Floor Cleaning Unit Safety Module with Mode-Specific Lockout Inputs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated self-propelled cleaning robots pose a risk of damage to themselves or surrounding obstacles due to potential collisions, and existing safety measures are inadequate, especially when operating in autonomous or manual modes.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning unit equipped with a safety module that responds to various safety inputs to initiate a lockout and stop movement, featuring different subsets of safety inputs for autonomous and manual modes, including touch sensors, floor sensors, and speed sensors, to prevent collisions and ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning unit operates in autonomous mode with comprehensive safety inputs, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety inputs are segmented into mode-specific subsets. The autonomous mode receives a first subset of safety inputs while manual mode receives a second subset, allowing comprehensive safety monitoring without requiring all safety inputs to be active simultaneously, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The safety module dynamically adjusts which safety inputs are monitored based on the operating mode. The system transitions between different safety input configurations depending on whether autonomous or manual mode is active, optimizing the balance between safety and complexity for each operational context
2Reliability
If the safety module monitors all safety inputs in both modes, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different safety input configurations are applied to different operating modes. The manual mode operates with a reduced subset of safety inputs compared to autonomous mode, allowing operators easier maneuverability while still maintaining essential safety monitoring appropriate to each mode's risk profile
3Productivity
If the cleaning unit moves at higher speeds to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but the risk of damage from collisions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety module proactively detects unsafe conditions using touch sensors, floor sensors, and other safety inputs before collisions occur. By initiating lockout based on predictive safety monitoring rather than reactive response to actual collisions, the system allows higher operating speeds while preventing damage through advance hazard detection
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning unit for cleaning floors comprising a drivetrain, a main controller, a safety module, and one or more cleaning aggregates for cleaning a floor upon which the cleaning unit moves. The main controller may operate the cleaning unit in one of an autonomous mode in which cleaning unit autonomously navigates while cleaning the floor or a manual mode in which the cleaning unit is maneuverable under an applied external force while cleaning the floor. The safety module may be responsive to a plurality of safety inputs such that if a safety input indicates an unsafe condition, the safety module initiates a lockout to stop movement by the cleaning unit. In the autonomous mode, the safety module may be responsive to a first set of safety inputs and in the manual operating mode, the safety module may be responsive to a second set of safety inputs.