U.S. patent application number 15/235908 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-20 for window-cleaning robot and method for controlling the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is JIANGSU MIDEA CLEANING APPLIANCES CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Yuan CHEN, Xiaolong YUAN, Xiaogang ZHU.
Application Number | 20170202412 15/235908 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56684521 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170202412 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEN; Yuan ; et al. |
July 20, 2017 |
WINDOW-CLEANING ROBOT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a window-cleaning robot and a
method for controlling the same. The robot includes: a body; a
vacuum suction port disposed on the body; a suction detector
configured to detect a vacuum suction value generated at the vacuum
suction port; a light-emitting assembly disposed on the body, a
light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly being configured
corresponding to the vacuum suction value; and a controller,
connected with the suction detector and the light-emitting assembly
respectively and configured to light all or a part of
light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly according to the
vacuum suction value, for reminding the user.
Inventors: |
CHEN; Yuan; (Suzhou, CN)
; ZHU; Xiaogang; (Suzhou, CN) ; YUAN;
Xiaolong; (Suzhou, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JIANGSU MIDEA CLEANING APPLIANCES CO., LTD. |
Suzhou |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
56684521 |
Appl. No.: |
15/235908 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 2201/00 20130101;
A47L 1/02 20130101; A47L 9/30 20130101; A47L 9/2836 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 1/02 20060101
A47L001/02; A47L 9/28 20060101 A47L009/28; A47L 9/30 20060101
A47L009/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 19, 2016 |
CN |
201610033578.6 |
Jan 19, 2016 |
CN |
201620049765.9 |
Claims
1. A window-cleaning robot, comprising: a body; a vacuum suction
port disposed on the body; a suction detector configured to detect
a vacuum suction value generated at the vacuum suction port; a
light-emitting assembly disposed on the body, wherein a
light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly is configured
corresponding to the vacuum suction value; and a controller,
connected with the suction detector and the light-emitting assembly
respectively and configured to light all or a part of the
light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly according to the
vacuum suction value.
2. The window-cleaning robot according to claim 1, wherein the
light-emitting assembly comprises a plurality of indicator lamps
and the plurality of indicator lamps are arranged in a ring shape,
in a rectangular shape or in a triangular shape.
3. The window-cleaning robot according to claim 2, wherein the body
comprises an upper cover and a transparent display frame disposed
on the upper cover, and the light-emitting assembly is disposed
below the transparent display frame.
4. The window-cleaning robot according to claim 2, wherein the body
comprises an upper cover, the upper cover is made of transparent
material, and the light-emitting assembly is disposed below the
upper cover.
5. The window-cleaning robot according to claim 1, further
comprising: a voice reminding device, configured to issue a voice
reminder if the vacuum suction value is less than a preset
threshold.
6. The window-cleaning robot according to claim 1, wherein, a
lighted part of the light-emitting area is in direct proportion to
the vacuum suction value.
7. The window-cleaning robot according to claim 3, wherein
indication signs are set on the upper cover and configured to
indicate a level of the vacuum suction value.
8. A method for controlling a window-cleaning robot, wherein, a
light-emitting assembly is disposed on the window-cleaning robot
and the method comprises: detecting a vacuum suction value
generated at a vacuum suction port of the window-cleaning robot;
and lighting all or a part of a light-emitting area of the
light-emitting assembly according to the vacuum suction value.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the light-emitting
assembly comprises a plurality of indicator lamps and the plurality
of indicator lamps are arranged in a ring shape, in a rectangular
shape or in a triangular shape.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the window-cleaning
robot comprises an upper cover and a transparent display frame
disposed on the upper cover, and the light-emitting assembly is
disposed below the transparent display frame.
11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the window-cleaning
robot comprises an upper cover, the upper cover is made of
transparent material, and the light-emitting assembly is disposed
below the upper cover.
12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: issuing a
voice reminder if the vacuum suction value is less than a preset
threshold.
