Riding Mower Edge Detection for Even Cutting Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lawn mowers face challenges in maintaining an even cut and preventing grass collection system clogs due to variable terrain and grass conditions, and they lack advanced control systems and safety features.
Innovation Solution
A lawn mower equipped with a frame, operator support, blade assembly, motor assembly, steering system, sensors, and processors that can adjust speed based on grass conditions and detect obstacles to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the operator manually controls the ground speed to maintain cut quality, then the cut quality can be maintained on varied terrain, but the operator cannot continuously adjust the speed to prevent grass collector clogs and maintain even cut
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect grass length and density, and automatically adjusts the ground speed without operator intervention. The processor receives sensor data and controls the drive system to maintain optimal cutting speed, allowing the mower to serve itself rather than requiring continuous manual adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where sensors continuously monitor grass conditions (length, density) and provide data to the processor, which then adjusts the ground speed accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the mower responds dynamically to changing terrain and grass conditions
2Reliability
If the operator reduces ground speed to prevent grass collector clogs, then clogs can be prevented, but the cutting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system continuously monitors grass density and length, providing real-time feedback to the processor. When dense grass is detected, the system automatically reduces speed to prevent clogs; when grass is less dense, speed increases to maintain productivity. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both reliability and cutting time
Solution Approach 2:
The ground speed is made dynamically adjustable based on real-time grass conditions rather than being fixed. The system continuously adapts speed to match the density and length of grass being cut, preventing clogs in dense areas while maintaining higher speeds in lighter areas to preserve productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If the operator increases overlap to ensure complete grass cutting, then all grass is cut evenly, but the cutting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system detects the edge between cut and uncut grass and provides feedback to the steering control. The system automatically adjusts the cutting path to achieve optimal overlap, eliminating the need for the operator to manually increase overlap and thereby reducing cutting time while maintaining even cuts
4Device complexity
If basic controls are used on the mower, then the control system is simple, but the controls cannot adapt to varying task conditions and terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single automated system that handles both steering and speed control. The same processor and sensor system that detects grass conditions also controls both the drive system and steering system, allowing one system to perform multiple adaptive functions rather than requiring separate controls for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A lawn mower includes a frame, an operator support, a blade assembly, a steering system, a motor assembly, a sensor and one or more processors. The operator support is coupled to the frame and is configured to support the entire weight of an operator of the lawn mower during use thereof. The motor assembly is configured to drive rotatable wheels so as to move the frame along the ground surface and drive at least one blade relative to the ground surface to cut grass. Sensor and processor to detect the an edge between an unmowed area of grass and a mowed area of grass and control the motor assembly stop driving the at least one blade, the wheels, or both based on the input from the sensor.