Work Vehicle Control for Recess-Aware Digging Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic control systems for work vehicles face inefficiencies when operating on uneven topographies due to recesses in the work site, leading to increased digging frequency and distance, which reduces work efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A control system that determines a target design topography below the actual topography, identifies non-work zones where the actual topography is below the target, and modifies the work zone based on these non-work zones to generate command signals for the work implement, ensuring efficient operation even on uneven surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic control is performed based on a predetermined target profile, then the work vehicle can operate automatically along the target profile, but when recesses deeper than the target profile are included in the work zone, the soil amount to be dug decreases, causing the number of digging times and digging distance to increase, which reduces work efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary action by determining a modified work zone that anticipates and compensates for recess portions in the actual topography before the digging operation begins. The control device calculates the depth difference between the target profile and actual topography, identifies recess portions, and extends the work zone boundary forward to include these recess areas. This preliminary adjustment ensures that the work implement digs the necessary soil in fewer passes, preventing multiple redundant digging operations and maintaining high work efficiency while operating in automatic control mode.
2Ease of operation
If the work zone is determined without considering actual topography variations, then the control system is simple to operate, but recess portions cause reduced soil amount per digging operation, increasing the number of digging cycles required
Solution Approach 1:
The control device applies feedback by continuously comparing the target profile with the actual topography data, identifying recess portions where the actual ground level is lower than the target profile. Based on this feedback information, the control device automatically modifies the work zone boundary to extend into areas with recess portions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to actual topography variations without requiring complex manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while optimizing digging efficiency by ensuring adequate soil volume in each work zone.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a work vehicle includes a controller. The controller determines a work zone at a work site. The controller determines a target design topography at least partially positioned below an actual topography at the work site. The controller specifies a non-work zone. The non-work zone is a portion in which the actual topography is positioned below the target design topography in the work zone. The controller modifies the work zone based on the non-work zone. The controller generates a command signal to operate a work implement of the work vehicle according to the modified work zone and the target design topography.