Autonomous Work Machine Charging Timing Control for Shared Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
When multiple autonomous work machines operate in a single area and share a single charging station, their charging timings can overlap, leading to a charging wait state and reduced work efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a control apparatus capable of obtaining power information from each autonomous work machine and adjusting their charging timings to prevent matching, either by changing the threshold for returning to the charging station or altering their power consumption, ensuring that each machine charges at a unique time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple autonomous work machines share one charging station, then device complexity is reduced, but charging wait states occur and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus obtains power information from each autonomous work machine in advance and determines charging timings before the machines actually need charging. This preliminary scheduling prevents multiple machines from arriving at the charging station simultaneously, eliminating wait states while maintaining a single charging station configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus continuously monitors power information (battery levels) from each autonomous work machine and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust and determine optimal charging timings. This feedback mechanism ensures that charging schedules are adapted to actual machine needs, preventing conflicts and maximizing productivity.
2Reliability
If autonomous work machines return to charging station when power decreases, then reliability is maintained, but charging wait states occur and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of waiting for battery levels to deplete to a critical threshold, the control apparatus proactively determines charging timings based on obtained power information before machines actually need charging. This advance scheduling ensures reliability is maintained while eliminating idle wait time at the charging station.
Solution Approach 2:
Each autonomous work machine reports its own power information to the control apparatus, which then autonomously determines the charging schedule. The system serves itself by using the machines' own operational data to optimize their charging times without requiring manual intervention or causing conflicts.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system including a charging station, a plurality of autonomous work machines, and a control apparatus configured to control the plurality of autonomous work machines, wherein the control apparatus comprises: an obtain unit configured to obtaining power information of each autonomous work machine; and a control unit configured to control each autonomous work machine based on the power information such that charging timings of the autonomous work machines at the charging station do not match each other.