Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/CN103948358B/en
Timestamp: 2020-01-22 02:24:21
Document Index: 46766426

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 201010208702', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 114', 'art 114', 'art 114']

CN103948358B - Docking station for robot cleaner - Google Patents
Docking station for robot cleaner Download PDF
CN103948358B
CN103948358B CN201410177455.0A CN201410177455A CN103948358B CN 103948358 B CN103948358 B CN 103948358B CN 201410177455 A CN201410177455 A CN 201410177455A CN 103948358 B CN103948358 B CN 103948358B
CN201410177455.0A
CN103948358A (en
柳暻焕
郑宇廉
章晖撰
丁参钟
2009-08-18 Priority to KR10-2009-0075963 priority
2010-03-04 Priority to KR10-2010-0019376 priority
2010-06-18 Application filed by 三星电子株式会社 filed Critical 三星电子株式会社
2010-06-18 Priority to CN201010208702.02010.06.18 priority
2010-06-18 Priority to CN201010208702.0A priority patent/CN101972129B/en
2014-07-30 Publication of CN103948358A publication Critical patent/CN103948358A/en
2017-04-26 Publication of CN103948358B publication Critical patent/CN103948358B/en
The invention discloses a docking station for a robot cleaner. The docking station comprises a first transmission unit to transmit a first docking signal in a first direction, the first docking signal comprising at least a first signal pulse and a second signal pulse, wherein a high period of the first signal pulse has a different time length from a high period of the second signal pulse such that a robot cleaner is capable of distinguishing the first docking signal from a reflected wave produced by reflection of the first docking signal from an obstacle.
For the Docking station of robot cleaner
It is June 18, the division of the parent application of Application No. 201010208702.0 in 2010 applying date that the application is Application.
One or more other embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a kind of including robot cleaner and the robot cleaner of Docking station Device system.
Term " robot cleaner " is referred in the case where not needing user to manipulate in the working area with preset range Perform while interior mobile such as from the device of the clean operation of floor draw dust, impurity or the like.Robot cleaner Using the distance of sensor or camera measurement to the such as barrier of furniture, office appliance or wall in working area, and And the information using measurement while mobile performs scheduled operation in the case where not colliding with barrier.
Robot cleaner carries out automated cleaning in by the region cleaned while automatic moving, and it is right to then move to Go to the station to meet somebody and disposed dust contained in robot cleaner with charging to the battery of robot cleaner or allowing.
Therefore, the one side offer of the disclosure is a kind of is drawn in the case of the overlay regions without multiple docking signal overlaps The robot cleaner leading docking location to be docked, a kind of robot including the robot cleaner and Docking station are clear The method of clean device system and a kind of control robot cleaner.
Another aspect of the disclosure provides a kind of cycle for measurement docking signal to detect the robot of echo It is cleaner, a kind of Docking station, a kind of including the robot cleaner and the robot cleaner system and of the Docking station The method for planting the control robot cleaner.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides one kind and is configured to match to refer to identical numeric data code by multiple docking signals Show robot cleaner, a kind of Docking station, one kind of a plurality of area information including the robot cleaner and the Docking station Robot cleaner system and a kind of control robot cleaner method.
The other aspect of the disclosure is partially illustrated in the following description, and part understands from description and is in It is existing, or can be learned by practice of this disclosure.
In the one side of the disclosure, there is provided a kind of robot cleaner system, the robot cleaner system includes： Docking station, the Docking station is used for：Docking area is formed in the range of the predetermined angle of the front side of the Docking station；It is formed in docking area Left side and right side the docking guide portion not overlapped each other；And transmitting docking targeting signal so that letter is oriented to according to docking Number arrival distance by dock guide portion divide into the first docking guide portion and second docking guide portion；And robot cleaner, The robot cleaner be used for when sense docking targeting signal when along first docking guide portion dock with second guide portion it Between Boundary Moving to docking area, and along docking area movement with reach docking area when perform docking.
Docking station can in the range of predetermined angle from the central part transmitting docking signal of the front side of the main body of the Docking station, To form docking area.
Docking station can include the first transmitter unit, the second transmitter unit, the 3rd transmitter unit, first transmitter unit Launch for the anterior both sides of the main body from Docking station with second transmitter unit and dock targeting signal, the described 3rd Transmitter unit is used in the range of predetermined angle the central part transmitting docking signal from the front side of the main body of the Docking station.
