Robotic Lawnmower Navigation via Time-Slot Signal Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic lawnmowers face challenges in efficiently navigating back to charging stations due to constraints on magnetic field strengths, which limit the effectiveness of guide signals and increase installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
Allocating time slots for guide cables to the F-field allows for increased F-field strength without exceeding legal field strength limits, enabling more effective navigation while staying within regulatory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guide wires are installed to help the robotic lawnmower navigate back to the charging station, then navigation effectiveness is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of guide signals through time slots allocated to different guide wires. Instead of continuous transmission, the system uses periodic pulses at specific intervals, allowing multiple guide wires to share the same frequency resource without interference. This reduces installation complexity by eliminating the need for separate frequencies for each guide wire while maintaining navigation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the guide signal transmission into segmented time slots, where each time slot is allocated to a specific guide wire. This segmentation allows multiple guide wires to operate simultaneously without interference, reducing installation complexity by avoiding the need for multiple frequencies while maintaining reliable navigation through structured time-division multiplexing.
2Reliability
If the F-field strength is increased to improve navigation, then navigation effectiveness is improved, but legal interference constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulse transmission instead of continuous F-field emission. By transmitting navigation signals in periodic time slots rather than continuously, the system achieves effective navigation while significantly reducing the average magnetic field strength, thereby complying with legal interference constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the F-field transmission by activating it only during specific time slots when navigation signals need to be transmitted, and deactivating it during other periods. This dynamic operation maintains navigation effectiveness when needed while minimizing magnetic field interference during non-critical periods, ensuring compliance with legal constraints.
3Reliability
If guide signal field strength is increased to improve navigation, then navigation effectiveness is improved, but legal field strength limits are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic transmission of guide signals through time-division multiplexing, where each guide wire transmits during allocated time slots. This periodic approach allows the system to achieve sufficient signal strength for effective navigation during active slots while maintaining average field strength below legal limits through periodic rest periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary allocation of time slots to different guide wires before transmission begins. This preliminary structuring allows each guide wire to transmit at optimal power levels during its allocated slots without exceeding legal limits, ensuring navigation effectiveness is achieved within regulatory constraints.
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 enhances the robotic lawnmower's ability to find the charging station without randomly searching, simplifying installation and ensuring compliance with legal interference constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a control signal to be transmitted through a boundary cable arranged to enclose a work area, in which the robotic lawnmower is supposed to serve
Implementation Method 2
the F-field, which may be used for enabling the robotic lawnmower to find its way back to the charging station
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
A robotic lawnmower system, comprising a charging station comprising a controller said controller being configured to associate a time slot for use to transmit a guide signal, and a robotic lawnmower, wherein said controller is configured to detect if a guide cable is connected to the charging station or not, and if not, allot said associated time slot to another use.