Work Machine Mode Switching for Seamless Site Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional work machines face challenges in seamlessly transitioning between automated operations to adapt to changing work site conditions, leading to delays and increased operator fatigue without a corresponding reduction in productivity.
Innovation Solution
A work machine equipped with a state recognition sensor that predicts current and next action modes, allowing for dynamic switching between manual, assist, and automated operation modes based on sensing results, thereby facilitating smoother transitions and reducing operator fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated operation mode is used to reduce operator workload, then operator fatigue is reduced, but the ability to adapt to changing work site conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control mode is made dynamic by enabling automatic switching between manual and automated operation modes based on real-time action mode transitions. The system dynamically adapts the degree of automation according to the current work phase, allowing seamless transition from fully automated operation during routine tasks to manual control when adaptability is needed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If control mode switching is delayed to ensure stable automated operation, then operational stability is improved, but responsiveness to changing conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from action mode recognition to trigger control mode switching. When the action mode prediction unit detects a transition in work phase, it automatically switches the control mode accordingly, ensuring both stability during automated operation and responsiveness when work conditions change.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sequential changes to automated operation actions are made to adapt to site conditions, then adaptability is improved, but time loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple action modes are preclassified and stored in advance, each associated with a specific control mode. When a work phase transition is detected, the system immediately switches to the pre-configured control mode, eliminating the need for sequential adjustments and reducing time loss while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A current action mode and a next action mode are predicted according to a sensing result of a state recognition sensor, and when a work machine is in a state of transitioning from the current action mode to the next action mode, action control of the work machine is started by switching a control mode, which represents a kind of the action control of the work machine, to a control mode corresponding to the next action mode out of a manual operation mode that operates the work machine according to operation of an operation device and an automated operation mode that allows the work machine to act without relying upon the operation of the operation device. This enables actions of automated operation to more easily and appropriately change according to circumstances of a work site and also makes it possible to reduce operator's fatigue while suppressing a reduction in productivity.