3D Lawn Terrain Mapping for Efficient Utility Vehicle Mowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility vehicles, such as zero turn radius lawnmowers, face management challenges due to remote operation, making it difficult for supervisors to monitor vehicle conditions and operational parameters, and there is a need for efficient lawn mowing strategies that account for unique lawn characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system with sensors and a communication system that generates three-dimensional terrain maps of lawns, allowing real-time data transmission from utility vehicles to remote locations for fleet management and optimizing mowing paths and resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If utility vehicles are operated remotely in the field, then service coverage and operational flexibility are improved, but management oversight and monitoring capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a communication system that continuously transmits operational parameters, location data, and diagnostic information from utility vehicles to remote monitoring centers. This feedback mechanism enables real-time oversight of fleet operations, allowing managers to monitor vehicle status, track location, and receive alerts for maintenance needs without being physically present at the operation site.
2Ease of operation
If traditional mowing operations are used without terrain mapping, then operational simplicity is maintained, but mowing efficiency and resource optimization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs GPS receivers and sensors to create three-dimensional terrain maps of lawns before mowing operations begin. This preliminary mapping action captures elevation data, identifies obstacles, and determines optimal mowing paths in advance. During actual mowing, the system references these pre-generated maps to guide the vehicle, enabling efficient navigation without requiring complex real-time decision-making by the operator.
3Reliability
If real-time monitoring systems are implemented, then operational control and safety are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single unified system. The GPS receiver serves both navigation and location tracking purposes. Sensors simultaneously collect terrain data for mapping and operational data for monitoring. The communication system transmits multiple types of information (location, status, diagnostics) through a single channel. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for mapping a plot of land includes a utility vehicle and a remote computer. The utility vehicle includes a GPS unit configured to collect location data of the utility vehicle during operation on the plot of land. The utility vehicle includes an accelerometer configured to collect roll data and pitch data of the utility vehicle during operation on the plot of land. The utility vehicle includes a transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit the location data, the roll data, and the pitch data. The remote computer is configured to wirelessly receive the location data, the roll data, and the pitch data. The remote computer is configured to generate a three-dimensional contour map of the plot of land based on the location data, the roll data, and the pitch data.