Construction Machine Program Rewriting System Power Check

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing program rewriting systems for construction machines, such as excavators, face issues with abnormal termination of the rewriting process when the engine is stopped due to insufficient electric power stored in the storage device, potentially breaking the currently used program and preventing the machine from starting up.

Innovation Solution

A program-rewritable system for construction machines that includes a controller which checks the charge amount of the electric storage device before initiating the rewriting process, prohibiting the transfer and rewriting if it is insufficient, and storing the renewal program separately from the currently used program to allow for continued operation and error checking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If program rewriting is performed when the engine is stopped using stored electric power, then the rewriting process can be executed, but the rewriting process may be abnormally terminated due to insufficient electric power in the storage device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram rewriting capabilityVSAvoidrewriting process completion
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system checks the charge amount of the electric storage device before initiating the program rewriting process. If the charge amount is insufficient, the rewriting process is prohibited from starting, thereby preventing abnormal termination due to power depletion during the rewriting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the rewriting process is performed using electric power from the storage device, then the program can be updated, but the currently used program may be broken causing the construction machine to cannot be started

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram update capabilityVSAvoidmachine startability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary check of the electric storage device's charge amount before allowing the rewriting process to commence. This advance verification ensures that sufficient power is available to complete the entire rewriting operation, preventing program corruption and maintaining machine startability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the rewriting process is prohibited when charge amount is insufficient, then abnormal termination is prevented, but the program rewriting cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverewriting process completionVSAvoidprogram update efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback information about the charge amount status to the user before prohibiting the rewriting process. This allows operators to understand the reason for prohibition and take appropriate actions such as charging the storage device or delaying the rewriting operation until sufficient power is available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Prevents abnormal termination of the program rewriting process by ensuring sufficient charge is available, allowing for successful transfer and rewriting of programs without breaking the existing program, thus ensuring the construction machine can continue operating without interruption.

Implementation Method 1

an electric storage device for storing an electric power generated by the generator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric power storage: Electrical Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP3315363B1Construction machine and program-rewritable system equipped with same
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD
  • EP3315363B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3315363B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3315363B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To prevent abnormal termination of a program rewriting process performed when an engine is stopped. A construction machine includes: an engine (13); an alternator (14) for generating an electric power by a power of the engine (13); an electric storage device (15) for storing the electric power generated by the alternator (14); a controller (12) for storing a currently used program, and performing a rewriting process of rewriting the currently used program with a renewal program using an electric power from the electric storage device (15) when the engine (13) is stopped; and a charge amount detection section (18e) for detecting a charge amount of the electric storage device (15). The controller (12) prohibits execution of the rewriting process when the charge amount detected by the charge amount detection section (18e) is smaller than a rewrite charge amount preliminarily set as a charge amount required for the rewriting process.