Autonomous Work Machine Vision for Non-Contact Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous work machines face difficulties in detecting and addressing non-contact issues in the work area, such as holes dug by animals, which can hinder their operation and delay trouble resolution, as they rely on physical contact for detection.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous work machine equipped with an image capturing unit and a control unit that analyzes captured images to identify failures in the work area, allowing for proactive control and management of operations without physical contact, including adjusting routes and work times to avoid or address detected issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact-based detection is used, then the work machine can detect foreign objects through physical contact, but it cannot detect non-contact issues such as holes dug by animals and response is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based detection system with an optical imaging system. The image capturing unit captures images of the work area, and the control unit analyzes these images to detect various conditions including foreign objects, holes, and other abnormalities without physical contact. This substitution enables the work machine to detect both contact and non-contact issues, significantly improving detection capability and adaptability to various events in the work area.
2Device complexity
If contact-based detection is used, then the detection mechanism is simple, but the response time is delayed as foreign objects cannot be detected unless contacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection by capturing images of the work area before the work machine physically contacts foreign objects or encounters obstacles. The control unit analyzes these images in advance to identify potential issues such as foreign objects, holes, or abnormal conditions. This preliminary action enables the work machine to plan its path and respond proactively, significantly reducing response time while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If image capturing and analysis are implemented, then the work machine can detect various failures without contact, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal image capturing and analysis system that serves multiple detection functions simultaneously. The same image capturing unit and control unit are used to detect foreign objects, holes, abnormal terrain, and other various failures in the work area. This multi-functional approach enables the work machine to detect various failures without contact while avoiding the need for multiple separate detection systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous work machine for automatically performing a work on a work area while moving in the work area, includes an image capturing unit configured to capture the work area; and a control unit configured to specify, based on an image of the work area captured by the image capturing unit, contents of a failure having occurred in the work area, and control the autonomous work machine based on the specified contents of the failure.