Patent Application
20230042864
The present disclosure relates to a control arrangement for a self-propelled robotic lawnmower. The present disclosure further relates to a self-propelled robotic lawnmower comprising a control arrangement, a method of operating a self-propelled robotic lawnmower, a computer program, and a computer-readable medium.
A self-propelled robotic lawnmower is a lawnmower capable of cutting grass in areas in an autonomous manner, i.e. without the intervention or direct control of a user. Some robotic lawnmowers require a user to set up a border wire around a lawn that defines the area to be mowed. Such robotic lawnmowers use a sensor to locate the wire and thereby the boundary of the area to be trimmed. As an alternative, or in addition, robotic lawnmowers may comprise other types of positioning units and sensors, for example sensors for detecting an event, such as a collision with an object within the area. The robotic lawnmower may move in a systematic and/or random pattern to ensure that the area is completely cut. A robotic lawnmower usually comprises one or more batteries and one or more electrically driven cutting units being powered by the one or more batteries. In some cases, the robotic lawnmower uses the wire to locate a recharging dock used to recharge the one or more batteries.
Self-propelled robotic lawnmowers are associated with some mutual problems. One such problem is energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower. Cutting grass requires a lot of energy and after a certain operational time, the one or more batteries must be recharged. Another such problem is the cutting result, which can be subdivided into visual cutting result and uniformity of cutting. The visual cutting result can be defined as the visual cutting result determined by a person viewing a mowed lawn. The uniformity of the cutting can be defined as uniformity of a length of the grass of a mowed lawn, i.e. if straws of the grass in a lawn are cut to a uniform length. Another such problem is decomposition of grass clippings. That is, grass cut by the robotic lawnmower takes time to decompose, and such grass clippings may have a negative impact on the visual cutting result and may disturb users of the lawn.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least alleviate, at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks.
According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a control arrangement for a self-propelled robotic lawnmower, the lawnmower comprising a cutting unit configured to rotate during operation of the lawnmower. The control arrangement is configured to navigate the lawnmower along a navigation path comprising adjacent mowing strokes. The control arrangement is configured to set a rotation direction of the cutting unit based on the navigation path or is configured to select the navigation path based on a rotation direction of the cutting unit.
In this manner, a control arrangement is provided capable of controlling whether grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow.
That is, the rotation direction of the cutting unit affects the side of the robotic lawnmower at which grass clippings will be thrown during cutting. Mainly, the grass clippings will be ejected along a tangent in which a leading edge of the cutting unit is moving. Thus, by setting the rotation direction of the cutting unit based on the navigation path, or selecting the navigation path based on a rotation direction of the cutting unit, a control arrangement is provided capable of controlling whether the grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow.
According to some embodiments, the control arrangement may be configured to set the rotation direction of the cutting unit based on the navigation path such that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed. Thereby, the energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower can be lowered and the cutting result can be improved. The energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower can be lowered because less force can be used to cut the grass since the cutting unit does not need to cut clippings from a previous mowing stroke. The cutting result can be improved because grass clippings ejected toward uncut areas may have a negative impact on the cutting process by flattening areas of the lawn and bending straws of grass in such areas leading to an impaired cutting result and a reduced uniformity of the length of the grass after cutting.
As an alternative, or in addition, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the control arrangement may be configured to select a navigation path based on the rotation direction of the cutting unit such that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed. Thereby, the energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower can be lowered and the cutting result can be improved. The energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower can be lowered because less force can be used to cut the grass since the cutting unit does not need to cut clippings from a previous mowing stroke. In this manner, the operational time of the robotic lawnmower can be extended before batteries of the robotic lawnmower must be recharged. The cutting result can be improved because grass clippings ejected toward uncut areas may have a negative impact on the cutting process by flattening areas of the lawn and bending straws of grass in such areas leading to an impaired cutting result and a reduced uniformity of the length of the grass after cutting.
Furthermore, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the control arrangement may be configured to set the rotation direction of the cutting unit based on the navigation path such that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow. Thereby, a more mulched cutting result can be obtained where the grass clippings are cut multiple times to provide grass clippings comprising straws of smaller size after cutting. In this manner, a faster decomposition of the grass clippings can be provided.
As an alternative, or in addition, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the control arrangement may be configured to select a navigation path based on the rotation direction of the cutting unit such that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow. Thereby, a more mulched cutting result can be obtained where the grass clippings are cut multiple times to provide grass clippings comprising straws of smaller size after cutting. In this manner, a faster decomposition of the grass clippings can be provided.
