Autonomous Mobile Robot Cleaning Area Control by Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling autonomous mobile service robots are inflexible, requiring user input to adapt to different cleaning areas, which limits their effectiveness in dynamically adjusting to dirt distribution and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
The robot employs sensors to detect its surroundings, allowing for intelligent adjustment of the cleaning area by rotation, displacement, or enlargement, using dirt sensors to determine the optimal area based on dirt distribution and adapting the cleaning path dynamically during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robot uses a fixed cleaning area definition method, then the control system is simple, but the adaptability to different dirt distributions and environmental conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the cleaning area boundaries based on real-time sensor feedback. The control unit continuously modifies the virtual boundaries during operation, allowing the cleaning area to adapt to detected dirt distributions and environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs sensor feedback mechanisms where dirt sensors and environmental sensors provide real-time information to the control unit. This feedback loop enables the robot to automatically adjust cleaning area boundaries and paths based on actual conditions, achieving high adaptability without requiring complex manual reconfiguration
2Ease of operation
If the robot requires manual positioning by the user, then the robot can reach any location, but the ease of operation is reduced and user effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs self-navigation and self-positioning using its navigation sensors and onboard computer. It automatically determines its location, plans paths to target areas, and executes movement without user intervention, eliminating the time and effort required for manual positioning while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-defines multiple virtual cleaning areas and allows the user to select from these predefined options. This preliminary setup reduces operational complexity during actual use, as the robot can quickly navigate to and begin cleaning in pre-planned areas without requiring real-time user guidance
3Productivity
If the robot cleans a large standardized area, then the cleaning coverage is comprehensive, but the cleaning efficiency for localized dirt decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the overall cleaning space into multiple virtual sub-areas with dynamic boundaries. The robot can selectively activate and clean only the specific sub-areas containing dirt, rather than cleaning the entire standardized area. This segmentation enables efficient localized cleaning while maintaining the option for comprehensive coverage when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameters of the cleaning area boundaries based on detected dirt distribution. When dirt is detected in a localized area, the virtual boundaries are adjusted to encompass only that region, reducing the total cleaning area and improving efficiency. The parameters can be expanded again if broader cleaning is required
Data Source
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Figure 5(A)~5(B)
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling an autonomous mobile robot for carrying out a task in a local region of an area of application of the robot. According to one embodiment, the method comprises the following steps: positioning the robot in starting position within the area of application of the robot; detecting information relating to the surroundings of the robot by means of at least one sensor; selecting a region with a determined geometric basic shape; and automatically determining, based on the detected information relating to the surroundings, at least one of the two following parameters: size and position (also including the orientation/alignment) of the selected region.