Autonomous Gate Passage for Robotic Mowers Across Property Barriers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous working machines, such as robotic lawn mowers, face challenges in navigating through property barriers like fences and walls, which hinder their ability to move freely within a property or between different areas, leading to inefficiencies in maintenance tasks.
Innovation Solution
A barrier passage system that includes a gate with an actuator and controller, allowing the machine to autonomously open and close the gate using wireless communication, enabling the machine to pass through the barrier, and optionally utilizing machine vision for navigation and obstacle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gate is installed to block the property barrier, then the machine cannot pass through the barrier, but the machine's autonomous navigation capability is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
A gate controller acts as an intermediary between the machine controller and the gate actuator. The gate controller receives wireless signals from the machine controller and automatically activates the actuator to open the gate, enabling autonomous passage without manual intervention while maintaining barrier security when the gate is closed
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical gate operation is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. The actuator (electric motor or linear actuator) substitutes for manual gate opening/closing, and wireless communication replaces physical key-based access, allowing the autonomous machine to operate the gate without human presence
2Reliability
If the gate remains closed to maintain property barrier integrity, then the machine cannot move between areas, but task completion efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gate controller is pre-programmed with the machine's navigation plan and knows when to open the gate before the machine arrives. This preliminary preparation eliminates waiting time at the barrier, allowing the machine to maintain its autonomous navigation flow and complete tasks efficiently across multiple property areas
Solution Approach 2:
The gate operates periodically - closed during normal operation to maintain security, then automatically opens at scheduled intervals when the autonomous machine needs to pass through. This periodic opening/closing maintains barrier integrity while enabling efficient task completion across divided property areas
3Ease of operation
If manual gate operation is required for the machine to pass through barriers, then the machine can navigate barriers, but manual intervention is needed reducing automation
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous machine serves itself by automatically triggering the gate opening sequence through wireless communication. The machine controller detects the approaching barrier, sends a signal to the gate controller, and the gate opens automatically without requiring any manual intervention, maintaining full autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The gate controller serves as an automatic intermediary that translates the machine's autonomous navigation intent into physical gate opening action. This intermediary system handles the barrier passage automatically through wireless signaling, eliminating the need for manual gate operation while preserving the machine's autonomous operation level
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables autonomous and efficient movement of machines across property barriers, improving task completion efficiency and reducing manual intervention by allowing machines to navigate through barriers automatically.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator adapted to move the gate between the closed position and the open position
Implementation Method 2
a gate controller adapted to selectively energize the actuator, the gate controller comprising a wireless receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A system for use with an autonomous working machine such as a robotic lawn mower. The system may allow communication (directly or indirectly) between the machine and a gate or other barrier opening to allow unattended or remotely-controlled passage of the machine through the gate. In some embodiments, the mower may include a vision system operable to detect unknown objects within an area adjacent to the gate.