Robot Unit for Sports Field Marking with GPS Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual sports field marking is time-consuming, expensive, and prone to uneven markings due to the need for manual direction and potential paint oxidation, leading to clogged systems when paint is not fully emptied from containers.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled robot unit with a replaceable bag-in-box paint container system, where the paint is protected from oxidation and easily replaceable, and adjustable screens around the spraying nozzle ensure consistent stripe width, using GPS signals for precise positioning and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual vehicles with containers are used for field marking, then the marking can be performed, but the paint in the containers is exposed to oxidation which causes it to set hard and clog pump and hose systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies an inert atmosphere principle by sealing the paint container (reservoir) to prevent oxygen contact with the paint. The container is designed with a closed system where paint is transferred through sealed connections, creating an oxygen-excluded environment that prevents oxidation and hardening of the paint, thereby maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful factor (oxygen) from the paint storage environment by using sealed containers and closed transfer systems. The paint is kept isolated from atmospheric oxygen during storage and transfer, removing the oxidation risk that would otherwise clog the pump and hose systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual vehicles require personnel operation throughout marking, then direction can be controlled, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by equipping the vehicle with automatic GPS navigation and control systems that enable the vehicle to perform marking operations autonomously without continuous human intervention. The vehicle navigates, positions, and applies paint automatically based on pre-programmed routes, maintaining precision while dramatically improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with automated electronic control systems. GPS-based navigation and electronic control of the paint application mechanism substitute for manual steering and operation, enabling unattended or minimally attended operation that maintains marking precision while increasing speed and reducing labor costs.
3Ease of operation
If paint containers are not fully emptied, then operation can be paused, but the remaining paint sets hard causing extensive service requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed container system maintains an oxygen-excluded environment for any remaining paint in the reservoir, preventing oxidation and hardening even when operation is paused. This allows operational flexibility without the risk of paint setting hard in unused portions of the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the harmful oxidation process from the paint storage system through sealed containers, allowing paint to remain in the container without hardening. This eliminates the need for extensive service when operation is interrupted, as the paint remains usable regardless of how long it remains in the container.
4Productivity
If replaceable containers are used for quick filling, then operational efficiency improves, but safeguards against paint oxidation during storage and transfer are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts oxygen from the paint transfer process by using sealed containers with closed transfer mechanisms. The paint remains isolated from atmospheric oxygen during storage and transfer operations, preventing oxidation even as containers are replaced and paint is transferred, thereby maintaining both productivity and paint quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed container system creates an inert, oxygen-excluded environment for paint storage and transfer. This prevents oxidation during the refilling process, allowing rapid container replacement and painting operations without compromising paint quality through oxidation.
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 solution enables quick, easy, and precise sports field marking with reduced operational costs and minimized paint waste, preventing oxidation and clogging, while allowing for flexible stripe widths and efficient paint supply.
Implementation Method 1
a pump which is pipe connected with the container and the spraying nozzle for application of the paint
Implementation Method 2
directing the paint from the pump under pump pressure in a nozzle pipe to the spraying nozzle, releasing the paint during spreading
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for marking sports field (10) whereby there is placed stripes (11) of paint (12) according to a predefined plan (13) via a spraying nozzle (1) on a level playing surface (14) such as grass, gravel, ice, artificial grass or synthetic material field, since a robot unit (2) is moved along the stripes (11) according to the predefined plan (13) and brings along a reservoir (3) of paint (12) where the unit (2) receives signals from a number of GPS sending units (15) and hereby continuously calculates its current position on the sports field (10), and since the unit uses the current position on the sports field (10) for calculating a set of control signals to two or more movable elements (16) for propulsion of the unit (2) and for controlling the emission of paint (12). The stripes (1 1 ) are formed during the unit's movement by paint (12) being pumped from the reservoir (3) to the spraying nozzle (1) and is submitted to the playing surface (14) according to the control signals and the paint (12) is added to the reservoir (3) consisting of portions (5) by the replaceable bag in box type, which are connected to the pump (4). The invention also relates to a robot unit and use of a robot unit for marking fields.