Robot Charging Station Docking via Laser and Infrared Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intelligent robots face challenges in accurately identifying and docking with charging stations, often resulting in collisions and reduced efficiency due to the reliance on infrared sensors, which can be misled by obstacles and result in slow navigation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that combines laser ranging and feature recognition with infrared guiding signals to detect and accurately identify the charging station, allowing for precise navigation and docking, even in the presence of obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the robot uses only infrared sensor for guiding signal to reach charging station, then the robot can navigate towards charging station, but the search speed is slow and the robot may collide with hollow obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines infrared guiding signals with laser ranging and laser feature recognition to create a multi-sensor navigation system. The infrared sensor provides initial guidance direction, while laser ranging detects distance to charging station, and laser feature recognition confirms charging station identity, together resolving the contradiction between search speed and identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser ranging and laser feature recognition as intermediary detection mechanisms between the infrared sensor and the charging station. These intermediaries verify the presence and identity of the charging station before the robot commits to docking, preventing collisions with hollow obstacles while maintaining navigation efficiency.
2Reliability
If the robot uses collision detection to identify charging station position, then the robot can dock with charging station, but the identification efficiency is reduced and damage probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical collision detection system with optical detection systems (laser ranging and laser feature recognition). The laser sensors detect the charging station's position and features without physical contact, substituting mechanical interaction with optical field interaction, thereby improving identification efficiency and reducing damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser ranging and laser feature recognition as intermediary detection layers between the robot and charging station. These optical intermediaries provide precise position and identity information before docking occurs, eliminating the need for collision-based identification while maintaining docking accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the robot increases collision times during docking process, then the robot can identify charging station position, but the damage probability and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical collision-based position identification with optical laser ranging and feature recognition. The laser system measures distance and identifies charging station features instantaneously without physical contact, achieving high position identification precision while dramatically reducing docking time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary position and identity verification using laser ranging and feature recognition before the actual docking action. This preliminary optical detection establishes precise positioning information in advance, eliminating the need for repeated collisions during docking and reducing overall time consumption.
4Ease of operation
If the robot relies on infrared guiding signal alone, then the robot can follow guiding signal, but the robot cannot identify hollow obstacles and may collide with them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges infrared guiding signal navigation with laser ranging obstacle detection. The infrared sensor maintains simple navigation toward the charging station, while the laser ranging sensor simultaneously detects hollow obstacles by measuring reflected laser intensity, together resolving the contradiction between navigation simplicity and obstacle identification accuracy.
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
This combination significantly improves the robot's ability to accurately recognize the charging station, reduces collisions, and accelerates the docking process by compensating for the blind spots of infrared signals and avoiding misidentification of obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a distance to a charging station according to a laser ranging signal
Implementation Method 2
starting laser feature recognition when the distance is determined less than a preset distance, where the laser feature recognition is configured to identify the charging station
Implementation Method 3
the robot, when at a long distance, follows infrared guiding signal of the charging station to reach a position near the charging station by using the infrared sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of robots, and disclose a method and a device for automatically charging a robot, a charging station and a robot. The method for automatically charging a robot in the present application, applied to the robot, includes the steps of: detecting a distance to a charging station according to a laser ranging signal; starting laser feature recognition when the distance is determined less than a preset distance, where the laser feature recognition is configured to identify the charging station; and performing docking process according to a recognition result of the laser feature recognition, a laser ranging signal and an infrared guiding signal. The method for automatically charging a robot in the embodiments enables the intelligent robot to quickly and accurately find the charging station, and accurately perform the docking process and automatically charging.