Robot Vacuum Corner Cleaning Using Dynamic Suction Unit Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot vacuum cleaners struggle to effectively clean corner areas during autonomous driving due to the placement of suction units, leading to unsatisfactory cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner with a suction unit on the front surface and sensors on the front and side surfaces that control the driving unit to perform specific corner driving patterns, ensuring thorough cleaning by adjusting wheel rotation and posture changes to engage with walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the suction unit is provided on the front of the main body, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the corner area cleaning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the suction unit movable rather than fixed. The suction unit can be rotated between a first position facing the front surface and a second position facing the side surface. This dynamic repositioning allows the same simple front-mounted structure to effectively clean both open areas and corner areas by adapting its orientation to different spatial contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cleaning function by separating the suction unit from the main body structure. The suction unit is made as a detachable and rotatable component, allowing it to be independently positioned. This segmentation enables the suction unit to serve multiple functions (cleaning front surfaces and side surfaces) without requiring multiple fixed suction units.
2Productivity
If wall following driving is performed along the wall, then the robot can clean areas near walls, but corner areas are not sufficiently cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the suction unit rotatable. During wall following driving, when a corner is detected, the suction unit rotates from facing the front surface to facing the side surface. This dynamic adjustment allows the suction unit to effectively clean corner areas that would otherwise be missed during straight wall following, without requiring a separate corner cleaning mode.
3Productivity
If zigzag driving is performed, then the robot can cover the cleaning area efficiently, but corner areas remain uncleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the suction unit to rotate between facing the front surface and facing the side surface. During zigzag driving, when the robot approaches a corner, the suction unit rotates to face the side surface, allowing it to clean the corner area effectively. This maintains the efficiency of zigzag driving while eliminating the corner cleaning deficiency.
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
Improves cleaning success in corner areas, minimizing uncleaned spaces and enhancing user satisfaction by ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a suction unit provided on a front surface of the main body
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to achieve the objective of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner for performing autonomous driving, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a main body; a driving unit for moving the main body; a suctioning unit installed on a front side of the main body; a plurality of sensors installed on the front side of the main body and on both sides of the main body, respectively, for sensing obstacles present in each direction; and a control unit for controlling the driving unit to move the main body on the basis of a preset driving pattern, wherein the control unit uses sensors provided at the front side of the main body and a first side of the both sides of the main body so as to detect whether entry into a corner area among cleaning areas is made while driving along the preset driving pattern, and controls the driving unit such that the first side of the main body comes into contact with a first wall forming the corner area at least one time when the main body enters the corner area.