Charging Pile Identification Structure for Accurate Robot Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous cleaning devices, such as smart sweeping and mopping robots, face challenges in accurately recognizing charging piles due to light reflections from objects with similar patterns, leading to misjudgment and inefficient cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a charging pile with an identification structure comprising bulges and recesses having distinct retroreflection coefficients, allowing the device to differentiate the charging pile from other objects through laser-based recognition, ensuring accurate identification and connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the autonomous cleaning device uses a pattern with regular bright and dark changes for recognizing the charging pile, then the device can identify the charging pile from reflected light, but it causes misjudgment when other objects have similar patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies retroreflective materials with different retroreflection coefficients to create distinct bright and dark regions on the charging pile. The bright region uses high retroreflection coefficient material while the dark region uses low retroreflection coefficient material, creating a unique optical pattern that the LDS can accurately recognize and differentiate from other objects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of retroreflection coefficient to create the identification pattern. By applying materials with different retroreflection coefficients to different regions of the charging pile, it creates a distinctive light reflection pattern that resolves the ambiguity of recognizing objects with similar visual patterns
2Ease of operation
If the autonomous cleaning device repeatedly hits a corner using its metallic charging electrode due to misrecognition, then the device attempts to charge, but it causes harm to furniture or walls and prevents successful recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by providing the LDS with accurate optical identification information of the charging pile before the charging operation. The distinct retroreflective pattern allows the device to correctly identify the charging pile in advance, preventing misguided charging attempts that would cause harm to furniture or walls
3Extent of automation
If the autonomous cleaning device stops at an inappropriate place due to misrecognition, then the device cannot continue working, but it requires user intervention to resume cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by enabling the LDS to continuously receive and process optical information from the charging pile's retroreflective pattern. This feedback mechanism allows the autonomous cleaning device to accurately detect the charging pile's location, navigate to it correctly, and resume autonomous operation without user intervention, thereby maintaining high cleaning efficiency
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
This solution enhances the autonomous cleaning device's ability to accurately recognize charging piles, preventing misrecognition and ensuring continuous operation by providing a unique appearance and light effect that distinguishes the charging pile from other objects, thus improving user experience and cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
one of the bulge and the recess has a surface structure having a smaller retroreflection coefficient than a surface structure of the other one of the bulge and the recess
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a charging pile, a method and device for recognizing the charging pile, and an autonomous cleaning device. The charging pile may include: a pile body (1) comprising a power supply interface (11), wherein the power supply interface (11) is provided on a side surface of the pile body (1) to supply power for the autonomous cleaning device; an identification structure (2) arranged on the side surface of the pile body (1) to enable a position of the power supply interface (11) to be recognized and determined by a recognition device on the autonomous cleaning device, wherein the identification structure (2) comprises at least one identification element (2A, 2B), and each identification element (2A) comprises at least one bulge (21A) and at least one recess (22A), one (21A) of the bulge and the recess (21A, 22A) of an identification element (2A) has a surface structure having a smaller retroreflection coefficient than a surface structure of the other one (22A) of the bulge and the recess (21A, 22A), and an intensity of retroreflected light from the surface structure having the smaller retroreflection coefficient is not smaller than a minimum recognizable light intensity of the recognition device; wherein the identification structure (2) comprises at least one pair of surface structures of an identification element (2B) with unmatched specifications (21B, 22B), a bulge (21A, 21B) or a recess (22A, 22B) of any of the identification elements (2A, 2B) has a surface structure.