13. The method according to claim 8, wherein a lighted part of the
light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly is in direct
proportion to the vacuum suction value.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED ART
[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent
Application Serial No. 201620049765.9, filed with the State
Intellectual Property Office of P. R. China on Jan. 19, 2016, and
Chinese Patent Application Serial No. 201610033578.6, filed with
the State Intellectual Property Office of P. R. China on Jan. 19,
2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical
appliance technology, and more particularly relates to a
window-cleaning robot and a method for controlling the same.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The popularity of window-cleaning robots has brought much
convenience for people. A vacuum suction port is generally disposed
at a middle position of a bottom of the window-cleaning robot in
the related art. A suction motor drives a fan to rotate with
high-speed and then vacuum is generated via the vacuum suction
port, such that the robot may suck on the window. When a vacuum
suction force decreases, the robot is likely to fall off from the
window. At this case, a user may be reminded of potential dangers
by raising an alarm via a state indicator lamp 1' (as shown in FIG.
1) or a buzzer. However, this reminding manner is not obvious for
the user. A visual area of the state indicator lamp is usually
small, and the alarm of the buzzer is also possible to lose
effectiveness in noisy environment, thereby being unable to remind
the user effectively.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the
problems in the related art to some extent.
[0005] For this, according to a first aspect of the present
disclosure, a window-cleaning robot is provided. The
window-cleaning robot includes: a body; a vacuum suction port
disposed on the body; a suction detector configured to detect a
vacuum suction value generated at the vacuum suction port; a
light-emitting assembly disposed on the body, in which a
light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly is configured
corresponding to the vacuum suction value; and a controller,
connected with the suction detector and the light-emitting assembly
respectively and configured to light all or a part of the
light-emitting area according to the vacuum suction value.
[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a
method for controlling a window-cleaning robot is provided, in
which a light-emitting assembly is disposed on the window-cleaning
robot, and the method includes: detecting a vacuum suction value
generated at a vacuum suction port of the window-cleaning robot;
and lighting all or a part of a light-emitting area of the
light-emitting assembly according to the vacuum suction value.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a window-cleaning
robot in the related art;
[0008] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating a
structure of a window-cleaning robot according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a
light-emitting assembly according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating a transparent
display frame according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram illustrating indication signs
on an upper cover of a window-cleaning robot according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a display effect
of a light-emitting assembly according to a specific embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating a display effect
of a light-emitting assembly according to another specific
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram illustrating a display effect
of a light-emitting assembly according to still another specific
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling a
window-cleaning robot according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in
detail in the following descriptions, examples of which are shown
in the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar elements
and elements having same or similar functions are denoted by like
reference numerals throughout the descriptions. The embodiments
described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings are
explanatory and illustrative, which are used to generally
understand the present disclosure. The embodiments shall not be
construed to limit the present disclosure.
[0017] In the following, a window-cleaning robot and a method for
controlling a window-cleaning robot provided by embodiments of the
present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to
accompanying drawings.
[0018] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating a
structure of a window-cleaning robot according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the
window-cleaning robot according to embodiments of the present
disclosure includes a body 10, a vacuum suction port 20, a suction
detector (not shown), a light-emitting assembly 40 and a controller
(not shown).
[0019] The vacuum suction port 20 is disposed on the body 10.
[0020] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2B, the vacuum suction port
20 may be disposed at a middle position of a bottom of the body
10.
[0021] The suction detector 30 detects a vacuum suction value
generated at the vacuum suction port 20.
[0022] The light-emitting assembly 40 is disposed on the body 10. A
light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly 40 is configured
corresponding to the vacuum suction value.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG.
3A, the light-emitting assembly 40 includes a plurality of
indicator lamps 41. The plurality of indicator lamps 41 may be
arranged in a ring shape, in a rectangular shape or in a triangular
shape. For example, the plurality of indicator lamps 41 may be
arranged in a ring shape, as shown in FIG. 3A.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, in an embodiment of the present
disclosure, the body 10 includes an upper cover 11 and a
transparent display frame 12 (as shown in FIG. 3B) disposed on the
upper cover 12. The light-emitting assembly 40 is disposed below
the transparent display frame 12.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3C, indication signs (for example, low
suction force, middle suction force and high suction force) may be
set on the upper cover 11 and configured to indicate a level of the
vacuum suction value.
[0026] The controller is connected with the suction detector and
the light-emitting assembly 40 respectively. The controller is
configured to light all or a part of the light-emitting area of the
light-emitting assembly 40 according to the vacuum suction
value.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a lighted part
of the light-emitting area is in direct proportion to the vacuum
suction value. In other words, the greater the vacuum suction value
is, the greater part of the light-emitting area is lighted.
