Cleaning Robot Safety Rope Detection for Safe Activation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning robots used for vertical surfaces often rely on safety ropes for prevention from falling, but the connection state of these ropes is not detected, leading to potential safety risks due to loose connections.

Innovation Solution

A multimedia intelligent cleaning system with a self-propelled cleaning robot and a safety guard device connected via a securing assembly, which includes a detection assembly to determine the connection state and a control unit to ensure safe activation only when the connection is secure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a safety rope connection is used to prevent the cleaning robot from falling, then the safety protection capability is improved, but the connection state cannot be detected leading to potential safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety protection capabilityVSAvoidconnection state information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a detection assembly that provides real-time feedback on the connection state of the safety rope. The detection assembly includes a detection unit that detects whether the safety rope is properly connected to the cleaning robot, and a control unit that receives the detection signal and controls the robot's operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system is aware of the connection state and can respond appropriately, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining safety protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection assembly between the safety rope connection and the control system. This detection assembly acts as a mediator that translates the physical connection state into detectable signals. The detection unit detects the connection state through mechanical or electrical interaction with the safety rope, and the control unit processes this information to make safety decisions, thus bridging the gap between the physical connection and the control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the cleaning robot is activated without detecting the securing assembly state, then the productivity is improved, but the safety risk increases due to potential loose connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning operation efficiencyVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary detection of the securing assembly state before the cleaning robot is activated. The control unit is configured to receive a detection signal from the detection assembly indicating that the safety rope is properly connected before allowing the robot to start operation. This preliminary check ensures that safety conditions are met before productivity activities begin, eliminating the need to choose between speed and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the detection signal from the detection assembly during operation. If the detection signal indicates that the safety rope connection is lost or compromised, the control unit automatically stops the robot or prevents activation. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures that productivity is maintained only when safety conditions are satisfied, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3672466B1Multimedia intelligent cleaning system and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 ECOVACS ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP3672466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3672466B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3672466B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A multimedia intelligent cleaning system, comprising: a self-propelled cleaning robot (1) for cleaning a working surface and a safety guard device for connection with the self-propelled cleaning robot (1). The self-propelled cleaning robot (1) and the safety guard device are detachably connected with each other through a securing assembly (3). The securing assembly (3) has a first state in which the safety guard device is connected with the self-propelled cleaning robot (1) and a second state in which the safety guard device is separated from the self-propelled cleaning robot (1). The multimedia intelligent cleaning system further comprises a detection assembly (4) for detecting whether the securing assembly (3) is in the first state or the second state, and a control unit for controlling whether the self-propelled cleaning robot (1) enters a safe activation state depending on a detection signal from the detection assembly (4). A control method thereof.