Robotic Charging Station Map Update for Autonomous Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic work tools, such as lawnmowers, face inefficiencies when changes occur in the operational area, particularly with the location of charging stations, requiring manual confirmation by users or technicians, which is time-consuming and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A robotic work tool system equipped with a navigation sensor, memory for a map application, and a controller that detects changes in the location of a charging station and automatically updates its location in the map application if the change is below a threshold acceptance level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual confirmation is required for installation changes, then system safety and accuracy are maintained, but user convenience and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic work tool automatically detects charging station location changes using its navigation sensor and autonomously updates the map application without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by comparing detected locations with stored map data and performing updates when changes exceed the threshold, eliminating the need for manual confirmation while maintaining reliability through automated validation.
2Measurement precision
If manual reconfirmation is performed for every charging station relocation, then navigation accuracy is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a threshold parameter (e.g., 0.5 meters) that determines when a location change requires map updates. Small variations below this threshold are automatically tolerated without triggering reconfirmation procedures, while larger changes exceed the threshold and initiate automated updates. This parameter-based approach maintains location accuracy for significant moves while ignoring minor positional variations, dramatically reducing time consumption.
3Productivity
If automated updating is implemented for charging station locations, then user convenience and time efficiency improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of location verification with an automated sensor-based detection system. The navigation sensor continuously monitors charging station positions, and the controller automatically compares detected locations with stored map data, triggering updates only when necessary. This substitution of manual operations with automated sensing and processing improves productivity while managing complexity through algorithmic simplicity.
4Productivity
If threshold-based automated updating is used, then operational efficiency improves, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial updates by only detecting and responding to location changes that exceed the threshold, rather than continuously monitoring and updating all position variations. This partial action approach maintains operational efficiency by ignoring minor fluctuations below the threshold while still capturing significant location changes, balancing productivity with acceptable measurement precision requirements.
Data Source
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Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A method for use in a robotic work tool (100) arranged to operate in an operational area (205) housing a charging station (210), the robotic work tool (100) comprising a navigation sensor (175, 170, 180, 185) and a memory (120) storing a map application (120A) of the operational area (205), the method comprising: detecting that there has been a change in a location of the charging station (210), and in response thereto determining that the change is below a threshold acceptance level, and if so, automatically updating the location (210M) of the charging station (210) in the map application (120A) of the operational area (205).