Autonomous Barrier Door Latching for Secure Robot Passage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robotic vehicles, such as robotic mowers, face challenges in navigating between physically separated areas while maintaining the security and integrity of barriers like fences or walls, as existing solutions often require manual operation or non-secure breaches.

Innovation Solution

A selectively operable door system integrated into a fence or barrier, featuring a door frame, a hingedly connected door body, and a latching assembly with an automatic lock that can transition between a release position and a capture position to allow or prevent the robotic vehicle's passage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a physical barrier (fence or wall) is used to bound the robotic vehicle's operating area, then security and privacy are maintained, but the robotic vehicle cannot pass between physically separated areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to pass between areasVSAvoidintegrity of barrier

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier is segmented by introducing a door assembly that can be selectively opened. The door assembly includes a door body, door frame, and latching assembly that integrates with the existing barrier structure, allowing the barrier to remain intact when closed and provide passage when opened.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door assembly acts as an intermediary element between the two separated areas. It provides a controlled passage point that maintains the overall integrity of the barrier while enabling the robotic vehicle to transition between areas when the door is opened.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a door assembly is added to the barrier to enable passage, then the robotic vehicle can move between areas, but the complexity of the barrier structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassage capabilityVSAvoidbarrier structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door assembly is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be independently installed in the barrier. This segmentation allows the complex door mechanism to be added without redesigning the entire barrier structure, maintaining simplicity of the main barrier while providing the needed passage capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door assembly serves multiple functions: it provides passage for the robotic vehicle, maintains barrier integrity when closed, and can be selectively opened/closed as needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the door remains constantly open to allow passage, then the robotic vehicle has free movement, but the security and privacy of the areas are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement freedomVSAvoidsecurity and privacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The door assembly transitions from a static barrier element to a dynamic component that can open and close. The latching assembly enables the door to securely close and lock when not in use, maintaining barrier integrity, while allowing controlled opening when passage is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The door operates periodically rather than remaining constantly open or closed. It opens temporarily when the robotic vehicle needs to pass, then closes and locks to restore security and privacy, creating a rhythmic pattern of open/close operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Extent of automation

If a manual door operation system is used, then the barrier can be opened when needed, but the robotic vehicle cannot operate autonomously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous operationVSAvoidmanual operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door assembly is equipped with sensors and actuators that enable it to open and close automatically in response to the robotic vehicle's approach and passage. The system serves itself by detecting when opening is needed and executing the opening/closing sequence without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The door assembly incorporates sensors that detect the robotic vehicle's presence and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback triggers the appropriate sequence of opening the door, allowing passage, and then closing and locking the door, enabling fully autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12286813B2Selectively operable door for an autonomous device

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 HUSQVARNA AB

AI summary

A selectively operable door (50) for a robotic vehicle (10) may include a doorframe disposable in a barrier dividing two areas in which the robotic vehicle (10) is enabled to travel, a door body (54) hingedly connected to the door frame (52), and a latching assembly configured to alternately allow movement of the door body (54) such that the robotic vehicle (10) to enabled to pass through the selectively operable door (50) via displacement of the door body (54) and prevent movement of the door body (54) such that the door body (54) is retained in a closed state. The latching assembly may include an automatic lock configured to define a release position in which movement of the door body (54) from the closed state is allowed, and a capture position in which movement of the door body to the closed state is allowed and movement of the door body from the closed state is prevented.