Spreading module for modular expansion of a robotic lawnmower

Abstract

Spreading module (1), in particular mower robot spreading module, for modular extension for a mower robot (11) with a fastening unit (2) for attaching to the robotic lawnmower (11) and a control unit (3) for controlling the scattering module (1), characterized by that the spreading module (1) comprises a dispensing device (4) for dispensing material, in particular fertilizer and / or seed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a spreading module, in particular a robotic lawnmower spreading module, for the modular extension of a robotic lawnmower, comprising a mounting unit for attaching it to the robotic lawnmower and a control unit for controlling the spreading module. The present invention further relates to a robotic lawnmower.

[0002] In the field of lawn care, there is an ongoing need for reliable and economical management of lawns, especially for larger areas such as sports fields, parks, or prestigious green spaces. In addition to mowing, this requires regular turf maintenance, particularly the application of fertilizers and, if necessary, seed.

[0003] In practice, such products are often applied manually or with separate equipment. This is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and dependent on the availability of an operator. Furthermore, achieving a uniform and appropriate application is not straightforward, as the required application rate and the optimal application time can depend on various factors, such as the current condition of the lawn and weather conditions. Errors in timing or dosage can lead to insufficient effectiveness, material loss, or impaired lawn quality.

[0004] In contrast, robotic lawnmowers, as automated devices for the regular mowing of lawns, are already well-known and widespread. However, these systems are typically geared towards mowing, while additional maintenance tasks still need to be organized separately and often manually.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to solve problems known from the prior art, in particular to enable the application of materials to lawns with reduced manpower and increased reliability.

[0006] The problem is solved by a spreading module and a robotic lawnmower with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous or preferred embodiments are each the subject of a corresponding dependent claim.

[0007] A spreading module, specifically a robotic lawnmower spreading module, is proposed for the modular expansion of a robotic lawnmower. It comprises a mounting unit for attaching the module to the mower and a control unit for operating the spreading module. The spreading module includes a dispensing device for distributing the material. In particular, the material to be dispensed includes fertilizer and / or seeds.

[0008] A robotic lawnmower is a self-driving device, preferably capable of autonomous and / or remote control, designed for mowing a lawn.

[0009] Within the scope of the invention, a spreading module describes a modular add-on unit that can be attached to a robotic lawnmower for functional expansion and, in particular, adds a spreading function for material to the robotic lawnmower. The spreading module can preferably be retrofitted independently of the basic equipment of the robotic lawnmower.

[0010] The fastening unit is preferably designed for the detachable and / or permanently fixed connection of the spreading module to the robotic lawnmower. For this purpose, the fastening unit can, in particular, comprise a mechanical connection, for example, at least one fastening element such as a screw, a clamping fastener, a locking and / or snap closure, a plug-in and locking mechanism, and / or a bracket with a clamping device.

[0011] Preferably, the spreading module can be fixed to a housing section and / or to a support frame of the robotic lawnmower. In this way, the spreading module can preferably be attached in such a way that it remains stable during operation of the robotic lawnmower and at the same time remains removable for maintenance and / or refilling.

[0012] The term "applied material" refers to substances that can be applied to a specific area, particularly a lawn and / or adjacent soil, by means of a dispensing device. This material includes, in particular, fertilizers and / or seeds, but may also additionally or alternatively include other soil conditioners and / or soil improvers, such as sand, lime, mineral or organic granules, soil amendments, substrates, weed killers, especially herbicides, and / or mixtures thereof.

[0013] The combination of mowing and spreading functions offers the advantage that mowing and application can be carried out in a single operation, thus reducing labor and time compared to separate processes. Furthermore, lawn care can be automated and repeated. This solution is particularly suitable for large lawns, such as sports fields and football stadiums, as regular lawn maintenance can be performed with reduced personnel and consistent quality.

[0014] It is advantageous if the dispensing device includes a receiving unit for receiving the material to be dispensed. As a supplement or alternative, it is also advantageous if the dispensing device includes a dispensing unit for releasing the material.

[0015] The receiving unit is preferably designed to receive and / or hold the application material and can, in particular, be designed as a container into which the application material can be poured and in which it is stored, at least temporarily. For this purpose, the receiving unit can, for example, include a storage compartment, a filling area, and / or a closable lid, so that the application material can be kept protected against unintentional leakage and / or moisture.

