Crane Operator Controls With Acceleration-Based Shake Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively reduce the involuntary movements of control members in cranes due to shaking, leading to reduced controllability and potential safety hazards in dynamic operating environments.

Innovation Solution

A signal processing system that processes input command signals based on detected acceleration, compensating for movements by determining acceleration vectors and adjusting input commands accordingly, using a signal processing unit to dampen or filter signals above a predetermined threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If filters are applied to reduce shaking of the operator carrier, then operator comfort and stability are improved, but the responsiveness and speed of controlled movements are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator carrier stabilityVSAvoidcontrolled movement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the filtering characteristics based on detected acceleration levels. When high acceleration is detected indicating shaking, stronger filtering is applied. When low acceleration is detected, filtering is reduced or disabled, allowing fast controlled movements without artificial damping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The filtering parameters are changed based on the operating conditions detected by acceleration sensors. The system modifies filter strength, cutoff frequencies, or activation states according to the measured shaking levels, optimizing the balance between stability and responsiveness for each condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the operator carrier is attached to the crane structure, then structural support and positioning are improved, but shaking and disturbing movements are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidshaking and disturbing movements

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediary system consisting of acceleration sensors and signal processing electronics is introduced between the crane structure and the control system. This intermediary detects shaking movements and compensates for them through signal processing, isolating the operator from the harmful vibrations while maintaining the structural attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful shaking movements are detected and converted into useful information about the operator carrier's motion state. This information is then used to compensate for the shaking in the control signals, transforming the previously harmful vibration into a corrective factor that improves control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If acceleration-based signal processing is applied, then involuntary movements are compensated, but system complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Complex mechanical vibration isolation systems are replaced with electronic and software-based solutions. Acceleration sensors and digital signal processing algorithms substitute for heavy mechanical dampers or active mechanical stabilization mechanisms, reducing physical complexity while maintaining or improving performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4640614A1Working equipment provided with means for reducing impact of movements when controlling the working equipment

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 HIAB AB CO CARGOTEC SWEDEN AB

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AI summary

A working equipment (2) comprising a movable arm (8) arranged at a base on a vehicle, an operator control assembly (10) comprising an operator carrier (12) for an operator of the working equipment (2), and a manoeuvring unit (14) comprising a set of control members (16) arranged to receive input commands from the operator for movements of the moveable arm (8) and to generate input command signals (18) in dependence of received input commands. The working equipment (2) further comprises a control system (20) arranged to generate control signals (22) for the movements of the movable arm (8) in dependence of input commands from the operator, wherein at least one of said control members (16), has a designated movement capability. The working equipment (2) comprises an acceleration measurement unit (24) arranged to measure accelerations in at least one dimension, and to generate an acceleration signal (26) comprising acceleration values. The working equipment (2) further comprises a signal processing unit (28) configured to receive said input command signals (18) from the at least one control member (16), and said acceleration signal (26), and further configured to process said input command signal (18) by using the acceleration values and the movement capability related to the at least one control member (16) to compensate for movements of the operator control assembly (10) affecting the movements applied by input commands to the control members (16), and to generate a processed input command signal (30) that is applied to said control system (20).