WO2024149206A1 - 水池水位线检测装置以及水位线信息的获取方法 - Google Patents

水池水位线检测装置以及水位线信息的获取方法 Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2024149206A1
WO2024149206A1 PCT/CN2024/071212 CN2024071212W WO2024149206A1 WO 2024149206 A1 WO2024149206 A1 WO 2024149206A1 CN 2024071212 W CN2024071212 W CN 2024071212W WO 2024149206 A1 WO2024149206 A1 WO 2024149206A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water level
pool
cleaning robot
pool cleaning
level line
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/CN2024/071212
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
李成
王有江
关守强
王梦琦
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wybotics Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Wybotics Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from CN202310026006.5A external-priority patent/CN116300875A/zh
Priority claimed from CN202310264546.7A external-priority patent/CN116290952A/zh
Application filed by Wybotics Co Ltd filed Critical Wybotics Co Ltd
Priority to EP24741205.9A priority Critical patent/EP4647861A4/en
Publication of WO2024149206A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024149206A1/zh
Priority to US19/263,030 priority patent/US20250333970A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D1/00Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
    • G05D1/20Control system inputs
    • G05D1/24Arrangements for determining position or orientation
    • G05D1/242Means based on the reflection of waves generated by the vehicle
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/12Devices or arrangements for circulating water, i.e. devices for removal of polluted water, cleaning baths or for water treatment
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/14Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
    • E04H4/16Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for specially adapted for cleaning
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/14Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
    • E04H4/16Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for specially adapted for cleaning
    • E04H4/1654Self-propelled cleaners
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01BMEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B7/00Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
    • G01B7/26Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring depth
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01FMEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/14Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measurement of pressure
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01FMEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/22Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/28Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
    • G01F23/284Electromagnetic waves
    • G01F23/292Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01FMEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/22Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/28Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
    • G01F23/284Electromagnetic waves
    • G01F23/292Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet
    • G01F23/2921Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet for discrete levels
    • G01F23/2928Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet for discrete levels using light reflected on the material surface
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01FMEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/22Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/28Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
    • G01F23/296Acoustic waves
    • G01F23/2962Measuring transit time of reflected waves
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D1/00Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
    • G05D1/20Control system inputs
    • G05D1/24Arrangements for determining position or orientation
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D1/00Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
    • G05D1/40Control within particular dimensions
    • G05D1/48Control of altitude or depth
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01SRADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/02Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems using reflection of acoustic waves
    • G01S15/06Systems determining the position data of a target
    • G01S15/08Systems for measuring distance only
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01SRADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/88Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01SRADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S17/00Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems
    • G01S17/02Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
    • G01S17/06Systems determining position data of a target
    • G01S17/08Systems determining position data of a target for measuring distance only
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D2105/00Specific applications of the controlled vehicles
    • G05D2105/10Specific applications of the controlled vehicles for cleaning, vacuuming or polishing
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D2107/00Specific environments of the controlled vehicles
    • G05D2107/25Aquatic environments
    • G05D2107/29Swimming pools
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D2109/00Types of controlled vehicles
    • G05D2109/10Land vehicles
    • G05D2109/15Climbing vehicles
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D2111/00Details of signals used for control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles
    • G05D2111/50Internal signals, i.e. from sensors located in the vehicle, e.g. from compasses or angular sensors
    • G05D2111/56Internal signals, i.e. from sensors located in the vehicle, e.g. from compasses or angular sensors for sensing properties of the surrounding medium of the vehicle, e.g. using airspeed sensors

