Dual-Network Emergency Stop Control for Autonomous Work Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous travel systems for work vehicles, which rely on touch panel operations, face delays in responding to emergency situations due to the need to visually locate operation buttons.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication terminal device with a device main body and an emergency-stop remote controller, where the device main body includes a display for touch panel operations and the emergency-stop remote controller has a dedicated emergency stop button, allowing wireless communication with the work vehicle through different networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a touch panel operation interface is used for autonomous travel control, then the device can provide comprehensive control functions and display information, but the operation response time in emergency situations is delayed due to the need to visually locate buttons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol function comprehensivenessVSAvoidemergency response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is segmented into two distinct parts: a touch panel operation unit for comprehensive control functions and information display, and a separate emergency stop button unit for rapid emergency response. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The emergency stop button acts as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between the touch panel interface and the autonomous travel system's emergency stop function. It provides a direct, dedicated control path for emergency situations that bypasses the visual search and selection process required by touch panel interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a single wireless communication network is used for control signals, then the system structure is simplified, but the safety and reliability of autonomous travel control is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication network structureVSAvoidcontrol system safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system is segmented into two independent communication networks: one dedicated to transmitting autonomous travel control signals and another dedicated to transmitting emergency stop signals. This segmentation ensures that emergency control signals can be transmitted reliably without being affected by interference or failures in the normal control communication channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates redundant communication pathways as a preventive measure against communication failures. By establishing separate communication networks for normal control and emergency stop functions, the system cushions against potential single-point failures that could compromise safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS12292734B2Wireless communication terminal device

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 YANMAR POWER TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A wireless communication terminal device for operating a work vehicle that autonomously travels includes: a device main body 70 having a display 74 that is capable of accepting a touch panel operation; and an emergency-stop remote controller 71 having an emergency stop button 72 that is used to stop autonomous travel of the work vehicle. The device main body 70 and the emergency-stop remote controller 71 perform wireless communication with the work vehicle via different wireless communication networks having different communication schemes, respectively.