PORTABLE AND / OR MOBILE SIGNAL GENERATING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable and / or mobile signal generating device between one or more processing areas having the features of independent claim 1.

[0002] Autonomously operating soil tillage robots, particularly robotic mowers, for lawn care are well known. Operating autonomous soil tillage robots typically requires a charging station and a boundary element to define a mowing area. The boundary element can be placed either on the ground or buried in the ground. The charging station and the boundary element are electrically connected to each other and form a closed system or conductor loop. The area or surface within this system represents the tillage area for the soil tillage robot. To enable the soil tillage robot to orient itself within the tillage area, the charging station sends a defined signal to or through the boundary element, which the soil tillage robot can recognize using appropriate detection devices and / or sensors and which serves as orientation for the soil tillage robot.Since the charging station is known to be stationary, the tillage robot cannot be easily moved to other tillage areas, which consequently means that the operational area of ​​the tillage robot is spatially limited to one tillage area.

[0003] Document GB 2 577 146 A shows a system consisting of a standalone device and a boundary wire. A battery-powered transmitter generates corresponding transmission signals for the boundary wire.

[0004] Document WO 2021 / 130939 A1 discloses a charging station for an autonomously moving work machine that can charge a storage battery of the work machine.

[0005] Document US 2015 / 318521 A describes a rechargeable battery system for replacing a lead-acid battery.

[0006] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a portable and / or mobile signal generating device by means of which processing areas for an autonomously driving soil cultivation robot can be defined cost-effectively and without great effort, so that the autonomously driving soil cultivation robot can be flexibly used and operated in different processing areas.

[0007] The stated object is achieved by the subject matter of a portable and / or mobile signal generating device having the features of independent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0008] The portable and / or mobile signal generating device is used for coupling to a predetermined boundary element that defines a processing area for an autonomously driving soil processing robot.

[0009] The signal generating device comprises at least one housing with at least two connections, to each of which one end of the predetermined limiting element can be coupled, so that when the coupling is successful, in particular a closed processing area can be formed for the autonomously driving soil processing robot, ie the processing area can initially be open at least on one side and can be closed to form a closed processing area via the signal generating unit.

[0010] The portable and / or mobile signal generating device comprises a signal generating unit arranged and / or provided in the housing, which can be electrically coupled and / or connected to the predetermined limiting element via the at least two connections and which is designed to transmit an electrical signal through the predetermined limiting element.

[0011] The portable and / or mobile signal generating device further comprises at least one battery pack which supplies the signal generating unit with electrical energy, wherein the at least one battery pack of the portable device is detachably connected to the signal generating unit.

[0012] Since, in one embodiment of the present signal generating device, only the ends of the boundary element of a processing area (which is thus marked out or can be marked out) need to be coupled to the signal generating device, in particular to its terminals, an electrical connection between the signal generating device and the boundary element can be established in a simple manner. In particular, the electrical connection between the signal generating device and the boundary element can form a closed processing area or a conductor loop. Such a conductor loop is required to provide and form a processing area for an autonomously driving soil tillage robot.Since the electrical power supply of the signal generation unit is provided exclusively via the battery pack, a separate charging station is advantageously not required, which can reduce the acquisition costs.

[0013] Due to the simple coupling of the boundary element to the signal generating device, it is possible to always couple the signal generating device to those ends of a respective boundary element of a (marked or to be marked) cultivation area that is to be cultivated by the soil cultivation robot. Thus, the signal generating device can be coupled to locally differently positioned boundary elements and used to define a respective cultivation area there. As a result, the soil cultivation robot can also be used flexibly.

[0014] The at least two connections can in particular be electrical connections via which the signals of the signal generating unit can be sent to the limiting element.

[0015] The at least two connections can each have a snap-in, plug-in, and / or clamping receptacle into which the ends of the limiting element can be coupled and uncoupled as easily as possible at the connections. In particular, the ends of the limiting element can be snapped, plugged, and / or clamped into the at least two coupling points. The connection between the at least two coupling points and the ends of the limiting element is preferably designed to be detachable, so that the portable and / or mobile signal generating device can be flexibly used with limiting elements that are installed differently at different locations.

