Construction Machine Attachment Positioning Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Construction machines like hydraulic excavators face challenges in accurately and efficiently moving attachments to target positions, especially over longer distances, due to operator reliance on manual handling and limited assistance from existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A construction machine equipped with a lower traveling body, slewing body, working device, actuators, an input interface for designating a provisional target position, a target position calculation part, an operational amount calculation part, and a control part that automatically adjusts the actuators to align the attachment with the actual target position, using three-dimensional measurement and display control systems to facilitate precise movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual operation is used to move the attachment to the target position, then the operator can control the movement, but the operation becomes difficult and inaccurate over longer distances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget position accuracyVSAvoidoperation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses a laser distance measurement device to automatically measure the shape of the construction surface and marked position, calculates a virtual line corresponding to the target surface, and displays a cross-sectional image on a display device to guide the operator in handling the construction machine

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtual line as an intermediary guide between the operator and the target position. The virtual line is calculated based on the measured construction surface shape and marked position, serving as a visual guide that helps the operator accurately position the attachment without direct manual measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If automatic measurement and display of target position is implemented, then target position accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget position accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified system: the laser distance measurement device automatically measures the construction surface shape and marked position, the calculation device computes the virtual line and cross-sectional image, and the display device presents the guidance information. This multi-functional integration achieves accurate target position measurement and guidance while managing system complexity through coordinated operation of existing components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the operator relies on visual recognition of the target position, then simple operation is maintained, but recognition accuracy deteriorates over longer distances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidtarget position recognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the operator's visual recognition capability with an automated laser distance measurement device that objectively measures the construction surface shape and marked position, eliminating the limitations of human visual recognition over long distances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual representation (virtual line and cross-sectional image) of the target position and construction surface relationship. This virtual copy serves as an accurate reference for the operator, replacing the need for direct visual recognition of the physical target position at a distance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3730704B1Construction machine

Publication Date: 2023.06.21 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD

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AI summary

Provided is a construction machine (10) which can perform an effectively operative assistance enabling an attachment to easily and rapidly move to a target position. The construction machine (10) includes: an input interface (33) which permits an input of a provisional target position of the attachment in a virtual space; a target position calculation part (34) which calculates an actual target position that is a target position of the attachment in a real space from the provisional target position; an operational amount calculation part (35) which calculates an operational amount required to make a current position of the attachment coincide with the actual target position of the attachment coincide with the actual target position with respect to at least one driven target selected from a lower traveling body, an upper slewing body, a working device, and the attachment; and a control part (36) which controls an operation of one of the actuators for driving the driven target in accordance with the calculated target operational amount.