Robot Cleaner Docking Guidance Using Multi-Area Signal Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robot cleaner systems face challenges in efficiently guiding the robot cleaner to a docking station for charging and data synchronization, particularly in distinguishing docking signals from reflected waves and overlapping area signals, which can lead to incorrect navigation and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a docking station with multiple transmission units generating distinct docking guide signals with varying amplitudes and angles, allowing the robot cleaner to differentiate between docking areas and prevent misdirection by adjusting signal periods and amplitudes, enabling precise navigation to the docking area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple transmission units generate distinct docking guide signals with varying amplitudes and angles, then navigation accuracy is enhanced by distinguishing docking signals from reflected waves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station is divided into multiple transmission units (first, second, and third transmission units) that emit signals in different directions and with different characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to create distinct docking guide areas and accurately identify the robot's position and orientation, thereby improving navigation accuracy while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Each transmission unit emits signals with specific local characteristics (different amplitudes, angles, and coverage areas). The first and second transmission units cover left and right areas respectively, while the third transmission unit covers the center area. This local differentiation enables the robot to distinguish its position relative to the docking station and improve docking precision
2Loss of information
If docking guide areas are distinguished as first and second areas according to arrival distance of the docking guide signal, then area information is clearly identified, but signal transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic signal transmission with different periods to encode area information. By varying the signal period based on arrival distance, the robot can distinguish between different docking guide areas (first area for farther distance, second area for closer distance) without requiring complex spatial separation of transmission units
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes signal parameters (amplitude, period, frequency) to encode different area information. The first and second transmission units emit signals with different amplitudes and periods, allowing the robot to identify which docking guide area it is in based on the received signal characteristics, thereby reducing the need for complex physical area separation
3Manufacturing precision
If the robot cleaner moves to the docking area along a boundary between docking guide areas, then docking precision is improved, but navigation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot first moves to the boundary between the first and second docking guide areas as a preliminary step before final docking. This preliminary positioning along the boundary provides a known reference point that simplifies the subsequent docking maneuver, improving overall docking precision while minimizing total navigation time through optimized path planning
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs, enhances navigation accuracy by distinguishing docking signals from reflected waves, and allows the robot cleaner to quickly determine area information, improving the efficiency of the docking process.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second transmission units may include first and second light emitting units to generate docking guide signals
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
A robot cleaner system is described comprising a docking station having a first transmission unit to transmit a first docking guide signal comprising at least a first signal pulse and a second signal pulse having an amplitude greater than an amplitude of the first signal pulse, and a second transmission unit to transmit a second docking guide signal comprising at least a first signal pulse and a second signal pulse each having an amplitude greater than the amplitude of the first signal pulse. The robot cleaner system further comprises a robot cleaner including a plurality of reception units to sense the signals transmitted by the docking station and a control unit to control a driving unit to move the robot cleaner to the docking station based on the first docking guide signal and the second docking guide signal sensed by the reception unit, the robot cleaner distinguishing the first docking guide signal sensed in a first short-distance docking guide area from the first docking guide signal sensed by the robot cleaner in a first long-distance guide area, and the robot cleaner distinguishing the second docking guide signal sensed in a second short-distance docking guide area from the second docking guide signal sensed by the robot cleaner in a second long-distance guide area.