Mobile Robot Signal Discrimination for Obstacle Sensing and Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile robots face challenges with signal interference between their sensors and the charging stand, leading to potential mis-sensing of obstacles and difficulties in docking.
Innovation Solution
The mobile robot employs a control unit that discriminates between various signals by adjusting signal transmission cycles and determining whether received signals match designated cycles, thereby minimizing interference and preventing mis-sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile robot uses sensors to sense obstacles and receives docking signals from the charging stand simultaneously, then the robot can perform obstacle avoidance and docking functions, but signal interference occurs causing mis-sensing and docking failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling sensors to operate in periodic cycles with different transmission cycles. When the robot needs to dock, the docking signal reception is prioritized by adjusting sensor operation cycles, allowing the robot to reliably receive docking signals from the charging stand while minimizing interference with sensor operations. This periodic scheduling resolves the contradiction by temporal separation of conflicting signal operations.
2Measurement precision
If the mobile robot transmits sensing signals continuously to detect obstacles, then obstacle detection accuracy is maintained, but signal interference with docking signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling sensors to transmit sensing signals in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The transmission cycle is dynamically adjusted based on robot operation state - during docking operations, the sensor transmission cycle is extended or paused to reduce interference with docking signals, while during navigation, normal sensing cycles resume. This resolves the contradiction between continuous sensing accuracy and signal interference reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor transmission cycle variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the sensing signal transmission cycle based on the robot's current operation state (cleaning, docking, charging). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize obstacle detection accuracy when needed while minimizing signal interference during docking operations, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and harmful signal interference.
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 effectively reduces signal interference, allowing the mobile robot to accurately sense obstacles and dock with the charging stand without errors.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit disposed on a front of the main body and sensing an obstacle located at a predetermined distance from the main body by transmitting a sensing signal
Implementation Method 2
a docking signal receiving unit receiving a docking signal that is transmitted from a charging stand
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile robot and a control method therefor, according to the present invention, are configured to determine whether a received signal is a pre-set signal and distinguish noise caused by overlapping of signals to control the operation of a sensor for detecting an obstacle according to an operation state of a main body such that transmission of a detection signal is limited, and thus has effects of the obstacle being easily detected by distinguishing each signal, the main body returning to a charging stand, and signal interference being minimized for a plurality of sensors using a signal of the same wavelength band.