Robotic Vehicle Controller Path Drift Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine control systems for tasks like lawn mowing lack precision and efficiency, particularly in maintaining a learned path without operator intervention, due to drift caused by variables like tire pressure and terrain roughness, and require manual operation which is costly and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A control system integrating a servo machine controller with machine vision and GPS monitoring for real-time steering and path correction, allowing machines to learn and follow paths defined by markers, enabling autonomous operation and team coordination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual operation is used to control machines, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity is reduced and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine operation efficiencyVSAvoidoperator intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The machine controller enables autonomous operation by learning the desired path during a teach mode and then automatically following that path during robotic mode, allowing the machine to serve itself without continuous operator intervention while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary path learning during teach mode where the operator guides the machine along the desired path, storing this information for subsequent automatic execution, thereby preparing the system in advance to operate autonomously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If simple path following is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to drift from tire pressure and terrain variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath following accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller continuously monitors the machine's position relative to the learned path and automatically adjusts steering to correct deviations caused by tire pressure changes, terrain roughness, and other variables, maintaining precise path following through real-time feedback control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces simple mechanical path following with an electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to detect position and execute corrective steering actions, substituting mechanical simplicity with electronic intelligence to achieve higher precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If autonomous operation is implemented, then productivity is improved, but reliability worsens due to drift and positioning errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous operation capabilityVSAvoidpath accuracy consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors position and path deviation, using feedback control to detect and correct drift in real-time, ensuring reliable and consistent path accuracy throughout autonomous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller performs periodic position checks and corrections along the learned path, systematically addressing potential drift at regular intervals to maintain cumulative accuracy over extended autonomous operation periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8645016B2Robotic vehicle controller

Publication Date: 2014.02.04 I GUIDE ROBOTICS

AI summary

A control system is provided for automatically moving at least one machine along a desired path.