Excavator Steering Assist for Target Line Alignment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Excavator operators face challenges in controlling the machine's travel to align with a target design shape during digging operations, as they often need to manually adjust the machine's position while prioritizing safety, making it difficult to maintain alignment with the target design without constant monitor surveillance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a semi-automatic steering assist mode that activates when the excavator's approach angle is within a predetermined range relative to the target line and the focus point is within a capture area, allowing the system to control travel along the target line based on operator inputs above a certain threshold, enabling semi-autonomous alignment and travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the operator manually controls the excavator travel to align with the target design shape, then the positioning accuracy can be maintained, but the operator must constantly monitor the display screen which reduces safety awareness and increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables semi-autonomous travel control where the excavator automatically adjusts its own travel path to align with the target design shape based on GPS positioning data, eliminating the need for constant operator monitoring of the display screen while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives GPS positioning information, compares the current position with the target design shape, and automatically adjusts the travel control in real-time to maintain alignment, providing closed-loop feedback without requiring operator attention
2Ease of operation
If the operator focuses on safety by looking in the traveling direction rather than the monitor, then safety awareness is improved, but the ability to control travel alignment with the target design shape deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The excavator's control system automatically manages travel alignment with the target design shape using GPS data, allowing the operator to focus on safety by looking in the traveling direction without compromising positioning accuracy
3Ease of operation
If the system activates full autonomous travel control, then the operator effort is minimized, but the operator loses direct control and ability to respond to unexpected conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements semi-autonomous travel control that partially automates the alignment function while leaving the operator in charge of overall travel decisions, providing assistance without removing complete control
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts between manual and semi-autonomous modes based on operational conditions, allowing the operator to maintain control while receiving automated alignment assistance when needed
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-program products for controlling a mobile work machine can comprise activating a steering assist mode to control work machine travel responsive to the steering assist mode being on or enabled, an approach angle of the work machine being within a predetermined angle range relative to a target line for the work machine to perform work at design line or contour, and a focus point of the work machine being within a capture range to activate the steering assist mode. The systems, methods, and computer-program products can also comprise, with the steering assist mode in an activated state, controlling travel of the work machine relative to the target line responsive to receipt of a first operator input in a cab of the work machine and a second operator input in the cab of the work machine at or above a predetermined threshold.