Adaptive Control for Articulated Crane Arms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Articulated cranes face safety and efficiency challenges due to environmental and psychophysical factors, such as strong winds, operator fatigue, and varying operating conditions, which can lead to risks for the operator and surrounding structures.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive system for moving articulated arms that adjusts operative parameters based on detected conditions, using sensors to monitor operator physiological states, environmental factors, and crane usage, allowing for modified commands to actuators to enhance safety and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the articulated crane operates under nominal design conditions with standard control, then the crane achieves designed performance and productivity, but safety risks increase when environmental or operator conditions deviate from nominal parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts operative parameters based on real-time detection of surrounding conditions and operator state. The system transitions from static nominal parameters to dynamic adaptive parameters that respond to changing environmental factors (wind, temperature) and operator physiological states (fatigue, stress), ensuring safety while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensors monitor environmental conditions and operator physiological parameters, which are then processed by the control system to adjust operative parameters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the crane to adapt to varying conditions while maintaining safe operation within dynamic parameter boundaries.
2Productivity
If the crane operates at full power and speed under all conditions, then productivity is maximized, but safety risks increase under adverse environmental conditions or when operator fatigue is detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operative parameters (power, speed, load capacity) based on detected surrounding conditions and operator state. When adverse conditions are detected (strong wind, operator fatigue), the system automatically adjusts parameters to reduce power and speed, preventing safety incidents while allowing full productivity under favorable conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by operating at reduced power levels when conditions require it, rather than maintaining full power continuously. This selective reduction of operational intensity based on real-time conditions optimizes the balance between productivity and safety, applying full power only when safe to do so.
3Reliability
If the crane system incorporates comprehensive sensors and adaptive control, then safety and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it monitors environmental conditions, detects operator physiological state, processes sensor data, and adjusts operative parameters. This multi-functional approach consolidates safety monitoring and adaptive control into a single integrated system, reducing overall complexity despite the comprehensive nature of the safety features.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges environmental sensing, operator monitoring, and control adjustment into an integrated adaptive control unit. By combining these previously separate functions into a unified system, the patent reduces the complexity that would arise from multiple independent systems while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring and adaptive capabilities.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention refers to a system for moving an articulated arm (101), comprising: - said articulated arm (101) comprising a plurality of bodies, successively connected in order to form an open kinematic chain, and a plurality of actuators for moving said bodies; - a user-interface device (110) configured to command the movements of the articulated arm by an operator; - a control unit operatively connected to said actuators and said user-interface device, configured to command, responsive to commands of the operator by the user-interface device (110), said actuators according to suitable regular operative parameters so that the articulated arm performs the movements commanded by the operator. The control unit is further configured to command, responsive to commands of the operator by the user interface device (110), said actuators according to modified operative parameters if some surroundings conditions occur.