Robotic cleaner and control method therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robotic cleaners face issues such as battery drainage during cleaning, leading to premature shutdown before reaching a charging device, and overlapping cleaning zones when multiple cleaners operate in the same space, requiring multiple charging stations and expert planning.
Innovation Solution
A robotic cleaner equipped with a processor that determines an available cleaning zone based on battery residual capacity and charging device location, allowing for positional movement to the charging device while continuing cleaning, and providing information on available cleaning zones and times to users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the robotic cleaner operates in a large space with limited battery capacity, then the cleaning coverage area increases, but the battery is discharged before reaching the charging device, causing the operation to stop
Solution Approach 1:
The processor calculates the available cleaning zone in advance based on the current battery residual capacity and the distance to the charging device. This preliminary calculation allows the robotic cleaner to plan its cleaning path to ensure it can reach the charging device before battery depletion, preventing operation interruption while maximizing cleaning coverage.
2Productivity
If multiple robotic cleaners are deployed to clean a specific space, then the cleaning efficiency increases, but the cleaning zones of the robotic cleaners overlap, causing redundant cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic cleaner shares cleaning zone information with other cleaners through a server. Each cleaner receives feedback about zones already cleaned by others and adjusts its cleaning path accordingly, avoiding overlapping areas. This feedback mechanism enables coordinated multi-cleaner operation that maximizes productivity while eliminating redundant cleaning operations.
3Reliability
If a plurality of charging devices are installed to prevent battery discharge issues, then the operation continuity improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing multiple charging devices, the system changes the parameter of battery management by calculating the available cleaning zone based on residual capacity. This parameter-based approach allows a single charging device to serve the entire space efficiently, maintaining operation continuity without increasing device complexity or installation costs.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, a robotic cleaner may include a battery; a driving device for moving the robotic cleaner; a cleaning device for allowing the robotic cleaner to perform cleaning work; and a processor configured to determine, as a zone that can be cleaned, a first zone in the entire space by considering the residual capacity of the battery and the location of a charging device, operate the driving device and cleaning device to perform cleaning of the first zone, and perform control such that the robotic cleaner moves to the location of the charging device. Other embodiments are possible.