IP Library Granted Patent US 12,467,227
Granted Patent B2
US 12,467,227 · App. 18/554,702 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Work machine and method for controlling work machine

Inventors: Ken Nishihara (Tokyo, JP); Eiji Ishibashi (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
E02F3/844E02F9/265
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,467,227
App. No.
18/554,702
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A work machine includes a vehicle body including a travel device, a blade supported so as to be rotatable about a pitch axis with respect to the vehicle body, a pitch actuator configured to cause the blade to perform a pitch motion about the pitch axis, and a controller. The determines whether a slip occurs on the travel device during work with the blade, and causes the blade to perform the pitch motion in a backward tilt direction upon determining that the slip occurs.

Claims (46)

1 . A work machine comprising:

a vehicle body including a travel device;

a blade supported so as to be rotatable about a pitch axis with respect to the vehicle body;

a pitch actuator configured to cause the blade to perform a pitch motion about the pitch axis; and

a controller configured to

determine, based on a first slip condition, whether a first slip occurs on the travel device during work with the blade,

cause the blade to perform the pitch motion in a backward tilt direction upon determining that the first slip occurs,

determine whether the travel device has escaped from the first slip,

upon determining that the travel device has not escaped from the first slip, determine, based on a second slip condition different from the first slip condition, whether a second slip is occurring on the travel device during work with the blade, and

raise the blade upon determining that the second slip is occurring.

2 . A method for controlling a work machine that includes a vehicle body including a travel device, a blade supported so as to be rotatable about a pitch axis with respect to the vehicle body, and a pitch actuator configured to cause the blade to perform a pitch motion about the pitch axis, the method comprising:

determining, based on a first slip condition, whether a first slip occurs on the travel device during work with the blade;

causing the blade to perform the pitch motion in a backward tilt direction upon determining that the first slip occurs;

determining whether the travel device has escaped from the first slip;

upon determining that the travel device has not escaped from the first slip, determining, based on a second slip condition different from the first slip condition, whether a second slip is occurring on the travel device during work with the blade; and

raising the blade upon determining that the second slip is occurring.

3 . The work machine according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a lift frame supported so as to be rotatable about a lift axis with respect to the vehicle body; and

a lift actuator configured to cause the lift frame to perform a lift motion up and down about the lift axis,

the blade being supported by the vehicle body via the lift frame, and

the controller being configured to

acquire actual topography data indicative of an actual topography on which the work is performed,

acquire target topography data indicative of a target topography, at least a portion of the target topography being positioned below the actual topography, and

perform the work by controlling the lift actuator so that a blade tip of the blade moves according to the target topography.

4 . The work machine according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a position sensor configured to detect a position of the vehicle body; and

a speed sensor configured to detect a moving speed of the travel device,

the controller being further configured to

calculate an actual vehicle speed of the work machine based on the position of the vehicle body,

calculate a theoretical vehicle speed of the work machine based on the moving speed of the travel device, and

determine whether the first slip occurs on the travel device based on the actual vehicle speed and the theoretical vehicle speed.

5 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein

the work machine includes

a lift frame supported so as to be rotatable about a lift axis with respect to the vehicle body, and

a lift actuator configured to cause the lift frame to perform a lift motion up and down about the lift axis,

the blade is supported by the vehicle body via the lift frame, and

the method further comprises:

acquiring actual topography data indicative of an actual topography on which the work is performed;

acquiring target topography data indicative of a target topography, at least a portion of the target topography being positioned below the actual topography; and

performing the work by controlling the lift actuator so that a blade tip of the blade moves according to the target topography.

6 . The method according to claim 2 , further comprising:

acquiring a position of the vehicle body;

acquiring a moving speed of the travel device;

calculating an actual vehicle speed of the work machine based on the position of the vehicle body;

calculating a theoretical vehicle speed of the work machine based on the moving speed of the travel device; and

determining whether the first slip occurs on the travel device based on the actual vehicle speed and the theoretical vehicle speed.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2023
From: NISHIHARA, KEN; ISHIBASHI, EIJI
To: KOMATSU LTD.
Reel/Frame 065196/0133 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2021-108991 · Jun 30, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240044104A1 · Feb 8, 2024
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