Autonomous Work Vehicle Remote Boarding with Two-Button Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work vehicles require workers to enter the field inconveniently to board them after autonomous traveling, as the work end position is inside the headland region, making it difficult for workers to access the vehicle after completion of tasks.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle equipped with a control device for autonomous travel and a remote operation device with four push buttons, allowing remote operation by pressing two buttons simultaneously for forward, reverse, left, and right movements, enabling workers to board the vehicle with minimal field entry before or after autonomous travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the work end position is set inside the headland region to enable autonomous traveling, then the autonomous traveling function is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because workers must enter the field inconveniently to board the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically returning the vehicle to the start position before the worker needs to board. The control device executes the return process based on stored start position information, ensuring the vehicle is positioned conveniently for boarding before the worker approaches, thus eliminating the need for workers to enter the field to reach the vehicle.
2Productivity
If the work vehicle stops at the work end position inside the field, then the autonomous work cycle is improved, but the loss of time increases due to the additional time required for workers to walk to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically returns the vehicle to the start position after work completion, performing the positioning action before the worker needs to access the vehicle. This eliminates the time workers would otherwise spend walking through the field to reach the vehicle, reducing the non-productive time in the work cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle performs self-service by automatically navigating back to the start position without worker intervention. The control device uses stored position information to guide the vehicle's return, making the system self-sufficient in repositioning itself, thereby eliminating time loss associated with manual vehicle retrieval.
3Extent of automation
If the work vehicle requires manual retrieval from the field end, then the autonomous operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional retrieval mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle achieves self-service functionality by automatically returning to the start position using its autonomous navigation capabilities. The control device utilizes previously stored position information to guide the return journey, eliminating the need for external retrieval mechanisms or additional complex equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous navigation system serves multiple functions: it enables the vehicle to complete work tasks autonomously, navigate back to the start position, and position itself for worker boarding. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate retrieval mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high automation levels.
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a work vehicle allowing a worker to board the work vehicle with little field entry before the start and/or after the end of the autonomous traveling of a traveling vehicle body. A work vehicle according to an embodiment includes a traveling vehicle body, a control device, and a remote operation device. The traveling vehicle body has traveling and steering devices. The control device controls the traveling and steering devices such that the traveling vehicle body autonomously travels. The remote operation device outputs a traveling signal with respect to the traveling vehicle body to the control device so that the traveling vehicle body is remotely operated. The remote operation device has at least four push buttons. The traveling vehicle body is remotely operable by two out of the four push buttons being pressed at the same time before the start and/or after the end of the autonomous traveling of the traveling vehicle body. The control device executes the forward and reverse movements of the traveling vehicle body and the right and left steering of the steering device in accordance with the combination of the two push buttons pressed at the same time in the remote operation device.