Construction Machine Attachment Control for Stable Grounding Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction machines, such as hydraulic excavators, face challenges in maintaining a steady pressing force during flat ground preparation due to fluctuations in ground surface conditions and soil quality, making it difficult for unskilled operators to achieve consistent compaction.

Innovation Solution

A controller for construction machines that calculates and maintains a target gravity center velocity for the working attachment, using feedback corrections to ensure a steady compaction force by integrating a control part that adjusts the manipulation signals based on the composite gravity center velocity and compaction work, incorporating sensors and hydraulic systems to stabilize the operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple operation sections are operated independently by separate operation units, then each operation can be controlled precisely, but the overall operation complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation control precisionVSAvoidoperation unit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple independent operation units (crane operation unit, shovel operation unit, and truck operation unit) into a single integrated operation unit. This single operation unit can select and execute different operation patterns (first pattern for crane-shovel coordination, second pattern for shovel-truck coordination) based on the work state, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise control over all operation sections through unified management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If a single operation unit controls multiple operation sections, then operation complexity is reduced, but the precision and reliability of control decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation unit complexityVSAvoidoperation control reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The operation unit employs dynamic pattern selection capability that adapts to different work states. The control device dynamically switches between the first operation pattern (crane-dump truck coordination) and the second operation pattern (shovel-dump truck coordination) based on real-time conditions such as which operation section is active. This dynamic adaptation maintains high reliability by ensuring the appropriate control pattern is always active for the current operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If operation patterns are switched frequently between different work states, then adaptability improves, but system stability and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation pattern adaptabilityVSAvoidoperation system stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-defines two complete operation patterns (first operation pattern for crane-dump truck coordination, second operation pattern for shovel-dump truck coordination) that cover all anticipated work states. By preparing these patterns in advance and selecting between them based on the current work state, the system achieves high adaptability without frequent mid-operation switching, thereby maintaining stability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4450717B1Control device for construction machine and construction machine equipped with same
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD
  • EP4450717B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4450717B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4450717B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A controller (1A) includes a drive part (21S, 5), a posture information acquisition part (31), and a control part (50). The control part (50) calculates a gravity center velocity of a working device (20) on the basis of posture information about the working device (20) detected by the posture information acquisition part (31) and calculates a target gravity center velocity being a target value of the gravity center velocity on the basis of a difference between a grounding work to be exerted to the ground by the working device (20) and a target grounding work, and provides a feedback correction to an instruction signal to make the gravity center velocity approach the target gravity center velocity and inputs the corrected instruction signal into the drive part (21S, 5).