Robot Cleaner Sensing Unit Layout for Protected Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face challenges in optimizing the arrangement of sensing units for efficient autonomous driving, particularly in environments with narrow hallways or high ceilings, leading to reduced reliability and accuracy of obstacle detection.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design featuring a bumper that absorbs impact upon collision and a sensing unit disposed behind the bumper, capturing both side and upper directions, with cameras and an ultrasonic sensor for enhanced obstacle detection and image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensing unit is disposed in front of the bumper for better obstacle detection, then the obstacle detection capability is improved, but the sensing unit is more vulnerable to impact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper serves as an intermediary protective element positioned between the obstacle and the sensing unit. When an obstacle is detected, the bumper absorbs the impact before it reaches the sensing unit, protecting it from damage while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing unit is positioned to detect obstacles before the robot cleaner physically contacts them, allowing the system to take preliminary avoidance actions. The bumper then provides additional protection in case contact occurs, ensuring the sensing unit remains intact for continued operation.
2Reliability
If the sensing unit is disposed behind the bumper for better protection, then the sensing unit protection is improved, but the obstacle detection capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper acts as a protective intermediary that does not block the sensing unit's view of obstacles. The sensing unit remains positioned behind the bumper for protection while the bumper's transparent or open structure allows the sensing unit to detect obstacles effectively.
3Reliability
If the sensing unit captures a wider area including upper direction, then the autonomous driving reliability in various environments is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing unit is inclined at a specific angle to capture not only the horizontal side direction but also the upper direction. This angular orientation adds a vertical dimension to the detection coverage, enabling the robot to detect obstacles in hallways and high-ceiling environments without increasing the number of sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle of the sensing unit is optimized to balance the coverage area and structural complexity. By adjusting the angle parameter, the system achieves wide-area detection including upper directions while maintaining a simple integrated structure rather than using multiple separate sensors.
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 design enhances obstacle avoidance and improves autonomous driving reliability and accuracy by effectively capturing side and upper direction images, even in challenging environments, while protecting the sensing unit from impact.
Implementation Method 1
The first window and the second window may include a first filter and a second filter, respectively, to selectively transmit an infrared area
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic sensing unit disposed on one surface of a front side of the bumper to detect an obstacle located around the front of the cleaner body using ultrasonic waves reflected after being emitted
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a robot cleaner comprising: a cleaner body including a control unit for controlling autonomous travelling; a sensing unit arranged to be inclined to the side surfaces and the upper surface of an upper corner portion of the cleaner body and photographing both the side direction and the upper direction of the cleaner body; and a bumper arranged to cover a first half area of the cleaner body and configured, at the time of coming into contact with an obstacle, to be pressed and absorb impact, wherein the sensing unit is arranged behind the bumper.