Robotic Work Tool Vibration-Based Damage Detection and Safe Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic work tools, such as lawnmower robots, face damage risks from obstacles and sharp cutting tools, which can lead to reduced performance and safety concerns, necessitating a method to detect tool damage and prevent further damage.
Innovation Solution
A robotic work tool system equipped with a tool damage detector that senses vibrations, noise, weight changes, and balance to determine if the work tool is damaged, and a controller that discontinues operation, returns to a servicing station, and provides an indication of the damage location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the robotic work tool operates continuously without detection mechanisms, then productivity is maintained, but the risk of further damage from undetected tool damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration sensor serves multiple functions: detecting tool damage, monitoring operational status, and triggering appropriate responses. This multi-functionality allows the system to improve reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single sensor component performs several detection tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects tool damage and triggers appropriate responses without human intervention. The controller autonomously monitors vibration levels, compares them against thresholds, and initiates damage detection protocols, allowing the system to self-monitor and self-report issues.
2Measurement precision
If vibration thresholds are set low for sensitive detection, then measurement precision improves, but false alarms increase reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration during normal operation to establish baseline vibration characteristics before actual damage occurs. This preliminary action allows the system to differentiate between normal operational variations and actual damage indicators, improving detection precision without triggering false alarms that would reduce productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors vibration levels and provides feedback to the controller, which adjusts detection thresholds based on operational context and historical data. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain high sensitivity while adapting to different operational conditions, reducing false alarms.
3Reliability
If the system discontinues operation upon detecting damage, then reliability improves by preventing further damage, but productivity decreases due to operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by discontinuing operation only when tool damage is detected, rather than stopping all operations continuously. This selective discontinuation prevents further damage while minimizing impact on overall productivity, as the system continues normal operations during undamaged periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration sensor acts as an intermediary that provides early warning of tool damage before catastrophic failure occurs. This intermediate detection allows the system to take preventive action (discontinuing operation) at the optimal moment, balancing reliability improvement with productivity maintenance.
4Measurement precision
If multiple detection methods are implemented (vibration, noise, weight), then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection methods (vibration sensing, noise detection, weight monitoring) into a unified damage detection system. By merging these different sensing approaches, the system achieves higher measurement precision through cross-validation and complementary detection, while the integrated architecture manages device complexity through shared processing and coordinated operation.
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 effectively detects damaged tools, prevents further damage to the robotic work tool, and ensures safe operation by discontinuing mowing and providing coordinates for the damage location, enhancing user awareness and maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The tool damage detector is configured to sense vibrations in the robotic work tool as a whole, on a shaft driving the work tool, and/or on the work tool motor
Implementation Method 2
the tool damage detector is configured to sense audible noise, wherein noise above a threshold indicates that the work tool is damaged or lost
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic work tool comprising a work tool (160), a tool damage detector (162) and a controller (110) for controlling the operation of the robotic work tool (100), the robotic work tool (100) being configured to detect that the work tool (100) is damaged or lost by detecting an irregularity utilizing the tool damage detector (162) and thereby determining that the work tool (160) is damaged or lost.