[0016] The at least one battery pack can comprise at least one battery pack housing, within which a plurality of battery cells are arranged. The battery cells can be, in particular, lithium-ion battery cells. For example, five or ten battery cells can be arranged within the at least one battery pack housing. The plurality of battery cells can be connected to one another in series and / or in parallel.

[0017] The battery pack can have a nominal voltage between approximately 12 volts and approximately 40 volts. A preferred nominal voltage for the battery pack can be 18 volts.

[0018] It is intended that the battery pack be designed as a replaceable or interchangeable battery pack. In particular, the battery pack can be designed as a removable battery pack or as a system battery pack, which means that, in addition to supplying electrical power to the portable and / or mobile power supply device, the battery pack can be used universally to supply electrical power to various electrical devices, such as a power tool, electric gardening device, household appliance, vehicle, or the like.

[0019] The battery pack housing can be constructed in one or more parts. Preferably, the battery pack housing can be constructed in two parts, consisting of a lower part and an upper part. A conductor carrier can be provided within the battery pack housing, which is electrically connected to the at least one battery cell. The electrical conductor carrier is formed by a printed circuit board or circuit board. Various electronic components, such as a button, power MOSFET, etc., are mounted on the electrical conductor carrier. The battery pack can also be equipped with a battery management system.

[0020] Furthermore, the battery pack is provided with a battery pack interface. The battery pack interface can have one or more electrical plug-in and / or clamp-in and / or latching contacts or the like. The one or more plug-in and / or clamp-in and / or latching contacts can be formed by tulip contacts or sword contacts.

[0021] Furthermore, it is provided that the housing of the signal generating device has a battery receptacle or further battery pack interface which is designed to be compatible with the battery pack interface of the battery pack, so that the battery pack can be electrically and mechanically coupled to the battery receptacle via its battery pack interface.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment, the signal generating device may comprise at least one additional housing. This additional housing may be a separate housing that is also designed to be portable and / or mobile.

[0023] The further housing can be electrically connected to the housing. The electrical connection between the housing and the further housing can be formed by at least one line or the like. In particular, corresponding coupling points or the like can be provided on the two housings, to which the at least one line can be detachably coupled.

[0024] According to the alternative embodiment, the additional housing can have a battery receptacle or additional battery pack interface that is designed to be compatible with the battery pack interface of the battery pack. The battery pack can thus be mechanically coupled to the additional battery pack interface of the additional housing via its battery pack interface.

[0025] In both embodiments, the further battery pack interface can have corresponding holding and / or contact and / or locking elements, such as contact terminals or the like.

[0026] In particular, the battery pack can be pushed, plugged, and / or locked onto the additional battery pack interface of the housing or the additional housing via the battery pack interface. Due to this coupling, the connection between the battery pack and the battery pack interface can be released at any time. Removing the battery pack from the additional battery pack interface of the housing or the additional housing may be necessary, for example, if the battery pack is discharged and needs to be connected to a charger for charging.

[0027] Furthermore, an electrical connection can be formed by mechanically coupling the battery pack to the additional battery pack interface of the housing or the additional housing. The signal generation unit can be electrically connected to the additional battery pack interface of the housing via one or more corresponding lines. Due to the formed electrical connection, the signal generation unit, in particular, can be supplied with electrical energy, in particular with current, which in turn can send a signal for marking a processing area through the limiting element.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the housing or the additional housing can have an openable housing element or a housing compartment within which the battery receptacle or additional battery pack interface is arranged for protection against external environmental influences. The openable housing compartment can be equipped, for example, with a flap, a lid, or the like. In particular, the battery pack can thereby be protected from moisture and wetness as well as from dust and / or dirt particles.

[0029] The battery holder for the battery pack is located on an outside of the housing or the additional housing.

[0030] An on / off control unit can be assigned to the housing and / or the additional housing, via which the signal generating device can be activated or deactivated. In particular, the on / off control unit can thus also be used to switch the electrical power supply from the battery pack on or off. The on / off control unit can be formed by a switch, button, touch display, or the like.