Definitions

  • the present application relates to the field of robot technology, and in particular to a pool water level detection device, a pool cleaning robot, a method for acquiring water level information, and a device for acquiring water level information.
  • robot technology has also developed rapidly. For example, users use sweeping robots to clean the floors of houses, use window cleaning robots to clean the windows of houses, and use pool cleaning robots to clean pools.
  • the water level line of the pool is an important reference position, and how to identify the water level line is a hot topic of research.
  • the present application provides a pool water level detection device, a pool cleaning robot, a method for obtaining water level information, and a device for obtaining water level information.
  • the technical solution is as follows:
  • a water level detection device for a pool comprising:
  • a pool cleaning robot comprising:
  • the pool water level line detection device (2) is mounted on a housing (1); and the direction of the opening of the auxiliary container (21) of the pool water level line detection device (2) is consistent with the travel direction of the pool cleaning robot.
  • a method for obtaining water level information comprising:
  • the pool cleaning robot is controlled based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • a device for obtaining water level information comprising:
  • a water level information acquisition module used to acquire water level information through a detection unit of a pool cleaning robot, the pool cleaning robot moves on the pool wall or the pool bottom, and the water level information is used to indicate the relative position of the pool cleaning robot and the water level;
  • a distance determination module used to determine the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level based on the water level information
  • a control module is used to control the pool cleaning robot based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • a computer-readable storage medium wherein at least one computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and the computer program is loaded by a processor and executes the following steps:
  • the pool cleaning robot is controlled based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • a computer program product or computer program comprising program code, the program code being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, a processor of a robot controller reading the program code from the computer-readable storage medium, the processor executing the program code, causing the robot controller to perform the following steps:
  • the pool cleaning robot is controlled based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a pool cleaning robot provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG2 is a top view of the water level detection device in the pool cleaning robot of FIG1 ;
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of the water level detection device of Fig. 2;
  • FIG4 is a flow chart of a method for detecting a water level in a pool provided in an embodiment of the present application
  • FIG5 is a flow chart of another method for detecting a water level in a pool provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG6 is a flow chart of a control method of a pool cleaning robot provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a pool cleaning robot on a pool wall provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG8 is a flow chart of a method for obtaining water level information provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG9 is a flow chart of another method for obtaining water level information provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a pool water level detection device provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a control device of a pool cleaning robot provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device for acquiring water level information provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a robot controller provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • Path planning is one of the main research contents of motion planning.
  • Motion planning consists of path planning and trajectory planning.
  • the sequence of points or curves connecting the starting position and the end position is called a path, and the strategy for forming a path is called path planning.
  • the path planning of the pool cleaning robot is to plan the cleaning path of the pool cleaning robot.
  • Pool cleaning robot a robot used to clean a pool, wherein cleaning the pool includes cleaning the bottom of the pool and cleaning the pool walls.
  • a pool cleaning robot when cleaning the pool wall near the water surface of a pool such as a swimming pool, a bathing pool, or a fish pond, i.e., the pool water level line, a pool cleaning robot is required to move near the pool water level line to clean different positions. Therefore, how to identify the pool water level line is a problem that needs to be solved urgently.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a pool cleaning robot provided in an embodiment of the present application
  • Figure 2 is a top view of a water level detection device in the pool cleaning robot
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of the water level detection device in Figure 2.
  • a pool water level detection device 2 is provided, which includes an auxiliary container 21 and a detection unit 22.
  • the auxiliary container 21 is provided with an opening.
  • the detection unit 22 is located at one side of the opening; the detection unit 22 is used to transmit a detection signal toward the outside of the auxiliary container 21 to the opening to determine the relative position between the water level line detection device and the water level line of the pool.
  • the water level of the pool is the pool water level; the auxiliary container 21 is used to hold water, and the water level of the auxiliary container 21 is the container water level.
  • a detection unit 22 is arranged below the opening of the auxiliary container 21, i.e., below the plane where the container water level is located. The detection unit 22 can emit a detection signal toward the outside of the auxiliary container 21 to the opening of the auxiliary container 21.
  • the detection unit 22 When the pool water level line detection device 2 is located below the pool water level line, the auxiliary container 21 does not work, and the detection unit 22 always detects the pool water level line; when the pool water level line detection device 2 is located above the pool water level line, that is, after the auxiliary container 21 emerges from the water surface, the detection unit 22 no longer detects the pool water level line, but the container water level line.
  • this solution can determine the relative position between the pool water level line detection device 2 and the pool water level line based on the reflection signal reflected by the pool water level line or the container water level line detected by the detection unit 22, thereby identifying the pool water level line.
  • the detection unit 22 is disposed on a side of the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 facing away from the opening;
  • a transmission portion is formed at the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 to transmit the detection signal generated by the detection unit 22 .
  • the detection unit 22 in order to detect the water level line of the container, the detection unit 22 needs to be located at the lower side of the opening.
  • the detection unit 22 is arranged on the side of the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 facing away from the opening, that is, on the side of the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 away from the opening.
  • the detection unit 22 can be arranged on the lower side of the bottom of the auxiliary container 21.
  • the transmission part of the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 can adopt a thickness and material that the detection signal can penetrate, wherein the thickness of the transmission part can be determined according to different detection signals, and the material of the transmission part can adopt a transparent or translucent material, for example, polycarbonate (PC) can be used.
  • PC polycarbonate
  • the detection unit 22 is arranged on the side of the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 away from the opening, that is, the detection unit 22 is arranged on the lower side of the bottom of the auxiliary container 21, so that the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 is located between the detection unit 22 and the opening of the auxiliary container 21.
  • a mounting hole is provided at the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 .
  • the detection unit 22 is disposed on a side of the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 facing the opening; the detection unit 22 is disposed in the mounting hole or in the accommodating cavity of the auxiliary container 21 through the mounting hole.
  • the mounting hole can be a blind hole or a through hole. If the mounting hole is a through hole, a sealing device such as a sealing ring can be provided at the through hole to prevent the auxiliary container 21 from leaking when the pool water level detection device 2 is located on the pool water level, causing the container water level to change.
  • the embodiment of the present application can also set the detection unit 22 on the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 or the accommodating cavity through the mounting hole; specifically, one possible implementation method is to directly set the detection unit 22 on the mounting hole at the bottom of the auxiliary container 21; another possible implementation method is to connect the detection unit 22 to the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 by using the mounting hole, so that the detection unit 22 is located in the accommodating cavity of the auxiliary container 21. In both cases, the volume of the mounting hole and the accommodating cavity is small, and a detection unit 22 of a small shape needs to be used.
  • the solution of the embodiment of the present application avoids the influence of the bottom solid structure between the detection unit 22 and the opening, and can further improve the accuracy and reliability of identifying the water level line of the pool.
  • the detection unit 22 includes at least one of an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor;
  • the distance between the transmitting end and the receiving end of the ultrasonic sensor and the opening is greater than or equal to 3 cm.
  • the detection unit 22 can use a variety of sensors to realize the identification of the water level line of the pool.
  • the detection unit 22 can use an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor.
  • the detection signals emitted by the infrared sensor and the laser sensor are infrared and laser, respectively, both of which are electromagnetic waves.
  • the detection signal emitted by the ultrasonic sensor is ultrasonic wave, which is a mechanical wave with an extremely short wavelength. Because the wavelength of ultrasonic wave is short, it is very easy to lose and scatter in the air.
  • the distance between the transmitting end and the receiving end of the ultrasonic sensor and the opening is set to be greater than or equal to 3cm.
  • the second aspect of the present application further proposes a pool cleaning robot, the pool cleaning robot comprising a housing 1 and a pool water level detection device 2 as described in any one of the embodiments of the first aspect above.
  • the pool water level detection device 2 is mounted on the housing 1; the direction of the opening of the auxiliary container 21 of the pool water level detection device 2 is consistent with the travel direction of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the pool cleaning robot is also called a pool cleaning device.
  • a flow channel is provided in the housing 1, and a water pump and a filter are provided on the flow channel.
  • the water inlet of the flow channel is located at the abdomen 112 of the housing 1, and the water outlet is located at the back 111 of the housing 1.
  • the water pump Under the action of the water pump, the water flow continuously enters the water channel from the water inlet, and then flows out from the water outlet after being filtered by the filter.
  • the pressure difference between the water inlet and the water outlet enables the pool cleaning robot to obtain the pressure pressed against the pool wall.
  • the housing 1 is also provided with a motor, a driving wheel, a driven wheel, a transmission mechanism and a drum 13.
  • the motor drives the driving wheel to rotate, and the driving wheel drives the driven wheel and the drum 13 to rotate through the transmission mechanism, thereby driving the pool cleaning robot to walk.
  • the drum 13 disturbs and cleans foreign matter on the surface of the pool wall, and enables sewage to enter the water inlet under the negative pressure of the water inlet.
  • the sewage entering the water inlet is filtered by the filter and discharged from the water outlet.
  • the upstream of the filter screen near the water inlet forms a dirt inlet, and the dirt intercepted by the filter screen enters the sewage
  • the food is collected after entering the mouth.
  • an auxiliary container 21 with an opening is provided on the shell 1, and the direction of the opening is consistent with the moving direction of the shell 1; for example, when the opening is located at the head end 121 of the shell 1, the direction of the opening is consistent with the forward moving direction of the shell 1; when the opening is located at the tail end 122 of the shell 1, the direction of the opening is consistent with the reverse moving direction of the shell 1.
  • the pool water level line detection device 2 is installed on the shell 1 of the pool cleaning robot, similar to the pool water level line detection device 2, when the pool cleaning robot is located below the pool water level line, the auxiliary container 21 does not work, and the detection unit 22 always detects the pool water level line; when the pool cleaning robot is located above the pool water level line, that is, the auxiliary container 21 on the shell 1 is exposed to the water surface, the detection unit 22 no longer detects the pool water level line, but the container water level line.
  • the time difference between the reflection signal reflected by the pool water level line or the container water level line detected by the detection unit 22 and the detection signal changes accordingly. Therefore, by setting the detection unit 22 on the pool cleaning robot housing 1 and the auxiliary container 21 with an opening facing the same direction as the travel direction of the pool cleaning robot, the relative position between the pool cleaning robot and the pool water level line can be determined based on the reflection signal reflected by the pool water level line or the container water level line detected by the detection unit 22, and the pool water level line can be identified.
  • the auxiliary container 21 of the pool water level detection device 2 is integrally formed with the shell 1 .
  • the housing 1 of the pool cleaning robot and the auxiliary container 21 can be integrally formed by stamping, injection molding and other processing techniques. In this way, on the one hand, the manufacturing, processing and assembly processes of the housing 1 and the auxiliary container 21 of the pool cleaning robot can be simplified, and on the other hand, the sealing of the housing 1 and the auxiliary container 21 of the pool cleaning robot can be ensured, avoiding the need to set an additional sealing structure between the housing 1 and the auxiliary container 21 of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the water tank water level line detection device 2 includes a first water tank water level line detection device and/or a second water tank water level line detection device; the first water tank water level line detection device is located at the head end 121 close to the shell 1; the second water tank water level line detection device is located at the tail end 122 close to the shell 1.
  • the first pool water level detection device can be set only at the position of the back 111 of the housing 1 close to the head end 121, see Figure 1; the second pool water level detection device can also be set only at the position of the back 111 of the housing 1 close to the tail end 122.
  • the present application can also simultaneously set the first pool water level detection device and the second pool water level detection device at the position of the housing 1 close to the head end 121 and the position of the housing 1 close to the tail end 122, respectively.
  • the structural limitations of the pool cleaning robot are taken into consideration, and on the other hand, a portion of the housing 1 needs to be exposed above the water surface when the pool cleaning robot cleans the water surface of the pool.
  • the pool water level line detection device 2 is arranged at the head end 121 or the tail end 122 close to the housing 1, rather than being directly arranged at the head end 121 or the tail end 122.
  • the structural limitations of the pool cleaning robot are not taken into consideration, when the pool water level line detection device 2 is arranged at the head end 121 or the tail end 122 of the housing 1, a good cleaning effect of the pool water surface can be obtained by delaying the movement of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the pool cleaning robot can detect the pool water level in both the forward direction and the backward direction.
  • the first pool water level detection device and/or the second pool water level detection device are disposed on the back 111 of the housing 1;
  • the water tank water level detection device 2 comprises a third water tank water level detection device arranged on the belly 112 of the shell 1 ; the third water tank water level detection device is located near the head end 121 or the tail end 122 of the shell 1 .
  • a third pool water level line detection device can also be provided at the belly 112 of the shell 1 near the tail end 122.
  • the third pool water level line detection device can also be provided at the belly 112 of the shell 1 near the head end 121.
  • the third water tank water level line detection device and the second water tank water level line detection device can be used as one and the other as a backup, thereby effectively improving the redundancy of the equipment.
  • FIG4 is a flow chart of a method for detecting a water level in a pool provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • the present application proposes a method for detecting a water level in a pool, which is applied to the water level detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot described in any of the above embodiments, and the method comprises the following steps:
  • the detection unit 22 has a transmitting end and a receiving end. From the above embodiments of the pool water level detection device 2 and the pool cleaning robot, it can be seen that the detection unit 22 is located below the opening of the auxiliary container 21, that is, the water level of the container.
  • the transmitting end of the detection unit 22 can be aimed at the opening of the auxiliary container 21 to transmit a detection signal.
  • the detection signal can be transmitted according to a certain rule. In one possible implementation, the detection signal can be periodically transmitted at intervals of a preset time period to continuously detect the water level line of the pool; in another possible implementation, the detection signal can also be transmitted under certain conditions.
  • the detection signal is periodically transmitted at intervals of a preset time period, so that the water level line of the pool can be continuously detected while reducing power consumption.
  • detection unit 22 can emit electromagnetic wave detection signals such as infrared and lasers; when using ultrasonic sensors, it can emit mechanical wave detection signals such as ultrasound.
  • the water level line is a pool water level line or a container water level line.
  • the detection signal emitted by the transmitting end is reflected back, it is received by the receiving end. It should be noted that, according to the different positional relationships between the pool water level detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot and the pool water level, the reflection signal is reflected back by different water levels.
  • the detection signal continues to propagate upward after passing through the water in the auxiliary container 21 until it reaches the pool water surface line, where it is partially reflected to become a reflected signal and is received by the receiving end of the detection unit 22.
  • the auxiliary container 21 When the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot is located at the pool water level line, the auxiliary container 21 is exposed above the water surface, and the detection signal only passes through the water in the auxiliary container 21, and is partially reflected after reaching the water surface line of the tank to become a reflected signal and be received by the receiving end of the detection unit 22.
  • the time of transmitting the detection signal and the time of receiving the reflected signal are recorded respectively, and the time difference between receiving the reflected signal and transmitting the detection signal is calculated.
  • the relative position between the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot and the pool water level line can be determined based on the time difference between receiving the reflected signal and transmitting the detection signal.
  • the distance between the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot and the pool water surface line can be determined by the time difference, the propagation speed of the detection signal in the water, the real-time movement speed of the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot, and then the relative position between the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot and the pool water level line can be determined according to the distance.
  • the walking path of the detection signal can be determined by multiplying the time difference by the propagation speed of the detection signal in the water; the walking path of the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot can be determined by multiplying the time difference by the travel speed of the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot.
  • the sum of the walking path of the detection signal and the walking path of the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot is divided by 2 to obtain the distance between the detection unit 22, the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot and the pool water level line. According to the distance, the relative position between the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot and the pool water level line can be determined. In another possible implementation, the relative position between the pool water level detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot and the pool water level can also be determined directly through the time difference; this implementation will be described in detail below.
  • FIG5 is a flow chart of another method for detecting the water level of a pool provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • the present application further provides a method for detecting the water level of a pool, taking the robot controller as an example, the method includes the following steps:
  • the water level line is a pool water level line or a container water level line.
  • steps 501, 502 and 503 belong to the same inventive concept as steps 401, 402 and 403 in the above embodiment, and will not be described in detail here.
  • the pool water level line detection device or the pool cleaning robot reaches the position of the pool water level line.
  • the detection signal emitted by the detection unit 22 reaches the container water level line and then returns, and the relative position between the auxiliary container 21 and the detection unit 22 is fixed, that is, the relative position between the container water level line and the detection unit 22 is also fixed (ignoring the shaking of the container water level line after the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot emerges from the water), and the time difference between receiving the reflected signal and transmitting the detection signal is a fixed time difference.
  • the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot emerges from the water surface, that is, the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot The person reaches the position of the water level of the pool.
  • the preset time difference can be an interval value including the fixed time difference. For example, if the fixed time difference is 2, then the preset time difference is any number in the interval [1,3]. That is, when the time difference is any number in [1,3], the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot reaches the position of the pool water level line.
  • the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot may shake violently after leaving the water, spilling the water in the auxiliary container, causing the container water level line to lower, therefore, in this special case, if the time difference is less than the preset time difference, it can also be considered that the pool water level line detection device or the pool cleaning robot has reached the position of the pool water level line.
