Autonomous Lawn Trimmer Using Trampling for Quiet Grass Height Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lawn trimmers are noisy, difficult to clean, and require hard work due to their operational characteristics.

Innovation Solution

An automatic lawn trimmer that uses a trampling mechanism with a driven trampling wheel and height sensor to maintain grass height, equipped with autonomous navigation and vacuum cleaning for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional lawn trimmers are used to cut grass, then grass can be trimmed to required length, but they produce large noise and make cleanup difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrass length controlVSAvoidnoise and grass debris
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful function of cutting grass and replaces it with a beneficial function of trampling grass. Instead of using blades to cut grass (which creates noise and debris), the system uses a trampling wheel to step on and flatten grass, eliminating the harmful byproducts while maintaining grass length control through a different mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention substitutes the mechanical cutting system (blades, motors, engines) with a trampling mechanism. The cutting action is replaced by a pressing/flattening action using a driven trampling wheel, which mechanically compresses grass between the wheel and ground, achieving grass management without the noise and debris associated with traditional cutting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If traditional lawn trimmers are used, then grass can be cut, but it involves hard work and manual effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrass trimming capabilityVSAvoidmanual effort required
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements autonomous operation where the lawn trimmer navigates and tramples grass automatically without human intervention. The system uses sensors to detect grass height, controls the driven trampling wheel automatically, and navigates the lawn independently, completely eliminating manual effort while maintaining grass trimming productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system. Instead of a person physically pushing and guiding a trimmer, the system uses electronic controllers, sensors, and autonomous navigation to operate the trampling mechanism, substituting human physical effort with automated mechanical and electronic systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If grass is trampled instead of cut, then noise is reduced and cleanup is easier, but grass height control becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise and debris reductionVSAvoidgrass height uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a feedback control system using a height sensor that continuously monitors grass height before trampling. The sensor data is fed back to the controller, which adjusts the trampling wheel's operation to achieve uniform grass height. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures precise grass height control despite the non-cutting trampling action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary measurement of grass height using a height sensor before the trampling action occurs. This preliminary detection allows the system to plan and execute the trampling operation to achieve the desired final grass height, ensuring uniformity by preparing the trampling parameters in advance based on measured conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The automatic lawn trimmer effectively maintains grass height without noise, easy cleanup, and reduces manual effort by substituting cutting with trampling, while ensuring efficient navigation and obstacle avoidance.

Implementation Method 1

a height sensor to detect the height of grass on the lawn

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Implementation Method 2

a driven trampling wheel to trample the grass on the lawn

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

equipped with autonomous navigation and vacuum cleaning for efficient operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAutonomous navigation:

Data Source

PatentEP3609311B1Automatic lawn trimmer and automatic lawn trimming method
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 ZHEJIANG GEELY HLDG GRP CO LTD
  • EP3609311B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3609311B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3609311B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An automatic lawn trimmer(100) includes a case(101), a battery pack(102), a controller(103), a driving device(130) and a trampling device(140). The battery pack(102) is disposed in the case(101). The battery pack(102) is configured to supply electrical power to the driving device(130). The controller(103) is connected with the driving device(130) for controlling the driving device(130). The driving device(130) is configured to drive the automatic lawn trimmer(100) to move autonomously on the lawn. The grass on the lawn is trampled by the trampling device(140) as the automatic lawn trimmer(100) moving on the lawn. Through regular trampling the lawn, the grass on the lawn is kept at a certain height to realize the beauty and ornamentality of the lawn.The automatic lawn trimmer overcomes the shortcomings of large noise, the difficulty of cleaning up the grass, and the hard work by the existing lawn trimmers.