Autonomous snow-melting device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an autonomous snow-melting device and methods of using the same to remove snow or ice from surfaces. Specifically, an autonomous snow-melting device is disclosed that can be powered by solar energy and that is equipped with an intelligent control module, sensor-based navigation, and heating elements for melting snow and ice.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a device for removing accumulated snow and ice from a surface and, more specifically, to an autonomous snow-melting device and method of using the same.BACKGROUND

[0002] Snow and ice removal is a critical necessity in cold climates to ensure safe transportation on motorways and accessible walkways.

[0003] The accumulation of snow on roadways, driveways and walkways makes travel over such surfaces more difficult and dangerous. To overcome these problems, a number of devices and methods have been developed to remove or transfer snow and ice.

[0004] Some individuals rely on a snow shovel, though shoveling snow is a labor-intensive and time-consuming task. Moreover, shoveling is often paired with the application of chemical de-icing agents such as rock salt. Use of such chemicals has negative effects on the environment such as soil contamination and water pollution. Moreover, roads, sidewalks, vehicles and bridges can be corroded due to long-term exposure to such agents.

[0005] Other individuals may rely on snow blowers to remove snow. However, as is the case with shoveling snow, operating a snow blower requires physical labor and exposes the user to prolonged periods of time in the cold.

[0006] To avoid exposure to the elements, one might use a snowplow affixed to the front end of a vehicle. Nevertheless, use of a snowplow still requires labor, poses risks to the vehicle used, relies on fossil fuels, and may be prohibitively expensive due to the cost of owning or renting a vehicle capable of driving the plow. Further, the areas which may be plowed are limited by the width of the plow used.

[0007] As an alternative to the foregoing, some individuals use electrified mats which heat up to melt snow or prevent it from accumulating in the first instance. Such devices, however, are limited by their own dimensions—being capable of removing only the snow that falls directly on top of it.

[0008] The aforementioned traditional snow and ice removal methods come with significant drawbacks in terms of effectiveness, cost, labor, intensity and environmental impact.

[0009] Accordingly, a need exists for improved eco-friendly snow removal and de-icing devices and methods for removing accumulated snow from surfaces.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] To address the above and other deficiencies, the present disclosure contemplates a autonomous snow-melting device and method for removing snow and ice from a surface.

[0011] The autonomous snow-melting device comprises a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface. Solar panels are located on the top surface of the autonomous snow-melting device and serve to power the device. A plurality of wheels positioned on the bottom surface of the housing enable the autonomous snow-melting device to move along a surface. A heating element positioned on the bottom surface of the housing radiates heat below the autonomous snow-melting device as it travels, thereby melting snow and ice in the autonomous snow-melting device's path. In one embodiment, the heating element of the autonomous snow-melting device comprises one or more wires which heat up as an electrical current passes through them. The housing also includes one or more sensors for detecting snow, ice, and obstacles in the autonomous snow-melting device's path. A control module within the housing may be programmed by a user to cause the autonomous snow-melting device to traverse a predetermined area. The control module further adjusts the autonomous snow-melting device's movement to avoid obstacles based on input from the one or more sensors. In some embodiments, the autonomous snow-melting device may further include a battery for powering its electronic components as well as an input device for turning the autonomous snow-melting device on or off. The autonomous snow-melting device's capabilities allow it to autonomously remove snow from a surface.

[0012] Thus it is an object of the present disclosure to provide users with an autonomous snow-melting device for removing snow which is not labor-intensive and does not involve prolonged exposure to cold weather.

[0013] To further increase the convenience and efficacy of the autonomous snow-melting device, some embodiments include a rounded top surface to prevent accumulated snow or ice from weighing the autonomous snow-melting device down, a port positioned on the housing for easy charging of the battery or programming, and a user interface for displaying messages to the user.

[0014] Alternative embodiments of the autonomous snow-melting device may include either a rubber tire around each of the plurality of wheels or a track joining a set of the plurality of wheels on either side of the autonomous snow-melting device. In some embodiments, the rubber tires or tracks may also contain treads to increase the autonomous snow-melting device's traction in the snow.

