Navigation Map Updates Across Work Machines Without Order Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for guiding robots in dynamic production environments, such as those in Industry 4.0, face challenges with inflexibility and complexity due to reliance on physical markings or complex laser technology, leading to potential conflicts and high user effort in updating navigation map data across multiple robots.
Innovation Solution
A method for distributing navigation map data to multiple robots, allowing each to work with independent map data, enabling flexible and automated switching from old to new navigation maps, reducing user effort and minimizing system failures by algorithmically adjusting affected work orders and ensuring seamless execution of work orders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical markings or complex laser technology are used to guide robots, then navigation guidance is achieved, but the system becomes inflexible and complex with high user effort for updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual copies of position paths derived from laser data to replace physical markings. These virtual position paths are stored as digital representations that can be easily modified and distributed to multiple robots without physical changes to the factory environment, thereby achieving flexibility while reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical guidance systems (physical markings, magnetic strips, metal wires) with a digital information-based system. Laser data is processed to create virtual position paths that are transmitted to robots, eliminating the need for physical infrastructure and reducing both complexity and inflexibility
2Ease of operation
If virtual position paths based on laser data are used, then flexibility and ease of editing are improved, but sophisticated laser technology and complex editing processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the navigation system into independent components: laser data acquisition, position path generation, map data creation, and distribution to robots. Each component can be independently managed and edited, allowing simple modification of position paths without affecting the entire system, thereby improving ease of operation while managing complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically processes laser data to generate and update position paths and map data without requiring sophisticated manual editing. The automated processing reduces the need for complex user intervention and sophisticated laser technology operation, making the system easier to use
3Adaptability or versatility
If navigation map data is updated across multiple robots, then new local conditions are accommodated, but user effort and risk of system failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates and validates new navigation map data before distributing it to robots. The system prepares updated position paths and map data in advance, allowing verification of correctness before deployment, thereby accommodating changing conditions while minimizing the risk of system failures during updates
Solution Approach 2:
The system distributes updated navigation map data to robots and can receive feedback on execution success. This feedback mechanism allows the system to verify that updates are working correctly and to make adjustments if needed, improving reliability while maintaining adaptability to changing local conditions
4Measurement precision
If work orders are terminated and restarted after map data update, then navigation accuracy is improved, but productivity is reduced due to interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic approach where robots can operate with different versions of navigation map data simultaneously. The system allows flexible switching between old and new map data based on robot identity and work order requirements, enabling continuous operation without forced interruptions, thereby maintaining both navigation accuracy and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of map data version assigned to each robot dynamically. Instead of forcing all robots to use the same map version, the system assigns appropriate map data versions to individual robots based on their needs, allowing seamless transition to new map data while maintaining continuous productivity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Method for distributing navigation map data (8,9) to a plurality of work machines (10,11) that are part of a network of work machines (10,11) and that perform work orders (1,2,3) in this network, wherein the navigation map data (8,9) are necessary in the work machines (10,11) for the execution of the work orders (1,2,3) and work orders (1,2,3) are planned on the basis of navigation map data (8,9), comprising the following steps: a) identifying work orders (1,2) existing in the network for work machines (10,11) that were planned on the basis of old navigation map data (8), b) checking the work orders (1,2) existing in the network to see if these work orders can be carried out with new navigation map data (9), c) terminating work orders (2) that cannot be carried out with new navigation map data (9), and d) importing new navigation map data (9).