Robot Cleaner Sensing and Suction Integration to Reduce Blind Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robot cleaners face challenges in optimizing their sensing and cleaning mechanisms, including reduced suction force, blind spots for obstacle detection, and inconvenient filter replacement, which affect their efficiency and usability.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design featuring a protruding suction unit with integrated sensing capabilities, including inclined sensing parts and pattern irradiation for obstacle detection, and a dust container system with a rotatable cover for improved assembly and filter accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the suction unit is disposed to protrude from the cleaner body, then suction force is improved, but the probability of collision with obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction unit is configured to be movable relative to the cleaner body, transitioning between a protruding state during cleaning operations to maximize suction force and a retracted state during navigation to minimize collision probability. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize performance based on operational context.
2Power
If the suction unit is disposed to protrude from the cleaner body, then suction force is improved, but the suction unit is located in a blind spot of the sensing unit
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing unit and suction unit are merged or closely integrated, with sensing elements positioned on or near the protruding suction unit. This allows the sensing unit to extend into the area previously constituting a blind spot, enabling obstacle detection directly at the suction interface while maintaining improved suction force.
3Quantity of substance
If the dust container capacity is increased, then dust collection capability is improved, but the height of the cleaner body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dust container is designed with a nested structure where components are arranged concentrically or in overlapping configurations. The cyclone separator, HEPA filter, and dust collection chamber are positioned in nested arrangements that maximize the dust container capacity within the constrained height of the cleaner body.
4Ease of repair
If the cleaner body is disassembled for filter replacement, then filter access is improved, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner body is segmented into modular sections, with the dust container and filter assembly forming a separate, easily removable module. Users can access and replace filters by simply detaching this module without disassembling the entire cleaner body, thereby maintaining filter accessibility while significantly improving user convenience.
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
Enhances obstacle detection and avoidance performance, improves suction efficiency, and simplifies filter replacement, leading to more effective cleaning and user-friendly operation.
Implementation Method 1
the sensing unit includes a first sensing part disposed respectively inclined with respect to side and top surfaces at an upper corner portion of the cleaner body to simultaneously photograph front and upper parts of the cleaner body
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A robot cleaner comprising: a cleaner body including a wheel unit and a controller controlling driving of the wheel unit; a suction unit disposed in the cleaner body, the suction unit sucking air containing dust; and a sensing unit disposed at the front of the cleaner body in which the suction unit is disposed, wherein the sensing unit includes a first sensing part disposed respectively inclined with respect to side and top surfaces at an upper corner portion of the cleaner body to simultaneously photograph front and upper parts of the cleaner body.