Robotic Lawn Cultivation Module for Weed Removal on the Move
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic lawn mowers are inefficient in weed removal, leading to low area coverage and environmental impact due to chemical herbicides, and mechanical methods interrupt movement, reducing efficiency and requiring multiple tools for simultaneous weed removal.
Innovation Solution
A device with a lawn cultivation module that can pivot and lower tools for targeted weed removal while moving, using sensors and control algorithms for precise weed detection and a rolling mechanism to maintain constant tool height and minimize lateral forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile robot mechanically removes weeds by stopping to remove weeds before resuming movement, then weed removal is achieved, but area coverage and treatment efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device maintains continuous forward movement while the cultivation tool operates, eliminating stopping and starting cycles. The tool is lowered to the lawn, operates during travel, and then raised again, allowing uninterrupted motion and continuous weed treatment across the entire lawn area.
Solution Approach 2:
The cultivation module is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be lowered and raised relative to the main body during movement. This dynamic adjustment enables the tool to engage with the lawn surface during travel and disengage when needed, maintaining both productivity and treatment effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If a robotic device is equipped with only a single tool, then device simplicity is maintained, but simultaneous removal of multiple weeds is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lawn cultivation module is divided into multiple independent cultivation tools arranged side by side, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows simultaneous treatment of multiple weeds across different locations while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cultivation tools are merged into a single integrated module that is controlled by one robotic platform and one control system. This combining approach increases productivity through parallel weed removal while avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple separate robotic devices.
3Productivity
If the tool is lowered to the lawn during movement for targeted weed removal, then area coverage is improved, but precise positioning and timing are required
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor system continuously monitors the lawn area ahead of the moving device, detecting weeds and their positions. This feedback information is fed to the control device, which then activates the lifting drive to lower the tool at the precise moment and position needed for effective weed removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs preliminary detection of weeds at a distance before the tool reaches their location. This advance detection allows the control system to prepare and execute the tool lowering action at the optimal moment, ensuring accurate positioning without compromising travel speed.
4Reliability
If chemical herbicides are used for weed control, then weed removal effectiveness is achieved, but environmental contamination and soil damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical herbicide application with a mechanical cultivation tool that physically removes or uproots weeds through mechanical action. This substitution eliminates chemical contamination of soil and groundwater while maintaining effective weed control through direct mechanical intervention.
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 high area coverage with efficient, reliable, and cost-effective weed removal without chemicals, maintaining constant tool height and minimizing ground contact distance for rapid processing.
Implementation Method 1
at least one lawn cultivation module has a rolling body for rolling on the lawn surface
Implementation Method 2
a sensor and a control device that can be aligned with the lawn area are provided, wherein sensor data acquired by the sensor are fed to an algorithm implemented in the control device for carrying out object recognition
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
In a device for maintaining lawns, comprising a main body (3) with a driven chassis for movement on the lawn and at least one lawn cultivation module (1) which has a tool (11) that can be lowered towards the lawn by a motor, the lawn cultivation module (1) is displaceable relative to the main body (3) transversely to the direction of travel (13), in particular pivotable, in order to displace or pivot the tool (11) between a right and a left cultivation position, wherein a sensor (14) that can be aligned towards the lawn and a control device are provided, wherein sensor data acquired by the sensor (14) are supplied to an algorithm implemented in the control device for carrying out object recognition, so that the control device lowers the tool (11) when an object is detected in order to carry out a work step on the object.