Field Route Generation Using Auto-Registered Reference Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional route generation methods for autonomous work vehicles in fields have low workability due to the risk of operators forgetting to register reference points during teaching travel, leading to incomplete target route generation and the need for repeated teaching operations.

Innovation Solution

A route generation method that acquires position information of a work vehicle and registers a reference point based on traveled distance or elapsed time, generating a target route autonomously to improve workability and reduce operator errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operator manually registers reference start point and reference end point during teaching travel, then the target route can be generated, but the operator may forget to perform the registration operation when performing work simultaneously, resulting in low workability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkability of target route generationVSAvoidcompletion of reference point registration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the work vehicle's position and autonomously registers reference points without requiring manual operator input. The registration is triggered automatically when the vehicle reaches predetermined positions during teaching travel, eliminating the need for the operator to manually register points while performing work operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides automatic feedback by detecting the vehicle's position and notifying the operator when reference points have been registered. This feedback mechanism ensures the operator is aware of the registration status without needing to continuously monitor or manually confirm each registration, improving both reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the operator performs teaching travel while performing predetermined work, then productivity increases, but the likelihood of forgetting to register reference points increases, requiring repeated teaching operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of teaching operationVSAvoidtime for repeated teaching operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic reference point registration without requiring the operator to stop work operations. The vehicle's own movement and position data are used to trigger registration, allowing the operator to maintain continuous work operations while the system handles route generation autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-defines the positions where reference points should be registered based on the teaching route. As the vehicle travels along the teaching route, the system automatically registers points at the predetermined positions, ensuring complete registration before the teaching operation concludes, thus avoiding the need for repeated operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If manual registration of reference points is required, then route generation can be performed, but the operation becomes complex and error-prone when combined with work operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of route generation processVSAvoidcomplexity of registration operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the manual mechanical operation of registering reference points with an automated electronic detection and registration system. The vehicle's position is automatically detected using positioning technology, and reference points are registered through electronic processing, eliminating the need for manual operator actions and reducing operational complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The route generation system serves itself by automatically detecting positions and registering reference points without external manual intervention. This self-service capability simplifies the overall process, making it easier to perform while maintaining accuracy and reducing the potential for errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4335268A1Route generation method, route generation system, and route generation program
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4335268A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4335268A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4335268A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a route generation method, a route generation system, and a route generation program that are capable of improving workability of work that generates a target route that causes a work vehicle to travel autonomously in a field. [Solution] An acquisition processing unit 715 acquires position information of a predetermined position of a work vehicle 10 in a field F. A registration processing unit 716 registers the predetermined position as a reference point when the work vehicle 10 has traveled a predetermined distance from the predetermined position, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the work vehicle 10 started to travel from the predetermined position. A generation processing unit 714 generates a target route R based on the reference point.