Wireless Alignment Control for Moving Bodies in Low-Visibility Docking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for guiding moving bodies, such as underwater drones, to power supply stations face challenges in alignment accuracy due to environmental factors like poor visibility, depth, and obstructions, which affect the reliability of camera-based alignment methods.

Innovation Solution

A moving body equipped with a communicator for wireless communication, an index acquirer to measure transmission path characteristics, and a movement controller to determine and adjust its position or direction based on these characteristics, thereby improving alignment accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If camera-based alignment is used for movement to power supply station, then the moving body can navigate to the destination, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to environmental factors such as poor visibility, depth, and obstructions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidenvironmental factors (visibility, depth, obstructions)

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical camera-based alignment system with a wireless communication-based alignment system. Instead of using visual markers and cameras to determine position and orientation, the moving body uses wireless signal transmission path characteristics (such as signal strength, phase, or time of flight) to calculate its position and orientation relative to the power supply station. This substitution eliminates the dependency on visual conditions and provides reliable alignment accuracy regardless of environmental factors like poor visibility, depth, or obstructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If camera-based alignment is used, then the moving body can identify the power supply station, but reliability decreases in challenging environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment reliabilityVSAvoidenvironmental factors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the camera-based visual identification system with a wireless communication-based identification system. The moving body identifies the power supply station by detecting wireless signals and analyzing transmission path characteristics, which are not affected by environmental conditions such as darkness, mud, or seaweed blockage that render camera-based identification unreliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If wireless communication is used for alignment, then alignment accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidcommunication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the wireless communication system for multiple functions: power supply, data transmission, and alignment. The same wireless communication hardware and protocols used for powering the moving body and transmitting data are also employed for position and orientation determination. This multi-functionality approach avoids the need for separate dedicated alignment equipment, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving high alignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The moving body performs alignment calculations using its own wireless communication receiver and processor. The system self-determines its position and orientation by analyzing the transmission path characteristics of signals received from the power supply station, without requiring external alignment assistance or additional specialized alignment equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 proposed solution enhances alignment accuracy by using wireless communication and transmission path characteristics, reducing reliance on visual cues and improving the moving body's ability to navigate challenging environments.

Implementation Method 1

a communicator that performs wireless communication with an external apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250130585A1Moving body and movement control method

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A moving body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a communicator that performs wireless communication with an external apparatus; an index acquirer that acquires a first index value indicating a transmission path characteristic between the moving body and the external apparatus; and a movement controller that determines, based on the first index value, a first position or a first direction to or in which the moving body moves, and causes the moving body to move to the first position or in the first direction.