Autonomous Mower Handle Assembly for Manual Boundary Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous lawn mowers face challenges with boundary wire installation and maintenance, particularly in larger yards with intricate borders, and often require secondary devices for inaccessible areas, with existing mapping methods being time-consuming and prone to wire damage.
Innovation Solution
The development of a handle system for autonomous vehicles that allows manual mode operation for boundary training and perimeter definition, with onboard storage for the handle when transitioning to autonomous mode, enabling efficient boundary mapping and access to previously inaccessible areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If boundary wire is installed on the lawn surface, then the autonomous mower can define property boundaries, but the wire may be inadvertently damaged during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible boundary wire that can be laid on the lawn surface rather than buried, creating a thin film-like structure that is both detectable by the autonomous mower and flexible enough to withstand operational conditions without damage
2Adaptability or versatility
If boundary wire is installed for large yards with intricate borders, then the autonomous mower can navigate the property, but the installation process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary wire is pre-installed along the intricate borders of large yards before autonomous operation begins, allowing the mower to immediately navigate complex boundaries without time-consuming setup during operation. The wire layout is prepared in advance to match the property's intricate border geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of the boundary wire configuration to adapt to large yards with intricate borders, enabling the autonomous mower to flexibly navigate complex property lines while maintaining efficient operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If the handle is deployed during autonomous mode, then manual control is available, but the handle interferes with autonomous operation and requires onboard storage
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing it to be deployed when manual control is needed and stowed during autonomous operation. The handle can be selectively positioned to interfere with or facilitate autonomous mode depending on operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is configured to be received within or upon the autonomous mower body when in the stowed position, creating a nested arrangement that minimizes external protrusions during autonomous operation while maintaining manual control capability when deployed
Data Source
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AI summary
A handle assembly for an autonomous vehicle such as a lawn mower is provided and may include a cradle adapted to receive a mobile computer. The mobile computer may communicate with a controller carried by the mower. The handle assembly may be configured in both an autonomous mode position and a manual mode position. The vehicle may operate autonomously when the handle assembly is in the autonomous mode position, and be adapted to move under manual operator control, e.g., for perimeter training, when the handle assembly is in the manual mode position. Methods for training the mower and apparatus for storing the mower are also provided.