Construction Machine Program Update Control via Power State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction machine program rewriting systems require high processing power for both information collection and program rewriting, especially when the machine is in an operational state, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A construction machine with a control device that includes a vehicle controller and a communication controller, where the communication controller stores update programs from a server independently of the vehicle controller, and an electric power supply state detector is used to suspend update program transfers when the machine is in an operational state, allowing for reduced processing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If program rewriting is executed concurrently with information collection in an operational state, then program updates can be performed during machine operation, but processing power requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram update efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing power requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the timing of program rewriting operations based on the operational state of the construction machine. The key switch state is monitored to determine whether to proceed with or suspend program rewriting, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to current operational conditions and available processing power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The program rewriting process is executed periodically when the machine is in a non-operational state (key switch off), rather than continuously. This periodic execution allows the system to perform updates during idle periods when processing power is more readily available and does not interfere with operational tasks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Power

If program rewriting is suspended when the key switch is on, then processing power is conserved, but program updates cannot be performed during operational states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing power consumptionVSAvoidprogram update frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares for program rewriting by monitoring the key switch state in advance. When the machine transitions to a non-operational state, the system is already positioned to immediately begin program rewriting without delay, maximizing the utilization of available time windows for updates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the information collecting controller executes both information collection and program rewriting, then a single controller suffices, but the controller requires high processing power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller configurationVSAvoidprocessing power requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The control functions are segmented into distinct operational modes within the information collecting controller. The controller handles information collection during operational states and program rewriting during non-operational states, separating these computationally intensive tasks in time rather than space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3321805B1Construction machine and program rewriting system provided with same
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD
  • EP3321805B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3321805B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3321805B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to minimize processing power required for a controller. A hydraulic shovel (1) includes a control device (12) having a vehicle controller (21) for storing a program and configured to execute rewriting processing of rewriting the program by an update program, and a communication controller (20) communicative with a server (11) having the update program via a communication means (50) and configured to store the update program received from the server (11); and a rewriting determination part (21e) for detecting whether or not the hydraulic shovel is in an electric power supply state in which electric power is supplied to an electrical component. The control device (12) starts transfer of the update program from the communication controller (20) to the vehicle controller (21) when the rewriting determination part (21e) detects that the hydraulic shovel is not in an electric power supply state, and suspends transfer of the update program when the rewriting determination part (21e) detects that the hydraulic shovel is in an electric power supply state after the transfer is started and before the transfer is completed.