Floor treatment system with at least a charging station with data link

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soil cultivation systems require extensive time and technical knowledge for managing and updating operating variables and software across multiple self-propelled tillage implements, leading to inefficiencies in operation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A data connection is established between the charging station and the tillage device using the charging connection, allowing for the transmission of data packets to adjust operating variables and update software, with a higher-level control unit managing multiple devices via an external server for centralized control and management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple self-propelled tillage implements are operated in a team with individual battery charging, then the working area coverage is improved, but the management complexity and time required for software updates and operating variable adjustments increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking area coverageVSAvoidmanagement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the charging function and data communication function into a single integrated system. The charging connection between the base station and tillage implement simultaneously serves as a data connection, allowing operating variables and software to be transmitted during the charging process. This merging eliminates the need for separate management operations for each implement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging connection is given dual functionality: it serves both as an electrical connection for battery charging and as a data connection for communication. This multi-functionality allows the same physical connection to handle both power transfer and data exchange, reducing the need for additional hardware and simplifying the management process.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If operating variables and software are updated individually for each tillage implement, then the customization capability is maintained, but the time and technical knowledge required for updates increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidupdate time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic updates where the base station can transmit operating variables and software updates to tillage implements automatically during charging without requiring manual user intervention. The implements receive updates autonomously when docked at the base station, eliminating the need for operators to manually update each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows operating variables and software to be prepared and transmitted in advance during charging periods. Updates can be queued and delivered before the implements are needed for work, ensuring they are ready without requiring time-consuming on-site updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If separate data connections are added to the charging connection for bidirectional communication, then the data transmission capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging connection is designed to serve dual purposes: electrical power transfer and bidirectional data communication. By making the same connection multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate data cables or communication interfaces, thereby reducing hardware complexity and cost.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the power connection and data connection into a single integrated interface. The charging cable simultaneously carries both electrical current for battery charging and data signals for communication, eliminating the need for separate connections and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables easy adjustment of operating variables and software updates, improving operational efficiency and reducing the need for user intervention, allowing for seamless management of multiple tillage implements within a common work area.

Implementation Method 1

an electrical, energy-transmitting charging connection from the charging station to the soil cultivation device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The charging connection between the charging station and the tillage device is also used as a data connection for the transmission of data packets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical signal transmission: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

A base station of the system is electrically connected to the perimeter wire and transmits a wire signal on the perimeter wire, the electromagnetic field of which induces a received signal in a receiving coil of the tillage implement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3412135B1Floor treatment system with at least a charging station with data link
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 ANDREAS STIHL AG & CO KG
  • EP3412135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3412135B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3412135B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a soil cultivation system consisting of at least one self-propelled soil cultivation device (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) with a drive (11), a control unit (23) and an on-board battery (28) for supplying energy to the soil cultivation device (1.1, 1.2, 1.3). A boundary (2) defines a working area (A) within which the soil tillage implement (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) independently travels a path (W). At least one charging station (31) is provided for charging the battery (28) of the soil cultivation device (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) via a charging connection (40) that transmits electrical energy. According to the invention, the charging connection (40) is also designed as a data connection (50) for the transmission of data packets.