Robotic vacuum cleaner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic vacuum cleaners face issues with accurate obstacle detection due to interference from the displaceable bumper, leading to incorrect obstacle identification and potential entrapment between obstacles and the cleaning surface.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a divider, such as compressible foam, between the emitter and detector of the obstacle sensors to absorb or reduce reflected signals from the bumper, preventing false obstacle detection and enhancing the accuracy of obstacle avoidance behaviors based on the location of obstacles relative to the cleaner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a displaceable bumper is used for obstacle detection, then the robotic cleaner can detect obstacles through bumper contact, but false obstacle detection occurs due to signal reflection from the bumper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (optical member or optical filter) positioned between the optical sensor and the displaceable bumper. This intermediary selectively transmits or blocks reflected optical signals from the bumper, preventing false obstacle detection while maintaining the bumper's mechanical obstacle detection function. The intermediary acts as a mediator that filters harmful reflected signals without interfering with the primary obstacle detection capability.
2Volume of moving object
If the emitter and detector are positioned close together for compact design, then device size is reduced, but reflected signals from the bumper interfere with detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The optical intermediary is positioned within the compact sensor assembly between the emitter/detector and the bumper. It selectively filters reflected signals from the bumper while allowing direct obstacle signals to pass through, maintaining detection precision despite the close positioning of components required for compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical intermediary provides localized optical filtering at the specific location where reflected signals from the bumper would interfere with detection. This localized quality enhancement allows the sensor assembly to maintain compact dimensions while achieving accurate obstacle detection by addressing the interference problem at its source.
3Reliability
If the displaceable bumper is made highly reflective for better mechanical contact detection, then mechanical obstacle detection is improved, but optical signal reflection causes false detections
Solution Approach 1:
The optical intermediary (optical filter or optical member) is specifically designed to block or selectively transmit reflected optical signals from the displaceable bumper. This allows the bumper to maintain its highly reflective mechanical surface for reliable contact detection while the intermediary prevents this same reflectivity from causing false optical obstacle detections.
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 the robotic cleaner's ability to differentiate between overhanging and forward obstacles, reducing the likelihood of entrapment and enhancing navigation efficiency by minimizing false obstacle detection caused by bumper reflections.
Implementation Method 1
obstacle sensors can be disposed behind the bumper and configured to emit a signal (e.g., an optical or acoustic signal) through the bumper such that the obstacle sensors can detect obstacles before the bumper contacts a respective obstacle
Implementation Method 2
Incorporating a divider, such as compressible foam, between the emitter and detector of the obstacle sensors to absorb or reduce reflected signals from the bumper
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic vacuum cleaner may include a housing, a displaceable bumper, an emitter/detector pair, and at least one divider. The displaceable bumper may be moveably coupled to the housing and may be configured to be displaced along at least one axis. The emitter/detector pair may have an emitter and a detector, wherein the emitter is configured to emit light through at least a portion of the displaceable bumper. The at least one divider may be disposed between the emitter and the detector of the emitter/detector pair.