Boundary Wire Waveform Control for Consistent Robot Demarcation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing demarcating systems that use a wire loop to indicate boundaries to objects, such as robots or animals, face reliability issues due to variations in the length and shape of the wire loop, which affect the consistency of the electromagnetic signals received by the object.
Innovation Solution
A demarcating system that includes a control system with processors, a signal generator, and current sensing circuitry, which applies and analyzes voltage and current waveforms to maintain a consistent electromagnetic signal shape regardless of wire loop adjustments, using calibration modes to determine an operating voltage waveform that generates a predetermined current waveform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wire loop length and shape are adjustable by the user to suit different areas, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the reliability of the electromagnetic signal reception deteriorates due to signal variation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the voltage waveform parameters (amplitude, frequency, shape) based on the detected current waveform characteristics. The processor analyzes the current waveform and modifies voltage parameters to compensate for variations caused by different wire loop configurations, maintaining consistent electromagnetic signal emission regardless of loop length or shape
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the current sensing circuitry continuously monitors the current waveform in the wire loop, and the processor uses this information to adjust the voltage waveform generated by the signal generator. This closed-loop control ensures that signal variations due to wire loop configuration changes are automatically compensated
2Reliability
If the control system applies complex calibration procedures to maintain signal consistency, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting its own current waveform characteristics and adjusting its voltage output accordingly. The processor analyzes the current waveform and determines the appropriate voltage waveform adjustments without requiring external calibration equipment or manual intervention, making the calibration process inherent to the system's operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system simplifies calibration by dynamically adjusting voltage waveform parameters based on real-time current waveform analysis. Rather than requiring complex pre-calibration procedures, the system continuously adapts voltage parameters (amplitude, frequency, shape) to maintain optimal signal conditions, reducing the need for complex calibration infrastructure
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 ensures consistent electromagnetic signal emission and reception, allowing accurate boundary indication to objects, even with changes in wire loop length and shape, enhancing reliability and object positioning accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
voltage signals applied by the signal generator to the wire loop cause the emission of corresponding electromagnetic boundary indicating signals from the wire loop
Implementation Method 2
current sensing circuitry, which is electrically connected to the wire loop so as to sense current signals present within the wire loop
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A demarcating system for indicating the boundary of an area to an object (for example a robot, such as a robotic lawnmower), which has a receiver for receiving electromagnetic signals. The system includes a control system, a wire loop, a signal generator, and current sensing circuitry. The wire loop can be arranged by a user along a path, so as to indicate the path to the object as part of a boundary of the area. The signal generator is electrically connected to the wire loop in order to apply voltage signals thereto, such signals causing the emission of corresponding electromagnetic boundary indicating signals from the wire loop that may be received by the receiver of the object. The signal generator is under the control of the control system with the voltage signals applied by the signal generator to the wire loop being controlled by the control system. The current sensing circuitry senses current signals present within the wire loop and the processors of the control system analyse such current signals. The processors of the control system are programmed to operate in a calibration mode whereby they: cause the signal generator to apply a series of test voltage waveforms to the wire loop, each of the test voltage waveforms generating a corresponding current waveform within the wire loop; and analyse the series of corresponding current waveforms, as sensed by the current sensing circuitry, so as to determine an operating voltage waveform that, when applied to the wire loop, generates a corresponding operating current waveform that is substantially the same shape as a predetermined current waveform.