Back to results
US 12,213,393 B2Granted
Agricultural weed removal system
AssigneeGreentech Robotics Limited
InventorDonald H. Sandbrook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for efficient targeting or removal of weeds or other plants. The apparatus may include a vehicle having a frame, a motor and a plurality of ground engaging members adapted to propel the vehicle over a surface. It may also include a robotic arm comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the frame, and an implement, such as a tool or hoe connected to the distal portion of the robotic arm. The implement can be raised and lowered, and also moved relative to the surface by the robotic arm by pivoting or rotating the robotic arm at or near the proximal portion.
Claims14
A weed removal apparatus, comprising:
- a robotic arm coupled to a frame of a vehicle that has a plurality of ground engaging members that move the vehicle over a surface, wherein the robotic arm includes:
- an upper member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first length;
- a lower member positioned in parallel with the upper member, the lower member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a second length that is longer than the first length;
- a member oriented at a non-vertical angle relative to the surface to which the distal end of the upper member and the distal end of the lower member are pivotally coupled;
- and
- an actuator to which the proximal end of the upper member and the proximal end of the lower member are pivotally coupled;
- and
- a weed-removal implement connected to the member and having a beveled cutting edge;
- wherein the weed-removal implement is raised above the surface and lowered below the surface by the actuator of the robotic arm enabling the beveled cutting edge of the weed-removal implement to cut a root of the weed as the vehicle moves over the surface.
6 more elements
A weed removal apparatus, comprising:
- a robotic arm comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a frame of a vehicle having a plurality of ground engaging members that move the vehicle over a surface;
- a first actuator coupled to the proximal portion of the robotic arm, wherein the first actuator raises and lowers the distal portion of the robotic arm;
- a second actuator coupled to the proximal portion of the robotic arm, wherein the second actuator rotates the robotic arm;
- and
- a weed-removal implement connected to the distal portion of the robotic arm and having a beveled cutting edge;
- wherein the weed-removal implement is raised and lowered in a first plane by the first actuator;
- wherein the weed-removal implement is moved in a second plane by the second actuator;
- and
- wherein the weed-removal implement is raised above the surface and lowered below the surface by the actuator of the robotic arm enabling the beveled cutting edge of the weed-removal implement to cut a root of the weed as the vehicle moves over the surface.
6 more elements
A weed removal apparatus, comprising:
- a robotic arm comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a frame of a vehicle that includes a motor and a plurality of ground engaging member that propel the vehicle over a surface, wherein the robotic arm comprises an upper member and a lower member, the upper member and the lower member pivotally coupled to the frame at the proximal portion and pivotally connected to a connecting member at the distal portion such that the upper member and the lower member remain parallel to each other when the robotic arm is raised and lowered;
- a tool having a flat ring shape coupled to a shaft that is rotationally, connected to the connecting member, wherein the tool includes a beveled cutting edge;
- a controller operably coupled to the robotic arm and to a sensor that senses the presence of a weed;
- a first actuator coupled to the proximal portion of the robotic arm, wherein the first actuator raises and lowers the distal portion of the robotic arm as commanded by the controller to remove the weed;
- and
- a second actuator coupled to the proximal portion of the robotic arm, wherein the second actuator rotates the robotic arm as commanded by the controller to remove the weed;
- wherein the tool is raised and lowered in a first plane by the first actuator;
- wherein the tool is moved in a second plane by the second actuator;
- wherein an angle of the connecting member relative to the surface does not change when the robotic arm is raised and lowered;
- and
- wherein the weed-removal implement is raised above the surface and lowered below the surface by the actuator of the robotic arm enabling the beveled cutting edge of the weed-removal implement to cut a root of the weed as the vehicle moves over the surface.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.