Robot Lawn Mower Switch Guard for Overhead Obstacle Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot lawn mowers can be unintentionally stopped by obstacles, such as solar panels, due to the emergency stop switch being activated when it comes into contact with overhead objects, preventing the completion of lawn mowing operations.
Innovation Solution
The autonomous travel work machine incorporates a protection unit, comprising pipe-shaped members, positioned above and around the emergency stop switch to prevent contact with obstacles, ensuring the switch remains accessible for user operation while avoiding interference with overhead objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the emergency stop switch is mounted on the upper face of the robot lawn mower, then the user can easily operate the switch to stop the mower in case of emergency, but the switch may come into contact with overhead installation objects (such as solar panels) and be unintentionally activated, causing the mower to stop without completing the mowing operation
Solution Approach 1:
A protection unit is introduced as an intermediary structure between the emergency stop switch and overhead obstacles. This protection unit extends from the upper face of the main body toward the overhead installation object, creating a physical barrier that prevents direct contact between the switch and obstacles while allowing the switch to remain accessible for user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection unit utilizes the vertical dimension by extending upward from the main body toward overhead obstacles. This creates a three-dimensional protective structure that shields the switch from above without interfering with lateral accessibility, effectively using spatial dimensionality to resolve the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the emergency stop switch is positioned to be easily accessible on the upper face, then user operation is simplified, but the switch becomes vulnerable to contact with overhead objects during mower travel
Solution Approach 1:
The protection unit serves as a mediator that absorbs or deflects contact from overhead obstacles before they can reach the emergency stop switch. This intermediary structure allows the switch to maintain its accessible position on the upper face while being protected from harmful contact by overhead objects during mower travel.
3Productivity
If the robot lawn mower travels under overhead installation objects, then the mower can access all areas of the lawn mowing area, but the emergency stop switch may be activated by contact with these objects, preventing operation completion
Solution Approach 1:
The protection unit enables the mower to travel under overhead installation objects by providing a physical barrier that prevents switch activation. This intermediary structure allows the mower to maintain its productivity by accessing all lawn areas while ensuring reliable operation completion by preventing unintended switch activation during travel under obstacles.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous travel work machine includes a main body and a wheel, and is configured to execute a predetermined operation on an operation target while causing the main body to autonomously travel with the wheel. The autonomous travel work machine includes: an operation unit having a shape projecting from an upper face of the main body, the operation unit being operated by being pressed from an upper face side; and a protection unit located at a front side in a traveling direction of the main body relative to the operation unit, the protection unit being disposed at a height equal to or higher than an upper end of the operation unit.