Autonomous Mower Lens Cleaning Mechanism for Image Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous mowers face issues with unclear images or videos from dirty lenses, leading to misjudgment of lawns and obstacles, which can cause them to malfunction.
Innovation Solution
The autonomous mower is equipped with a cleaning device that includes a shielding sheet with a cleaning element, such as a brush or microfan, to automatically clean the lens, and a control unit that compares real-time images with a preset reference image to determine when cleaning is necessary, ensuring clear visuals and proper operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image acquisition device lens is not cleaned regularly, then the device structure remains simple, but the lens becomes dirty leading to unclear images and misjudgment of lawns and obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device enables the image acquisition device to clean its own lens automatically without external intervention. The control unit triggers the cleaning element to remove dirt from the lens surface, allowing the system to maintain its own functionality and reliability without requiring manual cleaning or additional operator actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning element is positioned and configured to clean the lens before dirt accumulation affects image quality. The control unit can proactively initiate cleaning operations based on predetermined conditions or schedules, preventing the lens from becoming dirty enough to cause misjudgment, rather than waiting for degradation to occur.
2Measurement precision
If a cleaning device is added to the autonomous mower, then the lens remains clear and image quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is integrated into the existing autonomous mower structure, combining the lens cleaning function with the mowing system. The control unit that already manages mowing operations also controls the cleaning element, merging control functions and reducing the need for separate control systems. This integration minimizes the increase in overall device complexity while maintaining image recognition precision.
3Reliability
If the control unit continuously monitors and compares images to detect lens dirt, then the image quality is maintained, but the energy consumption and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously monitoring and comparing images to detect lens dirt, the control unit implements periodic cleaning operations based on predetermined time intervals or operational cycles. This periodic approach maintains operational reliability by ensuring the lens is cleaned regularly without requiring constant image analysis and comparison, thereby reducing energy consumption and processing load while still preventing image quality degradation.
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 cleaning device effectively maintains a clear lens, preventing misjudgment and ensuring the autonomous mower can function correctly, enhancing its ability to trim lawns and perform security patrol functions.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning device that includes a shielding sheet with a cleaning element, such as a brush or microfan, to automatically clean the lens
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning device that includes a shielding sheet with a cleaning element, such as a brush or microfan, to automatically clean the lens
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous mower includes a housing; a mowing module, a traveling module, an information collection device, an energy module, a control module and the control module includes an identification unit, and an alarm module. The autonomous mower has a security patrol working mode in which the identification unit analyzes and judges whether an abnormal object exists in the working area according to the information collected by the information collection device; if the abnormal object exists, the control module controls the alarm module to send an alarm signal to the outside. Therefore, the autonomous mower can achieve a security patrol function in addition to having a function of trimming the lawn. The autonomous mower has multiple uses, so as to save the cost.