Modular Agricultural Driving Robot With Force-Sensing Chassis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vehicles for agricultural tasks are costly, material-intensive, and require high maintenance due to the need for multiple specialized units, which complicates their use in barn and yard areas.
Innovation Solution
A universal driving robot with an interchangeable functional unit and force sensors on the chassis, allowing for different functionalities and efficient weight and force measurement, enabling versatile tasks such as feeding, cleaning, and transport, while reducing costs and storage needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized autonomous vehicles are used for different agricultural tasks, then task-specific functionality is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal autonomous vehicle platform with a standardized chassis that can accommodate multiple interchangeable functional units. Each functional unit is designed with common mounting interfaces and communication protocols, allowing a single vehicle to perform various agricultural tasks such as feeding, cleaning, and transporting by simply changing the functional unit. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining task-specific functionality while eliminating the need for multiple specialized vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle system is divided into modular components: a standardized chassis platform and separate interchangeable functional units. Each functional unit is an independent module that can be attached or detached as needed. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different tasks without requiring complete redesign of the entire vehicle, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized autonomous vehicles are deployed, then task coverage is improved, but maintenance requirements and training needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By using a universal chassis with standardized components, communication interfaces, and control systems across all functional units, the patent reduces the variety of systems that need maintenance. Technicians need to understand only the common platform architecture rather than multiple different vehicle systems, significantly reducing training requirements and simplifying repair procedures while maintaining comprehensive task coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular functional units can be quickly detached and replaced when malfunctioning or when task requirements change, without requiring complex repairs to the entire vehicle system. The standardized interfaces enable rapid exchange of functional units, reducing downtime and maintenance complexity while ensuring continuous operational coverage for various agricultural tasks.
3Device complexity
If a universal chassis with interchangeable functional units is used, then cost and storage space are reduced, but the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic task allocation system where the autonomous vehicle can change its functional unit based on real-time task requirements. The vehicle receives task assignments, evaluates its current configuration, and dynamically exchanges functional units to match the required task. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize productivity by sequentially performing multiple tasks with a single vehicle, resolving the contradiction between cost efficiency and concurrent task capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized task management system acts as an intermediary between multiple autonomous vehicles and the farm management system. This intermediary coordinates task assignments, optimizes vehicle utilization, and schedules functional unit exchanges to maximize productivity. By introducing this coordinating intermediary, the system can efficiently manage sequential task execution across multiple vehicles, achieving high overall productivity without requiring each vehicle to simultaneously perform multiple tasks.
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
The robot's modular design with force sensors facilitates efficient task switching, accurate feed management, and safe navigation on uneven terrain, enhancing autonomy and reducing maintenance, thus optimizing agricultural operations.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensor is provided for at least one of the supports, which detects a force exerted on the chassis by the functional unit
Data Source
AI summary
A driving robot for agricultural tasks includes a chassis and a functional unit mounted on the chassis. The chassis provides supports carrying the functional unit. A force sensor is provided for at least one of the supports, which detects a force exerted by the functional unit on the chassis.