[0015] The present disclosure also contemplates a method for using the autonomous snow-melting device. The method includes programming the control module with a starting point and the dimensions of an area to be traversed by the autonomous snow-melting device. The method further comprises placing the autonomous snow-melting device at a position corresponding to the programmed starting point, at which point the autonomous snow-melting device will commence traversing the programmed area and melting the snow contained therein.

[0016] These and other embodiments are disclosed or are obvious from and encompassed by the following Brief Description of the Drawings and Detailed Description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality showing in the attached drawings.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective cutaway view of an autonomous snow-melting device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a transparent perspective view of the autonomous snow-melting device of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a of an autonomous snow-melting device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an autonomous snow-melting device of FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for snow and ice removal using an autonomous snow-melting device.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying charts and tables, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as methods or devices. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0024] In the following detailed description of embodiments of the inventive concepts, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the inventive concepts within the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, certain well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.

[0025] As used herein, the terms “comprises,”“comprising,”“includes,”“including,”“has,”“having,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherently present therein.

[0026] Unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0027] The term “and combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations or combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, and combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AAB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

[0028] In addition, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts. This description should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0029] The use of the terms “at least one” and “one or more” will be understood to include one as well as any quantity more than one, including, but not limited to, each of, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, and all integers and fractions, if applicable, therebetween. The terms “at least one” and “one or more” may extend up to 100 or 1000 or more, depending on the term to which it is attached; in addition, the quantities of 100 / 1000 are not to be considered limiting, as higher limits may also produce satisfactory results.

[0030] Further, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0031] As used herein, qualifiers such as “about,”“approximately,” and “substantially” are intended to signify that the item being qualified is not limited to the exact value specified, but includes some slight variations or deviations therefrom, caused by measuring error, manufacturing tolerances, stress exerted on various parts, wear and tear, and combinations thereof, for example.

[0032] FIGS. 1-2 depict an autonomous snow-melting device 100 for removing accumulated snow and ice from a surface. The autonomous snow-melting device 100 comprises a housing 102 having a top surface 104 and a bottom surface 401. The housing 102 may be formed of any water-resistant material such as plastic or sheet metal. A plurality of wheels 118A, 120A, 122A, 124A, are positioned on the bottom surface 401 of the housing 102. The plurality of wheels 118A, 120A, 122A, 124A may be aligned in the center of the bottom surface 401. In some embodiments, the plurality of wheels may be position on a track 126 on the bottom surface 401. In some embodiments the track may include treads to provide additional traction when the autonomous snow-melting device 100 is moving through the snow. The bottom surface 401 of the housing 102 further comprises a heating element 130. The heating element radiates heat when connected to a power source such as solar panels or a battery. The housing further includes one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B positioned on the housing 102 to detect snow and ice to be re removed as well as obstacles around the device, and to map the designated area from which snow is to be removed. In some embodiments a combination of sensors and mapping technologies may be used to sense the dimensions of a surface from which snow and ice are to be removed, including bump sensors that register the impact when the autonomous snow-melting device 100 bumps into a surface and adjust its path after registering the impact. Other sensor may include infrared cliff sensors that prevent autonomous snow-melting device 100 from falling down stairs and cliffs when a change in surface height is detected. Still further sensors may include wheel gyroscopes that track movement and direction, helping the autonomous snow-melting device estimate distances traveled and adjust navigation accordingly. In further embodiments, infrared and acoustic sensors may be used to detect walls and other objects such as persons, animals, and vehicles. In still further embodiments, camera-based sensors may be used to capture landmarks creating a visual map of the area to be traversed. In some embodiments, LiDar laser-based sensors may be used to scan and map the area to be traversed in real-time.

[0033] The top surface 104 of the autonomous snow-melting device 100 further comprises one or more solar panels 134A, 134B positioned on the housing 102 configured to charge the battery.

