Robotic Mower Battery Control for Return-to-Dock Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing land maintenance systems face challenges in managing battery charge levels of mobile devices, leading to potential blockages and inefficiencies due to battery depletion, resulting in increased costs and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A land maintenance system that includes a mobile device with an on-board battery, equipped with a control unit that estimates battery charge levels and determines if it is sufficient to complete a working cycle, using GPS or GNSS sensors to track position and movement, and adjusts operations such as speed and cutting height to optimize battery usage and prevent downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the mobile device operates continuously to complete maintenance operations within a working area, then productivity is improved, but the battery charge level depletes leading to device blockage and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters (speed, cutting height, power consumption) based on real-time battery charge level monitoring. When charge level drops below thresholds, the system automatically modifies operation intensity to ensure the device can complete its working cycle and return to base, preventing device blockage while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors battery charge level and provides feedback to adjust operational parameters. The system determines whether remaining charge is sufficient to complete the working cycle, and if not, automatically reduces power consumption to ensure completion, thereby maintaining reliability while managing battery constraints.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the mobile device reduces operating speed to conserve battery charge, then energy consumption is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by reducing operational intensity only when necessary (when charge level falls below thresholds) rather than continuously. The device maintains normal operating speed and productivity when charge is sufficient, and only partially reduces operations when needed to conserve enough charge to complete the working cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes operational parameters (speed, cutting height) based on battery charge level. When charge is sufficient, parameters remain at optimal productivity levels. When charge drops below thresholds, parameters are adjusted to reduce energy consumption while ensuring the device can complete its cycle, thus balancing energy use and productivity.
3Reliability
If the system frequently monitors battery charge level to prevent depletion, then device reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device autonomously monitors its own battery charge level and automatically adjusts its operational parameters without external intervention. The control unit continuously determines whether remaining charge is sufficient to complete the working cycle and self-regulates power consumption, eliminating the need for complex external monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of battery charge level with automatic control responses. The control unit receives charge level information and automatically adjusts operational parameters when thresholds are crossed, providing reliable battery management through a relatively simple feedback loop integrated into the existing control system.
Data Source
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AI summary
Land maintenance system, in particular turfgrasses or gardens or agricultural land, comprising a mobile device configured to carry out, within a working area, maintenance operations, in particular grass cutting operations, said mobile device being electrically powered and comprising movimentation means, a payload and an on-board rechargeable battery. The system further comprises a detector configured to detect a distance of the mobile device with respect to a docking station, and a control unit operatively connected to the mobile device and configured to determine the distance between the mobile device and the docking station, estimate a battery charge level, and define a minimum charge level sufficient to allow the mobile device to automatically reach the docking station and/or be driven up to the docking station.