Robotic Lawn Mower Attachment Control for Adaptive Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic work tools, such as lawn mowers, lack the ability to adapt their operation to carry and manage various gardening equipment efficiently, posing challenges for users with mobility issues or those needing to handle multiple items in a garden setting.
Innovation Solution
A robotic working tool system that includes an attachment receiver and a controller capable of determining the weight and type of attachment, adapting its operation to accommodate the attachment by adjusting collision and lift detectors, wheel size, and navigation modes, enabling follow-me, follow-boundary, and virtual-map-navigation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robotic working tool is designed to perform a single fixed function, then the device complexity is low and reliability is high, but the adaptability and versatility are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic working tool dynamically changes its operational parameters and detection sensitivity based on the detected aspect of the attachment. The controller adjusts collision detector sensitivity and lift detector thresholds in real-time according to the attachment's weight and type, allowing the system to adapt its behavior without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as collision detection thresholds, lift detection sensitivity, wheel diameter, and navigation mode based on the detected attachment characteristics. This allows the same hardware to operate effectively with different attachments by modifying software-controlled parameters rather than physical structure.
2Reliability
If the robotic working tool uses fixed detection thresholds for collisions and lifts, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability and safety when operating with various attachments are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback from sensors about the attachment's presence and characteristics, then adjusts the operational parameters accordingly. The system continuously monitors attachment weight and type, and modifies collision and lift detection thresholds in real-time to maintain safe and reliable operation with any attachment configuration.
3Productivity
If a complete robotic system with structured boundaries is deployed, then the productivity and automation level are high, but the device complexity and investment cost are very high
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic lawnmower is designed to perform multiple functions - both lawn mowing and equipment transportation - using the same base platform. By adding an attachment receiver and adapting existing sensors and controllers, the system becomes a multi-functional robot that can serve different purposes without requiring separate specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system autonomously detects attachments, determines their characteristics, and self-adjusts its operational parameters without human intervention. The controller automatically configures the system for the detected attachment type, enabling the robot to serve itself and reducing the need for complex external control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic working tool system (200) comprising a robotic working tool (100) comprising a work tool (160), an attachment receiver (310) arranged to receive an attachment (320) and a controller (110), the controller (110) being configured to receive information regarding an attachment (320) being received, and in response thereto adapt change the operation of the robotic working tool (100) to operate in an attachment operating mode, and to determine an aspect of the attachment (320) and adapt the operation in the attachment operating mode to accommodate for the determined aspect.