Cleaning Robot Voltage Switching for Power-Saving Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cleaning robots face challenges in balancing power consumption and moving freedom due to limitations in battery size, requiring trade-offs between high sucking force and long operation times, especially when moving on already cleaned areas or in inspecting modes.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning robot with a power converting unit that supplies different voltage levels for moving and cleaning operations, allowing power-saving by interrupting cleaning unit power when not needed, such as on already cleaned areas or during returning to a docking station, and using high voltage for cleaning and low voltage for moving/inspecting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cleaning robot uses high-voltage power for cleaning operations, then cleaning efficiency and sucking force are improved, but power consumption increases and operation time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The power converting unit dynamically switches between first voltage (low power mode) and second voltage (high power mode) based on operational requirements. The control unit adjusts voltage output in real-time, transitioning from static battery voltage to dynamic voltage control, resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical parameter (voltage level) of the power supply based on operational state. By converting battery power to different voltage levels (first voltage for moving, second voltage for cleaning), the system adapts power characteristics to match operational demands, achieving both energy efficiency and cleaning performance.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the cleaning robot uses low-voltage power to reduce power consumption, then operation time is extended, but cleaning efficiency and sucking force decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic switching between voltage modes based on operational phases. During moving and inspecting phases, first voltage is applied to conserve energy; during cleaning phases, second voltage is applied to maximize cleaning efficiency. This periodic voltage adjustment extends overall operation time while maintaining cleaning effectiveness when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the cleaning robot moves on already cleaned areas or returns to docking station, then moving freedom is exercised, but unnecessary power consumption occurs if cleaning unit remains active
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors operational state and provides feedback to the power converting unit. When detecting that the cleaning robot is moving on already cleaned areas or returning to the docking station, the control unit signals the power converting unit to switch to first voltage, automatically reducing power consumption without compromising moving freedom.
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 cleaning efficiency by using high-voltage power for cleaning and low-voltage power for moving/inspecting, reducing power consumption and extending operation times by optimizing power usage based on operational states.
Implementation Method 1
a power converting unit (i.e., a power converter) which may convert and outputs power supplied from the battery into a first voltage driving the moving unit and a second voltage driving the cleaning unit
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning robot and a control method thereof may improve power consumption efficiency by using low-voltage power for a moving or inspecting operation and performing the moving or inspecting operation while operation of the cleaning unit is stopped when the operation of the cleaning unit is not needed. The cleaning robot includes a battery, a moving unit, a cleaning unit, a power converter which converts and outputs power supplied from the battery into a first voltage driving the moving unit and a second voltage driving the cleaning unit, and a controller which supplies power having the first voltage to the moving unit so as to drive the moving unit and supplies power having the second voltage to the cleaning unit so as to perform a cleaning operation. The controller continues driving the moving unit but stops driving the cleaning unit when the cleaning robot moves on an already cleaned area.