Autonomous Work Vehicle Control for Tool Change Settings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicles require adjustments when a work machine is replaced, and operators may inadvertently continue work without recognizing the change, leading to inappropriate operations.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling a work vehicle that allows it to autonomously travel and adjust settings based on the attached work machine, including a traveling processing unit and a change processing unit to modify settings according to the work machine's state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the work machine is detachably attached to the work vehicle, then the versatility and adaptability of the work vehicle is improved, but the complexity of adjustments and settings increases when a work machine is replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework machine replacement capabilityVSAvoidadjustment and setting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The work vehicle control system automatically detects the attached work machine type and autonomously adjusts autonomous travel settings without requiring manual operator intervention. The system self-configures parameters based on the work machine state, eliminating the need for operators to perform complex adjustments when replacing work machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously monitors the work machine attachment state and provides feedback to automatically modify autonomous travel settings. When a work machine is attached or replaced, the system detects this change and automatically adjusts relevant parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to different work machine configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the work vehicle performs autonomous travel with fixed settings, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of work performance deteriorates when work machines are replaced without adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous travel operationVSAvoidwork performance appropriateness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous travel settings are made dynamic rather than fixed. The control system automatically adjusts travel parameters based on the attached work machine type, allowing the system to adapt its behavior dynamically. This ensures that the work vehicle maintains appropriate performance across different work machine configurations while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustments are required when work machines are replaced, then the manufacturing precision of work settings is improved, but the loss of time for adjustments increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework setting accuracyVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system pre-configures autonomous travel settings for different work machine types and automatically applies the appropriate configuration when a work machine is attached. This preliminary preparation of settings eliminates the need for time-consuming manual adjustments while maintaining accurate work settings, as the system has already optimized parameters for each work machine type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250244771A1Method for controlling work vehicle, work vehicle control program, work vehicle control system, and work vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD

AI summary

A method for controlling a work vehicle is a method for controlling the work vehicle to which a work machine is detachably attached and includes causing the work vehicle [1] to autonomously travel along a target route and changing a setting item related to autonomous travel of the work vehicle in accordance with a state of the work machine attached to the work vehicle.