Accordingly, a control arrangement is provided overcoming, or at least alleviating, at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks. As a result, the above-mentioned object is achieved.
Optionally, the control arrangement is configured to set the rotation direction of the cutting unit based on the location of a previous adjacent mowing stroke or an upcoming adjacent mowing stroke relative to a side of the lawnmower. Thereby, a control arrangement is provided capable of controlling whether the grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow in a simple and reliable manner.
Optionally, the navigation path comprises substantially parallel adjacent mowing strokes. Thereby, a control arrangement is provided capable of navigating the robotic lawnmower in a systematic and structured manner while being capable of controlling whether the grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow.
Optionally, the control arrangement is configured to trigger a reversal of the rotation direction of the cutting unit based on the lawnmower making a degrees turn. Thereby, a control arrangement is provided capable of navigating the robotic lawnmower systematically in a back and forth manner while being capable of controlling whether the grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow.
Optionally, the control arrangement is configured to operate in a first operational mode in which the control arrangement sets a rotation direction of the cutting unit, or selects a navigation path, causing a leading edge of the cutting unit, seen in a forward travel direction, to move in a direction towards a side of the lawnmower at which a previous adjacent mowing stroke is located. Thereby, the control arrangement will, when operating in the first operational mode, ensure that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed. This because, mainly, the grass clippings will be ejected in the moving direction of the leading edge of the cutting unit. Accordingly, a control arrangement is provided capable of reducing the energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower and improving the cutting result.
Optionally, the control arrangement is configured to operate in a second operational mode in which the control arrangement sets a rotation direction of the cutting unit, or selects a navigation path, causing a leading edge of the cutting unit, seen in a forward travel direction, to move in a direction away from a side of the lawnmower at which a previous adjacent mowing stroke is located. Thereby, the control arrangement will, when operating in the second operational mode, ensure that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower most likely will mow. This because, mainly, the grass clippings will be ejected in the moving direction of the leading edge of the cutting unit. Accordingly, a control arrangement is provided capable of obtaining a more mulched cutting result.
Optionally, the lawnmower comprises an input unit, and wherein the control arrangement is controllable to operate in one of the first and second operational modes based on data from the input unit. Thereby, a control arrangement is provided allowing a selection between the first and second operational modes based on data from the input unit, and thereby also a selection between a more mulched cutting result and a lowered energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower and an improved cutting result based on data from the input unit.
According to some embodiments, the input unit comprises a unit allowing input from a user, such as a button, switch, touch sensitive display, or the like. According to such embodiments, the control arrangement thus allows a user to select between the first and second operational modes.
As an alternative, or in addition, the input unit may comprise a communication unit configured to receive data from an external communication unit. According to such embodiments, the control arrangement thus allows a wireless selection between the first and second operational modes by a user or by an external control system.
As a further alternative, or in addition, the input unit may be configured to obtain operational data from other components or systems of the robotic lawnmower, such as one or more batteries of the robotic lawnmower or a navigation control arrangement of the robotic lawnmower. According to such embodiments, the control arrangement may be configured to determine whether to operate in the first and second operational modes based on such operational data.
Optionally, the control arrangement is configured to further set the rotation direction of the cutting unit, or select the navigation path, based on data representative of at least one of an energy level of a battery of the lawnmower and an estimated energy consumption for mowing along the navigation path. Thereby, a control arrangement is provided capable of determining whether to operate the robotic lawnmower in a mode providing a more mulched cutting result or to operate in a mode providing a lowered energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower and an improved cutting result based on data representative of at least one of an energy level of a battery of the lawnmower and an estimated energy consumption for mowing along the navigation path. As an example, the control arrangement may be configured set the rotation direction of the cutting unit, or select a navigation path, ensuring that the grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed if the data indicates a low energy level of the battery of the lawnmower and/or a high estimated energy consumption for mowing along the navigation path. In this manner, the energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower can be reduced, and the operational time of the robotic lawnmower can be extended before batteries of the robotic lawnmower must be recharged.
Optionally, the lawnmower comprises a second cutting unit configured to rotate during operation of the lawnmower, and wherein the control arrangement is configured to set a rotation direction of the second cutting unit based on the navigation path, or is configured to select the navigation path based on a rotation direction of the second cutting unit. Thereby, a control arrangement is provided capable of controlling whether the grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow by setting the rotation direction of the second cutting unit based on the navigation path, or selecting the navigation path based on the rotation direction of the second cutting unit.
