Sweeping robot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sweeping robots rely on non-contact sensors, such as infrared sensors, which are inaccurate for detecting diffusible dirt like pet excrement, leading to poor detection judgment.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a contact-type detection electrode on a sweeping robot that changes capacitance, resistance, or impedance upon contact with diffusible dirt, allowing for more accurate detection through changes in current in a detection circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-contact sensors are used for detection, then the robot can avoid direct contact with dirt, but detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidrobot contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into multiple independent detection electrodes arranged in arrays. Each electrode independently detects capacitance changes when contacting diffusible dirt, and the system integrates signals from multiple electrodes to achieve accurate detection while maintaining the ability to avoid contamination through controlled response actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection electrodes are positioned at the front of the robot body, ahead of the cleaning components. This preliminary positioning allows the electrodes to detect diffusible dirt before the robot's cleaning mechanisms encounter it, enabling advance response actions that prevent contamination of the robot's rear portions and driving components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If contact-type detection electrode is placed at the front, then detection accuracy improves, but robot contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidrobot contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contact-type detection electrodes are strategically positioned at the front of the robot body, ahead of the cleaning components and driving wheels. This preliminary positioning enables the electrodes to make contact with diffusible dirt first, triggering detection signals that allow the robot to respond before contamination reaches critical components, thus maintaining both high detection accuracy and minimal contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements real-time feedback through detection circuits that immediately respond to capacitance changes in the detection electrodes. When diffusible dirt contacts the front-positioned electrodes, the system receives immediate feedback signals and executes response actions (such as adjusting cleaning operations or navigation) to prevent contamination before it affects the robot's main body and driving components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution significantly improves the accuracy of dirt detection, enabling the sweeping robot to make more precise judgments and avoid contamination, thus maintaining cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitance, a resistance, or an impedance of the contact-type detection electrode changes, such that current in a detection circuit where it is located changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance change: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a capacitance, a resistance, or an impedance of the contact-type detection electrode changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance change: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3858210B1Sweeping robot
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 GUANGDONG MIDEA WHITE HOME APPLIANCE TECH INNOVATION CENT CO LTD
  • EP3858210B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3858210B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed by the present invention is a sweeping robot, wherein the sweeping robot comprises: a base plate and a contact-type detection electrode; the contact-type detection electrode is mounted at a front portion of the base plate. When the contact-type detection electrode makes contact with dirt that may be dispersed, the resistance, capacitance or impedance of the contact-type detection electrode changes. The technical solution of the present invention is helpful in improving the detection accuracy of a sweeping robot.