Work machine steering control system and work machine steering control method

Abstract

A steering mechanism is used to navigate the direction of travel of a motor grader. A directional correction input device is manipulatable by an operator. A controller, during automatic control of the steering operation by the steering mechanism, controls the steering mechanism in a manner that the direction of travel is adjustable leftward or rightward through a certain angle based on an operation command inputted through the directional correction input device.

1 . A steering control system for a work machine, comprising:
 a steering mechanism that controls a direction of travel of the work machine;   a directional correction input device operated by an operator; and   a controller that, during automatic control of a steering operation by the steering mechanism, controls the steering mechanism in a manner that the direction of travel is adjustable through a certain angle toward one of lateral sides based on an operation command inputted through the directional correction input device.   
     
     
         2 . The steering control system for a work machine according to  claim 1 , wherein during the automatic control, the controller executes the automatic control by controlling the steering mechanism so that the direction of travel of the work machine, when the automatic control starts, is maintained as a target direction. 
     
     
         3 . The steering control system for a work machine according to  claim 2 , further comprising a steering controller that drives the steering mechanism based on the operation by the operator, wherein
 the controller starts the automatic control based on that the operation of the steering controller is suspended for a predetermined period of time.   
     
     
         4 . The steering control system for a work machine according to  claim 2 , further comprising an automatic control device operated by the operator, wherein
 the controller starts the automatic control based on a start requesting command from the automatic control device.   
     
     
         5 . The steering control system for a work machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller executes the automatic control by controlling the steering mechanism using a satellite positioning system. 
     
     
         6 . The steering control system for a work machine according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the controller executes the automatic control by selecting a first mode being a mode in which the controller controls the steering mechanism so that the direction of travel of the work machine, when the automatic control starts, is maintained as a target direction, or a second mode being a mode in which the controller controls the steering mechanism using a satellite positioning system, and   the steering control system further comprises a mode selector that selects the first mode or the second mode.   
     
     
         7 . The steering control system for a work machine according to  claim 6 , wherein, when the second mode is selected through the mode selector, the directional correction input device functionally operates as an interface that allows offset travel of the work machine. 
     
     
         8 . A steering control method for a work machine including: a steering mechanism that controls a direction of travel of the work machine; and a directional correction input device operated by an operator, the steering control method comprising:
 executing automatic control of a steering operation by the steering mechanism; and   controlling the steering mechanism during the automatic control in a manner that the direction of travel is adjustable through a certain angle toward one of lateral sides based on an operation command inputted through the directional correction input device.