Work Machine Travel Track Selection to Suppress Rut Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In unmanned vehicle traveling systems used in mines, the generation of ruts in transportation tracks and work places leads to productivity deterioration and increased costs due to frequent ground leveling requirements.
Innovation Solution
A work machine management apparatus that sets switchback points and work points, generates target travel tracks, and selects optimal travel tracks to minimize rut formation by varying the paths of multiple work machines, thereby reducing the likelihood of deep rut creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple work machines travel along the same target travel track, then the work machines can efficiently complete their tasks, but ruts are generated in the transportation track or work place
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the work place into multiple zones and sets multiple switchback points within each zone. By segmenting the travel path options, the system enables work machines to switch between different tracks, preventing concentration of traffic on a single path and thereby reducing rut generation while maintaining work efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines switchback points and generates target travel tracks based on real-time work machine positions and work place conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize travel paths continuously, distributing machine traffic across multiple tracks to prevent rut formation while ensuring productive operation.
2Reliability
If ground leveling work is performed to address deep ruts, then the transportation track can be restored, but the traveling of work machines is disturbed and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively manages travel tracks by dynamically determining switchback points and generating alternative target travel tracks before ruts become deep enough to require leveling. This preliminary action prevents the need for ground leveling work, thereby avoiding interruptions to work machine travel and maintaining continuous productivity.
3Reliability
If ground leveling work is performed to address deep ruts, then the transportation track can be restored, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary management of travel tracks by dynamically determining switchback points and generating alternative paths before ruts develop to a depth requiring leveling. This preventive approach eliminates the need for costly ground leveling operations, thereby reducing expenses while maintaining track reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine management apparatus includes: a switchback point setting unit configured to set a plurality of switchback points of a work machine in a work place of a mine; a work point setting unit configured to set at least one work point of the work machine in the work place; a travel track generating unit configured to generate a plurality of target travel tracks along which the work machine travels in the work place based on a position of the at least one work point and a position of each of the plurality of switchback points; and a travel track selecting unit configured to select, among the plurality of target travel tracks, a target travel track along which the work machine travels in the work place.