Robot Dock Placement Validation for Obstacle-Free Autonomous Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous mobile robots face challenges in accurately detecting and avoiding obstacles in the docking area, leading to potential docking failures due to misplaced docking stations or environmental obstructions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot system equipped with a drive system and a controller circuit that uses imaging sensors or sensors like bump, optical, and proximity sensors to detect obstacles in the docking area, generating notifications and recommendations for users to clear or reposition the docking station, and suggesting alternative locations if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile robot uses basic obstacle detection methods, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of docking is poor due to inaccurate obstacle detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple types of sensors (imaging sensors, bump sensors, optical sensors, proximity sensors) into an integrated obstacle detection system. This merging of different detection modalities enables comprehensive obstacle identification while maintaining manageable system complexity through unified control circuitry that processes inputs from all sensor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes data from various sensor types, generates obstacle detection notifications, provides docking guidance, and suggests alternative docking locations. This multi-functional approach improves docking reliability without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
2Measurement precision
If the robot uses multiple sensor types for obstacle detection, then the measurement precision of obstacles improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensor types (imaging, bump, optical, proximity) into a single integrated detection system managed by one controller circuit. This combination achieves high measurement precision through multi-modal sensing while controlling complexity by using unified processing logic that handles all sensor inputs through consistent algorithms.
3Ease of operation
If the docking station is placed in a convenient location, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability of docking deteriorates due to potential obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary obstacle detection and validation of the docking area before the robot attempts to dock. The controller circuit proactively identifies obstructions and notifies the user to clear the area or relocate the docking station, preventing docking failures before they occur. This advance detection ensures reliability without complicating the placement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user about the suitability of the docking location by detecting obstacles and generating notifications. This feedback loop allows users to adjust the docking station placement or clear obstructions, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring docking reliability through informed decision-making.
4Productivity
If the robot performs comprehensive obstacle detection and validation, then the productivity of docking operations improves, but the loss of time for detection and validation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs obstacle detection and docking area validation in advance, before the robot attempts docking. This preliminary action prevents failed docking attempts, ensuring that when docking occurs, it succeeds on the first try. The time investment in preliminary detection is offset by eliminating repeated failed attempts, thereby improving overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot autonomously performs obstacle detection and validation without requiring user intervention during the docking process. The controller circuit independently analyzes sensor data, determines docking feasibility, and guides the robot accordingly. This self-service approach minimizes the time users need to spend monitoring and adjusting the docking process, improving overall operational efficiency.
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
Ensures efficient and reliable docking by identifying and addressing obstacles, reducing docking failures and enhancing the overall operational efficiency of the mobile robot.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile robot system is provided that includes a docking station and a mobile cleaning robot... a controller circuit to detect a presence or absence of one or more obstacles in the docking area from an image of the docking area, such as one taken by a camera associated with the mobile cleaning robot
Implementation Method 2
A mobile robot system equipped with a drive system and a controller circuit that uses imaging sensors or sensors like bump, optical, and proximity sensors to detect obstacles in the docking area
Implementation Method 3
A mobile robot system equipped with a drive system and a controller circuit that uses imaging sensors or sensors like bump, optical, and proximity sensors to detect obstacles in the docking area
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for validating location of a docking station for docking a mobile robot. In an example, a mobile robot system includes a docking station and a mobile cleaning robot. The mobile cleaning robot includes a drive system to move the mobile cleaning robot about an environment including a docking area within a distance of the docking station, and a controller circuit to detect, from an image of the docking area, a presence or absence of one or more obstacles in the docking area. A notification may be generated to inform a user about the detected obstacles. The mobile device may generate a recommendation to the user to clear the docking area or reposition the docking station, or suggest one or more candidate locations for placing the docking station.