Robot Cleaner Water Shortage Detection Using Pump Motor Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face increased manufacturing costs and frequent breakdowns due to the use of sensors for detecting water shortage and controlling water supply for wet cleaning, which affects efficient cleaning and battery consumption.
Innovation Solution
A water shortage detection system that measures the load current of a pump motor and a driving motor using a control unit, allowing for detection of water shortage and control of water supply without a separate sensor, by comparing measured values with reference values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor is used to detect water shortage in the water tank, then water shortage detection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and breakdowns occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water shortage detection function from a separate sensor component and integrates it into the existing control unit by measuring pump motor current. This eliminates the need for a dedicated sensor, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining detection reliability through electrical measurement of pump motor current to determine water levels in the tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is given a multi-functional role by enabling it to perform both existing control tasks and water shortage detection through pump motor current measurement. This universal approach allows one component (the control unit) to serve multiple purposes, eliminating the need for additional sensors and reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing cost.
2Ease of operation
If a sensor is used to control water supply amount, then water supply control is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and breakdowns occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water supply control function from a separate sensor-based system and implements it through pump motor current measurement by the control unit. This eliminates the need for additional sensors while maintaining precise control over water supply to the rotary members, reducing manufacturing cost and improving system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring pump motor current and using this information to adjust water supply levels. The control unit measures the current draw of the pump motor, which varies with water supply conditions, and uses this feedback to maintain optimal water supply to the cleaners without requiring external sensors.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors are added for detection and control, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions including motor control, water supply management, and water level detection through pump current measurement. This multi-functional design maintains measurement precision for water levels while avoiding the increased complexity that would result from adding separate sensor systems and their associated circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the water level detection function with the existing pump motor control circuitry by measuring pump motor current. This consolidation combines multiple functions (pump control and water level detection) into a single integrated approach, maintaining detection precision while reducing system complexity by eliminating separate sensor components and their connections.
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 manufacturing costs, minimizes battery consumption, and ensures efficient wet cleaning and cleaning time by eliminating the need for additional sensors and reducing maintenance issues.
Implementation Method 1
a pump motor which supplies water stored in the water tank to the rotary members
Implementation Method 2
a control unit which measures the load current of the pump motor, in which a water shortage state in the water tank may be detected on the basis of the measured value of the load current of the pump motor
Data Source
AI summary
A water shortage detection system comprises: a body; a drive unit which is provided in the body to supply power for traveling of a robot cleaner; a plurality of rotary members which rotate about a plurality of respective rotation axes by the power from the drive unit and to which cleaners for wet cleaning of a surface to be cleaned can be fixed respectively; a water tank which is provided in the body to store water; a pump motor which supplies water stored in the water tank to the rotary members; and a control unit which measures the load current of the pump motor, wherein a water shortage state in the water tank is detected on the basis of the measured value of the load current of the pump motor.