Vehicle moving automatically within an environment and system with a vehicle and an external lighting device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vehicles, such as cleaning robots, rely on user input or manual control to adjust lighting conditions, which limits their ability to optimize lighting for navigation and detection tasks without human intervention.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vehicle system that creates an environment map including information about external lighting devices, allowing the vehicle to automatically select and control lighting based on luminous intensity, emission spectrum, position, and type, enabling adaptive lighting adjustments for improved detection and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the vehicle integrates an internal lighting device, then the lighting condition in the detection area can be improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication module that enables the vehicle to control external lighting devices in the environment. Instead of integrating lighting devices into the vehicle, the communication module transmits control signals to external lighting devices, which then illuminate the detection area. This resolves the contradiction by achieving improved lighting conditions without increasing vehicle structure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the vehicle to autonomously control external lighting devices through its communication module based on its own detection needs. The vehicle assesses its detection area requirements and automatically activates appropriate external lighting devices without human intervention. This self-service approach improves lighting conditions while avoiding the complexity of integrated lighting systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses external lighting devices, then the lighting control flexibility is improved, but the reliability of lighting control decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the vehicle's detection device continuously monitors the detection area conditions, and based on this feedback, the communication module adjusts control signals to external lighting devices. The system dynamically adapts lighting control based on real-time detection needs, maintaining both flexibility and reliability through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/integrated lighting control with a communication-based control system. The communication module transmits control signals wirelessly or through communication protocols to external lighting devices, substituting physical integration with information-based control. This approach maintains flexibility while improving reliability through standardized communication interfaces and error handling protocols.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle autonomously controls external lighting devices, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the communication module with multi-functionality, enabling it to handle various communication protocols, transmit different types of control signals, and interface with multiple external lighting devices using a single integrated component. This universal approach simplifies operation while managing complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the lighting control functionality with the vehicle's existing navigation and detection systems. The communication module is integrated into the vehicle's central control architecture, merging lighting control with other autonomous functions. This consolidation improves ease of operation by providing unified control while managing overall system complexity through integration rather than addition.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an unmanned vehicle (1), in particular a cleaning robot, which moves automatically within an environment, having a detection device (2) for detecting object data in an environment surrounding the vehicle (1) and a computing device for creating an environment map (3) based on recorded data Object data, the environment map (3) having positions of objects (4) located within the environment. In order to advantageously further develop fully automatic operation of the vehicle (1), it is proposed that the map of the surroundings (3) contain information about a position of an external lighting device (5) that is separate from the vehicle (1) and one or more other items of information about the lighting device (5), wherein the information is selected from the group: light intensity, emission spectrum, position and/or size of a partial area (6) of the surrounding area that can be illuminated by the lighting device (5), type of lighting device (5).