Robot cleaner, docking station, robot cleaner system including robot cleaner and docking station, and method of controlling robot cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaner systems face challenges in guiding robots to docking stations without overlapping docking signals, distinguishing docking signals from reflected waves, and efficiently conveying area information, leading to potential misdirection and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner system with a docking station that forms non-overlapping docking guide areas using distinct docking signals with varying amplitudes and delay times, allowing the robot to accurately navigate and dock by sensing boundaries between these areas, and a method for the robot to measure docking signal periods to differentiate between guide signals and reflected waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the docking station transmits docking guide signals to guide the robot cleaner to the docking area, then the robot cleaner can be guided to the docking position, but overlapping docking signals may cause misdirection and navigation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The docking guide signal is divided into multiple segments with different delay times corresponding to different docking guide areas. The transmission unit transmits first docking guide signals with a first delay time for a first docking guide area and second docking guide signals with a second delay time for a second docking guide area, preventing signal overlap and enabling precise area identification by the robot cleaner.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking guide signals are transmitted periodically with specific delay times. The transmission unit transmits signals in periodic cycles where each cycle includes signals with different delay times corresponding to different areas, allowing the robot to distinguish between areas based on the periodic signal patterns and their delay characteristics.
2Area of stationary object
If the docking station uses multiple transmission units to cover different docking guide areas, then the coverage area is expanded, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single transmission unit is designed to perform multiple functions by transmitting docking guide signals with different delay times. This single unit can guide the robot cleaner to multiple different docking guide areas (first area, second area, etc.) by varying the delay time parameter, eliminating the need for separate transmission units for each area and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission unit utilizes parameter changes in the signal delay time to differentiate between various docking guide areas. By adjusting the delay time parameter (first delay time for first area, second delay time for second area), the same transmission unit can serve multiple areas without requiring additional hardware, thus expanding coverage while maintaining simple device architecture.
3Ease of operation
If the robot cleaner senses docking signals from all directions, then it can locate the docking station more easily, but it cannot distinguish between direct docking signals and reflected waves
Solution Approach 1:
The docking guide signals are transmitted in periodic cycles with specific delay times. The robot cleaner's reception unit measures the period of received signals and compares it against expected periodic patterns. This allows the robot to distinguish between direct docking signals (which follow the expected periodic pattern with specific delay times) and reflected waves (which have different timing characteristics), enabling accurate signal source identification while maintaining ease of location detection.
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
The system reduces manufacturing costs, prevents undesired movement by clearly distinguishing docking signals from reflected waves, and enables the robot to quickly determine area information, ensuring efficient and accurate docking.
Implementation Method 1
a docking station to form a docking area within a predetermined angle range of a front side thereof, to form docking guide areas which do not overlap each other on the left and right sides of the docking area, and to transmit a docking guide signal
Implementation Method 2
a robot cleaner to move to the docking area along a boundary between the first docking guide area and the second docking guide area when the docking guide signal is sensed
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner system is described including a docking station to form a docking area within a predetermined angle range of a front side thereof, to form docking guide areas which do not overlap each other on the left and right sides of the docking area, and to transmit a docking guide signal such that the docking guide areas are distinguished as a first docking guide area and a second docking guide area according to an arrival distance of the docking guide signal. The robot cleaner system also includes a robot cleaner to move to the docking area along a boundary between the first docking guide area and the second docking guide area when the docking guide signal is sensed and to move along the docking area so as to perform docking when reaching the docking area.