Robotic surface cleaning service
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high initial cost and time-consuming maintenance of user-operated surface cleaning devices make it difficult for users to maintain clean and dust-free floors, especially as devices become more complex, and there is a need for a more efficient robotic surface cleaning solution.
Innovation Solution
A robotic surface cleaning device system that includes sensors to determine environmental characteristics, adjust operational parameters like motor speed based on flooring types, and form debris maps to optimize cleaning, along with a networked system for usage monitoring and collaborative cleaning methods to manage surface cleaning services autonomously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users purchase and operate complex surface cleaning devices themselves, then cleaning functionality is provided, but initial cost becomes prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic surface cleaning device autonomously performs cleaning operations without requiring user intervention during operation. The device navigates, cleans, and returns to base automatically, eliminating the need for users to operate complex equipment while maintaining full cleaning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an autonomous robotic system equipped with sensors, processors, and automated navigation. This substitution reduces the complexity burden on users while preserving cleaning capabilities through intelligent automation.
2Productivity
If users operate surface cleaning devices, then cleaning is performed, but maintenance time becomes time-consuming and daunting
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device automatically returns to its base station after cleaning operations and performs self-charging without user intervention. This self-service capability eliminates maintenance time for users while ensuring continuous cleaning productivity through automated recharging cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The device maintains continuous cleaning productivity by automatically returning to base for recharging when battery level is sufficient, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning operations without requiring user attention for maintenance tasks.
3Productivity
If robotic surface cleaning device operates on carpet flooring, then cleaning effectiveness is reduced, but motor speed increase can improve cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device dynamically adjusts motor speed based on detected floor type. When carpet is detected via sensors, the processor increases motor speed to optimize cleaning effectiveness, while automatically reducing speed on hard floors to conserve energy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (motor speed) based on environmental conditions (floor type detection). The processor monitors sensor data and adjusts motor parameters in real-time, increasing speed for carpet cleaning to improve productivity while reducing speed on hard floors to minimize energy consumption.
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 system reduces the initial cost burden and maintenance time by optimizing cleaning operations based on environmental data and collaborative robotic management, providing efficient and effective surface cleaning services.
Implementation Method 1
capturing, with a first sensor of a plurality of sensors of the robotic surface cleaning device, first data indicative of an environmental characteristic of the first location; the environmental characteristic is a type of flooring in an ontology of floor types that distinguishes between carpet flooring and other types of flooring
Implementation Method 2
adjusting a first operational parameter of a first actuator based on the sensed first data, wherein the adjusting is configured to cause the first operational parameter to be in a first adjusted state while the robotic surface cleaning device is at the first location; the first actuator is a motor configured to drive rotation of a vacuum impeller, fan, or blower; adjusting comprises increasing the motor speed or torque in response to determining the robotic surface cleaning device is over carpet flooring
Implementation Method 3
the first actuator is a motor configured to drive rotation of a vacuum impeller, fan, or blower
Implementation Method 4
forming or updating a debris map of the environment based on debris data output by a second sensor of the plurality of sensors configured to sense debris on a floor of the environment
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a robotic device. Usage data and a first location of the robotic device are determined. A first sensor of the robotic device captures first data indicative of an environmental characteristic of the first location. A first operational parameter of a first actuator is adjusted based on the first data while the robotic device is at the first location. A debris map of the environment is formed based on debris data output by a second sensor configured to sense debris on a floor. A request for cleaning service at a location is received, wherein the robotic device is one of a plurality of robotic devices that provides surface cleaning services to a plurality of users. The robotic device to respond to the request is determined based on location, fill volume of a debris container, battery charge, and availability of each of the plurality of robotic devices.