Robotic lawnmower with data transmission interface in the battery pack compartment

Abstract

The invention relates to a robotic lawnmower (10) with a battery pack compartment (12) that can preferably be closed and opened without tools, wherein a wired data transmission interface (20), in particular a USB interface (21), is arranged inside the battery pack compartment (12).

Description

State of the art Robotic lawnmowers with battery pack compartments are already known. These robotic lawnmowers are sometimes operated by complex software. A software update may be desirable. Wireless connections are known to enable software updates. Disclosure of the invention The invention relates to a robotic lawnmower with a battery pack compartment that can preferably be opened and closed without tools. A wired data transmission interface, in particular a USB interface, is arranged within the battery pack compartment. Updates can be installed on the robotic lawnmower, data can be read, or similar actions can be performed via the wired data transmission interface, particularly by manual connection, for example, with a USB stick or the like. Because the wired data transmission interface is located within a lockable battery pack compartment, it is protected from moisture and dirt. Access is restricted, as is accidental damage. The battery pack compartment is typically opened to replace the battery when it is empty.The proposed robotic lawnmower is specifically not intended for use with a charging docking station. The battery pack is typically removed after discharge and reinserted after charging. A replaceable battery pack for power tools or garden equipment is intended for use as the battery pack. It is recommended that the battery pack compartment be sealed, particularly against the ingress of moisture and / or water. This prevents humidity from entering the battery pack compartment and thus avoids contact corrosion. This also allows the robotic lawnmower to operate even in the rain. It is proposed that the battery pack compartment have a locking cover that compresses and pre-tensions a seal when the compartment is closed. This improves the seal and compensates for tolerances or gaps. Ease of use when opening the cover is also improved, particularly since the pre-tension can cause the cover to spring open, at least initially. When an opening mechanism is activated, the locking cover can spring into a partially open normal position. This allows for intuitive gripping and, for example, full opening. The user also receives intuitive feedback when closing the cover. An incompletely closed cover becomes intuitively visible, encouraging users to check that the cover and battery pack compartment are fully closed. It is proposed that the wired data transmission interface be sealed, in particular in addition to the sealed battery pack compartment, preferably by a compressible seal, preferably by a locking element that closes the data transmission interface, and in particular by a locking element that compresses the compressible seal when closing. This provides double sealing of the USB port. Even if moisture enters the battery pack compartment, which can occur, for example, when inserting a rain-soaked battery pack, or similar situations, this moisture, whether aqueous or vaporous, which may then form in the battery pack compartment, for example, due to subsequent exposure of the robotic lawnmower or similar device to sunlight, cannot penetrate to the wired data transmission interface.This ensures the long-term lifespan of the robotic lawnmower and / or the functionality of the wired data transmission interface. It is proposed that the robotic lawnmower include a locking element that closes the wired data transmission interface, particularly by means of a tool, especially by screwing, and preferably wherein the locking element is designed to compress a data transmission interface seal. The functionality of the data transmission interface can thus be permanently ensured. drawing Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawing. The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention. The drawing, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a robotic lawnmower with the battery pack compartment closed. Figure 2 shows another perspective view of the robotic lawnmower with the battery pack compartment open and a view of a closed wired data transmission interface. Figure 3 shows the perspective view of the robotic lawnmower according to Figure 2, but with the data transmission interface open. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the closed battery pack compartment and the closed data transmission interface. Description of the exemplary embodiment Fig. 1 shows a robotic lawnmower 10 according to the invention. The robotic lawnmower 10 comprises a propulsion unit 100 and a cutting unit 101 (see Fig. 2). The propulsion unit 100 includes wheels 102 driven by individual wheel motors (not shown). These are rear wheels. The robotic lawnmower 10 also includes a front-mounted steering wheel (not shown). The individual wheel drive makes the robotic lawnmower 10 maneuverable. The cutting unit 101 comprises several cutting blades 107 fixed to a cutting disc 106. The cutting disc 106 is driven by a motor (not shown), which is preferably arranged within a housing 103 of the robotic lawnmower 10.For autonomous navigation and area maintenance, the robotic lawnmower comprises 10 sensors (not shown or described here, but well known to experts) and a control unit (not shown here), sometimes also a processor unit, which enable the robotic lawnmower 10 to move independently within a working environment and to maintain or mow a work area, in particular a lawn. The cutting disc 106 rotates essentially parallel to a driving or positioning plane or surface 104 of the robotic lawnmower 10. The robotic lawnmower 10 includes a battery pack compartment 12, which is closed by a cover 120 as shown in Fig. 1. The battery pack compartment 12 is located on the rear side 108 of the robotic lawnmower 10. An outer surface 124 of the closed cover 120 is arranged essentially in a vertical plane 127, in particular perpendicular to the driving or placement plane 104, preferably normal to the front 125 of the robotic lawnmower 10. The cover 120 is pivotally held by a hinge 121 about a pivot axis 122. The hinge 121 is located on the top side 109 of the robotic lawnmower 10. The cover 120 can be released from a locked position by pressing a push button 123 (see also Fig. 4). It can then be pivoted upwards into an open position - see arrow 126 and cf. Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 . A preload force 128 is generated by a seal 13 of the battery pack compartment 12, which is compressed when the battery pack compartment 12 is fully closed. This force acts between the housing 129 of the battery pack compartment 16 and the cover 120. As a result, the cover 120 opens at least partially when the push button 123 is pressed. The cover 120 can be fully opened manually (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3). A battery pack or interchangeable battery pack (not shown) can then be attached to or detached from a battery pack interface 16 within the battery pack compartment 12. The battery pack compartment 12 is therefore preferably openable and closed without tools. The robotic lawnmower 10 is designed to be operated with an interchangeable battery pack, in particular for power tools or garden equipment, for example, a Bosch 18V ProCore or Bosch 18V DIY battery pack.This battery is charged externally and manually applied for operation of the robotic lawnmower 10. The robotic lawnmower 10 is not designed to use a docking station for charging. Therefore, the battery pack is regularly removed for charging, and consequently, the battery pack compartment 12 must be regularly opened and closed. The battery pack compartment 12 is sealed, particularly against the ingress of moisture and / or water. Preferably, it is sealed by the compressible seal 13 when the cover 120 is completely closed. However, it is possible that a user may not completely close the battery pack compartment. In this case, a collar, particularly a housing or battery pack compartment collar, which projects vertically and preferably also laterally, prevents water from flowing into the battery pack compartment 12.Water that forms on the surface 109 of the robotic lawnmower 10, for example during rain, flows off the collar to the side of the battery pack compartment housing and can finally drip off on the underside of the robotic lawnmower 10. The battery pack compartment 12 therefore has a cover or lid 120 which, when the battery pack compartment 12 is closed, compresses and pre-tensions a seal 13. When an opening mechanism 130, in particular the push button 123, is actuated, the cover springs open to a partially open or normal position, primarily due to the release of the compressed seal 13. However, other elastic elements, such as a spring or the like, could also cause a partial opening. Within the battery pack compartment 12, a wired data transmission interface 20, in particular a USB interface 21, is arranged. This is used, for example, to load updates onto, in particular, a control or regulation unit and / or a memory unit of the robotic lawnmower 10. However, opening the cover 120 does not directly expose or make this wired data transmission interface accessible. Rather, it is closed by a locking element 131 (see Fig. 2, Fig. 4). The locking element 131 is therefore not opened simply by opening the cover 120. The locking element 131 closes the wired data transmission interface 20, in particular requiring a tool. Using a tool, in particular a screwdriver, a screw 132 can be loosened, for example, and the locking element 131 removed.The sealing element 131 is designed to compress a data transmission interface seal 133. The data transmission interface seal 133 is visible, for example, in the sectional view of Fig. 4. The sealing element 131 is designed as a sealing cap. It has, in particular, a rectangular and / or oval geometry, especially with rounded corners. It has outer and inner walls, with a sealing element 134 arranged between the walls. In the unstressed state, the sealing element 134 projects beyond an end face of the sealing element 131. It is compressed by tightening the screw connection 132, in particular by tightening the left and right screws (see Fig. 2). This secures the wired data transmission interface 20 against the ingress of moisture or dirt, in particular in addition to the aforementioned sealing of the battery pack compartment 16.The wired data transmission interface 20 is thus sealed, in particular in addition to a sealed battery pack compartment 16, preferably by means of a compressible seal 134.

