Robot having cleaning function for securing camera vision and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking robots equipped with cameras often malfunction due to foreign materials such as water vapor, oil vapor, or adsorption materials, which obstruct the camera's field of view and lead to operational stoppages, as there are no effective devices to remove these disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A robot with a camera cleaning function that includes a foreign material detection sensor, a transparent rotation cover, and a cleaning module, where the rotation cover is rotated and cleaned using air, water, or cleaning liquid, and a suction tube to remove foreign materials, ensuring the camera's field of view is maintained.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is mounted on a robot to monitor cooking progress, then the robot can track cooking state, but foreign materials such as water vapor, oil vapor, or adsorption materials obstruct the camera lens causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent rotation cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the camera lens and the foreign materials. The cover rotates to move foreign materials away from the lens area while maintaining transparency to allow continuous monitoring. This mediator protects the camera without obstructing its view
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation cover is designed to dynamically rotate based on detection signals from the foreign material detection sensor. When foreign materials are detected, the cover rotates to a different position to clear the lens area, adapting the system's configuration in response to changing conditions
2Reliability
If a transparent rotation cover is added to protect the camera, then foreign materials are removed from the field of view, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation cover serves multiple functions: it protects the camera lens from foreign materials, maintains a clear field of view through rotation, and works in conjunction with the detection sensor to automatically respond to contamination. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation cover is positioned within the housing structure, nested between the camera assembly and the external environment. This nesting integrates the protection mechanism into the existing robot structure without requiring completely separate systems
3Measurement precision
If the rotation cover is rotated to remove foreign materials, then the camera field of view is cleared, but the cleaning process requires additional time
Solution Approach 1:
The foreign material detection sensor continuously monitors for contamination before it significantly degrades camera performance. Detection occurs early, allowing the rotation cover to be activated at the optimal moment, minimizing the time the camera needs to be taken offline for cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic detection and rotation cycles rather than continuous operation. The sensor periodically checks for foreign materials, and the rotation cover rotates periodically when needed, rather than requiring constant cleaning operations
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 solution effectively prevents camera malfunctions by automatically detecting and removing foreign materials, maintaining the camera's field of view and ensuring continuous operation by integrating a motor-driven rotation cover and cleaning module.
Implementation Method 1
a motor positioned between the rotation cover and the housing or at an outside of the housing to rotate the camera or to simultaneously rotate the camera and the rotation cover
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle configured to inject at least one of air, water, or a cleaning liquid into an inside of the housing according to the detection signal
Implementation Method 3
a suction tube configured to remove the foreign material during or after cleaning the rotation cover
Implementation Method 4
an elastic member configured to form a space between the rotation cover and the housing to position the nozzle, and formed at two ends of the rotation cover to prevent leakage of a spraying material of the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A robot having a camera cleaning function and a method of controlling the same are provided. The robot has a cleaning function for securing a camera field of view. The robot includes a camera that has a foreign material detection sensor, a rotation cover formed of a transparent material to protect the camera from the foreign material and at a position spaced apart from the camera in all directions, and a housing fixed to a photographing position of the robot. The camera outputs a detection signal upon detecting a foreign material, and takes an image in all directions. The rotation cover rotates according to the detection signal. The housing fixes a driving module of the rotation cover, and is connected to a cleaning module for cleaning the rotation cover.