Robot Position Correction Using Baseline Radar Edge Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intelligent cleaning robots face challenges in maintaining position accuracy on soft cotton or silk objects, leading to potential falls and inability to collect surrounding environments, thereby hindering effective cleaning operations.

Innovation Solution

A robot position correction method using radar to determine actual distances and angles relative to a baseline, enabling automatic correction of position and preventing falls by detecting edge regions, allowing operation on cotton or silk surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the robot uses absolute positioning technology to determine its position in the cleaning region, then the robot can be located and positioned accurately on hard surfaces, but the robot falls into soft cotton household items due to gravity and cannot collect surrounding environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (edge detection sensor or depth sensor) between the robot and the soft surface to detect the presence of soft cotton items and prevent the robot from falling into them. This intermediary allows the robot to maintain position accuracy on hard surfaces while avoiding the reliability issue on soft surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical absolute positioning system with a hybrid positioning approach that combines relative positioning (using sensors to detect edges and boundaries) with absolute positioning. This substitution allows the robot to adapt to both hard and soft surfaces, maintaining operational reliability while preserving position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the robot manually operates the bed cleaner to press each corner of a bed for a long time, then the bed cleaner can sterilize and disinfect bedding, but the cleaning work is tiresome for the user and the handheld bed cleaner is low in practicability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the robot to autonomously navigate and clean the bedding without continuous manual operation. The robot uses sensor-based positioning and edge detection to automatically move to different corners and areas of the bed, maintaining sterilization effectiveness while eliminating the need for tiresome manual pressing by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the manual operation requirement from the sterilization process by implementing autonomous navigation and positioning systems. The robot independently performs the cleaning tasks that previously required manual user intervention, thereby maintaining sterilization effectiveness while dramatically improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the robot uses radar to obtain actual distance and course angle relative to baseline, then the robot can automatically correct its position and prevent falls, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefall prevention capabilityVSAvoidposition correction system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by using the radar system not only for position correction but also for edge detection, obstacle avoidance, and navigation. This universal approach allows a single radar component to perform multiple functions, reducing the need for additional specialized sensors and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining fall prevention capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the position correction function with the navigation and obstacle detection functions into a unified radar-based system. By combining these functions, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby managing device complexity while achieving reliable fall prevention through accurate position correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Ensures accurate path planning and continuous operation on soft surfaces by correcting robot position and detecting edge regions, enhancing cleaning efficiency and preventing falls.

Implementation Method 1

obtains a first actual distance between a robot and a baseline in a target direction and a first course angle of the robot relative to the baseline by using a radar/detection antenna of a radar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP4246269B1Position correction method for robot, and related device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4246269B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4246269B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4246269B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A robot position correction method and a related device are provided. The method includes: obtaining a first actual distance between a robot and a baseline in a target direction and a first course angle of the robot relative to the baseline (S210), where the baseline is a boundary of a target object, the target direction is a direction perpendicular to the baseline, the first course angle is an included angle between a moving direction of the robot and the baseline, and the target object is an object related to a task executed by the robot; and controlling the robot to move based on an expected distance between the robot and the baseline in the target direction, the first actual distance, and the first course angle, so that a second actual distance between the moved robot and the baseline in the target direction is the expected distance (S211). A relative positioning technology is used to correct a position of the robot based on the baseline, and a solution in which the robot automatically corrects a position in a moving process is provided.