According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a self-propelled robotic lawnmower comprising a control arrangement according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In this manner, a robotic lawnmower is provided capable of controlling whether grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow.
Accordingly, a self-propelled robotic lawnmower is provided overcoming, or at least alleviating, at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks. As a result, the above-mentioned object is achieved.
According to a third aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method of operating a self-propelled robotic lawnmower, the lawnmower comprising a cutting unit configured to rotate during operation of the lawnmower, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
In this manner, a method is provided capable of controlling whether grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow.
That is, the rotation direction of the cutting unit affects the side of the robotic lawnmower at which grass clippings will be thrown during cutting. Mainly, the grass clippings will be ejected along a tangent in which a leading edge of the cutting unit is moving. Thus, by setting the rotation direction of the cutting unit based on the navigation path, or selecting the navigation path based on a rotation direction of the cutting unit, a method is provided capable of controlling whether the grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow.
According to some embodiments, the method may be configured to set the rotation direction of the cutting unit based on the navigation path such that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed. Thereby, the energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower can be lowered and the cutting result can be improved. The energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower can be lowered because less force can be used to cut the grass because the cutting unit does not need to cut clippings from a previous mowing stroke. The cutting result can be improved because grass clippings ejected toward uncut areas may have a negative impact on the cutting process by flattening areas of the lawn and bending straws of grass in such areas leading to an impaired cutting result and a reduced uniformity of the length of the grass after cutting.
As an alternative, or in addition, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may be configured to select a navigation path based on the rotation direction of the cutting unit such that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed. Thereby, the energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower can be lowered and the cutting result can be improved. The energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower can be lowered because less force can be used to cut the grass because the cutting unit does not need to cut clippings from a previous mowing stroke. In this manner, the operational time of the robotic lawnmower can be extended before batteries of the robotic lawnmower must be recharged. The cutting result can be improved because grass clippings ejected toward uncut areas may have a negative impact on the cutting process by flattening areas of the lawn and bending straws of grass in such areas leading to an impaired cutting result and a reduced uniformity of the length of the grass after cutting.
Furthermore, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may be configured to set the rotation direction of the cutting unit based on the navigation path such that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow. Thereby, a more mulched cutting result can be obtained where the grass clippings are cut multiple times to provide grass clippings comprising straws of smaller size after cutting. In this manner, a faster decomposition of the grass clippings can be provided.
As an alternative, or in addition, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may be configured to select a navigation path based on the rotation direction of the cutting unit such that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow. Thereby, a more mulched cutting result can be obtained where the grass clippings are cut multiple times to provide grass clippings comprising straws of smaller size after cutting. In this manner, a faster decomposition of the grass clippings can be provided.
Accordingly, a method is provided overcoming, or at least alleviating, at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks. As a result, the above-mentioned object is achieved.
Optionally, the method comprises:
- setting the rotation direction of the cutting unit based on the location of a previous adjacent mowing stroke or an upcoming adjacent mowing stroke relative to a side of the lawnmower.
Thereby, a method is provided capable of controlling whether the grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow in a simple and reliable manner.
Optionally, the method further comprises:
- triggering a reversal of the rotation direction of the cutting unit based on the lawnmower making a degrees turn.
Thereby, a method is provided capable of navigating the robotic lawnmower systematically in a back and forth manner while being capable of controlling whether the grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower will mow.
Optionally, the method further comprises, in a first operational mode:
Thereby, the method will, when operating in the first operational mode, ensure that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed. This because, mainly, the grass clippings will be ejected in the moving direction of the leading edge of the cutting unit. Accordingly, a method is provided capable of reducing the energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower and improving the cutting result.
Optionally, the method further comprises, in a second operational mode:
Thereby, the method will, when operating in the second operational mode, ensure that grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower most likely will mow. This because, mainly, the grass clippings will be ejected in the moving direction of the leading edge of the cutting unit. Accordingly, a method is provided capable of obtaining a more mulched cutting result.
Optionally, the lawnmower comprises an input unit, and wherein the method comprises:
- selecting between one of the first and second operational modes based on data from the input unit.
Thereby, a method is provided allowing a selection between the first and second operational modes based on data from the input unit, and thereby also a selection between a more mulched cutting result and a lowered energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower and an improved cutting result based on data from the input unit.