First transmitter unit and the second transmitter unit can include the first luminescence unit and the second luminescence unit and first Shutter and the second shutter, first luminescence unit and second luminescence unit are used to generate docking targeting signal, institute State the first shutter and second shutter is respectively used to stop some for passing through the first lens unit or the second lens unit Docking targeting signal docks the angle of flare of targeting signal to reduce.
Robot cleaner can also include the first lens unit and the second lens unit, first lens unit and institute State the second lens unit to be arranged on the outside of the first luminescence unit and the second luminescence unit to spread docking targeting signal.
3rd transmitter unit can include the 3rd luminescence unit and guide part, and the 3rd luminescence unit is used to generate docking Signal, the guide part is used for the direction of propagation of guiding docking signal so that docking signal is formed in the range of predetermined angle.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a kind of Docking station, the Docking station includes：At least one transmitting is single Unit, at least one transmitter unit is used for：Docking area is formed in the range of the predetermined angle of the front side of the Docking station；It is formed in The left side of docking area and the docking guide portion not overlapped each other on right side；And transmitting docking targeting signal so that according to docking The arrival distance of targeting signal will dock guide portion and divide into the first docking guide portion and the second docking guide portion, wherein, launch Unit is formed in the form of a signal and points to the first signal for docking guide portion and the second docking guide portion, and described in launching Signal.
Can the step of the signal for pointing to the first docking guide portion and the second docking guide portion is formed in the form of a signal To include：The letter of the docking guide portion of the arrival first with large amplitude and the second docking guide portion is formed in the form of a signal Number and the signal for only reaching to the second docking guide portion with little amplitude.
Can the step of the signal for pointing to the first docking guide portion and the second docking guide portion is formed in the form of a signal To include：The signal with various amplitude is formed in the form of a signal so that only the signal with large amplitude is used as the Data bit in one docking guide portion is analyzed, and has the signal and the signal with little amplitude of large amplitude all as second pair The data bit connect in guide portion is analyzed.
Transmitter unit for transmitting docking targeting signal can include luminescence unit and shutter, and the luminescence unit is used In docking targeting signal is generated, the shutter is used to stop diffusion of some docking targeting signals to reduce docking targeting signal Angle.
Docking station can also include lens unit, and the lens unit is arranged on the outside of luminescence unit and is led with spreading docking To signal.
Docking station can also include transmitter unit, and the transmitter unit is used in the range of predetermined angle from the Docking station The central part transmitting docking signal of the front side of main body is not overlap with the first docking guide portion or the second docking guide portion so as to be formed Docking area.
Transmitter unit for transmitting docking signal can include luminescence unit and guide part, and the luminescence unit is used to give birth to Into docking signal, the guide part is used for the direction of propagation of guiding docking signal so that in the range of predetermined angle before main body Docking signal is formed at the central part of side.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a kind of Docking station, the Docking station includes：At least one transmitting is single Unit, at least one transmitter unit is used for：Docking area is formed in the range of the predetermined angle of the front side of the Docking station；It is formed in The left side of docking area and the docking guide portion not overlapped each other on right side；And transmitting docking targeting signal so that according to docking The first docking guide portion and the second docking guide portion are divided in docking guide portion by the arrival distance of targeting signal, wherein, including The time delay in the multiple high cycle in docking targeting signal is adjusted to different length.
The step of time delay in multiple high cycles is adjusted to into different length can include：By the company in multiple high cycles The time delay for continuing the high cycle is adjusted to different length.
Docking station can also include transmitter unit, and the transmitter unit is used in the range of predetermined angle from the main body of Docking station Front side central part transmitting docking signal, so as to formed dock with first guide portion or second dock guide portion it is nonoverlapping right Area is met, wherein, the time delay in the multiple high cycle being included in docking signal is adjusted to different length.
According to the another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a kind of method of control robot cleaner, methods described include with Lower step：Whether inspection machine people cleaner needs to be docked at Docking station；If robot cleaner needs to be docked, make Robot cleaner docks the Boundary Moving between guide portion towards the first docking guide portion with second, and first docking is oriented to Offset from Docking station formed preset distance or it is longer with a distance from, it is described second docking guide portion in the described pre- spacing apart from Docking station From interior formation；If sensing border, make robot cleaner along Boundary Moving to reach in the range of predetermined angle in Docking station Front side central part at formed docking area；And if robot cleaner reaches docking area, make robot cleaner edge Docking area is moved, to dock robot cleaner at Docking station.
The step of sensing border, can include：If robot cleaner is initially positioned in the first docking guide portion, make Robot cleaner is moved along the direction of Docking station, and is reached while robot cleaner is moved along the direction of Docking station During the second docking guide portion, determine that robot cleaner is located at boundary.
