Robot vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face increased fabrication costs and larger volumes due to the need for separate collision and cliff sensors, which are essential for obstacle avoidance and terrain sensing but complicate the design.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design where the bumper is configured to inwardly move and cover the cliff sensor, utilizing the cliff sensor to detect this movement and adjust wheel control, eliminating the need for additional sensing mechanisms in the bumper and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate collision sensors and cliff sensors are installed, then sensing accuracy is improved, but device complexity and fabrication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cliff sensor is designed to perform dual functions: detecting actual cliffs/drop-offs and detecting bumper collision states. By making the cliff sensor universal, the patent eliminates the need for a separate collision sensor, thereby reducing device complexity and fabrication costs while maintaining sensing accuracy for both purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the collision detection function into the cliff sensor system. The cliff sensor's light emitting portion and light receiving portion are used to detect both terrain drop-offs and bumper collision states, combining two sensing functions into one integrated system to reduce overall device complexity
2Measurement precision
If separate collision sensors and cliff sensors are installed, then sensing coverage is improved, but volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cliff sensor is designed to perform dual functions: detecting actual cliffs/drop-offs and detecting bumper collision states. By making the cliff sensor universal, the patent eliminates the need for a separate collision sensor, thereby reducing device complexity and fabrication costs while maintaining sensing accuracy for both purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper structure is designed to interact with the cliff sensor assembly, with the light emitting portion and light receiving portion positioned to detect bumper collision states. The sensing system is nested within the bumper structure, allowing compact integration that reduces overall volume while maintaining sensing coverage
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 design reduces fabrication costs and volume by leveraging the cliff sensor to sense bumper movement, enabling effective obstacle avoidance and terrain detection while maintaining proper control of the cleaning device.
Implementation Method 1
The cliff sensor includes: a light emitting portion configured to irradiate light to a lower side of the opening; and a light receiving portion configured to receive reflected light
Implementation Method 2
The controller senses an inward-moved state of the bumper by using the cliff sensor... by measuring a time taken for light downward irradiated from the light emitting portion to be received by the light receiving portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A robot cleaner comprises: a cleaner body including a controller, and driving wheels having their driving controlled by the controller; a bumper mounted to a bumper mounting portion formed on a front surface of the cleaner body, and configured to be inward moveable by an external force; and a cliff sensor mounted in an opening downward open at a bottom part of the cleaner body, and configured to sense a lower side terrain, wherein the bumper is disposed to cover the cliff sensor in a state that the bumper has been inward moved by an external force.