Timed Electromagnetic Reception for Multi-Robot Boundary Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled vehicles operating in large areas or multiple vehicles within the same area experience interference due to overlapping electromagnetic signals, making it difficult to separately control each vehicle effectively.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled vehicle equipped with an electromagnetic signal receiving element and a data processing unit that controls a cycle of activation and deactivation of the receiver stage, allowing reception and processing of driving signals only during predetermined intervals, and a method that includes a cyclical activation and deactivation of the receiver stage to prevent signal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple self-propelled vehicles operate within the same area or in contiguous areas with overlapping electromagnetic signals, then the productivity and coverage capability are improved, but signal interference occurs making separate control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic time slots for signal transmission, where each self-propelled vehicle is assigned specific time windows to receive and process driving signals. The receiver stage is cyclically activated and deactivated according to predetermined time intervals, creating a periodic reception pattern that prevents simultaneous signal reception by multiple vehicles and eliminates interference between overlapping electromagnetic fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver stage is designed to dynamically switch between active and inactive states based on temporal criteria. The data processing unit controls the cyclic activation and deactivation of the receiver, adapting the reception behavior to the specific time slot assigned to each vehicle. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain reliable communication in environments where vehicles operate in contiguous or overlapping areas.
2Measurement precision
If the receiver stage continuously receives electromagnetic signals, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but signal interference from other vehicles degrades control precision
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous reception, the system uses periodic reception with cyclic activation and deactivation of the receiver stage. Each vehicle receives signals only during its assigned time slots, which eliminates interference from other vehicles operating in contiguous or overlapping areas. This periodic approach maintains positioning accuracy by ensuring clean signal reception during active periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous control capability through carefully timed periodic reception. By assigning non-overlapping time slots to different vehicles, the system ensures that each vehicle continuously receives uninterrupted signals during its active periods, while the overall system maintains continuous monitoring and control across all vehicles through the coordinated cyclic operation of all receiver stages.
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 solution enables precise control and positioning of self-propelled vehicles, preventing signal collisions and improving accuracy and reliability, even in complex or overlapping work areas.
Implementation Method 1
A driving signal is radiated as an electromagnetic field by the wire, and spreads in the aforesaid area, and can thus be received by the self-propelled vehicle
Implementation Method 2
at least one electromagnetic signal receiving element configured to receive, in use, a driving signal of the electromagnetic type, transmitted through a wire delimiting an area of said ground or floor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a self-propelled vehicle (10) configured to carry out maintenance on a ground or floor (100), comprising an electromagnetic signal receiving element configured to receive, in use, a driving signal (30) of the electromagnetic type, transmitted through a wire (201) delimiting the ground or floor (100), a receiver stage (12r), operatively connected with the electromagnetic signal receiving element and a data processing unit (13) operationally connected to the electromagnetic signal receiving element and configured to electronically process the driving signal (30) received, in order to determine a positional relationship between the wire (201) and the self-propelled vehicle (10). The data processing unit (13) is configured to control a cycle (400) of activation and deactivation of the receiver stage (12r). Within said cycle (400), the receiver stage (12r) is activated at least once for a predetermined time interval (Ton) of activation and is deactivated at least once for a predetermined time interval (Toff) of deactivation, according to a predetermined activation and deactivation criterion.