The step of sensing border, can include：If robot cleaner is initially positioned in the second docking guide portion, make Robot cleaner is moved along the direction different from the direction of Docking station, and when robot cleaner is reached while mobile During the first docking guide portion, determine that robot cleaner is located at boundary.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, because forming docking area by the way that simple part is arranged in Docking station, because This can reduce the manufacturing cost being associated with part.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, because the cycle of docking signal is measured to distinguish docking signal and echo, because This can prevent robot cleaner from moving along undesirable direction.Now, easily will docking by changing the length of docking signal Signal is distinguished with echo.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, robot cleaner is oriented to letter by the way that a plurality of area information is included in a docking Check the area information of docking targeting signal in number rapidly.
Below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, these and/or other side of the disclosure will be clearly appeared from simultaneously from the following explanation of embodiment And be more easily realized, wherein：
Fig. 1 is the stereoscopic figure of robot cleaner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure；
Fig. 2 is the axonometric chart of robot cleaner in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure；
Fig. 3 A are the front axonometric charts of Docking station in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure；
Fig. 3 B are the rear axonometric charts of Docking station in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure；
Fig. 4 is included in the enlarged drawing of the transmitter unit of Docking station in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure；
Fig. 5 is the control block figure of Docking station in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure；
Fig. 6 is the control block figure of robot cleaner in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure；
Fig. 7 is the schematic diagram of the operating principle for showing robot cleaner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure；
Fig. 8 is the flow chart of the docking operation for showing robot cleaner in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure；
Fig. 9 A, 9B, 9C and 9D are the views of the Cleaning Principle for showing echo in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure；With
Figure 10 A, 10B, 10C and 10D be show in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure by a multiple docking signals and data Code-phase match and formed a plurality of area information principle view.
Embodiment of the disclosure described further below, the example of the embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is the stereoscopic figure of robot cleaner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 2 is according to this public affairs The axonometric chart of the robot cleaner of the embodiment opened.
Fig. 3 A are the front axonometric charts of Docking station in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 3 B are in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure The rear axonometric chart of Docking station, and Fig. 4 is included in the enlarged drawing of the transmitter unit in Docking station in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, robot cleaner system includes robot cleaner 20 and for robot cleaner The Docking station 10 that the battery of device 20 charges.
With reference to Fig. 2, robot cleaner 20 includes：Main body 22, the main body forms the outward appearance of the robot cleaner； Receiving unit 210a-210d, the receiving unit is arranged on the front side of main body 22 and rear side to receive from the transmitting of Docking station 10 Signal；With driving wheel 24, the driving wheel is installed in the downside of main body 22 so that robot cleaner 20 is moved.
The docking signal or docking that the receiving unit 210a-210d receptions of robot cleaner 20 are launched from Docking station 10 is led To signal.Although can be using other positions and quantity, in robot cleaner 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure In receiving unit 210a-210d, two receiving units are arranged on the central part of the front side of main body 22, and two receiving units are installed In the both sides at the rear portion of main body 22.
The driving wheel 24 of robot cleaner 20 is arranged on the left side and right side of main body 22, and by electric motor drive unit (not shown) independently drives so that robot cleaner 20 is moved along desired direction.For supportive body 22 and make robot Cleaner 20 smooths front side and the rear side that mobile multiple auxiliary wheels (for example, caster) may be mounted at driving wheel 24.
Reference picture 3A and Fig. 3 B, Docking station 10 include formed its outward appearance main body 11 and transmitter unit 110a, 110b and 110c, the transmitter unit is installed on the main body 11 to launch docking signal and docking targeting signal.
The first transmitter unit 110a and the second transmitter unit 110b for transmitting docking targeting signal is arranged on Docking station The anterior both sides of 10 upper end, and the 3rd transmitter unit 110c is arranged on the central part of the front side of the upper end of Docking station 10, With the transmitting docking signal in the range of predetermined angle.
Slipmat 14 for preventing Docking station 10 from moving is connected to the lower end of Docking station 10.Slipmat 14 with height by rubbing The material (for example, rubber) for wiping coefficient is made.Slipmat 14 includes：First anti-slip part 14a, the first anti-slip part edge and machine The direction that the abutting direction of people's cleaner 20 is contrary inclines extension；Second anti-slip part 14b, the second anti-slip part edge and robot The direction that the detaching direction of cleaner 20 is contrary inclines extension；With the 3rd anti-slip part 14c, the 3rd anti-slip part is with pin-like shape Extend downwardly.Additionally, guide groove 15 is formed in the lower end of Docking station 10 in recessed form so that robot cleaner 20 The (not shown) of binding post 242 be stably attached to the charging terminal 12 of Docking station 10.
