Robotic Lawn Mower Carrier With Charging for Multi-Property Mowing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available robotic lawn mowers are not suitable for professional caretakers responsible for multiple properties, as they lack the capacity for extended operational times, are at risk of theft and damage, and are not designed for efficient transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising two or more robotic lawn mowers with rechargeable energy storage, a mobile carrier with holders for each mower, and a charging system, along with a control system for optimizing battery usage and cutting efficiency, allowing for extended operational times and increased cutting capacity while minimizing theft risks and facilitating transportation and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robotic lawn mowers are designed for single lawn use with battery power, then they achieve autonomy and reduced labor, but they have limited operational duration and low cutting capacity for multiple properties
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fleet into multiple robotic mowers that can be segmented and assigned to different properties or lawns. Each mower operates independently but is part of a larger managed fleet, allowing the caretaker to scale operations across multiple properties without being limited by single-mower battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by implementing a fleet management approach where multiple mowers with moderate battery capacity collectively achieve higher total cutting capacity. The control system optimizes battery usage patterns, duty cycles, and charging schedules to maximize overall productivity across the fleet rather than relying on one mower with extremely large battery capacity.
2Productivity
If robotic lawn mowers are deployed at multiple properties, then they increase productivity for caretakers, but they become vulnerable to theft and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic mowers are equipped with autonomous navigation and self-monitoring capabilities that allow them to operate independently at each property without requiring constant human supervision. The control system enables remote monitoring and management, allowing the caretaker to track mower locations, operational status, and battery levels across all properties through a centralized interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through GPS tracking, status sensors, and communication modules that report mower location, operational state, and any anomalies to the central control system. This real-time feedback enables the caretaker to monitor and respond to potential theft or damage situations promptly.
3Productivity
If robotic lawn mowers are used for multiple properties, then they reduce labor costs, but they require frequent transportation and repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-planning mower assignments and routes between properties. The control system optimizes the schedule so that mowers are deployed to properties in an efficient sequence, minimizing travel time and maximizing cutting time. Charging schedules are also pre-coordinated to ensure mowers are ready for deployment without requiring urgent retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The fleet management system ensures continuous productive operation by coordinating multiple mowers across different properties. While one mower is being transported or charged, others are actively cutting lawns. The system maintains continuous useful action by optimizing the workflow so that transportation and charging periods for individual mowers do not create overall system idle time.
4Duration of action of moving object
If robotic lawn mowers have extended battery capacity for longer operation, then they increase operational duration, but they become heavier and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of concentrating all battery capacity in a single heavy battery, the system segments the total energy capacity across multiple lighter batteries in different mowers. Each mower has a moderate-capacity battery that provides sufficient operation for its assigned property or portion of a property, avoiding the need for extremely heavy individual batteries while achieving the same total operational duration across the fleet.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, for cutting a plurality of lawns, including: A) two or more robotic lawn mowers which each has a rechargeable energy storage, and B) a carrier, which includes: a) at least two holders, each of which is capable of retaining one of the two or more robotic lawn mowers and b) a charging system for the rechargeable energy storage. Also provided is the carrier as such and a method in which the system and the carrier can be used. The mowers are typically battery powered.