Robot cleaner and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaners lack a mechanism to detect and respond to abnormal operations of their auxiliary cleaning tools, leading to inefficient cleaning due to potential collisions or issues with high-resistance floor materials, as they do not have a unit for error detection.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner equipped with a main body, first and second detectors, and a controller that detects obstacles and the state of the auxiliary cleaner, determines abnormal operations, and adjusts its cleaning operations or navigation to correct errors, such as changing the protrusion or retraction state or navigation pattern based on detected issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the auxiliary cleaner is designed to protrude outward to clean near-wall portions, then cleaning performance is improved, but the risk of collision with obstacles and abnormal operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by introducing a detector that monitors the protrusion state of the auxiliary cleaner and provides real-time information to the controller. When the detector identifies an abnormal state (such as failure to protrude or retract), the controller responds by adjusting the protrusion command or navigating around the obstacle, thereby maintaining reliable operation while preserving cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the protrusion state of the auxiliary cleaner based on real-time detection feedback. The controller can modify the protrusion command during operation when abnormalities are detected, and restore normal protrusion operation once the abnormal condition is resolved, enabling adaptive response to changing operational conditions
2Device complexity
If the auxiliary cleaner operates autonomously without error detection, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning efficiency deteriorates due to undetected abnormal states
Solution Approach 1:
A detector is added to monitor the auxiliary cleaner's protrusion state and provide feedback to the controller. When an abnormal state is detected, the controller adjusts operations to maintain cleaning efficiency, ensuring the system responds proactively to issues rather than allowing them to persist
3Device complexity
If the auxiliary cleaner remains in abnormal state for predetermined period, then system simplicity is maintained, but cleaning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detector continuously monitors the auxiliary cleaner's state and provides immediate feedback to the controller. When an abnormal state is detected, the controller promptly adjusts the protrusion command or navigation to prevent prolonged abnormal operation, thereby maintaining cleaning efficiency without requiring complex predetermined waiting periods
Data Source
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AI summary
A robot vacuum cleaner (1) that automatically vacuums dust accumulated on a floor while navigating a cleaning area; a method of controlling the robot vacuum cleaner (1), including a main body (10) that navigates the floor; a first detector (60) that detects an obstacle close to the main body (10); an auxiliary cleaner (100) that is mounted on the main body (10) to protrude and retract a second detector (300) that detects a protrusion state or a retraction state of the auxiliary cleaner (100); and a controller (200) that determines an abnormal operation of the auxiliary cleaner (100) based on a result of the detection of the second detector (300), and controls a protrusion operation or a retraction operation of the auxiliary cleaner (100) according to a result of the determination.