Robot cleaner and method for controlling thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robot cleaners face inefficiencies in completing cleaning operations due to the need to fully charge their batteries before resuming cleaning, leading to prolonged completion times as the process includes charging time, which can be excessive.

Innovation Solution

A robot cleaner and its controlling method that allow partial battery charging when the capacity reaches a predetermined level, enabling continued cleaning with the charged battery, using methods like Constant Current Constant Voltage (CCCV) charging and considering cleaning area information to optimize battery usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the battery is fully charged before resuming cleaning operation, then the battery capacity is sufficient to complete the cleaning, but the completion time of the cleaning operation becomes overly longer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacity sufficiencyVSAvoidcleaning completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by charging the battery only to the extent needed to complete the remaining cleaning area rather than fully charging it to 100%. The processor calculates the exact battery capacity required based on the remaining cleaning area and charges only that amount, thereby reducing charging time while ensuring sufficient power to finish the cleaning task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If the battery is fully charged, then the robot cleaner can complete the cleaning operation, but the charging time increases the total cleaning duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning operation completionVSAvoidtotal cleaning duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the processor calculate the required battery capacity before the cleaning operation resumes. The system determines the exact charging needed based on the remaining cleaning area, and the battery is charged to this predetermined level, allowing the cleaning to resume immediately without unnecessary charging time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system charges the battery partially rather than fully, based on the calculated requirements for the remaining cleaning area. This partial charging approach reduces the charging time while ensuring the battery has sufficient capacity to complete the cleaning task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the robot cleaner returns to charging station and charges the battery 100%, then the battery is fully recharged, but the time to fully charge the battery is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery charge levelVSAvoidbattery charging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the processor continuously monitor the remaining cleaning area and calculate the corresponding battery capacity requirement. The charging process is controlled based on this feedback, stopping when the calculated required capacity is reached rather than continuing to 100% charge, thus optimizing charging time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The battery is charged only to the extent necessary for completing the remaining cleaning area, which is typically less than 100% capacity. This partial charging eliminates the waste of time associated with charging beyond what is actually needed for the task at hand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 approach reduces the overall completion time of cleaning operations by allowing partial charging and resuming cleaning sooner, thereby shortening the total cleaning duration compared to fully charging the battery.

Implementation Method 1

a battery, and a processor configured to, in response to the battery being consumed in accordance with a cleaning operation for the cleaning area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

control the robot cleaner to charge some of the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11246464B2Robot cleaner and method for controlling thereof

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A robot cleaner is provided. The robot cleaner includes a battery, and a processor configured to, in response to the battery being consumed in accordance with a cleaning operation for the cleaning area and a remaining capacity of the battery reaching a predetermined value, control the robot cleaner to charge some of the battery and clean a remaining area using the charged battery.