Work Vehicle Run-Mode Guidance for Automatic-to-Manual Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicles face challenges in providing clear guidance during mode switching between automatic and manual run modes, leading to confusion and potential safety issues due to varying operational states and user preferences for sound/voice guidance.

Innovation Solution

A work support system and method that includes a control unit to switch run modes based on vehicle state and user settings, with notification units providing mode-specific guidance through display and sound/voice notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the work vehicle provides fixed sound/voice notification settings, then the notification system is simple to implement, but it causes user stress when settings contradict user preferences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser preference adaptationVSAvoidnotification system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system dynamically adjusts its characteristics (sound/voice output, volume, type) based on user preferences and vehicle states rather than using fixed settings. The control unit modifies notification parameters in real-time to match both user preferences and current operational context, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters of the notification (output type, volume level, notification content) based on user preferences and vehicle state. By allowing flexible parameter adjustment without increasing fundamental system complexity, the patent achieves both ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the work vehicle provides comprehensive guidance for all mode switching scenarios, then operator clarity is improved, but the guidance system becomes overly complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator guidance clarityVSAvoidguidance system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system provides different types and levels of guidance information tailored to specific vehicle states and switching scenarios rather than using a uniform comprehensive approach. Each notification is customized to the local context (specific mode transition), providing necessary information without overwhelming the operator with unnecessary details.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The guidance system segments notifications into different types (sound vs. voice, different volume levels, different content) based on the specific switching scenario and vehicle state. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of all scenarios while keeping each individual notification simple and targeted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the work vehicle notifies all operation requirements when stopping automatic run, then safety is improved, but the notification duration and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety during mode switchingVSAvoidnotification duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system notifies the operator in advance of required operations before the mode switching is completed. By providing preliminary notification of what operations are needed, the system ensures safety without requiring prolonged notification periods, as the operator can prepare mentally for the upcoming actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The notification system provides feedback about the current vehicle state and required operations in a concise manner. The control unit monitors the vehicle state and delivers targeted notifications only when relevant, avoiding unnecessary prolonged notifications while maintaining safety through appropriate state-aware alerts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4289242B1Work support method, work support system, and program
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4289242B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4289242B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4289242B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

To provide a technology that can perform proper guidance after the run mode switching in a work vehicle, a technology that can perform proper guidance which is in response to the run mode switching in the work vehicle, and a technology that can perform proper guidance in the work vehicle that is so provided as to be able to automatically run. A work support method supports work that uses a work vehicle, wherein the method performs: switching a run mode to an automatic run mode in which the work vehicle is caused to automatically run in a farm field; switching, when a given condition is met in the automatic run mode, the run mode to a manual run mode in which the work vehicle is caused to manually run; and performing a switch notification to notify that the run mode is switched from the automatic run mode to the manual run mode. A mode of the switch notification differs depending on the work vehicle's state at the time of the switching to the manual run mode.