Predictive Material Dynamics Control for Mobile Machine Spillage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile machines experience material shifting and spillage due to various factors such as operation speed, terrain characteristics, and material properties, leading to instability, increased load, and reduced profitability.

Innovation Solution

A predictive model is generated using in-situ data from sensors on the mobile machine to predict and control material dynamics, including movement and spillage, by modeling relationships between machine orientation, speed, crop moisture, and material mass, using maps of the worksite to adjust travel speed, acceleration, deceleration, and material fill levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the mobile machine operates at higher speeds, then productivity is improved, but material spillage and movement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational speedVSAvoidmaterial spillage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of material dynamics characteristics and predicts future material movement or spillage events before they occur. Based on these predictions, the control system proactively adjusts operational parameters such as reducing speed or modifying acceleration patterns to prevent spillage, rather than reacting after spillage has occurred.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors material dynamics characteristics using sensors and feeds this information back to the control system. The control system processes this feedback through the predictive model and adjusts operational parameters in real-time to maintain optimal conditions that prevent material spillage while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile machine operates on steep terrain, then access to more worksite areas is improved, but material spillage increases due to machine orientation changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworksite accessVSAvoidmaterial spillage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects changes in machine orientation and worksite topography in advance, predicts the resulting material dynamics changes, and adjusts operational parameters proactively to compensate for the increased spillage risk on steep terrain before the machine enters challenging areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically changes operational parameters such as speed, acceleration, and deceleration rates based on detected worksite conditions and predicted material dynamics. When operating on steep terrain, the system automatically adjusts these parameters to maintain material stability while preserving the ability to access difficult areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the material fill level is increased, then productivity is improved, but material movement and spillage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial capacity utilizationVSAvoidmaterial stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the material fill level based on real-time detection of material dynamics characteristics and predictive modeling. Rather than maintaining a fixed fill level, the system optimizes the fill level dynamically to maintain material stability while maximizing capacity utilization, adjusting the balance between productivity and stability as operating conditions change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system changes the material fill level parameter dynamically based on detected worksite conditions, machine orientation, and predicted material behavior. When conditions indicate high spillage risk, the system automatically reduces fill level; when conditions are favorable, it increases fill level to maximize productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of substance

If in-situ sensors and predictive modeling are implemented, then material spillage is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial spillageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs multi-functional sensors that detect multiple characteristics (material position, machine orientation, worksite topography) and a predictive model that handles various material dynamics scenarios. This universal approach reduces the need for multiple specialized sensors and complex dedicated control systems for each specific spillage prevention task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The predictive model automatically processes sensor data, predicts material dynamics, and generates control adjustments without requiring complex external intervention or manual calibration. The system self-calibrates and adapts to different operating conditions, reducing the complexity of installation, maintenance, and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4218392B1Systems and methods for predicting material dynamics
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 DEERE & CO
  • EP4218392B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4218392B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4218392B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

A first in-situ sensor detects a characteristic value as a mobile machine operates at a worksite. A second in-situ sensor detects a material dynamics characteristic value as the mobile machine operates at the worksite. A predictive model generator generates a predictive model that models a relationship between the characteristic and the materials dynamics characteristic based on the characteristic value detected by the first in-situ sensor and the material dynamics characteristic value detected by the second in-situ sensor. The predictive model can be output and used in automated machine control.