External Bin Sensors for Robotic Loaded-State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage bins in public spaces, such as airports and harbors, are often arranged at fixed positions, leading to increased management costs and inefficiencies in emptying or collecting filled bins, especially in areas with high foot traffic.

Innovation Solution

A robot equipped with sensors outside the storage bin to detect the loaded state, allowing for efficient management by determining when to replace or empty the bin, and generating a moving path for the robot based on the storage bin's location and loaded state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If storage bins are arranged at fixed positions in large spaces, then user convenience is improved, but management costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidmanagement costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms fixed storage bins into mobile robotic units that can dynamically relocate themselves. The robot equipped with storage bin moves to high-traffic areas on demand, eliminating the need for numerous fixed bins while maintaining user convenience. This dynamic deployment reduces the total quantity of storage bins required and lowers management costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic storage bin autonomously monitors its own loaded state through integrated sensors and navigates to designated locations without human intervention. The system self-manages by detecting when it is full and independently moving to a collection point, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and reducing management overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If storage bins are arranged at fixed positions, then articles can be accommodated, but works for emptying or periodically collecting bins are necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticle accommodation capabilityVSAvoidtime for emptying and collecting bins

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The robot incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the loaded state of the storage bin and provide real-time feedback to the control system. When the bin reaches a predetermined fill level, the system automatically triggers navigation to a collection location, eliminating the need for periodic manual checks and enabling timely emptying before overflow occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The robot proactively navigates to collection locations before the storage bin becomes completely full by detecting the loaded state in advance. This preliminary action prevents overflow and ensures continuous operation, reducing the frequency and urgency of collection trips while maintaining adequate article accommodation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If sensors are disposed inside the storage bin, then loaded state can be detected, but various objects may interfere with sensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloaded state detection accuracyVSAvoidsensing interference from objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing system is extracted from the interior of the storage bin and relocated to the exterior surface. Sensors are disposed on the outer surface of the storage bin, allowing them to detect the loaded state through the bin wall without being exposed to objects inside. This extraction eliminates interference from various objects while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage bin wall serves as an intermediary medium between the external sensors and the objects inside. Sensors disposed on the exterior surface detect changes in the bin wall properties (such as deformation or density changes) caused by loaded objects, transmitting measurement information without direct contact with interfering objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 robot effectively manages storage bins by accurately sensing the loaded state and generating optimal paths for replacement or removal, reducing management costs and improving operational efficiency in high-traffic areas.

Implementation Method 1

storage bin sensors disposed outside the storage bin and configured to sense the articles loaded in the storage bin by being disposed to form an angle not parallel to a side surface of the storage bin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensing:

Data Source

PatentUS11704621B2Method of sensing loaded state and robot implementing thereof

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A method of sensing a loaded state of articles in a storage bin and a robot implementing the method are provided. The robot senses a loaded state of articles received in the storage bin in real time or at regular intervals and includes the storage bin and storage bin sensors disposed outside the storage bin. The storage bin sensors are arranged at a non-parallel angle relative to a side surface of the storage bin.