[0034] The autonomous snow-melting device 100 also contains a control module 114 and a conductive transmission line 106 operatively coupled between the solar panels 134A, 134B and the control module 114 to transfer electrical power generated by the solar panels 134A, 134B to the control module 114 to power the electrical components of the autonomous snow-melting device. In some embodiments, an internal battery may be utilized to power the autonomous snow-melting device. The control module 114 comprises a controller, memory, and communication interfaces for executing motion control commands. The control module 114 may be programmed by a user to cause the autonomous snow-melting device 100 to traverse a predetermined area. The control module 114 is also capable of collecting data about the area that is designated for snow or ice removal and adjusting the movement of the autonomous snow-melting device 100 to accurately traverse over snow and ice that is to be removed and to simultaneously avoid obstacles based on input from the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B. The solar panels 134A, 134B also power to the plurality of wheels 118A, 120A, 122A, 124A, the heating element 130 and the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B. In other embodiments a battery may be used to power electronic components of the autonomous snow-melting device 100. The autonomous snow-melting device 100 also includes an input device 108 for turning the autonomous snow-melting device 100 on or off.

[0035] In some embodiments, the control module 114 may be programmed by a connection to an external computing device, such as a computer or cellular device. Software enabling programming of the control module 114 is generally known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. For instance, if the control module 114 comprised Arduino software and / or hardware, the Arduino Integrated Development Environment could be used to program the control module. Similarly, the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B may be comprised of any one of the number of proximity sensors generally known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as those that rely on radio frequencies, specialized lasers, or infrared technology.

[0036] The control module 114 may be programmed with a starting point and the dimensions of an area to be traversed by the autonomous snow-melting device 100. Once the control module 114 has been programmed, it can be placed at a physical location corresponding to the programmed starting point. From there, the control module 114 will cause the autonomous snow-melting device 100 to traverse an area according to the programmed dimensions or sensory data inputs collected by one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B. As the autonomous snow-melting device 100 traverses this area, the heating element 130 will radiate heat below the device, thereby causing snow and ice beneath the device 100 to melt.

[0037] In an embodiment, the heating element 130 may be comprised of one or more wires which heat up as a current is passed through them. Said current may be supplied by the solar panels 134A, 134B via power transmission wiring 116. In some embodiments the heating elements may be powered by a battery.

[0038] In some embodiments, the top surface 104 of the housing 102 may be curved to prevent the accumulation of snow thereon. For instance, in the case where the device 100 is used during snowfall or in areas where snow may fall on it, such as from surrounding trees, the curved top surface 104 will prevent falling snow from weighing the device 100 down in the course of its operation and will keep the solar panels 134A, 134B clear.

[0039] The autonomous snow-melting device 100 may also comprise a port 202 positioned on the housing 102 configured to charge the battery using an external power source if no solar energy is available. The port may also be configured to facilitate programming of the control module 114 by enabling a wired connection of the control module 114 to an external computing device.

[0040] In a further embodiment, the autonomous snow-melting device 100 may include a user interface 110 to display messages to the user. Said messages may include internal diagnostics regarding the operation of the device 100. For instance, the user interface may inform the user that the battery of the autonomous snow-melting device requires charging or that a sensor is broken or needs servicing. The user interface 110 may also be utilized to program the autonomous snow-melting device to remove snow and ice in accordance with the methods described herein.

