Autonomous Lawn Mower Battery Swapping for Continuous Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous lawn care devices face challenges such as limited battery life, the need for frequent recharging, and the requirement for human supervision due to the use of fossil fuel-based engines or inadequate battery capacity.
Innovation Solution
The development of an autonomous lawn mower equipped with removable rechargeable batteries, electric motors, a cutting blade, wheels, an angle sensor, and a controller that communicates with the angle sensor to determine roll angles and adjust the operation of the electric motors accordingly, allowing for autonomous operation without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If fossil fuel-based engines are used in autonomous lawn care devices, then power and duration of action are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to the need for human supervision and frequent recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into multiple removable battery packs that can be independently replaced. The controller is configured to detect when a battery pack's charge drops below a threshold and automatically transition to using power from other battery packs, allowing continuous operation without human intervention while maintaining extended duration of action.
2Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend operation time, then duration of action is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple battery management systems
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages the cutting blade operation, monitors roll angle via the angle sensor, and simultaneously manages the multi-pack battery system by detecting charge levels and switching between packs. This universal control approach extends operation time without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Extent of automation
If angle sensing and motor control systems are added for autonomous operation, then extent of automation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller integrates multiple control functions into a single unit: it processes data from the angle sensor to determine roll angle, automatically adjusts electric motor operation based on the roll angle, manages multiple battery packs, and controls the cutting blade. This merging of functions achieves high extent of automation while minimizing the increase in device complexity through consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
A service vehicle for storing and transporting outdoor power equipment includes a charging bay configured to charge a rechargeable battery pack mounted on a first piece of outdoor power equipment, a spare battery charging station configured to store and selectively charge a spare rechargeable battery pack, a user interface having a display, and a controller in communication with the user interface and having a processing circuit with a charging module. The controller is configured to receive a charge level of the rechargeable battery pack and the spare rechargeable battery pack from the charging module and instruct the user interface to display the charge levels.