Autonomous Path Recording and Snow-Clearing Robot Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current snow removal methods, particularly in commercial settings, are labor-intensive, costly, and inefficient, with challenges including labor hiring, training, insurance, and injury risks, and require manual shoveling in inaccessible areas.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous path treatment system using a mobile path recording device and an autonomous path treatment robot equipped with sensors and a controller to capture and follow a path sequence, allowing for automated snow removal with obstacle detection and navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual shoveling is used to clear snow in inaccessible areas, then snow removal can be performed in all locations, but labor costs and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to clear inaccessible areasVSAvoidsnow clearing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical shoveling with an autonomous robotic system equipped with sensors, processors, and automated snow removal mechanisms. The robot autonomously navigates paths, detects obstacles, and performs snow clearing operations without human intervention, thereby eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining the ability to access various locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If large vehicles with plows are used for snow removal, then large areas can be cleared efficiently, but access to areas with obstacles is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnow clearing speed for large areasVSAvoidaccess to areas with obstacles

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the snow removal task into segments handled by multiple autonomous robots of different sizes. Smaller robots can navigate narrow paths and areas with obstacles, while larger robots handle open areas. This segmentation allows the system as a whole to achieve both high productivity in large areas and adaptability to constrained spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous robots are designed with dynamic capabilities including adjustable speed, variable navigation paths, and adaptable snow removal mechanisms. The robots can modify their behavior based on real-time sensor data, allowing them to transition between different operating conditions and access various terrain types that would be inaccessible to fixed-configuration large vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If multiple laborers are hired for snow removal, then all areas can be covered simultaneously, but hiring, training, and management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparallel snow clearing capabilityVSAvoidlabor management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous robots are self-sufficient systems that independently navigate, detect obstacles, clear snow, and return to charging stations without human intervention. Multiple robots can operate in parallel autonomously, eliminating the need for hiring, training, and managing human laborers while maintaining the ability to cover multiple areas simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system incorporates continuous feedback loops where sensors monitor the environment, processors analyze data, and actuators adjust operations in real-time. This automated feedback mechanism replaces the need for human coordination and management, allowing multiple robots to work together efficiently through centralized or distributed control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of manufacture

If manual snow shoveling is used, then no specialized equipment is needed, but the service becomes the most expensive over long periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of equipmentVSAvoidlong-term service cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple manual shovels with autonomous robotic systems equipped with specialized snow removal mechanisms. While the robots contain complex technology, the elimination of ongoing labor costs, insurance, and training expenses results in lower long-term operational costs despite the higher initial equipment investment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250298423A1Autonomous path treatment systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 THE TORO COMPANY

AI summary

An autonomous path treatment system and associated path treatment method uses a mobile path recording device having a locator, a processor and firmware to capture a sequence of coordinates and directions of travel of a path as the mobile device is moved along the path and generate a path program file. The system also has an autonomous path treatment robot having: a treatment mechanism for treating the path; a controller having a processor and memory storing firmware that when executed obeys steps of the path program file to control the motor and the treatment mechanism to treat the path; and a server configured to execute a path program to process the captured sequence of coordinates and directions into the path program file containing instructions for controlling the autonomous path treatment robot to treat the path based upon the coordinates.