Articulated Boom Tool Orientation by Moving Direction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of work machines, particularly forestry equipment, face inefficiencies and operator fatigue due to the time-consuming process of correctly orienting tools mounted on articulated booms, which affects productivity.
Innovation Solution
A system with a control unit that automatically determines the moving direction of a tool on an articulated boom and generates control signals to orient the tool based on predetermined dependencies, using sensors to adjust the tool's orientation relative to its moving direction, thereby optimizing tool positioning for tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tool is manually oriented by the operator, then the tool can be positioned correctly, but the process is time-consuming and causes operator fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The tool orientation system automatically determines the moving direction of the boom tip and orients the tool accordingly without requiring manual operator intervention. The control unit receives position information from sensors, calculates the moving direction, and generates control signals to position the tool, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous operator input.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical orientation process is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect boom position, a control unit to calculate the optimal tool orientation based on moving direction, and actuators to automatically position the tool. This substitutes the operator's manual mechanical adjustments with an automated electromechanical system.
2Productivity
If the tool orientation is automated based on moving direction, then operator effort is reduced and productivity increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it receives position information from sensors, determines the moving direction of the boom tip, calculates the optimal tool orientation based on predetermined dependencies, and generates control signals for the actuators. By consolidating these functions in a single control unit, the system achieves automation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives position information from sensors about the boom and tool positions, uses this feedback to calculate the current moving direction, and adjusts the tool orientation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to changing conditions while maintaining systematic control.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
A system and a method for controlling a tool (30) pivotably mounted to an articulated boom (20) connected to a work machine (10) having a control unit (50), comprising determining the direction a predetermined point of the boom (20) or the tool (30) is moving to (i.e. the moving direction) and controlling orientation of the tool (30) as a function of one or several predetermined dependencies, the predetermined dependencies defining at least the orientation of the tool (30) in relation to the moving direction.