Control apparatus for auto clean machine and auto clean machine control method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional auto clean machines, such as sweep robots, fail to detect cliffs until they are close, leading to potential falls, and cannot accurately determine the presence of walls or object heights, resulting in collision risks.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with a light source that illuminates regions outside and in front of the machine, combined with image sensors with varying resolution directions, allows for the detection of cliffs, walls, and object heights by analyzing brightness distributions, enabling the processor to control the machine's movement accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light source below the machine is used to detect cliffs, then the machine can determine cliff existence through brightness changes, but the machine cannot detect cliffs until it is already close, causing potential falls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting cliffs before the machine reaches them. The image sensor captures brightness distribution of light reflected from the ground ahead, and the processor analyzes this data to identify cliff locations in advance, allowing the machine to stop or avoid the cliff before it becomes a hazard.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point brightness detection (below the machine) to a two-dimensional brightness distribution analysis (front and side regions). The image sensor captures a broader spatial area, and the processor analyzes brightness variations across different regions to detect cliffs at a distance, adding spatial dimensionality to the detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If the machine protrudes from the cliff to detect it, then cliff detection is possible, but the machine may drop down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light as an intermediary to detect cliffs. The light source illuminates the ground and cliff areas, and the image sensor detects the reflected light's brightness distribution. This optical intermediary allows the machine to sense cliff locations at a distance without physical contact or protrusion, eliminating the fall risk associated with extending detection mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If conventional brightness detection is used, then simple detection is achieved, but the machine cannot detect walls or object heights accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the brightness distribution analysis system universal by applying the same detection method to multiple object types. The processor analyzes brightness patterns to detect not only cliffs but also walls and object heights, allowing a single detection system to perform multiple functions. The light source and image sensor remain the same, but the analysis adapts to identify different obstacles based on their brightness characteristics.
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
Enables cliff detection from a distance, preventing falls and allows for accurate wall and object height detection, thereby reducing collision risks and improving the machine's navigation and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit light to illuminate at least one light region outside and in front of the auto clean machine
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor to detect reflected light reflected from the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus for an auto clean machine comprising a light source configured to emit light to illuminate at least one light region outside and in front of the auto clean machine. The control apparatus comprises: a first image sensing area, configured to sense a first brightness distribution of the light region, wherein a resolution for a first direction of the first image sensing area is higher than a resolution for a second direction of the first image sensing area; and a processor, configured to control movement of the auto clean machine according the first brightness distribution.