Work Vehicle Autonomous Travel Selection by Attached Machine Type

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicle control systems struggle to adapt autonomously to changes in attached work machines, leading to potential inappropriate work performance when a work machine is replaced without notice.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling a work vehicle that allows it to autonomously travel based on pre-set information specific to the attached work machine, with user selection from candidate options and restriction of non-corresponding information, using a work vehicle control system with a traveling processing unit, selection processing unit, and selection restraint processing unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the work vehicle uses fixed autonomous travel information without verification, then the autonomous travel can be performed continuously, but the work appropriateness deteriorates when work machine replacement is not noticed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous travel continuityVSAvoidwork appropriateness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the control unit receives information about the attached work machine, compares it with stored autonomous travel information, and determines whether to permit autonomous travel based on compatibility. This feedback loop ensures that autonomous travel only proceeds when the work machine type matches the required type, preventing inappropriate work while maintaining continuous operation when conditions are suitable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit performs preliminary verification of work machine compatibility before permitting autonomous travel. By checking whether the attached work machine type corresponds to the required type in the autonomous travel information beforehand, the system prevents inappropriate autonomous travel from occurring in the first place, rather than correcting issues during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the system permits autonomous travel with any work machine, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision of work deteriorates due to incompatible machine types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous travel permissionVSAvoidwork accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements a feedback mechanism that automatically verifies whether the attached work machine type matches the required type before permitting autonomous travel. This automated check maintains ease of operation by requiring minimal user intervention while ensuring work accuracy through strict compatibility verification, preventing inappropriate autonomous travel with incompatible machines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the control system adds verification steps for work machine compatibility, then the work accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs self-verification by automatically comparing the detected work machine type with the required type in the autonomous travel information. This self-service approach improves work accuracy through automated compatibility checking without requiring additional complex external verification systems, keeping the control system relatively simple while ensuring accurate work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Manufacturing precision

If the system restricts autonomous travel to verified compatible machines, then the work accuracy is improved, but the productivity decreases due to additional verification time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework accuracyVSAvoidautonomous travel efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs compatibility verification as a preliminary action before permitting autonomous travel. By checking work machine compatibility beforehand and only then permitting autonomous travel, the system ensures work accuracy is maintained while minimizing delays - the verification occurs once before operation rather than continuously during operation, preserving autonomous travel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback mechanism provides immediate permission or rejection based on compatibility verification results. When the work machine type matches the required type, autonomous travel is permitted without delay; when incompatible, autonomous travel is restricted. This responsive feedback system maintains productivity by avoiding unnecessary delays in compatible scenarios while ensuring accuracy through verification in all cases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4595731A1Method for controlling work vehicle, work vehicle control program, work vehicle control system, and work vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4595731A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4595731A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4595731A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a method for controlling a work vehicle, a work vehicle control program, a work vehicle control system, and a work vehicle that easily performs more appropriate work. [Solution] A method for controlling a work vehicle is a method for controlling a work vehicle to which a work machine is detachably attached and includes causing the work vehicle to autonomously travel based on autonomous travel information set in association with the work machine, causing a user to select the autonomous travel information from a plurality of pieces of candidate information, and restraining selection of non-corresponding information that does not correspond to a type of the work machine attached to the work vehicle among the plurality of pieces of candidate information.