Combine Auto-Travel Control With Field-Specific Parameter Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional work vehicles require manual parameter setting for each field, leading to worker burden and potential unsuitable automatic travel when moving to a new field, as parameters are not adjusted accordingly.

Innovation Solution

An automatic travel method and system that includes a parameter setting unit to detect movement to a new field and adjust settings based on pre-stored parameters specific to that field, allowing the work vehicle to execute automatic travel according to a work route and optimized parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual parameter setting is required for each field, then parameter accuracy for automatic travel is improved, but worker burden and operation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter accuracyVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting field movement automatically and retrieving pre-stored field-specific parameters before automatic travel begins. The parameter setting unit automatically selects and applies parameters corresponding to the detected field, eliminating the need for manual parameter setting while ensuring field-appropriate parameters are used.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The work vehicle performs self-service by automatically detecting its own movement to a new field and autonomously selecting the appropriate parameters from stored field data. The system serves itself by matching detected field positions with pre-stored parameters, eliminating dependency on worker intervention for parameter configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If parameters are not adjusted when moving to a new field, then operation continuity is maintained, but automatic travel suitability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation continuityVSAvoidautomatic travel suitability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamics by making parameters adaptable rather than fixed. When the work vehicle detects movement to a different field, the parameter setting unit dynamically retrieves and applies field-specific parameters from storage, ensuring parameters remain suitable for the current operating environment while maintaining automatic operation continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the work vehicle's position and detecting field transitions. Based on this feedback, the parameter setting unit automatically selects appropriate parameters for the detected field, ensuring that parameter settings remain reliable and suitable for the current field conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If field-specific parameters are automatically selected, then parameter suitability for each field is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter suitabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by creating a multi-functional parameter management system that combines field detection, parameter storage, and automatic parameter selection in one integrated unit. The parameter setting unit serves multiple functions: detecting field transitions, retrieving appropriate parameters from storage, and applying them automatically, thereby improving parameter suitability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4151065A1Automatic travel method, work vehicle and automatic travel system
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4151065A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4151065A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4151065A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A combine (1) includes a control device (30) and a mobile terminal (40). The mobile terminal (40) includes a control device (41), and when the control device (41) detects movement to one field where automatic travel is to be performed, the control device (41) functions as a parameter setting unit (51) that sets a field parameter corresponding to the one field. The control device (30) functions as a travel control unit (35) that executes automatic travel of the combine (1) on the basis of a work route set for the one field and the field parameter.