[0031] Furthermore, it can be provided that the signal generating unit sends an electrical signal to or through the limiting element, which is formed by a pulse signal, by a sine signal, by a square signal, by a triangular signal, by a sawtooth signal or by another modulated signal.

[0032] Furthermore, it can be provided that the signal generation unit is formed by a frequency generator that transmits an alternating signal with a frequency between approximately 1 Hz and approximately 100 Hz, preferably between approximately 40 Hz and approximately 90 Hz, to or through the limiting element. However, this frequency should not be understood as limiting, as the frequency generator can also transmit a frequency to the limiting element that is in the kilohertz or megahertz range, or the like.

[0033] The soil cultivation robot can, in particular, be a robotic lawnmower that mows the lawn within the boundary or mowing area. The soil cultivation robot can also be designed as an autonomous robot that applies water and / or fertilizer to the lawn, collects leaves, or similar activities within the cultivation area.

[0034] The boundary element can preferably be formed by a boundary wire or the like. Typically, the boundary wire can be made of copper, aluminum, or various metal alloys, which is surrounded by an insulating material, such as PVC.

[0035] In the following, exemplary embodiments will explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The relative sizes of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the actual sizes, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged relative to other elements for better illustration.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows in a schematic view an embodiment of the mobile and / or portable signal generating device which is coupled to a boundary element of a processing area.

[0037] Fig. 2shows in a schematic view a further embodiment of the mobile and / or portable signal generating device, which is coupled to another boundary element of another processing area.

[0038] Identical reference numerals are used for identical or equivalent elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numerals necessary for the description of the respective figure are shown in the individual figures. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the device according to the invention can be configured and do not constitute limitations.

[0039] In the Figure 1Three spatially separated processing areas A, B, and C are schematically shown, each spatially delimited by a boundary element 28. The boundary element 28 can, in particular, be a boundary wire. The processing areas A, B, and C are, in particular, mowing areas within which, if necessary, a soil cultivation robot (not shown here), in particular a robotic lawnmower, can cut the lawn to a specific height.

[0040] While the Figure 1 Since the mowing areas B and C shown are open on one side, a signal generating device 10 was interposed between the two ends of the boundary element 28 of the mowing area A. The signal generating device 10 closes the processing area open on one side to form a closed processing area A or a conductor loop.

[0041] The signal generating device 10 comprises a housing 12, which can have any desired shape. The housing 12 is equipped with at least two terminals 14. These terminals 14 are, in particular, electrical terminals, to each of which one end of the boundary element 28 of the mowing area A is coupled.

[0042] The at least two connections 14 can each have a snap-in, plug-in, and / or clamping receptacle, so that the ends of the boundary element 28 can be snapped, plugged, and / or clamped onto the connections 14. Such a connection enables easy coupling and uncoupling of the ends of the boundary element 28, so that the signal generating device 10 can be decoupled from the mowing area A at any time and used in a different mowing area B, C if necessary by connecting the ends of the respective boundary element 28 of the respective mowing area B, C to the signal generating device 10. The signal generating device 10 can thus form a closed processing area or conductor loop in the mowing area B or mowing area C, which is necessary for operating the soil tillage robot within this processing area.

[0043] Within the housing 12, a signal generating unit 16 is provided, which can be electrically coupled and / or connected to the limiting element 28 via the at least two terminals 14 and which is designed to send a signal through the limiting element 28.

[0044] The signal generation unit 16 can, in particular, comprise a frequency generator. The frequency generator is designed to transmit an alternating signal with a frequency between approximately 1 Hz and approximately 100 Hz, preferably between approximately 40 Hz and approximately 90 Hz, through the limiting element 28. Due to the antenna effect of the limiting element 28, the alternating signal transmitted by the limiting element 28 generates an electromagnetic signal, which the processing robot can use to orient itself within the processing area A, i.e., the stronger the electromagnetic signal, the closer the processing robot is to the limiting element 28. To detect and / or recognize the prevailing frequency, the processing robot is equipped with appropriate detection means and / or sensors.

