Robot Cleaner Docking Guidance Using Segmented Light Signals
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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 uses distinct docking guide areas and signals with varying amplitudes and delay times, along with lens units and shading plates to reduce spreading angles and differentiate signals, allowing the robot to accurately navigate and dock without overlapping areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If docking signals are transmitted to guide the robot cleaner to the docking station, then the robot can be guided to the docking area, but the docking signals may overlap and cause misdirection
Solution Approach 1:
The docking guide signal is divided into multiple segments transmitted at different delay times. The first signal segment is transmitted at a first delay time and the second signal segment is transmitted at a second delay time that is longer than the first delay time. This segmentation prevents signal overlap and allows the robot to distinguish between different signal portions, thereby improving docking guidance accuracy without increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking guide signal uses periodic transmission with different delay times for different signal segments. By transmitting signal segments at periodic intervals with increasing delay times, the system creates distinct temporal patterns that prevent overlap and enable reliable signal recognition by the robot cleaner.
2Reliability
If the robot cleaner uses sensors to measure distances to obstacles, then the robot can navigate without collision, but the docking signal may be confused with reflected waves from obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily establishes a timing pattern where the second signal segment is transmitted at a delay time longer than the first signal segment. This preliminary timing arrangement allows the robot to expect and distinguish the second segment as part of the docking signal rather than as a reflected wave from an obstacle, improving detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot cleaner measures the period of the docking signal to detect reflected waves. By comparing the measured period against the expected periodic pattern of the docking signal segments, the robot can distinguish between genuine docking signals and reflected waves from obstacles, thereby improving signal detection reliability.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple docking signals are transmitted to cover different areas, then complete area coverage is achieved, but the signals overlap and convey redundant information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to differentiate docking signals for different areas. Instead of using only spatial separation, the system transmits docking guide signals with different delay times in the time domain. This allows multiple area signals to be conveyed without overlap, improving information efficiency while maintaining complete area coverage.
4Area of stationary object
If the docking guide signal is transmitted with a wide spreading angle, then the signal reaches a larger area, but the signal strength decreases and becomes harder to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts signal transmission parameters by using sequential transmission with increasing delay times. The first signal segment is transmitted with higher intensity to cover longer distances, while the second segment is transmitted later to reinforce coverage in closer areas. This dynamic temporal adjustment optimizes both coverage area and signal detection sensitivity.
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 distinguishing docking signals from reflected waves, and enables quick area information checking by containing multiple pieces of area information in a single signal, enhancing docking efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
first and second light emitting units to generate docking guide signals
Implementation Method 2
first and second lens units provided outside the first and second light emitting units so as to spread the docking guide signals
Implementation Method 3
first and second shading plates to block some of the docking guide signals passing through a first lens unit or a second lens unit so as to reduce spreading angles of the docking guide signals
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.