Robotic Mower Stuck Detection System
First Claim
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1. A robotic mower stuck detection system, comprising:
- a boundary sensor on the robotic mower that senses distance to a boundary wire;
an accelerometer on the robotic mower that senses contact between the robotic mower and an obstacle;
a vehicle control unit on the robotic mower connected to the boundary sensor and the accelerometer; and
a timer that the vehicle control unit resets each time the boundary sensor senses zero distance to the boundary wire or the accelerometer senses contact with an obstacle;
the vehicle control unit executing a stuck vehicle task if the timer exceeds a specified maximum time without being reset.
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Abstract
A robotic mower stuck detection system includes a boundary sensor on the robotic mower that can detect when the robotic mower reaches a boundary wire, an accelerometer on the robotic mower that can detect when the robotic mower encounters an obstacle; and a vehicle control unit on the robotic mower having a timer that is reset each time the robotic mower reaches a boundary wire or encounters an obstacle; and executes a stuck vehicle task if the timer exceeds a specified maximum time without being reset.
39 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A robotic mower stuck detection system, comprising:
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a boundary sensor on the robotic mower that senses distance to a boundary wire; an accelerometer on the robotic mower that senses contact between the robotic mower and an obstacle; a vehicle control unit on the robotic mower connected to the boundary sensor and the accelerometer; and a timer that the vehicle control unit resets each time the boundary sensor senses zero distance to the boundary wire or the accelerometer senses contact with an obstacle;
the vehicle control unit executing a stuck vehicle task if the timer exceeds a specified maximum time without being reset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A robotic mower stuck detection system, comprising:
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a vehicle control unit commanding a traction drive system on the robotic mower to execute a plurality of types of area coverage; the vehicle control unit commanding the robotic mower to execute a stuck vehicle task instead of any type of area coverage in the absence of a signal to the vehicle control unit within a specified period of time from a boundary sensor indicating the robotic mower has reached a boundary wire or from an accelerometer indicating the robotic mower has contacted an obstacle. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A robotic mower stuck detection system, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors on the robotic mower, including at least one boundary sensor and an obstacle sensor; a vehicle control unit connected to the plurality of sensors and commanding the robotic mower to reverse and turn around when one of the sensors indicates the robotic mower has reached a boundary or an obstacle; the vehicle control unit commanding the robotic mower to execute a stuck vehicle task if a timer on the vehicle control unit exceeds a specified maximum time without reversing and turning around. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification