Rotating Optical Sensor Layout for Multi-Directional Robot Obstacle Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning robots face limitations in detecting obstacles in various directions due to high costs and reduced durability associated with the use of laser scanners and single PSD sensors, which struggle with simultaneous detection and require tilting operations.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning robot equipped with a rotatable support plate featuring multiple light emitters and receivers, allowing for obstacle detection in multiple directions by changing the arrangement of light emitters and receivers, and utilizing a controller to process signals and rotation information for effective obstacle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a laser scanner is used for obstacle detection, then detection precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive laser scanners with inexpensive PSD sensors that can achieve adequate detection performance for cleaning robot applications. Multiple low-cost PSD sensors are arranged to provide comprehensive obstacle detection coverage, eliminating the need for expensive single-point laser scanning while maintaining sufficient detection precision for navigation purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the obstacle detection function across multiple PSD sensors positioned at different locations and angles. Each sensor covers a specific detection zone, and together they provide comprehensive 360-degree obstacle detection. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide-angle detection capability without requiring a single expensive high-performance scanner.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single PSD sensor is used for obstacle detection, then cost is reduced, but detection capability deteriorates due to inability to detect obstacles in multiple directions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection space into multiple zones and assigns different PSD sensors to detect specific zones. By arranging sensors at various angles and positions, each sensor monitors a particular direction, collectively achieving comprehensive multi-directional obstacle detection without requiring a single expensive omnidirectional scanner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-point detection to multi-point spatial detection by distributing multiple PSD sensors across different positions and angles. This spatial distribution adds dimensional coverage, enabling the system to detect obstacles in multiple directions simultaneously while maintaining low cost through the use of simple sensor units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single PSD sensor is tilted to detect obstacles in different directions, then detection versatility is improved, but durability deteriorates due to mechanical wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for mechanical tilting by segmenting the detection function across multiple fixed sensors. Each sensor remains stationary in its assigned detection zone, removing mechanical moving parts that would wear out. The system achieves versatile multi-directional detection through the coordinated operation of multiple static sensors rather than a single dynamic sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making a single sensor movable to change detection directions, the patent inverts the approach by making multiple sensors fixed and changing their spatial arrangement. The detection versatility is achieved through the configuration of multiple stationary sensors rather than the movement of a single sensor, thereby eliminating mechanical wear.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light emitters and receivers are arranged on a rotatable support plate, then obstacle detection in various directions is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light emitters and receivers into integrated sensor modules that are mounted on the robot body. By merging the emission and reception functions into coordinated pairs, the system simplifies the overall structure while maintaining multi-directional detection capability. The rotatable support plate integrates these modules, allowing coordinated rotation of all sensors together rather than individually managing complex arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable support plate serves multiple functions: it holds and coordinates multiple sensor modules, provides a unified rotation mechanism for all sensors, and enables the entire sensor array to scan the environment simultaneously. This multi-functional design simplifies the system compared to having separate mounting mechanisms for each sensor.
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
Enables efficient detection of obstacles from multiple angles without increasing costs or reducing durability, allowing the robot to navigate effectively while preventing the need for tilting operations.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter configured to radiate light; a plurality of light receivers configured to receive a radiation of the light in a predetermined direction among radiations of the light reflected from an obstacle when the radiated light is reflected from the obstacle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided are a cleaning robot and a method of controlling the same, and more specifically, a cleaning robot provided to detect an obstacle in various directions and a method of controlling the same. The cleaning robot includes a light emitter configured to radiate light, a plurality of light receivers configured to receive a radiation of the light in a predetermined direction among radiations of the light reflected from an obstacle when the radiated light is reflected from the obstacle, a support plate to which the light emitter and the light receiver are fixed and which is rotatably provided, and a controller configured to detect the obstacle on the basis of output signals transmitted from the light emitter and the plurality of light receivers and rotation information of the support plate.