Lawn Mower Robot Beacon Tracking for Dynamic Area Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lawn mower robots face limitations in accurately recognizing and adapting to changes in their travel area due to movable beacons in outdoor environments, leading to inaccuracies in position recognition and stability of operation.

Innovation Solution

A lawn mower robot system that includes a main body, a driving unit, a receiver, and a controller, which uses signal transmission elements like UWB and GPS signals to detect position changes and update an area map, ensuring accurate and stable navigation within designated boundaries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If beacons are installed at boundary portions of travel area to enable position recognition, then position recognition capability is improved, but position recognition accuracy deteriorates when beacons move due to outdoor environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition recognition capabilityVSAvoidposition recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by enabling the area map to dynamically update when beacon positions change. The system detects beacon position changes through signal transmission and reception, and automatically updates the stored area map to reflect current beacon locations. This transforms the static area map into a dynamic one that adapts to environmental changes, resolving the contradiction between initial position recognition capability and ongoing position recognition accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements the Feedback principle by creating a closed-loop system where the robot continuously receives signals from beacons, detects position changes, updates the area map, and uses the updated map for navigation. This feedback mechanism ensures that position recognition accuracy is maintained even when beacons move due to outdoor environmental factors like wind or terrain changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If beacons are fixed at specific positions to generate area map, then area map generation is simplified, but position recognition becomes inaccurate when beacons relocate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearea map generation complexityVSAvoidposition recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static area map generation approach to a dynamic one. While the initial area map generation remains simple based on fixed beacon positions, the system continuously monitors beacon positions and updates the area map when changes are detected. This dynamic approach maintains both simplicity in initial setup and accuracy during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the Preliminary action principle by pre-storing the area map based on initial beacon positions, then preparing the system to detect and respond to beacon movements. The robot is equipped with signal reception capabilities and update mechanisms before actual operation begins, enabling it to quickly adapt when beacons relocate without requiring complete re-mapping procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If multiple beacons are distributed in travel area for position determination, then position recognition coverage is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition recognition coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Segmentation principle by dividing the travel area into multiple zones, each monitored by individual beacons. This allows the system to maintain comprehensive coverage while managing complexity through modular beacon units. Each beacon independently transmits signals and can be individually tracked, making the overall system more manageable despite the distributed nature of multiple beacons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3603371B1Lawn mower robot, system of lawn mower robot and control method of lawn mower robot system
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3603371B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3603371B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3603371B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a lawn mower robot, a lawn mower robot system, and a control method of the lawn mower robot system, whereby a position change of a signal transmission element is detected based on a result of receiving a signal transmitted from the signal transmission element, and a present position of the signal transmission element is reflected in an area map.