Work Vehicle Heading Control with Single Start-End Trigger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicles require separate operating tools for setting start and end points, leading to potential errors and increased operational burden, and do not allow for accurate target heading calculation if position information accuracy is poor.

Innovation Solution

A single operating tool is used to set both start and end points, with features such as maneuvering operation detection to prevent erroneous settings and ensure pre-set accuracy, allowing for accurate target heading calculation and reduced operational complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate operating tools are used for setting start point and end point, then the functions are clearly separated, but the number of operating tools increases and the risk of pressing wrong tools increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverisk of errorVSAvoidnumber of operating tools
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the start point setting function and end point setting function into a single operating tool (trigger switch). The control unit distinguishes between start point setting and end point setting based on the operational state (whether the machine has moved beyond a predetermined distance from the start point), thereby reducing the number of operating tools while maintaining clear functional separation through control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single operating tool (trigger switch) serves multiple functions: it can set the start point when the machine is stationary or has not moved beyond the predetermined distance, and it can set the end point when the machine has moved beyond the predetermined distance. This multi-functionality reduces the number of operating tools required.

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

2Device complexity

If a single operating tool is used for setting start point and end point, then the number of operating tools is reduced, but the risk of pressing wrong tools and operational errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of operating toolsVSAvoidrisk of error
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the machine's position relative to the start point and provides feedback to determine the current operational state. Based on this feedback (whether the machine has moved beyond the predetermined distance), the control unit determines whether the operating tool should function as a start point setter or an end point setter, thereby preventing erroneous settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment of the machine's position and operational state before allowing the operating tool to set a point. The control unit determines in advance whether the current state is suitable for setting a start point or an end point, preventing erroneous settings before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If target heading calculation is performed with poor position information accuracy, then the system can operate in more conditions, but the accuracy of maneuvering control decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational conditionsVSAvoidposition information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent calculates the target heading using position information from only two points (start point and end point) rather than requiring continuous high-precision position information throughout the entire work area. This partial approach allows the system to operate with lower overall position information accuracy while still achieving sufficient maneuvering control accuracy for the specific task of following a straight-line trajectory between two points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3900510B1Travelling work machine
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3900510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3900510B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3900510B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A traveling work machine includes: a machine body provided with a travel apparatus; a position detection unit capable of detecting position information of the machine body on the basis of a positioning signal of a navigation satellite; a travel trajectory obtainment unit capable of obtaining a travel trajectory of the machine body on the basis of detection, over time, of the position information; a target heading calculation unit that calculates a target heading on the basis of the travel trajectory; a maneuvering control unit capable of controlling the travel apparatus to maneuver along the target heading; and a single operating tool capable of setting both a start point and an end point of the travel trajectory obtained when calculating the target heading.