  • the relative position between the container water level line and the detection unit 22 is always fixed when the auxiliary container 21 is located on the water level line of the pool, if the determined time difference is too abnormal, it can be verified by transmitting multiple detection signals to ensure the reliability of the water level line detection of the pool.
  • the pool water level line detection device or the pool cleaning robot is located below the pool water level line.
  • the detection signal emitted by the detection unit 22 reaches the pool water level line and then returns.
  • the distance between the pool water level line and the detection unit 22 is greater than the distance between the container water level line and the detection unit 22, and will increase or decrease as the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot approaches or moves away from the pool water level line. Therefore, based on this time difference, it can be known that the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot has submerged in the water. In other words, when the time difference is greater than the preset time difference, the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot is located below the pool water level line.
  • the relative position between the pool water level line detection device or the pool cleaning robot and the pool water level line based on the time difference.
  • the relative position between the container water level line and the detection unit 22 is fixed after the pool water level line detection device 2 or the pool cleaning robot is partially exposed to the water surface, multiple detection signals can be continuously emitted, and the position of the pool water level line detection device or the pool cleaning robot can be determined by the time difference determined multiple times.
  • the target time difference is less than or equal to a plurality of time differences determined within a predetermined time period after the target time difference, it is determined that the pool water level line detection device or the pool cleaning robot has reached the position of the pool water level line or is below the pool water level line.
  • the target time difference is the smallest time difference among the time differences determined multiple times in succession.
  • the time intervals for transmitting multiple detection signals and the length of the predetermined time period may be determined using empirical values or through multiple experiments.
  • the target time with the smallest value among multiple time differences determined continuously is used as the benchmark. If multiple time differences determined in a longer period of time are all greater than or equal to the target time difference, that is, the target time difference has not been updated for a long time, then when the pool water level line detection device or the pool cleaning robot moves toward the pool water level line, it can be determined that the pool water level line detection device or the pool cleaning robot has reached the position of the pool water level line; when the pool water level line detection device or the pool cleaning robot moves away from the pool water level line, it can be determined that the pool water level line detection device or the pool cleaning robot is below the pool water level line.
  • FIG6 is a flow chart of another control method of a pool cleaning robot provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • the present application also provides a control method of a pool cleaning robot, taking the robot controller as an example, the method includes the following steps:
  • the water level line is a pool water level line or a container water level line.
  • the pool cleaning robot reaches the position of the pool water level line.
  • steps 601, 602, 603 and 604 belong to the same inventive concept as steps 501, 502, 503 and 504 in the above embodiment, and will not be described in detail here.
  • the pool cleaning robot when the pool cleaning robot reaches the position of the pool water level line, it is necessary to timely control the pool cleaning robot to stop climbing upwards, otherwise when the pool cleaning robot is exposed to a certain height above the water surface, it is easy to cause the pool cleaning robot to fall. Because the water pump of the pool cleaning robot cannot pump water through the water inlet of the abdomen 112 and discharge the water from the back 111, it is impossible to obtain the pressure that presses the pool cleaning robot against the pool wall through the pressure difference between the water inlet and the water outlet. Among them, when the countdown ends and other conditions are met, the pool cleaning robot can be controlled to stop at the position of the pool water level line to facilitate the recovery of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the pool cleaning robot can be specifically controlled to move in multiple directions such as a vertical downward direction, a direction with a certain inclination angle (e.g., 10°, 30°, 45°, etc.) to the vertical downward direction, and in the opposite direction of the original moving direction.
  • a certain inclination angle e.g. 10°, 30°, 45°, etc.
  • the pool cleaning robot When the pool cleaning robot reaches the water level line of the pool, the pool cleaning robot is controlled to stop and/or reverse its movement, which can ensure that the pool cleaning robot is always pressed against the pool wall to achieve the cleaning of the pool water level line.
  • the pool cleaning robot is located below the water level of the pool.
  • step 606 and step 505 in the above embodiment belong to the same inventive concept, and will not be described in detail here.
  • the pool cleaning robot in order to improve the efficiency of cleaning the pool water level line, when the pool cleaning robot is below the pool water level line and is far away from the pool water level line, the pool cleaning robot can be controlled to accelerate toward the pool water level line; when the pool cleaning robot moves to a position close to the pool water level line, the pool cleaning robot can be controlled to decelerate or move at a constant speed toward the pool water level line.
  • the relative position between the pool cleaning robot and the pool water level line can be used to conveniently control the pool cleaning robot to move near the pool water level line, thereby effectively cleaning the pool water level line.
  • the method for obtaining water level information provided by the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the scene of controlling a pool cleaning robot to clean the pool wall of a pool.
  • the pool cleaning robot 700 has a wall climbing function and can be attached to the pool wall 701 of the pool.
  • the pool cleaning robot 700 can move on the pool wall 701 of the pool under the control of the robot controller.
  • the pool cleaning robot 700 can move upward along the pool wall on the pool wall 701 of the pool, can also move downward along the pool wall on the pool wall 701 of the pool, can also move left or right along the pool wall on the pool wall 701 of the pool, can also rotate on the pool wall 701 of the pool, etc.
  • the embodiment of the present application does not limit the movement mode of the pool cleaning robot on the pool wall 701.
  • the pool cleaning robot 700 is located below the water level line 702 of the pool.
  • the pool cleaning robot may also be located at the bottom of the pool to clean the bottom of the pool.
  • the embodiment of the present application does not limit the position of the pool cleaning robot.
  • FIG8 is a flow chart of a method for obtaining water level line information provided in the embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG8 , taking the execution subject as a robot controller as an example, the method includes the following steps.
  • a robot controller obtains water level information through a detection unit of a pool cleaning robot.
  • the pool cleaning robot moves on a pool wall or a pool bottom.
  • the water level information is used to indicate a relative position of the pool cleaning robot and the water level.
  • the pool cleaning robot is adsorbed on the pool wall of the pool, and the pool cleaning robot can move on the pool wall of the pool.
  • the pool cleaning robot is installed with a detection unit, and the detection unit is used to collect information related to the water level line of the pool.
  • the robot controller can obtain the water level line information through the detection unit, and the water level line information can reflect the relative position of the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • the detection unit can be installed at different positions of the pool cleaning robot according to different types, which will not be repeated here.
  • the pool cleaning robot is located below the water level line of the pool, which means that the pool cleaning robot is in the liquid of the pool.
  • the robot controller determines the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on the water level line information.
  • the robot controller can further determine the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line according to the water level line information.
  • the robot controller controls the pool cleaning robot based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • the bottom of the pool cleaning robot is provided with a walking unit, and the robot controller can control the pool cleaning robot to move and rotate on the pool wall of the pool by driving the walking unit.
  • the robot controller can control the pool cleaning robot through the walking unit. Controlling the pool cleaning robot includes controlling the pool cleaning robot to move to a water level and controlling the pool cleaning robot to move to a target position above or below the water level.
  • the bottom of the pool cleaning robot is also provided with a cleaning unit, through which the pool wall can be cleaned.
  • the cleaning unit includes a roller brush, and the pool wall can be cleaned by rotating the roller brush.
  • the cleaning unit does not include a roller brush
  • the pool cleaning machine uses an internal drive device and a filter device to filter and discharge the pool water to clean the pool wall.
  • the cleaning unit may also include a roller brush and a water spray port at the same time, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.
  • the cleaning function of the pool cleaning robot can be started or not during the movement.
  • the cleaning function of the pool cleaning robot being started during the movement means that the pool cleaning robot can start the cleaning function during the movement, thereby cleaning the position on the pool wall where it passes.
  • the water level line information is obtained through the detection unit of the pool cleaning robot, and the water level line information can indicate the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line of the pool. Based on the water level line information, the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line can be determined. Based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line, the pool cleaning robot can be controlled, that is, the pool cleaning robot can continue to be controlled with the water level line as a reference, thereby realizing the recognition of the water level line.
  • steps 801-803 are a brief introduction to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application.
  • the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application will be described in more detail with some examples below. Referring to Figure 9, taking the execution subject as a robot controller as an example, the method includes the following steps.
  • the robot controller obtains water level information through a detection unit of a pool cleaning robot.
  • the pool cleaning robot moves on the wall or bottom of a pool.
  • the water level information is used to indicate the relative position of the pool cleaning robot and the water level.
  • the pool cleaning robot is adsorbed on the pool wall of the pool, and the pool cleaning robot can move on the pool wall of the pool.
  • the pool cleaning robot is installed with a detection unit, and the detection unit is used to collect information related to the water level line of the pool.
  • the robot controller can obtain the water level line information through the detection unit, and the water level line information can reflect the relative position of the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • the detection unit is also referred to as a water level line detection sensor.
  • the detection unit can be installed at different positions of the pool cleaning robot according to different types, which will not be repeated here.
  • the pool cleaning robot is located below the water level line of the pool, which means that the pool cleaning robot is in the liquid of the pool.
  • the detection unit is described as a distance sensor as an example.
  • the robot controller obtains the water level information through a distance sensor of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the distance sensor is installed in front of or above the pool cleaning robot, wherein the front refers to the side wall in the forward direction of the pool cleaning robot, and the top refers to the top of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the distance sensor can also be installed in other positions of the pool cleaning robot, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.
  • the robot can directly obtain the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line through the distance sensor, so that the pool cleaning robot can be subsequently controlled based on the distance.
  • the effect of distance-based control is more intuitive and has a higher accuracy rate.
  • the distance sensor is used to measure the distance. In the embodiment of the present application, it is used to measure the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level of the pool. The distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level of the pool is also the water level information.
  • the distance sensor includes two types. The first type is a sensor that determines the distance by the propagation speed and propagation time of waves in water, and the second type is a sensor that determines the distance by an image. The following will take the distance sensor as an example of these two types of sensors.
  • Example 1 The robot controller sends a detection signal to the top or bottom of the pool cleaning robot through the distance sensor, that is, the detection signal is sent toward the opening of the auxiliary container.
  • the robot controller receives a reflection signal corresponding to the detection signal, which is the part of the detection signal that is reflected after contacting the water level line.
  • the robot controller determines the water level line information based on the detection signal and the reflection signal, and the water level line information includes any one of the propagation speed of the detection signal in the water, and the time difference between sending the detection signal and receiving the reflection signal, the phase difference between the detection signal and the reflection signal, and the angle difference between the detection signal and the reflection signal.
  • the distance sensor is the sensor of the first type mentioned above, and the distance sensor is any one of an optical distance sensor (infrared sensor or laser sensor), an acoustic distance sensor and a radar. Accordingly, the detection signal is at least one of a light wave (infrared light or laser), a sound wave (ultrasound) and a radar signal.
  • the distance sensor may also be other types of TOF (Time of Flight) sensors, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Whether the distance sensor sends a detection signal to the top or bottom of the pool cleaning robot depends on whether the pool cleaning robot is located above or below the water level.
  • determining whether the pool cleaning robot is above or below the water line can be achieved by determining whether the pool cleaning robot is located in water. When the pool cleaning robot is located in water, the pool cleaning robot is below the water line; when the pool cleaning robot is outside of water, the pool cleaning robot is above the water line.
  • the robot controller adjusts the orientation of the pool cleaning robot so that the signal transmission direction of the distance sensor on the pool cleaning robot becomes upward along the pool wall.
  • the robot controller sends a detection signal sending instruction to the distance sensor, and the detection signal sending instruction is used to instruct the distance sensor to send a detection signal.
  • the robot controller can also send a direction adjustment instruction to the distance sensor, and the direction adjustment instruction is used to instruct the distance sensor to adjust the sending direction of the detection signal to upward along the pool wall.
  • the robot controller sends a detection signal sending instruction to the distance sensor, and the detection signal sending instruction is used to instruct the distance sensor to send a detection signal.
  • the distance sensor receives the detection signal sending instruction, and in response to the detection signal sending instruction, the distance sensor sends a detection signal.
  • the distance sensor receives a reflection signal corresponding to the detection signal, and the reflection signal is the part of the detection signal that is reflected after it contacts the water level line.
  • the principle of generating the transmission signal is that the water level line is the boundary between liquid and gas. When the detection signal reaches the water level line, a part of it will be refracted and another part will be reflected. The reflection signal is the reflected part.
  • the robot controller determines the water level information based on the detection signal and the detection signal.
  • the water level information includes the propagation speed of the detection signal in water, and any one of the time difference between sending the detection signal and receiving the reflection signal, the phase difference between the detection signal and the reflection signal, and the angle difference between the detection signal and the reflection signal.
  • Example 2 The robot controller collects images above or below the pool cleaning robot through the distance sensor. The image is subjected to image recognition to obtain the water level line information, wherein the water level line information includes the position of the water level line in the image.
  • the distance sensor is the second type of sensor, and the distance sensor is a monocular camera or a binocular camera, which is not limited in the present embodiment.
  • the image above or below the pool cleaning robot is collected depending on whether the pool cleaning robot is above or below the water level.
  • the robot controller adjusts the orientation of the pool cleaning robot so that the image acquisition direction of the distance sensor on the pool cleaning robot becomes upward along the pool wall.
  • the robot controller sends an image acquisition instruction to the distance sensor, and the image acquisition instruction is used to instruct the distance sensor to acquire images.
  • the robot controller can also send a direction adjustment instruction to the distance sensor, and the direction adjustment instruction is used to instruct the distance sensor to adjust the image acquisition direction to upward along the pool wall.
  • the robot controller sends an image acquisition instruction to the distance sensor, and the image acquisition instruction is used to instruct the distance sensor to acquire images.
  • the robot controller uses the pinhole imaging principle to perform coordinate conversion on the position of the water level line in the image to determine the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • the method of using the pinhole imaging principle to transform the coordinates of the position of the water level line in the image is to transform the pixel coordinates of the water level line in the image into the camera coordinates in the camera coordinate system, and then transform the camera coordinates into the world coordinates.
  • the world coordinates of the water level line can represent the position of the water level line, and the world coordinates of the water level line are also the water level line information.
  • the above-mentioned coordinate transformation process depends on the calibration of the monocular camera, and the process of calibrating the monocular camera can be completed in advance by a technician.
  • the distance sensor is a binocular camera
  • the distance sensor can capture two images of the water level line at the same time, and the two images are taken at different angles.
  • the robot sensor can determine the position of the water level line based on the relative position between the two images and the two cameras of the binocular camera, that is, determine the water level line information.
  • the description is given by taking the detection unit as a distance sensor as an example, the description is given below by taking the detection unit as a liquid depth sensor as an example.
  • the robot controller obtains the water level information through a liquid depth sensor of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the liquid depth sensor may be installed at any position on the pool cleaning robot, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.
  • the robot controller can obtain the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the liquid through the liquid depth sensor.
  • the obtained water level line information can also indicate the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the liquid, and the pool cleaning robot can be subsequently controlled based on the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the liquid.
  • the robot controller collects the pressure around the pool cleaning robot through the liquid depth sensor.
  • the robot controller determines the water level information based on the pressure around the pool cleaning robot, and the water level information includes the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool.
  • the pressure around the pool cleaning robot can be either water pressure or the sum of water pressure and atmospheric pressure, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.
  • the principle of the liquid depth sensor collecting the pressure around the pool cleaning robot is that the liquid depth sensor can convert the pressure received into an electrical signal, and the pressure received can be inferred through the electrical signal.
  • the principle of determining the depth by pressure is that the pressure received by an object in a liquid is positively correlated with the depth in the liquid.
  • the description is given by taking the detection unit as a liquid depth sensor as an example, the description is given below by taking the detection unit as a signal receiving sensor as an example.
  • the robot controller obtains the water level information through a signal receiving sensor of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the signal receiving sensor is used to receive a target signal of a specific frequency, and the frequency of the target signal is set by a technician according to actual conditions, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this.
  • the signal receiving sensor can be installed at any position on the pool cleaning robot, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this.
  • the robot controller receives a target signal through the signal receiving sensor, and the signal strength of the target signal is negatively correlated with the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool.
  • the robot controller determines the water level information based on the target signal, and the water level information includes the signal strength of the target signal.
  • the sending device of the target signal is located above the pool.
  • the signal strength of the target signal is negatively correlated with the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool, which means that the deeper the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool, the weaker the signal strength of the target signal received by the signal receiving sensor; the shallower the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool, the stronger the signal strength of the target signal received by the signal receiving sensor.
  • the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the liquid can be inferred by the strength of the target signal.
  • the signal strength of the target signal may also become zero.
  • the robot controller determines the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on the water level line information.
  • the robot controller can further determine the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line according to the water level line information.
  • the robot controller determines the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on any one of the time difference between sending the detection signal and receiving the reflected signal, the phase difference between the detection signal and the reflected signal, and the angle difference between the detection signal and the reflected signal, and the propagation speed of the detection signal in the water.
  • Example 1 When the detection unit is a distance sensor, the robot controller determines the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on the time difference between sending the detection signal and receiving the reflected signal and the propagation speed of the detection signal in water.
  • the detection unit is a distance sensor
  • the detection signal transmitting device and the reflection signal receiving device of the distance sensor are arranged side by side and adjacent to each other.
