Robot Cleaner Bumper Sensing With Fewer Impact Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaners require multiple impact sensors to detect impacts in various directions, leading to increased size and cost due to the need for proportional sensor placement.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design featuring obliquely positioned impact sensors and a curved pressing unit that transmits impact to the sensor, combined with a movement guide unit and disposition restoration unit to manage bumper movement and position, allowing for effective impact detection and direction adjustment with a reduced number of sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple impact sensors are positioned to detect impacts in various directions, then impact detection coverage is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single impact sensor performs multiple detection functions by receiving impact forces transmitted from different directions through the pressing unit. The sensor is positioned to detect impacts from front, side, and rear directions, making one sensor universal for multiple detection purposes rather than requiring separate sensors for each direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing unit acts as an intermediary mechanism that transmits impact forces from various directions to the impact sensor. When the bumper contacts obstacles from different directions, the pressing unit converts these directional impacts into linear forces that push the sensor, enabling the sensor to detect impacts indirectly from multiple directions.
2Measurement precision
If the number of impact sensors is increased to cover more directions, then detection precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
One impact sensor is designed to perform the work of multiple sensors by receiving transmitted forces from different directions through the pressing unit structure, reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining detection precision across multiple directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The functionality of multiple impact sensors positioned at different locations is merged into a single sensor positioned obliquely, with the pressing unit combining multiple impact vectors into a single detectable force on the sensor, simplifying the system and reducing manufacturing costs.
3Reliability
If impact sensors are positioned to detect all directions, then reliability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing unit serves as a mechanical intermediary that simplifies the sensor arrangement by converting complex multi-directional impact forces into a single linear force vector that acts on the impact sensor, reducing the complexity of sensor positioning and arrangement while maintaining reliable multi-directional detection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning multiple sensors to cover different directions, the invention inverts the approach by positioning a single sensor and using the pressing unit to bring different directional impacts to the sensor, simplifying the overall structure while achieving the same detection coverage.
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
This configuration enables efficient detection of impacts in multiple directions with fewer sensors, minimizing size and cost while preventing damage from large impacts and maintaining effective cleaning functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an impact sensor which is positioned obliquely in the main body to detect movement of the bumper
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member which elastically connects the first protruding member and the second protruding member
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a robot cleaner. The robot cleaner of the present application includes: a main body which forms an external shape; a moving mechanism which moves the main body; a bumper which is positioned to protrude from an outer periphery of the main body; an impact sensor which is positioned obliquely in the main body to detect movement of the bumper; and a pressing unit having a curved end portion which presses the impact sensor, when the bumper moves.