Autonomous Lawn Mower Adaptive Path Overlap Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous lawn mowers lack efficient and adaptive mechanisms to adjust path overlap based on varying parameters such as path length, ground conditions, and operator preferences, leading to suboptimal performance in terms of efficiency and wear reduction.

Innovation Solution

The autonomous lawn mower is equipped with a computing unit that adjusts path overlap by considering parameters like path length, grass height and density, and operator inputs, allowing for differentiated and adaptive mowing strategies to ensure complete coverage and minimize wear and tear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a fixed overlap is used for all paths, then the control is simple, but the efficiency and wear reduction are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemowing efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the overlap parameter based on real-time path characteristics and ground conditions. The computing unit calculates optimal overlap values during operation, transforming the static overlap setting into a dynamic parameter that adapts to varying conditions, thereby improving efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where sensor data about ground conditions and path parameters are continuously fed back to the computing unit. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of overlap to optimize both productivity and wear reduction while maintaining relatively simple control architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a large overlap is used, then complete coverage is ensured, but mowing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage completenessVSAvoidmowing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the overlap parameter based on specific conditions such as path length, ground conditions, and grass characteristics. By adjusting this critical parameter dynamically, the system ensures complete coverage where needed while minimizing overlap in areas where it would waste time, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If path-specific parameters are considered, then mowing efficiency is optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemowing efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous lawnmower performs self-assessment of path parameters and ground conditions using onboard sensors and computing units. The system serves itself by automatically calculating optimal overlap values without external intervention, achieving improved efficiency while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple through autonomous decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2753164B1Autonomous lawn mower
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2753164B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2753164B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2753164B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an autonomous working device, in particular an autonomous lawn mower, comprising a computing unit (12). The working device is provided for covering a surface (14) to be treated in strips (16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32). The computing unit (12) is provided in order to adjust an overlap (34) of the strips (16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) according to at least one parameter.