Optionally, the method comprises:
Thereby, a method is provided capable of determining whether to operate the robotic lawnmower in a mode providing a more mulched cutting result or to operate in a mode providing a lowered energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower and an improved cutting result based on data representative of at least one of an energy level of a battery of the lawnmower and an estimated energy consumption for mowing along the navigation path. As an example, the method may be configured set the rotation direction of the cutting unit, or select a navigation path, ensuring that the grass clippings are ejected toward the side of the robotic lawnmower where the robotic lawnmower has already mowed if the data indicates a low energy level of the battery of the lawnmower and/or a high estimated energy consumption for mowing along the navigation path. In this manner, the energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower can be reduced, and the operational time of the robotic lawnmower can be extended before batteries of the robotic lawnmower must be recharged.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Since the computer program comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to some embodiments, a computer program is provided which provides conditions for overcoming, or at least alleviating, at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks. As a result, the above-mentioned object is achieved.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Since the computer-readable medium comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to some embodiments, a computer-readable medium is provided which provides conditions for overcoming, or at least alleviating, at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks. As a result, the above-mentioned object is achieved.
Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description.
Various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the example embodiments discussed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:
Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
The robotic lawnmower 3 comprises a cutting unit 5 configured to rotate around a rotation axis ax during operation of the lawnmower 3. The robotic lawnmower 3 may comprise an electric motor configured to rotate the cutting unit 5 during operation of the lawnmower 3. The electric motor is not illustrated in
The robotic lawnmower 3 further comprises a control arrangement 1. The control arrangement 1 is configured to navigate the robotic lawnmower 3 along a navigation path 7 comprising adjacent mowing strokes S, Sp, Su. The control arrangement 1 may navigate the robotic lawnmower 3 by controlling rotation of one or more wheels of the robotic lawnmower 3. The control arrangement 1 may be configured to control rotation of the one or more wheels by controlling the power and direction of one or more propulsion motors. According to further embodiments, the robotic lawnmower 3 may comprise one or more steered wheels. According to such embodiments, the control arrangement 1 may be configured to turn, steer, and navigate the robotic lawnmower 3 by controlling a steering angle of the one or more steered wheels. Moreover, according to some embodiments, the robotic lawnmower 3 may comprise articulated body portions. According to such embodiments, the control arrangement 1 may be configured to turn, steer, and navigate the robotic lawnmower 3 by controlling an angle between the articulated body portions.
The control arrangement 1 may be configured to navigate the robotic lawnmower 3 along the navigation path 7 using input from a sensor arrangement. Such a sensor arrangement may comprise one or more positioning units configured to estimate a current position of the robotic lawnmower 3, such as for example a space based satellite navigation system such as a Global Positioning System (GPS), The Russian GLObal NAvigation Satellite System (GLONASS), European Union Galileo positioning system, Chinese Compass navigation system, or Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System. As an alternative, or in addition, the sensor arrangement may comprise one or more positioning units utilizing a local reference source, such as a local sender or a wire, to estimate or verify a current position of the robotic lawnmower 3. Moreover, such a sensor arrangement may comprise one or more impact sensors configured to detect collision events between the robotic lawnmower 3 and another object.
According to embodiments herein, the control arrangement 1 is configured to set a rotation direction r1, r2 of the cutting unit 5 based on the navigation path 7 or is configured to select the navigation path 7 based on a rotation direction r1, r2 of the cutting unit 5. According to the embodiments illustrated in
The rotation direction r1, r2 of the cutting unit affects the side s1, s2 of the robotic lawnmower 3 at which grass clippings will be thrown during cutting. Mainly, the grass clippings will be ejected along a tangent of a moving direction d1, d2 of a leading edge 5' of the cutting unit 5 seen in a forward travel direction fd. The forward travel direction fd of the robotic lawnmower 3 coincides with a longitudinal direction of the robotic lawnmower 3. The moving direction d1, d2 of the leading edge 5' of the cutting unit 5 seen in the forward travel direction fd thus coincides with a lateral direction of the robotic lawnmower 3. Accordingly, by setting the rotation direction r1, r2 of the cutting unit 5 based on the navigation path 7 or by selecting the navigation path 7 based on a rotation direction r1, r2 of the cutting unit 5, a control arrangement 1 is provided capable of controlling whether the grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side s1 of the robotic lawnmower 3 where the robotic lawnmower 3 has already mowed or if grass clippings are to be ejected toward the side s2 of the robotic lawnmower 3 where the robotic lawnmower 3 will mow. In other words, by setting the rotation direction r1, r2 of the cutting unit 5 based on the navigation path 7, or by selecting the navigation path 7 based on a rotation direction r1, r2 of the cutting unit 5, the control arrangement 1 can control whether the grass clippings are to be ejected toward the previous mowing stroke Sp or toward the upcoming mowing stroke Su.
