Shared Cleaning Station Sequencing for Autonomous Floor Cleaners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning systems are cost-intensive and space-consuming, requiring multiple charging and cleaning stations, leading to high personnel costs and inefficient use of space, especially in commercial settings.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing autonomous floor cleaning units and a central processing unit to manage the order of floor cleaning units approaching a shared cleaning station, allowing for efficient processing and potential charging, thereby reducing the number of stations needed and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple individual charging and cleaning stations are deployed for autonomous floor cleaning units, then each unit can be independently serviced, but the system becomes expensive and requires significant space
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple charging stations are merged into a single shared cleaning station that serves multiple autonomous floor cleaning units. The cleaning station includes a common cleaning area where multiple units can be sequentially cleaned, and a shared water tank that is distributed among the units. This consolidation reduces the total space required while maintaining service availability for multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning station is designed as a universal facility that can service multiple different autonomous floor cleaning units. The station includes adjustable components and a flexible cleaning area that can accommodate different unit types and sizes. A single station performs the functions of multiple individual stations, making the system more space-efficient while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of operation
If multiple individual charging and cleaning stations are deployed, then each unit has dedicated service, but personnel costs and maintenance workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple charging stations are merged into a single shared cleaning station that serves multiple autonomous floor cleaning units. The cleaning station includes a common cleaning area where multiple units can be sequentially cleaned, and a shared water tank that is distributed among the units. This consolidation reduces the total space required while maintaining service availability for multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated sequencing and control where the cleaning station autonomously manages the cleaning process for multiple units. The station can identify which units need cleaning, sequence them appropriately, and execute the cleaning process with minimal human intervention, reducing personnel workload while maintaining service quality.
3Area of stationary object
If a shared cleaning station serves multiple floor cleaning units, then space and costs are reduced, but coordination and sequencing become necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning station includes sensors and control systems that monitor the status of multiple autonomous floor cleaning units. The system receives feedback about which units need cleaning, their current locations, and their operational status. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically sequences the cleaning process and manages the water distribution, reducing the complexity of manual coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated sequencing and control where the cleaning station autonomously manages the cleaning process for multiple units. The station can identify which units need cleaning, sequence them appropriately, and execute the cleaning process with minimal human intervention, reducing personnel workload while maintaining service quality.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
Method for cleaning a surface using a floor cleaning system. The invention relates to a method for cleaning a surface using a floor cleaning system (1, 101, 201, 301, 401). In order to provide a method by which a floor cleaning system (1, 101, 201, 301, 401) can be designed as cost-effectively and space-savingly as possible, the invention provides that the floor cleaning system (1, 101, 201, 301, 401) comprises: - at least two autonomous floor cleaning units (2, 2', 102, 102'), - at least one charging station (3, 103), - at least one cleaning station (4, 104), and - at least one computing unit, comprising the following process steps: d) A central computing unit (5, 105) acquires information from the floor cleaning units (2, 2', 102, 102');e) The central processing unit (5, 105) processes the information in such a way as to establish a sequence in which the affected floor cleaning units (2, 2', 102, 102') are to be processed by the cleaning station (4, 104); f) The central processing unit (5, 105) transmits commands to the affected floor cleaning units (2, 2', 102, 102') so that they approach the cleaning station (4, 104) in the established sequence.