Moving robot and controlling method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing moving robot systems for cleaning face challenges in accurately determining and respecting virtual boundaries within a cleaning area, leading to potential damage to obstacles and inefficient operation, as they often require external apparatuses for virtual wall setup and user intervention for position adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A moving robot system with integrated sensors and a terminal interface allows for the setting and management of virtual walls within the cleaning area, enabling the robot to recognize and navigate around virtual boundaries without physical obstructions, using pattern projection and image acquisition for obstacle detection and map generation, allowing for dynamic adjustment of cleaning paths and attributes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a physical external apparatus is installed to generate signals for preventing the moving robot from approaching certain areas, then the robot can be prevented from entering restricted zones, but the user must physically move and install the apparatus to change virtual wall positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestriction of robot to predefined areaVSAvoiduser mobility required for virtual wall setup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical physical apparatus with a virtual wall implemented through software and image processing. The terminal device displays a map of the cleaning area with virtual wall markings, and the robot recognizes these virtual walls by detecting specific patterns (such as colored lines or markers) captured by its sensors, eliminating the need for physical apparatus installation and user mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical boundary representation. Instead of using physical barriers or signal-generating devices, the system creates a digital map with virtual wall representations that the robot can recognize and follow. The virtual wall is a graphical representation on the terminal display that corresponds to the actual cleaning area boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If the moving robot uses obstacle detection to avoid furniture and walls, then it can navigate the cleaning area, but it may still approach and damage obstacles while changing paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidobstacle damage during path change

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining virtual walls and restricted areas before the robot begins cleaning. The terminal device allows users to set virtual walls on the map, and the robot is programmed to recognize and avoid these pre-established boundaries. This prevents the robot from approaching obstacles in restricted zones before it can cause damage, rather than relying solely on reactive obstacle avoidance during path changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the moving robot enters certain areas during cleaning, then it can maximize cleaning coverage, but it cannot escape after entering specific zones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning area coverageVSAvoidrobot mobility freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces virtual walls as intermediary boundaries that guide the robot's movement without physical obstruction. The virtual walls act as mediators between the robot's cleaning mission and the restricted areas, allowing the robot to systematically clean permitted zones while being guided away from restricted areas through pattern recognition and path planning, ensuring both coverage and mobility freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables precise navigation and cleaning within defined areas, preventing damage to obstacles and reducing user intervention by allowing virtual walls to be set and adjusted remotely, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

an obstacle detection unit which detects an obstacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10967512B2Moving robot and controlling method

Publication Date: 2021.04.06 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A moving robot system includes a moving robot which travels a cleaning area, generates a map for the cleaning area, and moves based on the map; and a terminal which receives the map, sets at least one virtual wall in the map, and transmits the virtual wall to the moving robot, wherein the terminal sets an attribute for controlling operation of the moving robot in the virtual wall, and wherein the moving robot divides a travelable area in correspondence to the virtual wall and performs cleaning while traveling the cleaning area, and performs a specified operation according to the attribute specified to the virtual wall when reaching the virtual wall.