AI Quick Hitch Attachment for Autonomous Utility Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous ground utility robots are limited in their ability to automatically attach and detach accessories and implements in unstructured environments, requiring human intervention and being restricted to structured settings like factories or assembly lines.
Innovation Solution
An implement mating, attachment, and detachment system using artificial intelligence that automatically couples and decouples implements with a ground utility robot, employing fused sensors, a quick hitch attachment apparatus, and electronically actuated locks, allowing operation in unstructured environments without human interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If human intervention is used to attach and detach implements, then the attachment process is reliable and controllable, but the operation efficiency is low and requires continuous human assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The robot autonomously performs implement attachment and detachment operations without human intervention. The system uses onboard sensors to detect implements, processors to plan attachment sequences, and actuators to execute the physical coupling, enabling the robot to service itself and perform tasks independently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated systems combining sensors, processors, and actuators. Visual sensors and range sensors detect implement positions and orientations, processors compute attachment trajectories, and robotic manipulators execute the attachment, substituting human-operated mechanical systems with integrated sensor-processor-actuator systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If the robot operates in structured environments like factories, then the attachment process is controlled and safe, but the operational versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is designed with universal capabilities to operate in diverse environments including unstructured outdoor settings. The system integrates multiple sensor types (visual, range, force), adaptable attachment mechanisms, and intelligent control that can handle various implement types and environmental conditions, making it versatile across different operational contexts
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sensing and planning before attachment operations. Sensors detect and characterize the implement and environment in advance, the processor plans the attachment sequence and trajectory beforehand, and the system prepares actuators for execution, ensuring reliable operation even in unstructured environments through advance preparation
3Productivity
If manual attachment operations are used, then the system complexity is low, but the productivity and task completion speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robot maintains continuous productive operation by autonomously performing attachment and detachment tasks without interruption. The automated system eliminates idle time associated with manual operations, continuously sensing, planning, and executing attachment sequences, thereby maximizing productivity through uninterrupted useful action
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into an integrated system: sensing (detecting implements and environment), processing (planning attachment sequences), and actuation (executing physical attachment). This consolidation of sensor-processor-actuator functions into a unified autonomous system achieves high productivity while managing complexity through integration rather than separate manual operations
4Adaptability or versatility
If the robot uses simple attachment mechanisms, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different implements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is designed with universal adaptability to handle different implement types. The robot uses sensor-based detection to identify implement characteristics, processes this information to determine appropriate attachment methods, and executes versatile coupling operations, enabling compatibility with various implements without requiring specialized mechanisms for each type
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic implement attachment and detachment system having a ground utility robot a sensor, a computer processor, an artificial intelligence processing unit for learning, and a computer memory where the system also includes a quick hitch attachment apparatus having a body securable to the ground utility robot, at least one mateable connection part, and an implement having a connection member where the implement attachment system is configured to automatically attach and detach the implement to and from the ground utility robot.