Floor-Cleaning Robot Floor-Type Detection for Battery Life Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous floor-cleaning robots face limitations in cleaning mission duration due to battery charge and inefficiencies in adapting to different flooring types, which affects cleaning effectiveness and battery life.
Innovation Solution
The robot includes a motion sensor and controller circuit that detect changes in pitch and resistance to alter cleaning characteristics, such as suction force, based on flooring type, using a probabilistic classifier model and motor power monitoring to optimize cleaning on various surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot uses high suction force for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robot dynamically adjusts suction force based on detected floor type. The controller circuit modifies the operational parameters of the suction mechanism in real-time according to feedback from motion sensors and cleaning head sensors, transitioning between high-power and low-power modes to optimize both cleaning effectiveness and battery consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (suction force, motor speed, power consumption) based on detected floor characteristics. By identifying floor type through sensor feedback and adjusting corresponding cleaning parameters, the robot adapts power consumption to match actual cleaning needs, extending battery life while maintaining effective cleaning.
2Productivity
If the robot adapts cleaning characteristics to different flooring types, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The robot employs feedback mechanisms where sensors detect floor type characteristics and transmit information to the controller circuit. The controller then adjusts cleaning head parameters based on this feedback loop, enabling adaptive cleaning without requiring complex manual intervention or pre-programming for each floor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of cleaning parameters based on autonomous detection of floor conditions. The robot independently identifies floor type through sensor feedback and automatically modifies its cleaning characteristics, eliminating the need for external control or complex user configuration.
3Productivity
If the robot increases suction force on soft surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but noise is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The robot modifies operational parameters including suction force and motor speed based on detected floor type. On hard surfaces, the system reduces power consumption and suction force, which simultaneously decreases noise generation while maintaining adequate cleaning effectiveness for the specific surface type.
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 extends battery life, improves cleaning effectiveness by adapting to different flooring types, and reduces noise on solid surfaces, allowing for longer cleaning missions and enhanced user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor responsive to changes in pitch, the motion sensor being carried by the chassis
Implementation Method 2
the vanes of at least the rear roller make contact with the floor surface along the length of the roller such that the roller experiences a consistently applied friction force during rotation
Implementation Method 3
a motor driven fan located within the cleaning bin to provide a suction force that pulls debris into the cleaning bin
Data Source
AI summary
Cleaning robots may use floor-type-detection techniques as a trigger for autonomously altering various floor-cleaning characteristics. In some examples, a controller circuit of the robot is configured to determine a flooring type as a function of a signal from a motion sensor indicative of a change in pitch caused by the robot crossing a flooring discontinuity. In some examples, the controller circuit is configured to determine a flooring type based on a power draw signal corresponding to the cleaning head assembly of the robot.