  • the robot controller multiplies the time difference by the propagation speed and divides the result by two to obtain the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • Example 2 When the detection unit is a distance sensor, the robot controller determines the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on the phase difference between the detection signal and the reflection signal and the propagation speed of the detection signal in water.
  • the detection unit is a distance sensor
  • the detection signal transmitting device and the reflection signal receiving device of the distance sensor are arranged side by side and adjacent to each other.
  • the robot controller determines the time difference between sending the detection signal and receiving the reflection signal based on the phase difference between the detection signal and the reflection signal and the angular frequency of the detection signal.
  • the robot controller multiplies the time difference by the propagation speed and divides the result by two to obtain the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • Example 3 When the detection unit is a distance sensor, the robot controller determines the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on the angle difference between the detection signal and the reflection signal and the propagation speed of the detection signal in water.
  • the detection unit is a distance sensor
  • the detection signal transmitting device and the reflection signal receiving device of the distance sensor are arranged side by side and at a certain distance.
  • the detection signal transmitting device is a laser radar
  • the reflection signal receiving device is a camera.
  • the laser emitted by the laser radar forms a certain angle with the water level line.
  • the detection signal transmitting device, the reflection signal receiving device and the detection point on the water level line form a triangle.
  • the robot controller uses the angle difference and the propagation speed of the detection signal in water to determine the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • the robot controller determines the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool.
  • the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool is the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • the robot controller determines the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on the signal strength of the target signal.
  • the robot controller determines the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool based on the signal strength of the target signal. The robot controller determines the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool.
  • the depth of the pool cleaning robot can be inferred based on the signal strength of the target signal, thereby determining the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • the signal receiving sensor cannot receive the target signal underwater.
  • the pool cleaning robot is determined to be below the water level, and the pool cleaning robot can be controlled to move upward.
  • the signal receiving sensor can receive the target signal.
  • the robot controller can execute both the following steps 903-905 and the following step 906, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.
  • the robot controller controls the pool cleaning robot to move upward or downward based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • the bottom of the pool cleaning robot is provided with a walking unit, and the robot controller can control the pool cleaning robot to move and rotate on the pool wall of the pool by driving the walking unit.
  • the robot controller can control the pool cleaning robot to move to the water level line through the walking unit.
  • the pool cleaning robot also includes a driving unit, which is connected to the robot controller and the walking unit, and the driving unit is controlled by the robot control, and the driving unit can provide power to the walking unit so that the pool cleaning robot can move and rotate on the pool wall of the pool through the walking unit.
  • the walking unit is a universal wheel. During the movement of the pool cleaning robot, the pool cleaning robot is always located on the pool wall of the pool.
  • Whether the pool cleaning robot is controlled to move upward or downward depends on whether the pool cleaning robot is above the water level or below the water level. When the pool cleaning robot is above the water level, the pool cleaning robot is controlled to move downward; when the pool cleaning robot is below the water level, the pool cleaning robot is controlled to move upward.
  • the pool cleaning robot is powered by an external power supply, which can ensure that the pool cleaning robot can complete the task when cleaning a large area such as a pool.
  • the pool cleaning robot is powered by a built-in battery, thereby getting rid of the limitation of the connecting wire and being able to perform cleaning tasks in a larger range.
  • the pool cleaning robot is powered by a solar panel, thereby reducing the energy cost when using the pool cleaning robot for cleaning.
  • the embodiments of the present application do not limit the power supply method of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the pool cleaning robot also includes a gyroscope, which can determine its own direction.
  • the bottom of the pool cleaning robot is also equipped with a cleaning unit, through which the pool wall can be cleaned.
  • the cleaning unit includes a roller brush, and the pool wall can be cleaned by rotating the roller brush.
  • the cleaning unit does not include a roller brush
  • the pool cleaning machine uses an internal drive device and a filter device to filter and discharge the pool water to clean the pool wall.
  • the cleaning unit may also include a roller brush and a water spray port at the same time, which is not limited in the present embodiment.
  • the cleaning function of the pool cleaning robot can be started or not during the movement.
  • the cleaning function of the pool cleaning robot being started during the movement means that the pool cleaning robot can start the cleaning function during the movement, thereby cleaning the position on the pool wall where it passes.
  • the robot controller performs path planning based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line to obtain a target path.
  • the robot controller controls the pool cleaning robot to move upward or downward based on the target path.
  • the robot controller performs path planning based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line to obtain a target path.
  • the robot controller determines the direction of the pool cleaning robot through a gyroscope. Based on the direction of the pool cleaning robot, the robot controller sends a driving instruction to the driving unit of the pool cleaning robot, and the driving instruction is used to instruct the driving unit to drive the walking unit of the pool cleaning robot so that the pool cleaning robot moves upward along the pool wall according to the target path.
  • the driving unit of the pool cleaning robot controls the movement of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the robot controller controls the pool cleaning robot to avoid the obstacle and return to the target path.
  • the robot controller sets an obstacle avoidance route for the pool cleaning robot, for example, by using a simulated annealing algorithm, an artificial potential field method, a fuzzy logic algorithm, a taboo search algorithm, or the like.
  • the robot controller controls the pool cleaning robot to move along the obstacle avoidance route to avoid the obstacle.
  • the robot controller controls the pool cleaning robot to return to the target path and continue cleaning.
  • the robot controller determines that the pool cleaning robot moves to the water level line.
  • the robot controller will also obtain water level line information through the detection unit, so that the robot controller can control the pool cleaning robot.
  • the re-detected water level line information is also the water level line information detected during the movement of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the water level information meeting the target condition refers to any of the following:
  • the re-detected water level line information indicates that the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line is less than or equal to the first distance threshold.
  • the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line is less than or equal to the first distance threshold, which means that the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line is small enough, and the pool cleaning robot moves to the water level line.
  • the first distance threshold is set by a technician according to actual conditions, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.
  • the re-detected water level line information indicates that the pressure around the pool cleaning robot is less than or equal to the pressure threshold. Since the pressure around the pool cleaning robot will continue to decrease as the pool cleaning robot moves upward, the pressure around the pool cleaning robot is less than or equal to the pressure threshold, indicating that the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line is small enough, and the pool cleaning robot moves to the water level line.
  • the pressure threshold is set by a technician according to actual conditions, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.
  • the re-detected water level information indicates that the pressure fluctuation range around the pool cleaning robot is within the target fluctuation range. Since the pressure around the pool cleaning robot will continue to decrease as the pool cleaning robot moves upward, after the pool cleaning robot reaches the water level, the pressure on the pool cleaning robot when it moves upward will change from water pressure to air pressure, and the pressure change is small. Therefore, the pressure fluctuation range can be used to determine that the pool cleaning robot has reached the water level.
  • the re-detected water level line information indicates that the signal strength of the received target signal is greater than or equal to the signal strength threshold, and the signal strength of the target signal is negatively correlated with the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool. Among them, since the signal strength of the target signal will continue to increase as the pool cleaning robot moves upward, the signal strength of the target signal is greater than or equal to the signal strength threshold, indicating that the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line is small enough, and the pool cleaning robot moves to the water level line.
  • the signal strength threshold is set by the technician according to the actual situation, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.
  • the robot controller controls the pool cleaning robot to stop moving.
  • the robot controller sends a stop instruction to the driving unit of the pool cleaning robot, where the stop instruction is used to instruct the driving unit to stop driving the pool cleaning robot, thereby controlling the pool cleaning robot to stop moving.
  • the stationary position of the pool cleaning robot is on the water level line, so the pool cleaning robot can be subsequently controlled with the water level line as the starting point, for example, controlling the pool cleaning robot to clean the pool wall along the water level line, etc.
  • the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.
  • the robot controller controls the pool cleaning robot to move to a target position above or below the water level based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level.
  • the target position is a position whose distance from the water level line is the target distance.
  • the target distance is set by technical personnel according to actual conditions, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.
  • the robot controller determines the pool cleaning robot is located at a certain distance from the water level line. The distance between the person and the target position. The robot controller controls the pool cleaning robot to move upward or downward based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the target position. The robot controller determines that the pool cleaning robot moves to the target position when the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the target position is less than or equal to a second distance threshold. The robot controller controls the pool cleaning robot to stop moving.
  • the second distance threshold may be the same as or different from the first distance threshold, and the second distance threshold is set by a technician according to actual conditions, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.
  • the water level line information is obtained through the detection unit of the pool cleaning robot, and the water level line information can indicate the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line of the pool. Based on the water level line information, the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line can be determined. Based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line, the pool cleaning robot can be controlled, that is, the pool cleaning robot can continue to be controlled with the water level line as a reference, thereby realizing the recognition of the water level line.
  • FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a water level detection device for a pool provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG10 , the present application provides a water level detection device for a pool, the detection device comprising:
  • a signal transmitting module 1001 is used to transmit a detection signal toward the opening of the auxiliary container;
  • the signal receiving module 1002 is used to receive the reflected signal after the detection signal reaches the water level line; wherein the water level line is the water level line of the pool or the water level line of the container;
  • the position determination module 1004 is used to determine the relative position between the pool water level detection device or the pool cleaning robot and the pool water level based on the time difference.
  • FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a control device of a pool cleaning robot provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • the present application provides a control device of a pool cleaning robot, the control device comprising:
  • a position detection module 1101 is used to determine the relative position between the pool cleaning robot and the pool water level line by using any of the pool water level line detection methods described in the above embodiments;
  • the device control module 1102 is used to control the pool cleaning robot to stop and/or change direction when the pool cleaning robot reaches the pool water level line; when the pool cleaning robot is below the pool water level line, control the pool cleaning robot to move toward the pool water level line.
  • FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device for acquiring water level information provided in an embodiment of the present application.
  • the device includes: a water level information acquisition module 1201 , a distance determination module 1202 and a control module 1203 .
  • the water level information acquisition module 1201 is used to acquire water level information through a detection unit of a pool cleaning robot, which moves on the pool wall or bottom of the pool.
  • the water level information is used to indicate the relative position of the pool cleaning robot and the water level.
  • the distance determination module 1202 is used to determine the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level based on the water level information.
  • the control module 1203 is used to control the pool cleaning robot based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • the water level information acquisition module 1201 is used to perform any of the following:
  • the water level information is obtained through the distance sensor of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the water level information is obtained through the liquid depth sensor of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the water level line information is obtained through a signal receiving sensor of the pool cleaning robot.
  • the water level line information acquisition module 1201 is used to send a detection signal to the top or bottom of the pool cleaning robot through the distance sensor. Receive a reflection signal corresponding to the detection signal, which is the part of the detection signal that is reflected after contacting the water level line. Based on the detection signal and the reflection signal, determine the water level line information, and the water level line information includes any one of the propagation speed of the detection signal in water, and the time difference between sending the detection signal and receiving the reflection signal, the phase difference between the detection signal and the reflection signal, and the angle difference between the detection signal and the reflection signal.
  • the distance determination module 1202 is used to determine the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on any one of the time difference between sending the detection signal and receiving the reflected signal, the phase difference between the detection signal and the reflected signal, and the angle difference between the detection signal and the reflected signal, and the propagation speed of the detection signal in the water.
  • the water level information acquisition module 1201 is used to collect an image above or below the pool cleaning robot through the distance sensor, perform image recognition on the image, and obtain the water level information, which includes the position of the water level in the image.
  • the distance determination module 1202 is used to perform coordinate transformation on the position of the water level line in the image by using the pinhole imaging principle to determine the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • the water level information acquisition module 1201 is used to collect the pressure around the pool cleaning robot through the liquid depth sensor. Based on the pressure around the pool cleaning robot, the water level information is determined, and the water level information includes the pressure of the pool cleaning robot. Depth in the pool.
  • the distance determination module 1202 is used to determine the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool.
  • the water level line information acquisition module 1201 is used to receive a target signal through the signal receiving sensor, and the signal strength of the target signal is negatively correlated with the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool. Based on the target signal, the water level line information is determined, and the water level line information includes the signal strength of the target signal.
  • the distance determination module 1202 is used to determine the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line based on the signal strength of the target signal.
  • control module 1203 is configured to perform any of the following:
  • the pool cleaning robot is controlled to move to the water level line.
  • the pool cleaning robot Based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line, the pool cleaning robot is controlled to move to a target position above or below the water level line.
  • control module 1203 is used to control the pool cleaning robot to move upward or downward based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line.
  • the water level information re-detected by the detection unit meets the target condition, which means any of the following:
  • the re-detected water level line information indicates that the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line is less than or equal to a first distance threshold.
  • the re-detected water level line information indicates that the pressure around the pool cleaning robot is less than or equal to the pressure threshold.
  • the re-detected water level line information indicates that the signal strength of the received target signal is greater than or equal to a signal strength threshold, and the signal strength of the target signal is negatively correlated with the depth of the pool cleaning robot in the pool.
  • control module 1203 is used to determine the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the target position based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line. Based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the target position, control the pool cleaning robot to move upward or downward. When the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the target position is less than or equal to a second distance threshold, determine that the pool cleaning robot moves to the target position. Control the pool cleaning robot to stop moving.
  • the device for obtaining water level information provided in the above embodiment only uses the division of the above functional modules as an example to illustrate when obtaining water level information.
  • the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the robot controller is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.
  • the device for obtaining water level information provided in the above embodiment and the method for obtaining water level information are of the same concept. The specific implementation process is detailed in the method embodiment and will not be repeated here.
  • the water level line information is obtained through the detection unit of the pool cleaning robot, and the water level line information can indicate the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line of the pool. Based on the water level line information, the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line can be determined. Based on the distance between the pool cleaning robot and the water level line, the pool cleaning robot can be controlled, that is, the pool cleaning robot can continue to be controlled with the water level line as a reference, thereby realizing the recognition of the water level line.
  • the present application also provides a pool cleaning robot, which includes a robot controller.
  • FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a robot controller provided by the present application.
  • the robot controller 1300 includes: one or more processors 1301 and one or more memories 1302 .
  • the processor 1301 may include one or more processing cores, such as a 4-core processor, an 8-core processor, etc.
  • the processor 1301 may be implemented in at least one hardware form of DSP (Digital Signal Processing), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and PLA (Programmable Logic Array).
  • the processor 1301 may also include a main processor and a coprocessor.
  • the main processor is a processor for processing data in the awake state, also known as a CPU (Central Processing Unit); the coprocessor is a low-power processor for processing data in the standby state.
  • the processor 1301 may be integrated with a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), which is responsible for rendering and drawing the content to be displayed on the display screen.
  • the processor 1301 may also include an AI (Artificial Intelligence) processor, which is used to process computing operations related to machine learning.
  • AI Artificial Intelligence
  • the memory 1302 may include one or more computer-readable storage media, which may be non-transitory.
  • the memory 1302 may also include a high-speed random access memory, and a non-volatile memory, such as one or more disk storage devices, flash memory storage devices.
  • the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in the memory 1302 is used to store at least one computer program, which is used to be executed by the processor 1301 to implement the pool water level detection method or the water level information acquisition method provided in the method embodiment of the present application.
  • the robot controller 1300 may further include: a peripheral device interface 1303 and at least one peripheral device. Each peripheral device may be connected to the peripheral device interface 1303 via a bus, a signal line or a circuit board.
  • FIG. 13 does not constitute a limitation on the robot controller 1300 , and may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or adopt a different component arrangement.
  • a computer-readable storage medium such as a memory including a computer program, and the computer program can be executed by a processor to complete the pool water level detection method or the method for obtaining water level information in the above embodiment.
  • the computer-readable storage medium can be a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a compact disc (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, etc.
  • a computer program product or a computer program is also provided, which includes a program code, and the program code is stored in a computer-readable storage medium.
  • the processor of the robot controller reads the program code from the computer-readable storage medium, and the processor executes the program code, so that the robot controller executes the above-mentioned pool water level line detection method or water level line information acquisition method.
  • the computer program involved in the embodiments of the present application may be deployed and executed on a robot controller, or on multiple robot controllers located at one location, or on multiple robot controllers distributed at multiple locations and interconnected by a communication network. Multiple robot controllers distributed at multiple locations and interconnected by a communication network may form a blockchain system.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

