Self-running cleaner with anti-overturning capability

• US 20050171639A1
• Filed: 01/28/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Uehigashi, Naoya, Saeki, Ryo
• Application Number:
  US11/045,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20050171639A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0227 using mechanical sensing means, e.g. for sensing treated area
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0238 using obstacle or wall sensors G05D1/0246 and G05D1/0289 take precedence; lidar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S17/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0259 using magnetic or electromagnetic means

Abstract

An acceleration sensor is disposed on the center line of a main body to sense and output to a determination processing unit the acceleration component in three axial directions orthogonal to each other. The determination processing unit has a predetermined threshold value set for the acceleration in the z axis direction to determine the overturning possibility of the main body by the tilt angle of the main body exceeding a certain critical angle when falling short of the threshold value. The determination processing unit controls the travel steering unit so as to effect an obviation operation (for example, moving back the main body a predetermined distance and rotating the main body) to decrease the tilt angle of the main body, i.e. to increase the acceleration in the z axis directions. Thus, the main body is prevented from turning over.

Claims

1. A self-running cleaner comprising:

a cleaning unit cleaning a floor,

a travel steering unit for self-propelling of a main body,

an acceleration sensing unit sensing acceleration of said main body, and

a determination processing unit controlling said cleaning unit and said travel steering unit in response to an acceleration signal from said acceleration sensing unit,

wherein said determination processing unit comprises

a storage unit storing an output waveform of a plurality of said acceleration signals corresponding to respective plurality of attitudes of said main body,

a counting unit, and

a control unit determining the attitude of said main body by collating an output waveform of said acceleration signal with an output waveform of said plurality of acceleration signals stored to control said travel steering unit and said cleaning unit,

wherein determination is made of said main body passing over a doorsill by detecting occurrence of a succeeding impact within a predetermined term from a preceding impact to cause said main body to recede by said travel steering unit when two impacts appear continuously at the output waveform of an acceleration signal in a vertical direction of said main body.

2. A self-running cleaner comprising:

a cleaning unit cleaning a floor,

a travel steering unit for self-propelling of a main body,

an acceleration sensing unit sensing acceleration of said main body, and

a determination processing unit controlling said cleaning unit and said travel steering unit in response to an acceleration signal from said acceleration sensing unit,

wherein said determination processing unit determines an attitude of said main body based on an output waveform of said acceleration signal.

3. The self-running cleaner according to claim 2, wherein said determination processing unit comprises a storage unit storing an output waveform of a plurality of said acceleration signals corresponding to respective plurality of attitudes of said main body, and collates an output waveform of said acceleration signal with an output waveform of said plurality of acceleration signals stored to determine the attitude of said main body.

4. The self-running cleaner according to claim 3, wherein said determination processing unit further comprises a counting unit, and determination is made of said main body passing over a doorsill by detecting occurrence of a succeeding impact within a predetermined term from a preceding impact to cause said main body to recede by said travel steering unit when two impacts appear continuously at the output waveform of an acceleration signal in a vertical direction of said main body.

5. The self-running cleaner according to claim 2, wherein

said determination processing unit compares an acceleration signal in a vertical direction of said main body with a predetermined threshold value to output a control signal that increases the acceleration signal in the vertical direction of said main body to said travel steering unit when said acceleration signal in the vertical direction of said main body is smaller than said threshold value as a result of the comparison, and

said travel steering unit executes an operation in accordance with said control signal.

6. The self-running cleaner according to claim 5, wherein said travel steering unit rotates said main body 180°

in accordance with said control signal.

7. The self-running cleaner according to claim 5, wherein said travel steering unit moves said main body back a predetermined distance and rotates said main body in accordance with said control signal.

8. The self-running cleaner according to claim 5, wherein said travel steering unit rotates said main body in a direction at which said acceleration signal in the vertical direction of said main body increases in accordance with said control signal.

9. The self-running cleaner according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined threshold value is smaller than an absolute value of said acceleration signal in the vertical direction of said main body immediately before said main body tilts and turns over.