AgroBot Tool



Principle of the AgroBot Tool
The tool works on the principle of undermining. The blade moves just below the soil surface and cuts the weed plants in the root tip zone. The cut plants remain on the surface and are exposed to the sun.
The system consists of two tools, one on each side of the row. The knives cover the entire width of the robot. Each of the blades has its own drive motor that rotates them to bypass a circular area that the machine vision system marks as the protected area of the beneficial plant.
The knives can bypass the useful plant even if the plant is not exactly under the longitudinal axis of the robot.
The tool is not fixedly mounted on the robot platform, but has one degree of freedom, in height. In order for the knives to always be directly below the surface of the ground, the tool is on its two wheels that copy the soil.
The front of the knives is sharpened and cuts through the ground at an angle.
The center of the axis of rotation of the blades is in the middle of the blades.


Description of the AgroBot Tool
Based on the conceptual solution, a tool was constructed and designed using computer three-dimensional modeling tools. An integral part of the tool are drive motors for turning the knife and lifting the tool. A wheel mounted on the tool is used to copy the soil and ensures that the knife is always at a defined depth below the soil surface. The depth of the blade in relation to the soil surface is adjustable.
The tool moves freely along the vertical axis thanks to the rolling guide.
The blade is easily removed from the tool for sharpening or replacement. With the dismountable mechanism, the knife can be removed simply, with one stroke of the hand, without additional tools, and can also be returned to the tool.
An integral part of the tool are motor drivers and a microcontroller. The microcontroller receives information from the central controller and controls the rotation and raising and lowering of the tool. It is connected to the central controller by a single cable that provides communication and power supply.