本申请公开了一种水位线信息的获取方法,方法包括:通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,所述水池清洁机器人在水池的池壁上或池底进行移动,所述水位线信息用于表示所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线的相对位置;基于所述水位线信息,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离;基于所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离,控制所述水池清洁机器人。

Description

水池水位线检测装置以及水位线信息的获取方法
本申请要求于2023年01月9日提交的申请号为2023100260065、发明名称为“水位线信息的获取方法、装置以及泳池清洁机器人”的中国专利申请,以及2023年03月17日提交的申请号为2023102645467、发明名称为“水池水位线检测装置、水池清洁设备、检测方法及控制方法”的中国专利申请的优先权,它们的全部内容通过引用结合在本申请中。
技术领域
本申请涉及机器人技术领域,特别涉及一种水池水位线检测装置、水池清洁机器人、水位线信息的获取方法以及水位线信息的获取装置。
背景技术
随着计算机技术的发展,机器人技术也随之快速发展,比如,用户使用扫地机器人来进行房屋地面的清洁,使用擦窗机器人来进行房屋窗户的清洁,使用水池清洁机器人来进行水池的清洁等。
使用水池清洁机器人对水池的池壁进行清洁时,水池的水位线是重要的参考位置,如何识别水位线是研究的热点。
发明内容
本申请实施例提供了一种水池水位线检测装置、水池清洁机器人、水位线信息的获取方法以及水位线信息的获取装置,技术方案如下:
一方面,提供了一种水池水位线检测装置,包括:
辅助容器(21),所述辅助容器(21)设有开口;
检测单元(22),所述检测单元(22)位于所述开口的一侧;所述检测单元(22)用于向所述开口发射朝向所述辅助容器(21)外侧的探测信号,以确定所述水位线检测装置与水池水位线之间的相对位置。
一方面,提供了一种水池清洁机器人,包括:
壳体(1),
如权利要求1至4任一所述的水池水位线检测装置(2),所述水池水位线检测装置(2)安装在壳体(1)上;所述水池水位线检测装置(2)的辅助容器(21)开口的朝向与所述水池清洁机器人的行进方向一致。
一方面,提供了一种水位线信息的获取方法,包括:
通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,所述水池清洁机器人在水池的池壁上或池底进行移动,所述水位线信息用于表示所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线的相对位置;
基于所述水位线信息,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离;
基于所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离,控制所述水池清洁机器人。
一方面,提供了一种水位线信息的获取装置,包括:
水位线信息获取模块,用于通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,所述水池清洁机器人在水池的池壁上或池底进行移动,所述水位线信息用于表示所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线的相对位置;
距离确定模块,用于基于所述水位线信息,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离;
控制模块,用于基于所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离,控制所述水池清洁机器人。
一方面,提供了一种计算机可读存储介质,所述计算机可读存储介质中存储有至少一条计算机程序,所述计算机程序由处理器加载并执行下述步骤:
通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,所述水池清洁机器人在水池的池壁上或池底进行移动,所述水位线信息用于表示所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线的相对位置;
基于所述水位线信息,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离;
基于所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离,控制所述水池清洁机器人。
一方面,提供了一种计算机程序产品或计算机程序,该计算机程序产品或计算机程序包括程序代码,该程序代码存储在计算机可读存储介质中,机器人控制器的处理器从计算机可读存储介质读取该程序代码,处理器执行该程序代码,使得该机器人控制器执行下述步骤:
通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,所述水池清洁机器人在水池的池壁上或池底进行移动,所述水位线信息用于表示所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线的相对位置;
基于所述水位线信息,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离;
基于所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离,控制所述水池清洁机器人。
附图说明
为了更清楚地说明本申请实施例中的技术方案,下面将对实施例描述中所需要使用的附图作简单的介绍,显而易见地,下面描述中的附图仅仅是本申请的一些实施例,对于本领域普通技术人员来讲,在不付出创造性劳动的前提下,还可以根据这些附图获得其他的附图。
图1为本申请实施例提供的水池清洁机器人的结构示意图;
图2为图1水池清洁机器人中水位线检测装置的俯视图;
图3为图2水位线检测装置中沿A-A线的剖视图;
图4为本申请实施例提供的一种水池水位线检测方法的流程图;
图5为本申请实施例提供的另一种水池水位线检测方法的流程图;
图6为本申请实施例提供的一种水池清洁机器人的控制方法的流程图;
图7是本申请实施例提供的一种水池池壁上的水池清洁机器人的示意图;
图8是本申请实施例提供的一种水位线信息的获取方法的流程图;
图9是本申请实施例提供的另一种水位线信息的获取方法的流程图;
图10为本申请实施例提供的一种水池水位线检测装置的结构示意图;
图11为本申请实施例提供的一种水池清洁机器人的控制装置结构示意图;
图12是本申请实施例提供的一种水位线信息的获取装置的结构示意图;
图13是本申请实施例提供的一种机器人控制器的结构示意图。
图中附图标记的说明如下:
1—壳体;111—背部;112—腹部;121—机头端;122—机尾端;13—滚筒;
2—水池水位线检测装置;21—辅助容器;22—检测单元。
具体实施方式
为使本申请的目的、技术方案和优点更加清楚,下面将结合附图对本申请实施方式做进一步的详细描述。
本申请中术语“第一”“第二”等字样用于对作用和功能基本相同的相同项或相似项进行区分,应理解,“第一”、“第二”、“第n”之间不具有逻辑或时序上的依赖关系,也不对数量和执行顺序进行限定。
路径规划:路径规划是运动规划的主要研究内容之一。运动规划由路径规划和轨迹规划组成,连接起点位置和终点位置的序列点或曲线称之为路径,构成路径的策略称之为路径规划。在本申请实施例中,对水池清洁机器人进行的路径规划也即是对水池清洁机器人的清洁路径进行规划。
水池清洁机器人:用于清洁水池的机器人,其中,清洁水池包括清洁水池的底部以及清洁水池的池壁。
在相关技术中,当对泳池、浴池、鱼池等水池水面附近区域的池壁即水池水位线进行清洁时,需要水池清洁机器人在水池水位线附近运动,以实现对不同位置的清洁。因此,如何识别水池水位线,是当前亟需解决的问题。
请参见图1至图3,图1为本申请实施例提供的水池清洁机器人的结构示意图;图2为1水池清洁机器人中水位线检测装置的俯视图;图3为图2水位线检测装置中沿A-A线的剖视图。首先,本申请的第一方面提出了一种水池水位线检测装置2,该水池水位线检测装置2包括辅助容器21和检测单元22。
辅助容器21设有开口。
检测单元22位于开口的一侧;检测单元22用于向开口发射朝向辅助容器21外侧的探测信号,以确定水位线检测装置与水池水位线之间的相对位置。
其中,水池水面的水位线为水池水位线;辅助容器21用于盛装水,辅助容器21水面的水位线为容器水位线。辅助容器21开口即容器水位线所在平面的下方设置检测单元22,检测单元22可以向辅助容器21的开口发射朝向辅助容器21外侧的探测信号。
当水池水位线检测装置2位于水池水位线下时,辅助容器21不起作用,检测单元22始终检测的是水池水位线;当水池水位线检测装置2位于水池水位线上,即辅助容器21露出水面后,检测单元22检测的不再是水池水位线,而是容器水位线。
由于水池水位线检测装置2与水池水位线之间相对位置的不同,检测单元22检测到的水池水位线或容器水位线反射的反射信号与探测信号的时间差相应发生改变。因此,本方案通过设置检测单元22和辅助容器21,基于检测单元22检测到的水池水位线或容器水位线反射的反射信号,可以确定水池水位线检测装置2与水池水位线之间相对位置,从而识别水池水位线。
为了本申请技术方案的布局结构条理清晰,关于具体如何基于检测单元22检测到的水池水位线或容器水位线反射的反射信号,确定水池水位线检测装置2与水池水位线之间相对位置,详见下文水池水位线检测方法。
在本申请的一些实施例中,检测单元22设置在辅助容器21的底部背向开口的一侧;
辅助容器21的底部形成有透射部,以透过检测单元22产生的探测信号。
需要说明的是,为了实现对容器水位线的检测,检测单元22需位于开口的下侧。检测单元22设置在辅助容器21的底部背向开口的一侧,即设置在辅助容器21的底部远离开口的一侧。其中,对于具有底部的辅助容器21,可以将检测单元22设置在辅助容器21底部的下侧。而辅助容器21的底部的透射部可以采用探测信号能够穿透的厚度和材料,其中,透射部的厚度可以根据不同探测信号而确定,透射部的材料可以采用透明或半透明材料,例如可以采用聚碳酸酯(PC,Polycarbonate)等。
在上述技术方案中,将检测单元22设置在辅助容器21的底部远离开口的一侧,即将检测单元22设置在辅助容器21底部的下侧,使辅助容器21的底部位于检测单元22和辅助容器21的开口之间,通过在辅助容器21的底部设置透射部,可以保证探测信号的透射。
在本申请的一些实施例中,辅助容器21的底部设有安装孔。
检测单元22设置在辅助容器21的底部朝向开口的一侧;检测单元22设置在安装孔内或者通过安装孔设置在辅助容器21的容纳腔。
可以理解的是,安装孔可以采用盲孔,也可以采用通孔。如果安装孔采用通孔,可以在通孔处设置密封圈等密封装置,从而防止水池水位线检测装置2位于水池水位线上时,辅助容器21发生泄漏,引起容器水位线变化。
需要说明的是,为了实现对容器水位线的检测,除了上述实施例中将检测单元22设置在辅助容器21底部的下侧,本申请实施例还可以通过安装孔将检测单元22设置在辅助容器21的底部或者容纳腔;具体地,一种可能的实现方式是,将检测单元22直接设置在辅助容器21底部的安装孔;另一种可能的实现方式是,利用该安装孔将检测单元22与辅助容器21的底部相连,使检测单元22位于辅助容器21的容纳腔。这两种情况下安装孔及容纳腔的体积均较小,需采用微小形状的检测单元22。
本申请实施例的方案,避免了检测单元22和开口之间的底部实体结构的影响,可以进一步提高识别水池水位线的精度和可靠性。
在本申请的一些实施例中,检测单元22包括红外线传感器、激光传感器、超声波传感器中的至少一个;
其中,超声波传感器的发射端和接收端与开口之间的距离大于等于3cm。
本申请实施例中,检测单元22可以采用多种传感器来实现水池水位线的识别。具体而言,检测单元22可以采用红外线传感器或激光传感器或超声波传感器。其中,红外线传感器和激光传感器发射的探测信号分别为红外线和激光,均为电磁波。超声波传感器发射的探测信号为超声波,超声波是一种波长极短的机械波。因为超声波的波长短,在空气中则极易损耗、散射,为了避免超声传感器的检测盲区,将超声波传感器的发射端和接收端与开口之间的距离设置为大于等于3cm。
其次,请参见图1,本申请的第二方面还提出了一种水池清洁机器人,该水池清洁机器人包括壳体1和上述第一方面实施中任一所述的水池水位线检测装置2,
水池水位线检测装置2安装在壳体1上;水池水位线检测装置2的辅助容器21开口的朝向与水池清洁机器人的行进方向一致。在一些实施例中,该水池清洁机器人也被称为水池清洁设备。
下面,首先对本申请水池清洁机器人的工作原理进行举例简要介绍。参见图1,壳体1内设有流道,流道上设有水泵和过滤网,流道的进水口位于壳体1的腹部112,出水口位于壳体1的背部111。在水泵作用下,水流持续自进水口进入水道,然后经过过滤网过滤后从出水口流出,进水口和出水口的压差使得水池清洁机器人获得被压紧在池壁的压力。壳体1还设有电机、主动轮、从动轮、传动机构和滚筒13,电机驱动主动轮转动,主动轮通过传动机构带动从动轮和滚筒13转动,从而驱动水池清洁机器人行走。滚筒13对池壁表面的异物进行扰动及清扫,能够使污水在进水口的负压作用下进入进水口。进入进水口的污水经过滤网过滤后从出水口排出。过滤网靠近进水口一侧的上游形成污物入口,被过滤网拦截的污物进入污 物入口后便被收集起来。
本申请实施例的方案,在壳体1上设置具有开口的辅助容器21,开口的朝向与壳体1的行进方向一致;例如当开口位于壳体1的机头端121时,开口的朝向与壳体1的正向行进方向一致;当开口位于壳体1的机尾端122时,开口的朝向与壳体1的反向行进方向一致。
由于水池水位线检测装置2安装在水池清洁机器人的壳体1上,因此,与水池水位线检测装置2类似,当水池清洁机器人位于水池水位线下时,辅助容器21也不起作用,检测单元22始终检测的是水池水位线;当水池清洁机器人位于水池水位线上,即壳体1上的辅助容器21露出水面后,检测单元22检测的不再是水池水位线,而是容器水位线。
由于水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间相对位置的不同,检测单元22检测到的水池水位线或容器水位线反射的反射信号与探测信号的时间差相应发生改变。因此,本方案通过设置水池清洁机器人壳体1上的检测单元22以及开口朝向与水池清洁机器人的行进方向一致的辅助容器21,基于检测单元22检测到的水池水位线或容器水位线反射的反射信号,可以确定水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间相对位置,识别水池水位线。
与上述实施例中的水池水位线检测装置2类似,为了本申请技术方案的布局结构条理清晰,关于具体如何基于水池清洁机器人壳体1上的检测单元22检测到的水池水位线或容器水位线反射的反射信号,确定水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间相对位置,详见下文水池水位线检测方法。
在本申请的一些实施例中,水池水位线检测装置2的辅助容器21与壳体1一体成型。
本申请实施例的方案,可以采用冲压、注塑等加工工艺将水池清洁机器人的壳体1与辅助容器21一体成型。这样,一方面可以简化水池清洁机器人的壳体1与辅助容器21的制造、加工及装配工艺,另一方面也可以保证水池清洁机器人的壳体1与辅助容器21的密封性,避免在水池清洁机器人的壳体1与辅助容器21之间设置额外的密封结构。
在本申请的一些实施例中,水池水位线检测装置2包括第一水池水位线检测装置和/或第二水池水位线检测装置;第一水池水位线检测装置位于靠近壳体1的机头端121处;第二水池水位线检测装置位于靠近壳体1的机尾端122处。
本申请实施例中,可以仅在壳体1的背部111靠近机头端121的位置设置第一水池水位线检测装置,参见图1;也可以仅在壳体1的背部111靠近机尾端122的位置设置第二水池水位线检测装置。考虑到使水池清洁机器人的两端均可识别水池水位线,本申请还可以同时在壳体1靠近机头端121的位置以及壳体1靠近机尾端122的位置分别设置第一水池水位线检测装置和第二水池水位线检测装置。
需要说明的是,一方面考虑水池清洁机器人的结构限制,另一方面还考虑到水池清洁机器人在对水池水面线进行清理时,需要一部分壳体1露出水面,本申请实施例中将水池水位线检测装置2设置在靠近壳体1的机头端121或机尾端122处,而不是直接设置在机头端121或机尾端122。当然,在一些可能的实施方式中,如不考虑水池清洁机器人的结构限制,在将水池水位线检测装置2设置在壳体1的机头端121或机尾端122时,可以通过延迟控制水池清洁机器人的运动而获得水池水面线的良好清洁效果。
本申请实施例中,通过设置多个水池水位线检测装置2,可以使水池清洁机器人在前进方向或者后退方向均实现水池水位线的检测。
在本申请的一些实施例中,第一水池水位线检测装置和/或第二水池水位线检测装置设置在壳体1的背部111;
水池水位线检测装置2包括设置在壳体1的腹部112的第三水池水位线检测装置;第三水池水位线检测装置位于靠近壳体1的机头端121或机尾端122处。
为了提高水池清洁机器人的工作可靠性,结合水池清洁机器人的具体结构,当壳体1的腹部112靠近壳体1的机头端121处设有滚筒13时,参见图1,本申请实施例中还可以在壳体1的腹部112靠近机尾端122的位置设置第三水池水位线检测装置。当然,如果滚筒13设置在壳体1的腹部112靠近壳体1的机尾端122处而不是机头端121处,也可以将第三水池水位线检测装置设置在壳体1的腹部112靠近机头端121的位置。
在上述实施例中,通过设置第三水池水位线检测装置,可以使第三水池水位线检测装置与第二水池水位线检测装置一用一备,有效提高设备冗余度。
图4为本申请实施例所提供的一种水池水位线检测方法的流程图。参见图4,本申请提出了一种水池水位线检测方法,应用于上述实施例中任一所述的水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人,该方法包括如下步骤:
401、朝向辅助容器的开口发射探测信号。
不论检测单元22具体采用哪种类型的传感器,其均具有发射端和接收端。由上述水池水位线检测装置2和水池清洁机器人的实施例可知,检测单元22位于辅助容器21的开口即容器水位线的下方,因此, 检测单元22的发射端可以对准辅助容器21的开口发射探测信号。其中,探测信号可以按照一定规律进行发射,一种可能的实现方式中,可以间隔预设时间段周期性地发射探测信号,持续检测水池水位线;另一种可能的实现方式中,也可以在满足一定条件下发射探测信号,例如在确定水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人位于水池水位线下,间隔预设时间段周期性地发射探测信号,这样可以在降低功耗的同时持续检测水池水位线。
根据检测单元22的具体类型不同,可以发射不同种类的探测信号;例如当检测单元22采用红外线传感器或激光传感器等传感器时,可以发射红外线、激光等电磁波探测信号,当采用超声波传感器时,可以发射超声等机械波探测信号。
402、接收探测信号到达水位线后反射的反射信号。
其中,水位线为水池水位线或容器水位线。
当发射端发射的探测信号经反射返回后即被接收端接收。需要说明的是,针对水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人与水池水位线的不同位置关系,反射信号由不同的水位线反射而返回。
具体而言,当水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人位于水池水位线下时,探测信号经过辅助容器21内的水之后继续向上传播,直至到达水池水面线后才部分反射成为反射信号而被检测单元22的接收端接收。
当水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人位于水池水位线上时,此时辅助容器21露出水面,探测信号仅经过辅助容器21内的水,并在到达水槽水面线后部分反射成为反射信号而被检测单元22的接收端接收。
403、确定接收反射信号与发射探测信号之间的时间差。
分别记录发射探测信号的时间以及接收反射信号的时间,计算出接收反射信号与发射探测信号之间的时间差。
404、基于该时间差,确定水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间的相对位置。
上述技术方案中,由于水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间相对位置的不同,检测单元22检测到的水池水位线或容器水位线反射的反射信号与探测信号的时间差相应发生改变,因此,可以根据接收反射信号与发射探测信号之间的时间差,确定水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间的相对位置。
在一些实施例中,可以通过时间差、探测信号在水中的传播速度、水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人的实时运动速度等确定出水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人与水池水面线之间的距离,然后根据该距离确定水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间的相对位置。例如,通过该时间差乘以探测信号在水中的传播速度,可以确定探测信号的行走路径;通过该时间差乘以水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人的行进速度,可以确定水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人的行走路径。将探测信号的行走路径与水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人的行走路径之和除以2,即可得到检测单元22、水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人到水池水位线之间的距离。根据该距离便可以确定水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间的相对位置。在另一种可能的实现方式中,也可以直接通过时间差,确定水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间的相对位置;关于该种实现方式,下文将进行详细说明。
图5为本申请实施例所提供的另一种水池水位线检测方法的流程图。参见图5,本申请还提供一种水池水位线检测方法,以执行主体为机器人控制器为例,该方法包括如下步骤:
501、朝向辅助容器的开口发射探测信号。
502、接收探测信号到达水位线后反射的反射信号。
其中,水位线为水池水位线或容器水位线。
503、确定接收反射信号与发射探测信号之间的时间差。
本申请实施例中步骤501、502和503与上述实施例中401、402和403属于同一发明构思,在此不进行赘述。
504、若该时间差等于或小于预设时间差,则水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人到达水池水位线的位置。
