Surface Detection Device with Segmented Sensor for Cleaning Robots
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface treatment devices, such as cleaning robots, face challenges in accurately identifying surface types due to limitations in detection precision and reliability, particularly in differentiating between various floor types and moisture levels without damaging the surface.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional screen panel divides a single sensor into multiple optically separated subareas, each with a separate light source or common light guided through optical fibers, allowing for varied illuminating parameters to enhance detection accuracy and reliability by isolating light entry and optimizing surface illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to detect surface type, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to differentiate various surface types accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple sensor subareas (e.g., four quadrants) that are optically separated by the screen panel. Each subarea independently detects light from different partial volumes, enabling differentiation of surface types through comparative analysis of signals from multiple subareas while using only a single physical sensor component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sensor (sensor subareas) are assigned to detect light from different partial volumes with distinct illuminating parameters. This local differentiation allows each subarea to capture specific surface characteristics under tailored illumination conditions, improving overall measurement precision without adding multiple sensors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to improve surface type identification accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple separate sensors, the invention segments a single sensor into multiple functional subareas. The screen panel optically divides the detection field into partial volumes, with each partial volume mapped to a specific sensor subarea, achieving multi-point detection capability from a single sensor component.
Solution Approach 2:
A single sensor performs multiple detection functions by dividing its active area into subareas, each handling light from different partial volumes with different illuminating parameters. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Reliability
If ambient light enters the detection system, then measurement reliability deteriorates due to interference, but allowing light entry simplifies the device structure
Solution Approach 1:
The screen panel segments the detection space into multiple enclosed partial volumes, each optically isolated from ambient light. This segmentation creates controlled measurement environments where only light from the intended source and reflected from the surface enters the associated sensor subarea, improving measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen panel acts as an intermediary structure that both divides the detection space into partial volumes and blocks ambient light from entering these volumes. It serves as a physical barrier that separates the controlled measurement environment from the external environment, ensuring reliable measurements.
4Device complexity
If a common light source is used for all partial volumes, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to inability to provide optimized illumination for different surface types
Solution Approach 1:
The common light source is equipped with multiple light exit elements (optical fibers) positioned at different locations and orientations. Each light exit element provides tailored illumination to a specific partial volume, creating locally optimized lighting conditions for different surface types while using a single light source unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers act as intermediaries that transmit light from the common light source to different partial volumes. By positioning and orienting the light exit elements of the optical fibers differently, the system delivers customized illumination patterns to each partial volume, enabling precise surface type differentiation.
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 significantly improves the accuracy of surface type identification by allowing for distinct illumination conditions within each subarea, enabling differentiation between hard floors, carpeted floors, and varying moisture levels without surface damage, and reduces apparatus complexity while maintaining cost-efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for irradiating the surface with light and a sensor for detecting the light, which is reflected by the surface
Implementation Method 2
adjacent sensor subareas are optically separated from one another by means of the screen panel such that light is prevented from passing from a first partial volume to a second partial volume
Data Source
AI summary
A device for treating a surface, in particular to a cleaning robot, has a detection device for identifying the type of surface, which detection device has a light source for irradiating the surface with light and has a sensor for detecting the light which is reflected by the surface. In order to improve the identification of the type of surface, it is proposed that a three-dimensional screen panel which forms a plurality of partial volumes is associated with the sensor, wherein each partial volume is in each case associated with a different sensor subarea of the sensor, and wherein adjacent sensor subareas are optically separated from one another by means of the screen panel such that light is prevented from passing from a first partial volume to a second partial volume. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a device for treating a surface.