Charging terminal 12 for charging for the battery of robot cleaner 20 is arranged on the lower end of Docking station 10.It is raised Portion 12a is arranged on the upper surface of charging terminal 12 so that the company with the (not shown) of binding post 242 of robot cleaner 20 Connecing becomes stable.The touch-switch 13 being pressed when robot cleaner 20 is into Docking station 10 is arranged under Docking station 10 On the inside at end.When touch-switch 13 is pressed, charging terminal 12 is applied power to.
With reference to Fig. 4, in the transmitter unit 110a-110c being included in Docking station 10, the first transmitter unit 110a and the Two transmitter unit 110b are arranged on the both sides of transmitter unit 110c, and to dock targeting signal from external emission, and the 3rd transmitting is single First 110c is arranged between transmitter unit 110a and 110b, with the transmitting docking signal in the range of predetermined angle.
First transmitter unit 110a and the second transmitter unit 110b include：For generating docking targeting signal first lights Unit 111a and the second luminescence unit 111b；Generated by the first luminescence unit 111a and the second luminescence unit 111b for diffusion The first lens unit 112a and the second lens unit 112b of docking targeting signal；With the first shutter 113a and the second shutter 113b, first shutter and second shutter are separately mounted to the first lens unit 112a and the second lens unit The front side of 112b, to stop some the docking targeting signals by lens unit 112a and 112b, so as to the diffusion of Regulate signal Angle.
Each in first lens unit 112a and the second lens unit 112b includes 180 degree divergent lenses, described 180 degree divergent lenses are used to that the angle of flare of signal to be adjusted to into 180 ° using the refractive index on the surface of the divergent lenses.First The outer surface of lens unit 112a and the second lens unit 112b is multiaspect, and the groove 115a with curved surface and 115b is formed in it preferably to spread light.
3rd transmitter unit 110c includes the 3rd luminescence unit 111c and guide part 114a for generating docking signal, The guide part is used for the direction of propagation of guiding docking signal so that by the docking signal of the 3rd luminescence unit 111c generations pre- Determine to be launched in angle range.Guide part 114a is slit (slit), infrared light by made by the material of such as metal or shutter By the slit, and infrared light barrier means can not be accordingly acted as.
Meanwhile, the first to the 3rd luminescence unit 111a-111c includes the infrared light emission element for generating infrared signal Or for generating the light emitting diode (LED) of light beam.
Fig. 5 is the control block figure of Docking station in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 7 is to show the enforcement according to the disclosure The schematic diagram of the operating principle of the robot cleaner system of example.
As shown in Figure 5, Docking station 10 is included for the first and second transmitter unit 110a of transmitting docking targeting signal With 110b, for transmitting docking signal the 3rd transmitter unit 110c, for filling for charging to the battery of robot cleaner 20 Electric terminal 12, the power supply 130 for power supply to be supplied to charging terminal 12, docking for sensing robot cleaner 20 it is right Connect sensor 120 and the controller 140 for controlling the integrated operation of Docking station 10.
With reference to Fig. 7, the first transmitter unit 110a and the second transmitter unit 110b respectively by left field signal (L regions and W1- regional signal) and right side area signal (Zone R domain and W2- regional signal) it is transmitted into docking guide portion, the left field letter Number and the right side area signal all be docking targeting signal.Left field signal and right side area signal are by bit array by phase Mutually distinguish.For example, left field signal can be configured to " 01 " bit array, and right side area signal can be configured to " 10 " Bit array.Subsequently provide the detailed description of the bit array of each regional signal.Meanwhile, because from the first transmitter unit 110a and Second transmitter unit 110b by shutter 113a and 113b with the angle of flare transmission signal of about 90 degree of angles of flare or less, because This forms the docking areas (P area) different from docking guide portion in the center of the front side of Docking station 10.Meanwhile, docking area (P Area) dead space without independent signal can be implemented as.I.e., it is possible to pass through the operation for stopping the 3rd transmitter unit 100c With setting wherein in the range of the predetermined angle of the front side of Docking station 10 region without signal as region is docked controlling robot The docking of cleaner 20.