当水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人部分露出水面,即辅助容器21位于水池水位线上时,检测单元22发射的探测信号达到容器水位线后返回,而辅助容器21与检测单元22之间的相对位置固定,即容器水位线与检测单元22之间的相对位置亦固定(忽略水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人出水后容器水位线的晃动),接收反射信号与发射探测信号之间的时间差为一固定时间差值,因此,基于该时间差即可知水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人露出水面,即水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器 人到达水池水位线的位置。
可以理解的是,由于水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人的运动不平稳等导致的容器水位线的晃动以及检测误差,上述固定时间差值可能在一定范围内波动,因此,本申请实施例中预设时间差可以为包括该固定时间差值的区间数值,例如,若该固定时间差为2,则该预设时间差为区间[1,3]中的任一数,即当时间差为[1,3]中的任一数时,则水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人到达水池水位线的位置。考虑到水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人出水后可能发生剧烈晃动,洒落辅助容器中的水,导致容器水位线降低,因此,在这种特殊情况下若该时间差小于预设时间差,也可以认为水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人到达水池水位线的位置。
此外,由于辅助容器21位于水池水位线上时,容器水位线与检测单元22之间的相对位置始终固定,如果确定的时间差过于异常,可以通过发射多次探测信号进行验证,从而保证水池水位线检测的可靠性。
505、若该时间差大于预设时间差,则水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人处于水池水位线下方的位置。
当水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人全部潜入水中,即辅助容器21位于水池水位线下时,检测单元22发射的探测信号达到水池水位线后返回,此时,水池水位线至检测单元22之间的距离大于容器水位线与检测单元22之间的距离,并且会随水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人靠近或者远离水池水位线而变大或变小。因此,基于该时间差即可知水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人潜入水面。换言之,当时间差大于预设时间差时,则水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人处于水池水位线下方的位置。
需要说明的是,基于时间差,确定水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间的相对位置的方式还有多种。在另一种可能的实现方式中,由于水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人部分露出水面后,容器水位线与检测单元22之间的相对位置固定,因此可以连续发射多次探测信号,通过连续多次确定的时间差,判断水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人的位置。
具体而言,如果目标时间差小于等于在目标时间差之后预定时间段内确定的多个时间差,则确定水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人到达水池水位线的位置或者处于水池水位线下方的位置。其中,目标时间差为连续多次确定的时间差中最小的时间差。
其中,发射多次探测信号的时间间隔以及预定时间段的长度可以采用经验值或者通过多次试验确定。
本方案中以连续确定的多个时间差中数值最小的目标时间为基准,如果后续较长时间确定的多个时间差均大于或等于该目标时间差,即目标时间差长时间未更新,那么当水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人朝向水池水位线运动时,可以确定水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人已到达水池水位线的位置;当水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人背向水池水位线运动时,可以确定水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人处于水池水位线下方的位置。
上述技术方案中,利用接收反射信号与发射探测信号之间的时间差与水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间相对位置的对应关系,能够快速、准确地知道水池水位线检测装置2或水池清洁机器人是否到达水池水位线位置及是否处于水池水位线下方的位置。
图6为本申请实施例所提供的另一种水池清洁机器人的控制方法的流程图。参见图6,本申请还提供一种水池清洁机器人的控制方法,以执行主体为机器人控制器为例,该方法包括如下步骤:
601、朝向辅助容器的开口发射探测信号。
602、接收探测信号到达水位线后反射的反射信号。
其中,水位线为水池水位线或容器水位线。
603、确定接收反射信号与发射探测信号之间的时间差。
604、若该时间差等于或小于预设时间差,则水池清洁机器人到达水池水位线的位置。
其中,步骤601、602、603和604与上述实施例中501、502、503和504属于同一发明构思,在此不进行赘述。
605、当水池清洁机器人到达水池水位线位置时,控制水池清洁机器人停止和/或换向移动。
需要说明的是,当水池清洁机器人到达水池水位线的位置时,需要及时控制水池清洁机器人不再向上继续爬升,否则当水池清洁机器人露出水面一定高度之后,易使水池清洁机器人发生坠落。因为水池清洁机器人的水泵无法通过腹部112进水口抽水并使水自背部111排出,从而无法通过进水口和出水口的压差获得将水池清洁机器人压紧在池壁上的压力。其中,可以在满足倒计时结束等条件时,控制水池清洁机器人停止在水池水位线位置,方便水池清洁机器人的回收。关于控制水池清洁机器人换向移动,具体可以控制水池清洁机器人沿竖直向下方向、与竖直向下方向呈一定倾斜角度(例如10°、30°、45°等)的方向以及沿原移动方向的反方向等多种方向移动。
在水池清洁机器人到达水池水位线位置时,控制水池清洁机器人停止和/或换向移动,可以保证水池清洁机器人始终压紧在池壁上,实现水池水位线的清洁。
606、若该时间差大于预设时间差,则水池清洁机器人处于水池水位线下方的位置。
其中,步骤606与上述实施例中505属于同一发明构思,在此不进行赘述。
607、当水池清洁机器人处于水池水位线下方的位置时,控制水池清洁机器人朝向水池水位线移动。
可以理解的是,控制水池清洁机器人朝向水池水位线移动的方式有多种。在一些实施例中,为了提高清洁水池水位线的工作效率,当水池清洁机器人处于水池水位线下方的位置并且距离水池水位线距离较远时,可以控制水池清洁机器人朝向水池水位线加速移动;当水池清洁机器人移动到距离水池水位线距离较近时,可以控制水池清洁机器人朝向水池水位线减速或匀速移动。
在上述技术方案中,通过水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间的相对位置,可以非常方便地控制水池清洁机器人在水池水位线附近运动,有效实现水池水位线的清洁。
下面对本申请实施例提供的水位线信息的获取方法进行说明,本申请实施例提供的水位线信息的获取方法能够应用在控制水池清洁机器人清洁水池的池壁的场景下,参见图7,水池清洁机器人700具有爬壁功能,能够附着在水池的池壁701上。该水池清洁机器700人能够在机器人控制器的控制下在该水池的池壁701上进行移动。比如,该水池清洁机器人700能够在该水池的池壁701上沿池壁向上移动,也能够在该水池的池壁701上沿池壁向下移动,还能够在该水池的池壁701上沿池壁向左或者向右移动,还能够在该水池的池壁701上进行旋转等,本申请实施例对于该水池清洁机器人在该池壁701上的运动方式不作限定。在本申请实施例中,该水池清洁机器人700位于水池的水位线702的下方。
或者,该水池清洁机器人还可以位于水池的底部,从而对该水池的底部进行清洁,本申请实施例对于该水池清洁机器人的位置不作限定。
下面对本申请实施例提供的技术方案进行说明,图8是本申请实施例提供的一种水位线信息的获取方法的流程图,参见图8,以执行主体为机器人控制器为例,方法包括下述步骤。
801、机器人控制器通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,该水池清洁机器人在水池的池壁上或池底进行移动,该水位线信息用于表示该水池清洁机器人与该水位线的相对位置。
其中,以该水池清洁机器人在池壁上进行移动为例,该水池清洁机器人吸附在水池的池壁上,该水池清洁机器人能够在该水池的池壁上进行移动。该水池清洁机器人上安装有检测单元,该检测单元用于采集与该水池的水位线相关的信息。机器人控制器通过该检测单元能够获取水位线信息,该水位线信息能够反映该水池清洁机器人与该水位线的相对位置。该检测单元根据类型的不同可以安装在该水池清洁机器人的不同位置上,在此不再赘述。该水池清洁机器人位于该水池的水位线下方是指该水池清洁机器人处于该水池的液体内。
802、机器人控制器基于该水位线信息,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
其中,由于该水位线信息能够表示该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的相对位置,机器人控制器能够进一步根据该水位线信息来确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
803、机器人控制器基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,控制该水池清洁机器人。
其中,该水池清洁机器人的底部配置有行走单元,机器人控制器通过驱动该行走单元能够控制该水池清洁机器人在该水池的池壁上进行移动和旋转。在步骤803中,机器人控制器能够通过该行走单元来控制该水池清洁机器人。控制该水池清洁机器人包括控制该水池清洁机器人移动至水位线以及控制该水池清洁机器人移动至水位线上方或下方的目标位置。
在一些实施例中,该水池清洁机器人的底部还配置有清洁单元,通过该清洁单元能够实现对该水池的池壁进行清洁。在一些实施例中,该清洁单元包括滚刷,通过滚刷的转动能够实现对池壁的清洁。或者,在该清洁单元不包括滚刷的情况下,水池清洁机通过内部驱动装置和过滤装置,将池水过滤后排出来实现对池壁的清洁。当然,该清洁单元也可以同时包括滚刷和喷水口,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
另外,该水池清洁机器人的清洁功能在移动过程中既可以启动也可以不启动,该水池清洁机器人的清洁功能在移动过程中启动是指,该水池清洁机器人能够在移动的过程中启动清洁功能,从而实现对该池壁上经过的位置进行清洁。
通过本申请实施例提供的技术方案,通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,该水位线信息能够表示该水池清洁机器人与水池的水位线的远近。基于水位线信息,能够确定水池清洁机器人与水位线之间的距离。基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,能够控制该水池清洁机器人,也即是能够以水位线为参考继续控制该水池清洁机器人,实现对水位线的识别。
需要说明的是,上述步骤801-803是对本申请实施例提供的技术方案的简单介绍,下面将结合一些例子,对本申请实施例提供的技术方案进行较为详细的说明,参见图9,以执行主体为机器人控制器为例,方法包括下述步骤。
901、机器人控制器通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,该水池清洁机器人在水池的池壁上或池底进行移动,该水位线信息用于表示该水池清洁机器人与该水位线的相对位置。
其中,以该水池清洁机器人在池壁上进行移动为例,该水池清洁机器人吸附在水池的池壁上,该水池清洁机器人能够在该水池的池壁上进行移动。该水池清洁机器人上安装有检测单元,该检测单元用于采集与该水池的水位线相关的信息。机器人控制器通过该检测单元能够获取水位线信息,该水位线信息能够反映该水池清洁机器人与该水位线的相对位置,在一些实施例中,该检测单元也被称为水位线探测传感器。该检测单元根据类型的不同可以安装在该水池清洁机器人的不同位置上,在此不再赘述。该水池清洁机器人位于该水池的水位线下方是指该水池清洁机器人处于该水池的液体内。
下面分别以该检测单元为不同的传感器对上述实施方式进行说明,首先以该检测单元为距离传感器为例进行说明。
在一些实施例中,机器人控制器通过该水池清洁机器人的距离传感器获取该水位线信息。
其中,该距离传感器安装在该水池清洁机器人的前方或上方,其中,前方是指该水池清洁机器人前进方向的侧壁,上方是指该水池清洁机器人的顶部。当然,在其他可能的实施方式中,该距离传感器也可以安装在该水池清洁机器人的其他位置,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
在这种实施方式下,机器人通过该距离传感器能够直接获取该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,从而后续能够基于该距离来控制该水池清洁机器人,基于距离进行控制的效果更加直观,准确率较高。
顾名思义,该距离传感器用于测量距离,在本申请实施例中,也即是用于测量该水池清洁机器人与该水池的水位线之间的距离,该水池清洁机器人与该水池的水位线之间的距离也即是该水位线信息。该距离传感器包括两种类型,第一种类型是通过波在水中的传播速度和传播时间来确定距离的传感器,第二种类型是通过图像来确定距离的传感器,下面将分别以该距离传感器为这两种类型的传感器为例进行说明。
例1、机器人控制器通过该距离传感器向该水池清洁机器人的上方或下方发送探测信号,也即是朝向辅助容器的开口发射探测信号。机器人控制器接收该探测信号对应的反射信号,该反射信号是该探测信号接触到该水位线后进行反射的部分。机器人控制器基于该探测信号和该反射信号,确定该水位线信息,该水位线信息包括该探测信号在水中的传播速度,以及发送该探测信号到接收到该反射信号之间的时间差、该探测信号和该反射信号之间的相位差以及该探测信号和该反射信号之间的角度差中的任一项。
其中,该距离传感器为上述第一种类型的传感器,该距离传感器为光学距离传感器(红外传感器或激光传感器)、声学距离传感器以及雷达中的任一项,相应地,该探测信号为光波(红外光或激光)、声波(超声波)以及雷达信号中的至少一项。当然,在其他可能的实施方式中,该距离传感器也还可以为其他类型的TOF(Time of Flight,飞行时间)传感器,本申请实施例对此不作限定。该距离传感器向该水池清洁机器人的上方还是下方发送探测信号取决于该水池清洁机器人位于水位线上方还是水位线下方的,在该水池清洁机器人位于水位线下方的情况下,该距离传感器向该水池清洁机器人的上方发送探测信号;在该水池清洁机器人位于水位线上方的情况下,该距离传感器向该水池清洁机器人的下方发送探测信号。在一些实施例中,确定水池清洁机器人位于水位线上方还是水位线下方可以通过确定该水池清洁机器人是否位于水中来实现,在该水池清洁机器人位于水中的情况下,该水池清洁机器人位于水位线下方;在水池清洁机器人位于水外的情况下,该水池清洁机器人位于水位线上方。
在一些实施例中,以该水池清洁机器人位于水位线下方为例,机器人控制器调整该水池清洁机器人的朝向,以使得该水池清洁机器人上的距离传感器的信号发射方向变为沿池壁向上。机器人控制器向该距离传感器发送探测信号发送指令,该探测信号发送指令用于指示该距离传感器发送探测信号。或者,在该距离传感器的信号发射方向能够调整的情况下,机器人控制器也能够向该距离传感器发送方向调整指令,该方向调整指令用于指示该距离传感器将探测信号的发送方向调整为沿池壁向上。在该距离传感器将探测信号的发送方向调整为沿池壁向上的情况下,机器人控制器向该距离传感器发送探测信号发送指令,该探测信号发送指令用于指示该距离传感器发送探测信号。该距离传感器接收该探测信号发送指令,响应于该探测信号发送指令,该距离传感器发送探测信号。该距离传感器接收该探测信号对应的反射信号,该反射信号是该探测信号接触到该水位线后进行反射的部分,发射信号的产生原理是水位线是液体和气体的交界位置,探测信号达到水位线的情况下,一部分会发生折射,另一部分会发生反射,该反射信号也即是该发生反射的部分。机器人控制器基于该探测信号和该探测信号,确定该水位线信息,该水位线信息包括该探测信号在水中的传播速度,以及发送该探测信号到接收到该反射信号之间的时间差、该探测信号和该反射信号之间的相位差以及该探测信号和该反射信号之间的角度差中的任一项。
例2、机器人控制器通过该距离传感器采集该水池清洁机器人上方或下方的图像。机器人控制器对该 图像进行图像识别,得到该水位线信息,该水位线信息包括该图像中该水位线的位置。
其中,该距离传感器为上述第二种类型的传感器,该距离传感器为单目相机或者双目相机,本申请实施例对此不作限定。与上述例1同理,采集水池清洁机器人上方还是下方的图像取决于该水池清洁机器人位于水位线上方还是水位线下方。
在一些实施例中,以该水池清洁机器人位于水位线下方为例,机器人控制器调整该水池清洁机器人的朝向,以使得该水池清洁机器人上的距离传感器的图像采集方向变为沿池壁向上。机器人控制器向该距离传感器发送图像采集指令,该图像采集指令用于指示该距离传感器采集图像。或者,在该距离传感器的图像采集方向能够调整的情况下,机器人控制器也能够向该距离传感器发送方向调整指令,该方向调整指令用于指示该距离传感器将图像采集方向调整为沿池壁向上。在该距离传感器将图像采集方向调整为沿池壁向上的情况下,机器人控制器向该距离传感器发送图像采集指令,该图像采集指令用于指示该距离传感器采集图像。在该距离传感器为单目相机的情况下,机器人控制器利用小孔成像原理对该图像中该水位线的位置进行坐标转换,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。其中,利用小孔成像原理对该图像中该水位线的位置进行坐标转换的方法是将该水位线在图像中的像素坐标转化为相机坐标系下的相机坐标,再将相机坐标转换为世界坐标,该水位线的世界坐标能够表示该水位线的位置,该水位线的世界坐标也即是该水位线信息。上述坐标转换过程依赖于对该单目相机的标定,对该单目相机进行标定的过程可以由技术人员提前完成。在该距离传感器为双目相机的情况下,该距离传感器能够拍摄到水位线在同一时间的两幅图像,该两幅图像是在不同角度下拍摄的,机器人传感器基于该两幅图像和双目相机的两个摄像头之间的相对位置,能够确定该水位线的位置,也即是确定该水位线信息。
在以该检测单元为距离传感器为例进行说明之后,下面以该检测单元为液体深度传感器为例进行说明。
在一些实施例中,机器人控制器通过该水池清洁机器人的液体深度传感器获取该水位线信息。
其中,该液体深度传感器可以安装在该水池清洁机器人上的任一位置,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
在这种实施方式下,机器人控制器能够通过液体深度传感器来获取该水池清洁机器人在液体中的深度,得到的该水位线信息也就能够表示该水池清洁机器人在液体中的深度,后续能够基于该水池清洁机器人在液体中的深度来进行控制。
举例来说,机器人控制器通过该液体深度传感器采集该水池清洁机器人周围的压力。机器人控制器基于该水池清洁机器人周围的压力,确定该水位线信息,该水位线信息包括该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度。其中,该水池清洁机器人周围的压力既可以是水压,也可以是水压和大气压力之和,本申请实施例对此不作限定。该液体深度传感器采集该水池清洁机器人周围的压力的原理是,该液体深度传感器能够将受到的压力转化为电信号,通过电信号就能够反推受到的压力。通过压力来确定深度的原理是,物体在液体中受到的压强与在液体中的深度正相关,物体在液体中的深度越深,那么物体受到的压强也就越大,根据压强公式,p=ρgh,p为压强,ρ为液体的密度,g为重力加速度,h为深度。而压力与压强也存在关系f=ps,f为压强,p为压强,s为受力面积(液体深度传感器的面积,已知量),该通过测量压力能够反推深度。
在以该检测单元为液体深度传感器为例进行说明之后,下面以该检测单元为信号接收传感器为例进行说明。
在一些实施例中,机器人控制器通过该水池清洁机器人的信号接收传感器获取该水位线信息。
其中,该信号接收传感器用于接收特定频率的目标信号,该目标信号的频率由技术人员根据实际情况进行设置,本申请实施例对此不作限定。该信号接收传感器可以安装在该水池清洁机器人上的任一位置,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
举例来说,机器人控制器通过该信号接收传感器接收目标信号,该目标信号的信号强度与该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度负相关。机器人控制器基于该目标信号,确定该水位线信息,该水位线信息包括该目标信号的信号强度。其中,该目标信号的发送装置位于该水池的上方。该目标信号的信号强度与该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度负相关是指,该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度越深,该信号接收传感器接收到该目标信号的信号强度也就越弱;该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度越浅,该信号接收传感器接收到该目标信号的信号强度也就越强。通过该目标信号的强度能够反推该水池清洁机器人在液体中的深度。在一些实施例中,在该水池清洁机器人进入液体后,该目标信号的信号强度也可能变为零。
902、机器人控制器基于该水位线信息,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
其中,由于该水位线信息能够表示该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的相对位置,机器人控制器能够进一步根据该水位线信息来确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
在一些实施例中,在该检测单元为距离传感器的情况下,机器人控制器基于发送该探测信号到接收到该反射信号之间的时间差、该探测信号和该反射信号之间的相位差以及该探测信号和该反射信号之间的角度差中的任一项,以及该探测信号在水中的传播速度,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
下面通过三个例子对上述实施方式进行说明。
例1、在该检测单元为距离传感器的情况下,机器人控制器基于发送该探测信号到接收到该反射信号之间的时间差以及该探测信号在水中的传播速度,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