[0016] The dispensing unit is preferably designed to dispense the material from the receiving unit onto the surface and is preferably configured to allow for controlled and / or metered dispensing. For this purpose, the dispensing unit can, for example, comprise a spreading opening with an adjustable cross-section, a metering element such as a metering roller or a metering slide, a conveying element such as a screw conveyor, a rotatable spreading device such as a spreading disc, and / or a discharge flap. The dispensed quantity can preferably be adjusted depending on a dispensing parameter and / or by the control unit.

[0017] This offers the advantage that the application material can be easily filled and carried along during operation, allowing for application preparation without additional steps. The dispensing unit also enables a uniform, reproducible, and needs-based application, thus reducing over- or under-dosing and supporting targeted lawn care.

[0018] It is advantageous if the spreading module includes a sensor unit for recording lawn condition data. Preferably, the lawn condition data includes information about discoloration and / or damaged areas of the lawn.

[0019] The sensor unit is designed to acquire data on the condition of the lawn and may, in particular, include at least one sensor that detects a property of the lawn area non-contact and / or contact-based. The sensor unit may, for example, be an optical sensor unit, especially with a camera, a color sensor, and / or a multispectral sensor, so that differences in color, brightness, and / or vegetation density are detectable. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor unit may also include a distance sensor, such as an ultrasonic and / or LiDAR sensor, and / or a moisture and / or temperature sensor to further characterize the condition of the lawn area.

[0020] Lawn condition data refers specifically to data describing the current state of the lawn. This data can include information on discoloration (e.g., brown, yellowish, or thinned areas), damage (e.g., bare patches, damaged turf, trampling), and / or areas requiring reseeding and / or increased maintenance, such as due to insufficient vegetation or ground cover.

[0021] A sensor unit offers the advantage that the spreading module can support condition-dependent application by precisely dispensing material where it is actually needed. This reduces material consumption and maintenance effort while simultaneously improving the regeneration of damaged areas and achieving more uniform lawn quality.

[0022] Advantageously, the spreading module includes a control unit for operating it. This offers the advantage of simple and user-friendly commissioning and adaptation to different operating conditions. In particular, operating actions such as selecting an operating mode, starting and stopping the dispensing device, and setting dispensing parameters (e.g., dispensing quantity and / or dispensing frequency) can be performed directly on the spreading module.

[0023] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the control unit includes a display element. In particular, the display element can be designed as a screen. The screen can be a simple display and / or a touchscreen, so that in addition to displaying information, it also provides an input function and can be used, in particular, to select operating modes and / or to set output parameters.

[0024] This offers the advantage that operating states and settings can be clearly displayed, such as a selected operating mode, a planned or ongoing output, and output parameters. This improves usability and enables quick monitoring of the scattering module.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit comprises a receiving unit for receiving external data. In particular, the external data can include weather data.

[0026] External data refers specifically to data generated outside the spreading module and / or the robotic lawnmower and provided to the control unit. This external data can include, in particular, weather data, such as precipitation data and / or precipitation forecasts, temperature data, frost warnings, wind data, humidity data, and / or time information regarding expected weather events.

[0027] Collecting external data offers the advantage of weather-dependent control over the application of materials. Specifically, the application of fertilizer and / or seeds can be planned and / or released to coincide with anticipated rainfall, allowing the material to be washed into the soil by the rain and / or incorporated into the soil, resulting in improved effectiveness. Additionally or alternatively, application can be blocked and / or adjusted in adverse weather conditions, such as impending frost, strong winds, and / or expected heavy rain. This reduces misapplication and prevents material losses and potential damage to the field.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit comprises a communication interface via which the scattering module can be controlled by means of a data network. In particular, the data network comprises the Internet.

[0029] The communication interface can be configured as a wireless interface and / or a wired interface. For example, the communication interface can include a radio module, particularly for WLAN and / or cellular networks and / or Bluetooth, enabling the transmission of control commands, operating parameters, and / or status data. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface can include an interface for wired data transmission, such as USB, Ethernet, and / or a serial interface. The data network can include the internet, enabling control via remote devices.

