Guiding system for a robot, base station including such a guiding system, and method for guiding a robot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation-based guiding systems for robots are prone to signal distortions, leading to incorrect paths and potential loss of robots, necessitating manual reconnection to the base station for charging.

Innovation Solution

A millimeter-wave positioning system and transmitter are used to determine the robot's position relative to the base station and emit a directional radar guiding signal, reducing signal distortions and ensuring accurate navigation to the charging station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If an undirected radiation signal is used for guiding the robot, then the robot can be guided within a larger coverage area, but the signal is more prone to distortions and interferences causing the robot to follow wrong paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidguiding accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two previously separate functions into a unified system: (1) a millimeter-wave positioning system that determines the robot's position relative to the base station, and (2) a transmitter that emits directional radar guiding signals steered toward the robot's position. This integration allows the system to maintain large coverage while ensuring reliable guidance by continuously adapting the signal direction to the robot's actual position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the static undirected radiation signal into a dynamic directional signal that is continuously steered toward the robot's current position. The transmitter adjusts the beam direction in real-time based on position data from the millimeter-wave positioning system, making the guiding signal adaptive and resilient to distortions while maintaining coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a directional radar guiding signal is emitted towards the robot's position, then signal distortions and interferences are reduced, but the system requires continuous position determination and signal steering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the millimeter-wave positioning system serve dual functions: (1) determining the robot's position for navigation purposes, and (2) providing the positional data needed to steer the directional guiding signal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems while achieving both position tracking and reliable directional guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where the millimeter-wave positioning system continuously monitors the robot's position, and this position information is fed back to the transmitter to adjust the steering of the radar guiding signal. This closed-loop control ensures the signal remains directed at the robot despite movements or environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the robot follows an incorrect path due to signal distortions, then the robot may get lost and require manual reconnection to the base station, but preventing this requires more sophisticated guiding mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous navigationVSAvoidguiding accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the robot to autonomously navigate to the base station using the directional radar guiding signal without requiring manual intervention. The system continuously steers the signal toward the robot's position, allowing the robot to self-correct its path and autonomously return to the base station even if distortions occur, eliminating the need for manual reconnection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively reduces the likelihood of robots following incorrect paths and getting lost, enabling autonomous and efficient navigation to the base station with lower energy consumption and increased reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a radar-based positioning system using a millimeter-wave signal for locating the robot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

The transmitter is configured to emit a radar guiding signal for guiding the robot to the base station

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3968051B1Guiding system for a robot, base station including such a guiding system, and method for guiding a robot
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP3968051B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3968051B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3968051B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A guiding system (300) for a robot (330), the guiding system includes a millimeter-wave positioning system (310) and a transmitter (320). The millimeter-wave positioning system is configured to determine a position of the robot relative to a base station for charging the robot. The transmitter is configured to emit a radar guiding signal for guiding the robot to the base station and to steer the radar guiding signal towards the position of the robot.