Adaptive Operating Modes for Mobile Work Machine Component Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile work machines face challenges in adapting to changing hardware configurations and maintaining operability in the event of component failures without requiring extensive software changes or hardware modifications.
Innovation Solution
A method and computing unit that determine possible operating modes based on available actuators, sensors, and control elements, allowing flexible operation and switching between different levels of automation, including manual, assisted, and autonomous modes, while considering machine and environmental status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the machine configuration changes or components fail, then the machine cannot be operated in its original mode, but software changes or hardware modifications are required to maintain operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operating mode determination based on real-time availability of actuators, sensors, and control elements. The system automatically adapts the operating mode (manual, assisted, or autonomous) according to the current machine configuration and component status, eliminating the need for software changes or hardware modifications when components fail or are removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the automation level parameter dynamically based on component availability. When certain actuators, sensors, or control elements are unavailable, the system transitions from higher automation modes to lower automation modes, allowing continuous operation with degraded functionality without requiring software reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If full functionality is maintained through software changes, then operability is preserved, but cost-effective retrofitting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control system that can operate with different combinations of actuators, sensors, and control elements. The same control unit can manage the machine in manual mode with minimal components or in autonomous mode with full components, making the system universally adaptable to various configurations and enabling cost-effective retrofitting without requiring specialized software for each configuration.
3Reliability
If the machine operates in emergency mode after component failure, then continued operation is possible, but operational risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the availability of actuators, sensors, and control elements, and provides feedback to automatically adjust the operating mode. This feedback mechanism ensures that the machine operates at the appropriate automation level given the current component status, reducing operational risks by preventing attempts to use unavailable components while maintaining continued operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares multiple operating modes in advance (manual, assisted, autonomous) so that when component failure occurs, the system can immediately transition to a pre-prepared fallback mode. This beforehand preparation cushions against the operational risks that would otherwise result from sudden component failures by having ready-to-use alternative operating configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) for operating a mobile work machine (200), comprising identifying (110) available elements which include actuator elements (230, 260), sensor elements (220) and operator control elements (210), determining (120) at least one possible operating mode on the basis of the available actuator elements (230, 260), sensor elements (220) and operator control elements (210) identified, and carrying out a measure (130, 140) depending on the at least one possible operating mode determined.