Mobile floor-cleaning robot with floor-type detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous floor-cleaning robots face limitations in battery life and cleaning effectiveness due to fixed vacuum suction settings, which are not optimized for different floor types, leading to reduced cleaning mission duration and increased noise on solid surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The robot employs floor-type detection techniques to adjust vacuum suction power based on frictional resistance, increasing suction for soft floors and decreasing it for hard floors, optimizing cleaning performance and extending battery life by dynamically altering vacuum power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed vacuum suction settings are used, then the robot can operate with simple control, but cleaning effectiveness is reduced on hard floors and battery life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum suction power is dynamically adjusted based on detected floor type. The system transitions from a static fixed-power mode to a dynamic variable-power mode, where the vacuum motor receives control signals to modify its operating power according to whether the surface is hard or soft, thereby optimizing cleaning effectiveness for each surface type.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum suction parameter (power level) is changed based on floor type detection. The system detects surface characteristics and相应地 adjusts the vacuum power parameter - using higher power for soft floors and lower power for hard floors, thus resolving the contradiction between simple operation and effective cleaning.
2Productivity
If high vacuum suction power is maintained, then cleaning effectiveness on soft floors is improved, but battery consumption increases and mission duration decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum power parameter is adjusted based on floor type detection. When soft floors are detected, high suction power is applied for effective cleaning; when hard floors are detected, power is reduced to conserve battery energy. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic power management where vacuum suction level transitions from fixed to variable based on real-time floor type detection, optimizing the balance between cleaning performance and battery conservation throughout the mission.
3Productivity
If high vacuum suction power is used on hard floors, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but noise level increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum power parameter is adjusted according to floor type: high power is applied when soft floors are detected for effective cleaning, while low power is applied when hard floors are detected, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness while reducing noise pollution on hard surfaces.
4Duration of action of moving object
If the robot uses floor-type detection to adjust vacuum power, then battery life is extended and cleaning effectiveness is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction detection mechanism serves multiple functions: it detects floor type for vacuum power adjustment, and can potentially be used for other navigation and cleaning decisions. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive benefits in battery life extension and cleaning optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where friction detection results are continuously fed back to adjust vacuum power in real-time. This closed-loop control enables automatic adaptation to different floor types, extending battery life and optimizing cleaning effectiveness despite the increased control complexity.
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 perform longer cleaning missions, maintain consistent cleaning effectiveness across various surfaces, and reduce noise on solid flooring, thereby enhancing user experience and extending battery life.
Implementation Method 1
The robot is configured to detect a change in floor type based on a change in friction between a cleaning element, or other element of the robot, and the floor surfaces on which it travels
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
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.