Robot Lawnmower Swath Edge Detection for Low-Complexity Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous lawn mowers rely on complex systems of sensors and beacons for navigation, which can be cumbersome and require additional power sources, and lack efficient boundary detection and obstacle avoidance mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robot lawnmower with a detachable manual push/pull handle and foldable handle configuration, utilizing edge following sensors and boundary detectors to navigate and avoid obstacles, allowing for both autonomous and manual operation modes without the need for complex GPS or odometric systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex systems of sensors and beacons are used for navigation, then navigation capability is improved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex GPS, odometric systems, and extensive beacon networks from the navigation architecture. Instead, it retains only the essential edge-following sensors and boundary detectors that are integral to the mower's body, eliminating unnecessary complexity while preserving core navigation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system serves itself by using the cutting edges and boundary detectors already present on the mower body. These components naturally follow lawn edges and property boundaries without requiring external infrastructure or complex computational systems, making the system self-sufficient and simpler.
2Reliability
If complex systems of sensors and beacons are used for navigation, then navigation capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes power-hungry components such as GPS receivers, odometric sensors, and active beacon systems. The remaining navigation components (edge-following sensors and boundary detectors) consume minimal power, extending operational duration between battery charges.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system uses passive detection methods that require minimal energy. The cutting edges and boundary detectors naturally sense their environment without requiring active transmission or complex processing, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining navigation reliability.
3Ease of operation
If a detachable manual push/pull handle is provided, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is segmented into a detachable manual push/pull component that can be separately attached or removed from the mower body. This allows users to switch between autonomous and manual operation modes as needed, providing operational flexibility without permanently increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle configuration is made dynamic through its foldable and detachable design. The handle can be folded against the body when not in use and detached when autonomous operation is required, adapting the system's operational state to match user needs while maintaining a compact form factor.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A robot lawnmower (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) includes a drive system (400) carried by a body (100) and configured to maneuver the robot (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) across a lawn (20, 1020). The robot (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) includes a grass cutter (200, 200A, 200B, 2000A, 2050, 2100, 2200) carried by the body (100) and a swath edge detector (310A, 310B, 310C, 310D, 310E, 310F, 310G, 310H, 310I) carried by the body (100) and configured to detect a swath edge (26) between cut grass (24) and uncut grass (22) while the drive system (400) maneuvers the robot (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) across the lawn (20, 1020) while following a detected swath edge (26). The swath edge detector (310, 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D, 310E, 310F, 310G, 310H, 310I) includes a calibrator (320, 320A, 320B) that monitors uncut grass (22) adjacent the swath edge (26) for calibration of the swath edge detector (310, 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D, 310E, 310F, 310G, 310H, 310I).