Robotic Docking Arm for In-Place Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for sharpening and maintaining lawn mower blades are antiquated, time-consuming, and difficult, requiring manual detachment and stabilization, which can lead to inconsistency and accuracy issues.

Innovation Solution

A docking system for robots that includes a drive system, sensor, and docking arm controlled by a processor to autonomously dock and stabilize on a lawn mower, using magnetic, clamp, or suction mechanisms to attach to the mower, allowing for precise sharpening and maintenance while the blades are still attached.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual detachment and stabilization of blades is used, then the sharpening process can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming and difficult with inconsistency and accuracy issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesharpening process efficiencyVSAvoiddifficulty of manual blade handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows the lawn mower to service itself through the robotic device that autonomously docks, sharpens, and maintains the blades without requiring manual detachment or stabilization by an operator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors, processors, and automated docking mechanisms to perform sharpening tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If blades are detached for sharpening, then access to blades is achieved, but the process becomes complex and requires multiple steps including detachment, stabilization, and re-attachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to bladesVSAvoidcomplexity of detachment and re-attachment process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary sharpening function from the blade handling process, allowing the robotic device to sharpen the blades in place without requiring complete detachment or complex re-attachment procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the blade maintenance task into distinct functional modules including automated docking, positioning, sharpening, and undocking operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If manual stabilization of blades is used, then the blade can be held in place, but consistency and accuracy of sharpening becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesharpening accuracyVSAvoiddifficulty of manual stabilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual stabilization with an automated robotic positioning system that uses sensors and processors to achieve precise and consistent blade positioning during sharpening operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that provide feedback to the processor, enabling real-time adjustments to maintain precise positioning and sharpening accuracy throughout the operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Extent of automation

If a robotic device is used for sharpening, then automation is achieved, but the robot requires a docking mechanism to stabilize on the lawn mower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelevel of automationVSAvoidcomplexity of docking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The docking arm is designed with multiple functions including positioning, coupling to the lawn mower, and stabilization, reducing the need for separate specialized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables efficient, accurate, and automated sharpening and maintenance of lawn mower blades without manual detachment, improving consistency and reducing the complexity of the process.

Implementation Method 1

the coupling mechanism may include a magnet, and where the coupling mechanism may be configured to magnetically attach the robot to the lawn mower

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attachment: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

the coupling mechanism may include a suction device, and where the coupling mechanism may be configured to suction the robot to the lawn mower

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS20240298577A1Docking Unit For A Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening And Task Robot

Publication Date: 2024.09.12 ORBISHARP ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

Provided are systems and methods for docking a robot relative to a lawn mower. The system may include a drive system configured to move the robot, a sensor, a docking arm, and/or at least one processor operatively connected to the drive system, the sensor, and/or the docking arm. The at least one processor may be configured to receive a signal from the sensor comprising a first location of the robot. The processor may be configured to control the drive system to drive from the first location to a second location based on receiving the signal. The at least one processor may be configured to control the docking arm to dock the robot at the second location, where the robot is configured to perform a task. The at least one processor may be configured to control the docking arm to un-dock the robot upon completion of the task.