Robot Vacuum Docking Guidance Using Timed Beacon Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous traveling devices, such as vacuum cleaners, face challenges in having a simple structure, reducing power consumption, and minimizing interference with other units due to complex signal generation and constant signal output requirements for guiding.
Innovation Solution
A traveling device comprising an autonomous unit and a beacon unit with separate transmitting parts that send the same guide signals at different timings, allowing the autonomous unit to navigate based on signal reception status, simplifying the structure and reducing power consumption by avoiding constant signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the charging unit outputs left-side and right-side guide signals simultaneously as different types, then the vacuum cleaner can be guided accurately, but the structure and processing required for generating signals becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the left-side and right-side guide signals into a single signal type transmitted from a single guide signal transmitting element. The autonomous traveling unit distinguishes between left and right directions by analyzing the timing and sequence of received signals rather than requiring different signal types, thereby simplifying the signal generation structure while maintaining guiding accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time dimension to differentiate between left and right guide signals. Instead of using different signal types (frequency, amplitude, or code), the system transmits the same signal type at different timings - left-side signals are transmitted at one timing and right-side signals at another timing, allowing the autonomous unit to distinguish directions through temporal analysis
2Reliability
If the charging unit outputs guide signals all the time, then the autonomous traveling unit can be guided reliably, but a large amount of power is consumed and interference with other signals may be caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of guide signals instead of continuous transmission. The guide signal transmitting element transmits signals at predetermined intervals, which significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining guiding reliability. The autonomous traveling unit can still accurately determine its position and direction by receiving these periodic signals
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous traveling unit actively requests guide signals when needed rather than relying on continuous transmission from the charging unit. This allows the system to operate in a demand-driven manner where the beacon unit transmits signals only when the autonomous unit is in the guidance area, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliability
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
This solution enables the autonomous unit to efficiently and reliably navigate towards the beacon unit while minimizing power consumption and interference with other units, achieving a cost-effective and interference-free guidance system.
Implementation Method 1
one beacon unit-side transmitting part and a different beacon unit-side transmitting part arranged in positions separated from each other. The beacon unit-side transmitting parts transmit respective guide signals
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner includes a charging unit including first and second light emitting parts arranged in positions separated from each other. The light emitting parts transmit respective guide signals to guide a vacuum cleaner body. The charging unit includes a charging unit controller to make the light emitting parts transmit the respective guide signals that are same guide signals and transmitted according to respective timings. The vacuum cleaner body includes a third light emitting part to transmit a demand signal. The vacuum cleaner body includes a light receiving part capable of receiving the respective guide signals transmitted from the first and second light emitting parts. A controller makes the body case travel toward the charging unit depending on respective receiving statuses at the light receiving part of the two guide signals transmitted from the first and second light emitting parts and according to the respective timings.