Autonomous mobile robot comprising radar sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infrared sensors in autonomous mobile robots, such as robot cleaners, have limited azimuth angle coverage, are sensitive to light, prone to dust clogging, and offer restricted flexibility in placement due to their narrow beam widths and requirements for transparent covers.

Innovation Solution

The use of a set of radar nodes with intersecting main detection and transmission lobes, allowing for accurate object position determination with wide angular coverage and resistance to environmental conditions, enabling flexible placement and improved accuracy in obstacle detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If infrared sensors are used for obstacle detection, then object position can be determined, but the azimuth angle coverage is limited due to narrow beam widths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject position determinationVSAvoidazimuth angle coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple radar receivers with different detection lobe orientations to create a unified detection system. By merging the detection capabilities of multiple receivers whose main lobes intersect, the system achieves both precise position determination and wide azimuth angle coverage without requiring sensor rotation or excessive numbers of sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from optical/infrared detection to radar detection, utilizing electromagnetic waves in a different frequency range. This dimensional change in the detection medium allows for wider beam patterns and不受限制的 azimuth angle coverage while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple infrared sensors are provided with different aspect angles, then azimuth angle coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveazimuth angle coverageVSAvoidnumber of sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple sensors into a coordinated radar node system where receivers work together with overlapping detection lobes. This approach achieves wide azimuth coverage through strategic placement and lobe intersection rather than simply increasing the number of independent sensors, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If infrared sensors are used, then object detection is possible, but reliability decreases due to sensitivity to light sources and dust clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoidperformance consistency in various conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical infrared sensor system with an electronic radar system that uses electromagnetic wave transmission and reception. This substitution eliminates the mechanical vulnerabilities of infrared sensors such as dust clogging of transparent covers and sensitivity to ambient light, significantly improving reliability and performance consistency across different environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Illumination intensity

If transparent covers are used for infrared sensors, then light transmission is enabled, but placement flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared light transmissionVSAvoidsensor placement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical infrared sensor requiring transparent covers with a radar system that uses electromagnetic waves capable of penetrating non-transparent materials. This allows sensors to be placed in locations that were previously inaccessible to infrared sensors, such as inside the robot body or in positions where transparent covers would interfere with the robot's structure or aesthetics.

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

The radar node configuration provides high accuracy in detecting and determining object positions with wide angular coverage, resistance to environmental factors like dust and light, and allows for flexible placement, enhancing the navigation capabilities of autonomous mobile robots.

Implementation Method 1

a set of radar nodes, said set including: at least a first radar transmitter, and at least a first and a second radar receiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

the reflected beam is measured wherein a position of an obstacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11493626B2Autonomous mobile robot comprising radar sensors

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 ACCONEER

AI summary

According to an aspect of the present inventive concept there is provided an autonomous mobile robot comprising: a set of radar sensors, the sensors being arranged at spatially different positions on the mobile robot, the set including at least a first radar sensor having a first main detection lobe extending in front of the robot and a second radar sensor having a second main detection lobe extending in front of the robot, wherein the first radar sensor and the second radar sensor are arranged such that the first main detection lobe and the second main detection lobe intersect in front of the mobile robot.