Adaptive Excavation Control System with Dynamic Swing Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing excavation control systems, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,104, are limited in controlling swinging movements of excavation machines during side-to-side operations and do not account for side-to-side tilting, which can lead to collisions and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive excavation control system that includes a boom member, linear and rotary actuators, an operator input device, tilt sensors, and a controller to detect inclination and modify movement commands, thereby inhibiting the boom member from swinging past set swing end stops, ensuring controlled movement within defined limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If swing end stops are set to limit the swinging range of the boom member, then collisions with protected regions are prevented, but the operator's control flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The swing end stop is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The controller modifies the swing end stop position based on real-time inclination data from the tilt sensor, allowing the limit to adapt to changing ground conditions and machine posture, thus maintaining safety while preserving operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of swing end stop position based on inclination angle. When the machine tilts, the controller calculates and adjusts the appropriate swing limit to account for the tilted geometry, preventing collisions while allowing maximum safe movement range under each specific condition
2Measurement precision
If the control system accounts for side-to-side tilting by using tilt sensors, then accuracy of swing control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical swing limitation mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses tilt sensor data to calculate and enforce swing limits through software logic in the controller, simplifying the physical hardware while improving precision
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt sensor provides continuous feedback about machine inclination to the controller, which then adjusts the swing end stop position in real-time. This closed-loop feedback system achieves high accuracy without requiring complex mechanical linkages or manual adjustment mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively controls swinging movements during side-to-side operations, minimizing collisions and improving productivity by accounting for side-to-side tilting and adjusting movement based on detected inclination, ensuring the work tool remains within the allowed excavation area.
Implementation Method 1
a tilt sensor configured to detect an inclination of the excavation machine
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for use with an excavation machine is disclosed. The control system may have a boom member, a linear actuator connected to pivot the boom member in a first direction, a rotary actuator connected to swing the boom member in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and an operator input device configured to generate a command signal indicative of a desired movement of the boom member. The control system may also have a tilt sensor configured to detect an inclination of the excavation machine, and a controller in communication with the rotary actuator, the operator input device, and the tilt sensor. The controller may be configured to receive a swing end stop for the boom member, to control the rotary actuator to move the boom member based on the command signal, and to modify the command signal to inhibit movement of the boom member past the swing end stop based on the detected inclination of the excavation machine.