[0041] FIGS. 3-4 depict an autonomous snow-melting device 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The autonomous snow-melting device 200 comprises a housing 102 having a top surface 104 and a bottom surface 401. The housing 102 may be formed of any water-resistant material such as plastic or sheet metal. A plurality of wheels 302A, 302B, 306A, 306B, are positioned on the bottom surface 401 of the housing 102. The plurality of wheels 302A, 302B, 306A, 306B may be positioned in each of the corners of the autonomous snow-melting device 200. In some embodiments, the wheels have rubber tires. In some embodiments, the tires may contain treads 304 to provide traction in snowy or icy conditions. The bottom surface 401 of the housing 102 further comprises a heating element 130. The heating element radiates heat when connected to a power source such as the solar panels 134A, 134B or a battery. The housing further includes one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B positioned on the housing 102 to detect snow or ice to be removed and to simultaneously avoid obstacles based on input from the one or more sensors and to map the designated area from which snow or ice is to be removed. The autonomous snow-melting device 200 also contains a control module 114. The control module comprises a controller, memory, and communication interfaces for executing motion control commands. The control module 114 may be programmed by a user to cause the autonomous snow-melting device 200 to traverse a predetermined area. The control module 114 is also capable of adjusting the movement of the device 200 to avoid obstacles based on input from the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B. The solar panels 134A, 134B supply power to the plurality of wheels 118A, 120A, 122A, 124A, the heating element 130, the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B, and the control module 114. The autonomous snow-melting device 200 also includes an input device 108 for turning the autonomous snow-melting device 200 of on or off.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for snow and ice removal using an autonomous snow-melting device 500 equipped with an intelligent control module 114. The method enables efficient snow and ice removal by incorporating sensor-based navigation, adaptive path planning and integrated snow melting mechanisms. In step 502, the autonomous snow-melting device 500 is manually or automatically positioned within a designated area for snow or ice removal. In step 504 the autonomous snow-melting device may be initialized by a user command, a pre-programmed schedule, or a sensor triggered activation to remove the snow or ice in the designated area. Specifically, the control module 114 executes the initialization and mapping protocols, including: defining a starting point based on pre-programmed coordinates or user input, detecting surface boundaries using a plurality of sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B; generating a spatial map of the designated area, identifying obstacles, walls, surface irregularities, persons, animals, and vehicles to optimize the navigation path, storing sensory data about the environment of the designated area onboard a memory module and enabling the control module 114 to direct the autonomous snow-melting device to adapt its movement dynamically.

[0043] Once the initialization and mapping process is complete, in step 506 the autonomous snow-melting device commences movement along an optimized path. The control module 114 continuously receives real-time sensory input data from the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B to identify snow and ice and to avoid obstacles, adjust movement, speed and direction based on the sensory input, determine high snow or ice accumulation areas and optimize its traversal to optimally remove the snow and ice from those areas, and prevent falls or collisions based on obstacles and uneven surface features.

[0044] In step 508, the snow or ice is melted by way of the heating element 130 transferring heat onto the snow or ice as the autonomous snow-melting device traverses across the designated area.

[0045] The entire process continues until the entire designated area has been traversed and the snow or ice has been sufficiently melted, or until a user-commanded stop is received via the user interface 110.

[0046] In another embodiment, in a first step the control module 114 may be programmed by the user via the user interface 110 with a starting point and dimensions of a designated area to be traversed by the autonomous snow-melting device according to one or more embodiments herein. In a second step, the autonomous snow-melting device may be placed at a physical location corresponding to the starting point, whereby the autonomous snow-melting device will commence traversing the designated area and in a third step melting the snow therein with the heating element 130. The entire process continues until the entire designated area has been traversed and the snow or ice has been sufficiently melted, or until a user-commanded stop is received via the user interface 110.

[0047] Having thus described in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention defined by the above paragraphs is not to be limited to particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying charts and tables, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as methods or devices. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0024]In the following detailed description of embodiments of the inventive concepts, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary s...

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a device for removing accumulated snow and ice from a surface and, more specifically, to an autonomous snow-melting device and method of using the same.BACKGROUND

[0002] Snow and ice removal is a critical necessity in cold climates to ensure safe transportation on motorways and accessible walkways.

[0003] The accumulation of snow on roadways, driveways and walkways makes travel over such surfaces more difficult and dangerous. To overcome these problems, a number of devices and methods have been developed to remove or transfer snow and ice.

[0004] Some individuals rely on a snow shovel, though shoveling snow is a labor-intensive and time-consuming task. Moreover, shoveling is often paired with the application of chemical de-icing agents such as rock salt. Use of such chemicals has negative effects on the environment such as soil contamination and water pollution. Moreover, roads, sidewalks, vehicles and bridges can be corroded due to long-term exposure to such agents.

[0005] Other individuals may rely on snow blowers to remove snow. However, as is the case with shoveling snow, operating a snow blower requires physical labor and exposes the user to prolonged periods of time in the cold.