[0045] The electrical power supply to the signal generation unit 16, in particular the frequency generator, is provided by a battery pack 20. The battery pack 20 is detachably attached to the signal generation device 10 or detachably connected thereto. The battery pack 20 can, for example, have a nominal voltage between approximately 12 volts and approximately 40 volts. A preferred nominal voltage of the battery pack is 18 volts.

[0046] In the present Figure 1The battery pack 20 is, in particular, detachably assigned to the housing 12 of the signal generating device 10. For example, the housing 12 has one or more slots for battery packs 20. The battery pack 20 has a battery pack housing 22, within which at least one battery cell is arranged. The at least one battery cell is preferably a lithium-ion cell, i.e., the battery pack 20 is a lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack 20 can also have more than one battery cell, for example, five or ten battery cells, which can be connected to one another in parallel and / or in series.

[0047] The battery pack 20 has a battery pack interface (not shown here), which is formed by one or more electrical plug-in and / or clamping and / or locking contacts or the like. In particular, the one or more electrical plug-in and / or clamping and / or locking contacts are formed by tulip contacts or sword contacts.

[0048] The housing 12 of the signal generating device 10 comprises a further battery pack interface (also not shown, also called a battery receptacle) that is compatible with the battery pack interface of the battery pack 20. Accordingly, the further battery pack interface has holding and / or contact elements, contact terminals, or the like. The battery pack 20 can thus be mechanically and electrically coupled to the battery receptacle (further battery pack interface) of the housing 12 via a battery pack interface and decoupled again as needed. The electrical connection between the battery receptacle and the signal generating unit 16 is established by electrical lines or the like (not shown here).

[0049] The battery pack 20 is in particular a replaceable or interchangeable battery pack 20 or a removable battery pack or system battery pack. This means that the battery pack 20, in addition to supplying electrical energy to the portable and / or mobile signal generating device 10, can be used universally to supply electrical energy to various electrical devices, for example power tools, electric gardening devices, household appliances, vehicles or the like.

[0050] A corresponding on / off control unit (not shown here) is assigned to the housing 12, via which the signal generating device 10 can be activated or deactivated. In particular, the electrical power supply from the battery pack 20 can be controlled via the on / off control unit. The on / off control unit can be formed by a switch, button, touch display, or the like.

[0051] In the Figure 2a further embodiment of the signal generating device 10 is schematically shown, which is interposed between the two ends of the boundary element 28 of the mowing area A.

[0052] The signal generating device 10 comprises a housing 12, which can have any desired shape. The housing 12 is equipped with at least two connections 14. These connections 14 are, in particular, electrical connections. One end of the boundary element 28 of the mowing area A is coupled to each of these connections 14.

[0053] The at least two connections 14 can each have a locking, plug-in and / or clamping receptacle, so that the ends of the limiting element 28 can be locked, plugged in and / or clamped onto the connections 14. Such a connection enables easy coupling and uncoupling of the ends of the limiting element 28. In this way, the signal generating device 10 can be used at any time in a different mowing area B, C or another boundary element 28 by connecting the ends of the boundary element 28 of the respective mowing area B, C to the signal generating device 10. This creates a closed system or conductor loop, which is essential for operating a processing robot within this mowing area.

[0054] Within the housing 12, a signal generating unit 16 is provided, which is electrically coupled and / or connected to the limiting element 28 via the at least two terminals 14 and which is designed to send a signal through the limiting element 28.

[0055] The signal generating unit 16 comprises in particular a frequency generator (see also statements on Figure 1). The frequency generator 18 is designed to send an alternating signal through the limiting element 28. Due to the antenna effect of the limiting element 28, the alternating signal sent by the limiting element 28 causes an electromagnetic signal, by means of which the processing robot can orient itself within the processing area A, i.e. the stronger the electromagnetic signal, the closer the processing robot is to the limiting element 28. The processing robot is equipped with corresponding detection means and / or sensors in order to be able to detect and / or record the corresponding electromagnetic signal.

