Road Milling Machine Learning Control for Safe Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road construction machines require operators to precisely adjust the position of wheels or tracks, set the machine frame with the ground surface, and adjust the milling/mixing roller height, posing challenges for quick operator familiarization and safety.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled road construction machine with a control device that generates control signals for drives and actuators, a human-machine interface, and a learning mode that provides instructional data sets via a condition monitoring device to guide operators through machine functions like height and tilt adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operators manually adjust the position of wheels or tracks and the height of the milling/mixing roller, then the machine can be operated, but the operator familiarization process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is pre-programmed with instructional data sets that guide operators through adjustment procedures step-by-step. The system proactively provides instructions before the operator needs to perform adjustments, eliminating the need for extensive external training and reducing familiarization time.
Solution Approach 2:
The condition monitoring device continuously monitors the actual machine state and compares it with target values from the instructional data sets. This feedback loop provides real-time guidance to operators, showing them whether their adjustments are correct and what adjustments are needed, thereby accelerating the learning process.
2Manufacturing precision
If the milling/mixing roller is adjusted to achieve precise milling depth, then the working quality improves, but the risk of unintended penetration into the ground increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device defines a specific operating range for the milling/mixing roller height with built-in safety margins. Before allowing adjustment commands to be executed, the system checks whether the target position falls within the safe operating range, preventing commands that would cause ground penetration while still achieving the desired milling depth precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The condition monitoring device continuously monitors the actual height of the milling/mixing roller and provides real-time feedback to the control device. This feedback enables the system to detect when the roller approaches unsafe positions and to issue corrective instructions or prevent further adjustment commands that could lead to ground penetration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the machine frame is tilted to adjust alignment with the ground surface, then the machine can adapt to uneven terrain, but instability risks increase during adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The control device determines the current operating state including the tilt angle of the machine frame and defines safe operating ranges for tilting operations. Before executing tilt commands, the system evaluates whether the proposed adjustment would maintain stability, preventing commands that would cause the machine to tip or become unstable while still allowing necessary terrain adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The condition monitoring device continuously monitors the actual tilt state of the machine frame and provides feedback to the control device. This real-time feedback enables the system to dynamically adjust the safe operating range and provide guidance instructions that maintain stability while achieving proper alignment with uneven ground surfaces.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The road construction machine according to the invention has a control unit 27 configured to generate control command signals for the drives and actuators 8, 9, 16, 20A, 20B assigned to the wheels 4, 5, 6, 7 and/or the milling/mixing roller 18. Furthermore, a human-machine interface 26, a storage device 30, and a condition monitoring device 32, all interacting with the control unit 27, are provided. These condition monitoring devices detect the operating state or operating mode of the drives and actuators. The road construction machine is characterized by the fact that the storage device contains a plurality of instruction data sets, each containing data for an instruction to be visualized via the human-machine interface.The control unit includes a learning mode with multiple lessons for setting the position of the wheels and/or the height of the milling/mixing roller. It is configured such that, depending on an operating state or operating mode of the drives and actuators detected by the condition monitoring device, a specific data set is selected from the instruction data sets stored in the memory device. The corresponding instruction set is then visualized via the human-machine interface. Furthermore, based on the command input made via the human-machine interface after the instruction has been visualized, the control unit generates the corresponding control command signals for the drives and actuators, causing the wheels and/or milling/mixing roller to move.