比如,在该检测单元为距离传感器的情况下,该距离传感器的探测信号发射装置和反射信号接收装置并排且相邻设置。机器人控制器将该时间差与该传播速度相乘后除以二,得到该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
例2、在该检测单元为距离传感器的情况下,机器人控制器基于该探测信号和该反射信号之间的相位差以及该探测信号在水中的传播速度,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
比如,在该检测单元为距离传感器的情况下,该距离传感器的探测信号发射装置和反射信号接收装置并排且相邻设置。机器人控制器基于该探测信号和该反射信号之间的相位差以及该探测信号的角频率,确定发送该探测信号到接收到该反射信号之间的时间差。机器人控制器将该时间差与该传播速度相乘后除以二,得到该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
例3、在该检测单元为距离传感器的情况下,机器人控制器基于该探测信号和该反射信号之间的角度差以及该探测信号在水中的传播速度,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
比如,在该检测单元为距离传感器的情况下,该距离传感器的探测信号发射装置和反射信号接收装置并排且间隔一定距离设置。该探测信号发射装置为激光雷达,该反射信号接收装置为摄像头,该激光雷达射出的激光与该水位线成一定的角度。该探测信号发射装置、该反射信号接收装置以及该水位线上的探测点组成一个三角形。机器人控制器基于三角测距原理,利用该角度差以及该探测信号在水中的传播速度,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
在一些实施例中,在该检测单元为液体深度传感器的情况下,机器人控制器基于该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
其中,该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度也即是该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
在一些实施例中,在该检测单元为信号接收传感器的情况下,机器人控制器基于该目标信号的信号强度,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
举例来说,在该检测单元为信号接收传感器的情况下,机器人控制器基于该目标信号的信号强度,确定该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度。机器人控制器基于该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
由于该目标信号的信号强度与该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度负相关,那么就能够基于该目标信号的信号强度来反推该水池清洁机器人的深度,进而确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
或者,在一些实施例中,该信号接收传感器在水下无法接收到该目标信号,在该信号接收传感器无法接收到该目标信号的情况下,确定该水池清洁机器人位于该水位线下方,后续能够控制该水池清洁机器人向上移动。在该水池清洁机器人达到该水位线的情况下,该信号接收传感器能够接收到该目标信号。
可选地,在步骤902之后,机器人控制器既能够执行下述步骤903-905,也能够执行下述步骤906,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
903、机器人控制器基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,控制该水池清洁机器人向上方或下方移动。
其中,该水池清洁机器人的底部配置有行走单元,机器人控制器通过驱动该行走单元能够控制该水池清洁机器人在该水池的池壁上进行移动和旋转。在步骤903中,机器人控制器能够通过该行走单元来控制该水池清洁机器人移动至该水位线。在一些实施例中,该水池清洁机器人还包括驱动单元,该驱动单元与该机器人控制器和该行走单元相连,该驱动单元由该机器人控制进行控制,该驱动单元能够为行走单元提供动力,以使得该水池清洁机器人能够通过行走单元在水池的池壁上进行移动和旋转。在一些实施例中,该行走单元为万向轮。在该水池清洁机器人移动的过程中,该水池清洁机器人始终位于该水池的池壁上。控制该水池清洁机器人向上方还是下方移动取决于该水池清洁机器人位于水位线上方还是水位线下方,在该水池清洁机器人位于水位线上方的情况下,也即是控制该水池清洁机器人向下方移动;在该水池清洁机器人位于水位线下方的情况下,也即是控制该水池清洁机器人向上方移动。
在一些实施例中,该水池清洁机器人由外接电源供电,这样可以保证该水池清洁机器人在清洁水池这种面积较大的场景时能够完成任务。或者,该水池清洁机器人由内置电池供电,从而摆脱连接线的限制,能够在更大的范围内执行清洁任务。或者,该水池清洁机器人通过太阳能电池板进行供电,从而降低使用该水池清洁机器人进行清洁时的能源成本,本申请实施例对于该水池清洁机器人的供电方式不作限定。在一些实施例中,该水池清洁机器人还包括陀螺仪,通过该陀螺仪能够确定自身的方向。
在一些实施例中,该水池清洁机器人的底部还配置有清洁单元,通过该清洁单元能够实现对该水池的池壁进行清洁。在一些实施例中,该清洁单元包括滚刷,通过滚刷的转动能够实现对池壁的清洁。或者, 在该清洁单元不包括滚刷的情况下,水池清洁机通过内部驱动装置和过滤装置,将池水过滤后排出来实现对池壁的清洁。当然,该清洁单元也可以同时包括滚刷和喷水口,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
另外,该水池清洁机器人的清洁功能在移动过程中既可以启动也可以不启动,该水池清洁机器人的清洁功能在移动过程中启动是指,该水池清洁机器人能够在移动的过程中启动清洁功能,从而实现对该池壁上经过的位置进行清洁。
在一些实施例中,机器人控制器基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离进行路径规划,得到目标路径。机器人控制器基于该目标路径,控制该水池清洁机器人向上方或下方移动。
举例来说,机器人控制器基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离进行路径规划,得到目标路径。机器人控制器通过陀螺仪确定该水池清洁机器人的方向。机器人控制器基于该水池清洁机器人的方向,向该水池清洁机器人的驱动单元发送驱动指令,该驱动指令用于指示该驱动单元驱动该水池清洁机器人的行走单元,以使得该水池清洁机器人按照该目标路径沿着该池壁向上移动。响应于该驱动指令,该水池清洁机器人的驱动单元控制该水池清洁机器人移动。
在一些实施例中,在该水池清洁机器人检测到障碍物的情况下,机器人控制器控制该水池清洁机器人避开该障碍物后回到目标路径上。
举例来说,在通过该水池清洁机器人的检测单元检测到移动方向的前方存在障碍物的情况下,机器人控制器为该水池清洁机器人设置避障路线,比如,通过模拟退火算法、人工势场法、模糊逻辑算法、禁忌搜索算法等算法来设置避障路线。机器人控制器控制该水池清洁机器人按照该避障路线进行移动,从而避开该障碍物。在避开该障碍物的情况下,机器人控制器控制该水池清洁机器人回到目标路径上继续进行清洁。
904、在通过该检测单元重新检测到的水位线信息符合目标条件的情况下,机器人控制器确定该水池清洁机器人移动至该水位线。
其中,在该水池清洁机器人移动的过程中,该机器人控制器还会通过该检测单元获取水位线信息,以便于机器人控制器控制该水池清洁机器人,该重新检测到的水位线信息也即是在该水池清洁机器人移动过程中检测到的水位线信息。
在一些实施例中,该水位线信息符合目标条件是指下述任一项:
该重新检测到的水位线信息指示该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离小于或等于第一距离阈值。其中,该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离小于或等于第一距离阈值表示该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离足够小,该水池清洁机器人移动至该水位线。该第一距离阈值由技术人员根据实际情况进行设置,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
该重新检测到的水位线信息指示该水池清洁机器人周围的压力小于或等于压力阈值。其中,由于该水池清洁机器人周围的压力随着该水池清洁机器人向上移动的过程中会不断减小,该水池清洁机器人周围的压力小于或等于压力阈值表示该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离足够小,该水池清洁机器人移动至该水位线。该压力阈值由技术人员根据实际情况进行设置,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
该重新检测到的水位线信息指示该水池清洁机器人周围的压力的波动范围处于目标波动范围内。其中,由于该水池清洁机器人周围的压力随着该水池清洁机器人向上移动的过程中会不断减小,在该水池清洁机器人达到水位线之后,该水池清洁机器人再向上移动受到的压力会由水压变成气压,压力的变化较小,因此通过压力的波动范围也就能够确定该水池清洁机器人到达水位线。
该重新检测到的水位线信息指示接收到的目标信号的信号强度大于或等于信号强度阈值,该目标信号的信号强度与该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度负相关。其中,由于该目标信号的信号强度随着水池清洁机器人向上移动的过程中会不断增大,该目标信号的信号强度大于或等于信号强度阈值表示该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离足够小,该水池清洁机器人移动至该水位线。该信号强度阈值由技术人员根据实际情况进行设置,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
905、机器人控制器控制该水池清洁机器人停止移动。
在一些实施例中,机器人控制器向该水池清洁机器人的驱动单元发送停止指令,该停止指令用于指示该驱动单元停止驱动该水池清洁机器人,从而控制该水池清洁机器人停止移动。
该水池清洁机器人静止的位置是在该水位线上,那么后续能够以该水位线为起点来控制该水池清洁机器人,比如控制该水池清洁机器人沿着水位线清洁池壁等,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
906、机器人控制器基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,控制该水池清洁机器人移动至该水位线上方或下方的目标位置。
其中,该目标位置为与该水位线之间的距离为目标距离的位置,该目标距离由技术人员根据实际情况进行设置,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
在一些实施例中,机器人控制器基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,确定该水池清洁机器 人与该目标位置之间的距离。机器人控制器基于该水池清洁机器人与该目标位置之间的距离,控制该水池清洁机器人向上方或下方移动。机器人控制器在该水池清洁机器人与该目标位置之间的距离小于或等于第二距离阈值的情况下,确定该水池清洁机器人移动至该目标位置。机器人控制器控制该水池清洁机器人停止移动。其中,该第二距离阈值与该第一距离阈值可以相同也可以不同,该第二距离阈值由技术人员根据实际情况进行设置,本申请实施例对此不作限定。
上述所有可选技术方案,可以采用任意结合形成本申请的可选实施例,在此不再一一赘述。
通过本申请实施例提供的技术方案,通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,该水位线信息能够表示该水池清洁机器人与水池的水位线的远近。基于水位线信息,能够确定水池清洁机器人与水位线之间的距离。基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,能够控制该水池清洁机器人,也即是能够以水位线为参考继续控制该水池清洁机器人,实现对水位线的识别。
图10为本申请实施例所提供的一种水池水位线检测装置的结构示意图。示例性的,如图10所示,本申请提供了一种水池水位线检测装置,该检测装置包括:
信号发射模块1001,用于朝向辅助容器的开口发射探测信号;
信号接收模块1002,用于接收探测信号到达水位线后反射的反射信号;其中,水位线为水池水位线或容器水位线;
时间差确定模块1003,用于确定接收反射信号与发射探测信号之间的时间差;
位置确定模块1004,用于基于该时间差,确定水池水位线检测装置或水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间的相对位置。
图11为本申请实施例所提供的一种水池清洁机器人的控制装置的结构示意图。示例性的,如图11所示,本申请提供了一种水池清洁机器人的控制装置,该控制装置包括:
位置检测模块1101,用于采用上述实施例中任一所述的水池水位线检测方法,确定水池清洁机器人与水池水位线之间的相对位置;
设备控制模块1102,用于当所述水池清洁机器人到达水池水位线位置时,控制所述水池清洁机器人停止和/或换向移动;当所述水池清洁机器人处于水池水位线下方的位置时,控制所述水池清洁机器人朝向水池水位线移动。
图12是本申请实施例提供的一种水位线信息的获取装置的结构示意图,参见图12,装置包括:水位线信息获取模块1201、距离确定模块1202以及控制模块1203。
水位线信息获取模块1201,用于通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,该水池清洁机器人在水池的池壁上或池底进行移动,该水位线信息用于表示该水池清洁机器人与该水位线的相对位置。
距离确定模块1202,用于基于该水位线信息,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
控制模块1203,用于基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,控制该水池清洁机器人。
在一些实施例中,该水位线信息获取模块1201,用于执行下述任一项:
通过该水池清洁机器人的距离传感器获取该水位线信息。
通过该水池清洁机器人的液体深度传感器获取该水位线信息。
通过该水池清洁机器人的信号接收传感器获取该水位线信息。
在一些实施例中,该水位线信息获取模块1201,用于通过该距离传感器向该水池清洁机器人的上方或下方发送探测信号。接收该探测信号对应的反射信号,该反射信号是该探测信号接触到该水位线后进行反射的部分。基于该探测信号和该反射信号,确定该水位线信息,该水位线信息包括该探测信号在水中的传播速度,以及发送该探测信号到接收到该反射信号之间的时间差、该探测信号和该反射信号之间的相位差以及该探测信号和该反射信号之间的角度差中的任一项。
在一些实施例中,该距离确定模块1202,用于基于发送该探测信号到接收到该反射信号之间的时间差、该探测信号和该反射信号之间的相位差以及该探测信号和该反射信号之间的角度差中的任一项,以及该探测信号在水中的传播速度,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
在一些实施例中,该水位线信息获取模块1201,用于通过该距离传感器采集该水池清洁机器人上方或下方的图像。对该图像进行图像识别,得到该水位线信息,该水位线信息包括该图像中该水位线的位置。
在一些实施例中,该距离确定模块1202,用于利用小孔成像原理对该图像中该水位线的位置进行坐标转换,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
在一些实施例中,该水位线信息获取模块1201,用于通过该液体深度传感器采集该水池清洁机器人周围的压力。基于该水池清洁机器人周围的压力,确定该水位线信息,该水位线信息包括该水池清洁机器人 在该水池中的深度。
在一些实施例中,该距离确定模块1202,用于基于该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
在一些实施例中,该水位线信息获取模块1201,用于通过该信号接收传感器接收目标信号,该目标信号的信号强度与该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度负相关。基于该目标信号,确定该水位线信息,该水位线信息包括该目标信号的信号强度。
在一些实施例中,该距离确定模块1202,用于基于该目标信号的信号强度,确定该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离。
在一些实施例中,该控制模块1203,用于执行下述任一项:
基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,控制该水池清洁机器人移动至该水位线。
基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,控制该水池清洁机器人移动至该水位线上方或下方的目标位置。
在一些实施例中,该控制模块1203,用于基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,控制该水池清洁机器人向上方或下方移动。
在通过该检测单元重新检测到的水位线信息符合目标条件的情况下,确定该水池清洁机器人移动至该水位线。
控制该水池清洁机器人停止移动。
在一些实施例中,该检测单元重新检测到的水位线信息符合目标条件是指下述任一项:
该重新检测到的水位线信息指示该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离小于或等于第一距离阈值。
该重新检测到的水位线信息指示该水池清洁机器人周围的压力小于或等于压力阈值。
该重新检测到的水位线信息指示接收到的目标信号的信号强度大于或等于信号强度阈值,该目标信号的信号强度与该水池清洁机器人在该水池中的深度负相关。
在一些实施例中,该控制模块1203,用于基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,确定该水池清洁机器人与该目标位置之间的距离。基于该水池清洁机器人与该目标位置之间的距离,控制该水池清洁机器人向上方或下方移动。在该水池清洁机器人与该目标位置之间的距离小于或等于第二距离阈值的情况下,确定该水池清洁机器人移动至该目标位置。控制该水池清洁机器人停止移动。
需要说明的是:上述实施例提供的水位线信息的获取装置在获取水位线信息时,仅以上述各功能模块的划分进行举例说明,实际应用中,可以根据需要而将上述功能分配由不同的功能模块完成,即将机器人控制器的内部结构划分成不同的功能模块,以完成以上描述的全部或者部分功能。另外,上述实施例提供的水位线信息的获取装置与水位线信息的获取方法实施例属于同一构思,其具体实现过程详见方法实施例,这里不再赘述。
通过本申请实施例提供的技术方案,通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,该水位线信息能够表示该水池清洁机器人与水池的水位线的远近。基于水位线信息,能够确定水池清洁机器人与水位线之间的距离。基于该水池清洁机器人与该水位线之间的距离,能够控制该水池清洁机器人,也即是能够以水位线为参考继续控制该水池清洁机器人,实现对水位线的识别。
本申请实施例还提供了一种水池清洁机器人,该水池清洁机器人包括机器人控制器,图13是本申请实施例提供的一种机器人控制器的结构示意图。该
通常,机器人控制器1300包括有:一个或多个处理器1301和一个或多个存储器1302。
处理器1301可以包括一个或多个处理核心,比如4核心处理器、8核心处理器等。处理器1301可以采用DSP(Digital Signal Processing,数字信号处理)、FPGA(Field-Programmable Gate Array,现场可编程门阵列)、PLA(Programmable Logic Array,可编程逻辑阵列)中的至少一种硬件形式来实现。处理器1301也可以包括主处理器和协处理器,主处理器是用于对在唤醒状态下的数据进行处理的处理器,也称CPU(Central Processing Unit,中央处理器);协处理器是用于对在待机状态下的数据进行处理的低功耗处理器。在一些实施例中,处理器1301可以在集成有GPU(Graphics Processing Unit,图像处理器),GPU用于负责显示屏所需要显示的内容的渲染和绘制。一些实施例中,处理器1301还可以包括AI(Artificial Intelligence,人工智能)处理器,该AI处理器用于处理有关机器学习的计算操作。
存储器1302可以包括一个或多个计算机可读存储介质,该计算机可读存储介质可以是非暂态的。存储器1302还可包括高速随机存取存储器,以及非易失性存储器,比如一个或多个磁盘存储设备、闪存存储设备。在一些实施例中,存储器1302中的非暂态的计算机可读存储介质用于存储至少一个计算机程序,该至少一个计算机程序用于被处理器1301所执行以实现本申请中方法实施例提供的水池水位线检测方法或者水位线信息的获取方法。
在一些实施例中,机器人控制器1300还可选包括有:外围设备接口1303和至少一个外围设备。各个外围设备可以通过总线、信号线或电路板与外围设备接口1303相连。
本领域技术人员可以理解,图13中示出的结构并不构成对机器人控制器1300的限定,可以包括比图示更多或更少的组件,或者组合某些组件,或者采用不同的组件布置。
在示例性实施例中,还提供了一种计算机可读存储介质,例如包括计算机程序的存储器,上述计算机程序可由处理器执行以完成上述实施例中的水池水位线检测方法或者水位线信息的获取方法。例如,该计算机可读存储介质可以是只读存储器(Read-Only Memory,ROM)、随机存取存储器(Random Access Memory,RAM)、只读光盘(Compact Disc Read-Only Memory,CD-ROM)、磁带、软盘和光数据存储设备等。
在示例性实施例中,还提供了一种计算机程序产品或计算机程序,该计算机程序产品或计算机程序包括程序代码,该程序代码存储在计算机可读存储介质中,机器人控制器的处理器从计算机可读存储介质读取该程序代码,处理器执行该程序代码,使得该机器人控制器执行上述水池水位线检测方法或者水位线信息的获取方法。
在一些实施例中,本申请实施例所涉及的计算机程序可被部署在一个机器人控制器上执行,或者在位于一个地点的多个机器人控制器上执行,又或者,在分布在多个地点且通过通信网络互连的多个机器人控制器上执行,分布在多个地点且通过通信网络互连的多个机器人控制器可以组成区块链系统。
本领域普通技术人员可以理解实现上述实施例的全部或部分步骤可以通过硬件来完成,也可以通过程序来指令相关的硬件完成,该程序可以存储于一种计算机可读存储介质中,上述提到的存储介质可以是只读存储器,磁盘或光盘等。
上述仅为本申请的可选实施例,并不用以限制本申请,凡在本申请的精神和原则之内,所做的任何修改、等同替换、改进等,均应包含在本申请的保护范围之内。

