Distance detection apparatus and self-propelled device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile robots, such as smart home cleaning robots, face challenges in accurately detecting distances and navigating along walls due to issues with infrared sensors misjudging distances on materials like mirrors and smooth surfaces, leading to poor accuracy and potential collision.
Innovation Solution
A distance detection apparatus with multiple emitting light sources and photosensitive surfaces, utilizing the triangulation ranging method, to accurately measure distances by receiving and analyzing reflected light information, ensuring robust obstacle detection and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infrared sensors are used for distance detection, then the device can detect obstacles, but the detection accuracy deteriorates on mirrors and smooth surfaces due to misjudgment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into multiple independent light sources and photosensitive surfaces arranged in specific geometric patterns. This segmentation allows the system to perform triangulation measurements from multiple viewpoints, preventing misjudgment on reflective surfaces by cross-validating measurements from different angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multiple light sources and photosensitive surfaces as intermediaries to establish triangulation measurement paths. These intermediaries create multiple optical paths that reflect off the target object, allowing the system to calculate accurate distances even when some paths are affected by surface reflectivity issues.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light sources and photosensitive surfaces are added to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light sources and photosensitive surfaces into an integrated detection apparatus with a unified control system. The controller coordinates all components and processes their respective signals together to perform triangulation calculations, reducing the practical complexity despite having multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection apparatus is designed so that multiple light sources and photosensitive surfaces serve multiple functions: they collectively perform triangulation measurements, provide redundant detection paths, and can potentially detect obstacles from different angles simultaneously, maximizing the utility of each added component.
3Measurement precision
If triangulation ranging method is implemented with multiple components, then detection accuracy on non-Lambertian surfaces improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes triangulation ranging which changes the measurement parameter from direct infrared reflection intensity to geometric distance calculation based on multiple viewpoints. This parameter change makes the measurement inherently more accurate on non-Lambertian surfaces because it relies on geometric relationships rather than light intensity, which varies unpredictably on reflective surfaces.
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
Enhances the accuracy of distance measurement and obstacle avoidance, particularly on non-Lambertian surfaces, facilitating effective cleaning and navigation while maintaining a simple structure suitable for mass production.
Implementation Method 1
the emitting light source being configured to emit probe light with a divergence angle to a target object, and the detection assembly being configured to receive reflected light information passing through the receiving lens and reflected by the target object
Implementation Method 2
the detection assembly includes one or at least two photosensitive surfaces, and the controller is configured to determine the measured distance of the target object according to reflected light information received by the photosensitive surfaces
Data Source
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AI summary
A distance detection apparatus and a self-propelled device (100). The distance detection apparatus comprises: an emitting light source (210), a receiving lens (220), a detection assembly (230), and a controller. The receiving lens (220) and the emitting light source (210) are arranged at intervals, and the detection assembly (230) is located near a focal plane of the receiving lens (220). The emitting light source (210) is configured to emit detection light having a divergence angle to a target object (300). The detection assembly (230) is configured to receive reflected light information reflected by the target object (300) and passing through the receiving lens (220), The controller is electrically connected to the detection assembly (230), and the controller is configured to determine a measurement distance of the target object (300) according to the reflected light information received by the detection assembly (230).