Sensor-Guided Floor Cleaning Paths for Dry and Wet Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-propelled floor cleaning methods often require multiple devices and steps for dry and wet cleaning, which can be inefficient and increase maintenance, as they lack the ability to differentiate between different floor types and surfaces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method where a single self-propelled floor cleaning device uses two distinct cleaning devices to perform dry and wet cleaning steps, with on-board sensors determining surface quality and categorizing areas for targeted cleaning, allowing the device to operate in different directions for each step, utilizing a brush for dry cleaning and a suction mouth for wet cleaning, and employing a dust collector that doubles as a dirty water container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single floor cleaning device is used for both dry and wet cleaning, then device complexity is reduced and maintenance is simplified, but the device must be able to differentiate between different floor types to avoid damaging surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The floor cleaning device is designed with dual functionality to perform both dry cleaning (vacuuming) and wet cleaning (mopping) operations using the same device platform. The device includes a vacuum unit for dry cleaning and a mop unit with fresh water tank for wet cleaning, allowing one device to replace multiple specialized cleaning devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates sensor elements that detect surface properties of the floor in real-time and provide feedback to the control device. The control device processes this sensor data to identify different floor types (e.g., hard floors vs. carpets) and automatically adjusts the cleaning mode accordingly, enabling the device to differentiate between floor types without human intervention and prevent damage to sensitive surfaces.
2Manufacturing precision
If sensor elements are used to detect surface properties and categorize areas, then cleaning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor elements and control device perform preliminary detection and categorization of floor areas during the initial scanning phase before actual cleaning begins. The control device creates a map of the environment with different floor types identified and stores this information in memory, allowing the routing algorithm to plan appropriate cleaning paths in advance. This preliminary action enables precise cleaning area categorization without adding significant operational complexity during the cleaning process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor surface is segmented into different categories based on sensor detection results, with each category (e.g., hard floors, carpets, sensitive surfaces) assigned specific cleaning parameters. The control device divides the cleaning task into separate zones requiring different cleaning modes, allowing precise targeting of cleaning actions to appropriate surfaces while avoiding unnecessary complexity in the overall system design.
3Device complexity
If the dust collection tank is used as a dirty water container during wet cleaning, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning time increases due to base station visits
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collection tank is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: collecting dust and debris during dry vacuuming operations and collecting dirty water during wet mopping operations. The tank structure includes a detachable filter assembly that can be removed during wet cleaning to allow water collection, and the base station automatically adapts its operations based on the detected cleaning mode, filling the tank with fresh water during wet cleaning and emptying it afterward. This universal design reduces the need for separate storage containers while managing the time penalty through automated base station operations.
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
This approach allows for efficient, two-in-one vacuum and mopping functionality, reducing maintenance by using the same device for both cleaning modes, while ensuring only appropriate surfaces are cleaned with water, thus optimizing cleaning routes and extending cleaning times.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device with which dust particles can be sucked off the floor surface to be cleaned
Implementation Method 2
during which the floor is moistened, wiped and residual moisture is collected
Implementation Method 3
The moisture is sucked out with a suction mouth
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a self-propelled floor cleaning device (20), wherein the floor cleaning device (20) travels a first processing path in a first work step according to a predetermined driving strategy or according to a predetermined algorithm based on data recorded by sensors (29). moves over the floor (1) to be cleaned and carries out a first cleaning step with a first cleaning device (22, 26). In order to develop the method further, it is proposed that in the first work step areas of the floor surfaces (1) to be cleaned are determined which are cleaned in at least a second work step with a second cleaning device (21, 23, 24) or are cleaned with the second cleaning device ( 21, 23, 24) are excluded. A floor cleaning device (20) suitable for carrying out the method has a chassis (27), a first cleaning device (22, 26) for dry cleaning of a floor area (1) and a second cleaning device (21, 23, 24) for wet cleaning of areas of the floor floor area (1).