Floor cleaning appliance and method for cleaning a floor surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning appliances with optical detection devices face errors in determining floor type due to external influences like incident light and scattering, leading to unreliable results.
Innovation Solution
A floor cleaning appliance equipped with a spectroscopic device that uses reflection measurements to record and analyze the spectrum of the floor surface, allowing for a reliable determination of the floor type independent of external influences, and adapts cleaning parameters based on the identified type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If photographic recordings are used to determine floor type, then the detection method is simple and cost-effective, but the determination reliability deteriorates due to external influences like incident light and scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical imaging system (photographic recording) with a spectroscopic measurement system. Instead of capturing visual images that are sensitive to lighting conditions, the system uses spectroscopic devices to measure the spectral reflection characteristics of the floor surface, which are intrinsic to the floor material and independent of external lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from visual appearance (photographic recording) to spectral reflection characteristics. By measuring how different wavelengths of light are reflected by the floor surface, the system obtains material-specific spectral signatures that reliably identify floor type regardless of incident light conditions.
2Reliability
If spectroscopic device with reflection measurement is used, then the floor type determination reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spectroscopic device is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only determines floor type but can also potentially identify soil types, assess cleaning effectiveness, and detect floor surface conditions. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by providing comprehensive floor surface analysis capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spectroscopic measurement system as an intermediary between the cleaning appliance and the floor surface. This intermediary device translates complex spectral information into simplified floor type classifications, making the system manageable despite the complexity of the underlying measurements and data processing.
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
The spectroscopic device enables accurate identification of floor types such as plastic, parquet, laminate, and tiling, allowing for optimized cleaning parameters and travel patterns, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
The detection device is configured as or comprises a spectroscopic device with which the floor type is determinable on the basis of a spectrum of the floor surface recorded by reflection measurement
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a floor cleaning appliance which comprises at least one cleaning assembly for cleaning a floor surface and an optical detection device with which a floor type is determinable. In order to provide a floor cleaning appliance with which a reliable determination of the floor type is possible, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the detection device is configured as or comprises a spectroscopic device with which the floor type is determinable on the basis of a spectrum of the floor surface recorded by reflection measurement. The invention also relates to a method for floor cleaning.