IP Library Granted Patent US 11,802,391
Granted Patent B2
US 11,802,391 · App. 16/971,815 · Granted Oct 31, 2023

System and method for controlling work machine

Inventors: Masanori Aizawa (Tokyo, JP); Kenjiro Shimada (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
E02F9/2041E02F9/262
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,802,391
App. No.
16/971,815
Filed
Aug 21, 2020
Granted
Oct 31, 2023
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3661
USPC
701/50
Abstract

A system controls a work machine that loads materials onto a conveyance vehicle. The system includes a controller. The controller performs a loading work by the work machine when the conveyance vehicle is stopped at a predetermined loading position. The controller acquires a loading amount onto the conveyance vehicle. The controller determines whether the loading work is finished based on the loading amount. The controller outputs a withdraw command to the conveyance vehicle to withdraw from the loading position upon determining that the loading work is finished. The controller determines whether the conveyance vehicle has withdrawn after outputting the withdraw command.

Claims (66)

1. A system for controlling a work machine that loads materials onto a conveyance vehicle,

the work machine including

a work implement having a bucket, and

a rotating body to which the work implement is attached,

the system comprising:

a controller configured to control the work machine, the controller being configured to

perform loading work by the work machine onto the conveyance vehicle when the conveyance vehicle is stopped at a loading position,

acquire a loading amount onto the conveyance vehicle,

determine whether the loading work is finished based on the loading amount,

output a withdraw command to the conveyance vehicle to withdraw from the loading position upon determining that the loading work is finished, and

determine whether the conveyance vehicle has withdrawn after outputting the withdraw command,

control the work machine in a loading mode in which the work machine is caused to perform the loading work when the conveyance vehicle is stopped at the loading position,

cause a control mode of the work machine to transition from the loading mode to a standby mode other than the loading mode upon determining that the conveyance vehicle has withdrawn from the loading position, and

control the work implement and the rotating body to perform the loading work in the loading mode, and

in the standby mode, the controller maintaining the work implement in a stopped state with the bucket disposed in a position higher than a height of a bed of the conveyance vehicle.

2. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a camera configured to capture a periphery of the work machine,

the controller being further configured to

acquire image data indicative of an image of the periphery of the work machine captured by the camera, and

determine whether the conveyance vehicle has withdrawn based on the image data.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein

the controller is further configured to

acquire a distance between the work machine and the conveyance vehicle, and

determine that the conveyance vehicle has withdrawn from the loading position when the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein

the controller is further configured to

perform digging by the work implement at a predetermined digging position,

cause the rotating body to rotate from the digging position toward the loading position, and

unload materials from the work implement at the loading position to perform the loading work.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein

the work machine further includes a sensor configured to detect a load applied to the work implement, and

the controller is further configured to

acquire load data indicative of a load applied to the work implement at digging, and

calculate the loading amount based on the load data.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein

in the standby mode, the controller maintaining the work implement in the stopped state includes the controller controlling the work implement to be disposed so as to face the loading position.

7. A method executed by a controller in order to control a work machine that loads materials onto a conveyance vehicle,

the work machine including

a work implement having a bucket, and

a rotating body to which the work implement is attached,

the method comprising:

performing loading work by the work machine onto the conveyance vehicle when the conveyance vehicle is stopped at a loading position;

acquiring a loading amount onto the conveyance vehicle;

determining whether the loading work is finished based on the loading amount,

outputting a withdraw command to the conveyance vehicle to withdraw from the loading position upon determining that the loading work is finished;

determining whether the conveyance vehicle has withdrawn after outputting the withdraw command;

controlling the work machine in a loading mode in which the work machine is caused to perform the loading work when the conveyance vehicle is stopped at the loading position;

causing a control mode of the work machine to transition from the loading mode to a standby mode other than the loading mode upon determining that the conveyance vehicle has withdrawn from the loading position; and

controlling the work implement and the rotating body to perform the loading work in the loading mode,

in the standby mode, the work implement being maintained in a stopped state with the bucket disposed in a position higher than a height of a bed of the conveyance vehicle.

8. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising:

acquiring image data indicative of an image of a periphery of the work machine,

the determining whether the conveyance vehicle has withdrawn being based on the image data.

9. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising:

acquiring a distance between the work machine and the conveyance vehicle; and

determining that the conveyance vehicle has withdrawn from the loading position when the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

10. The method according to claim 7 , wherein

the controlling the work implement and the rotating body to perform the loading work in the loading mode includes

performing digging by the work implement at a predetermined digging position,

causing the rotating body to rotate from the digging position toward the loading position, and

unloading materials from the work implement at the loading position to perform the loading wok.

11. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising

acquiring load data indicative of a load applied to the work implement at digging,

the acquiring the loading amount including calculating the loading amount based on the load data.

12. The method according to claim 7 , wherein

in the standby mode, the work implement being maintained in the stopped state includes the work implement being disposed so as to face the loading position.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2020
From: AIZAWA, MASANORI; SHIMADA, KENJIRO
To: KOMATSU LTD.
Reel/Frame 053579/0613 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2018-144233 · Jul 31, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210363726A1 · Nov 25, 2021