Floor Cleaning Robot Path Definition by User-Walked Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning systems, particularly robotic vacuum cleaners, lack user-friendly and precise methods for specifying cleaning areas larger than 1.2 m x 1.2 m, as app maps often obscure boundaries, and manual relocation of the robot is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A floor cleaning system with a mobile, self-propelled unit and a portable attachment allows users to define cleaning paths or boundaries by walking them, enabling precise and flexible specification of cleaning areas without software limitations, using inertial sensors and communication units to transmit user-defined paths to the robot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spot cleaning function is selected in an app by specifying the center point, then the cleaning can be initiated, but the boundaries and orientation of the cleaning area are not clearly shown and accuracy depends on zoom level and finger size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual touchscreen interaction (mechanical/finger-based selection) with optical projection technology. The user points a projector at the desired area, and the projection automatically defines the cleaning boundaries, eliminating the need for manual zooming and tapping while providing precise boundary detection through the projected image's geometric properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a projector as an intermediary device between the user and the cleaning robot. The projector serves as a mediator that translates user intent (pointing at an area) into precise spatial definitions for the robot, resolving the contradiction by providing both ease of operation (simple pointing) and measurement precision (projected boundary accuracy).
2Measurement precision
If the spot cleaning function is limited to areas under 1.2 m x 1.2 m, then small areas can be cleaned precisely, but larger areas cannot be covered with this function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability where the cleaning area size is not fixed but adjusts based on the projected image dimensions. The system can handle both small and large areas by dynamically scaling the cleaning path to match the projected boundaries, whether they are 0.5m x 0.5m or 5m x 5m, thus providing both precision for small areas and versatility for large areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the key parameter of cleaning area dimensions from a fixed constraint (1.2m x 1.2m maximum) to a variable parameter determined by the projection. The system adapts its operating parameters (cleaning path, speed, coverage area) based on the projected size, enabling precise operation across a wide range of area sizes without sacrificing accuracy or versatility.
3Measurement precision
If the user has to carry the cleaning robot to the desired area manually, then the robot can be positioned correctly, but the process becomes cumbersome, user-unfriendly, and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical relocation of the robot with automated navigation based on projection coordinates. The system calculates the distance and direction from the projector to the center of the projected area, then automatically guides the robot to the correct position, eliminating manual carrying while maintaining precise positioning through coordinate-based navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary positioning calculations before robot movement. The system pre-calculates the optimal robot position and navigation path based on the projected area coordinates, allowing the robot to move directly to the correct location without manual intervention, thus saving time while ensuring accurate positioning.
4Ease of operation
If app maps are used to show cleaning areas, then navigation can be provided, but the map view usually doesn't clearly show the exact boundaries or orientation within the room
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the projected image as an intermediary visualization tool between the navigation system and the user. Instead of relying on abstract map representations that may not show boundaries clearly, the projection provides a direct visual overlay on the actual floor area, making boundaries and orientation immediately visible and intuitive, thus preserving information while maintaining ease of navigation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a floor cleaning system comprising: a mobile, self-driving apparatus (1), in particular a cleaning apparatus for autonomous treatment of floor areas (6), such as a vacuuming robot and/or sweeping robot and/or wiping robot; and a portable additional apparatus (2) for a user. The mobile, self-driving apparatus (1) comprises actuatable running gear, a controller and a communication member. The additional apparatus (2) comprises an operating unit, a communication unit and a position detection unit. Using the position detection unit, the user defines the floor area (6) to be cleaned in that the user walks, with the additional apparatus (2), along a cleaning path (8) or delimiting path (5) that can be transmitted to the mobile, self-driving apparatus (1) in order for the mobile, self-driving apparatus to clean along the cleaning path (8) or to clean the floor area (6) included by the delimiting path (5) in accordance with a cleaning request. The invention further relates to a method for automatic treatment of floor areas with the aid of such a floor cleaning system.