UWB Charging Station Guidance for Wire-Free Robot Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moving robot systems face challenges in accurately guiding and charging robots in outdoor environments due to the complexity of open spaces and terrain, with current methods requiring wire laying for boundary setting and precise docking, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A station apparatus equipped with an Ultra-wideband (UWB) module and control unit that calculates reception angles for UWB signals to facilitate the return of moving robots to a charging station, using directional antennas to enhance signal reception and minimize blind spots, allowing for autonomous navigation and charging without the need for wire laying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wires are laid under the ground to set the boundary and guide the moving robot, then the robot can navigate and return to the charging station, but the boundary setting becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the boundary setting function from physical wire laying and implements it through wireless UWB communication. The charging station transmits UWB signals that the moving robot receives to determine its position and navigate back, eliminating the need for physical wire installation while maintaining navigation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire-laying system with an electromagnetic UWB signal-based positioning system. The charging station uses UWB modules to transmit signals, and the moving robot uses UWB receivers to calculate position and direction, substituting mechanical boundary markers with wireless electromagnetic field-based navigation
2Ease of operation
If wires are laid for boundary setting, then the robot can be guided to the charging station, but the system complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire-laying system with an electromagnetic UWB signal-based positioning system. The charging station uses UWB modules to transmit signals, and the moving robot uses UWB receivers to calculate position and direction, substituting mechanical boundary markers with wireless electromagnetic field-based navigation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces UWB signals as an intermediary between the charging station and the moving robot. The signals act as a virtual boundary and guidance mechanism, mediating the interaction between the stationary charging station and the mobile robot without requiring physical wire installation
3Reliability
If directional antennas are used to minimize signal blind spots, then UWB signal reception is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into multiple directional antennas arranged in specific orientations. By dividing the coverage space into multiple sectors covered by different antennas, the system minimizes blind spots and improves overall signal reception reliability without requiring a single complex omnidirectional antenna
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
The solution improves the efficiency of UWB signal reception and minimizes signal blind spots, enabling accurate navigation and charging of moving robots in outdoor environments by using directional antennas to determine the correct path back to the charging station, thus streamlining the boundary setting process and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an Ultra-wideband (UWB) module to receive a first UWB signal transmitted by a moving robot
Implementation Method 2
using directional antennas to enhance signal reception and minimize blind spots
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a station apparatus, including an Ultra-wideband (UWB) module to receive a first UWB signal transmitted by a moving robot, and a control unit to calculate a reception angle of the first UWB signal upon the reception of the first UWB signal, and control the UWB module to transmit a second UWB signal, including a direction value determined based on the reception angle, to the moving robot for return of the moving robot.