[0006] To avoid exposure to the elements, one might use a snowplow affixed to the front end of a vehicle. Nevertheless, use of a snowplow still requires labor, poses risks to the vehicle used, relies on fossil fuels, and may be prohibitively expensive due to the cost of owning or renting a vehicle capable of driving the plow. Further, the areas which may be plowed are limited by the width of the plow used.

[0007] As an alternative to the foregoing, some individuals use electrified mats which heat up to melt snow or prevent it from accumulating in the first instance. Such devices, however, are limited by their own dimensions—being capable of removing only the snow that falls directly on top of it.

[0008] The aforementioned traditional snow and ice removal methods come with significant drawbacks in terms of effectiveness, cost, labor, intensity and environmental impact.

[0009] Accordingly, a need exists for improved eco-friendly snow removal and de-icing devices and methods for removing accumulated snow from surfaces.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] To address the above and other deficiencies, the present disclosure contemplates a autonomous snow-melting device and method for removing snow and ice from a surface.

[0011] The autonomous snow-melting device comprises a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface. Solar panels are located on the top surface of the autonomous snow-melting device and serve to power the device. A plurality of wheels positioned on the bottom surface of the housing enable the autonomous snow-melting device to move along a surface. A heating element positioned on the bottom surface of the housing radiates heat below the autonomous snow-melting device as it travels, thereby melting snow and ice in the autonomous snow-melting device's path. In one embodiment, the heating element of the autonomous snow-melting device comprises one or more wires which heat up as an electrical current passes through them. The housing also includes one or more sensors for detecting snow, ice, and obstacles in the autonomous snow-melting device's path. A control module within the housing may be programmed by a user to cause the autonomous snow-melting device to traverse a predetermined area. The control module further adjusts the autonomous snow-melting device's movement to avoid obstacles based on input from the one or more sensors. In some embodiments, the autonomous snow-melting device may further include a battery for powering its electronic components as well as an input device for turning the autonomous snow-melting device on or off. The autonomous snow-melting device's capabilities allow it to autonomously remove snow from a surface.

[0012] Thus it is an object of the present disclosure to provide users with an autonomous snow-melting device for removing snow which is not labor-intensive and does not involve prolonged exposure to cold weather.

[0013] To further increase the convenience and efficacy of the autonomous snow-melting device, some embodiments include a rounded top surface to prevent accumulated snow or ice from weighing the autonomous snow-melting device down, a port positioned on the housing for easy charging of the battery or programming, and a user interface for displaying messages to the user.

[0014] Alternative embodiments of the autonomous snow-melting device may include either a rubber tire around each of the plurality of wheels or a track joining a set of the plurality of wheels on either side of the autonomous snow-melting device. In some embodiments, the rubber tires or tracks may also contain treads to increase the autonomous snow-melting device's traction in the snow.

[0015] The present disclosure also contemplates a method for using the autonomous snow-melting device. The method includes programming the control module with a starting point and the dimensions of an area to be traversed by the autonomous snow-melting device. The method further comprises placing the autonomous snow-melting device at a position corresponding to the programmed starting point, at which point the autonomous snow-melting device will commence traversing the programmed area and melting the snow contained therein.

[0016] These and other embodiments are disclosed or are obvious from and encompassed by the following Brief Description of the Drawings and Detailed Description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality showing in the attached drawings.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective cutaway view of an autonomous snow-melting device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a transparent perspective view of the autonomous snow-melting device of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a of an autonomous snow-melting device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an autonomous snow-melting device of FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for snow and ice removal using an autonomous snow-melting device.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying charts and tables, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as methods or devices. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0024] In the following detailed description of embodiments of the inventive concepts, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the inventive concepts within the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, certain well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.

[0025] As used herein, the terms “comprises,”“comprising,”“includes,”“including,”“has,”“having,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherently present therein.

