Autonomous Vehicle Celestial Navigation Using Ceiling Signal References
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems for autonomous vehicles are limited in their ability to allow an autonomous vehicle to track its location within a complex environment, as they primarily rely on obstacle detection and infrared or other detectors to sense nearby objects, which are not effective in navigating through complex spaces.
Innovation Solution
A navigation control system for autonomous vehicles that includes a transmitter emitting signals, a power source that can be wirelessly charged, and a receiver on the vehicle that detects the signals to determine its relative location within a working area, allowing the vehicle to navigate more effectively in complex environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If obstacle detectors and infrared detectors are used to sense nearby objects, then the vehicle can avoid obstacles and sense nearby walls, but the vehicle cannot accurately track its location within a complex environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ceiling-mounted infrared transmitters as intermediary reference points that project visible or invisible patterns onto the ceiling surface. These transmitters serve as mediators between the vehicle's navigation system and the environment, providing stable geometric references that enable precise location tracking without requiring complex active sensing from the vehicle itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active mechanical obstacle detection systems with a passive optical recognition system. Instead of using complex sensors to actively scan and detect obstacles, the system uses a camera to passively recognize pre-projected infrared patterns on the ceiling, substituting mechanical sensing with optical field-based recognition for more accurate location determination.
2Measurement precision
If infrared patterns are dispersed horizontally around the vehicle, then the vehicle can calculate its location using stationary receivers, but the system is interfered with by objects present in the working space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the infrared pattern projection from the horizontal plane to the vertical ceiling plane. By projecting patterns upward onto the ceiling instead of dispersing them horizontally through the workspace, the system eliminates interference from objects in the horizontal working space while maintaining accurate location calculation capabilities through vertical geometric references.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transmitter uses a battery-powered power source, then the transmitter can be placed anywhere in the working area, but the transmitter requires frequent manual charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service wireless charging by equipping the transmitter with a wireless power receiver that automatically captures electromagnetic energy from the environment and charges its battery. This eliminates the need for manual charging operations, allowing the transmitter to autonomously maintain its power source while retaining complete placement flexibility throughout the working area.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the transmitter is connected to a power outlet, then the transmitter has continuous power supply, but the transmitter must be installed near electrical outlets
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter employs self-service wireless energy harvesting to capture electromagnetic energy from the environment and store it in its battery. This eliminates the need for connection to fixed power outlets, granting complete installation location flexibility while ensuring continuous operational duration through autonomous power accumulation and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power supply dependency from the transmitter by implementing wireless energy harvesting and battery storage. This separation allows the transmitter to operate independently from fixed electrical infrastructure, enabling flexible installation anywhere in the working area while maintaining continuous power supply through self-contained energy management.
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 enables autonomous vehicles to accurately determine their location and navigate within complex environments by using the detected signals to calculate their position, thereby improving their ability to operate independently and efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation control system for an autonomous vehicle comprises a transmitter and an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter comprises an emitter for emitting at least one signal, a power source for powering the emitter, a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source, and a printed circuit board for converting the captured wireless energy to a form for charging the power source. The autonomous vehicle operates within a working area and comprises a receiver for detecting the at least one signal emitted by the emitter, and a processor for determining a relative location of the autonomous vehicle within the working area based on the signal emitted by the emitter.