Robot Trap Region Memory for Autonomous Obstacle Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sweeping robots often get trapped at obstacles such as furniture or small objects, requiring user intervention to continue working, leading to poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

The robot uses sensors and image recognition to identify obstacles, labels their locations, and avoids them in subsequent travels, using a control system to adjust its route and movement to prevent re-trapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional obstacle avoidance methods are used, then the robot can navigate environments, but the planning time is long and real-time response is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidplanning time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the obstacle avoidance planning into two distinct phases: global path planning (using A* algorithm for overall route) and local path planning (using dynamic window approach for real-time adjustments). This segmentation allows each phase to operate independently with appropriate algorithms, improving overall response speed while reducing total planning time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary global path planning using the A* algorithm to establish a baseline route before executing local real-time adjustments. This preliminary action provides a pre-computed path framework that reduces the computational burden during real-time local planning, thereby decreasing overall planning time while maintaining responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If complex path planning algorithms are used, then the path planning precision is improved, but the computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath planning precisionVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the path planning into global planning (A* algorithm for precise route calculation) and local planning (dynamic window approach for real-time adjustments). This segmentation assigns different computational complexities to different phases, achieving high precision where needed while managing overall computational load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the A* algorithm globally to compute a precise baseline path, then uses simpler local adjustments for real-time modifications. This partial application of complex algorithms only where necessary (global planning) while using simpler methods for routine adjustments optimizes the balance between precision and computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the robot follows a pre-planned path strictly, then the path following is simple, but the adaptability to dynamic obstacles is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to dynamic obstaclesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a two-layer planning system where the global path provides a static framework and the local planner dynamically adjusts the trajectory in real-time based on sensor feedback. This dynamic approach enables the robot to adapt to moving obstacles while maintaining a structured control architecture that manages complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates real-time sensor feedback into the local path planning process, allowing the robot to detect and respond to dynamic obstacles. The feedback loop continuously monitors the environment and adjusts the path accordingly, improving adaptability while using the hierarchical structure to manage control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are deployed for obstacle detection, then the detection precision is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstacle detection precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines data from multiple sensors (laser radar, ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors) into a unified obstacle detection and avoidance system. By merging sensor inputs and processing them through a coordinated control architecture, the system achieves high detection precision while managing overall system complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4137905B1Robot obstacle avoidance method, device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 BEIJING ROBOROCK INNOVATION TECH CO LTD
  • EP4137905B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4137905B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4137905B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A robot obstacle avoidance method, a device, and a storage medium. The method comprises: acquiring, in real-time, trapping feature information during a traveling process, the trapping feature information comprising a sensor parameter and/or image information (step S502); if the trapping feature information meets a trapping condition, checking whether a current position is within a trap region, wherein the trap region refers to a region in which a robot was trapped before or is likely to become trapped in (step S504); and if so, terminating a current movement route, and moving out of the trap region (S506). The method enables a robot to automatically acquire, according to its own sensor, an operation state of the robot during a traveling process, to record a current position when its own sensor determines that the robot is trapped, and to automatically detour and avoid the position if the robot is operating near the position again in the future. In this way, the invention enables continuous operation of the robot, and enhances smoothness of automatic cleaning by the robot.