Autonomous Lawnmower Energy-Adaptive Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous locomotion devices, such as autonomous lawnmowers, face challenges in efficiently managing energy consumption and vegetation parameters to optimize mowing processes, leading to inefficient work cycles and reduced service life of components.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a control and regulation unit that adjusts the drive unit based on energy consumption parameters and vegetation data, allowing for demand-oriented control of mowing processes, including communication with external units for data exchange and dynamic work area division, enables efficient energy use and extended component lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the autonomous locomotion device operates based on fixed time references and predetermined work cycles, then the control system is simple to implement, but energy consumption increases and component service life decreases due to unnecessary operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors energy consumption parameters from the power supply unit and vegetation parameters from sensors during work processes. Based on this feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts work cycle timing and intensity, extending time references when energy levels are low or vegetation growth is slow, and intensifying operations when energy is充足 and vegetation growth is rapid. This feedback mechanism enables demand-oriented control that reduces unnecessary operations and optimizes energy utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, fixed time references to dynamic, adaptive time references that automatically adjust based on real-time energy consumption data and vegetation parameters. The control unit modifies work cycle duration, frequency, and intensity dynamically, allowing the autonomous locomotion device to adapt its operational characteristics to current system state and environmental conditions, thereby optimizing energy efficiency and component lifespan.
2Reliability
If the autonomous locomotion device performs frequent work cycles to maintain vegetation, then vegetation maintenance quality improves, but energy consumption increases and battery service life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors energy consumption parameters (such as current draw, power usage) and vegetation parameters (such as growth rate, biomass) to dynamically adjust work cycle frequency and intensity. When energy consumption is high or vegetation growth is slow, the system extends intervals between work cycles. When energy is充足 and vegetation growth is rapid, the system increases work cycle frequency. This parameter-based adaptive control maintains vegetation quality while optimizing battery utilization and extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous locomotion device autonomously monitors its own energy status and environmental conditions, then self-adjusts its work cycle schedule without external intervention. The control unit uses recorded energy consumption data and vegetation parameters to automatically determine optimal work timing, balancing vegetation maintenance requirements with battery preservation, thereby extending overall system service life.
3Productivity
If the autonomous locomotion device uses high power settings to complete work processes quickly, then productivity increases, but energy consumption increases and component stress increases reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements variable work cycle intervals rather than continuous high-power operation. The control unit alternates between active work processes and rest periods, adjusting the periodicity based on energy consumption patterns and vegetation parameters. This periodic action with variable timing allows the system to maintain productivity over extended periods by preventing component overheating and excessive stress, thereby extending service life while still achieving necessary vegetation maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit adjusts work cycle intensity to match actual vegetation needs rather than always operating at maximum capacity. When vegetation growth is slow or energy levels are low, the system reduces work cycle intensity or extends intervals, performing only the necessary partial action required. This prevents unnecessary component stress and energy consumption while still maintaining adequate vegetation control, thereby extending component service life.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an autonomous propulsion device, in particular an autonomous lawnmower, comprising at least one drive unit (12), at least one power supply unit (14) for at least one power supply to the drive unit (12), and at least one control and/or regulation unit (16) for at least one control and/or regulation of the drive unit (12). It is proposed that the control and/or regulation unit (16) is designed to control and/or regulate at least the drive unit (12) to initiate an autonomous work process, depending on at least one vegetation parameter and/or depending on at least one preceding energy output parameter of the power supply unit (14).