Boundary Wire Current Control for Robotic Work Tool Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary robotic work tools face inefficiencies in power consumption due to high current strengths required to maintain magnetic field detection throughout work areas, leading to unsafe operation and potential interference from nearby systems.
Innovation Solution
A robotic work tool system that adapts the current level of the signal transmitted through a boundary wire based on detected magnetic field strength, ensuring a minimum level for safe operation while reducing power consumption by adjusting current levels dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the current strength is increased to ensure magnetic field detection throughout the work area, then the reliability of detection is improved, but the power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the current level in the boundary wire based on detected magnetic field strength. The system continuously monitors the magnetic field and adjusts the current level accordingly, transitioning from static high current to dynamic adaptive current control. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring sufficient detection reliability only when and where needed, rather than maintaining constantly high power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the current level parameter of the boundary wire signal based on detected magnetic field conditions. By adjusting this physical parameter dynamically rather than maintaining a fixed high value, the system achieves reliable detection throughout the work area while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during periods when lower current levels are sufficient.
2Area of stationary object
If the current level is increased to ensure detection throughout the work area, then the detection coverage is improved, but interference from nearby systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the current level based on detected magnetic field strength and surrounding noise levels. When interference is detected or when sufficient detection is achieved at lower currents, the system reduces the current level, thereby minimizing signal interference with nearby robotic work tool systems while maintaining adequate detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the robotic work tool detects the magnetic field strength and surrounding noise level, then this information is used to adapt the current level. This closed-loop control ensures that the current is adjusted to the minimum necessary level for reliable detection, reducing harmful interference effects on nearby systems.
3Reliability
If the current strength is set too high for most applications, then the magnetic field detectability is ensured, but the power consumption becomes unnecessarily high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the current strength parameter from a fixed high value to a dynamically adjusted value based on actual detection needs. The system monitors magnetic field strength and adjusts the current level to the minimum necessary to maintain reliable detectability, thereby eliminating energy waste associated with unnecessarily high current levels.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying excessive current strength in all situations, the system applies partial action by adjusting the current level to match the actual requirements. The current is increased only when and where needed to ensure detectability, and reduced when lower levels are sufficient, avoiding the energy waste of consistent excessive action.
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 system maintains safe operation while minimizing power consumption by optimizing current levels, reducing unnecessary power usage and preventing interference from nearby systems.
Implementation Method 1
A signal generator is configured to transmit a current signal through the boundary wire which generates a magnetic field around the boundary wire that the robotic work tool is configured to detect
Implementation Method 2
the robotic work tool is configured to determine, based on the sensed magnetic field, whether or not it is within the work area or not
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic work tool system (200), comprising a charging station (210), a boundary wire (250) and a signal generator (240) for generating and transmitting a signal through said boundary wire (250) for demarcating a work area (205), said robotic work tool system (200) further comprising a robotic work tool (100) configured to detect a magnetic field strength (M1, M2) in the work area (205) and said robotic work tool system (200) being configured to adapt a current level of the signal being transmitted through the boundary wire (250) based on the detected magnetic field strength (M1, M2).