Pool Cleaning Path Planning Using Terminal Device 3D Modeling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pool cleaning robots require users to measure pool parameters using a laser range finder, leading to tedious procedures, low cleaning efficiency, and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a terminal device to guide users in collecting environmental data of the pool through specified poses, building a three-dimensional model, and planning a cleaning path for an unmanned cleaning device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a laser range finder is used to measure pool parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepool parameter measurementVSAvoiddata collection process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical laser range finder with a terminal device (smartphone or tablet) that uses camera imaging and image processing algorithms to measure pool parameters. The terminal device captures images of the pool environment and automatically calculates dimensions through computational methods, eliminating the need for manual laser measurement and significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual measurement with laser range finder is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepool parameter measurementVSAvoiddata collection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by having the terminal device automatically capture pool environment images and pre-process the visual data before the cleaning robot operates. The system pre-calculates pool parameters and generates cleaning path plans in advance, eliminating the time-consuming manual measurement step and reducing overall preparation time while maintaining accurate measurements through image-based computation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If laser range finder is used for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepool parameter measurementVSAvoidmeasurement system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using a terminal device (smartphone or tablet) that serves multiple functions: it captures pool environment images, processes visual data to measure pool parameters, generates cleaning path plans, and communicates with the cleaning robot. This multi-functional approach replaces the specialized laser range finder, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision through integrated software-based measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4293458B1Method and device for pool cleaning
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 DEGRII CO LTD
  • EP4293458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4293458B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4293458B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method of cleaning a pool, applied to a client application installed in a terminal device, comprising: modeling the pool according to information of the pool collected by the terminal device to determine a three-dimensional model of the pool; receiving a cleaning result on the pool sent by an unmanned cleaning device coupled with the terminal device, and displaying the cleaning result in the client application, wherein a cleaning path of the unmanned cleaning device is determined by the terminal device according to the three-dimensional model; and receiving feedback on the cleaning result, and adjusting a path planning of the unmanned cleaning device based on the feedback; wherein modeling the pool according to information of the pool collected by the terminal device to determine the three-dimensional model of the pool comprises: in response to receiving an input from a pool shape selection interface of the client application, determining a plurality of collection poses adapted to a shape of the pool; according to the plurality of collection poses, collecting the information of the pool by the terminal device, wherein the information comprises images of the pool and laser point cloud data respectively corresponding to the images; and according to the images of the pool and laser point cloud data respectively corresponding to the images, modeling the pool to determine the three-dimensional model of the pool.