[0028] For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, a filled circle refers
to a lighted indicator lamp 41. As shown in FIGS. 4A, the
controller controls all of the indicator lamps 41 to light (i.e.,
the light-emitting area at this time is corresponding to all of the
indicator lamps 41) when determining that the vacuum suction value
is at a maximum value. As shown in FIG. 4B, the controller controls
half of the indicator lamps 41 to light (i.e., the light-emitting
area at this time is corresponding to half of the indicator lamps
41) when determining that the vacuum suction value is at a middle
value. As shown in FIG. 4C, the controller controls one indicator
lamp 41 to light (i.e., the light-emitting area at this time is
corresponding to one indicator lamp 41) when determining that the
vacuum suction value is at a minimum value. Therefore, the
controller controls the light-emitting assembly 40 to emit
different light combinations dynamically when the vacuum suction
value of the window-cleaning robot changes dynamically. With this
display manner, it is convenient for the user to monitor the vacuum
suction value in real time when the window-cleaning robot is
operating, thereby reducing a risk of sudden falling off of the
window-cleaning robot, and improving using experience of the
window-cleaning robot.
[0029] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the body 10
includes an upper cover 11. The upper cover 11 is made of
transparent material. The light-emitting assembly 40 is disposed
below the upper cover 11.
[0030] Specifically, if the upper cover 11 is entirely made of
transparent material, the transparent display frame 12 may be not
set and the light-emitting assembly 40 is disposed directly below
the upper cover 11.
[0031] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the
window-cleaning robot further includes a voice reminding device
(not shown). The controller is further configured to control the
voice reminding device to raise a voice reminder if the vacuum
suction value is less than a preset threshold.
[0032] Specifically, when the controller 50 determines that the
window-cleaning robot is likely to fall off (i.e. the vacuum
suction value is less than the preset threshold), the controller
controls the voice reminding device 60 to raise the voice reminder,
so as to reminder the user of potential danger.
[0033] With the window-cleaning robot according to embodiments of
the present disclosure, the suction detector detects the vacuum
suction value generated at the vacuum suction port when the
window-cleaning robot is operating, and the controller lights all
or a part of the light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly
according to the vacuum suction value detected by the suction
detector for reminding the user, such that the user may monitor the
vacuum suction value in real time when the window-cleaning robot is
operating, thereby reducing a risk of sudden falling of the
window-cleaning robot, and improving using experience of the
window-cleaning robot.
[0034] In order to realize the above embodiments, embodiments of
the present disclosure also provide a method for controlling a
window-cleaning robot.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling a
window-cleaning robot according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. A light-emitting assembly is disposed on the
window-cleaning robot. As shown in FIG. 5, the method for
controlling a window-cleaning robot according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure includes following steps.
[0036] In step S1, a vacuum suction value generated at a vacuum
suction port of the window-cleaning robot is detected.
[0037] For example, the vacuum suction port may be disposed at a
middle position of a bottom of the body. A suction motor drives a
fan to rotate with high-speed and then vacuum is generated via the
vacuum suction port, such that the window-cleaning robot may suck
on the window.
[0038] Specifically, the vacuum suction value generated at the
vacuum suction port of the window-cleaning robot is detected in
real time when the window-cleaning robot is operating.
[0039] In step S2, all or a part of a light-emitting area of the
light-emitting assembly is lighted according to the vacuum suction
value.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG.
3A, the light-emitting assembly includes a plurality of indicator
lamps The plurality of indicator lamps may be arranged in a ring
shape, in a rectangular shape or in a triangular shape.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, in an embodiment of the present
disclosure, the window-cleaning robot includes an upper cover and a
transparent display frame (as shown in FIG. 3B) disposed on the
upper cover. The light-emitting assembly is disposed below the
transparent display frame.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 3C, indication signs (for example, low
suction force, middle suction force and high suction force) may be
set on the upper cover and configured to indicate a level of the
value of the vacuum suction force.
[0043] Specifically, when the window-cleaning robot is operating, a
corresponding light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly is
lighted according to the detected vacuum suction value, for
reminding the user. In an embodiment, a lighted part of the
light-emitting area is in direct proportion to the vacuum suction
value. In other words, the greater the vacuum suction value is, the
greater part of the light-emitting area is lighted.