[0030] This offers the advantage that the spreading module can be remotely monitored and controlled. In particular, operating modes and output parameters can be set remotely, application processes can be started or stopped, and status information, such as fill level and / or error messages, can be retrieved. This allows for more flexible operation and simplifies handling, especially when no operator is present. Furthermore, internet connectivity enables the beneficial use of external data sources, such as current weather data and / or forecasts, thus supporting more reliable, situation-dependent control of the output.

[0031] It is advantageous if the scattering module can be switched between several operating modes by the control unit, with the operating modes differing with respect to at least one output parameter of the output device. In particular, the operating modes differ with respect to an output quantity, an output frequency, and / or an output pattern.

[0032] The various operating modes offer the advantage that the spreading module can be flexibly adapted to different operating conditions and maintenance goals. In particular, a suitable operating mode can be selected depending on the condition of the lawn, the desired maintenance strategy, and / or the size of the area, thus supporting application according to requirements.

[0033] It is advantageous if the operating modes include an area-based mode. Alternatively or additionally, it offers advantages if the operating modes include a damage-based mode. In the damage-based mode, the output depends on the turf condition data.

[0034] The area-based mode is characterized in particular by the fact that the application material is dispensed in an area-related manner, for example in a predefined grid and / or with a predetermined, essentially uniform output pattern over an area to be processed.

[0035] The damage-based mode is characterized in particular by the fact that the output is targeted depending on recorded lawn condition data, so that application material is preferably dispensed in areas that have been detected as discoloration, damage, thinned vegetation and / or areas requiring reseeding.

[0036] Area-based mode is particularly useful for ensuring even maintenance of large areas. Damage-based mode, on the other hand, allows for material and cost savings by applying the product precisely where it is needed, thus preventing overdosing on healthy areas and specifically promoting the regeneration of damaged zones.

[0037] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the operating modes include a weather-dependent mode, in which the output is locked and / or adjusted depending on received weather data.

[0038] The weather-dependent mode is characterized, for example, by the control unit controlling the output device based on received weather data. For instance, output can be enabled and / or timed forward if a precipitation forecast indicates that rain is expected within a specified timeframe, allowing fertilizer and / or seeds to be applied shortly before the rain. Additionally or alternatively, output can be blocked if adverse weather conditions are present or imminent, such as a frost warning, expected heavy rain, and / or strong winds.

[0039] In particular, dispensing shortly before a rain event can improve the incorporation of the applied material into the soil and reduce losses due to erosion or wind dispersal. Overall, this enables automated, reliable, and situation-adapted maintenance, even without an operator present.

[0040] A robotic lawnmower with a spreading module is proposed. The spreading module is preferably designed according to the preceding description, whereby the mentioned features can be present individually or in any combination.

[0041] This offers the advantage that a robotic lawnmower can be easily expanded into a multifunctional maintenance device by adding the ability to spread fertilizer or other materials alongside mowing. This allows maintenance tasks, particularly mowing, fertilizing, and / or sowing, to be carried out in a single operation, reducing time and labor.

[0042] A method is proposed for operating a spreading module, in particular a robotic lawnmower spreading module, for the modular extension of a robotic lawnmower, wherein the spreading module is attached to the robotic lawnmower and controlled by a control unit. A dispensing device dispenses the material. In particular, the material to be dispensed comprises fertilizer.

[0043] This offers the advantage of automating lawn care with minimal operator effort, as the spreading module can be operated on the robotic mower and the application of the material controlled via the control unit. In particular, it allows for the repeated and needs-based application of fertilizer, thereby reducing manual work and promoting consistent lawn care.

[0044] Advantageously, the material to be applied is drawn from a receiving unit and dispensed via a dispensing unit. This allows the material to be supplied in an organized manner and applied in a controlled manner. Dispensing via the dispensing unit also enables metered, uniform, and reproducible application, thereby reducing over- or under-dosing and improving application quality.

[0045] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, lawn condition data is acquired by means of a sensor unit. In particular, the lawn condition data includes information about discoloration and / or damaged areas of the lawn. By acquiring lawn condition data, the dispensing of application material can be controlled based on the condition of the lawn and thus in a targeted manner.

[0046] It is advantageous if external data is received via a receiving unit and the output of the applied material is controlled depending on this external data. In particular, the external data includes weather data.

