Method for operating a cleaning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems with automatically moving devices lack efficient event-dependent and time-dependent planning mechanisms, leading to suboptimal resource allocation and scheduling conflicts when multiple cleaning activities need to be executed in response to varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
The system detects predefined events using detection devices and retrieves activity scenarios from a database, allowing for event-dependent and time-dependent planning of cleaning activities, with parameters like last cleaning activity, dirt levels, and user-defined priorities to determine the most suitable cleaning actions, ensuring efficient and resource-saving execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple cleaning activities are scheduled in a database for different environmental sub-areas, then cleaning coverage and thoroughness are improved, but scheduling conflicts and resource allocation inefficiency occur when time intervals are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the time interval between cleaning activities based on real-time conditions. When a new cleaning activity is requested, the control device checks whether the time interval since the last cleaning activity meets a predefined threshold. If the interval is insufficient, the system dynamically modifies the schedule by either canceling the new activity or adjusting its timing, ensuring optimal resource utilization while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control device continuously monitors the execution status and timing of cleaning activities. When a scheduling conflict is detected (insufficient time interval), the system provides feedback by notifying the user and offering options to modify the schedule. This feedback loop enables adaptive scheduling that balances cleaning coverage with resource constraints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cleaning activities are automatically scheduled based on detected events, then responsiveness to environmental changes is improved, but system complexity and decision-making difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining multiple activity scenarios in the database, each associated with specific events and environmental sub-areas. When an event is detected, the control device simply retrieves and executes the corresponding pre-planned scenario, avoiding complex real-time decision-making. This preliminary preparation simplifies the operational complexity while maintaining high adaptability to various events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the cleaning tasks into distinct activity scenarios, each targeting specific environmental sub-areas and responding to specific events. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex scheduling by breaking it down into manageable, pre-defined units, reducing the overall system complexity while preserving event-responsive capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If users manually plan cleaning activities, then flexibility and control are improved, but time consumption and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting events and executing corresponding cleaning activities without requiring manual user intervention. Users simply define event conditions and desired outcomes in advance, and the system autonomously manages the scheduling and execution, significantly reducing the time and effort users would otherwise spend on manual planning while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multi-functionality by combining automatic event detection, scenario retrieval, and activity execution into a single integrated process. This universal approach handles various types of events and cleaning scenarios through a unified mechanism, eliminating the need for separate manual planning processes while preserving user-defined flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a cleaning system comprising at least one self-propelled cleaning device (1, 2), wherein the cleaning device (1, 2) moves in an environment based on an environmental map (3) and performs cleaning activities (13) there, wherein the cleaning device (1, 2) accesses a database (4) in which several cleaning activities (13) to be performed in at least one sub-area (5-10) of the environment are stored, wherein a user accesses the database (4) and defines in advance at least one randomly occurring event (11) that changes the cleaning state of at least one sub-area (5-10), depending on the occurrence of which at least one specific cleaning activity (13) is to be performed in at least one specific sub-area (5-10), wherein the user is informed in advance of the defined event, namely before the event occurs,An event-dependent activity scenario (12) is defined, which includes a fixed assignment of a specific cleaning activity (13) to a specific environmental sub-area (5-10) in which the cleaning activity (13) is to be carried out, and wherein the activity scenario (12) is carried out by at least one cleaning device (1, 2) upon the later occurrence of the defined event. In order to operate such a cleaning system in a time- and resource-efficient manner, it is proposed that, in addition to the defined event-dependent activity scenario (12), at least one cleaning activity (13) is also planned in a time-dependent manner, whereby, in the event that the occurrence of a defined event (11) falls below a predetermined minimum time interval from a defined time for the execution of the time-dependent planned cleaning activity (13) for the same environmental sub-area (5-10),A decision is made according to predefined rules as to whether only the event-dependent activity scenario (12) or only the time-dependent planned cleaning activity (13) is carried out.