Robot Cleaner Water Detection Using Drive Motor Current Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners performing wet cleaning lack a cost-effective method to detect water quantity in their rotary mops, relying on separate sensors which increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A control method that measures the water quantity in the rotary mop by reading the output current of the drive motor, determining water sufficiency by comparing the current value to a threshold, and adjusting cleaning operations accordingly, without the need for a separate water quantity sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate water quantity sensor is used to detect water in the rotary mop, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive motor is made to serve dual purposes: not only driving the rotary mop but also functioning as a water quantity sensor. The controller reads the output current of the drive motor to determine water content, eliminating the need for a separate water quantity sensor while reducing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The drive motor itself is used to detect water quantity through its output current characteristics. The system uses its own operational parameters (current consumption) to monitor its own state (water content in rotary mop), eliminating the need for external sensing components
2Ease of operation
If the water supplied to the rotary mop is not properly adjusted, then ease of operation is maintained, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the output current of the drive motor and uses this feedback to determine the water content in the rotary mop. Based on this information, the system can adjust water supply to maintain optimal cleaning effectiveness without compromising ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in the drive motor's output current parameter to infer water content changes in the rotary mop. By tracking this electrical parameter, the system can dynamically adjust water supply parameters to maintain optimal cleaning performance
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 allows for effective cost and space utilization by eliminating the need for additional sensors, enabling accurate water quantity detection and floor state assessment, and providing user alerts for water shortages, thus improving the efficiency and user experience of robot cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
a drive motor configured to rotate the pair of rotary mop; and a controller configured to determine whether the water in the water tank is insufficient by reading the output current of the drive motor to determine the water content of the rotary mop
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner of the present disclosure includes: a robot cleaner including: a main body forming an outer shape; a water tank configured to contain water; a pair of rotary mops configured to rotate in contact with a floor to move the main body; a drive motor configured to rotate the pair of rotary mops; a pump connected to the water tank for injecting the water to the rotary mop; and a controller configured to determine whether the water in the water tank is insufficient based on an output current of the drive motor indicating a water content of the rotary mops. Accordingly, the robot cleaner may be effective in terms of cost and space utilization because it does not have a separate water quantity sensor and can measure the water quantity of the rotary mop of the robot cleaner.