Pool Waterline Sensing for Precise Cleaning Robot Wall Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pool cleaning robots struggle to accurately recognize and navigate the waterlines of pools, which are crucial for effective cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A pool waterline detection apparatus with an auxiliary container and detection unit that transmits probing signals to determine the relative position between the apparatus and the pool waterline, integrated with a pool cleaning robot to control its movement based on the detected distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pool cleaning robots use traditional detection methods to recognize waterlines, then the device structure remains simple, but the measurement precision of waterline position is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary container is nested within the pool cleaning robot's housing structure. The detection unit is positioned within the auxiliary container, creating a nested arrangement where the detection system is integrated into the container structure, which itself is part of the robot. This nesting approach allows multiple functional elements to coexist in a compact configuration, improving detection precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary container acts as an intermediary structure that houses the detection unit and provides a stable mounting platform. This intermediary element mediates between the detection unit and the robot's main body, allowing the detection system to be positioned optimally for waterline detection while maintaining structural integrity and ease of integration with the robot's existing architecture.
2Measurement precision
If the detection unit is positioned far from the opening of the auxiliary container, then the structural stability is improved, but the detection precision of waterline position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit is positioned on the side wall of the auxiliary container rather than at the bottom or top, utilizing the lateral dimension of the container structure. This side-positioning allows the detection unit to be close to the opening for improved detection precision while the container's rigid wall structure provides adequate structural support and stability, effectively resolving the trade-off between proximity and stability.
3Productivity
If the pool cleaning robot moves closer to the waterline for thorough cleaning, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of unintended emergence from water surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit continuously monitors the waterline position and provides real-time feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts the robot's movement to maintain an optimal distance from the waterline, enabling thorough cleaning of areas near the waterline while preventing the robot from emerging unintentionally. This closed-loop control ensures both cleaning effectiveness and operational reliability.
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 precise recognition and navigation of pool waterlines, ensuring thorough cleaning by maintaining consistent contact with the pool walls and preventing unintended emergence from the water surface.
Implementation Method 1
a detection unit (22) positioned on a side of the opening, where the detection unit (22) is configured to transmit, to the opening, a probing signal towards an outer side of the auxiliary container (21), to determine a relative position between the waterline detection apparatus and a pool waterline
Data Source
AI summary
A method for obtaining waterline information is disclosed. The method includes: obtaining waterline information by means of a detection unit of a pool cleaning robot, the pool cleaning robot moving on a pool wall or pool bottom of a pool, and the waterline information being used for representing a relative position between the pool cleaning robot and the waterline; determining a distance between the pool cleaning robot and the waterline on the basis of the waterline information; and controlling the pool cleaning robot on the basis of the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the waterline.