[0047] This allows the application of the material to be controlled more effectively and depending on the situation. In particular, application can be enabled, disabled, and / or adjusted based on weather data so that, for example, application occurs shortly before expected rainfall, thereby promoting improved incorporation of the material into the soil.

[0048] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spreading module is controlled via a communication interface using a data network. In particular, the data network includes the internet. This offers the advantage that the spreading module can be remotely controlled and thus operated with exceptional flexibility. Specifically, operating modes and output parameters can be set remotely, application processes can be triggered and / or monitored, and status information can be retrieved.

[0049] For example, the spreading module can be attached to and / or connected to a robotic lawnmower using the mounting unit. The application material, such as fertilizer, is then filled into the intake unit, and the desired operating mode is selected via the control unit and / or the communication interface. During operation, the sensor unit records lawn condition data. The control unit then regulates the dispensing device based on the recorded lawn condition data and / or received weather data, ensuring that the application material is dispensed as needed and, if necessary, at the appropriate time. This allows for automated, targeted, and efficient lawn care, reducing labor and supporting consistently high-quality maintenance.

[0050] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiment. It shows: Fig. 1 A schematic partial sectional view of a robotic lawnmower

[0051] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic partial sectional view of a robotic lawnmower 11. The robotic lawnmower 11 is designed for mowing a lawn and includes a spreading module 1 as a modular add-on unit. The spreading module 1 is attached to the robotic lawnmower 11 by means of a mounting unit 2, so that the spreading module 1 is located on the robotic lawnmower 11 and is carried along with it during operation.

[0052] The spreading module 1 has a control unit 3, which is designed to control the spreading module 1, in particular the dispensing device 4. The dispensing device 4 serves to dispense the material to be applied and, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a receiving unit 5 for receiving and / or holding the material to be applied, as well as a dispensing unit 6 for dispensing the material to be applied. The receiving unit 5 is designed as a storage or container unit into which the material to be applied can be poured.

[0053] The dispensing unit 6 is designed such that the material is dispensed in a controlled manner during operation of the robotic lawnmower 11. In particular, the material can be metered and / or dispensed in a predefined pattern by the dispensing unit 6.

[0054] Furthermore, the spreading module 1 includes a sensor unit 7 for recording lawn condition data. The sensor unit 7 is specifically designed to detect discoloration and / or damage to the lawn, thus enabling the identification of areas requiring increased maintenance. The sensor unit 7 can, for example, be configured as an optical sensor unit, specifically as a camera and / or color sensor and / or multispectral sensor, to detect differences in color and / or vegetation density.

[0055] To operate the spreading module 1, it comprises a control unit 8, which includes a display element 9. The display element 9 can be designed as a display, in particular as a touch display, so that operating states and / or output parameters can be shown and inputs for setting operating modes and / or output parameters can be made at the same time.

[0056] Furthermore, the spreading module 1 includes a receiver unit 10 for receiving external data, in particular weather data. The control unit 3 is designed such that the dispensing of the spreading material by means of the dispensing device 4 can be controlled depending on the received weather data, in particular it can be blocked and / or adjusted. This allows, for example, dispensing before expected precipitation and / or preventing dispensing under unfavorable conditions, such as a frost warning.

[0057] For illustrative purposes, the spreading module 1 is attached to the robotic lawnmower 11 using the mounting unit 2. The application material, in particular fertilizer and / or seed, is then filled into the intake unit 5. A desired operating mode is set via the control unit 8 and the display element 9, for example, area-based application or application based on damaged areas, depending on the lawn condition data recorded by the sensor unit 7. Additionally or alternatively, weather data is received via the receiver unit 10, allowing the control unit 3 to activate, deactivate, and / or adjust the output accordingly. During operation of the robotic lawnmower 11, the application material is taken from the intake unit 5 and dispensed as needed via the output unit 6, particularly in areas of detected damage.This allows the lawn area to be maintained automatically, in a targeted and efficient manner, whereby mowing and spreading can be combined in one operational process and the workload is reduced. Reference symbol list 1 Scattering module 2 Mounting unit 3 Control unit 4 Output device 5 recording unit 6 output units 7 Sensor unit 8 Control unit 9 Display element 10 receiver units 11 robotic lawnmowers

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