Work Machine Travel Path Planning Using Material Evaluation Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency in determining an optimal travel path for work machines at a work site due to varying material accumulation and non-uniform precipice contours, affecting work efficiency, especially for inexperienced operators.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a controller to obtain topographical and material data, compute an evaluation function for multiple travel path candidates, and select the path with the smallest evaluation function, which includes a material function based on the amount of material, to decide the most efficient travel path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an inexperienced operator determines the travel path manually, then the operation can proceed, but work efficiency is reduced due to inability to optimize path selection
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the work machine to automatically determine its own optimal travel path using onboard sensors and controllers. The machine self-services by autonomously analyzing topographical data, material distribution, and blade capacity to compute evaluation functions and select the most efficient path without external intervention or operator expertise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical decision-making process of the operator with an automated computational system. The controller substitutes human judgment with algorithmic evaluation functions that objectively assess multiple path candidates based on quantifiable parameters such as material amount, travel distance, and work time, thereby eliminating the limitation of operator experience
2Device complexity
If the work machine follows a suboptimal travel path, then the operation is simpler, but material handling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary computation of multiple travel path candidates and their evaluation functions before the actual work begins. By pre-calculating the optimal path based on current material distribution and topographical conditions, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time decision-making during operation, thereby reducing material handling time without overwhelming computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The path planning system is dynamic and adaptive, continuously updating evaluation functions as material distribution changes during work. The controller recalculates optimal paths based on real-time sensor data, allowing the machine to adapt to changing conditions and maintain efficiency without requiring overly complex static planning
Data Source
AI summary
A controller obtains topographical data indicative of the topography of a work site. The controller obtains material data indicative of the position of a material. The controller computes an evaluation function based on the material data for each of a plurality of candidates of the travel path to be decided from the topographical data. The evaluation function includes a material function pertaining to an amount of the material. The controller decides a candidate having a smallest evaluation function of the plurality of candidates as the travel path.