Autonomous Work Vehicle Brake Verification Before Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous work vehicles, such as tractors, face challenges with the reliability of their emergency brake operation systems during extended autonomous driving periods, as these systems may not operate normally due to lack of use, leading to potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a foot brake system with an electric actuator and a control unit that performs an operation confirmation process to ensure the brake's normal functioning before transitioning from manual to autonomous drive mode, using sensors to detect the brake's operation and applying a valid period determination process to regularly check the brake's functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the work vehicle is configured for autonomous driving without frequent manual operation, then automation capability is improved, but the brake operation system may not operate normally due to lack of use
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs an operation confirmation process before allowing transition to autonomous drive mode. This preliminary check activates the brake operation system under manual control to confirm normal functioning, ensuring the system is ready for autonomous operation without requiring frequent manual use during autonomous driving.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the operation state of the brake system through sensors and provides feedback to determine whether the brake operation is normal. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect abnormalities and prevent autonomous driving when brake reliability is compromised, resolving the contradiction between automation and reliability.
2Reliability
If the operation confirmation process is performed frequently to ensure brake reliability, then brake system reliability is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation confirmation process is performed once before transitioning to autonomous drive mode, rather than continuously during autonomous operation. This preliminary verification ensures brake reliability while minimizing the complexity and computational burden of the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically monitors brake operation status through integrated sensors and performs self-diagnosis during the operation confirmation process. This self-service approach ensures reliability without requiring additional complex external monitoring systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention makes it possible to avoid the risk of a brake operation system for emergency stopping not operating normally during autonomous travel of a work vehicle. A work vehicle is provided with: a foot brake for braking left and right rear wheels; an autonomous travel unit that enables autonomous travel of the vehicle; and an electric actuator for switching the foot brake between a braking state and a release state. The autonomous travel unit comprises a control unit for controlling the operation of the electric actuator. When an autonomous travel mode is selected by human operation of a mode selection unit, the control unit performs operation verification processing in which it is verified by operation control of the electric actuator whether the foot brake is operating normally, and when it is verified that the foot brake is operating normally in the operation verification processing, said control unit transitions to a completed operation verification state and allows the travel mode to transition from a manual travel mode to the autonomous travel mode.