Robot cleaner and maintenance station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous robot cleaners face performance degradation due to dust accumulation in their dust boxes, which can lead to reduced cleaning efficiency and require manual intervention for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robot cleaner system equipped with a dust sensing unit using light emitting and receiving sensors to detect dust levels, allowing for automatic detection of full dust boxes and enabling the robot to dock with a maintenance station for dust discharge, thereby maintaining cleaning performance without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot cleaner operates autonomously for extended periods, then productivity increases, but dust accumulates in the dust box causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where light sensors continuously monitor dust accumulation levels in the dust box. When the dust box becomes full, the sensors detect the change in light transmission and send signals to the control unit, which then autonomously navigates the robot to the maintenance station for dust discharge, ensuring continuous cleaning performance without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The robot cleaner performs self-maintenance by autonomously returning to the maintenance station when the dust box is full. The system automatically discharges accumulated dust without requiring user intervention, enabling the robot to maintain optimal cleaning performance and continue operation immediately after dust discharge
2Reliability
If manual dust discharge is required frequently, then cleaning performance is maintained, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service maintenance by automatically detecting when the dust box is full through light sensors and autonomously navigating to the maintenance station for dust discharge. This eliminates the need for frequent manual user intervention, significantly reducing maintenance time and allowing the robot to maintain optimal cleaning performance continuously
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance station is pre-configured with dust discharge mechanisms and the robot is pre-programmed with navigation paths. When dust accumulation reaches critical levels detected by the sensors, the system immediately initiates the autonomous return and discharge process without requiring user preparation or intervention, minimizing downtime
3Productivity
If the dust box is made larger to reduce discharge frequency, then productivity increases, but the robot size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collection system is segmented into a modular dust box that can be easily attached and detached at the maintenance station. This segmentation allows for efficient space utilization within the robot body while enabling quick automatic discharge operations, maintaining productivity without requiring excessive robot size or complexity
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 system effectively prevents performance degradation by automatically detecting dust levels and discharging it, ensuring continuous operation and reducing maintenance needs, while also reducing energy and material costs through air circulation between the robot and maintenance station.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting unit to transmit light, and a light receiving sensor to sense the light transmitted by the light emitting unit
Data Source
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AI summary
In a cleaning system, dust stored in a dust box is suspended in air introduced into the dust box through a first opening formed through a robot cleaner, and is then discharged to a second opening formed through a maintenance station through the first opening of the robot cleaner.