Robot Charging Control with Dual Battery Threshold Priority
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile robot charging systems often result in some robots having to wait for their turn to be charged, leading to battery levels becoming too low for them to operate, especially when the number of robots exceeds the number of available chargers.
Innovation Solution
A charging control method and system that sets threshold values for battery levels and prioritizes charging based on these levels, ensuring that robots with lower battery levels are charged before they reach critical levels, even if they are not currently idle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charging is controlled based on a single threshold value, then charging decisions are simple, but robots with moderately low battery levels may not be charged in time and their battery levels drop to critical levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery level monitoring into multiple segments by setting two threshold values (first threshold and second threshold) instead of using a single threshold. The first threshold triggers charging when battery level is between the first and second thresholds, while the second threshold triggers charging when battery level is below the first threshold. This segmentation allows differentiated charging strategies for different battery states, improving reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by proactively charging robots when their battery levels reach the second threshold (moderately low level) before they reach the first threshold (critical level). This advance charging action prevents battery levels from dropping to critical levels, ensuring operational reliability. The system anticipates potential battery depletion and takes preventive charging measures.
2Productivity
If multiple robots are charged simultaneously with limited chargers, then charging efficiency is high, but some robots must wait and their battery levels may drop too low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring battery levels of multiple robots and dynamically adjusting charging priorities. When a robot's battery level reaches the second threshold, the system provides feedback to prioritize its charging. This feedback loop ensures that robots with moderately low battery levels are identified and charged promptly, maintaining operational readiness while efficiently utilizing limited charger resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification and prioritization of robots needing charging before their battery levels reach critical levels. By monitoring and identifying robots at the second threshold level in advance, the system can proactively allocate charger resources, preventing situations where robots must wait until battery levels are critically low.
3Reliability
If charging priority is given to robots with lowest battery levels, then critical battery levels are prevented, but robots with moderately low battery levels may wait too long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging priority system into two distinct levels based on battery threshold comparisons. Robots with battery levels below the first threshold receive highest priority (immediate charging), while robots with battery levels between the first and second thresholds receive secondary priority (scheduled charging). This segmentation ensures critical battery levels are prevented while reducing waiting time for moderately low battery levels through appropriate priority assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary priority assignment when robots reach the second threshold, scheduling them for charging before they reach critical levels. This preliminary scheduling action reduces waiting time by preparing the charging sequence in advance, rather than waiting until battery levels become critical.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging control method includes setting at least a first threshold value and a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value as threshold values with respect to a remaining capacity of a storage battery unit included in each of a plurality of work devices. The method includes outputting, in a first state where the remaining capacity of the storage battery unit included in a work device designated as a target of control is equal to or greater than the first threshold value but less than the second threshold value, a charging start instruction to the work device when a predetermined decision condition is satisfied. The method further includes outputting, in a second state where the remaining capacity of the storage battery unit is less than the first threshold value, the charging start instruction to the work device, no matter whether the condition is satisfied or not.