Dual Steering Controller for Agricultural Vehicle Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The agricultural field work vehicle disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-123804 requires manual intervention to switch the steering controller from an automatic control state to a non-control state and back, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle is equipped with a second steering controller that can control the steering drive device separately from the first steering controller, allowing for additional control while maintaining the automatic control state, thereby eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only a first steering controller is used to control the steering drive device, then the control system is simple, but the vehicle cannot perform additional control functions while maintaining automatic control state
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control system is segmented into a first steering controller that handles automatic control along target routes and a second steering controller that handles additional control functions. This segmentation allows each controller to specialize in specific functions, enabling the system to perform both automatic navigation and additional control tasks simultaneously without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The second steering controller is designed to provide multi-functional control capabilities while operating independently alongside the first steering controller. This universal design enables the system to accommodate various additional control functions (such as work device coordination, emergency maneuvers, or precision positioning) without requiring a complete system redesign.
2Ease of operation
If the steering controller switches to non-control state to allow manual intervention, then manual control is possible, but the automatic control state is lost and troublesome switching work is required
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent controllers with distinct functions. The first steering controller maintains automatic control state continuously, while the second steering controller provides manual intervention capability through separate control channels. This segmentation allows manual and automatic controls to operate simultaneously without requiring state switching, eliminating the troublesome switching work described in the problem.
3Reliability
If the first steering controller maintains automatic control state continuously, then automatic navigation is stable, but additional control functions cannot be executed
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into a first steering controller dedicated to maintaining stable automatic control state for navigation, and a second steering controller dedicated to executing additional control functions. This segmentation allows the first controller to maintain continuous automatic control without interference, while the second controller independently executes additional functions such as work device coordination or precision positioning adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The second steering controller is designed with universal control capabilities that can execute various additional control functions while the first steering controller maintains automatic navigation. This multi-functional design enables the system to simultaneously provide stable automatic control and flexible additional control capabilities without compromising either function.
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural field work vehicle includes a traveling body including a steered wheel 5A, a steering mechanism 3 capable of steering the steered wheel 5A, and a steering drive device 31 capable of driving the steering mechanism 3 to operate; a route setting unit 13 configured to set a target route GL; a first steering controller 11 configured to change a state to an automatic control state where driving of the steering drive device 31 is controlled to travel along the target route GL and a non-control state where driving of the steering drive device 31 is not controlled; and a second steering controller 12 configured to control driving of the steering drive device 31 separately from the first steering controller 11 while maintaining the automatic control state in a case of the first steering controller 11 being in the automatic control state.