixed. The controller adjusts the rotation speed of the pad motor according to the contamination level detected by the light sensor, allowing the system to adapt to varying cleaning conditions and maximize cleaning productivity.
3Measurement precision
If light-based contamination detection is implemented, then the measurement precision of contamination level is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by controlling the light source to irradiate light intermittently rather than continuously. The light sensor detects reflected light at specific intervals, and the controller processes this periodic data to determine contamination level, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters dynamically - the light source intensity and irradiation timing are adjusted based on cleaning conditions. The controller modulates the light emission parameters to achieve sufficient detection accuracy with minimal energy expenditure.
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
Enhances the accuracy of determining the cleaning pad's contamination level and improves cleaning efficiency by dynamically adjusting the cleaning intensity and scheduling maintenance based on real-time light reflection data.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor module (110) configured to irradiate light to the wet cloth pad (16) and detect an amount of light reflection from the pad
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning robot including a main body; a motion driver configured to move the main body; a pad motor configured to rotate a pad below a bottom surface of the main body; a light source configured to irradiate light to the pad; and at least one processor configured to, based on an amount of reflection of the light from the pad, control rotation speed of the pad motor and/or control the motion driver to return the cleaning robot to a docking station.