Autonomous work device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous implements, such as lawnmowers, face challenges in precisely docking with charging interfaces due to inaccuracies in displacement and orientation, especially when using inertial navigation, which can lead to significant deviations over time, and require reliable and user-friendly guidance without relying on perimeter wires or mechanical connections.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an orientation device with displacement and direction capture units, along with a control and regulating unit that uses range measurements and communication via ultrasonic or ultra-wideband elements to ascertain alignment and offset relative to the base station, enabling precise and connectionless guidance to the charging interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If inertial navigation is used for guidance, then the autonomous implement can operate independently without perimeter wires, but displacement and orientation inaccuracies accumulate over time leading to significant deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a transmitting and receiving unit to establish communicative connections with the base station, receiving feedback signals that provide correction information for the inertial navigation data. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to compensate for accumulated errors in displacement and orientation measurements, maintaining docking accuracy despite extended autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitting and receiving unit acts as an intermediary between the autonomous implement and the base station. It enables wireless communication that provides reference signals for correcting navigation errors without requiring physical perimeter wires or direct mechanical connections, thus maintaining autonomy while improving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If perimeter wires are used for orientation, then guidance accuracy is maintained, but the system becomes less autonomous and requires more complex installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical perimeter wires with a wireless communication system using transmitting and receiving units. The base station emits electromagnetic signals that the moving object's receiving unit detects, providing orientation and position information without physical contact. This substitution maintains guidance accuracy while significantly increasing autonomous operation capability.
3Device complexity
If inertial navigation is used without correction, then device complexity is reduced, but docking accuracy deteriorates with significant deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting and receiving unit serves multiple functions: it provides wireless communication for error correction, enables autonomous operation monitoring, and supports various docking scenarios. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive solutions for maintaining accuracy across different operating conditions without requiring separate dedicated systems.
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
This solution allows for accurate and reliable autonomous docking with an accuracy of up to 1 cm, enhancing the autonomy and user experience by simplifying the operation and installation of autonomous implements within processing zones.
Implementation Method 1
communication via ultrasonic or ultra-wideband elements
Implementation Method 2
communication via ultrasonic or ultra-wideband elements
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous implement includes at least one orientation device configured to provide an orientation within a processing zone. The at least one orientation device is different from a perimeter-wire orientation device. The autonomous implement further includes at least one control and/or regulating unit configured to ascertain a travel strategy. The at least one control and/or regulating unit is configured at least to ascertain an alignment relative to a base station for a targeted docking onto an interface of the base station based on at least one orientation parameter captured using the at least one orientation device.