Dynamic Fleet Mission Planning for Mid-Project Machine Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine automation systems in off-highway machinery struggle to efficiently manage changes in the number of machines or replacement machines during active operations, leading to inefficiencies and dead zones in mission planning.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic system that allows for real-time reassignment of work paths and efficient replanning of machine operations, including the ability to add or remove machines from active projects without requiring prior completion of work swaths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a machine is removed from an active project, then the remaining machines can continue operations, but dead zones are created in the mission plan and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mission plan is made dynamic and adaptable during active operations. When a machine is removed, the system automatically recalculates and reassigns work paths to remaining machines in real-time, transforming the static mission plan into a flexible framework that responds to operational changes without creating dead zones or reducing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers uncompleted work paths from the removed machine and reassigns them to remaining machines. This ensures that no work area becomes a dead zone and that the overall project productivity is maintained by redistributing the workload efficiently
2Productivity
If a new machine is added to an active project, then operational capacity increases, but work path reassignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the project area into discrete work paths and swaths that can be independently assigned to different machines. When a new machine is added, the system divides existing work paths or creates new ones, allowing flexible capacity expansion without overwhelming complexity in the overall mission plan
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as machine count, work path assignments, and swath allocations dynamically. This allows the mission plan to adapt to new machines by adjusting these parameters rather than requiring complete reconfiguration, thereby increasing capacity while managing complexity
3Reliability
If a machine must complete a swath before removal, then collision prevention is ensured, but operational time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating safe removal conditions and pre-assigning reassignment plans. Before a machine is removed, the system has already prepared the reassignment of its work paths to remaining machines, ensuring collision prevention through advance planning while minimizing the time the removed machine needs to idle
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that as one machine completes its current swath and prepares for removal, remaining machines are already positioned and ready to take over its work paths. This overlapping preparation and execution eliminates idle time and maintains continuous productive operation
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic machine automation planning system that facilitates active machine mission planning. The system may flexibly modify mission plans for a plurality of machines associated with a project, including to facilitate fleet participation changes to add or remove machines during an active project. When replanning, the system may evaluate active completion status and select uncompleted sections for reassignment during a modification. Revised mission plans may be developed for one or more of the active machines based on system evaluation and user guidance.