[0026] Unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0027] The term “and combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations or combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, and combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AAB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

[0028] In addition, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts. This description should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0029] The use of the terms “at least one” and “one or more” will be understood to include one as well as any quantity more than one, including, but not limited to, each of, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, and all integers and fractions, if applicable, therebetween. The terms “at least one” and “one or more” may extend up to 100 or 1000 or more, depending on the term to which it is attached; in addition, the quantities of 100 / 1000 are not to be considered limiting, as higher limits may also produce satisfactory results.

[0030] Further, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0031] As used herein, qualifiers such as “about,”“approximately,” and “substantially” are intended to signify that the item being qualified is not limited to the exact value specified, but includes some slight variations or deviations therefrom, caused by measuring error, manufacturing tolerances, stress exerted on various parts, wear and tear, and combinations thereof, for example.

[0032] FIGS. 1-2 depict an autonomous snow-melting device 100 for removing accumulated snow and ice from a surface. The autonomous snow-melting device 100 comprises a housing 102 having a top surface 104 and a bottom surface 401. The housing 102 may be formed of any water-resistant material such as plastic or sheet metal. A plurality of wheels 118A, 120A, 122A, 124A, are positioned on the bottom surface 401 of the housing 102. The plurality of wheels 118A, 120A, 122A, 124A may be aligned in the center of the bottom surface 401. In some embodiments, the plurality of wheels may be position on a track 126 on the bottom surface 401. In some embodiments the track may include treads to provide additional traction when the autonomous snow-melting device 100 is moving through the snow. The bottom surface 401 of the housing 102 further comprises a heating element 130. The heating element radiates heat when connected to a power source such as solar panels or a battery. The housing further includes one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B positioned on the housing 102 to detect snow and ice to be re removed as well as obstacles around the device, and to map the designated area from which snow is to be removed. In some embodiments a combination of sensors and mapping technologies may be used to sense the dimensions of a surface from which snow and ice are to be removed, including bump sensors that register the impact when the autonomous snow-melting device 100 bumps into a surface and adjust its path after registering the impact. Other sensor may include infrared cliff sensors that prevent autonomous snow-melting device 100 from falling down stairs and cliffs when a change in surface height is detected. Still further sensors may include wheel gyroscopes that track movement and direction, helping the autonomous snow-melting device estimate distances traveled and adjust navigation accordingly. In further embodiments, infrared and acoustic sensors may be used to detect walls and other objects such as persons, animals, and vehicles. In still further embodiments, camera-based sensors may be used to capture landmarks creating a visual map of the area to be traversed. In some embodiments, LiDar laser-based sensors may be used to scan and map the area to be traversed in real-time.

[0033] The top surface 104 of the autonomous snow-melting device 100 further comprises one or more solar panels 134A, 134B positioned on the housing 102 configured to charge the battery.

[0034] The autonomous snow-melting device 100 also contains a control module 114 and a conductive transmission line 106 operatively coupled between the solar panels 134A, 134B and the control module 114 to transfer electrical power generated by the solar panels 134A, 134B to the control module 114 to power the electrical components of the autonomous snow-melting device. In some embodiments, an internal battery may be utilized to power the autonomous snow-melting device. The control module 114 comprises a controller, memory, and communication interfaces for executing motion control commands. The control module 114 may be programmed by a user to cause the autonomous snow-melting device 100 to traverse a predetermined area. The control module 114 is also capable of collecting data about the area that is designated for snow or ice removal and adjusting the movement of the autonomous snow-melting device 100 to accurately traverse over snow and ice that is to be removed and to simultaneously avoid obstacles based on input from the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B. The solar panels 134A, 134B also power to the plurality of wheels 118A, 120A, 122A, 124A, the heating element 130 and the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B. In other embodiments a battery may be used to power electronic components of the autonomous snow-melting device 100. The autonomous snow-melting device 100 also includes an input device 108 for turning the autonomous snow-melting device 100 on or off.

[0035] In some embodiments, the control module 114 may be programmed by a connection to an external computing device, such as a computer or cellular device. Software enabling programming of the control module 114 is generally known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. For instance, if the control module 114 comprised Arduino software and / or hardware, the Arduino Integrated Development Environment could be used to program the control module. Similarly, the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B may be comprised of any one of the number of proximity sensors generally known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as those that rely on radio frequencies, specialized lasers, or infrared technology.

