Autonomous Work Vehicle Travel Mode Retention After Interruptions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems require operators to perform manual operations to resume autonomous travel after unintended cancellation, degrading operability, especially when the operator exits the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous travel system that maintains the autonomous travel mode when certain conditions are met, allowing for seamless resumption without manual intervention, including maintaining the mode when the vehicle is stopped or positioning accuracy is low.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the autonomous travel mode is canceled when the operator exits the vehicle or stops the vehicle, then the safety and control of the work vehicle is improved, but the operability and convenience for the operator is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and controlVSAvoidoperability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the autonomous travel mode maintainable under certain conditions rather than statically canceling it. The system dynamically adjusts whether to maintain or cancel autonomous travel based on real-time detection of operator presence and vehicle state, allowing the mode to be preserved when the operator exits the vehicle or temporarily stops the vehicle, thereby improving operability while maintaining safety control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the operator needs to perform predetermined operations to resume autonomous travel, then the system ensures proper operator intention verification, but the time required to resume travel and overall productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator intention verificationVSAvoidresume time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the autonomous travel mode to automatically resume without requiring operator intervention when the vehicle is stopped. The system detects when the vehicle is stationary and automatically reinstates autonomous travel mode, eliminating the need for manual operations to resume travel, thereby reducing resume time while still verifying operator intention through the stop condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the autonomous travel mode is automatically canceled during vehicle operation, then the system responds to potential safety concerns, but the continuity of autonomous travel and efficiency is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety responseVSAvoidtravel continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by conditionally maintaining autonomous travel mode rather than automatically canceling it. The system dynamically evaluates safety conditions such as operator presence and vehicle motion state, allowing autonomous travel to continue during temporary stops or when the operator exits the vehicle, thereby maintaining travel continuity and efficiency while still responding to genuine safety concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4682663A1Autonomous travel method, autonomous travel program, and autonomous travel system
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4682663A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4682663A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4682663A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

[Problem] To provide an autonomous travel method, an autonomous travel program, and an autonomous travel system capable of improving the operability of a user operation on a work vehicle that autonomously travels. [Solution] The setting processing section 112 of the combine harvester 1 sets a travel mode to an autonomous travel mode or a manual travel mode, and maintains the autonomous travel mode when the combine harvester 1 set in the autonomous travel mode satisfies the autonomous travel maintaining condition.