Self-guided cleaning robot, self-guided robot, and program product for performing method for controlling travel of self-guided robot

• US 20060253224A1
• Filed: 05/09/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Tani, Takao, Takenaka, Hiroyuki
• Application Number:
  US11/430,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20060253224A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/027 comprising intertial navigation means, e.g. azimuth detector inertial navigation G01C21/16; inertial navigation combined with non-inertial navigation instruments G01C21/165
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0272 comprising means for registering the travel distance, e.g. revolutions of wheels measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, e.g. using odometers G01C22/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2201/0203 Cleaning or polishing vehicle

Abstract

A self-guided robot for traveling with a predetermined traveling pattern includes a gyro sensor for detecting an angle indicative of a traveling direction from a reference position, a left rotary encoder and a right rotary encoder for detecting a traveling distance from the reference position, left and right driving wheels for allowing a main body to move, and a left driving wheel motor and a right driving wheel motor for driving the left and right driving wheels for travel. A CPU calculates a deviation amount from a planned route on the basis of detection amounts from gyro sensor, left rotary encoder and right rotary encoder, and controls the driving of left driving wheel motor and right driving wheel motor on the basis of the calculated deviation amount.

Claims

1. A self-guided cleaning robot for traveling with a predetermined traveling pattern, comprising:

a suction unit for performing a sucking operation for cleaning;

an angle detection unit for detecting an angle indicative of a traveling direction from a reference position;

a distance detection unit for detecting a traveling distance from said reference position;

a travel unit for allowing a main body to move;

a traveling drive unit for driving said travel unit for traveling; and

a route deviation amount calculation unit for calculating a route deviation amount from a planned route when said traveling pattern is a straight-ahead traveling pattern for traveling along said planned route, wherein

said planned route represents a route from a start point to a target point with a straight line,

said route deviation amount calculation unit includes;

an acquisition unit for acquiring detection amounts every predetermined time from said angle detection unit and said distance detection unit, respectively; and

an axis deviation amount calculation unit for calculating an axis deviation amount from a planned axis for said every predetermined time on the basis of said acquired detection amounts,

said planned axis represents a straight line parallel to said planned route with reference to said reference position,

said route deviation amount calculation unit adds said axis deviation amount successively to calculate said route deviation amount,

the self-guided cleaning robot further comprises a traveling control unit for controlling the driving of said traveling drive unit on the basis of said calculated route deviation amount, and

said traveling control unit includes;

a determination unit for determining a type of a sign of said route deviation amount; and

a setting unit for setting a rotation angle for traveling toward said planned route on the basis of the type of said sign, and controls the driving of said traveling drive unit according to said set rotation angle.

2. A self-guided robot for traveling with a predetermined traveling pattern, comprising:

an angle detection unit for detecting an angle indicative of a traveling direction from a reference position;

a distance detection unit for detecting a traveling distance from said reference position;

a travel unit for allowing a main body to move;

a traveling drive unit for driving said travel unit for travel;

a route deviation amount calculation unit for calculating a route deviation amount from a planned route on the basis of detection amounts from said angle detection unit and said distance detection unit when said traveling pattern is a straight-ahead traveling pattern for traveling along said planned route; and

a traveling control unit for controlling the driving of said traveling drive unit on the basis of said calculated route deviation amount.

3. The self-guided robot according to claim 2, further comprising:

a suction unit for performing a sucking operation for cleaning.

4. The self-guided robot according to claim 2, wherein

said route deviation amount calculation unit includes:

an acquisition unit for acquiring detection amounts every predetermined time from said angle detection unit and said distance detection unit, respectively; and

an axis deviation amount calculation unit for calculating an axis deviation amount from a planned axis for said every predetermined time on the basis of said acquired detection amounts,

said planned axis represents a straight line parallel to said planned route with reference to said reference position, and

said route deviation amount calculation unit adds said axis deviation amount successively to calculate said route deviation amount.

5. The self-guided robot according to claim 2, wherein

said traveling control unit includes a type determination unit for determining a type of a first sign of said route deviation amount calculated by said route deviation amount calculation unit.

6. The self-guided robot according to claim 5, wherein

said traveling control unit further includes a setting unit for setting a rotation angle for traveling toward said planned route on the basis of the type of said first sign determined by said type determined unit, and controls the driving of said traveling drive unit according to said set rotation angle.

7. The self-guided robot according to claim 5, wherein

said traveling control unit further includes:

a determination unit for determining whether or not the type of a second sign of said axis deviation amount is the same as the type of said first sign; and

an increase processing unit for increasing a rotation angle for traveling toward said planned route when said determination unit determines that the type of said first sign and the type of said second sign are the same, and controls the driving of said traveling drive unit according to said increased rotation angle.

8. The self-guided robot according to claim 2, wherein

said travel unit includes a left travel unit provided to a left side of said main body and a right travel unit provided to a right side of said main body,

said traveling drive unit includes a left traveling drive unit for driving said left travel unit and a right traveling drive unit for driving said right travel unit, and

said traveling control unit changes a driving state of either one of said left traveling drive unit and said right traveling drive unit.

9. The self-guided robot according to claim 2, wherein

said angle detection unit includes a gyro sensor, and

said distance detection unit includes a rotary encoder provided in said traveling drive unit.

10. The self-guided robot according to claim 2, wherein

said planned route represents a route from a start point to a target point with a straight line.

11. A program product for performing a method for controlling travel of a self-guided robot, wherein

the method comprises the steps of:

acquiring every predetermined time an angle indicative of a traveling direction from a reference position and a traveling distance from said reference position, respectively, when the traveling pattern of said self-guided robot is a straight-ahead traveling pattern for traveling along a planned route;

calculating an axis deviation amount from a planned axis for said every predetermined time on the basis of said angle and said traveling distance, said planned axis representing a straight line parallel to said planned route with reference to said reference position;

calculating a route deviation amount from said planned route by successively adding said axis deviation amount;

determining a type of a sign of said route deviation amount; and

setting a rotation angle for traveling toward said planned route on the basis of the type of said sign of said route deviation amount to control the driving of a traveling drive unit according to said set rotation angle.