[0036] The control module 114 may be programmed with a starting point and the dimensions of an area to be traversed by the autonomous snow-melting device 100. Once the control module 114 has been programmed, it can be placed at a physical location corresponding to the programmed starting point. From there, the control module 114 will cause the autonomous snow-melting device 100 to traverse an area according to the programmed dimensions or sensory data inputs collected by one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B. As the autonomous snow-melting device 100 traverses this area, the heating element 130 will radiate heat below the device, thereby causing snow and ice beneath the device 100 to melt.

[0037] In an embodiment, the heating element 130 may be comprised of one or more wires which heat up as a current is passed through them. Said current may be supplied by the solar panels 134A, 134B via power transmission wiring 116. In some embodiments the heating elements may be powered by a battery.

[0038] In some embodiments, the top surface 104 of the housing 102 may be curved to prevent the accumulation of snow thereon. For instance, in the case where the device 100 is used during snowfall or in areas where snow may fall on it, such as from surrounding trees, the curved top surface 104 will prevent falling snow from weighing the device 100 down in the course of its operation and will keep the solar panels 134A, 134B clear.

[0039] The autonomous snow-melting device 100 may also comprise a port 202 positioned on the housing 102 configured to charge the battery using an external power source if no solar energy is available. The port may also be configured to facilitate programming of the control module 114 by enabling a wired connection of the control module 114 to an external computing device.

[0040] In a further embodiment, the autonomous snow-melting device 100 may include a user interface 110 to display messages to the user. Said messages may include internal diagnostics regarding the operation of the device 100. For instance, the user interface may inform the user that the battery of the autonomous snow-melting device requires charging or that a sensor is broken or needs servicing. The user interface 110 may also be utilized to program the autonomous snow-melting device to remove snow and ice in accordance with the methods described herein.

[0041] FIGS. 3-4 depict an autonomous snow-melting device 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The autonomous snow-melting device 200 comprises a housing 102 having a top surface 104 and a bottom surface 401. The housing 102 may be formed of any water-resistant material such as plastic or sheet metal. A plurality of wheels 302A, 302B, 306A, 306B, are positioned on the bottom surface 401 of the housing 102. The plurality of wheels 302A, 302B, 306A, 306B may be positioned in each of the corners of the autonomous snow-melting device 200. In some embodiments, the wheels have rubber tires. In some embodiments, the tires may contain treads 304 to provide traction in snowy or icy conditions. The bottom surface 401 of the housing 102 further comprises a heating element 130. The heating element radiates heat when connected to a power source such as the solar panels 134A, 134B or a battery. The housing further includes one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B positioned on the housing 102 to detect snow or ice to be removed and to simultaneously avoid obstacles based on input from the one or more sensors and to map the designated area from which snow or ice is to be removed. The autonomous snow-melting device 200 also contains a control module 114. The control module comprises a controller, memory, and communication interfaces for executing motion control commands. The control module 114 may be programmed by a user to cause the autonomous snow-melting device 200 to traverse a predetermined area. The control module 114 is also capable of adjusting the movement of the device 200 to avoid obstacles based on input from the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B. The solar panels 134A, 134B supply power to the plurality of wheels 118A, 120A, 122A, 124A, the heating element 130, the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B, and the control module 114. The autonomous snow-melting device 200 also includes an input device 108 for turning the autonomous snow-melting device 200 of on or off.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for snow and ice removal using an autonomous snow-melting device 500 equipped with an intelligent control module 114. The method enables efficient snow and ice removal by incorporating sensor-based navigation, adaptive path planning and integrated snow melting mechanisms. In step 502, the autonomous snow-melting device 500 is manually or automatically positioned within a designated area for snow or ice removal. In step 504 the autonomous snow-melting device may be initialized by a user command, a pre-programmed schedule, or a sensor triggered activation to remove the snow or ice in the designated area. Specifically, the control module 114 executes the initialization and mapping protocols, including: defining a starting point based on pre-programmed coordinates or user input, detecting surface boundaries using a plurality of sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B; generating a spatial map of the designated area, identifying obstacles, walls, surface irregularities, persons, animals, and vehicles to optimize the navigation path, storing sensory data about the environment of the designated area onboard a memory module and enabling the control module 114 to direct the autonomous snow-melting device to adapt its movement dynamically.

