Utility Vehicle Control Apparatus Grid Map Work Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control apparatuses for utility vehicles with a single utility unit, such as lawn mowers, often require users to empirically set work periods, leading to improper work performance due to settings being too long or too short, making it difficult to manage work effectively.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that generates a map of the working area by arraying cells in a grid pattern, calculates the area and required work period based on first characteristics, and allows users to input their preferred work period and time, distributing the work period accordingly based on second characteristics to create a target schedule for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users empirically set work period values, then the setting process is simple, but the work period may be too long or too short leading to improper work performance
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus automatically calculates the appropriate work period based on map data and working area characteristics, eliminating the need for users to empirically set work periods. The system serves itself by computing optimal parameters from collected spatial information, ensuring both ease of operation and reliable work performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from map data collection and working area analysis to dynamically determine appropriate work periods. By continuously gathering spatial information and adjusting work period settings based on actual working conditions, the system ensures optimal performance without requiring manual empirical setting.
2Loss of time
If the work period is set too long, then fewer interruptions are needed, but work performance deteriorates due to excessive duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the work period parameter based on calculated map data and working area characteristics. By changing the work period parameter to match actual spatial requirements rather than using fixed or empirically set values, the system optimizes the balance between interruption frequency and work performance quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the work period is set too short, then work can be frequently adjusted, but productivity decreases due to excessive interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the work period parameter by calculating it from map data, finding the optimal balance between flexibility and productivity. The calculated parameter ensures sufficient flexibility for work adjustment while preventing excessive interruptions that would reduce overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The work period setting transitions from static empirical values to dynamic calculated values that adapt to actual working conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain optimal flexibility while preventing excessive interruptions, as the parameter automatically adjusts based on spatial and operational characteristics.
4Productivity
If multiple utility units work in multiple working areas, then resource utilization improves, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus divides the working area into multiple regions represented in the map data, allowing different utility units to be assigned to specific segments. This segmentation enables efficient resource utilization across multiple areas while maintaining manageable control complexity through structured spatial organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus is designed to universally manage multiple utility units across multiple working areas through a single integrated system. By creating a universal control framework that handles various units and areas through standardized map-based representation, the system achieves high resource utilization without proportionally increasing control complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an apparatus for controlling operation of a utility vehicle that is driven by a prime mover to run within a working area, a map is generated by arraying multiple cells in a grid pattern with respect to the working area (S10 - S14), area of the working area is calculated based on the generated map (S16), and required work period per unit time period is calculated in accordance with first characteristics with respect to the calculated area (S20). Then user information including at least the calculated area and required work period are shown to prompt the user to input user's preferred work period and preferred working time of day (S22). Next target work schedule is calculated by distributing the required work period within the unit time period in accordance with second characteristics based on the user's preferred work period and preferred working time of day inputted by the user and work is controlled in accordance with the calculated target work schedule (S24, S26).