Robot Cleaner Multi-Sensor Tilting Design for Blind-Spot Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaners using two-dimensional spatial data face challenges in identifying objects in blind spots and navigating complex indoor environments, due to limited field of view and distortion of data from three-dimensional image sensors.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner equipped with a three-dimensional image sensor, an optical sensor, and a gyro sensor, where the sensors are tilted at predetermined angles, allowing the processor to acquire and combine data to identify bottom surface characteristics and control the driving state accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a three-dimensional image sensor is used to acquire spatial information, then the robot cleaner can identify objects in three-dimensional space, but blind zones increase and object identification becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a three-dimensional image sensor with an optical sensor to create a multi-sensor system. The three-dimensional image sensor captures spatial information while the optical sensor detects light reflected from the bottom surface, allowing the system to merge data from both sensors to identify objects in blind zones and improve overall detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new sensing dimension by tilting the optical sensor at a predetermined angle to detect light from the bottom surface area. This angular dimension complements the three-dimensional spatial information, enabling the system to observe areas that would otherwise be blind spots and improve object identification in previously undetectable regions.
2Loss of information
If a three-dimensional image sensor is used, then spatial information can be acquired, but data distortion occurs according to arrangement structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the optical sensor as an intermediary to detect light reflected from the bottom surface, which helps correct and supplement the three-dimensional spatial data. By detecting light intensity and patterns from the bottom surface area, the optical sensor acts as a mediator that compensates for distortions in the three-dimensional image sensor data, improving overall spatial information accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the optical sensor is tilted at a larger angle than the three-dimensional image sensor, then bottom surface detection is improved, but sensor arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the tilting angle of the optical sensor as a key parameter to balance bottom surface detection capability with system simplicity. By setting the optical sensor at a predetermined tilting angle greater than that of the three-dimensional image sensor, the system achieves improved bottom surface detection while maintaining a relatively simple and compact sensor arrangement that can be integrated into the robot cleaner's housing.
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 enables the robot cleaner to effectively navigate and avoid obstacles by improving object identification, especially in areas previously considered blind spots, and adjusting its driving state based on real-time spatial information.
Implementation Method 1
the optical sensor detects a light reflected from a bottom surface
Implementation Method 2
acquire spatial information by using a three-dimensional image sensor
Implementation Method 3
angular velocity data acquired by the gyro sensor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A robot cleaner is provided. The robot cleaner includes a three-dimensional image sensor, an optical sensor, a gyro sensor, and at least one processor configured to control a driving state of the robot cleaner based on image data acquired by the three-dimensional image sensor, optical data acquired by the optical sensor, and angular velocity data acquired by the gyro sensor, wherein the three-dimensional image sensor and the optical sensor are respectively arranged to be tilted by a predetermined tilting angle, and a tilting angle of the three-dimensional image sensor is smaller than a tilting angle of the optical sensor.