[0056] The signal generating device 10 also comprises a further housing 24, which is electrically connected and / or coupled to the housing 12. The electrical connection between the two housings 12, 24 is formed by at least one electrical line 26.

[0057] The electrical power supply of the signal generating unit 16, in particular the frequency generator, is provided by a battery pack 20, which is detachably assigned to the signal generating device 10 indirectly via the further housing 24 or detachably connected thereto. The battery pack 20 has a battery pack interface (not shown here). Further features and configurations of the battery pack correspond to those described in Figure 1 explained embodiments and are intended to be included here.

[0058] The additional housing 24 comprises an additional battery pack interface (also called a battery receptacle) that is compatible with the battery pack interface of the battery pack 20. Accordingly, the additional battery pack interface has holding and / or contact and / or locking elements, such as contact terminals or the like. The battery pack 20 can thus be mechanically coupled to the battery receptacle of the additional housing 24 via a battery pack interface and decoupled again as needed. The electrical connection between the battery receptacle and the signal generation unit 16 is established by electrical lines or the like (not shown here).

[0059] A corresponding on / off control unit (not shown here) can be assigned to the additional housing 24, via which the signal generating device 10 can be activated or deactivated. In particular, the electrical power supply from the battery pack 20 is controlled via the on / off control unit. The on / off control unit can comprise a switch, button, touch display, or the like.

[0060] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or variations of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims. List of reference symbols

[0061] 10Signal generating device 12Housing 14Connection 16Signal generating unit 18Frequency generator 20Battery pack 22Battery pack housing 24Additional housing 26Electrical cable 28Limiting element AWorking area / mowing area BWorking area / mowing area CWorking area / mowing area

Claims

1. A portable and / or mobile signal generating device (10) for coupling to a preset limiting element (28), which defines a processing area (A, B, C) for an autonomously driving ground processing robot, at least comprising - a housing (12) with at least two terminals (14), to which an end of the preset limiting element (28) can respectively be coupled, - a signal generating unit (16) arranged in the housing (12), which can be electrically coupled to the preset limiting element (28) via the at least two terminals (14) and which is configured to transmit an electrical signal through the preset limiting element (28), and - at least one battery pack (20), which supplies the signal generating unit (16) with electrical energy, wherein the battery pack (20) is detachably connected to the signal generating device (10), wherein - the at least one battery pack (20) includes a battery pack housing (22), within which multiple battery cells are arranged, - the battery pack (20) comprises a battery pack interface, characterized in that - the battery pack interface comprises plug-in contacts or snap-in contacts and is formed for detachably mechanically and electrically coupling to the housing (12) of the signal generating device, and - the housing (12) comprises a battery receiving interface on an outer side, which is formed compatibly with the battery pack interface of the battery pack (20), such that the battery pack (20) can be mechanically and electrically coupled to the battery receiving interface of the housing (12) via its battery pack interface.

2. The portable and / or mobile signal generating device according to claim 1, in which the at least two terminals (14) of the housing (12) each comprise a snap-in, plug-in and / or press receptacle.

3. The portable and / or mobile signal generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes at least one further housing (24), which is electrically connected to the housing (12).

4. The portable and / or mobile signal generating device according to claim 3, in which the at least one further housing (24) comprises a further battery receiving interface, which is formed compatibly with the battery pack interface of the battery pack (20) such that the battery pack (20) can be mechanically and / or electrically coupled to the further battery receiving interface of the further housing (12) via its battery pack interface.

5. The portable and / or mobile signal generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (12) or the further housing (24) comprises an openable housing element, within which the respective battery receiving interface is arranged.

6. The portable and / or mobile signal generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the electrical signal is formed by a pulse signal, by a sinusoidal signal, by a square-wave signal, by a triangular signal, by a sawtooth signal or by another modulated signal.

7. The portable and / or mobile signal generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the signal generating unit (16) comprises a frequency generator, by which the electrical signal can be generated with a frequency between 1 Hz and 100 Hz or between 40 Hz and 90 Hz.

8. A signal generating system with a portable and / or mobile signal generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, to which the preset limiting element (28) is detachably coupled.