Tilt-Adaptive Robot Heading Control on Inclined Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Moving robots tend to slip on inclined surfaces, making it difficult to maintain a target travel route and requiring a control method that adapts to various movement motions on such surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A moving robot equipped with a tilt information acquisition unit and a controller that adjusts the heading direction based on surface inclination, using different driving methods for horizontal and inclined surfaces to maintain proximity to the target route and prevent slipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the robot travels on an inclined surface using conventional control methods, then it can move forward, but it slips in the downward inclination direction and deviates from the target travel route

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute maintenance accuracyVSAvoidslipping control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The controller adjusts the heading direction parameter based on tilt information from the tilt information acquisition unit. When an upward inclination is detected, the controller modifies the heading direction to compensate for the expected slip in the downward direction, thereby maintaining accurate route following on inclined surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously acquires tilt information from the tilt information acquisition unit and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the heading direction. This closed-loop control enables the robot to adapt to varying inclination angles and maintain stable travel along the target route

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the robot uses a fixed driving method for all surfaces, then the control system is simple, but it cannot adapt to inclined surfaces and maintains accurate route

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface adaptation capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the heading direction based on real-time tilt information. The controller modifies driving parameters adaptively when inclination is detected, enabling the robot to handle both horizontal and inclined surfaces with a single versatile control system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tilt information acquisition unit and controller work together to provide a universal control solution that handles multiple surface conditions (horizontal and inclined). The system automatically selects appropriate control strategies based on the detected surface inclination, eliminating the need for separate control systems for different surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the robot does not adjust heading direction on inclined surfaces, then the control system is simple, but it deviates from the target route; if it adjusts heading direction, then route accuracy improves, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidcontrol algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller modifies the heading direction parameter based on tilt information. By changing this single control parameter in response to detected inclination, the system achieves accurate position control on inclined surfaces without requiring complex control algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses tilt information as feedback to continuously adjust the heading direction. This feedback mechanism enables precise position control by compensating for inclination-induced deviations, achieving high measurement precision with a relatively simple control structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3521965B1Moving robot
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3521965B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3521965B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3521965B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed is a moving robot including: a body defining an exterior; a travelling unit configured to move the body against a travel surface; an operation unit disposed in the body and configured to perform a predetermined operation; a tilt information acquisition unit configured to acquire tilt information on a tilt of the travel surface; and a controller configured to, when target movement direction being preset irrespective of an inclination of the travel surface crosses an upward inclination direction of the travel surface, control a heading direction, which is a direction of a travelling force (Fh) preset to be applied by the travelling unit to the body, to be a direction between the target movement direction and the upward inclination direction based on the tilt information.