Work Machine Travel Control by Revolving Angle and Object Direction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work machines restrict the operation of the traveling portion regardless of the detection target object's direction, leading to operator annoyance.

Innovation Solution

A work-machine control system that controls the traveling portion based on both the detection result of a detecting device and the revolving angle of a revolving portion, allowing for targeted operation restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operation of the traveling portion is restricted when a detection target object is present in the monitoring area, then safety is improved, but operator convenience deteriorates because operation in directions away from the detection target object is also restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperator convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the restriction application based on spatial location. Instead of uniformly restricting all operations when an object is detected, the system selectively restricts only those operations that would move the work machine toward the detection target object. This localized approach maintains safety for critical directions while preserving operator freedom in safe directions, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and operator convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the restriction state adaptive rather than static. The restriction is dynamically adjusted based on the real-time position of the detection target object relative to the work machine. As the object's position changes, the restricted operation directions change accordingly, allowing the system to maintain optimal safety coverage while minimizing unnecessary operational restrictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the operation of the traveling portion is restricted regardless of the direction to the detection target object, then collision avoidance is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the restriction application based on spatial location. Instead of uniformly restricting all operations when an object is detected, the system selectively restricts only those operations that would move the work machine toward the detection target object. This localized approach maintains safety for critical directions while preserving operator freedom in safe directions, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and operator convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by implementing only the necessary portion of operation restriction rather than complete restriction. Specifically, it restricts only the operations that lead toward the detection target object while allowing other operations to proceed normally. This partial restriction approach provides sufficient collision avoidance protection without the excessive action of completely halting all operations, thus maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Area of stationary object

If the detecting device is disposed on the revolving portion, then detection coverage is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional control parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making the detecting device multi-functional. By disposing the detecting device on the revolving portion, it simultaneously performs detection in multiple directions as the revolving portion rotates, eliminating the need for multiple separate detecting devices positioned at different locations. This multi-functional approach expands detection coverage while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from adding multiple independent detection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies merging by combining the detection function with the revolving portion structure. Rather than adding a separate, independent detection system, the detecting device is integrated onto the existing revolving portion, which already has rotational movement capability. This merging approach leverages the existing structural motion to achieve expanded detection coverage without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250270789A1Work-machine control method, work-machine control program, work-machine control system, and work machine
Publication Date: 2025.08.28 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • US20250270789A1 patent drawing
  • US20250270789A1 patent drawing
  • US20250270789A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The work-machine control method is a control method for a work machine including a traveling portion, a revolving portion, and a detecting device, in which an operation of the traveling portion is restrained on the basis of both a detection result of the detecting device and a revolving angle of the revolving portion. The revolving portion is located above the traveling portion and is capable of revolving around a rotation axis along a vertical direction with respect to the traveling portion The detecting device is disposed in the revolving portion and detects a detection target object in a monitoring area around the revolving portion.