[0044] For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, a filled circle refers
to a lighted indicator lamp. As shown in FIGS. 4A, the controller
controls all of the indicator lamps to light (i.e., the
light-emitting area at this time is corresponding to all of the
indicator lamps) when determining that the vacuum suction value is
at a maximum value. As shown in FIG. 4B, the controller controls
half of the indicator lamps to light (i.e., the light-emitting area
at this time is corresponding to half of the indicator lamps) when
determining that the vacuum suction value is at a middle value. As
shown in FIG. 4C, the controller controls one indicator lamp to
light (i.e., the light-emitting area at this time is corresponding
to one indicator lamp) when determining that the vacuum suction
value is at a minimum value. Therefore, the controller controls the
light-emitting assembly to emit different light combinations
dynamically when the vacuum suction value of the window-cleaning
robot changes dynamically. With this display manner, it is
convenient for the user to monitor the vacuum suction value in real
time when the window-cleaning robot is operating, thereby reducing
a risk of sudden falling off of the window-cleaning robot, and
improving using experience of the window-cleaning robot.
[0045] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the
window-cleaning robot includes an upper cover. The upper cover is
made of transparent material. The light-emitting assembly is
disposed below the upper cover.
[0046] Specifically, if the upper cover is entirely made of
transparent material, the transparent display frame may be not set,
and the light-emitting assembly 40 is disposed directly below the
upper cover.
[0047] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the method
for controlling a window-cleaning robot further includes: issuing a
voice reminder if the vacuum suction value is less than a preset
threshold.
[0048] Specifically, when the window-cleaning robot is likely to
fall off (i.e. the vacuum suction value is less than the preset
threshold), the window-cleaning robot is controlled to issue the
voice reminder, so as to reminder the user of potential danger.
[0049] With the method for controlling a window-cleaning robot of
embodiments of the present disclosure, when the window-cleaning
robot is operating, the vacuum suction value generated at the
vacuum suction port is detected and the corresponding
light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly is lighted
according to the detected value, such that the user may monitor the
value of the vacuum suction force in real time when the
window-cleaning robot is operating, thereby reducing a risk of
sudden falling off of the window-cleaning robot, and improving
using experience of the window-cleaning robot.
[0050] In the specification, unless specified or limited otherwise,
relative terms such as "central", "longitudinal", "lateral",
"front", "rear", "right", "left", "inner", "outer", "lower",
"upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "up", "top",
"bottom" as well as derivative thereof (e.g., "horizontally",
"downwardly", "upwardly", etc.) should be construed to refer to the
orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under
discussion for simplifying the description of the present
disclosure, but do not alone indicate or imply that the device or
element referred to must have a particular orientation. They cannot
be seen as limits to the present disclosure.
[0051] In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used
herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate
or imply relative importance or significance. Thus, the feature
defined with "first" and "second" may comprise one or more this
feature. In the description of the present disclosure, "a plurality
of" means two or more, unless specified otherwise.
[0052] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be
understood that, unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms
"mounted," "connected," and "coupled" and variations thereof are
used broadly and encompass such as mechanical or electrical
mountings, connections and couplings, also can be inner mountings,
connections and couplings of two components, and further can be
direct and indirect mountings, connections, and couplings, which
can be understood by those skilled in the art according to the
detail embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0053] In the description of the present disclosure, a structure in
which a first feature is "on" a second feature may include an
embodiment in which the first feature directly contacts the second
feature, and may also include an embodiment in which an additional
feature is formed between the first feature and the second feature.
Furthermore, a first feature "on," "above," or "on top of" a second
feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is
right "on," "above," or "on top of" the second feature, and may
also include an embodiment in which the first feature is not right
"on," "above," or "on top o" of the second feature, or just means
that the first feature is at a height higher than that of the
second feature. While a first feature "beneath," "below," or "on
bottom of" a second feature may include an embodiment in which the
first feature is right "beneath," "below," or "on bottom of" the
second feature, and may also include an embodiment in which the
first feature is not right "beneath," "below," or "on bottom of"
the second feature, or just means that the first feature is at a
height lower than that of the second feature.
[0054] Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment",
"some embodiments", "one embodiment", "an example", "a specific
examples", or "some examples" means that a particular feature,
structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or
example of the disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases
such as "in some embodiments", "in one embodiment", "in an
embodiment", "an example", "a specific examples", or "some
examples" in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example of the
disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,
materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0055] Although explanatory embodiments have been shown and
described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes, alternatives, and modifications may be made in the
embodiments without departing from spirit and principles of the
disclosure. Such changes, alternatives, and modifications all fall
into the scope of the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *