Work Machine Route Control With Adaptive Accuracy Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional working machines face efficiency issues when traveling along planned routes, as the control device maintains high accuracy regardless of the type of work, leading to decreased efficiency in tasks that do not require precise accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The working machine is equipped with a control system that includes a threshold setting unit, allowing the machine to adjust its travel accuracy based on the selected type of work. This system sets different thresholds for various types of work, enabling the machine to optimize travel efficiency and accuracy according to the specific work requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the control device performs control to eliminate deviation between the machine body and the planned travel route regardless of work type, then travel accuracy is improved, but work efficiency deteriorates in tasks that do not require precise accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel accuracyVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the threshold value based on the type of work being performed. For work requiring high accuracy (e.g., seeding), a small threshold is set to maintain precise travel along the planned route. For work not requiring high accuracy (e.g., mowing), a large threshold is set to allow greater deviation, thereby improving work efficiency. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of the threshold value according to the work type. The control device stores multiple threshold values corresponding to different work types and selects the appropriate threshold based on the currently performed work. This parameter change enables the system to optimize both travel accuracy and work efficiency by matching the threshold level to the specific operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a fixed small threshold is used for all work types, then travel accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases due to lack of adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel accuracyVSAvoidadaptability to different work types
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static fixed threshold to a dynamic adaptive threshold that changes based on work type. The control device automatically adjusts the threshold value according to the detected or selected work type, providing adaptability without requiring complex manual configuration. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to maintain accuracy when needed while adapting to efficiency requirements in other scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device incorporates feedback regarding the type of work being performed and uses this information to automatically adjust the threshold value. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to different work requirements without increasing operational complexity for the user, as the adjustment occurs automatically based on system-detected conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If a fixed large threshold is used for all work types, then work efficiency is improved, but travel accuracy deteriorates in tasks requiring precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidtravel accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the threshold parameter based on work type requirements. For precision work, the threshold is set to a small value to maintain travel accuracy. For non-precision work, the threshold is set to a large value to improve efficiency. This conditional parameter change resolves the contradiction by ensuring the appropriate threshold level is applied to each work scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The threshold value becomes dynamic rather than fixed, automatically adjusting to match the precision requirements of the current work type. This dynamic behavior allows the system to optimize both efficiency and accuracy as needed, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high standards and adapting to varying operational demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4079124B1Work machine
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4079124B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4079124B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4079124B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Efficient travel can be achieved according to work accuracy. A working machine (1) includes: a machine body (3) capable of traveling; a position detecting device (50) to detect a position of the machine body (3); and a control device (60) to control the machine body (3) on the basis of the position of the machine body (3) detected by the position detecting device (50) and a planned travel route (L), wherein the planned travel route (L) includes a straight section (L1) on which the machine body (3) travels straight, and the control device (60) includes a threshold setting unit (60b) to set a threshold according to work, and causes the machine body (3) to perform a recovery movement such as to make a deviation between the position of the machine body (3) detected by the position detecting device (50) and the planned travel route (L) less than the threshold when the machine body (3) is at a start point (La) of the straight section (L1) or is about to enter the start point (La) of the straight section (L1).