Autonomous Lawn Mower Vision Layout for Non-Contact Obstacle Avoidance

The patent replaces the mechanical collision sensor system with an optical image acquisition apparatus (camera). The camera captures images of obstacles, and the control unit processes these images to detect obstacle presence and initiate avoidance maneuvers. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact between the lawn mower and obstacles, thereby improving reliability of obstacle avoidance while removing the harmful effect of mechanical contact that could damage both the mower and obstacles.

The patent resolves the contradiction by utilizing the vertical dimension (height) to position the image acquisition apparatus. Instead of only moving the camera forward horizontally, the apparatus is mounted at a elevated position on the front end of the lawn mower. This vertical placement extends the field of view distance without compromising the horizontal coverage of the working area, allowing sufficient response time for obstacle detection and avoidance while maintaining comprehensive visual coverage.

The patent makes the image acquisition apparatus serve multiple functions: it detects obstacles for avoidance purposes and simultaneously helps define and monitor the working area boundaries. By using vision-based detection for both obstacle recognition and boundary identification, the system eliminates the need for separate boundary wire infrastructure while maintaining movement control within the working area. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall system and enhances obstacle detection capabilities.