Coverage robots and associated cleaning bins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous coverage robots lack an effective method to detect when their cleaning bins are full, leading to inefficient operation and potential interruption of autonomous tasks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a bin-full detection system using a signal emitter and receiver within the cleaning bin, where the accumulation of debris blocks the signal, triggering a bin full indicator, and a controller monitors the signal to determine when service is required, allowing for human perceptible indicators and remote notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no bin-full detection system is implemented, then the robot structure remains simple, but the robot cannot detect when the cleaning bin is full leading to inefficient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical level sensors with an optical detection system using an infrared emitter and photodetector. The infrared LED emits light that passes through the bin interior, and the photodetector detects changes in light transmission when debris blocks the path, providing reliable bin-full detection without mechanical moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an infrared light beam as an intermediary between the emitter and detector. The light beam serves as a mediator that interacts with the debris in the bin, allowing indirect detection of bin fullness by measuring light blockage rather than directly sensing the debris level.
2Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring is performed, then the robot can detect bin fullness accurately, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring where the controller checks the photodetector signal at intervals rather than continuously. The system periodically evaluates whether the detected light blockage exceeds a threshold indicating bin fullness, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate detection precision for autonomous operation.
3Productivity
If the bin full detection system is added, then operational efficiency is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the bin-full detection function into the existing vacuum robot system by adding components to the cleaning bin assembly. The emitter and detector are incorporated into the bin structure, allowing the same bin to serve both its original cleaning function and the new detection function, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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 the robot to autonomously detect when the cleaning bin is full, ensuring uninterrupted operation by initiating service requirements and providing human perceptible indicators for maintenance, thus enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The emitter and the receiver are disposed such that a threshold level of accumulation of debris in the sweeper bin blocks the receiver from receiving emissions from the emitter
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a cleaning assembly housing and at least one driven sweeper brush. The robot includes a controller and a removable sweeper bin configured to receive debris agitated by the driven sweeper brush. The sweeper bin includes an emitter disposed on an interior surface of the bin and a receiver disposed remotely from the emitter on the interior surface of the bin and configured to receive an emitter signal. The emitter and the receiver are disposed such that a threshold level of accumulation of debris in the sweeper bin blocks the receiver from receiving emitter emissions. The robot includes a bin controller disposed in the sweeper bin and monitoring a detector signal and initiating a bin full routine upon determining a bin debris accumulation level requiring service.