Mower Path Planning by Convex Sub-Area Direction Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mowing technologies face inefficiencies in covering complex and narrow areas due to frequent direction changes, especially when using non-random path planning, leading to prolonged operation times and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves dividing the mowing area into convex sub-areas and determining the main extension direction of each sub-area as the mowing direction, reducing the frequency of direction changes and optimizing the mower path to improve efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If non-random path planning is used in complete coverage path planning, then working coverage and efficiency are improved, but in narrow and complex areas, frequent direction changes are still required, leading to increased operation time and reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking coverage and efficiencyVSAvoidoperation time in narrow and complex areas
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the mowing area into multiple sub-areas based on width characteristics. By segmenting the overall path planning into region-specific sub-plans, the system can apply different strategies to different areas, reducing frequent direction changes in narrow regions while maintaining efficient coverage in wider areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local optimization by generating different path planning strategies for different sub-areas. Wide areas use one planning approach while narrow areas use another, allowing the system to adapt to local geometric characteristics and minimize direction changes in problematic regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the mower operates in narrow areas with conventional path planning, then complete coverage is achieved, but the frequency of direction changes increases, reducing working efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete coverageVSAvoidworking efficiency in narrow areas
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the mowing area into sub-areas with different width characteristics. By identifying narrow regions and applying specialized path planning to these segments, the system maintains complete coverage while reducing unnecessary direction changes specific to narrow geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts path planning based on local area characteristics. The system evaluates width at different positions and adapts the planning strategy accordingly, switching between different path generation methods to optimize for both coverage and efficiency in varying geometric conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4511711B1Method and apparatus for determining mower path, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 WILLAND (BEIJING) TECH CO LTD
  • EP4511711B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4511711B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4511711B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A method and an apparatus for determining a mower path, an electronic device, a computer storage medium and a computer program are disclosed. The method for determining a mower path includes that: dividing a target mowing area into a plurality of convex sub-areas (S210); determining a main extension direction of each of the plurality of convex sub-areas as a mowing direction (S220); determining mowing paths of the plurality of convex sub-areas based on the respective mowing directions of the plurality of convex sub-areas (S230); and determining the mower path in the target mowing area based on the mowing paths of the plurality of convex sub-areas (S240). According to the solution of embodiments of the present disclosure, frequent direction changing of the mower in a narrow area is avoided, time consumption is reduced and the working efficiency of the mower is improved.