Autonomous Weeder Lift Control for Row-Based Field Work

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicles face difficulties in performing appropriate work due to misjudgment of lifting and lowering the work machine during autonomous travel.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling a work vehicle to autonomously travel and control lifting and lowering of the work machine based on the arrangement of work target rows and work content, utilizing a work vehicle control system with a traveling processing unit and a lifting and lowering processing unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the work vehicle autonomously travels while performing work, then productivity is improved, but the work appropriateness deteriorates due to operator misjudgment of lifting and lowering timing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous travel efficiencyVSAvoidwork appropriateness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The work vehicle system performs self-control of the work machine lifting and lowering operations through automatic control processing. The control system autonomously determines the timing of lifting and lowering based on work target row arrangement and work content, eliminating the need for operator judgment and intervention. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining high autonomous travel efficiency while ensuring reliable and appropriate work execution through automated timing control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual control of work machine lifting and lowering is used, then work appropriateness can be adjusted, but productivity decreases due to operator intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework appropriatenessVSAvoidautonomous travel efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automatic control system that uses processing units to determine lifting and lowering timing. The control system substitutes operator judgment and manual intervention with automated electronic control based on work target row arrangement and work content. This substitution maintains work appropriateness through precise automated timing while eliminating the productivity loss associated with manual intervention and operator decision-making delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If autonomous travel is implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision of work timing deteriorates due to operator misjudgment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous travel efficiencyVSAvoidlifting and lowering timing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring work target row arrangement and work content to automatically adjust lifting and lowering timing. The system uses measurement information from sensors and processing units to precisely determine the optimal timing for work machine operations, providing accurate feedback-based control that eliminates operator misjudgment. This feedback control maintains high autonomous travel efficiency while achieving precise timing measurement and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4595747A1Method for controlling work vehicle, work vehicle control program, work vehicle control system, and work vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4595747A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4595747A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4595747A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a method for controlling a work vehicle, a work vehicle control program, a work vehicle control system, and a work vehicle that easily performs more appropriate work. [Solution] A method for controlling a work vehicle 1 is a method for controlling a work vehicle to which a work machine (a weeder 402) is attached and which performs work while moving in a work site (a field F1) where a plurality of work target rows including a plurality of work objects is arranged and includes causing the work vehicle 1 to autonomously travel, and controlling lifting and lowering of the work machine (the weeder 402) during autonomous travel of the work vehicle 1 at timing determined based on an arrangement of the work target rows in the work site (the field F1) and a work content.