Automated Work Vehicle Speed and Clutch Timing at Work Start

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated work vehicles face issues with work accuracy due to variations in stop positions and delays in drive transmission systems, leading to inconsistent work initiation at designated start positions.

Innovation Solution

The method involves reducing the vehicle speed before the work start position, engaging the work clutch when a predetermined threshold speed is reached, and initiating work machine operation after a set time delay to ensure precise alignment and stable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the work machine is driven from a position before the work start position, then the work can be started early, but the work accuracy deteriorates due to stop position variation and drive transmission delay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework start timingVSAvoidwork accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The work machine is driven in advance from a position before the work start position, but the actual work operation is delayed until the work vehicle reaches the precise work start position. This preliminary driving action allows the system to prepare while maintaining positional accuracy through controlled delay

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the timing of work machine operation based on the work vehicle's actual position and speed. The work clutch engagement timing is optimized to account for drive transmission delay, ensuring the work starts at the correct position despite preliminary driving

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the drive transmission system is operated for extended periods, then productivity increases, but reliability deteriorates due to aging deterioration causing rattling and delay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoiddrive transmission stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The work machine is driven in advance while the work vehicle is approaching the work start position. This preliminary driving action allows the drive transmission system to be engaged earlier, maintaining productivity while the actual work operation is delayed until the correct position is reached

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the work vehicle's position and speed to determine the optimal timing for work clutch engagement. This feedback mechanism compensates for drive transmission delay and aging effects, ensuring reliable work start timing despite extended operation periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the car speed is reduced significantly before the work start position, then work accuracy improves, but productivity deteriorates due to slower overall travel speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework start position accuracyVSAvoidoverall work efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The car speed is reduced periodically only in the specific zone before the work start position, while maintaining higher speeds during other travel periods. This periodic speed reduction achieves precise work start positioning without significantly impacting overall productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The speed reduction is applied locally only in the specific region before the work start position, rather than reducing speed throughout the entire work area. This localized approach maintains work accuracy while minimizing impact on overall productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4623660A1Automated traveling method, automated traveling program, and automated traveling system
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4623660A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4623660A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4623660A1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

A traveling processing portion 111 causes a work vehicle 10 including a work machine 14 movable between a non-work position and a work position to travel in an automated manner along a target path. An elevation processing portion 112 moves the work machine 14 from the non-work position to the work position at a position before a work start position only by a first predetermined distance on the target path. A car-speed control processing portion 113 reduces the car speed of the work vehicle 10 to a car speed slower than a set car-speed at a position before the work start position only by a second predetermined distance. A drive processing portion 114 starts driving of the work machine 14 at the work start position or a position on an advancing direction side of the work start position.