Robotic Cleaner Layout for Wall and Corner Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic floor cleaners face limitations in cleaning reach and effectiveness due to their circular design, which restricts the size and configuration of the cleaning mechanism, and inefficient navigation strategies that lead to incomplete coverage and uneven cleaning of complex environments.
Innovation Solution
A robotic cleaner design where the cleaning apparatus forms a major part of the mobile platform, extending to the front and sides to reach walls and corners, with a flexible suspension system and advanced navigation using sensors and a gyroscope for efficient coverage and obstacle avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cleaning mechanism is contained entirely within the footprint of the mobile robot platform, then the robot maintains a compact circular design for easy navigation, but the cleaning apparatus is limited in size and cannot reach walls and corners effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning robot is divided into separate functional modules: a compact mobile platform for navigation and a detachable cleaning assembly that can be positioned independently. This segmentation allows the navigation system to remain small and maneuverable while the cleaning mechanism can extend beyond the platform boundaries to reach walls and corners effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning apparatus is designed to extend in multiple dimensions beyond the circular platform footprint. The cleaning assembly can protrude forward and extend laterally to reach into corners and along walls, adding spatial reach in directions that exceed the platform's circular boundary while the platform itself remains compact for navigation.
2Productivity
If the cleaning apparatus extends beyond the robot footprint to reach walls and corners, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the robot requires a more complex suspension system to maintain contact between the cleaning mechanism and floor
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system employs dynamic, adjustable linkages that can adapt their configuration based on the cleaning surface conditions and obstacles encountered. The linkage lengths and angles are variable, allowing the cleaning assembly to maintain optimal contact with the floor while accommodating uneven surfaces, thresholds, and transitions without requiring an overly complex fixed suspension structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning assembly incorporates active sensors and control systems that automatically adjust the position and contact pressure of the cleaning elements based on real-time feedback from the environment. This self-adjusting capability reduces the need for complex passive suspension mechanisms, as the system actively compensates for variations in floor conditions to maintain effective cleaning contact.
3Ease of operation
If traditional random navigation strategies are used, then the robot can navigate simple environments, but coverage is incomplete and cleaning is uneven in complex environments
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system incorporates multiple sensors including cameras, LIDAR, and proximity sensors that continuously scan the environment and provide real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback enables the robot to build and update a map of the cleaning area, track its position accurately, and adjust its navigation path dynamically to ensure complete and uniform coverage of all surfaces including walls, corners, and furniture edges.
Solution Approach 2:
Before beginning the cleaning process, the robot performs a preliminary scanning phase to map the environment, identify accessible surfaces, and plan an optimized cleaning path. This preliminary action allows the robot to systematically cover all areas in complex environments without relying on random navigation, ensuring complete and uniform cleaning coverage while avoiding obstacles and hard-to-reach areas that cannot be accessed.
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 allows for effective cleaning of hard-to-reach areas and improved navigation in complex environments, ensuring thorough coverage and reducing energy waste and wear on the robot and floor surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
advanced navigation using sensors and a gyroscope for efficient coverage and obstacle avoidance
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic cleaner includes a cleaning assembly for cleaning a surface and a main robot body. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and a width of the cleaning assembly is greater than a width of the main robot body. A robotic cleaning system includes a main robot body and a plurality of cleaning assemblies for cleaning a surface. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and each of the cleaning assemblies is detachable from the main robot body and each of the cleaning assemblies has a unique cleaning function.