Crane Control Device for Waste Mixing Homogeneity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional crane control systems in waste incineration plants lack the ability to optimize waste grabbing and releasing actions based on both the height and degree of mixing, leading to uneven waste properties and unstable combustion due to insufficient mixing, especially in smaller plants with limited space and increased time constraints.

Innovation Solution

A crane control device that uses a software agent system to determine optimal waste grabbing and releasing locations within the waste pit by calculating index values based on waste height and mixing degree, allowing for precise control of crane operations to achieve homogeneous waste properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional crane control systems are used that only consider waste height or color distribution, then the control system is simple to operate, but the waste mixing effectiveness is insufficient and combustion stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion stabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the evaluation parameters from simple color distribution or height measurements to a comprehensive mixing degree index that integrates multiple parameters including waste height, crane action history, and spatial distribution. This allows the system to evaluate waste homogeneity more accurately and adjust crane operations accordingly, improving combustion stability through better waste mixing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mixing degree is continuously evaluated based on waste height measurements and crane action records, and this evaluation is used to adjust subsequent crane operations. The system learns from past actions and optimizes future mixing operations to achieve more homogeneous waste distribution and stable combustion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If the waste pit size is reduced to decrease production cost, then the production cost decreases, but the waste mixing effectiveness deteriorates due to limited space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidwaste mixing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mixing degree evaluation index that quantifies waste homogeneity based on multiple parameters including waste height distribution and crane action history. This allows the system to optimize crane operations within limited space by making data-driven decisions about where to grab and release waste, achieving effective mixing even in smaller waste pits with reduced production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses historical crane action data to evaluate and predict waste distribution patterns before actual mixing operations. By analyzing past crane movements and waste height changes, the system can plan optimal mixing sequences that maximize homogeneity within the constrained space of smaller waste pits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If waste is brought into the waste storing section one after another to increase processing capacity, then the processing capacity increases, but the time taken to restack waste increases and mixing time constraints worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidmixing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time evaluation of waste mixing degree based on continuous monitoring of waste height and crane actions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to dynamically adjust crane operations to achieve target homogeneity levels more quickly, reducing the time required for effective mixing even as processing capacity increases and waste is brought in continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses historical data and evaluation models to predict optimal mixing sequences and crane actions in advance. By pre-planning mixing operations based on expected waste input patterns and spatial constraints, the system can execute faster, more efficient mixing operations that keep pace with increased waste processing rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If crane operations are controlled manually based on operator experience, then the control system is simple and flexible, but the waste mixing homogeneity deteriorates due to operator qualifications and intuition limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste mixing homogeneityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual operator judgment with an automated feedback system that continuously evaluates waste mixing degree using objective measurements of waste height and crane action history. This systematic approach eliminates variability due to operator qualifications and intuition, achieving consistent and homogeneous waste mixing through data-driven control decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the control approach from subjective operator experience to objective parameter-based evaluation. By quantifying waste homogeneity through measurable parameters like waste height distribution and crane action patterns, the system achieves precise and repeatable mixing results that are not dependent on individual operator skills or intuition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3470735B1Crane control device, method for controlling crane control device, control program, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 HITACHI ZOSEN CORP
  • EP3470735B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3470735B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3470735B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A crane control device (50) includes (i) a mixing agent (64) that determines, based on a height and a degree of mixing of waste in each of a plurality of sections into which a waste storing section (11) is divided, a section to be set as a waste grabbing location when a crane (14) is controlled to execute mixing work and (ii) a crane control section (66) that controls the waste grabbing action to be executed at the determined section.