Claims (15)

  1. 一种水池水位线检测装置,包括:
    辅助容器(21),所述辅助容器(21)设有开口;
    检测单元(22),所述检测单元(22)位于所述开口的一侧;所述检测单元(22)用于向所述开口发射朝向所述辅助容器(21)外侧的探测信号,以确定所述水位线检测装置与水池水位线之间的相对位置。
  2. 如权利要求1所述的水池水位线检测装置,其中,所述检测单元(22)设置在所述辅助容器(21)的底部背向所述开口的一侧;
    所述辅助容器(21)的底部形成有透射部,以透过所述检测单元(22)产生的探测信号。
  3. 如权利要求1所述的水池水位线检测装置,其中,所述辅助容器(21)的底部设有安装孔;
    所述检测单元(22)设置在所述辅助容器(21)的底部朝向所述开口的一侧;所述检测单元(22)设置在所述安装孔内或者通过所述安装孔设置在所述辅助容器(21)的容纳腔。
  4. 一种水池清洁机器人,包括:
    壳体(1),
    如权利要求1至3任一所述的水池水位线检测装置(2),所述水池水位线检测装置(2)安装在壳体(1)上;所述水池水位线检测装置(2)的辅助容器(21)开口的朝向与所述水池清洁机器人的行进方向一致。
  5. 如权利要求4所述的水池清洁机器人,其中,所述水池水位线检测装置(2)包括第一水池水位线检测装置和/或第二水池水位线检测装置;所述第一水池水位线检测装置位于靠近所述壳体(1)的机头端(121)处;所述第二水池水位线检测装置位于靠近所述壳体(1)的机尾端(122)处。
  6. 如权利要求5所述的水池清洁机器人,其中,所述第一水池水位线检测装置和/或所述第二水池水位线检测装置设置在所述壳体(1)的背部(111)。
  7. 一种水位线信息的获取方法,包括:
    通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,所述水池清洁机器人在水池的池壁上或池底进行移动,所述水位线信息用于表示所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线的相对位置;
    基于所述水位线信息,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离;
    基于所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离,控制所述水池清洁机器人。
  8. 根据权利要求7所述的方法,其中,所述通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息包括:
    通过所述水池清洁机器人的距离传感器获取所述水位线信息;
    或者,通过所述水池清洁机器人的液体深度传感器获取所述水位线信息;
    或者,通过所述水池清洁机器人的信号接收传感器获取所述水位线信息。
  9. 根据权利要求8所述的方法,其中,所述通过所述水池清洁机器人的距离传感器获取所述水位线信息包括:
    通过所述距离传感器向所述水池清洁机器人的上方或下方发送探测信号;
    接收所述探测信号对应的反射信号,所述反射信号是所述探测信号接触到所述水位线后进行反射的部分;
    基于所述探测信号和所述反射信号,确定所述水位线信息,所述水位线信息包括所述探测信号在水中的传播速度,以及发送所述探测信号到接收到所述反射信号之间的时间差、所述探测信号和所述反射信号之间的相位差以及所述探测信号和所述反射信号之间的角度差中的任一项。
  10. 根据权利要求9所述的方法,其中,所述基于所述水位线信息,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离包括:
    基于发送所述探测信号到接收到所述反射信号之间的时间差、所述探测信号和所述反射信号之间的相位差以及所述探测信号和所述反射信号之间的角度差中的任一项,以及所述探测信号在水中的传播速度, 确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离。
  11. 根据权利要求8所述的方法,其中,所述通过所述水池清洁机器人的距离传感器获取所述水位线信息包括:
    通过所述距离传感器采集所述水池清洁机器人上方或下方的图像;
    对所述图像进行图像识别,得到所述水位线信息,所述水位线信息包括所述图像中所述水位线的位置。
  12. 根据权利要求11所述的方法,其中,所述基于所述水位线信息,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离包括:
    利用小孔成像原理对所述图像中所述水位线的位置进行坐标转换,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离。
  13. 根据权利要求8所述的方法,其中,所述通过所述水池清洁机器人的液体深度传感器获取所述水位线信息包括:
    通过所述液体深度传感器采集所述水池清洁机器人周围的压力;
    基于所述水池清洁机器人周围的压力,确定所述水位线信息,所述水位线信息包括所述水池清洁机器人在所述水池中的深度。
  14. 根据权利要求13所述的方法,其中,所述基于所述水位线信息,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离包括:
    基于所述水池清洁机器人在所述水池中的深度,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离。
  15. 一种水位线信息的获取装置,包括:
    水位线信息获取模块,用于通过水池清洁机器人的检测单元获取水位线信息,所述水池清洁机器人在水池的池壁上或池底进行移动,所述水位线信息用于表示所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线的相对位置;
    距离确定模块,用于基于所述水位线信息,确定所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离;
    控制模块,用于基于所述水池清洁机器人与所述水位线之间的距离,控制所述水池清洁机器人。
PCT/CN2024/071212 2023-01-09 2024-01-08 水池水位线检测装置以及水位线信息的获取方法 Ceased WO2024149206A1 (zh)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24741205.9A EP4647861A4 (en) 2023-01-09 2024-01-08 POOL WATER LEVEL LINE DETECTION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ACQUIRING WATER LEVEL LINE DATA
US19/263,030 US20250333970A1 (en) 2023-01-09 2025-07-08 Pool waterline detection apparatus and method for obtaining waterline information

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202310026006.5A CN116300875A (zh) 2023-01-09 2023-01-09 水位线信息的获取方法、装置以及泳池清洁机器人
CN202310026006.5 2023-01-09
CN202310264546.7 2023-03-17
CN202310264546.7A CN116290952A (zh) 2023-03-17 2023-03-17 水池水位线检测装置、水池清洁设备、检测方法及控制方法

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US19/263,030 Continuation US20250333970A1 (en) 2023-01-09 2025-07-08 Pool waterline detection apparatus and method for obtaining waterline information

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024149206A1 true WO2024149206A1 (zh) 2024-07-18

Family

ID=91897708

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CN2024/071212 Ceased WO2024149206A1 (zh) 2023-01-09 2024-01-08 水池水位线检测装置以及水位线信息的获取方法

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20250333970A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP4647861A4 (zh)
WO (1) WO2024149206A1 (zh)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104697608A (zh) * 2015-03-09 2015-06-10 上海同岩土木工程科技有限公司 基于激光位移传感器的观测井水位自动测量方法及装置
US20160244988A1 (en) * 2015-02-24 2016-08-25 Hayward Industries, Inc. Pool Cleaner With Optical Out-Of-Water And Debris Detection
US20170342733A1 (en) * 2016-05-25 2017-11-30 Maytronics Ltd. Pool cleaner with drive motor navigation capabilities
US10316534B2 (en) * 2016-01-29 2019-06-11 Zodiac Pool Care Europe Swimming pool cleaning robot and method for using same
US20210147255A1 (en) * 2017-04-19 2021-05-20 Damar Supplies Limited Swimming pool water monitoring device and method
US20220333395A1 (en) * 2021-04-15 2022-10-20 Zodiac Pool Care Europe Underwater time-of-flight sensing systems principally for use in connection with swimming pools or spas
CN116300875A (zh) * 2023-01-09 2023-06-23 天津望圆智能科技股份有限公司 水位线信息的获取方法、装置以及泳池清洁机器人
CN116290952A (zh) * 2023-03-17 2023-06-23 天津望圆智能科技股份有限公司 水池水位线检测装置、水池清洁设备、检测方法及控制方法

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2607640T3 (es) * 2013-09-11 2017-04-03 Maytronics Ltd. Robot limpiador de piscinas que tiene capacidades de movimiento en la línea del agua
US20160207204A1 (en) * 2015-01-20 2016-07-21 Hayward Industries, Inc. Pool Cleaner With Capacitive Water Sensor
CN114109095B (zh) * 2020-09-01 2023-09-12 苏州宝时得电动工具有限公司 泳池清洁机器人和泳池清理方法

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160244988A1 (en) * 2015-02-24 2016-08-25 Hayward Industries, Inc. Pool Cleaner With Optical Out-Of-Water And Debris Detection
CN104697608A (zh) * 2015-03-09 2015-06-10 上海同岩土木工程科技有限公司 基于激光位移传感器的观测井水位自动测量方法及装置
US10316534B2 (en) * 2016-01-29 2019-06-11 Zodiac Pool Care Europe Swimming pool cleaning robot and method for using same
US20170342733A1 (en) * 2016-05-25 2017-11-30 Maytronics Ltd. Pool cleaner with drive motor navigation capabilities
US20210147255A1 (en) * 2017-04-19 2021-05-20 Damar Supplies Limited Swimming pool water monitoring device and method
US20220333395A1 (en) * 2021-04-15 2022-10-20 Zodiac Pool Care Europe Underwater time-of-flight sensing systems principally for use in connection with swimming pools or spas
CN116300875A (zh) * 2023-01-09 2023-06-23 天津望圆智能科技股份有限公司 水位线信息的获取方法、装置以及泳池清洁机器人
CN116290952A (zh) * 2023-03-17 2023-06-23 天津望圆智能科技股份有限公司 水池水位线检测装置、水池清洁设备、检测方法及控制方法

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP4647861A4 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20250333970A1 (en) 2025-10-30
EP4647861A4 (en) 2026-03-25
EP4647861A1 (en) 2025-11-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3951544B1 (en) Method and apparatus for dividing a working region for a robot, robot and medium
CN114468898B (zh) 机器人语音控制方法、装置、机器人和介质
US20200012292A1 (en) Mobile robot and control method thereof
CN116107304A (zh) 泳池清洁机器人的路径规划方法、装置和泳池清洁机器人
KR20190035376A (ko) 인공지능을 이용한 이동 로봇 및 이동 로봇의 제어방법
US20250333972A1 (en) Control method for pool cleaning robot and computer readable storage medium
CN112338908B (zh) 自主移动设备
AU2024263086A1 (en) Cleaning device control method and cleaning device
CN116931586A (zh) 水下清洁机器人的状态确定方法、装置以及水下清洁机器人
AU2019399322B2 (en) Robot cleaner and method for operating same
CN116300875A (zh) 水位线信息的获取方法、装置以及泳池清洁机器人
CN114010102B (zh) 一种清洁机器人
WO2022222706A1 (zh) 一种自移动清洁设备
CN117519180A (zh) 水下清洁机器人的回桩方法、装置以及水下清洁机器人
EP4636525A1 (en) Cleaning robot and movement control method thereof
KR100728225B1 (ko) 이동로봇의 구동 방법 및 그를 이용한 이동로봇
CN116069004A (zh) 自移动设备、自移动设备的障碍物边缘确定方法及介质
WO2020038155A1 (zh) 自主移动设备、控制方法及存储介质
WO2024149206A1 (zh) 水池水位线检测装置以及水位线信息的获取方法
EP4116045B1 (en) Mobile robot and control method therefor
WO2025124194A1 (zh) 水池清洁机器人的控制方法以及装置
KR100738887B1 (ko) 이동로봇의 주행 방법과 그를 이용한 이동로봇
KR20220012001A (ko) 로봇 청소기 및 이의 제어방법
US20260096707A1 (en) Cleaning robot for sensing and cleaning floor and control method therefor
CN120742871A (zh) 水池自动清洁设备及其控制方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 24741205

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2024741205

Country of ref document: EP

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2024741205

Country of ref document: EP

Effective date: 20250804

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2024741205

Country of ref document: EP