Virtual Boundary Closure for Autonomous Lawn Mowers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous mobile mowing apparatuses face inefficiencies and lawn damage during boundary closure due to inaccurate positioning, requiring repeated adjustments and manual guidance, which reduces efficiency and damages the lawn.

Innovation Solution

A method for constructing a virtual boundary using boundary closing conditions that include thresholds for distance, minimal bounding rectangle size, and orientation to ensure accurate and efficient closure, eliminating the need for manual guidance and reducing lawn damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual guidance is used for boundary closure, then the autonomous mobile mowing apparatus can be controlled to establish a virtual boundary, but the operation requirements of the user are increased and the efficiency of boundary closure is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation requirementsVSAvoidboundary closure efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous mobile mowing apparatus automatically detects loop closure and performs boundary closure operations without requiring continuous manual guidance. The system uses its own sensor data and positioning information to autonomously determine when the boundary is closed and executes the closure process, making the system self-sufficient and reducing user intervention requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors its positioning data and compares the current position with the starting position to detect loop closure. This feedback mechanism allows the apparatus to automatically recognize when the boundary closure condition is met and triggers the appropriate response, eliminating the need for constant manual oversight and improving closure efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If the autonomous mobile mowing apparatus performs repeated position adjustments to close the boundary, then the virtual boundary can be established, but the lawn is repeatedly rolled and damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboundary closure accuracyVSAvoidlawn damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of loop closure conditions by continuously monitoring positioning data before executing boundary closure. By anticipating the closure condition in advance and preparing the appropriate response, the system avoids unnecessary repeated adjustments and prevents lawn damage that would result from multiple roll-over operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical guidance and repeated physical adjustments with an automated electronic control system that uses sensor feedback and algorithmic decision-making. This substitution eliminates the need for repeated mechanical adjustments that cause lawn damage while maintaining high boundary closure accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a small threshold is used for boundary closure detection, then the positioning accuracy requirement is reduced, but the boundary closure efficiency decreases due to insufficient accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidboundary closure efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the threshold parameter for boundary closure detection based on the actual positioning accuracy and loop closure conditions. By optimizing the threshold value to match the sensor capabilities and operational context, the system achieves both accurate boundary closure and high efficiency, avoiding the trade-off between threshold size and closure performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4425291B1Method for constructing virtual boundary, autonomous mobile mowing apparatus, and user terminal
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 WILLAND (BEIJING) TECH CO LTD
  • EP4425291B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4425291B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4425291B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for constructing a virtual boundary, an autonomous mobile mowing apparatus, and a user terminal. The method includes: controlling the autonomous mobile mowing apparatus to travel within a to-be-processed region from a starting point for map construction, and recording a position of the autonomous mobile mowing apparatus; and outputting a virtual boundary map when a boundary closing condition is satisfied