Cleaning Robot Charging Alignment Using Light Beam Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning robots lack an efficient method to navigate and align with charging stations, leading to potential misalignment and inefficient charging processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a non-omnidirectional light detector with a rib or mask that spins to detect a light beam with specific boundaries, allowing the robot to determine the direction and move perpendicular to the charging station, ensuring accurate alignment and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light detector is used to detect the light beam from the charging station, then the robot can navigate to the charging station, but the robot cannot accurately determine the direction and align perpendicular to the charging station
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spinning rib structure that rotates to scan the light beam boundaries. This dynamic element transforms a static detection problem into a dynamic scanning process, allowing the robot to detect the first and second boundaries of the light beam by the rib's position when it detects the light, thereby determining direction and alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib acts as an intermediary between the light detector and the light beam. It physically intersects the light beam boundaries and provides mechanical reference points that the detector can use to calculate the charging station's direction and the required perpendicular alignment angle.
2Productivity
If the robot moves along the light beam boundary, then it can reach the charging station, but it may not align properly for effective charging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the light detector's measurements of the light beam boundaries to continuously adjust the robot's navigation. By calculating the angle between the detected boundaries and the charging station, the robot receives directional feedback that guides it to both reach and properly align with the charging station for effective charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an angular dimension to the navigation problem. Instead of simply moving toward the charging station, the robot detects the light beam boundaries and calculates orientation angles, transforming a one-dimensional approach problem into a two-dimensional positioning and orientation problem that ensures proper alignment.
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 solution enables the cleaning robot to efficiently and accurately navigate to the charging station, ensuring proper alignment and effective charging by decoding the light beam boundaries, thereby improving the charging process.
Implementation Method 1
a light detector to detect a light beam
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the invention provides a cleaning robot including a light detector and a controller. The light detector detects a light beam. The controller is coupled to the light detector to control the cleaning robot. When the controller determines that the light beam is being output by a charging station, the controller controls the cleaning robot to move to the charging station along a first boundary of the light beam, which is substantially perpendicular to the charging station.