Claims

Robotic lawnmower (10) with a battery pack compartment (12) which can preferably be closed and opened without tools, wherein a wired data transmission interface (20) is arranged inside the battery pack compartment (12), in particular a USB interface (21). Robotic lawnmower (10) according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack compartment (12) is sealed, in particular against the ingress of moisture and / or water. Robotic lawnmower (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery pack compartment (12) has a closure cover (120) which, when the battery pack compartment (12) is closed, compresses and pre-tensions a seal (13), in particular whereby, when an opening mechanism (130) is actuated, the closure cover (120) springs open into a partially open normal position. Robotic lawnmower (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wired data transmission interface (20) is sealed, in particular in addition to a sealed battery pack compartment (12), preferably by a compressible seal (134). Lawn mowing robot (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a locking element (131) is included that closes the wired data transmission interface (20) in particular by means of a tool, in particular by means of a screw connection (132), preferably wherein the locking element (131) is designed to compress a data transmission interface seal (133). Robotic lawnmower (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wired data transmission interface (20) within the battery pack compartment (12) is closed by a locking element (131) which includes an additional seal (134). Robotic lawnmower (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery pack compartment (12) comprises a battery pack interface (16) designed to receive and secure a replaceable battery pack. Robotic lawnmower (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure cover (120) of the battery pack compartment (12) is pivotably held on a hinge (121) about a pivot or hinge axis (122). Robotic lawnmower (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking cover (120) can be released from a locking position by actuating a push button (123). Robotic lawnmower (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wired data transmission interface (20) is designed to transmit software updates to a control or regulation unit of the robotic lawnmower (10).

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