By ejecting the grass clippings toward the previous mowing stroke Sp, the energy consumption of the robotic lawnmower 3 can be lowered and the cutting result can be improved. By ejecting the grass clippings toward the upcoming mowing stroke Su, a more mulched cutting result can be obtained.
The control arrangement 1 may be configured to select the navigation path 7 based on a rotation direction r1, r2 of the cutting unit 5 such that a navigation path 7 is selected ensuring that grass clippings are ejected toward a previous mowing stroke Sp, or such that grass clippings are ejected toward an upcoming mowing stroke Su. As an example, if the rotation direction r1 of the cutting unit 5 is in a clockwise rotation direction r1 seen from above, the control arrangement 1 may select a navigation path 7 in which the robotic lawnmower 3 moves in a spiral pattern counterclockwise towards a centre of the spiral pattern. Such a navigation path 7 is illustrated in
According to some embodiments, the control arrangement 1 is configured to trigger a reversal of the rotation direction r1, r2 of the cutting unit 5 based on the lawnmower 3 making a 180 degrees turn St. In this manner, the control arrangement 1 can ensure that grass clippings are ejected toward a previous mowing stroke Sp, or to toward an upcoming mowing stroke Sp, also when the robotic lawnmower 3 is navigating along a navigation path 7 comprising a back and forth pattern comprising substantially parallel adjacent mowing strokes S, Sp, Su.
According to some embodiments, the control arrangement 1 is configured to operate in a first operational mode in which the control arrangement 1 sets a rotation direction r1 of the cutting unit 5, or selects a navigation path 7, causing a leading edge 5' of the cutting unit 5, seen in a forward travel direction fd, to move in a direction d1 towards a side s1 of the lawnmower 3 at which a previous adjacent mowing stroke Sp is located.
Moreover, the control arrangement 1 may be configured to operate in a second operational mode in which the control arrangement 1 sets a rotation direction r2 of the cutting unit 5, or selects a navigation path 7, causing a leading edge 5' of the cutting unit 5, seen in a forward travel direction fd, to move in a direction d2 away from a side s1 of the lawnmower 3 at which a previous adjacent mowing stroke Sp is located.
When the robotic lawnmower 3 illustrated in
When the robotic lawnmower 3 illustrated in
According to the illustrated embodiments, the lawnmower 3 comprises an input unit 11. The control arrangement 1 is controllable to operate in one of the first and second operational modes based on data from the input unit 11.
According to some embodiments, the input unit 11 may comprise a unit allowing input from a user, such as a button, switch, touch sensitive display, or the like. According to such embodiments, the control arrangement may allow a user to select between the first and second operational modes.
As an alternative, or in addition, the input unit 11 may comprise a communication unit configured to receive data from an external communication unit. According to such embodiments, the control arrangement may allow a wireless selection between the first and second operational modes by a user or by an external control system.
As a further alternative, or in addition, the input unit 11 may be configured to obtain operational data from other components or systems of the robotic lawnmower 3, such as one or more batteries 9 of the robotic lawnmower 3, or a navigation control arrangement 1 of the robotic lawnmower 3. According to such embodiments, the control arrangement 1 may be configured to determine whether to operate in the first and second operational modes based on such operational data. According to some embodiments, the input unit 11 is a data input unit 11. According to such embodiments, the input unit 11 may also be referred to as a data input unit 11.
According to some embodiments, the control arrangement 1 is configured to further set the rotation direction r1, r2 of the cutting unit 5, 6, or select the navigation path 7, based on data representative of at least one of an energy level of a battery 9 of the lawnmower 3 and an estimated energy consumption for mowing along the navigation path 7. According to such embodiments, the control arrangement 1 may set a rotation direction r1 of the cutting unit 5, or may select a navigation path 7, causing a leading edge 5' of the cutting unit 5, seen in a forward travel direction fd, to move in a direction d1 towards a side s1 of the lawnmower 3 at which a previous adjacent mowing stroke Sp is located, if the energy level of the battery 9 is below a threshold value or if the estimated energy consumption for mowing along the navigation path 7 exceeds a threshold value.
