Robotic Lawnmower Charging Circuit With Shared Boundary Wire Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic lawnmower charging and control systems are costly and complex, requiring separate wiring for charging and positioning signals, which complicates maintenance and flexibility in placement due to the need for weather-proofing and potential long power cables.
Innovation Solution
A charging and control system that communicates both charging and positioning voltage signals over the same wire segments, allowing components to be located remotely and indoors, reducing weather-proofing needs and enabling flexible placement of the charging station without additional cabling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate wiring is used for charging and positioning signals, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines charging and positioning signal transmission into a single wire segment. The charging station transmits both charging voltage and positioning voltage signals through the same wire that connects to the robotic lawnmower, eliminating the need for separate wiring systems while maintaining functional reliability through signal separation at the receiver end.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire segment connecting the charging station to the robotic lawnmower is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both charging power transmission and positioning signal transmission. This multi-functional wire reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If charging station is placed far from power supply, then flexibility in placement is improved, but power cable length and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positioning signal wire and charging power wire into a single integrated wire segment. This allows the charging station to be placed at any location along the boundary wire loop without requiring separate power cabling, as the same wire that defines the boundary also provides power transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from requiring separate spatial routing for power and signal wires to using a single wire that serves both purposes. The boundary wire loop structure allows the charging station to draw power from any point along the loop, effectively adding flexibility in the spatial dimension of placement.
3Ease of operation
If components are located outdoors, then charging station accessibility is improved, but weather-proofing requirements and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electronic components (charging station and signal generator) from the outdoor environment and relocates them to an indoor location. The boundary wire loop structure allows the robotic lawnmower to receive charging and positioning signals without requiring the charging station to be physically present outdoors, thereby eliminating weather-proofing requirements.
4Reliability
If separate wiring for charging and positioning is used, then signal interference is reduced, but system cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical signals into different voltage levels and frequencies: charging voltage (higher power) and positioning voltage (lower power for signal detection). The robotic lawnmower's control system includes separate circuitry to distinguish and process these different signal types from the same wire, preventing interference through signal separation at the receiver end.
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
This solution reduces system costs, simplifies maintenance, and provides flexibility in charging station placement, improving robotic lawnmower performance without the need for extensive cabling or outdoor electronics exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a position locating network, operable to receive a voltage signal from the signal generator and to transmit a corresponding wireless positioning signal for reception by the robotic lawnmower
Implementation Method 2
both a charging voltage signal for charging a power source within the robotic lawnmower and a positioning voltage signal for assisting the robotic lawnmower in determining its current position are communicated over the same one or more of the plurality of wire segments
Implementation Method 3
at least one first electrical cable connected to at least one first signal generator and at least one sensing system arranged on said device. Said sensing system detects at least one magnetic field being transmitted via said cable and propagating through the air
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2~4
AI summary
A robotic system including: a robotic lawnmower with a rechargeable power source, a propulsion unit and a control unit for movement over an area; a circuit loop that includes a number of wire segments, of which one or more are boundary wire segments that define the boundary of the area within which the robotic lawnmower operates; a charging station with which the robotic lawnmower can dock in order to charge its power source; and a base station that has first connections with the charging station for the supply of charging power and second connections with the circuit loop for the supply of a positioning voltage signal to the boundary wire segments. The base station has at least one user-actuable control and provides either a "manual depart from charging station" control signal or a "manual return to charging station" control signal when a user operates the control(s); these control signals are conveyed over the first or second connections. The robotic lawnmower is configured so that, if it receives the "manual depart from charging station" control signal when docked with the charging station it will commence forthwith autonomous movement over the area. It is also configured so that, if it receives the "manual return to charging station" control signal during autonomous movement over the area it will move directly to the charging station.