Method for determining a route for a floor cleaning machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining routes for floor cleaning machines in large areas are not time-efficient and cost-effective, as they often require manual intervention and do not optimize the combination of transport and work paths.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a route for a floor cleaning machine by specifying transport paths and work paths independently, using spatial coordinates and sensor data to create an efficient cleaning route that combines transport and work paths, allowing the machine to autonomously navigate and clean areas with minimal user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual route determination is used for floor cleaning machines, then the route can be customized for specific areas, but the cleaning process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The floor cleaning machine autonomously determines its own route using sensor data and processing unit calculations, eliminating the need for manual route determination while maintaining area-specific customization. The machine independently navigates to work areas and optimizes cleaning paths without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual route planning is replaced by an automated system combining sensors (laser scanners, cameras, ultrasonic sensors) and a processing unit that calculates optimal routes algorithmically. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with automated sensing and computation reduces time loss while preserving route customization capabilities.
2Productivity
If separate determination of transport paths and work paths is implemented, then route optimization is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The route determination is segmented into two independent components: transport paths (for moving between areas) and work paths (for cleaning operations). This segmentation allows each path type to be optimized separately based on specific requirements, improving overall cleaning efficiency while managing system complexity through modular route planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit serves multiple functions by handling both transport path determination and work path determination using the same sensor data and computational resources. This multi-functionality approach improves productivity through comprehensive route optimization without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware components perform multiple routing tasks.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the cleaning element remains activated during transport, then cleaning can continue without interruption, but energy consumption increases and cleaning quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element operates periodically rather than continuously - it is activated during work paths when cleaning is required and deactivated during transport paths when movement occurs. This periodic operation maintains continuous cleaning coverage across multiple cycles while significantly reducing energy consumption during non-cleaning transport phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning element's activation state dynamically changes based on the machine's operational mode - activated during work paths and deactivated during transport paths. This dynamic control optimizes the balance between continuous cleaning operation and energy consumption, adapting the cleaning element's state to the current operational requirements.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the cleaning element is deactivated during transport, then energy consumption is reduced, but cleaning continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The machine performs preliminary transport to reach work areas efficiently with the cleaning element deactivated, then activates cleaning only when positioned at the target area. This preliminary transport approach reduces energy consumption during transit while maintaining high cleaning throughput by ensuring cleaning operations occur at optimal locations without unnecessary energy expenditure during movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine skips the cleaning function during transport phases, rushing through movement operations quickly with the cleaning element deactivated, then focuses on intensive cleaning only at work areas. This skipping approach reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining productivity by concentrating cleaning efforts where they are most needed rather than distributing energy across both transport and cleaning phases.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for determining a route for a floor cleaning machine in a total area is presented and described, wherein the floor cleaning machine includes a cleaning element that can be activated for interaction with a floor surface, wherein in a first step a transport path is determined, wherein the total area includes the transport path, the transport path extending between a first and a second start/end area, wherein the cleaning element is deactivated during movement of the floor cleaning machine along the transport path, wherein in a second step a working area is determined, wherein the total area includes the working area, the working area includes at least one of the start/end areas, wherein during movement of the floor cleaning machine within the working area along a working path the cleaning element is activated, and wherein the route includes the transport path.