Robot Vacuum Debris Sensing for Adaptive Bin Fill Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaning devices face issues with excessive sensor installation leading to increased manufacturing costs and space occupancy, as well as ineffective cleaning due to single reference value-based operations that do not adapt to varying debris types or amounts, and lack proper measures for sensor malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A debris detecting unit with a light emitter and receiver, controlled by a controller that determines debris presence and accumulation based on beam reception patterns over time, optimizing sensor installation and enabling adaptive cleaning operations, including stepwise cleaning levels and malfunction detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If several sensors or several kinds of sensors are installed to detect debris introduction and amount, then debris detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and sensors occupy large space
Solution Approach 1:
The single sensor performs multiple detection functions: it detects both debris introduction (by monitoring beam interruption patterns) and debris amount accumulation (by monitoring beam intensity reduction). This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple separate sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive debris detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines debris introduction detection and debris amount detection into a single integrated sensor system. By merging these two detection functions into one sensor, the system reduces the total number of sensors required, thereby decreasing space occupancy and manufacturing costs while still providing accurate detection for both parameters
2Reliability
If conventional robot cleaning devices issue alarm only or stop completely when sensor malfunction occurs, then system reliability is maintained, but cleaning productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its response to sensor malfunctions based on the specific malfunction pattern detected. Instead of a static response (either alarm only or complete stop), the controller can adaptively continue cleaning operations in degraded mode when appropriate, or stop when necessary, thereby maintaining both reliability and productivity through dynamic decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for potential sensor malfunctions by having predetermined response strategies ready. When a malfunction is detected, the system can switch to a pre-planned degraded operating mode that maintains cleaning productivity while accounting for the sensor issue, rather than immediately stopping or only alarming
3Device complexity
If robot cleaning devices perform cleaning based on predetermined single reference value, then control simplicity is maintained, but cleaning effectiveness decreases due to inability to adapt to varying debris conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts cleaning parameters based on real-time sensor feedback about debris conditions. Instead of using a fixed predetermined reference value, the system adapts its cleaning strategy (such as suction power, brush speed, or cleaning path) according to the actual debris amount and type detected, thereby improving cleaning effectiveness while maintaining reasonable control complexity through adaptive algorithms
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 reduces manufacturing costs, enhances cleaning efficiency by adapting to debris types and amounts, and ensures stable operations by detecting and addressing sensor malfunctions, thereby improving overall cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter to emit beams, and a light receiver to receive the emitted beams. The controller may determine whether debris is introduced into the debris box and whether debris has been accumulated in the debris box in the predetermined amount, in accordance with an amount of the beams received by the light receiver.
Data Source
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AI summary
A robot cleaning device includes a debris detecting unit. The robot cleaning device includes a body, a driving unit to enable the body to travel, a drum brush unit provided at the body, to sweep up debris, using a brush and a rotating drum, a debris box to store the debris swept up by the drum brush unit, a debris detecting unit to detect whether debris has been introduced into the debris box through the drum brush unit during a cleaning operation, and a controller to determine whether debris is introduced into the debris box and whether debris has been accumulated in the debris box in a predetermined amount, based on introduction or non-introduction of debris detected by the debris detecting unit.