Robot Vacuum Floor Sensing for Adaptive Cleaning Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic vacuum cleaners lack optimal cleaning performance on various floor coverings due to fixed technical settings, leading to inefficient energy consumption and potential damage to surfaces, as they struggle to adapt to different floor types effectively.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled cleaning device equipped with a scanning sensor, preferably a piezo sensor interacting with a scanning feeler or resiliently suspended wheel, to detect floor covering structures, allowing for adaptive control of technical settings such as brush speed, suction power, and driving speed based on sensor signals, optimizing cleaning performance and energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed technical settings are used for cleaning runs, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning performance and energy efficiency deteriorate on different floor coverings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of technical settings (brush speed, suction power, driving speed) based on real-time floor covering detection. The device transitions from fixed static settings to dynamic adaptive settings that automatically adjust according to the detected floor type, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (brush rotation speed, suction power level, driving speed) based on detected floor covering characteristics. This allows optimal cleaning performance on different surfaces without increasing device complexity, as the parameters are adjusted automatically based on sensor feedback.
2Ease of operation
If fixed technical settings are used, then ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption increases due to non-optimal settings
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device performs self-adjustment of its operational parameters based on autonomous floor covering detection. The system serves itself by automatically selecting optimal settings without user intervention, maintaining ease of operation while reducing energy consumption through adaptive optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback from floor covering detection to automatically adjust technical settings. This closed-loop control enables the device to optimize energy consumption based on actual floor conditions while requiring no additional user input, preserving operational simplicity.
3Productivity
If high brush speed is used, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but damage to floor coverings occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes brush rotation speed parameters based on detected floor covering type. On sensitive surfaces like carpets or hardwood, the brush speed is automatically reduced to prevent damage, while on durable surfaces like tile, higher speeds are permitted for optimal cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies different cleaning intensities (brush speeds, suction powers) to different floor covering types locally. Each floor surface receives customized cleaning parameters appropriate to its characteristics, preventing damage to sensitive areas while maintaining high efficiency on durable surfaces.
4Productivity
If high driving speed is used, then productivity is improved, but suction power becomes insufficient for effective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically coordinates driving speed and suction power as coupled parameters. When high driving speed is detected as appropriate for a floor type, suction power is simultaneously increased to maintain effective cleaning. This dynamic parameter coordination ensures both productivity and cleaning effectiveness are optimized together.
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 device achieves optimal cleaning results across different floor coverings with minimal energy consumption, preventing damage and improving battery utilization by dynamically adjusting its operational parameters based on detected floor types.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor comprises a piezo sensor which interacts with a scanning feeler and forms the scanning sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-propelled cleaning device (1) for the automated cleaning of contaminated surfaces which have a floor covering structure, the self-propelled cleaning device (1) comprising working means (17, 18) for cleaning the contaminated surface, and it also having a sensor (12) for detecting the floor covering structure of the contaminated area.