Robot Cleaner Removable Sensor Covers for Infrared Obstacle Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners' obstacle sensors often malfunction due to direct solar radiation and scratches, which can be costly to address with materials that only allow infrared light to pass through.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design featuring removably mounted sensor covers made of polycarbonate, treated with UV coating, that block non-infrared light and are sized to fit the obstacle sensors, reducing manufacturing costs and facilitating maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outer surface of the robot cleaner is formed using a material that allows only infrared light to pass therethrough, then the obstacle sensor can accurately receive infrared light, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the protective cover into separate sensor cover portions for each obstacle sensor, rather than using a single material for the entire outer surface. This allows selective application of expensive infrared-transmissive material only where needed, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining sensor accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different locations: the sensor covers are made of infrared-transmissive material at specific sensor locations, while other parts of the outer surface use conventional plastic material. This localized application of special material properties reduces cost while maintaining functionality.
2Reliability
If the material that allows only infrared light to pass therethrough is used for the outer surface, then the obstacle sensor can receive light accurately, but the material is prone to scratching which causes sensor malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a protective coating or overlayer on the infrared-transmissive sensor covers that is resistant to scratching. This protective layer is applied in advance to prevent damage to the vulnerable infrared-transmissive material, ensuring long-term sensor reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structures where the sensor cover combines infrared-transmissive material with a scratch-resistant protective layer. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously transmit infrared light accurately while resisting surface scratching that would cause sensor malfunction.
3Reliability
If the sensor cover is made to cover the entire outer surface, then the obstacle sensor is fully protected, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protective function into discrete sensor cover portions that are applied only at the locations of obstacle sensors, rather than covering the entire outer surface. This reduces the amount of expensive infrared-transmissive material needed while providing adequate protection where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies protective coverage selectively and partially - only at the specific locations where obstacle sensors are positioned - rather than providing complete coverage of the entire outer surface. This partial action is sufficient to protect the sensors while significantly reducing material costs.
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
Prevents sensor malfunctions by allowing only infrared light to pass through while reducing costs and simplifying maintenance, with UV coating enhancing scratch resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor cover allowing only infrared light of direct solar radiation incident thereon from outside the robot cleaner to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
UV coating treatment of the surface of the sensor cover and suitable arrangement of the sensor cover
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A robot cleaner is disclosed. The robot cleaner includes a main body, a suction device provided inside the main body, a suction port for sucking foreign substances upon operation of the suction device, a dust collection device for collecting foreign substances from air sucked through the suction port, one or more wheels for enabling the main body to travel autonomously, and a control unit for controlling operation of the suction device and the wheels. The main body includes an upper housing and a lower housing, which are coupled to each other, and a side body interposed between the upper housing and the lower housing to surround a side portion of the main body. One or more obstacle sensors are mounted to the side body. One or more sensor covers are removably mounted to the side body at positions corresponding to the one or more obstacle sensors.