Construction Machine Work Area Control Using Design Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to efficiently address the dynamic setting of work areas for construction machines, leading to potential displacement from intended areas and reduced safety and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A work machine equipped with a controller that sets work areas based on design data, allowing for the easy restriction of operations to avoid entry into prohibited zones and preventing deviation from intended construction areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If area restriction control is performed based on vehicle body coordinates, then the work machine can prevent entry into prohibited areas such as roads and buildings, but the restricted area may displace from the intended work area when the vehicle moves through traveling operation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidarea restriction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously acquires the vehicle body's position information through GPS or other positioning devices during traveling operation, and the controller dynamically adjusts the restricted area coordinates based on the acquired position data. This feedback mechanism ensures that the restricted area remains accurately aligned with the intended work area boundaries even as the vehicle moves, preventing both entry into prohibited areas and displacement from the intended zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The area restriction control system transitions from a static coordinate-based approach to a dynamic approach where the restricted area is continuously updated based on real-time vehicle position information. The controller automatically recalculates and adjusts the restricted area boundaries as the vehicle moves, making the system adaptive to changing positions while maintaining accurate area restriction throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the work area is set based on map data with previously inputted coordinate information, then the system can control entry into prohibited areas, but it cannot easily accommodate real-time setting of passageways for workers or other dynamic restrictions at construction sites

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearea restriction controlVSAvoidreal-time area adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables dynamic setting and modification of restricted areas during operation. The controller allows operators to add, remove, or modify restricted area boundaries in real-time based on current work conditions, such as creating temporary passageways for workers or adjusting boundaries as construction progresses. This dynamic capability combines with real-time position tracking to maintain accurate area restriction control while adapting to changing site requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The area restriction control system serves multiple functions: it controls entry into permanently prohibited areas (roads, buildings) using map data, and simultaneously accommodates temporary or dynamic restrictions (worker passageways, changing work zones) through real-time coordinate input. The system universally handles both pre-defined and ad-hoc area restrictions, making it versatile for various construction site scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4230806B1Work machine
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP4230806B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4230806B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4230806B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a work machine including a controller configured to perform area restriction control for preventing a vehicle body from deviating from a work area set in a construction area. In this work machine, it is possible to easily set an area for which operation of the work machine is to be restricted in an actual space to a desired position, and to avoid displacement of the area for which the work machine is to be actually controlled from the set area. The work machine includes a controller configured to perform area restriction control for restricting operation of a vehicle body so as to prevent the vehicle body from deviating from a work area set in a construction area. The controller sets at least a part of the work area based on design data representing a final intended shape of a construction target in the construction area.