Solar Panel Cleaning Robot Edge Positioning Using Image Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar panel cleaning robots fail to accurately position themselves on the edges of solar panels, leading to a risk of falling and potential damage, especially when panels are mounted high, resulting in increased labor costs and reduced efficiency due to manual cleaning requirements.
Innovation Solution
An edge-positioning apparatus for solar panel cleaning robots, equipped with an image capturing unit and an image recognizing processing unit, captures and analyzes image information to identify frame lines and emitted light patterns, comparing them with predetermined data to determine if the robot is on the edge, adjusting its position accordingly to prevent falls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning robot uses conventional cleaning methods without edge detection, then the cleaning operation can proceed continuously, but the robot may fall off the solar panel edges causing damage and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical edge-detection mechanisms with an optical imaging system. The image capturing unit uses optical fields to detect frame lines, eliminating the need for mechanical sensors or complex physical edge-detection hardware while maintaining high reliability in preventing falls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frame lines as visual intermediaries marked on the solar panel edges. These frame lines serve as mediators between the physical edge and the robot's detection system, making edge positions easily identifiable through simple image capture and processing without requiring complex direct edge-sensing mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the cleaning robot is equipped with advanced edge-positioning capabilities, then the risk of falling can be reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the edge position through frame lines that are clearly marked on the solar panel. This copying approach allows the robot to identify edges through simple image recognition of the frame lines rather than requiring complex direct sensing, achieving high positioning accuracy with minimal system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from complex physical edge characteristics to simple visual frame line patterns. By transforming the edge-detection problem into a visual pattern recognition task with distinct frame lines, the system achieves high accuracy using basic image capturing and simple comparison logic.
3Productivity
If manual cleaning is used instead of automated cleaning robots, then the risk of robot falling and damage is eliminated, but labor costs increase and cleaning efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the cleaning robot to perform self-positioning and self-protection functions through automated image capture and processing. The robot independently detects frame lines, determines its position relative to edges, and adjusts its cleaning path accordingly, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining safety and achieving high cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the robot continuously captures images, processes frame line positions, and adjusts its cleaning path based on the detected edge positions. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the robot maintains safe operating distances from edges while efficiently completing cleaning tasks, achieving both high productivity and 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
Effectively reduces the risk of the cleaning robot falling from solar panels by accurately determining edge positions, thereby preventing unnecessary economic loss and improving cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an image capturing unit disposed on the vehicle body and configured to capture image information on a surface of the solar panel on a route of the vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
An edge positioning apparatus for a solar panel cleaning robot, and a positioning method thereof. The solar panel cleaning robot comprises a car body (10) and an edge positioning apparatus, and the car body travels or is resident on at least one solar panel (200). The edge positioning apparatus comprises an image acquisition unit (13) and an image recognition and processing unit. The image acquisition unit is arranged on the car body and is used for acquiring surface image information about the solar panel on a walking line of the car body. The image recognition and processing unit is used for processing image information, and in turn judging whether the car body is walking at an edge area of the solar panel.