Robot Docking Signal Layout for Fast Area Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robot cleaner systems face inefficiencies in quickly distinguishing and navigating between different docking guide areas, leading to longer recognition times for docking signals and potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
The docking station employs a transmission unit that forms non-overlapping docking guide areas on either side with distinct signal amplitudes, allowing the robot cleaner to differentiate between areas using a single signal, and a central docking signal within a predetermined angle range, utilizing light emitting units and shading plates to adjust signal spread and direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple docking guide signals are transmitted separately to different areas, then the robot cleaner can distinguish between different docking guide areas, but the recognition time increases and docking efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple docking guide signals for different areas into a single composite signal that contains encoded area information. The transmission unit emits one signal that incorporates identifiers for multiple docking guide areas, allowing the robot cleaner to recognize all areas simultaneously rather than sequentially, thus reducing recognition time while maintaining area distinction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The single docking guide signal is designed to serve multiple functions: it simultaneously identifies multiple docking guide areas, provides navigation guidance, and encodes area-specific information. This multi-functional signal replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate signals, improving docking efficiency without sacrificing measurement precision.
2Loss of information
If separate signals are used for each docking guide area, then area information can be clearly transmitted, but the signal complexity and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple area-specific signals into a single composite signal structure. The transmission unit generates one signal that contains embedded identifiers for multiple docking guide areas, eliminating the need for multiple separate transmission channels and reducing system complexity while preserving complete area information.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal uses variable parameters such as amplitude modulation or frequency coding to encode different area identifiers within a single signal waveform. By changing parameters within the single signal rather than creating multiple separate signals, the system maintains information completeness while simplifying the transmission system architecture.
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 enables the robot cleaner to quickly and accurately identify docking areas, reducing recognition time and improving docking efficiency by containing multiple pieces of area information in a single signal, thus enhancing navigation and collision avoidance.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting unit to generate the docking guide signal
Implementation Method 2
a shading plate to block some of the docking guide signal so as to reduce a spreading angle of the docking guide signal
Implementation Method 3
a lens unit provided outside the light emitting unit so as to spread the docking guide signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A docking station is described comprising a first transmission unit to transmit a first docking guide signal in a first direction such that the first docking guide signal sensed by a robot cleaning device located in a first short-distance docking guide area is distinguishable from the first docking guide signal sensed by the robot cleaning device in a first long-distance docking guide area, wherein the first docking guide signal comprises at least a first signal pulse and a second signal pulse having an amplitude greater than an amplitude of the first signal pulse, and the first signal pulse and the second signal pulse are transmitted within a single signal frame.