System comprising a manually guided soil working implement, an exclusively automatically operated soil working implement and a computing device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soil cultivation systems lack an efficient method to determine which areas are suitable for manual or automatic processing, leading to suboptimal use of resources and increased user effort, as they do not effectively differentiate between areas that can be handled by manually guided or automatically operated devices based on environmental parameters.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a manually operated and an automatically operated soil cultivation device, where a computing device uses data from a detection device to assess environmental parameters and assign suitable areas for processing, allowing the system to determine which areas can be processed by either device, thereby optimizing processing strategies and reducing manual effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If all areas are processed by the automatically operated device, then automation extent is improved, but the device cannot handle areas with unsuitable parameters (e.g., obstacles, inappropriate surface types)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation extentVSAvoidarea suitability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the working area into multiple partial areas based on detected parameters. The computing device divides the environment into zones that are suitable for automatic processing and zones that require manual intervention, allowing each segment to be handled by the appropriate device type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically assigns areas to different devices based on real-time parameter detection. The classification of areas as suitable or unsuitable for automatic processing is not static but can change based on environmental conditions, enabling flexible adaptation to varying workspace requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the system uses detailed parameter detection and area classification, then processing optimization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device performs multiple functions: it detects parameters, classifies areas, determines suitability for automatic processing, and coordinates both automatic and manual devices. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single coordinating unit rather than requiring separate complex systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The computing device acts as an intermediary between the detection devices and the soil cultivation devices. It processes detection data, makes decisions about area suitability, and translates these decisions into appropriate device assignments, simplifying the overall system architecture through a central coordinating intelligence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the manually operated device processes all areas, then adaptability to different area types is improved, but user effort and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearea handling capabilityVSAvoiduser effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of areas using the detection device and computing device before actual soil cultivation begins. By pre-identifying which areas are suitable for automatic processing, the system prepares the work distribution in advance, allowing the automatic device to take over appropriate tasks without delaying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3733037B1System comprising a manually guided soil working implement, an exclusively automatically operated soil working implement and a computing device
Publication Date: 2022.01.12 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3733037B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3733037B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3733037B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system comprising a first soil cultivation device (1) manually operated by a user within an environment, a second soil cultivation device (2) operated exclusively automatically, and a computing device (3), wherein the first soil cultivation device (1) has a detection device (4) for detecting a parameter of the environment and/or an area to be cultivated, and wherein the second soil cultivation device (2) has a navigation device (5) for navigation and self-localization in the environment.In order to enable optimal soil cultivation of the surrounding area with as little intervention from the user as possible, it is proposed that the computing device (3) be set up to determine, on the basis of the parameter detected by the detection device (4) of the first soil cultivation device (1), whether a certain area sub-area (6, 7, 8) of the area to be cultivated is suitable for soil cultivation by the second soil cultivation device (2).