Floor-Type Detection in Cleaning Robots for Adaptive Suction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous floor-cleaning robots face limitations in cleaning mission duration due to battery charge and struggle to adapt cleaning characteristics effectively across different flooring types, leading to inconsistent cleaning performance and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
The robot employs a motion sensor and controller circuit to detect flooring discontinuities and adjust cleaning characteristics, such as suction force, by integrating data from various sensors and using a probabilistic classifier model to determine floor types and modulate cleaning parameters like suction power based on friction and motor resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the robot uses high suction force for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but battery consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot dynamically adjusts suction force based on real-time floor type detection. The controller circuit receives signals from motion sensors detecting pitch changes and cleaning head signals detecting friction variations, then modulates fan motor speed to provide high suction only when needed (on soft surfaces) and low suction on hard surfaces, optimizing the balance between cleaning effectiveness and battery consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the suction force parameter based on detected floor conditions. By monitoring pitch angle changes from motion sensors and friction changes from cleaning head sensors, the controller adjusts the suction force parameter in real-time, transitioning between high and low suction states to match the required cleaning intensity for different floor types
2Reliability
If the robot maintains high suction force across all floor types, then cleaning consistency is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robot employs a feedback mechanism where motion sensors detect pitch changes and cleaning head sensors detect friction variations as the robot traverses different floor surfaces. This feedback information is processed by the controller circuit to determine floor type, which then feeds back to adjust suction force levels, ensuring consistent cleaning performance while optimizing battery usage through adaptive control
Solution Approach 2:
The robot autonomously detects floor type changes and self-adjusts suction force without external intervention. The integrated sensor system and controller enable the robot to service itself by automatically modulating cleaning parameters based on real-time environmental feedback, maintaining cleaning consistency while managing battery life independently
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the robot reduces suction force on hard floors, then battery life is extended, but cleaning effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system selectively changes the suction force parameter based on floor type detection. Motion sensors detecting pitch changes and cleaning head sensors detecting low friction signals indicate hard floor surfaces, triggering the controller to reduce suction force to conserve battery while maintaining adequate cleaning effectiveness for hard floor debris
4Productivity
If the robot operates at full power continuously, then cleaning productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot dynamically modulates fan motor speed and suction force based on real-time floor type detection. By transitioning between high-power and low-power operational states according to detected floor conditions, the system maintains high cleaning productivity on soft surfaces while reducing energy consumption on hard surfaces, optimizing the overall energy-productivity balance
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 the robot to maintain consistent cleaning effectiveness across various flooring types, extend battery life, and reduce unnecessary fan motor noise, thereby enabling longer cleaning missions and improved 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.