Autonomous Working Machine Loading With Bridge Plate Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machine loading and unloading systems require manual operator intervention to ensure safety and reliability, as preconditions such as appropriate loading location, bridge plate position, and truck loading space must be manually verified, leading to increased operator workload and potential safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A transport system equipped with sensors and a communication device that automatically determines the feasibility of loading or unloading an agricultural machine onto a transport vehicle by sensing surroundings and adjusting bridge plates based on vehicle size information, enabling autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic travel loading is implemented, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to safety concerns when preconditions are not satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The transport determiner performs preliminary verification of loading preconditions (loading space, bridge plate position and inclination, road conditions) before initiating automatic travel loading. This advance checking ensures that all safety requirements are met before the working machine begins automatic movement, preventing unsafe operations while maintaining productivity benefits.
2Reliability
If manual verification of preconditions is required, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased operator workload
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system performs self-verification of loading preconditions through the transport determiner, which automatically checks loading space, bridge plate position and inclination, and road conditions without operator intervention. The system also self-adjusts bridge plate positions based on working machine size information, eliminating manual verification workload while maintaining safety and reliability.
3Ease of operation
If automatic determination of loading feasibility is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and communication devices
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and communication device are designed with multi-functionality to minimize system complexity. The sensor detects multiple parameters (bridge plate position, road conditions, loading space) using a single device, and the communication device handles multiple communication tasks (transmitting working machine size information, receiving bridge plate adjustment commands, transmitting loading feasibility determination results), reducing the number of components needed.
4Productivity
If bridge plate adjustment is automated, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The transport determiner continuously monitors bridge plate position and inclination through sensor feedback, comparing actual positions against target positions calculated based on working machine size information. When deviations are detected, the system automatically commands the adjustment mechanism to correct positions, enabling precise and efficient bridge plate positioning that improves loading productivity while maintaining manageable system complexity through intelligent control.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport system includes a sensor to sense surroundings of a working machine configured to perform automatic operation, the sensor being provided in or on the working machine, a transport determiner configured or programmed to determine whether it is possible to load the working machine onto and/or unload the working machine from a transport vehicle based on the surroundings of the working machine sensed by the sensor. The transport system includes a communication device provided in or on the working machine and configured or programmed to transmit information relating to loading and/or unloading of the working machine onto and/or from the transport vehicle.