Robot cleaners and controlling method thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Collisions and interference among multiple robot cleaners operating in the same area lead to inefficiencies and increased manufacturing costs, with potential contamination of cleaned areas when different cleaning methods are used simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where one robot cleaner completes its operations in an area before the second cleaner starts, allowing for sequential cleaning and reducing interference, with the option to select specific cleaning modes and roles for each robot to optimize operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple robot cleaners operate simultaneously in the same area, then cleaning productivity increases, but collisions and interference occur reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning productivityVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning area is divided into multiple zones, and each robot cleaner is assigned to specific zones. The controller coordinates robots to operate in different segments of the cleaning area simultaneously, allowing increased productivity while avoiding collisions through spatial segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If one robot cleaner follows another robot cleaner for cleaning, then cleaning coverage improves, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each robot cleaner is equipped with autonomous navigation and area recognition capabilities, allowing robots to independently determine their positions and cleaning paths without complex follower-leader coordination systems. This reduces device complexity while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If different cleaning methods are used simultaneously in the same area, then cleaning versatility improves, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning versatilityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller coordinates robots to perform cleaning operations in a predetermined sequence rather than simultaneously. For example, dry cleaning robots operate first, followed by wet cleaning robots in the same area after the previous robot has completed its task. This preliminary action approach allows versatile cleaning methods while preventing contamination between different cleaning processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3727122B1Robot cleaners and controlling method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3727122B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3727122B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3727122B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method for controlling a plurality of robot cleaners comprise to perform cleaning of a first area and a second area by a first robot cleaner and a second robot cleaner sequentially, respectively. The first area and the second area are included in a plurality of areas which are divided from a region to be cleaned. The second robot cleaner is controlled to start cleaning of the first area after the first robot cleaner has performed cleaning of the first area more than a predetermined standard.