Minimizing the Probability of Collision with Vacuum Cleaning Robots on Textile Machines through Non-Contact Obstruction Sensing

A spinning machine is equipped with a robotic vacuum cleaning system to inhibit lint buildup on machinery and product. In order to avoid collisions between the vacuum cleansing robot and obstacles on the spinning machine, a sensor is needed to figure out their presence.

Special sensors with background suppression technology are suitable for this application. In spite of their small size, they are vigorous and appropriate for the requirements of industrial applications. The sensors' accurate background suppression allows them to sense the presence of any obstruction regardless of color, brightness or angle in relation to the sensor's position on the vacuum head. This miniature sensor (30x30x15 mm housing) will be installed on the vacuum head to provide detecting for the robotic system’s safety reversal function. The setting range for sensing is 15-200 mm. If an obstacle is detected, the cleaner simply reverses its direction of travel, without interrupting the cleansing function.