Excavator Bucket Reference-Level Detection for Loading Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work machines, such as hydraulic excavators, face challenges in accurately detecting the operation of loading excavated matter into a loading target, which affects the accurate calculation of the load being transferred.
Innovation Solution
A work machine equipped with a loading determination unit that assesses the operation by monitoring the movement of the bucket across a reference level, along with other conditions like boom ascension and revolving unit activity, to determine if the operation is a loading operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the bucket moves across a reference level to determine loading operation, then the accuracy of loading detection is improved, but the complexity of the detection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic movement detection of the bucket across a reference level to determine loading operations. Instead of static position sensing, the system detects the dynamic transition of the bucket passing through the reference level, which provides accurate loading detection while using simple sensors that monitor bucket position changes over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference level is pre-set based on the loading target height before operation begins. This preliminary setup allows the detection system to simply monitor whether the bucket moves across this predetermined level, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations or multiple sensors, thus improving accuracy without significantly increasing system complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple conditions are monitored to determine loading operation, then the reliability of load calculation is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loading operation detection is segmented into distinct conditions: bucket position relative to reference level, boom ascension state, and revolving unit activity. Each condition is detected independently using simple sensors, and their combination provides reliable load calculation determination without requiring a single complex detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors more conditions than the minimum required (bucket position, boom movement, revolving unit) to ensure reliable loading operation detection. This excessive monitoring of relevant parameters ensures that all aspects of the loading operation are captured, improving reliability while each individual measurement remains simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine includes: a boom; a dipper stick attached to a distal end of the boom; a bucket attached to a distal end of the dipper stick; and a loading determination unit configured to determine that an operation of the work machine is a loading operation for loading an excavated matter into a loading target under a condition that the bucket moves across a reference level.