Surface Marking Robot Path Adjustment Around Guiding Shadow Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface marking robots experience navigation errors and interference in marking due to obstacles that obstruct electromagnetic radiation communication with the guiding system, leading to incomplete or distorted markings.
Innovation Solution
A method where a computing device receives digital representations of floor plans, identifies obstacles, and modifies the plan to exclude portions within shadow regions, allowing the robot to print while avoiding interference, using guiding system position information to adjust the path and complete markings in subsequent positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robot operates in shadow regions blocked by obstacles, then the robot can access and mark areas that would otherwise be unreachable, but electromagnetic radiation communication between the robot and guiding system is obstructed causing navigation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating shadow regions and adjusting the guiding system position before the robot enters problematic areas. The method computes which areas will be in shadow based on obstacle positions and guiding system location, then proactively relocates the guiding system or adjusts the path plan to prevent communication issues before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device acts as an intermediary between the robot and guiding system, receiving robot position data, calculating shadow regions, and determining optimal guiding system positions or path adjustments. This intermediary processing layer resolves the contradiction by mediating the conflict between robot accessibility and communication reliability through computational analysis and coordinated control.
2Reliability
If the guiding system position is adjusted to eliminate shadow regions, then communication reliability improves, but the time required to complete marking increases due to multiple positioning adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by adjusting the guiding system position only when and where shadow regions interfere with marking operations, rather than continuously repositioning. The method calculates specific shadow regions and determines minimal necessary adjustments to the guiding system position or robot path, avoiding unnecessary movements that would waste time while still maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the robot's path plan and guiding system position based on real-time shadow region calculations. Rather than using a fixed, overly conservative path that avoids all shadow regions, the system dynamically optimizes the trajectory to minimize time loss while ensuring the robot remains in communication range, adapting the path as the robot moves and shadow regions change.
3Measurement precision
If the robot path is modified to avoid shadow regions, then navigation accuracy improves, but the marking coverage decreases as some areas remain unmarked
Solution Approach 1:
The system resolves the contradiction by adding temporal and spatial coordination dimensions. Instead of simply avoiding shadow regions or marking everything, the method calculates shadow regions as a function of both robot position and guiding system position, then coordinates their relative movements in time and space. This allows the robot to enter shadow regions temporarily for marking while the guiding system relocates to maintain communication, achieving both navigation accuracy and complete coverage.
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 approach enables precise and reliable surface marking by reducing errors caused by obstacles, allowing the robot to operate effectively in shadow regions and complete markings efficiently by adjusting the guiding system position.
Implementation Method 1
a surface marking robot guided using a remote guiding system... the robot and the guiding system communicating using electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
obstacles located between the robot and the guiding system, such obstacles impacting the transmission of the electromagnetic radiation... when the robot is located in a shadow region generated by the obstacle
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method comprises receiving a digital representation of a floor plan to be printed by a surface marking robot guided using a remote guiding system, receiving guiding system position information, and receiving obstacle information identifying an obstacle. The method also comprises identifying a specific floor plan feature of the digital representation which intersects a shadow region of the obstacle from a guiding system point of view, and, in response to this, modifying the digital representation to produce a second digital representation, whereby the specific floor plan feature is either deleted or modified in the second digital representation, the modified floor plan feature excluding at least a portion of the specific floor plan feature in the shadow region. The method also comprises operating the surface marking robot to print the second digital representation using the guiding system.