Optical device and autonomous cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous cleaners fail to detect transparent obstacles and are unable to differentiate between suitable and unsuitable liquids for cleaning, leading to potential machine contamination and collisions.
Innovation Solution
An optical device equipped with a first and second light source emitting different wavelengths, combined with image sensing regions and a processing circuit to detect transparent materials and determine liquid types based on fluorescence patterns and light absorption rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If IR light is used to detect obstacles, then the autonomous cleaner can detect most obstacles, but transparent obstacles cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent detection channels, each using different wavelengths of light (IR light source and visible light source). Each channel detects obstacles differently, and the processing circuit combines results from both channels to achieve comprehensive detection, including transparent obstacles that one channel alone would miss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter by using multiple wavelengths of light instead of a single wavelength. The IR light source emits infrared light while the visible light source emits visible light, and the processing circuit analyzes reflections from both wavelengths to detect transparent obstacles that are invisible to IR light alone.
2Productivity
If the autonomous cleaner cleans all liquids, then it can maintain floor cleanliness, but it may contaminate the machine with unsuitable liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and classification of liquids before the cleaning action. The processing circuit analyzes light reflections from both IR and visible light sources to determine liquid type, and only allows cleaning when the liquid is identified as suitable (water-based), preventing contamination before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the optical detection system to control the cleaning behavior. The processing circuit continuously monitors light reflections, determines liquid type based on the combined analysis of IR and visible light data, and provides feedback to the control circuit to enable or disable cleaning operations accordingly.
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
Enables effective detection of transparent obstacles and classification of liquids, preventing collisions and contamination by allowing the autonomous cleaner to take appropriate actions.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source, configured to emit first light; a second light source, configured to emit second light, wherein the first light and the second light have different light wave lengths
Implementation Method 2
a first image sensing region, configured to sense a first image generated according to the first light; a second image sensing region, configured to sense a second image generated according to the second light
Implementation Method 3
detect transparent materials and determine liquid types based on fluorescence patterns and light absorption rates
Implementation Method 4
determine liquid types based on fluorescence patterns and light absorption rates
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device, comprising: a first light source, configured to emit first light; a second light source, configured to emit second light, wherein the first light and the second light have different light wave lengths; a first image sensing region, configured to sense a first image generated according to the first light; a second image sensing region, configured to sense a second image generated according to the second light; and a processing circuit, configured to determine a condition of a pre-determined region of the optical device according to the first image and the second image. In one embodiment, the optical device is an autonomous cleaner and the processing circuit controls the autonomous cleaner to act corresponding to the condition.