Conveyance Object Coupling with Hidden Markings for Accurate Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles used for conveying objects in homes or factories face challenges as the markings for identification on furniture can impair the appealing appearance of living spaces and are not optimally designed for efficient object recognition and coupling.
Innovation Solution
The conveyance object is configured with a bottom plate, a coupling on its lower surface for attachment to the autonomous vehicle, guide frames to direct the vehicle's movement, and brackets with markings recognizable by the vehicle for precise docking and conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If markings are provided on noticeable sites of furniture for autonomous vehicle recognition, then object identification efficiency is improved, but aesthetic appearance of living spaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates markings from visible horizontal surfaces (front/side surfaces) to the lower surface of the bottom plate, utilizing an previously underutilized dimension. This spatial repositioning allows the autonomous vehicle to access markings through downward-facing cameras or sensors during approach, maintaining identification functionality while eliminating visual impact on living space aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces guide frames as intermediary structures that extend downward from the lower surface, serving as visual guides for the autonomous vehicle while the actual identification markings remain hidden on the bottom plate. The guide frames mediate between the need for vehicle guidance and the requirement to conceal markings from human view.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If markings are provided on the lower surface for autonomous vehicle recognition, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but object recognition accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions guide frames extending downward from the lower surface to provide preliminary visual guidance to the autonomous vehicle before it reaches the bottom plate level. This preliminary action of guiding the vehicle's approach ensures accurate positioning and alignment, facilitating subsequent recognition of the markings on the bottom plate and compensating for the non-obvious location of the primary identification markings.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyance object is configured to be coupled to an autonomous vehicle and conveyed by the autonomous vehicle to move. The conveyance object includes a bottom plate; a coupling provided on a lower surface of the bottom plate and configured to be coupled to the autonomous vehicle; a pair of guide frames provided on the lower surface and configured to guide the autonomous vehicle so as to move to a position of the coupling from a predetermined direction; and a pair of brackets provided to extend downward from the lower surface between the pair of guide frames and disposed on both sides of the coupling in the predetermined direction, each of the brackets being provided with a marking that faces the predetermined direction and that is recognizable by the autonomous vehicle.