Lawn mower robot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous lawn mower robots require complex and precise installation of perimeter wires to prevent escape and collision with obstacles, which is onerous and limits their ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A lawn mower robot equipped with an optical sensor to continuously acquire images of its surroundings, a storage unit for reference images of turf to be cut, and a control unit that compares these images to determine the probability of cutting, modifying its operation to avoid obstacles and ensure safe movement without perimeter wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If perimeter wires are installed to delimit the work area and obstacles, then the robot can move safely within the area, but the installation becomes complex and onerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the perimeter wire system from the solution. Instead of using physical wires to delimit the work area and obstacles, the robot uses optical sensors and image processing to detect and identify boundaries and obstacles optically, extracting the delimitation function from physical infrastructure to sensory processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical perimeter wire system with an optical detection system. The optical sensor captures images, and the control unit processes these images to identify the work area and obstacles, substituting mechanical delimitation with optical and computational methods
2Measurement precision
If perimeter wires are precisely positioned to delimit the work area, then the robot can operate accurately, but the installation time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs self-localization and self-identification of the work area using its optical sensor and image processing capabilities. The control unit automatically compares captured images with reference images to determine the robot's position and identify obstacles, eliminating the need for manual perimeter wire installation and calibration
Solution Approach 2:
Reference images of the work area and obstacles are pre-stored in the control unit before the robot operates. This preliminary preparation allows the robot to quickly compare and identify features during operation without requiring time-consuming installation of physical delimiters
3Ease of operation
If the robot uses optical sensors and image comparison to identify turf and obstacles, then the installation is simplified, but the system must process and analyze images in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit stores reference images that are copies of the work area and obstacles before the robot operates. By comparing real-time captured images with these pre-stored reference copies, the system simplifies real-time processing while maintaining accurate identification of turf and obstacles
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor continuously captures images of the surface in front of the robot, which is more than the minimum necessary. The control unit then compares these images with reference images to generate a comparison percentage value, processing more data than strictly needed to ensure accurate identification and safe operation
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 safe and efficient operation within a work area by simplifying installation and preventing accidents, allowing the robot to accurately identify turf to be cut and avoid obstacles, thus enhancing operational safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor (3) configured to continuously acquire a sequence of operating images of a surface (S) in front of the robot (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
Described is a lawn mower robot comprising at least one optical sensor, a legible storage support and a control unit. The optical sensor is configured to continuously acquire a sequence of operating images of a surface in front of the lawn mower robot along a relative feed direction. The legible storage support is configured for storing a plurality of reference images showing turf to be cut. The control unit is configured for comparing each operating image with the plurality of reference images generating a respective comparison percentage value representing the probability that the operating image shows a turf to be cut. The control unit is also configured for modifying at least one operating parameter of the lawn mower robot if the comparison percentage value is less than a predetermined percentage value and greater than a percentage control value, to prevent the robot from continuing cutting along the feed direction.