Mobile Robot Orientation Correction Using Ground Marker Vectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile robots deviate from predefined paths due to operational wear and mechanical degradation, leading to inefficiencies and high maintenance costs, necessitating a fast and automated orientation correction system.
Innovation Solution
A system with an odometry control arrangement and optical recognizer in the mobile robot captures images of ground markers, processes patterns to determine vectors, and reorients the robot to follow the correct path, using grids with predefined shapes and markers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual correction by moving to adjacent ground marker is used, then path deviation is corrected, but system downtime increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot performs self-correction by automatically detecting its own position deviation using onboard sensors and computing the correction vector to realign with the predefined path, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing system downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the robot's position relative to the predefined path using ground markers and sensors, computes the deviation, and provides real-time feedback to the control system to adjust the robot's trajectory and maintain path accuracy
2Manufacturing precision
If frequent manual intervention is implemented to correct orientation, then path accuracy is maintained, but operational time is reduced and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical correction with an automated optical and computational system that uses cameras, image processing, and vector calculations to detect position deviation and compute correction trajectories, eliminating the need for physical manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational layer that processes sensor data, compares actual position with predefined path, calculates deviation vectors, and generates correction commands, serving as an automated mediator between detection and physical correction
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
Automated orientation correction minimizes path deviations and reduces downtime, maintaining system throughput with minimal manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
an optical recognizer...is configured to capture an image of a portion of the work area underneath the mobile robot
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for automatically correcting orientation of a mobile robot operating in a work area comprising a matrix of ground markers is provided. The system comprises a pattern formed in each of defined grids in the work area. The pattern defines a plurality of vectors converging towards the corresponding ground marker positioned in the respective defined grid. The system further comprises a processing unit configured to: receive the captured image from an optical recognizer provided in the mobile robot; process the captured image to check if any section of the pattern is visible therein and to determine any vector visible in the section of the pattern; and configure an odometry control arrangement of the mobile robot to reorient the mobile robot to follow a path in a direction of the determined one of the plurality of vectors.