Boundary Wire Sensor Layout for Robotic Garden Tool Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robotic garden tools face challenges in accurately navigating and staying within boundary-wired areas due to limitations in detecting the orientation and magnitude of electromagnetic fields produced by boundary wires, leading to potential boundary wire crossings and inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

The robotic garden tool is equipped with sensor sets that detect the orientation and magnitude of electromagnetic fields along specific axes, allowing the controller to determine the relative location of the boundary wire and adjust its path to stay within the designated area, incorporating adjustable charging stations for efficient recharging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If boundary wire sensors are used to detect electromagnetic fields, then the robotic tool can navigate within boundary-wired areas, but the accuracy in determining relative location and orientation is insufficient leading to boundary wire crossings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of electromagnetic field orientation and magnitudeVSAvoidboundary wire crossing prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is divided into multiple sensors arranged in sets (first sensor set and second sensor set), with each sensor detecting electromagnetic fields along specific detection axes. This segmentation allows the controller to process signals from multiple sensors to determine both orientation and magnitude of the electromagnetic field, improving detection accuracy and preventing boundary wire crossings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces multiple detection axes (first detection axis, second detection axis, third detection axis) oriented in different dimensions. Sensors are positioned to detect electromagnetic field components along these different axes, transforming a single-dimensional detection problem into a multi-dimensional measurement system that accurately determines field orientation and magnitude

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are positioned at different locations on the body, then the relative location of boundary wires can be determined more accurately, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelative location determination accuracyVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensors are positioned at different locations on the body (first sensor between longitudinal axis and first side, second sensor between longitudinal axis and second side, third sensor between first and second sensors) to serve multiple functions: determining relative location of boundary wires, calculating orientation of electromagnetic fields, and measuring field magnitude. This multi-functional arrangement improves measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables precise navigation and efficient operation within boundary-wired areas, minimizing boundary wire crossings and optimizing cutting paths, while ensuring reliable recharging mechanisms for continuous operation.

Implementation Method 1

a boundary wire producing an electromagnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a first sensor configured to detect the orientation and magnitude of the electromagnetic field along a first detection axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4368003A1Robotic tool with boundary wire sensors
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP
  • EP4368003A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4368003A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4368003A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A robotic garden tool for use with a boundary wire producing an electromagnetic field, the robotic garden tool including a body, one or more wheels coupled to the body, a working tool coupled to the body, and a first sensor set coupled to the body. Where the first sensor set includes a first sensor configured to detect the orientation and magnitude of the electromagnetic field along a first detection axis, and a second sensor configured to detect the orientation and magnitude of the electromagnetic field along a second detection axis and output a signal representative thereof. The garden tool also including a controller in operable communication with the first sensor set, where the controller is configured to determine the relative location of the boundary wire with respect to the first sensor set based at least in part on the signals output by the first and second sensors.