Autonomous Steering with Work-Specific Position Accuracy Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional autonomous steering systems for work machines face inefficiencies due to uniformly set threshold values for positional accuracy, leading to inappropriate reference route setting and hindered autonomous traveling, especially when required accuracy varies by work type.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous steering method and system that dynamically sets an allowable range for positional accuracy based on user operations and work information, allowing processing only when within this range, ensuring efficient autonomous steering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a uniform threshold value is set for positional accuracy determination, then the system is simple to operate, but work efficiency decreases when different work types require different accuracy levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of threshold settingVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The threshold value for positional accuracy determination is changed from a static uniform value to a dynamic value that automatically adjusts based on the type of work being performed. The control unit selects different threshold values corresponding to different work types (e.g., higher thresholds for rough grading, lower thresholds for precision planting), allowing the system to adapt to varying accuracy requirements without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of positional accuracy threshold based on work type. By associating different threshold values with different work types stored in memory, the system can switch between multiple parameter settings (threshold values) depending on the current work being performed, optimizing both efficiency and accuracy for each specific task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a high threshold value is set for positional accuracy, then autonomous traveling can start more easily, but reference route setting accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous traveling availabilityVSAvoidreference route setting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different threshold values are applied for different work types based on their specific accuracy requirements. For example, rough grading work uses a higher threshold that allows easier autonomous traveling start, while precision planting uses a lower threshold that ensures high reference route accuracy. Each work type receives the appropriate quality level matching its needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positional accuracy threshold parameter according to the selected work type. By storing multiple threshold values in memory and selecting the appropriate one based on work type, the system can optimize the balance between autonomous traveling availability and reference route accuracy for each specific application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a low threshold value is set for positional accuracy, then reference route setting accuracy improves, but autonomous traveling cannot start frequently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereference route setting accuracyVSAvoidautonomous traveling availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different quality levels (threshold values) to different work types. Work types requiring high accuracy (e.g., precision planting) receive lower thresholds that ensure reference route accuracy, while work types tolerant of lower accuracy (e.g., rough grading) receive higher thresholds that maintain autonomous traveling availability. This localized quality adjustment resolves the contradiction for each work type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The positional accuracy threshold parameter is dynamically changed based on work type selection. By storing multiple threshold values and selecting the appropriate one for each work type, the system ensures that high accuracy is provided only when needed, while maintaining broader autonomous traveling availability for work types that don't require high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4417029A1Autonomous steering method, autonomous steering system, and autonomous steering program
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4417029A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4417029A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4417029A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

[Problem] To provide an autonomous steering method, an autonomous steering system, and an autonomous steering program capable of improving the work efficiency of a work machine that can perform autonomous steering. [Solution] A positioning control unit 161 performs positioning of a position of a work machine 10. A vehicle control device 11 causes the work machine 10 to execute autonomous steering on the basis of position information indicating the position of the work machine 10, for which the positioning is performed. A restriction processing unit 715 permits predetermined processing related to the autonomous steering when positional accuracy of the positioning is within an allowable range. A setting processing unit 714 sets the allowable range on the basis of a user operation or work information in the work machine 10.