Central area signal is transmitted into docking area by the 3rd transmitter unit 110c, and the central area signal is with narrow The docking signal of elevation range.3rd transmitter unit 110c is included for the guide part 114a of guiding docking signal, and is oriented to Portion 114a guides the direction of propagation from the docking signal of the 3rd luminescence unit 111c transmittings so that positioned at the front side of Docking station 10 Central part at presumptive area in formed docking signal.
Charging terminal 12 is connected to the (not shown) of binding post 242, and the binding post is electrically connected to installed in robot Rechargeable battery (not shown) in cleaner 20.When the binding post of robot cleaner 20 is connected to, charging terminal 12 Supply electric power.
Power supply 130 supplies power to charging terminal 12 to charge to the rechargeable battery of robot cleaner 20.
Controller 140 is to control the whole of Docking station 10 from the docking sensing signal that docking sensor 120 is launched for basis Body is operable so that supply power to the microprocessor of charging terminal 12 by power supply 130.
Controller 140 adjusts the height of the data bit of the docking signal of the from first to the 3rd transmitter unit 110a-110c transmittings The time span in cycle so that robot cleaner 20 distinguishes the docking signal from echo.Robot cleaner 20 is measured Time span between the starting point and the starting point in subsequent high cycle in the high cycle of the docking signal of the transmitting of Docking station 10, To determine data bit.
Reference picture 9A-9D, Fig. 9 A show docking targeting signal or docking signal, and Fig. 9 B are shown by docking signal or docking Echo produced by reflection of the targeting signal from barrier.As shown in fig. 9b, when signal weakening, robot cleaner 20 Measure the peak in the first high cycle and as time span A between the peak in the second high cycle in subsequent high cycle2 And B2, to determine data bit.At this point it is possible to find out the distance between the distance between high cycle A1 and B1 and high cycle A2And B2 Be equal to each other respectively (A1=A2, and B1=B2).Therefore, produced from the reflection of barrier by docking signal or docking targeting signal Raw echo may not be recognized by robot cleaner 20.Therefore, controller 140 adjusts docking targeting signal or docking letter Number data bit the high cycle time delay so that different from each other.Reference picture 9C and Fig. 9 D, if the wherein height week of data bit The length of phase is set to l and the signal of m is launched, then the starting point in the high cycle shown in Fig. 9 C and subsequent cycle rise The time span of initial point becomes A3And B3.Now, the distance between high cycle of the echo shown in Fig. 9 D become A4And B4。 Because time span A3And B3And A4And B4Difference is different from each other, therefore robot cleaner 20 can will have and be stored The high cycle different time span A of time span4Or B4Signal identification be echo.
Controller 140 is adjusted from the docking signal of the 3rd transmitter unit 110c transmittings or from the first transmitter unit 110a and the The data bit of the docking targeting signal of two transmitter unit 110b transmittings, to include zones of different signal in a signal.For example, First transmitter unit 110a can not individually launch in a certain time interval the docking targeting signal for pointing to the first docking guide portion With the docking targeting signal for pointing to the second docking guide portion.Conversely, the first transmitter unit 110a is formed in the form of a signal Point to the first signal for docking guide portion and point to second and dock the signal of guide portion, and the signal is transmitted to into first pair Guide portion and the second docking guide portion are connect, so as to by the cycle of the cycle time of multiple regional signals a to signal.For example, such as Shown in table 1, left side position array is " 01 ", and right side region bit array is " 10 ", and long range position array is " 11 ".
Now, reference picture 10A, in time span in place, if it is assumed that the time span in the high cycle of position " 0 " is 0.5, The time span in the low cycle of position " 0 " is 0.6, and the time span in the high cycle of position " 1 " is 0.5, the time in the low cycle of position " 1 " Length is 1.7, and the time span in the high cycle of position " 11 " is 0.5, and the time span in the low cycle of position " 11 " is 2.8, first Transmitter unit 110a and the second transmitter unit 110b transmittings include the one of the first docking targeting signal and the second docking targeting signal Individual signal as docking targeting signal, as shown in Figure 10 B and 10C.Reference picture 10B, the amplitude in high cycle is differently set. Signal with amplitude a1 reaches the first docking guide portion as long range docking guide portion, and has the signal of amplitude a2 only Reach the second docking guide portion that guide portion is docked as short distance.
