Autonomous Robot Sensor Cleaning via Base Station Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous robot devices, such as lawn mowers, face challenges in maintaining the cleanliness of their sensors, particularly optical sensors like cameras, which are prone to dirt and debris in outdoor environments, leading to reduced functionality and increased maintenance complexity.
Innovation Solution
A system where the autonomous robot device moves to a base station with integrated cleaning means, such as a brush or cleaning cloth, to clean its sensors without additional actuators, reducing complexity and energy consumption, and allowing for targeted cleaning based on sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a washer and wiper assembly is provided to clean the sensor of an autonomous robot device, then the sensor cleanliness is improved, but the device complexity and operational complexity are increased due to additional motor/actuator and cleaning agent tank
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism is extracted from the autonomous robot device and relocated to the base station. The base station now houses the motor/actuator, cleaning agent tank, and wiper assembly, while the autonomous device only requires a simple sensor mounting structure. This extraction eliminates the complexity burden from the mobile autonomous device while maintaining effective sensor cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station serves as an intermediary between the autonomous robot device and the cleaning function. Instead of the autonomous device carrying its own cleaning mechanism, it interacts with the base station's cleaning system during docking periods. The base station mediates the cleaning operation by providing the necessary actuators and cleaning agents.
2Reliability
If a washer and wiper assembly with additional motor or actuator is provided for sensor cleaning, then the sensor cleaning capability is improved, but the cost of the autonomous robot device is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive cleaning mechanism components (motor, actuator, tank) are extracted from the autonomous robot device and placed in the base station. This reduces the bill of materials and manufacturing complexity for the autonomous device itself, while the base station, being a stationary infrastructure component, can accommodate these additional components more economically.
3Ease of operation
If the autonomous robot device carries its own cleaning mechanism, then the sensor can be cleaned independently, but the weight and energy consumption of the autonomous device are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism is extracted from the autonomous robot device and relocated to the base station. This eliminates the weight penalty for the mobile autonomous device while maintaining the cleaning capability through the base station's infrastructure. The autonomous device becomes lighter and more energy-efficient by not carrying the cleaning system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cleaning agents are stored on the autonomous robot device, then cleaning can be performed anywhere, but the ecological risk increases due to potential spillage during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning agent storage tank is extracted from the autonomous robot device and placed in the base station. This eliminates the ecological risk of spillage during autonomous device movement while maintaining cleaning effectiveness. The stationary base station provides a controlled environment for cleaning agent storage and dispensing.
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 maintains sensor cleanliness with reduced system complexity, increased availability, and lower manufacturing costs, while minimizing ecological risks by containing cleaning agents at the base station, thus ensuring continuous operation and extended sensor lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a relative movement of the autonomous robot device including the sensor means mounted on the autonomous robot device with respect to the cleaning means arranged at the base station to effect the cleaning of the sensor means
Data Source
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AI summary
The inventive system comprises an autonomous robot device, a base station and a method operating the same. The autonomous robot device includes a sensor means, e.g. an optical sensor, and a propulsion means. The base station includes a cleaning means specifically adapted for cleaning the sensor means of the autonomous robot device. In a preferred embodiment the propulsion means of the autonomous robot device is configured to move the autonomous robot device in a manner suitable to generate a relative movement of the autonomous robot device with respect to the passive cleaning means arranged at the stationary base station to effect the cleaning of the sensor means of the autonomous robot device.