Mobile Robot Docking Using a Metal Guide Near Charging Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lawn mower robots face difficulties in docking onto a charging station due to obstacles such as cut grass or soil, which hinders smooth charging and operation.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot equipped with a communication interface, metal sensor, and controller that detects a metal guide connected to the charging station, allowing it to navigate and dock accurately by adjusting its position and movement angle based on distance and sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor is equipped for docking onto a charging station, then docking smoothness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical or electromagnetic sensors with a metal sensor that detects magnetic field changes. This substitution simplifies the sensing mechanism by using magnetic field detection instead of complex optical systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining docking reliability through the metal sensor's ability to sense the charging station's metal guide.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile robot travels autonomously outdoors, then application versatility is improved, but docking reliability deteriorates due to obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a metal guide as an intermediary element between the charging station and the mobile robot. This metal guide extends from the charging station and serves as a reliable magnetic field source that the metal sensor can detect through obstacles like cut grass or soil, enabling the robot to locate and dock with the charging station even in outdoor environments with various surface conditions.
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
Enables precise and reliable docking onto the charging station even in contaminated or obstacle-rich environments, ensuring efficient charging and operation of the robot.
Implementation Method 1
a metal sensor configured to detect a metal guide connected to a charging station
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile robot, and a method of controlling the mobile robot, the mobile robot including a communication interface configured to communicate with a beacon; a metal sensor configured to detect a metal guide connected to a charging station; and a controller configured to control the communication interface to communicate with the beacon to obtain position information of the mobile robot, obtain a distance between the mobile robot and the charging station based on the obtained position information of the mobile robot and indoor map information, and based on the obtained distance being less than a first reference distance, operate the metal sensor to detect the metal guide.