For example, in shown in fig. 1 ob docking targeting signal, because the high RST with amplitude a1 and with amplitude a2 High RST reach short distance docking guide portion, with high RST that time span is 0.5 (there is the high RST of amplitude a1) and It is analyzed as position " 0 " with the subsequent low signal that time span is 0.6, and there is the subsequent height that time span is 0.5 The signal high RST of amplitude a2 (have) and analyzed as position " 1 " with the subsequent low signal that time span is 1.7.Therefore Total bit group is " 01 ", and by analyzed as left side area short distance docking targeting signal.Additionally, because having amplitude a1's High RST reaches docking guide portion over long distances, and the high RST with amplitude a2 does not reach docking guide portion over long distances, because Signal shown in this Figure 10 D reaches robot cleaner 20.Therefore, (there is amplitude with the high RST that time span is 0.5 The high RST of a1) and be transfused to the subsequent low signal that time span is 2.8, and information " 11 " is transfused to and as long Distance docking targeting signal is analyzed.
As another example, in docking targeting signal shown in fig 1 oc because the high RST with amplitude a1 and High RST with amplitude a2 reaches short distance docking guide portion, therefore (has amplitude with the high RST that time span is 0.5 The high RST of a1) it is and analyzed as position " 1 " with the subsequent low signal that time span is 1.7, and there is time span to be 0.5 subsequent high RST (there is the high RST of amplitude a2) and with the subsequent low signal that time span is 0.6 as position " 0 " is analyzed.Therefore, total bit group " 10 " is analyzed as right side region short distance docking targeting signal.Additionally, shaking because having Guide portion is docked over long distances in the high RST arrival of width a1, and the high RST with amplitude a2 does not reach docking guiding over long distances Area, therefore the signal shown in Figure 10 D reaches robot cleaner 20.Therefore, with the high RST (tool that time span is 0.5 Have the high RST of amplitude a1) and be transfused to the subsequent low signal that time span is 2.8, and information " 11 " is transfused to simultaneously It is analyzed as long range docking targeting signal.
If as described above, launch short distance docking targeting signal within the cycle of a signal and dock over long distances be oriented to Signal, compared with prior art (time difference between regional signal is reduced), robot cleaner 20 can more rapid area Divide the region.
Fig. 6 is the control block figure of robot cleaner in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Robot cleaner 20 is included for receiving the receiving unit 210a-210d of docking signal or remote signal, being used for The sensing barrier sensing unit 220 of peripheral obstacle, the driver element 230 for driven machine people cleaner 20, for feeling Survey depositing for the battery sense unit 240 of the surpluses of battery, Move Mode for storing robot cleaner 20 or the like Storage unit 250 and the control unit 260 for controlling robot cleaner 20.
Receiving unit 210a-210d is received from the right of the first to the 3rd transmitter unit 110a-110c transmittings of Docking station 10 Connect signal.Receiving unit 210a-210d includes the infrared receiving module for receiving docking signal, and infrared receiving module bag Include the infrared receiver component for receiving the infrared signal in certain band.
Furniture, office of the sensing of barrier sensing unit 220 in the region that robot cleaner 20 is inside moved Articles for use, wall or other barriers.Barrier sensing unit 220 can include omnirange sensor and A/D converter (not Illustrate).Omnirange sensor is arranged on all sides of robot cleaner, and including for launching RF signals and detection from week Enclose the RF sensors of the signal of barrier reflection.Barrier sensing unit 220 receives signal, will be simulated by A/D converter Signal is converted into digital signal, and dyspoiesis thing sensing signal and the barrier sensing signal is sent to into control unit 260。
Driver element 230 is applied to according to the control signal control exported from control unit 260 and is connected to driving wheel 24 The level of the electric power of motor (not shown), with driven machine people cleaner 20.
The charge residue of the sensing rechargeable battery 241 of battery sense unit 240 is supplying the drive of robot cleaner 20 Power, and the information relevant with charge residue is sent to into control unit 260.
Memory element 250 stores operating system for driven machine people cleaner 20, Move Mode and similar parameters, And store positional information, obstacle information and the similar information of robot cleaner 20.Such as flash memory it is non-volatile Property memorizer or EEPROM (EEPROM) can serve as memory element.Deposited by the control of control unit 260 Data of the storage in memory element 250.
Control unit 260 is clear from the docking request signal control robot that battery sense unit 240 is launched for basis The integrated operation of clean device 20 simultaneously determines the robot cleaner whether microprocessor docked at Docking station 10.Control unit 260 determine robot cleaner 20 according to the docking targeting signal or docking signal received by receiving unit 210a-210d Moving direction, to dock robot cleaner at Docking station 10.Robot cleaner is docked in subsequently explanation at Docking station 10 20 method detailed.
