Magnetic Guidance Cables for Accurate Robot Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot guidance systems for mowing robots cause damage to lawns due to repeated boundary traversal and require complex mechanical structures for charging, limiting charging station placement and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A guidance device using a pair of symmetrically disposed guidance cables with opposite current directions to generate a magnetic field that adjusts the robot's heading, allowing for precise navigation and docking without mechanical guidance structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the robot moves along the boundary line to enter the charging station, then the robot can be guided to the charging station, but the lawn around the boundary is damaged due to repeated traversal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the boundary function from the physical boundary line embedded in the lawn. Instead of using the boundary line for both area definition and charging guidance, the system separates these functions: the boundary line defines the work area, while a separate virtual boundary (invisible magnetic field) guides the robot to the charging station. This eliminates the need for the robot to traverse the physical boundary line repeatedly, preventing lawn damage while maintaining charging guidance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary - the invisible magnetic field generated by the guidance device - to transfer the charging guidance function from the physical boundary line to a separate magnetic field-based virtual boundary. This intermediary allows the robot to be guided to the charging station without contacting or damaging the physical lawn boundary.
2Measurement precision
If a mechanical guidance structure is disposed in the charging station to guide the robot, then the robot can accurately dock with the charging terminal, but the structure in the charging station becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical guidance structure with a magnetic field-based virtual boundary system. The invisible magnetic field generated by the guidance device provides directional guidance to the robot, eliminating the need for complex mechanical structures such as guide rails, mechanical arms, or physical alignment mechanisms in the charging station. This substitution maintains docking accuracy while significantly simplifying the charging station structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the invisible magnetic field as an intermediary between the guidance device and the robot, replacing the need for direct mechanical contact and complex mechanical guidance structures. The magnetic field serves as a non-contact mediator that guides the robot to accurately dock with the charging terminal without requiring complex mechanical components in the charging station.
3Ease of operation
If the charging station is disposed at the boundary to use boundary signals for guidance, then the robot can be guided to the charging station, but the layout is limited due to corners and signal changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging guidance function from the boundary line itself and relocates it to a separate guidance device positioned near the charging station. This separation allows the charging station to be placed anywhere within the work area without being constrained by boundary line locations or corner signal changes. The guidance device generates its own invisible magnetic field that independently guides the robot to the charging station regardless of boundary geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the invisible magnetic field from the guidance device as an intermediary that replaces the boundary signal-based guidance system. This intermediary provides stable and reliable guidance signals that are not affected by boundary corners or signal changes, enabling flexible placement of the charging station anywhere within the work area while maintaining accurate robot guidance capability.
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 enables accurate robot navigation and charging without lawn damage, allowing for flexible charging station placement and improved robot guidance, reducing the complexity of the charging process.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic field in the spacing region is used to guide a robot to adjust its heading; and the guidance cables each comprises a pair of electrically connected guidance wire segments
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention discloses a robot guidance device, comprising a pair of guidance cables, wherein the pair of guidance cables are disposed symmetrically relative to a center line and spaced apart from each other to form a spacing region, and a magnetic field in the spacing region is used to guide a robot to adjust its heading; and each guidance cable comprises a pair of electrically connected guidance wire segments, the pair of guidance wire segments are disposed opposite and spaced apart from each other, and a direction in which the pair of guidance wire segments are spaced apart is consistent with a direction in which the pair of guidance cables are spaced apart. An embodiment of the present invention also discloses a heading adjustment method, robot system and docking guidance method thereof.