Mobile Robot Camera Layout for Wide-Area Corner Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for efficiently observing the environment around a mobile robot are inadequate, particularly in terms of utilizing a small number of cameras for comprehensive coverage.
Innovation Solution
A mobile system with two cameras installed at specific positions on a mobile robot's housing, one facing downward from an upper corner and the other facing upward from a lower corner, forming quadrangular pyramid-shaped fields of view that cover the vicinity of the robot, ensuring wide area coverage without protruding from the robot's surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are used to achieve comprehensive environmental observation, then the observation coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional horizontal camera arrangements to a vertical arrangement where cameras are positioned at different heights (upper and lower sides) of the mobile robot. This vertical dimension enables the cameras to capture overlapping fields of view that collectively cover areas both above and below the robot, achieving comprehensive environmental observation with only two cameras instead of requiring multiple cameras in a single plane.
2Productivity
If cameras are positioned to maximize field of view coverage, then the observation efficiency is improved, but the cameras may protrude from the robot housing increasing its dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The cameras are nested within recesses formed in the housing of the mobile robot. This nesting arrangement allows the cameras to be positioned optimally for maximum field of view coverage while preventing them from protruding outward, thereby maintaining compact robot dimensions and avoiding interference with the surrounding environment.
3Area of stationary object
If cameras are installed at corners of the housing, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the installation precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented to include dedicated recesses at corner positions, and the camera mounting structure is divided into a base portion that fits into the recess and a camera holding portion. This segmentation provides precise positioning features and alignment guides that facilitate accurate camera installation at corner positions while simplifying the manufacturing process through modular assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile system including: a mobile robot; a first camera installed in a first predetermined area, the first predetermined area being an area at an upper side and a front side of a side surface area of a housing of the mobile robot; and a second camera installed in a second predetermined area, the second predetermined area being an area at a lower side and a rear side of the side surface area, in which the first camera is installed so that one of side surfaces of a quadrangular pyramid-shaped field-of-view range having a viewpoint of the first camera as an apex comes into contact with the side surface, and the second camera is installed so that one of side surfaces of a quadrangular pyramid-shaped field-of-view range having a viewpoint of the second camera as an apex comes into contact with the side surface.