Autonomous vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robotic vacuum cleaners rely on bulky and fragile bump-shells for collision detection, which increase size, weight, and complexity, while also reducing robustness.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vacuum cleaner design featuring a chassis and a movable body with a sliding or pivoting mechanism, eliminating the need for a separate bump-shell by using a control system to monitor relative movement between the chassis and body for collision detection, employing sensing means like snap-action switches to trigger appropriate responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bulky bump-shell is used for collision detection, then the robot can detect collisions over a wide angular range, but the robot's size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the collision detection function from a separate bulky bump-shell component and integrates it into the main body structure. The body itself is designed to be movable relative to the chassis, serving as the collision detection element, thereby eliminating the need for an additional wrap-around bumper shell and reducing overall robot weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The body serves multiple functions: it houses the cleaning components (airflow generator, separating apparatus), provides structural support, and simultaneously acts as the collision detection element through its ability to move relative to the chassis. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated bumper components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wrap-around bumper shell is used for collision detection, then the robot can detect collisions over a wide angular range, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex wrap-around bumper shell structure and its associated sensing mechanisms from the design. Instead, it uses a simplified arrangement where the body's natural movement relative to the chassis provides collision detection, significantly reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the body structure with the collision detection function. The body is directly coupled to the chassis with controlled degrees of freedom, so that collision forces naturally produce measurable relative movement between these two components, eliminating the need for separate bumper assemblies and their complex mounting structures.
3Ease of operation
If a bumper assembly with clearance projection is used for collision detection, then the robot can move in response to collision, but the robot size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic collision response by allowing the body to move relative to the chassis through controlled degrees of freedom (sliding and/or pivoting). This dynamic arrangement enables the body to naturally shift position upon collision without requiring additional clearance-projection structures, maintaining compact robot dimensions.
4Reliability
If a separate bump-shell is mounted on the robot, then collision detection is enabled, but the robot's robustness decreases due to fragility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the collision detection function with the main body structure rather than using a separate mounted bump-shell. The body is an integral structural component that is inherently robust, and its ability to move relative to the chassis provides reliable collision detection without the fragility of separate bumper assemblies.
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 design enhances the robot's robustness and reduces size and complexity by eliminating the need for a bulky bump-shell, allowing for effective collision detection and response without the associated fragility and weight, enabling efficient navigation and cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow generator for generating an airflow along an airflow path from the dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet
Implementation Method 2
a separating apparatus positioned in the airflow path to separate dirt from the air
Implementation Method 3
sensing means for sensing relative movement between the chassis and the body
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A mobile robot having a collision detection system, the robot having a chassis including a drive arrangement, and a body mounted on the chassis and adapted to be movable relative to it in response to a collision with an object, the body including at least one further electronic component, wherein the robot further includes sensing means for sensing relative movement between the chassis and the body due to a collision event and, in response, to send a signal to an on-board control system.