Robotic Mower Positioning With Antenna Arrays for Precise Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic lawnmowers face inefficiencies due to random movement patterns, leading to uneven mowing and repetitive paths, and existing position-based systems are costly or inaccurate without additional infrastructure, such as satellite navigation or magnetic field interference.
Innovation Solution
A robotic lawnmower system using an antenna array and a base station to determine the position and orientation of the lawnmower through phase differences and signal intensity, enabling precise path control and mapping of the mowing area, with optional integration of a magnetic field sensor for orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If random movement pattern is used, then the robotic lawnmower can operate without position determination infrastructure, but the mowing efficiency is poor with uneven coverage and repetitive paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical position determination infrastructure (such as multiple beacons for triangulation or satellite navigation systems) with a simplified radio-based system using an antenna array and phase difference measurement. This substitution maintains ease of operation while dramatically improving mowing efficiency through precise position and orientation determination.
2Productivity
If position-based control is implemented using satellite navigation or triangulation, then mowing efficiency improves, but the system becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of position determination from complex infrastructure systems (satellite navigation, multiple beacons) and implements it through a simplified radio-based antenna array system. This extraction maintains high mowing efficiency while eliminating the need for costly and complex infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cost-effective antenna array system that can be easily deployed and removed, replacing expensive and permanent infrastructure such as satellite navigation systems or fixed beacon networks. This approach achieves the same position determination function at a fraction of the cost and complexity.
3Device complexity
If magnetic field sensors are used for position determination, then the system can operate without additional infrastructure, but the measurements are susceptible to environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes magnetic field sensor-based position determination with a radio-based antenna array system that measures phase differences of radio signals. This substitution eliminates susceptibility to magnetic interference while maintaining the benefit of no additional infrastructure requirements, thereby improving measurement reliability.
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 system achieves efficient, cost-effective mowing by precisely controlling the lawnmower's path and area coverage, allowing for optimized mowing patterns and payload deployment, while reducing interference and infrastructure complexity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the two antennas for radio communication between the base station and the robotic lawnmower is designed as an antenna array for detecting phase differences in incoming radio signals of a specific frequency
Implementation Method 2
in the distance determination, the intensity of the received radio signals is evaluated
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a robotic lawnmower (R), a robotic lawnmower system (R, B) and a method for operating them, wherein the robotic lawnmower (R) is connected to a processor system (P) which is designed to determine both the relative position of the robotic lawnmower (R) to a base station (B) and its orientation using at least one antenna array (A) and a further means for determining orientation (S) and to use this information for guiding the robotic lawnmower (R).