Arc-Shaped Charging Station Identification for Robots

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charging station identification methods for robots, relying on convex and concave structures, suffer from low accuracy due to data jumps at structure intersections, which hampers the robot's ability to autonomously locate and dock with charging stations effectively.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using radar scanning data to identify arc-shaped charging stations, where the robot determines the presence of an arc-shaped object by analyzing sampling points and error values, and adjusts its orientation to accurately locate the charging station, eliminating data jumps and improving identification accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a marking structure with convex and concave structures is used for charging station identification, then the robot can identify the charging station through matching, but data jumps occur at the intersection of structures causing low identification accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging station identification accuracyVSAvoiddata stability at structure intersections
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional convex and concave structure marking with an arc-shaped marking structure on the charging station. The arc-shaped structure provides smooth curved surfaces that eliminate the sharp intersections present in convex-concave structures, thereby avoiding data jumps during radar scanning and improving identification accuracy and data stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Extent of automation

If conventional convex and concave marking structures are used, then the charging station can be identified, but the robot's autonomy and duty cycle are limited due to low identification accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous recharging capabilityVSAvoidrobot duty cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs radar scanning technology to detect the arc-shaped marking structure on the charging station, replacing conventional mechanical or optical marking systems. The radar system scans the environment and identifies the unique arc-shaped profile, enabling reliable autonomous detection and docking, which extends the robot's effective duty cycle by ensuring accurate recharging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly enhances the accuracy of charging station identification by avoiding data jumps at intersections, allowing robots to reliably detect and dock with arc-shaped charging stations, thereby extending their autonomy and duty cycle.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining radar scanning data generated by a radar of the robot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP3557361B1Charging station identifying method and device
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD
  • EP3557361B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3557361B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3557361B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to robot technology, and particularly to a method, a device, and a robot (6) for identifying charging station. The method includes: first, obtaining scanning data produced by a radar (63) of the robot; then, determining whether an arc-shaped object exists in a scanning range of the radar of the robot based on the scanning data; finally, in response to determining that the arc-shaped object exists in the scanning range of the robot, determining that the arc-shaped object is a charging station. Compared with the prior art, the present disclosure substitutes the arc identification for the conventional concave-convex structure identification. Since the surface of the arc is relatively smooth, the data jumps at the intersection of the cross-section will not occur, hence the accuracy of charging station identification can be greatly improved.