Automatic IMU Identification on Construction Machine Front Members

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying posture information detection sensors on multiple front members of construction machines, such as hydraulic excavators, are labor-intensive and prone to errors, especially when simultaneous operations complicate the identification process, leading to incomplete or incorrect sensor identification.

Innovation Solution

An automatic sensor identification system that automatically identifies posture information detection sensors by sequentially driving and stopping individual front members based on detection value changes, using a control unit to manage the identification process and reduce operator intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual sequential mounting and identification of posture information detection sensors is performed, then each sensor can be identified on its respective front member, but it takes significant time and labor proportional to the number of sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor identification accuracyVSAvoididentification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service identification where the construction machine automatically identifies which posture information detection sensor is mounted on which front member by detecting motion states during automatic front member operation, eliminating the need for manual sequential identification by operators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary identification action by automatically detecting sensor mounting positions before actual work begins, using automatic front member operation to trigger and complete the identification process in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If dedicated identification information is assigned to each posture information detection sensor for each front member, then sensor identification becomes automatic, but sensors cannot be standardized and part management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor identification easeVSAvoidpart management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the identification approach from using dedicated identification information embedded in each sensor to using motion state parameters detected during automatic operation, allowing standardization of sensors while maintaining identification capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If identification task is performed manually during common tasks like digging, then identification can proceed, but multiple front members driven simultaneously causes incomplete or incorrect identification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification efficiencyVSAvoididentification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from posture information detection sensors to detect which sensor produces which detection signal during automatic front member operation, allowing the control unit to accurately match sensors to front members based on detected motion patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If operator is required to sequentially drive individual front members for identification, then complete identification can be achieved, but operator burden increases and task becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification completenessVSAvoidoperator burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12460391B2Automatic sensor identification system and identification method in construction machine

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 CATERPILLAR SARL

AI summary

To reduce the burden of an operator when performing a task for identifying which posture information detection sensor is mounted on which front member in a construction machine where the posture information detection sensors are mounted on multiple front members constituting a working machine. An automatic identification system is provided which has an identification task start button for being operated to start an identification task, a front member control means for outputting a control instruction for driving and stopping multiple front members sequentially, individually, and automatically, and a sensor identification means for identifying IMU mounted on each front member based on changes of a detection value of IMU as said each front member is driven by the front member control means.