Intelligent Mower with GNSS Timing and Stretchable Blades

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intelligent mowers have low mowing efficiency for long grass, limited adaptability, and are prone to magnetic field interference, which can cause them to move out of the designated lawn area.

Innovation Solution

An intelligent mower system utilizing GNSS modules for high-precision timing and magnetic field detection, with stretchable blade bars and a fertilization and irrigation assembly, to enhance mowing efficiency and prevent interference from external magnetic fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a disk structure blade is used, then the mower is suitable for mowing lawns with short grass, but the mowing efficiency for long grass is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemowing adaptabilityVSAvoidmowing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade bar is designed to be stretchable and retractable, allowing the mowing blades to dynamically adjust their extension length according to grass length. The blade bar can stretch out when encountering long grass and retract when dealing with short grass, enabling the mower to adapt to different grass lengths while maintaining high mowing efficiency across various conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the blade bar changes from a retracted state to an extended state based on grass length conditions. This parameter change allows the mowing system to transition between different operational modes, optimizing performance for both short and long grass mowing tasks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Extent of automation

If electromagnetic sensors are used for contour detection, then the mower can automatically detect lawn boundaries, but the recognition and tracking of transmission pulses are prone to magnetic field interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic contour detectionVSAvoidcontour detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A GNSS module is introduced as an intermediary device to provide timing information for contour detection. The GNSS module receives satellite signals and generates precise timing pulses that synchronize the transmission and detection of contour signals, eliminating the need for electromagnetic field-based detection and avoiding magnetic field interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic field-based contour detection system is replaced with a GNSS-based timing system. Instead of using electromagnetic sensors to detect magnetic field changes, the system uses GNSS satellite signals to provide precise timing information, substituting an electromagnetic field-based mechanism with a satellite-based timing mechanism that is immune to local magnetic field interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If existing contour detection devices are used, then the mower can determine working region, but magnetic field interference from high-tension lines and other contours can cause abnormal detection signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontour recognition precisionVSAvoidmagnetic field interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The GNSS module serves as an intermediary that provides a reference timing signal independent of the local electromagnetic environment. This timing signal from satellite-based GNSS is not affected by magnetic field interference from high-tension lines or other contours, allowing precise contour detection without harmful environmental factors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces electromagnetic field-based contour detection with GNSS-based timing synchronization. This substitution eliminates the vulnerability to magnetic field interference by using satellite signals that penetrate through the environment without being affected by local electromagnetic disturbances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system achieves efficient mowing of both long and short grass, reduces blade damage, and ensures accurate contour detection with high anti-interference capacity, preventing accidental movement out of the lawn area.

Implementation Method 1

when the mower operates, the blade bars stretch out via the guide holes under a centrifugal effect, and then, the mowing blades mow the lawn

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal effect: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

GNSS modules are connected to the contour transmitting device and the contour detection device in the contour device to provide high-precision timing at a specific frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGNSS timing:

Implementation Method 3

an inductor on a contour detection module of the mowers leads to a change of the voltage under the influence of the magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3991537B1Intelligent mower system
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 WUXI KALMAN NAVIGATION TECH CO LTD
  • EP3991537B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3991537B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3991537B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An intelligent mower system comprises a mower (1), a contour device for detecting a boundary of a lawn, and a charging pile (2) for charging the mower (1). The mower (1) comprises a shell (11), a drive device (12), and a mowing assembly (13). The mowing assembly (13) comprises a mowing blade holder (135) mounted around a mowing shaft (131), and a plurality of fixing rods (136) for mounting mowing blades (134) are supported and mounted in the mowing blade holder (135). The mower (1) further comprises an auxiliary leveling device (14) close to the mowing assembly (13) and mounted in the shell (11). GNSS modules are connected to a contour transmitting device (4) and a contour detection device (3) in the contour device to provide high-precision timing at a specific frequency. The intelligent mower system has the advantages of being high in mowing efficiency, good in effect and long in service life, and can effectively improve the contour detection precision, reduce the influence of a magnetic field environment around on the contour detection effect, and improve the anti-interference capacity between adjacent contours.