Robot cleaner and control method of robot cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners face challenges in effectively cleaning corners and areas with obstacles due to limitations in their side brush assemblies, which can get damaged by external obstacles and may not reliably return inside the main body.
Innovation Solution
A side brush assembly with a side arm that can be exposed and retracted using a cam and lever mechanism, driven by a motor, and a control method to ensure the side arm completely returns inside, featuring a sensor to detect its position and prevent operational errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the side brush assembly is equipped with a side arm that can be exposed outside the main body to increase cleaning area, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the side brush unit becomes vulnerable to damage from obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The side arm is designed as a movable component that can dynamically change its position between exposed and retracted states. The elastic member provides continuous elastic force to maintain the side arm in the exposed position during normal operation, while the locking part engages with the cam to secure the side arm in the retracted position when obstacles are detected, thus protecting the side brush unit from damage while maintaining cleaning coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor mounted on the main body detects obstacles in real-time and provides feedback signals to the control unit. When an obstacle is detected, the control unit activates the driving motor to rotate the cam, which through the locking part and elastic member mechanism, automatically retracts the side arm inside the main body, preventing damage to the side brush unit while maintaining the cleaning area when no obstacles are present
2Reliability
If the side arm is designed to automatically return inside the main body after cleaning, then the reliability of retraction is improved, but additional control mechanisms increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The side arm return mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the elastic member that continuously applies elastic force to push the side arm back inside the main body when the locking part disengages from the cam. The sensor and control unit automatically detect when the side arm needs to be retracted and activate the driving motor accordingly, eliminating the need for complex manual control mechanisms while ensuring reliable retraction
Solution Approach 2:
The side arm operates in periodic cycles between exposed and retracted states based on obstacle detection. The driving motor rotates the cam in discrete steps to achieve the desired side arm position, and the control unit manages the periodic activation of the motor based on sensor feedback, creating a simple yet reliable control rhythm that ensures complete retraction without complex continuous control mechanisms
3Reliability
If a sensor and control system are added to ensure complete retraction of the side arm, then operational errors are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounted on the main body provides real-time feedback about the presence of obstacles and the position of the side arm. The control unit processes this feedback and automatically activates the driving motor to rotate the cam, which through the locking part mechanism, ensures the side arm is completely retracted inside the main body before resuming cleaning operations, preventing operational errors without requiring complex manual monitoring systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical interlocking mechanisms with a simpler electromechanical system. The driving motor rotates the cam to precise positions, and the sensor-control unit substitution for complex mechanical switches and linkages, providing reliable detection and control with fewer moving parts and lower maintenance requirements
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
The solution enhances cleaning area coverage while protecting the side brush unit from damage and ensures reliable retraction of the side arm, preventing operational errors and ensuring the side arm returns inside the main body safely.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member connecting the cam and the lever and configured to rotate the lever by being stretched by rotation of the cam or external force
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
A robot cleaner has a side brush assembly including a side arm capable of being exposed outside a main body and returning inside the main body and a side brush unit mounted to the side arm. The robot cleaner includes a main body and at least one side brush assembly to increase a dust-removing area. The side brush assembly includes a side brush body, a side arm mounted to a bottom surface of the side brush body and configured to be exposed outside the main body, a side brush unit rotatably mounted to the side arm, a lever configured to rotate together with the side arm, a cam configured to rotate by receiving driving force from a driving motor, and an elastic member connecting the lever and the cam to rotate the lever by elastic force thereof.