Lawn Mower Robot Signal-Based Navigation for Charging Station Docking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lawn mower robots face challenges in accurately determining the position of a charging station and efficiently returning to it, especially in wide outdoor environments, leading to inefficiencies and power drainage due to unnecessary travel.

Innovation Solution

The robot uses a combination of reception results from multiple transmission signals and magnetic field sensing to determine the charging station's location and direction, allowing for an optimized path to dock accurately and quickly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the robot travels to find the charging station in wide outdoor environments, then the robot can locate the charging station, but the travel time increases and power may be discharged before returning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition recognition accuracyVSAvoidreturn travel time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station transmits signals continuously before the robot arrives, allowing the robot to detect and calculate its position in advance. The robot performs preliminary position calculations using signal reception values during travel, enabling it to determine the charging station's location before actually reaching it, thus reducing unnecessary travel time and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical search methods (traveling to find the charging station) with signal-based position calculation. The robot uses reception values of signals transmitted by the charging station to calculate its position and the charging station's position mathematically, substituting physical exploration with computational determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If the robot travels extensively to determine charging station position, then position information can be obtained, but power consumption increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition information accuracyVSAvoidoperation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The robot continuously receives signals from the charging station and uses the reception values as feedback to calculate its position. The system continuously updates position information based on real-time signal reception, allowing the robot to track its movement and determine the charging station's position accurately without extensive traveling, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The signal transmitted by the charging station acts as an intermediary carrier of position information. Instead of the robot physically searching for the charging station, the signal mediates the position determination process by encoding spatial information that the robot can decode through reception value analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple beacons are installed at boundary portions for position recognition, then position accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition recognition accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the position recognition function from multiple distributed beacons and concentrates it into a single charging station that transmits signals in all directions. This eliminates the need for multiple beacons at boundary portions while maintaining position recognition capability, thereby reducing system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging station performs multiple functions: it charges the robot and simultaneously transmits position information through signal transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate beacons dedicated solely to position recognition, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining accurate position determination.

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

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 approach enables the robot to efficiently and accurately navigate to and dock at the charging station, reducing unnecessary travel time and enhancing reliability and effectiveness in outdoor operations.

Implementation Method 1

a charging station provided in a travel area and transmitting a plurality of transmission signals for determining position information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a sensing unit to sense a magnetic field state at a point at which the main body is located

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3829830B1Moving robot, system of moving robot and method for moving to charging station of moving robot
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3829830B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3829830B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~2
  • EP3829830B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a moving robot, a moving robot system, and a method for moving to a charging system of the moving robot, wherein the moving robot moves to the charging system based on a reception result obtained by receiving a plurality of transmission signals transmitted from the charging station and a sensing result obtained by sensing a magnetic field state.