Autonomous Lawn Mower Path Planning With Dynamic Sub-Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous working devices, such as lawnmowers, face challenges in efficiently traversing areas while minimizing wear and stress, and maintaining accuracy, especially when encountering irregular obstacles or inaccuracies in navigation systems.

Innovation Solution

The autonomous working device employs a computing unit to divide the area into dynamic sub-areas, uses a detection unit to detect boundaries, and a locating unit for precise position determination, implementing strategies like meandering or spiral paths to adapt to area shapes and compensate for inaccuracies, and turns around obstacles to avoid them effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the autonomous work device traverses the area using conventional methods, then the area can be covered, but high wear and stress occur on the surface and the working time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking timeVSAvoidwear and stress on surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The computing unit divides the area to be worked into at least two dynamic sub-areas that are worked separately. This segmentation allows the device to optimize its traversal path across different regions, avoiding repeated passes over the same high-wear zones while maintaining complete coverage, thereby reducing overall surface stress and improving working efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic sub-areas that are regenerated and recaptured at least after a certain time interval or with each new work operation. The device dynamically adjusts its traversal strategy by following detection elements over variable distances and rotating by variable angles, allowing adaptive path planning that minimizes wear on specific surface areas while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the autonomous work device follows a fixed traversal path, then the path is simple to execute, but inaccuracies in positioning lead to failed maneuvers and reduced accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of traversingVSAvoidcomplexity of navigation system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit detects detection elements that are placed in the area to be worked, creating a feedback system. The computing unit uses this detected information to dynamically adjust the traversal path, calculating variable distances and angles based on actual detected positions rather than relying solely on pre-programmed fixed paths, thereby maintaining high accuracy despite positioning inaccuracies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Detection elements are placed in advance in the area to be worked, creating a predetermined detection network. This preliminary action enables the autonomous device to accurately determine its position and plan its traversal path without requiring complex real-time positioning systems, thus improving reliability while managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the autonomous work device encounters irregular obstacles, then the traversal path must be adjusted, but this increases the time required and may cause failed maneuvers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraversal efficiencyVSAvoidsuccess rate of maneuvers
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The computing unit dynamically recalculates traversal parameters when obstacles are detected. The device follows detection elements over variable distances and rotates by variable angles based on real-time conditions, allowing flexible adaptation to irregular obstacles while maintaining efficient traversal and preventing failed maneuvers through continuous path optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2758841B1Autonomous working device
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2758841B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2758841B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2758841B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an autonomous working device, in particular an autonomous lawn mower, comprising a processing unit (12), the purpose of the working device being to travel across a surface (14) that is to be worked. According to the invention, the processing unit (12) is designed to divide the surface (14) that is to be worked into at least two dynamic partial surfaces (16, 18) to be travelled across which are to be travelled across separately.