Excavator Hydraulic Actuator Speed Settings for Combined Operations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing excavators face challenges in improving operability during various combined operations, as existing adjustment functions are limited in effectiveness for different combinations of hydraulic actuators.

Innovation Solution

An excavator system with a setting unit that adjusts operation speeds of hydraulic actuators during combined operations, allowing for simultaneous operation of two actuators where the speed increase of one actuator results in a corresponding speed decrease of another, with a control device capable of setting and displaying settings for multiple kinds of combined operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an adjustment function is provided for a certain kind of combined operation, then operability during that combined operation is improved, but operability for other combined operations has room for improvement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperability during combined operationVSAvoidadaptability to different combined operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is designed to provide adjustment functions for multiple kinds of combined operations simultaneously, not just a single operation type. The control device stores multiple setting patterns, each corresponding to different combinations of hydraulic actuators, enabling the system to adapt to various operational scenarios without requiring separate specialized systems for each operation type.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic switching between different setting patterns based on the selected combined operation. When the operation type changes, the control device automatically applies the appropriate setting pattern, enabling the operability characteristics to be dynamically adjusted to match the current operational context rather than being fixed for a single operation type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the operation speed of one hydraulic actuator is increased, then the operation speed of another hydraulic actuator must decrease, creating a trade-off that limits overall system performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation speed of hydraulic actuatorVSAvoidoverall system performance during combined operation
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides multiple setting patterns that define different speed distribution characteristics for combined operations. Each pattern represents a different parameter configuration for how speeds are allocated between actuators. By selecting appropriate setting patterns, the system can optimize speed allocation for specific operational requirements without being constrained by a fixed speed trade-off relationship.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control device pre-stores multiple setting patterns that have been optimized for different combined operation scenarios. Before actual operation begins, the appropriate setting pattern can be selected and applied, eliminating the need for real-time speed optimization calculations and allowing the system to immediately operate with optimized speed characteristics for the selected operation type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3779063B1Excavator and information processing device
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY
  • EP3779063B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3779063B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3779063B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An excavator or the like, which can further improve the operability of the combined operation, is provided. For this purpose, the excavator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of hydraulic actuators, and a setting unit that performs a setting related to operation speeds of the plurality of hydraulic actuators during a combined operation of the hydraulic actuators, so that when the operation speed of one of the actuators increases, the operation speed of another one of the actuators decreases, and the setting unit is configured to be able to perform the setting for a plurality of kinds of combined operations.