Mobile Robot Stop Position Reset Using Stored Reference Maps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile robot systems struggle to efficiently adjust the stop position when the position of a stop reference object changes or when the system is relocated to a new site, requiring manual measurement and adjustment, which is time-consuming and burdensome for the user.

Innovation Solution

A robot stop position setting device that includes a map storage unit, a stop position storage unit, a reference position output unit, and a stop position calculation unit, allowing the robot to automatically calculate and set the stop position based on a reference position without manual machine operation or measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurement and adjustment is used to set the robot stop position after environmental changes, then the stop position can be accurately adjusted, but the time and physical burden required for resetting increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestop position accuracyVSAvoidtime for resetting position

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing map information and stop position data before environmental changes occur. When the environment changes, the system automatically retrieves and reuses the previously stored stop position settings, eliminating the need for manual re-measurement and re-adjustment. This preliminary storage of position data allows the robot to quickly adapt to environmental changes without time-consuming manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the stop position settings by storing coordinate information in map data. Instead of requiring physical re-measurement, the system copies the stored position data and applies it to the new environment. This digital copying mechanism preserves the original stop position information and enables rapid reconfiguration without manual measurement, significantly reducing the time and physical burden of resetting positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If manual measurement and adjustment is used to set the robot stop position after environmental changes, then the stop position can be accurately adjusted, but the physical burden on the user increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestop position accuracyVSAvoidease of resetting position

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically managing the stop position settings. Instead of requiring users to manually measure and adjust positions, the system autonomously retrieves stored map information and stop position data, processes the environmental changes, and reconfigures the robot's stop positions automatically. This self-service capability eliminates the need for users to perform physically burdensome manual measurement and adjustment tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical process of manual measurement and physical adjustment with an automated computational system. The stop position settings are managed through digital map data and coordinate calculations rather than physical measuring tools and manual positioning. This substitution of mechanical operations with automated information processing significantly reduces the physical burden on users while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the robot system is relocated to a new site, then the robot can be deployed in new environments, but the stop position settings from the previous site cannot be directly applied and require reconfiguration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to relocate to new siteVSAvoidcomplexity of reconfiguration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by creating a standardized digital map representation that can be applied across different sites. The stop position settings are stored as coordinate data in a universal map format that can be reused when relocating to new environments. This multi-functional approach allows the same stop position configuration to be adapted to multiple locations without requiring site-specific reconfiguration, simplifying the relocation process while maintaining adaptability to new sites.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12372970B2Robot stop position setting device and mobile robot system

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

AI summary

Provided is a robot stop position setting device that sets a stop position of a robot, including a map storage unit for storing map information, a stop position storage unit for storing a robot stop position, a reference position output unit that outputs a reference position for calculating the robot stop position, and a stop position calculation unit that calculates the robot stop position based on the reference position.