An enhanced robotic work tool body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic work tools, such as robotic lawnmowers, face challenges in efficient service and cleaning while protecting sensitive parts from shock and damaging forces.

Innovation Solution

The robotic work tool features a main body part with an upper side equipped with at least three support protrusions that allow the tool to be easily placed upside-down for service or cleaning, ensuring sensitive parts remain protected from ground contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the robotic work tool is designed for easy service and cleaning by placing it upside-down, then the ease of operation during maintenance is improved, but sensitive parts may be exposed to shock and damaging forces from ground contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of service and cleaningVSAvoidshock and damaging forces to sensitive parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by designing support protrusions on the upper side of the main body part, enabling the robotic work tool to be safely placed upside-down for service and cleaning. This inverts the conventional orientation assumption, allowing the top surface to become the support surface while protecting sensitive parts from ground contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by adding support protrusions that extend vertically from the upper side of the main body part. This creates an additional support interface above the main body, enabling stable inverted placement without exposing sensitive parts to harmful ground contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If support protrusions are added to the upper side of the main body part, then the stability when placed upside-down is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability when placed upside-downVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the support function with the existing upper side structure of the main body part. The support protrusions are integrated into the housing design, combining structural support elements with the protective enclosure rather than adding separate support mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The upper side of the main body part serves multiple functions: it provides the outer surface of the housing during normal operation and becomes the support surface when inverted for service. The support protrusions enable this multi-functionality, allowing the same structure to serve different purposes in different orientations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4566436A1An enhanced robotic work tool body
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP4566436A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4566436A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4566436A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a robotic work tool (100) comprising a main body part (140), a plurality of wheels (130, 131), a control unit (110) and at least one electric motor (150), where at least one wheel (131) is drivably connected to at least one electric motor (150). The main body part (140) comprises a lower side (140a) that is adapted to face ground (G) during normal operation of the robotic work tool (100), and an upper side (140b) that is opposite the lower side (140a) and is adapted to face away from ground (G) during normal operation of the robotic work tool (100). The upper side (140b) comprises at least three support protrusions (120, 121, 122) that mainly extend from the upper side (140b) away from ground (G) during normal operation of the robotic work tool (100), where each support protrusion (120, 121, 122) comprises a corresponding top surface (123, 124, 125), where a plane (P) that touches all top surfaces (123, 124, 125) stays clear of all other parts of the robotic work tool (100).