US 12,331,485 B2
System and method for controlling a plurality of work machines
Yuuichi Kadono, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to KOMATSU LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Appl. No. 18/043,771
Filed by KOMATSU LTD., Tokyo (JP)
PCT Filed Oct. 13, 2021, PCT No. PCT/JP2021/037828
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 2, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/130756, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 23, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-210749 (JP), filed on Dec. 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0026646 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. E02F 9/00 (2006.01); E02F 3/84 (2006.01); E02F 9/20 (2006.01); E02F 9/26 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 9/2054 (2013.01) [E02F 3/841 (2013.01); E02F 9/205 (2013.01); E02F 9/261 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for controlling a plurality of work machines including a first work machine and a second work machine, the system comprising:
a wireless communication device; and
a controller configured to
acquire area data indicative of a position of a work area,
determine a first work path to be dug by the first work machine, the first work path extending in a work direction in the work area,
determine a second work path to be dug by the second work machine, the second work path extending in the work direction in the work area and disposed at an interval from the first work path in a lateral direction intersecting the work direction,
control the first work machine to execute work along the first work path and control the second work machine to execute work along the second work path,
determine whether the interval is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, or determine whether a distance between the first work machine and the second work machine in the lateral direction is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold,
upon determining that the interval or the distance is not less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, determine a next first work path and a next second work path so that the interval is decreased, and
upon determining that the interval or the distance is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, control the first work machine to move away from the second work machine by determining the next first work path such that the interval is increased.