Lawn Mowing Robot Sensor Calibration for Inclined Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lawn mowing robots face challenges in accurately operating in outdoor environments with inclined planes and varied terrain, leading to slippage and errors in navigation due to inadequate sensor calibration, which affects their ability to follow intended routes and perform tasks as intended by the user.
Innovation Solution
A lawn mowing robot equipped with a controller that performs sensor calibration by rotating its body in a predetermined pattern within the operating area, using sensors like geomagnetic, gyro, and acceleration sensors to optimize parameter settings, allowing it to accurately sense its environment and maintain intended navigation paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the same sensor calibration operation is applied to both indoor moving robots and lawn mowing robots, then the manufacturing process is simplified and standardized, but the sensing accuracy deteriorates in outdoor environments leading to large errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different calibration parameter sets based on the operating environment. Indoor robots use one calibration parameter set optimized for flat, controlled environments, while lawn mowing robots use a different calibration parameter set optimized for outdoor terrain with inclined planes. This allows each robot type to have sensor parameters tailored to its specific operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between standardized manufacturing and environment-specific accuracy.
2Device complexity
If a lawn mowing robot operates on inclined planes without specialized calibration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates causing slippage and inability to follow intended routes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs sensor calibration specifically for inclined plane operation before the lawn mowing robot begins its actual work. The controller rotates the robot body in a predetermined pattern to collect sensor data under tilted conditions, then stores calibration parameters optimized for inclined surfaces. This preliminary calibration action ensures reliable navigation on slopes without adding complex hardware, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and operational reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the robot body is rotated in a predetermined pattern for sensor calibration, then the sensing accuracy is improved, but the calibration time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements sensor calibration as a periodic operation that occurs at specific intervals - such as when the robot is first deployed, when transitioning between significantly different terrains, or at scheduled maintenance intervals. The controller automatically manages this periodic calibration by rotating the robot body in a predetermined pattern, collecting sensor data, and updating calibration parameters. This periodic approach balances the need for accurate sensing with the constraint of calibration time, ensuring high measurement precision without requiring continuous calibration.
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 can accurately sense its environment and maintain intended navigation paths, reducing errors and enhancing its ability to operate as intended, even in critical regions with inclined planes, thereby improving its overall performance and reducing the need for costly pre-manufacturing calibration processes.
Implementation Method 1
a geomagnetic sensor that senses a voltage value inside a closed loop by the wire
Implementation Method 2
a gyro sensor that senses information about at least one operation history of the main driving wheel and an auxiliary driving wheel
Implementation Method 3
an acceleration sensor, and a time piece
Data Source
AI summary
A lawn mowing robot for performing self-driving is provided. The lawn mowing robot includes a body forming an appearance of the lawn mowing robot, a driving wheel configured to move the body, a sensor configured to sense information associated with a posture of the lawn mowing robot, and a controller configured to perform a calibration of the sensor to control the driving wheel to move the body in a predetermined pattern in an operating area of the lawn mowing robot, for setting a parameter associated with the sensor.