Ground working system with multiple charging stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ground working systems with multiple self-driving devices experience operational breaks and increased waiting times due to limited charging stations, as devices must wait for occupied stations to become available, especially when charging multiple devices simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The system includes multiple charging stations positioned along the edge boundary of the operating region without disrupting the boundary, allowing devices to autonomously navigate to available stations using status signals to avoid occupied ones, and enabling efficient charging without adapting the existing boundary or system infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single charging station is used in the system, then the system structure is simple, but waiting times increase significantly when multiple ground working devices need to charge simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The single charging station is segmented into multiple charging stations distributed along the edge boundary. This allows multiple ground working devices to charge simultaneously at different locations, eliminating the queueing wait time that occurs with a single centralized charging station.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging stations are positioned along the one-dimensional edge boundary rather than at a single point. This spatial distribution along the boundary enables parallel charging operations for multiple devices without increasing system complexity.
2Loss of time
If multiple charging stations are deployed, then waiting times for charging are reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging stations use the existing edge boundary infrastructure for positioning and operation. Each charging station serves multiple ground working devices universally, and the edge boundary serves both as a navigation reference and as the placement location for charging stations, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Ground working devices autonomously navigate to charging stations along the edge boundary using the boundary wire for guidance. The devices self-manage their charging schedules and routes without requiring complex centralized control, reducing control system complexity while enabling multiple simultaneous charging operations.
3Ease of operation
If charging stations are positioned on the edge boundary without interrupting it, then ground working devices can easily locate charging stations using the boundary wire, but the charging station structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The edge boundary wire acts as an intermediary that ground working devices use for navigation. Charging stations are positioned along this boundary without interrupting it, allowing devices to locate charging stations naturally through their existing boundary-following navigation behavior, simplifying the location process while managing structural complexity through modular charging station designs.
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
This solution minimizes waiting times and unnecessary travel for self-driving ground working devices, ensuring continuous operation by allowing multiple devices to charge simultaneously without interrupting the edge boundary, thus enhancing operational efficiency, especially in large or complex areas.
Implementation Method 1
A base station of the system is electrically connected to the boundary wire and transmits onto the boundary wire a wire signal, the electromagnetic field of which induces a reception signal in a reception coil of the ground working device
Data Source
AI summary
A ground working system has at least one self-driving ground working device, wherein the operating region (A) of the ground working device is determined by an edge boundary. The ground working device travels automatically within the operating region (A) along a traveling path (W), wherein the ground working device has a drive, a control unit and an in-device battery for supplying energy to the ground working device. A charging station for charging the battery of the ground working device is also provided. The charging station is set up on the edge boundary without interrupting the edge boundary. The ground working device goes to the charging station for charging the battery as required.