Robot Cleaner Camera Assembly for Obstacle Sensing and Position Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaners are economically infeasible due to the separate inclusion of obstacle sensors and camera units for space recognition, leading to increased manufacturing costs and less accurate position estimation.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design that utilizes a single camera unit as both an obstacle detection sensor and space recognition sensor, incorporating a light source, reflector, and band pass filter to emit and guide infrared light, allowing the camera to serve both functions while a controller corrects the robot's position using odometry and image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate obstacle sensors and camera units are used, then obstacle detection and space recognition functions are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the obstacle sensor and camera unit into a single integrated sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a light source, camera, reflector, and guide member that work together to perform both obstacle detection and space recognition functions, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: the light source emits light for both obstacle detection and space recognition, the camera captures images for both purposes, and the guide member directs light for dual functionality. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components needed in the robot cleaner.
2Reliability
If separate obstacle sensors and camera units are used, then obstacle detection and space recognition functions are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the obstacle sensor and camera unit into a single integrated sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a light source, camera, reflector, and guide member that work together to perform both obstacle detection and space recognition functions, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing manufacturing cost.
3Device complexity
If only odometry information is used for position estimation, then the system is simple, but position estimation accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback from the camera unit to correct position estimation errors. The camera captures images of the environment, and the controller compares these images with expected positions to detect and correct deviations in the robot cleaner's actual position from its estimated position, improving overall position estimation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera unit serves dual purposes: it acts as both an obstacle detection sensor and a space recognition sensor for position correction. This multi-functional use of the camera allows the system to improve position estimation accuracy without adding dedicated correction hardware.
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 design reduces manufacturing costs and enhances the accuracy of the robot's position estimation by using a single camera unit for obstacle detection and space recognition, improving navigation and mapping capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit light toward an area in front of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a reflector configured to reflect light incident on a front of the housing toward a front region of the lens
Implementation Method 3
a guide member hollow inside configured to guide light incident on a top of the housing toward a rear region of the lens
Implementation Method 4
The band pass filter may transmit light having wavelengths of an infrared range.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner includes a housing a sensor assembly disposed in the housing, wherein the sensor assembly comprises a light source configured to emit light toward an area in front of the housing; a camera unit comprising a lens; a reflector configured to reflect light incident on a front of the housing toward a front region of the lens; and a guide member hollow inside configured to guide light incident on a top of the housing toward a rear region of the lens. The robot cleaner estimates a current position of the robot cleaner more accurately by correcting the current position of the robot cleaner estimated by using odometry information based on images acquired by the camera unit.