Autonomous Work Vehicle U-Turn Routing for Ground-Safe Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous work travel systems for work vehicles fail to rationally select U-turn travel routes, leading to potential ground damage and reduced efficiency, and do not allow for dynamic adjustment of travel patterns based on site conditions or user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A travel route management system that includes an area setting unit and a route element selecting unit, which sets the work site and selects U-turn travel routes based on intervals between travel route elements, allowing for dynamic selection of travel patterns according to site conditions and user preferences, and incorporates a cost evaluation rule to optimize route selection during work travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the overall travel route is calculated by taking various conditions into account, then the work efficiency is improved, but the computational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the travel route calculation into two distinct phases: (1) calculating the overall travel route framework before work begins, and (2) calculating specific U-turn travel routes during work execution. This segmentation allows the computationally intensive overall route calculation to be performed once, while dynamic condition adjustments are made through simpler U-turn route selections, thereby improving work efficiency without excessive computational overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the overall travel route and deployment positions of work vehicles before work begins. By pre-establishing the route framework and vehicle deployment strategy, the system avoids the need for complex real-time recalculations, thus improving work efficiency while minimizing computational time requirements during actual operation.
2Productivity
If the turn radius is reduced to improve work efficiency, then the work coverage increases, but the ground surface may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the U-turn travel route selection based on real-time conditions including ground surface status, vehicle position, and work progress. The system can switch between different U-turn strategies (e.g., standard U-turn, extended U-turn, or switchback routes) depending on whether the ground can withstand tight turning, thus maintaining work efficiency while preventing ground damage when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the turn radius parameter dynamically based on ground surface conditions and work requirements. When the ground surface is vulnerable, the system increases the turn radius to reduce ground stress; when the ground is robust and work efficiency is prioritized, the system uses smaller turn radii. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between work efficiency and ground protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the U-turn travel route is extended to reduce ground stress, then the ground damage is minimized, but the travel distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically selects among multiple U-turn travel route options based on real-time conditions. When ground protection is prioritized, the system chooses extended U-turn routes with larger radii; when work efficiency is prioritized and ground conditions allow, the system selects shorter U-turn routes. This dynamic selection resolves the contradiction between minimizing ground damage and reducing travel distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different U-turn route strategies to different locations based on local ground surface conditions. In areas with vulnerable ground surfaces, extended U-turn routes are used to minimize stress; in areas with robust ground, shorter U-turn routes are used to maintain work efficiency. This localized approach resolves the contradiction by matching the route characteristics to the specific ground conditions at each location.
4Extent of automation
If the travel route is calculated in advance to improve automation, then the autonomous travel is enabled, but the adaptability to changing conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the route calculation into a pre-calculated overall travel route framework and dynamically selected U-turn travel routes. The pre-calculated framework provides the automation foundation, while the dynamic U-turn selection (based on real-time conditions such as ground surface status, vehicle position, and work progress) provides adaptability. This segmentation enables both autonomous travel capability and responsiveness to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the autonomous system to adapt to changing conditions during work. The system continuously monitors ground surface status, vehicle position, and work progress, and dynamically selects appropriate U-turn travel routes accordingly. This dynamic capability maintains high automation while significantly improving adaptability to varying site conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A travel route management system includes an area setting unit that sets a work site to an outer peripheral area SA and an area CA to be worked on an inner side of the outer peripheral area SA, and a route element selecting unit that sequentially selects a next travel route element to be traveled on next, from among multiple mutually-parallel travel route elements, the travel route elements constituting a travel route that covers the area CA to be worked. The route element selecting unit selects a U-turn travel route for moving from a travel route element serving as a movement origin to a next travel route element serving as a movement destination, the selection being made on the basis of an interval between the movement origin and the movement destination.