Bucket Hydraulic Control for Reciprocating Dump-Tilt Load Limiting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicles face excessive load stress when the operating device is quickly operated in a reciprocating manner between the operating limit positions of dumping and tilting movements, leading to potential damage and increased weight or cost due to the need for reinforced structures.

Innovation Solution

A work vehicle control system that includes a hydraulic device and a control device to adjust the supply of hydraulic fluid to the bucket cylinder, using operation data to determine if the operating conditions exceed threshold values, and outputting a limit command to restrict the hydraulic fluid flow rate when these conditions are met, thereby preventing the bucket from reaching the operating limit positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operator manually operates the work vehicle, then the work vehicle can perform complex operations requiring judgment, but the operator's physical burden increases and operation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator physical burdenVSAvoidoperation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the degree of automation based on the type of work being performed. For routine tasks, automated control executes operations to reduce physical burden. For complex tasks requiring judgment, the system maintains manual control capabilities. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing the balance between automation and manual operation in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The automated control system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the work vehicle. It receives input from the operator and translates it into precise control actions, reducing the operator's physical burden while maintaining operational efficiency through intelligent intervention rather than direct manual control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the operator manually operates the work vehicle, then flexibility in handling complex operations is maintained, but operation accuracy decreases due to operator fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into different functional modules: automated control module for routine operations, manual control interface for complex decisions, and coordination module for switching between modes. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high precision in automated tasks while maintaining simplicity in the overall control architecture through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If automated control is used for routine operations, then operation efficiency increases, but the ability to handle complex operations requiring judgment decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation efficiencyVSAvoidhandling complex operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between automated and manual control modes based on the complexity of the operation. Routine operations automatically execute with high efficiency, while complex operations requiring judgment automatically transition to manual control mode, maintaining adaptability without sacrificing productivity in routine tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Volume of moving object

If the work vehicle size is reduced for confined spaces, then spatial adaptability improves, but the operator's field of vision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework vehicle sizeVSAvoidoperator field of vision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical limitation of physical vehicle size with electronic/visual solutions. Cameras and display systems provide the operator with a wide field of vision despite the compact vehicle size, allowing the operator to see beyond the physical constraints of the small cabin while maintaining spatial adaptability for confined work areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution reduces the load on the work machine by limiting the bucket's movement, preventing excessive stress and potential damage, while maintaining operational efficiency and reducing the risk of discomfort to the operator.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic device configured to adjust a supply state of hydraulic fluid supplied to a hydraulic cylinder configured to cause a work tool to operate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic fluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3434831B1Control system for work vehicle, and control method for work vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 KOMATSU LTD
  • EP3434831B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3434831B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3434831B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

A work vehicle control system includes: a hydraulic device configured to adjust a supply state of hydraulic fluid supplied to a hydraulic cylinder configured to cause a work tool to operate; and a control device configured to control the hydraulic device. The control device includes: an operation data acquisition unit configured to acquire operation data indicating an operation state of an operating device operated in order to cause a work tool to perform a dumping movement and a tilting movement; and a control command unit configured to output, based on the operation data, a control command to control the hydraulic device; an operating condition determination unit configured to determine, based on the operation data, whether the operating device is operated under prescribed operating conditions; and a limit command unit configured to output a limit command to limit the control command in a case where the operating device is determined to be operated under the operating conditions.