Autonomous Green Space Robot Edge Processing Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous mobile green space processing robots lack enhanced functionalities and safety features, particularly in their ability to operate autonomously and safely around humans and animals, and to efficiently process border areas.

Innovation Solution

The robot features a first motor-driven processing tool housed in a protective area with a safety distance from the edge, and a second motor-driven tool with limited kinetic energy for autonomous operation, allowing it to process edges and borders without posing a risk to humans or animals. It includes sensors for obstacle detection and boundary edge recognition, enabling autonomous movement and operation without human control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the robot is equipped with a high-power processing tool for efficient green space processing, then productivity is improved, but safety risk increases due to higher kinetic energy posing danger to humans and animals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegreen space processing efficiencyVSAvoidsafety risk to humans and animals
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The processing tool's kinetic energy is dynamically adjusted based on the operational context. The control unit limits the maximum kinetic energy to a safe range (5-25 Joules) during autonomous operation near humans or animals, while allowing higher power when safety conditions are met, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the processing tool by controlling its kinetic energy within a specific range (5-25 Joules) during autonomous operation. This parameter adjustment enables the robot to maintain sufficient processing capability while eliminating dangerous high-energy operations that could harm humans or animals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the robot operates autonomously without human control, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to inability to detect and respond to unexpected situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous operation capabilityVSAvoidsafety response to unexpected situations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The robot incorporates sensors that continuously detect obstacles and environmental conditions, providing feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables the autonomous robot to perceive its environment and adjust its operation accordingly, maintaining reliability while operating without human control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The robot autonomously monitors its own operational state and environmental conditions through integrated sensors and control systems. It self-regulates processing tool operation based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for human intervention while maintaining safety and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the processing tool is positioned close to the edge for border processing capability, then adaptability is improved, but safety risk increases due to reduced protection from the protective housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveborder area processing capabilityVSAvoidexposure risk to humans and animals
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The position of the processing tool is dynamically adjusted based on the operational phase. During border processing, the tool extends closer to the edge for adaptability, but during autonomous operation, the system limits kinetic energy and relies on the protective housing's safety zone, dynamically balancing adaptability and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The protective housing provides localized protection with a defined safety zone around the processing tool. This local quality approach allows the tool to be positioned for border processing while maintaining a protected zone that reduces exposure risk to humans and animals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3412129B1Autonomous mobile green area processing robot
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 ANDREAS STIHL AG & CO KG
  • EP3412129B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3412129B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to an autonomous mobile green space management robot.