Autonomous Lawn Mowing Path Planning for Multi-Area Single-Pass Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial lawn mowers require manual operation, leading to high labor costs and variability in work efficiency and cutting quality due to operator skill differences, and existing autonomous solutions struggle with efficient transition between multiple working areas and one-time cutting capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous working apparatus with a control circuit that plans movement paths based on pre-stored map data, enabling single-pass mowing with simultaneous mulching or collecting, and switches seamlessly between working areas to improve efficiency and cutting quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of riding mowers is used, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but labor costs increase and work efficiency becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The riding mower is equipped with an autonomous control system that enables the machine to perform mowing operations automatically without manual intervention. The system includes sensors for detecting working area boundaries, a control unit for autonomous navigation, and automated cutting height adjustment mechanisms, allowing the mower to service itself through autonomous operation while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system comprising electronic sensors, microprocessors, and automated actuators. The autonomous control unit substitutes for manual steering and operation, using electronic feedback from boundary detection sensors to automatically navigate and perform mowing tasks with consistent precision
2Manufacturing precision
If operator skill requirements are imposed, then cutting quality can be maintained, but operational complexity increases and efficiency becomes variable
Solution Approach 1:
The mower automatically maintains optimal cutting parameters through self-regulating mechanisms. The autonomous control system continuously monitors cutting conditions and automatically adjusts cutting height and speed to maintain consistent cutting quality without requiring operator expertise or manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect cutting quality parameters and provide feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts operational parameters such as cutting height, forward speed, and blade rotation speed to maintain optimal cutting quality throughout the working area
3Productivity
If single-pass mowing with simultaneous mulching or collecting is implemented, then work efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated assemblies. The cutting assembly integrates the cutting blade, mulching mechanism, and grass collection system into a single unified unit. The discharge assembly merges grass clippings from multiple cutting passes into a single collection point, allowing simultaneous mulching and collecting operations without requiring separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that can simultaneously perform cutting, mulching, and grass collection operations. The system can switch between different operational modes (mulching only, collecting only, or combined) through a single integrated mechanism, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems for each function
4Productivity
If autonomous transition between multiple working areas is achieved, then labor costs are reduced, but navigation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-maps working areas and stores boundary information in memory before autonomous operation begins. The autonomous control unit uses these pre-stored maps to navigate between working areas without requiring real-time complex calculations or external guidance, simplifying the navigation process while maintaining autonomous capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses boundary markers or pre-established reference points as intermediaries to facilitate autonomous navigation. These physical or digital markers serve as mediators between the mower's sensors and the control unit, providing simple reference signals that guide the mower through complex transitions between working areas without requiring sophisticated real-time mapping algorithms
Data Source
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AI summary
An autonomous working apparatus (100) and system, and a working method. The autonomous working apparatus (100) comprises a body (10), a cutting assembly (20), a driving assembly (30), and a control circuit (40), wherein the control circuit (40) is at least configured to execute a mowing control process. The mowing control process comprises: acquiring map data of a first working area of a mowing task to be executed, the map data of the first working area being provided by a memory that pre-stores map data of different working areas; planning a moving path of the autonomous working apparatus (100) in the first working area at least according to the map data of the first working area, and controlling the autonomous working apparatus (100) to perform autonomous traversing and one-step mowing along the planned moving path, wherein the one-step mowing is realized by synchronously crushing grass or collecting grass during mowing; and after it is detected that the traversing of the first working area is completed, controlling the autonomous working apparatus (100) to switch to a state in which the autonomous working apparatus transfers to or is ready to transfer to a next first working area.