Excavation Data Acquisition System Indexed by Work Cycle Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data acquisition systems for excavation machines only index data by operator identification and time, neglecting important cycle segmentation, which limits the usefulness of the information generated for evaluating machine performance.
Innovation Solution
A data acquisition system that includes sensors for the power source and tool performance, a controller to record and partition the work cycle into segments, and link performance parameters with the corresponding segments, allowing for detailed analysis of excavation work cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data is indexed only by operator identification and time, then the system structure remains simple, but the usefulness and detail level of performance evaluation information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The work cycle is segmented into multiple distinct phases (digging, loading, hauling, dumping, etc.), allowing performance data to be indexed and analyzed at a finer granular level. This segmentation enables detailed evaluation of machine performance during specific operational phases without requiring a completely complex indexing system, as the segmentation is based on operational logic rather than additional sensor systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cycle segmentation is added as an indexing parameter, then machine performance evaluation becomes more detailed and useful, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it monitors sensor data, determines work cycle segmentation, indexes performance parameters, and prepares data for analysis. By making the controller multi-functional, the system achieves enhanced performance evaluation capabilities without adding separate dedicated hardware for cycle segmentation and data indexing, thus limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
3Loss of information
If performance parameters are linked with work cycle segments, then the usefulness of recorded information improves, but the difficulty of data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-processes and segments the work cycle data in real-time during machine operation, creating organized data structures that link performance parameters with specific cycle segments before the data is stored. This preliminary organization reduces the difficulty of subsequent data processing and analysis, as the data is already structured and ready for retrieval and evaluation without requiring complex post-processing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A data acquisition system for an excavation machine having a power source configured to drive a tool through a work cycle is disclosed. The data acquisition system may have a first sensor associated with the power source to generate a first signal indicative of a performance of the power source, and a second sensor associated with the tool to generate a second signal indicative of a performance of the tool. The data acquisition system may also have a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to record the first and second signals, and partition the work cycle into a plurality of segments. The controller may be further configured to link the performance of the power source and the performance of the tool together with one of the plurality of segments during which the associated first and second signals were recorded.