Robot Magnetic Field Tracking for Fast Return to Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-propelling robots, such as lawn-mowing robots, face inefficiencies in returning to a base station due to complex navigation systems, prolonged return times, and high costs, with current systems requiring multiple current loops and being limited by magnetic field direction.
Innovation Solution
A simplified magnetic field generation system at the base station with a linear coil or electrically conducting wire around a ferromagnetic core, generating a magnetic field that converges towards the base station, allowing the robot to detect and follow lines of force for efficient return, reducing energy consumption and implementation complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex electronic navigational control system with two current conductor loops is used, then the robot can return to the base station, but the system becomes too complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex inner conductor loop from the navigational system, retaining only the essential outer loop. This simplification maintains the robot's ability to return to base while removing unnecessary complexity. The solution takes out the redundant component (inner loop) that was causing system complexity while preserving the core functionality through the remaining outer loop structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple nested loops as in the prior art, the patent inverts the approach by using a single outer loop that provides both boundary definition and navigational guidance. The robot detects the magnetic field generated by this single loop and follows it to return to base, reversing the conventional multi-loop architecture into a simplified single-loop system.
2Device complexity
If the robot follows the preferential direction of the magnetic field to return to base, then navigation is simplified, but the return time becomes too long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the robot to actively detect and dynamically follow the magnetic field lines of force generated by the outer loop. Instead of following a fixed preferential direction, the robot continuously senses the magnetic field orientation and adjusts its path to follow the field lines directly to base, optimizing the return trajectory and reducing travel time while maintaining system simplicity.
3Device complexity
If a simplified single loop system is used, then the system becomes less expensive and simpler, but the robot must follow preferential directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the magnetic field generated by the outer loop as an intermediary that provides directional information to the robot. The magnetic field lines act as a mediator between the base station and the robot, encoding navigational guidance information that the robot can detect and follow. This intermediary enables the simplified single-loop system to provide adaptive guidance without requiring the robot to follow rigid preferential directions.
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 solution significantly reduces the time and energy required for the robot to return to the base station, increases reliability, and lowers costs by simplifying the system while ensuring accurate navigation without reliance on preferential directions.
Implementation Method 1
a base station (80) having the function of generating a magnetic field (B) which extends at least in part over a working area (S)
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field sensor (76) configured to detect a set of contiguous lines of force of the magnetic field (B)
Data Source
AI summary
It is described a working apparatus for a limited working area, comprising a base station configured to generate a magnetic field and a self-propelling robot. The self-propelling robot comprises means for moving the self-propelling robot in the working area, a gyroscope, a magnetic field sensor and a processing unit configured to control the movement of the self-propelling robot. The processing unit comprises a magnetic field search module configured to move the self-propelling robot so as to search for the set of contiguous magnetic field lines of force inside the working area according to a defined search path, and comprises a magnetic field tracking module configured to move the self-propelling robot to track at least a portion of the set of found contiguous lines of force by means of a plurality of maneuvers of crossing the set of found contiguous lines of force until reaching the base station.