Mobile Robot UV Light Protection Using Obstacle Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mobile robots lack effective protection for their ultraviolet light sources, which can be damaged by obstacles and may not efficiently prevent the spread of infectious diseases due to limitations in navigation and UV light distribution.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot equipped with sensors to detect obstacles and control its movement to prevent damage to the UV light source, ensuring safe operation and effective disinfection by emitting UV light to break down DNA structures of harmful microorganisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile robot operates without protective sensors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the UV light source reliability deteriorates due to potential damage from obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs preliminary detection of obstacles before the UV light source can come into contact with them. The controller receives sensor signals and preemptively adjusts the robot's path or stops movement, preventing damage before it occurs. This resolves the contradiction by protecting the UV light source without requiring complex protective structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor-controller system establishes a feedback loop that continuously monitors the environment and adjusts robot operation in real-time. When sensors detect objects within a predetermined distance, the controller receives feedback and modifies the drive system operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures UV light source reliability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Productivity
If the mobile robot moves quickly to disinfect areas, then the productivity is improved, but the UV light source reliability worsens due to increased risk of collision with obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The robot's operation mode dynamically adjusts based on sensor feedback. When the path is clear, the robot can operate at higher speeds to maintain productivity. When sensors detect obstacles within the predetermined distance, the controller dynamically reduces speed or changes direction to protect the UV light source. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
3Productivity
If the robot operates at high speed to cover areas quickly, then the productivity is improved, but the measurement precision of obstacle detection must increase to prevent damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is positioned to detect obstacles at a predetermined distance before the UV light source would be at risk. This preliminary detection allows the robot to maintain higher speeds while still having sufficient time to react, reducing the immediate need for extremely high measurement precision at the moment of potential contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor acts as an intermediary detection system that extends the effective detection range beyond what would be required for direct protection of the UV light source. By detecting obstacles earlier in the robot's path, the system allows for smoother, faster operation while maintaining safety, effectively mediating between speed and detection precision requirements.
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 mobile robot effectively prevents damage to its UV light source and enhances disinfection efficiency by navigating around obstacles, reducing human error and ensuring thorough UV light coverage, thereby reducing the spread of infectious diseases.
Implementation Method 1
a light source to output ultraviolet light
Implementation Method 2
break down their DNA-structure with UV light
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a device of a mobile robot may include a motor to drive a drive system to move the mobile robot in an area, and a light source to output ultraviolet light. The device may include at least one first sensor to determine at least one of an orientation of the mobile robot, a location of the mobile robot, and/or when the light source is within a predetermined distance of an object in the area. The device may include a controller, communicatively coupled to the drive system, the light source, and the at least one first sensor to control the drive system so as to stop or move the mobile robot before the light source is within the predetermined distance of the object based on at least a signal received from the at least one first sensor.