Cleaning Robot Optical Navigation for Base Station Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning robots require excessive time to locate and return to their base station due to reliance on encoding signals and distance detection methods that are not definitive in identifying the base station.
Innovation Solution
A moving device equipped with first and second receiving devices to detect emitted light from the base station, determining the target direction and distance, and a determination device to differentiate between obstacles and the base station, allowing for efficient navigation and docking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the cleaning robot uses conventional return mode with encoding signals and distance detection, then the robot can identify the base station, but the time required to locate and return to the base station is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the base station identification process into two independent segments: optical signal detection for direction finding and encoding signal detection for confirmation. This segmentation allows the robot to simultaneously perform both detection tasks rather than sequentially, significantly reducing the total time required to locate and identify the base station while maintaining accurate identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the robot detect the optical signal first to determine the target direction and navigate toward the base station before performing encoding signal detection. This preliminary navigation reduces the search area and time for the subsequent encoding signal detection, thereby reducing overall return time while ensuring accurate base station identification
2Ease of operation
If the cleaning robot moves along walls to return to base station, then the robot can navigate without complex detection, but the robot cannot efficiently locate the base station when obstacles are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wall-following navigation method with an optical field-based navigation system. The robot uses optical receiving devices to detect emitted light from the base station and determines the target direction based on the optical signal strength distribution. This substitution allows the robot to navigate directly toward the base station regardless of wall configurations or obstacles, significantly improving return efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through automatic optical guidance
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 the moving device to quickly and accurately determine the direction and proximity to the base station, reducing the time required for return and docking, even when encountering obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
a first receiving device (10A, 10B) for receiving an emitted light from the base station (2)
Implementation Method 2
a second receiving device (11) for receiving the emitted light, when the moving device (1) is in the target area, to obtain a distance between the moving device (1) and the base station (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A moving device is provided. A first receiving device receives an emitted light from a base station and obtains a direction from a start position, which the moving device is in to the base station according to the emitted light to serve as a target direction. A driving device drives the moving device to move in the target direction from the start position. When the moving device meets a first obstacle which is disposed along the target direction and in the target area, a second receiving device obtains a distance between the moving device and the base station according to the received emitted light to serve as a middle distance. When a determination device determines that the middle distance is not equal to a predetermined distance, the driving device drives the moving device to detour around the first obstacle and move in the target direction continuously.