Remote Work Machine Warm-Up Scheduling for On-Time Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of remotely operated work machines do not easily recognize the need for a warm-up operation due to their distance from the machine, leading to delayed work initiation in low-temperature environments.

Innovation Solution

An operation support server estimates the internal state of the work machine using external variables and predicts a warm-up operation based on scheduled use, ensuring the machine is ready at the designated time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operator remotely operates the work machine without warm-up operation support, then the operator can work from a distance, but the operator does not recognize the need for warm-up operation in low-temperature environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote operation capabilityVSAvoidoperator awareness of warm-up need
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The operation support server receives operation schedules from the remote operation apparatus and automatically determines warm-up operation timing based on the scheduled operation time and environmental temperature data. This feedback mechanism compensates for the operator's lack of awareness by providing automated warm-up control despite the remote operation setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service warm-up operation control where the operation support server autonomously determines and executes warm-up operations based on pre-stored operation schedules and temperature data, without requiring continuous operator intervention or awareness of the warm-up need.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the operator starts work immediately at the designated time, then time efficiency is improved, but the machine's internal state may not satisfy the designated condition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework start timingVSAvoidmachine state readiness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The operation support server determines the warm-up operation start time based on the scheduled operation time and predicts the machine's internal state during the warm-up period. This preliminary action ensures the machine reaches the required internal state (e.g., temperature conditions) before the designated work start time, guaranteeing both timely operation and machine readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the system performs warm-up operation based on real-time temperature monitoring only, then the machine state accuracy is improved, but the warm-up operation cannot be completed by the designated time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature monitoring accuracyVSAvoidwarm-up completion timing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The operation support server stores operation schedules in advance and uses these pre-stored schedules to determine warm-up operation timing. By combining real-time temperature monitoring with predetermined operation schedules, the system calculates the optimal warm-up start time that ensures both accurate temperature control and timely completion before the scheduled operation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4071310B1Operation support server, operation support system, and operation support method
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD
  • EP4071310B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4071310B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4071310B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a technique capable of appropriately controlling a warm-up completion timing of a work machine in view of scheduled use of the work machine. A warm-up period elapsed until a measurement value of an internal state variable satisfies a designated condition, i.e., warm-up is completed since a warm-up operation of a work machine 40 was started is predicted based on a measurement value of an external state variable with an operation of the work machine 40 stopped. The warm-up operation of the work machine 40 is started at a first designated time t1 as an appropriate timing based on the predicted warm-up period such that the measurement value of the internal state variable of the work machine 40 satisfies the designated condition by a second designated time t2.