Method for cleaning a floor surface and floor-cleaning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning methods require pre-mapping of soiling levels and position-dependent cleaning, which can lead to inefficiencies and inaccuracies, prolonging the cleaning process and making it difficult to ensure a satisfactory cleaning result without additional checks.
Innovation Solution
A method using optical detection units to create before-and-after images of a floor section during cleaning, allowing real-time assessment of cleaning efficacy and enabling immediate re-cleaning if necessary, thus eliminating the need for pre-mapping and reducing positional inaccuracies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-mapping of soiling levels is performed before cleaning, then cleaning can be adapted to soiling degree, but cleaning process time is prolonged and positional inaccuracies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing a reference image of the floor surface before cleaning begins. This reference image serves as a baseline for later comparison to assess cleaning quality, eliminating the need for time-consuming pre-mapping of soiling levels while maintaining reliable cleaning results through real-time image comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously comparing images captured during and after cleaning with the reference image. This real-time feedback mechanism allows the system to assess cleaning quality immediately and determine whether re-cleaning is necessary, eliminating delays associated with pre-mapping approaches.
2Adaptability or versatility
If position-dependent storage of soiling degree is implemented, then cleaning intensity can be controlled by location, but device complexity increases and positional accuracy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image copying by capturing visual representations of the floor surface before and during cleaning. These image copies contain all necessary information about soiling distribution and cleaning results, replacing complex position-dependent data structures and reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical position tracking systems with optical image-based assessment. Instead of relying on precise positional data and complex control algorithms, the system uses image comparison to determine cleaning quality, substituting mechanical/positional control with optical field-based control.
3Measurement precision
If multiple dust measurement modules are used to determine dirt distribution, then cleaning adaptation is possible, but device structure becomes complex and cleaning speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical dust measurement modules with optical detection using image capture. The optical field-based image analysis provides sufficient measurement precision for dirt distribution assessment without the structural complexity of multiple physical sensors, thereby maintaining cleaning speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the imaging system multi-functional by using the same camera or optical sensor for both navigation/positioning and dirt detection purposes. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated dust measurement modules, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
4Measurement precision
If continuous position control is performed during cleaning, then positional accuracy is maintained, but cleaning speed is reduced and process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image copies to track and verify cleaning progress without requiring continuous position control. By comparing captured images with the reference image, the system can assess cleaning quality and maintain positional accuracy indirectly through visual feedback rather than active position control, preserving cleaning speed.
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
This approach allows for quick and effective floor cleaning with immediate feedback on cleaning quality, reducing the need for post-cleaning checks and improving positional accuracy, resulting in faster and more reliable cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
Two images of a floor surface section are created with at least one optical detection unit
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cleaning a floor surface with a floor-cleaning device. In said method, a first image of a floor surface section before cleaning is created by an optical detection unit during the cleaning movement of the floor-cleaning device over the floor surface, the floor-cleaning device is moved with at least one cleaning module over the floor surface section, which is cleaned, a second image of the floor surface section is created by an optical detection unit after cleaning, and the images are compared with each other in order to check the cleaning result. The invention further relates to a floor-cleaning device for performing the method.