Worksite Controller Machine Task Progress Low-Power State
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fleet management systems fail to optimize machine operations at worksites, leading to idling times that result in fuel consumption and battery discharge, as they do not consider the task schedules of other machines.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first machine, a second machine, and a worksite controller that predicts the completion time of the first machine's task and the arrival time of the second machine, allowing the worksite controller to instruct the second machine to enter a low-power state if it arrives before the first machine completes its task, or to enter an active state if it arrives after the completion time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second machine arrives at the work area before the first machine completes its task, then the second machine can be ready to perform its task, but the second machine must idle with engine running consuming fuel and battery power
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the second machine arrive at the work area and position itself in advance, but remains in a powered-off state until the first machine completes its task. This allows the second machine to be ready to immediately begin work when the work area becomes available, while avoiding fuel consumption and battery discharge during the waiting period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the power state of the second machine based on real-time task progress data from the first machine. The second machine transitions from a powered-off state to an active state automatically when the work area becomes available, optimizing the balance between readiness and energy conservation throughout the operation sequence.
2Loss of energy
If the second machine waits remotely and does not arrive early, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the second machine may arrive after the first machine has already left the work area
Solution Approach 1:
The second machine performs preliminary positioning by arriving at the work area in advance of task completion, but remains powered-off during this period. This preliminary action ensures the machine is already in position to immediately begin work when the work area becomes available, eliminating delays while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the engine off during the waiting period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the first machine's task progress data to dynamically determine when the second machine should transition from a powered-off state to an active state. This feedback mechanism ensures the second machine arrives at the optimal time - early enough to be ready when work becomes available, but not so early as to incur unnecessary fuel consumption during extended idle periods.
3Device complexity
If the system monitors only individual machine metrics, then the monitoring system remains simple, but the system cannot optimize idling based on other machines' task schedules
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the monitoring of multiple machines into a unified worksite controller that receives and processes task progress data from all machines. This consolidated approach allows the system to optimize the scheduling and power states of multiple machines based on their interdependent task sequences, improving overall productivity and reducing total idling time across the fleet while maintaining manageable system complexity through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The worksite controller serves multiple functions: it monitors task progress of the first machine, determines optimal arrival times for the second machine, controls power states of multiple machines, and coordinates task sequences. This multi-functional approach enables comprehensive idling optimization across the entire worksite while avoiding the need for separate complex monitoring systems for each machine.
Data Source
AI summary
A worksite controller can manage machines, including a first machine configured to perform a first task and a second machine configured to perform a second task that follows the first task. The worksite controller can predict a time that the first machine will complete the first task at a work area. The worksite controller can also predict a time the second machine would arrive at the work area to perform the second task. Based on a comparison of the time the second machine would arrive at the work area and the predicted first task completion time, the worksite controller can instruct the second machine to enter or exit a low-power state. For example, if the second machine would arrive at the work area earlier than the predicted first task completion time, the worksite controller can instruct the second machine to avoid idling while waiting by entering the low-power state.