According to these embodiments, wherein the control arrangement 1 is configured to set a rotation direction r1, r2 of the first and second cutting unit 5, 6 based on the navigation path 7, or is configured to select the navigation path 7 based on a rotation direction r1, r2 of the first and second cutting unit 5, 6. Moreover, according to these embodiments, first and second cutting unit 5, 6 are rotated in the same rotational direction r1, r2. As an example, if the robotic lawnmower 3 according to the illustrated embodiments is operating in the first operational mode and the robotic lawnmower 3 is navigated along the navigation path 7 illustrated in
A cutting unit 5, 6, as referred to herein, may comprise a cutting disc with a number of cutting members arranged at a periphery of the cutting disc. The cutting members may be pivotally arranged at the periphery of the cutting disc. As an alternative, a cutting unit 5, 6, as referred to herein, may comprise an elongated cutting arm provided with cutting edges.
As illustrated in
Moreover, as illustrated in
Moreover, as illustrated in
Furthermore, as illustrated in
According to some embodiments, the lawnmower 3 comprises an input unit 11, and as illustrated in
Moreover, as illustrated in
It will be appreciated that the various embodiments described for the method 100 are all combinable with the control arrangement 1 as described herein. That is, the control arrangement 1 may be configured to perform any one of the method steps 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 120, 124, 125, 126, and 130 of the method 100.
According to some embodiments, the computer-readable medium 200 comprises a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method 100 according to some embodiments.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the method 100 of operating a self-propelled robotic lawnmower 3 may be implemented by programmed instructions. These programmed instructions are typically constituted by a computer program, which, when it is executed in the control arrangement 1, ensures that the control arrangement 1 carries out the desired control, such as the method steps 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 120, 124, 125, 126, and 130 described herein. The computer program is usually part of a computer program product 200 which comprises a suitable digital storage medium on which the computer program is stored.
The control arrangement 1 may comprise a calculation unit which may take the form of substantially any suitable type of processor circuit or microcomputer, e.g. a circuit for digital signal processing (digital signal processor, DSP), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processing circuit, a processor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic that may interpret and execute instructions. The herein utilised expression “calculation unit” may represent a processing circuitry comprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, e.g., any, some or all of the ones mentioned above.
The control arrangement 1 may further comprise a memory unit, wherein the calculation unit may be connected to the memory unit, which may provide the calculation unit with, for example, stored program code and/or stored data which the calculation unit may need to enable it to do calculations. The calculation unit may also be adapted to store partial or final results of calculations in the memory unit. The memory unit may comprise a physical device utilised to store data or programs, i.e., sequences of instructions, on a temporary or permanent basis. According to some embodiments, the memory unit may comprise integrated circuits comprising silicon-based transistors. The memory unit may comprise e.g. a memory card, a flash memory, a USB memory, a hard disc, or another similar volatile or non-volatile storage unit for storing data such as e.g. ROM (Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), etc. in different embodiments.
The control arrangement 1 is connected to components of the robotic lawnmower 3 for receiving and/or sending input and output signals. These input and output signals may comprise waveforms, pulses, or other attributes which the input signal receiving devices can detect as information and which can be converted to signals processable by the control arrangement 1. These signals may then be supplied to the calculation unit. One or more output signal sending devices may be arranged to convert calculation results from the calculation unit to output signals for conveying to other parts of the robotic lawnmower’s control system and/or the component or components for which the signals are intended. Each of the connections to the respective components of the robotic lawnmower 3 for receiving and sending input and output signals may take the form of one or more from among a cable, a data bus, e.g. a CAN (controller area network) bus, or some other bus configuration, or a wireless connection.
In the embodiments illustrated, the robotic lawnmower 3 comprises a control arrangement 1 but might alternatively be implemented wholly or partly in two or more control arrangements or two or more control units.
The computer program product 200 may be provided for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing at least some of the method steps 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 120, 124, 125, 126, and 130 according to some embodiments when being loaded into one or more calculation units of the control arrangement 1. The data carrier may be, e.g. a CD ROM disc, as is illustrated in
It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and that the invention is defined only by the appended claims. A person skilled in the art will realize that the example embodiments may be modified, and that different features of the example embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.
As used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements, steps, components, or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions, or groups thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2050119-3 | Feb 2020 | SE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/051541 | 1/25/2021 | WO |
