Self-Driving Cleaner Movement Mode Selection for Stuck-Object Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-driving cleaners lack the ability to autonomously generate a movement mode that considers the order in which they clean target objects that may cause the cleaner to become stuck, leading to inefficient cleaning operations and potential operational failures.
Innovation Solution
A self-driving cleaner equipped with sensors and a control circuit that identifies target objects causing sticking issues, allowing it to automatically generate a movement mode where difficult-to-clean areas are addressed first when cleaning reservations are set, and prioritizing immediate cleaning when the user is likely present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cleaner cleans the target object that may cause sticking first, then the cleaning order is optimized for reservation cleaning, but the cleaner may become stuck and fail to complete cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner dynamically adjusts its cleaning sequence based on real-time detection of sticking risks. The control circuit receives detection results from sensors that identify target objects likely to cause sticking, and automatically modifies the cleaning order to address these objects first when reservation cleaning is active, thereby optimizing productivity while managing reliability risks through adaptive decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of target objects that may cause sticking before executing the cleaning sequence. By identifying high-risk objects in advance through sensor detection and image recognition, the cleaner can proactively adjust its cleaning order to clean these objects first during reservation mode, preventing potential operational failures before they occur
2Reliability
If the cleaner cleans the target object that may cause sticking first, then operational failures are reduced, but cleaning time increases due to repeated cleaning of difficult areas
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is segmented into distinct phases based on object type and sticking risk. The control circuit divides the cleaning task into high-priority segments (target objects with high sticking risk detected by sensors) and standard segments (other objects). This segmentation allows the cleaner to systematically address difficult areas first in reservation mode, improving reliability without unnecessarily extending total cleaning time through random re-attempts
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor the cleaner's operational state and detect target objects that may cause sticking. This feedback information is processed by the control circuit to dynamically adjust the cleaning sequence, ensuring that high-risk objects are cleaned first when appropriate, thereby improving reliability while optimizing cleaning time through informed decision-making rather than trial-and-error approaches
3Ease of operation
If the cleaner automatically adjusts cleaning order, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner autonomously performs the function of analyzing cleaning scenarios and determining optimal cleaning sequences without requiring user intervention. The control circuit automatically receives detection results from integrated sensors and image recognition systems, then independently adjusts the cleaning order based on the detected sticking risks and current operational mode (reservation vs. immediate cleaning), thereby improving user convenience while managing complexity through integrated automation
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit serves multiple functions: it manages both reservation cleaning and immediate cleaning modes, processes sensor data from various detection devices, recognizes target objects through image processing, and dynamically adjusts cleaning sequences. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional control system, the patent improves ease of operation while containing device complexity through functional integration rather than separate dedicated systems for each task
Data Source
AI summary
A self-driving cleaner includes a drive unit that drives movement of a cleaner body, a control circuit disposed in the cleaner body, a camera that captures an image in front thereof, an obstacle detection sensor that detects an object, and a rotational frequency sensor that detects a stuck state. The control circuit (a) identifies information about a target object that caused the stuck state, (b) receives information indicating whether the target object is to be cleaned, and (c) controls the drive unit and a suction unit, when receiving information indicating the target object to be cleaned, to perform a first mode where the space excluding the target object is cleaned first and, thereafter, the target object is climbed if receiving cleaning reservation and perform a second mode where the target object is climbed first and, thereafter, the space excluding the target object is cleaned if receiving a cleaning start instruction.