Fig. 8 is the flow chart of the docking operation for showing robot cleaner in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Cleaning route or randomly selected cleaning road of the setting robot cleaner 20 in the clean mode according to input Line performs clean operation.Robot cleaner 20 checks whether the surpluses of the battery during clean operation are reduced to predeterminated level Or whether amount that is less or checking the dust assembled or the like is equal to or more than scheduled volume, is with inspection machine people cleaner 20 No needs are docked (300 and 310) at Docking station 10.
If next, robot cleaner 20 needs to be docked, cleaning mode is switched to into joint mode.If machine People's cleaner 20 is in joint mode, and robot cleaner 20 is moved along random path or setting path, to sense docking signal Or docking targeting signal (320).
Next, robot cleaner 20 is checked whether can sense the first docking targeting signal.From the first transmitter unit First docking targeting signal is transmitted into long range area by 110a or the second transmitter unit 110b.Letter is oriented to when the first docking is sensed Number when, robot cleaner 20 determine robot cleaner be located at as (330) in first docking area in long range area.
Next, when the first docking targeting signal is sensed, robot cleaner 20 moves to send out towards station 10 Penetrate the first docking targeting signal.When the receiving unit 210a-210d installed in the front side of the robot cleaner receives signal When, transmission direction movement (340) of the robot cleaner 20 along the first docking targeting signal.
Next, robot cleaner 20 is checked whether while the transmission direction along the first docking targeting signal is moved The border that the first docking guide portion is docked between guide portion with second can be sensed.First docking guide portion is wide docking over long distances Region, and the second docking guide portion is short distance docking guide portion.Even if when the transmission direction along the first docking targeting signal is moved When dynamic, continuously sensing docks targeting signal to robot cleaner 20, and works as sensed docking targeting signal from the first docking When targeting signal changes to the second docking targeting signal, determine that robot cleaner is located at boundary (350).
Next, when sensing the first docking guide portion the border between guide portion being docked with second, robot cleaner Device 20 is along the Boundary Moving.Robot cleaner 20 can check that the second docking targeting signal is left field signal or is Right side area signal, and the moving direction along border is determined according to inspection result.For example, it is same when what is moved towards Docking station 10 When sense as left field signal second dock targeting signal when, robot cleaner 20 moves right so that machine People's cleaner 20 is reached apart from the precalculated position (360) of the front side of Docking station 10.
Next, when robot cleaner 20 senses docking signal while along Boundary Moving, robot cleaner Align with Docking station 10, the docking location of Docking station 10 is moved to according to docking signal, and docked (370 and 380).
If not sensing the first docking targeting signal in 330 operations, but the second docking targeting signal is sensed, Robot cleaner 20 is mobile along the different direction (for example, contrary direction) of the transmission direction from the second docking targeting signal (390 and 400).
Next, what robot cleaner 20 was moved up in the different side of the transmission direction from the second docking targeting signal Check whether simultaneously and sense the border that the first docking guide portion is docked between guide portion with second.Even if work as being docked with second When the different side of the transmission direction of targeting signal moves up, the continuous sensing docking targeting signal of robot cleaner 20, and Determine that robot is clear when the docking targeting signal for sensing changes to the first docking targeting signal from the second docking targeting signal Clean device is located at boundary (410).
Next, when sensing the first docking guide portion the border between guide portion being docked with second, robot cleaner Device 20 is along the Boundary Moving (360).
Next, while robot cleaner 20 is along Boundary Moving sensing docking signal when, robot cleaner with Docking station 10 aligns, moves to the docking location of Docking station 10 according to docking signal, and is docked (370 and 380).
If operation 330 and 390 in do not sense the first docking targeting signal and second docking targeting signal but Docking signal is sensed, then robot cleaner aligns with Docking station 10, the docking of Docking station 10 is moved to according to docking signal Position, and docked (420 and 380).
The method of the robot cleaner of control above-mentioned example embodiment can be recorded in computer-readable medium, The computer-readable medium is included for performing by the programmed instruction of computer-implemented different operating.Medium can only include Programmed instruction, data file, data structure, or the like or described program instruction, data file, data structure or similar The combination of thing.
The example of computer-readable medium includes the magnetic medium of such as hard disk, floppy disk and tape；Such as CDROM CDs With the optical medium of DVD；The magnet-optical medium of such as CD；Specially it is configured to store such as read-only with execute program instructions The hardware unit of memorizer (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory and similar memorizer.Programmed instruction Example includes the machine code for such as being generated by encoder and containing the senior volume that can be run using interpreter by computer The file of code.
