Floor Mopping Robot Water Spray Control Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor mopping robots face challenges with slip control due to excessive water spray, leading to reduced efficiency and increased risk of loss of control, especially when navigating obstacles or slippery zones.

Innovation Solution

A water spray control method for floor mopping robots that adjusts the water spray amount based on the already cleaned area or moved distance, rather than pre-set time intervals, to prevent excessive wetting and slipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water is sprayed at pre-set time intervals, then the floor is sufficiently wetted for mopping, but the floor becomes overly wetted causing wheel slip and loss of control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol stabilityVSAvoidmopping efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback control by using the odometer to detect actual moving distance and the water sensor to detect floor wetness, then adjusting water spray amount based on this feedback. The control module reduces or stops water spray when slip is detected (through distance-wetness mismatch or sensor feedback), preventing excessive wetting and maintaining control stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic water spray control where the water spray amount is adjusted in real-time based on actual moving distance and floor wetness conditions. Instead of fixed time-based intervals, the system dynamically modifies spray parameters according to actual operating conditions, allowing the robot to adapt to varying floor conditions and prevent slip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If water spray amount is increased to improve mopping effect, then cleaning capability is enhanced, but wheel slip occurs reducing operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from fixed time intervals to dynamic parameters based on actual moving distance and floor wetness detection. The water spray amount is adjusted as a variable parameter rather than a fixed value, allowing optimization of cleaning effect while preventing excessive wetting that causes slip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The water sensor provides feedback on floor wetness levels, allowing the control module to adjust water spray amount to achieve optimal cleaning effect without exceeding the threshold that causes wheel slip. This feedback mechanism balances cleaning capability with operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the robot moves back and forth in a small zone during obstacle avoidance, then navigation flexibility is improved, but pre-set time water spray causes excessive wetting and worsens slip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstacle avoidance capabilityVSAvoidslip hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The odometer continuously monitors actual moving distance, and when the robot moves back and forth in a small zone during obstacle avoidance, the feedback shows minimal distance accumulation despite time passing. The control module uses this feedback to reduce or stop water spray, preventing excessive wetting in the confined zone and the associated slip hazard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The water spray control dynamically adapts to the robot's movement pattern during obstacle avoidance. When confined to a small zone, the system automatically reduces spray amount based on actual distance traveled, maintaining navigation flexibility while eliminating the harmful effect of excessive wetting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4537727A1Mopping robot, water spraying control method and apparatus therefor, and readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 SUGAN TECH BEIJING
  • EP4537727A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4537727A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4537727A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a floor mopping robot and a water spray control method and apparatus and a readable storage medium, the water spray control method includes: an obtaining step, configured to obtain an already cleaned area of the floor mopping robot or an already moved distance of the floor mopping robot when the floor mopping robot executes a floor mopping task; and a control step, configured to control a water spray amount of a water spray system of the floor mopping robot based on the already cleaned area and a pre-set target cleaning area, or, control the water spray amount of the water spray system based on the already moved distance and a pre-set target moving distance. As such, slip of the floor mopping robot in a floor mopping process can be reduced or avoided.