Robot Mower Vision Control for Timely Missed Grass Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Visual self-moving devices, such as monocular visual robot mowers, often operate in a random mowing mode, leading to missed grass that is not efficiently processed, which can grow taller and spread, requiring manual intervention.

Innovation Solution

The robot mower captures images using a binocular visual module to identify missed grass by processing images for parallax, edge extraction, and color segmentation, adjusting its direction to cut the missed areas effectively and timely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a random mowing mode is adopted, then the device can operate simply without complex path planning, but the traversal efficiency is low and missed grass is not processed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidtraversal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses ultrasonic modules to detect missed grass and feeds this information back to the control unit, which then adjusts the mowing path dynamically. This feedback mechanism enables the robot to respond to actual mowing conditions and process missed grass efficiently without requiring complex pre-planned paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mowing mode transitions from a static random pattern to a dynamic adaptive path. The control unit continuously adjusts the mowing trajectory based on real-time detection of missed grass, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to actual conditions while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If ultrasonic module is used to detect missed grass, then missed grass can be identified, but the grass must grow tall enough to be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemissed grass detection capabilityVSAvoidtime delay before detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of missed grass during the mowing process itself, rather than waiting for grass to grow tall after mowing. By detecting missed grass immediately when it occurs, the system prevents the time delay and subsequent spreading of missed grass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ultrasonic module acts as an intermediary sensor that detects missed grass by measuring the height difference between cut and uncut grass. This intermediary detection mechanism enables early identification of missed grass before it becomes too tall or spreads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If missed grass is not processed timely, then the mowing operation continues uninterrupted, but the missed grass grows taller and spreads to surrounding areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemowing operation continuityVSAvoidmissed grass spreading
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives feedback from ultrasonic detectors about missed grass locations and dynamically adjusts the mowing path to process these areas. This feedback loop ensures that missed grass is addressed promptly, preventing it from growing and spreading while maintaining overall operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potentially harmful effect of missed grass (which could spread and require manual intervention) into a benefit by using the ultrasonic detection to guide subsequent mowing operations. The missed grass becomes a target for automated re-processing rather than a problem requiring manual attention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 robot mower effectively and timely addresses the missed grass by determining and processing the missed grass, thereby improving its efficiency and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

The robot mower captures images using a binocular visual module to identify missed grass by processing images for parallax

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParallax: Parallax

Implementation Method 2

processing images for parallax, edge extraction, and color segmentation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEdge detection:

Implementation Method 3

processing images for parallax, edge extraction, and color segmentation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColor segmentation:

Data Source

PatentEP4481524B1Control method for self-moving device and self-moving device
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SUZHOU CLEVA PRECISION MACHINERY & TECH CO LTD
  • EP4481524B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4481524B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4481524B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Disclosed are a control method for a self-moving device and a self-moving device. The method for controlling the self-moving device to move in a designated area to process a predetermined object in the designated area includes: obtaining, in the moving process of the self-moving device, an image of an area in a forward direction of the self-moving device; and determining, according to the image, whether the predetermined object in the area in the forward direction of the self-moving device includes a specific predetermined object, so as to control the moving direction of the self-moving device, where the specific predetermined object and the predetermined object have at least one different feature parameter. Through the technical solutions of the present invention, missed grass can be processed in an effective and timely manner, and the missed grass can be effectively prevented from being recognized as obstacles by ultrasonic waves after growing to some height.