Autonomous Underwater Cleaning Route Control for Complete Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional underwater cleaning robots require continuous monitoring by a cleaning worker to prevent incomplete cleaning, leading to increased workload.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous underwater cleaning apparatus with a controller that generates a cleaning route for the cleaning machine to travel along, allowing it to clean targets under water independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an underwater cleaning robot is used to clean targets under water, then cleaning work can be performed, but the cleaning worker must continuously monitor the operation to prevent incomplete cleaning, leading to increased workload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkload of cleaning workerVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning machine is equipped with imaging units that capture images of the cleaning target and cleaning state, and the controller automatically generates cleaning routes and controls the cleaning machine based on these images, enabling the system to serve itself without continuous human monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging units provide visual feedback about the cleaning state and target, which the controller uses to automatically adjust and generate cleaning routes, creating a closed-loop control system that reduces the need for manual monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a cleaning worker manually operates the underwater cleaning robot, then the cleaning process can be controlled, but the worker's attention is required throughout the operation, increasing work load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoidwork load of cleaning worker
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses imaging units to automatically detect the cleaning target and monitor cleaning progress, with the controller autonomously generating and adjusting cleaning routes based on captured images, ensuring reliable cleaning without requiring continuous worker attention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual control mechanism is replaced with an automated control system that uses imaging units and image processing to detect cleaning states and generate control commands, substituting human monitoring with an automated visual inspection system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4385322B1Underwater cleaning apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4385322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4385322B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4385322B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a technique capable of reducing a work load in cleaning work for cleaning a target to be cleaned under water. [Solution] An exemplary underwater cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning machine that cleans a target to be cleaned under water, and a controller that generates a cleaning route for cleaning the target to be cleaned. The cleaning machine autonomously travels along the cleaning route.