Control robot cleaner method can perform on general purpose computer or datatron, or can such as this In described robot cleaner special machine on perform.
Although having shown that and illustrating several embodiments, those skilled in the art to be appreciated that without departing substantially from These embodiments can be made in the case of the principle of the disclosure and spirit and change, the protection domain of the disclosure in claim and It is defined in its equivalent.
1. a kind of Docking station for robot cleaner, including：
First transmitter unit, for launching the first docking signal in the first direction, the first docking signal at least includes first Signal pulse and secondary signal pulse, the pulse width of the pulse width of first signal pulse and the secondary signal pulse With different durations, so that robot cleaner can distinguish the first docking letter for directly receiving from the first transmitter unit Number and via barrier reflection first dock signal produced by echo；And：
Second transmitter unit, for launching the second docking signal in a second direction, the second docking signal at least includes first Signal pulse and secondary signal pulse, the pulse width of the pulse width of first signal pulse and the secondary signal pulse With different durations, so that robot cleaner can distinguish the second docking signal and reflect second pair via barrier Connect the echo produced by signal；
Wherein, can be with position by the first docking signal of the robot cleaner sensing docked positioned at the first short distance in guide portion First docking signaling zone of the robot cleaner sensing in the first long square in docking guide portion separates, also,
By the robot cleaner sensing docked positioned at the second short distance in guide portion the second docking signal can with positioned at the Second docking signaling zone of robot cleaner sensing of the two long squares in docking guide portion separates.
2. Docking station according to claim 1, also including the 3rd transmitter unit, the 3rd transmitter unit along towards Direction on front side of standing is transmitted in the 3rd docking signal that the first docking signal is docked between signal with second.
3. Docking station according to claim 2, wherein, the first short distance docking guide portion and second short distance Docking guide portion does not overlap each other.
4. Docking station according to claim 1, wherein, multiple pulses of the signal pulse being included in the first docking signal It is adjusted to duration different from each other the time delay of width, and the time delay of the plurality of pulse width is adjusted to into that This different duration includes for being adjusted to duration different from each other the time delay of the continuous impulse width of signal pulse.
5. Docking station according to claim 1, also include in predetermined angular range from before the main body of Docking station The central part transmitting of side docks signal to form the docking area that guide portion or the second docking guiding area overlapping are not docked with first Transmitter unit, the first docking guide portion is docked guide portion by the first short distance and the first long range docking guide portion is constituted, The second docking guide portion is docked guide portion by the second short distance and the second long range docking guide portion is constituted；
Wherein, the time delay in the multiple high cycle being included in docking signal is adjusted to different length.
6. Docking station according to claim 5, wherein, the time delay in multiple high cycles is adjusted to into different length bags Include and the time delay in the continuous high cycle in multiple high cycles is adjusted to into different length.
7. Docking station according to claim 5, wherein, the transmitter unit for transmitting docking signal includes producing docking letter Number luminescence unit and guiding docking signal the direction of propagation cause dock signal main body is formed in predetermined angular range The guide part of the central part of front side.
8. Docking station according to claim 1, wherein, for transmitting docking targeting signal transmitter unit include producing it is right Connect the luminescence unit of targeting signal and stop some screenings to reduce the angle of flare of docking targeting signal in docking targeting signal Baffle plate.
9. Docking station according to claim 8, also docks targeting signal including being arranged on outside luminescence unit to spread Lens unit.
CN201410177455.0A 2009-06-19 2010-06-18 Docking station for robot cleaner CN103948358B (en)
CN201010208702.02010.06.18 2010-06-18
CN201010208702.0A CN101972129B (en) 2009-06-19 2010-06-18 Robot cleaner, docking station, robot cleaner system including robot cleaner and docking station, and method of controlling the cleaning robot
CN201010208702.0A Division CN101972129B (en) 2009-06-19 2010-06-18 Robot cleaner, docking station, robot cleaner system including robot cleaner and docking station, and method of controlling the cleaning robot
CN103948358A CN103948358A (en) 2014-07-30
CN103948358B true CN103948358B (en) 2017-04-26
ID=51325816
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2010-06-18 CN CN201410177561.9A patent/CN103948353B/en active IP Right Grant
2010-06-18 CN CN201410177455.0A patent/CN103948358B/en active IP Right Grant
CN103948358A (en) 2014-07-30
CN103948353B (en) 2016-07-06
CN103948353A (en) 2014-07-30