[0043] Once the initialization and mapping process is complete, in step 506 the autonomous snow-melting device commences movement along an optimized path. The control module 114 continuously receives real-time sensory input data from the one or more sensors 115A, 115B, 132A, 132B to identify snow and ice and to avoid obstacles, adjust movement, speed and direction based on the sensory input, determine high snow or ice accumulation areas and optimize its traversal to optimally remove the snow and ice from those areas, and prevent falls or collisions based on obstacles and uneven surface features.

[0044] In step 508, the snow or ice is melted by way of the heating element 130 transferring heat onto the snow or ice as the autonomous snow-melting device traverses across the designated area.

[0045] The entire process continues until the entire designated area has been traversed and the snow or ice has been sufficiently melted, or until a user-commanded stop is received via the user interface 110.

[0046] In another embodiment, in a first step the control module 114 may be programmed by the user via the user interface 110 with a starting point and dimensions of a designated area to be traversed by the autonomous snow-melting device according to one or more embodiments herein. In a second step, the autonomous snow-melting device may be placed at a physical location corresponding to the starting point, whereby the autonomous snow-melting device will commence traversing the designated area and in a third step melting the snow therein with the heating element 130. The entire process continues until the entire designated area has been traversed and the snow or ice has been sufficiently melted, or until a user-commanded stop is received via the user interface 110.

[0047] Having thus described in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention defined by the above paragraphs is not to be limited to particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying charts and tables, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as methods or devices. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0024]In the following detailed description of embodiments of the inventive concepts, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary s...

Claims

1. A device for removing accumulated snow from a surface comprising:a housing, the housing having a top surface and a bottom surface;a plurality of wheels positioned on the bottom surface of the housing for movement;a heating element positioned on the bottom surface of the housing;one or more sensors positioned on the housing;a control module;solar panels for supplying power to the plurality of wheels, the heating element, the one or more sensors, and the control module; andan input device configured to turn the device on or off.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises one or more wires which heat up as an electrical current passes through them.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the housing is curved to prevent accumulation of snow thereon.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a port positioned on the housing configured to externally charge an external battery.

5. The device of claim 1, the device further comprising a user interface positioned on the housing configured to display messages to a user.

6. The device of claim 1, the device further comprising a battery.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wheels are joined by a rubber track.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the single rubber track has treads for increased traction in the snow.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wheels each have a rubber tire.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein each rubber tire has treads for increased traction in the snow.

11. A method for removing accumulated snow from a surface, the method comprising:providing a device for removing accumulated snow from a surface, the device comprising:a housing, the housing having a top surface and a bottom surface;a plurality of wheels positioned on the bottom surface of the housing for movement;a heating element positioned on the bottom surface of the housing;one or more sensors positioned on the housing;a control module;solar panels for supplying power to the plurality of wheels, the heating element, the one or more sensors, and the control module; andan input device configured to turn the device on or off.programming the control module with a starting point and dimensions of an area to be traversed by the device.placing the device at physical location corresponding to the starting point, whereby the device will commence traversing the designated area and melting the snow therein with the heating element.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the heating element of the device comprises one or more wires which heat up as an electrical current passes through them.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the top surface of the housing of the device is curved to prevent accumulation of snow thereon.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the device further comprises a port positioned on the housing configured to charge an external battery and program the computer.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the device further comprises a user interface positioned on the housing configured to display messages to a user.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the device further comprises a battery.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of wheels of the device are joined by a rubber track.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the single rubber track has treads for increased traction in the snow.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of wheels of the device each has a rubber tire.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein each rubber tire has treads for increased traction in the snow.

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