Celestial navigation system for an autonomous vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems for autonomous vehicles are limited in their ability to accurately navigate complex environments, as they often rely on obstacle detection and infrared patterns that can be interfered with by objects, making it difficult for vehicles to track their location and move independently in cluttered spaces.
Innovation Solution
A navigation control system that includes a transmitter emitting signals, a power source capable of wireless charging, and a receiver on the autonomous vehicle that uses these signals to determine its relative location within a working area, allowing it to navigate effectively by calculating azimuth and elevation angles and creating a map of its environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If infrared or other detectors are used to sense nearby walls, obstacles, or objects, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but the ability to track location within a room or working environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is divided into two independent subsystems: one using infrared detectors for obstacle detection and another using a transmitter-receiver system with azimuth/elevation angle measurement for location tracking. This segmentation allows each subsystem to specialize in its function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between obstacle detection and location tracking capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If infrared patterns are dispersed in horizontal directions around the autonomous vehicle, then navigation capability is improved, but the system becomes limited to working spaces with few objects that may interfere with the patterns
Solution Approach 1:
A printed circuit board acts as an intermediary component to convert captured wireless energy into a form suitable for charging the power source. This intermediary enables wireless charging functionality, allowing the transmitter to be powered without physical connection, thereby improving system adaptability and ease of deployment in various working environments.
3Ease of operation
If a transmitter with battery-powered operation is used, then placement flexibility is improved, but the device requires periodic recharging which consumes time and operational continuity
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter is equipped with a wireless energy harvesting system that automatically captures ambient wireless energy and converts it to charge its own power source through an intermediary printed circuit board. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual recharging operations and reduces operational interruptions, while maintaining placement flexibility.
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 system enables autonomous vehicles to accurately locate themselves and navigate within complex environments, improving their ability to perform tasks like cleaning by avoiding obstacles and adjusting cleaning behavior based on location and surface types, enhancing efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The transmitter comprises an emitter for emitting at least one signal
Implementation Method 2
a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source, and a printed circuit board for converting the captured wireless energy to a form for charging the power source
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation control system for an autonomous vehicle comprises a transmitter and an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter comprises an emitter for emitting at least one signal, a power source for powering the emitter, a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source, and a printed circuit board for converting the captured wireless energy to a form for charging the power source. The autonomous vehicle operates within a working area and comprises a receiver for detecting the at least one signal emitted by the emitter, and a processor for determining a relative location of the autonomous vehicle within the working area based on the signal emitted by the emitter.