Excavator Antenna Layout for Stable Remote Control Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction machines face challenges in maintaining stable communication due to potential shielding of radio waves between the antenna and the work device, which can disrupt remote control operations.
Innovation Solution
The construction machine is equipped with multiple machine body-side antennas, including front and rear antennas strategically positioned to minimize interference from the work device, allowing for stable communication through a system that includes an external antenna and these internal antennas, utilizing a communication method like MIMO to enhance stability and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single antenna is attached to the upper rotating body, then the device complexity is reduced, but communication stability deteriorates due to shielding by the work device
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into multiple antennas (first front antenna, second front antenna, and rear antenna) positioned at different locations on the upper rotating body. This segmentation allows each antenna to serve as an independent communication path, ensuring that if one antenna is shielded by the work device, others can maintain stable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
Antennas are distributed in three-dimensional space around the upper rotating body - front antennas are positioned ahead of the rotating center and the rear antenna behind it. This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions ensures that at least one antenna maintains an unobstructed line of sight to the remote control room regardless of the work device position.
2Reliability
If the antenna is positioned behind the rotating center, then the structure is simplified, but communication stability deteriorates due to increased shielding risk
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into front and rear segments. The rear antenna is positioned behind the rotating center while front antennas are positioned ahead of it. This segmentation ensures that regardless of which region the work device occupies, there is always an antenna positioned on the opposite side that can communicate without shielding.
3Reliability
If multiple antennas are distributed around the upper rotating body, then communication stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication function is segmented across multiple antennas positioned at different locations. Each antenna handles a portion of the communication load, and the system can select or switch between antennas based on which has the best line of sight, thereby maintaining stability without requiring an overly complex single-antenna system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of antenna position and number to optimize communication. By distributing antennas in specific positions (front and rear of rotating center) rather than using a single antenna, the system achieves better communication reliability while keeping the increase in complexity manageable through strategic placement rather than random distribution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures stable and high-speed communication, even with varying machine postures, by minimizing blind spots and interference, thereby enabling reliable remote control operations.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of machine body-side antennas attached to the upper rotating body, and the construction machine being configured to communicate between an external antenna arranged outside the machine body and the plurality of machine body-side antennas
Data Source
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AI summary
An hydraulic excavator 1 includes a machine body 10 including a lower traveling body 2, an upper rotating body 4 capable of rotating on the lower traveling body 2, and a work device 5 attached to a front central portion of the upper rotating body 4, and a plurality of machine body-side antennas 60 attached to the upper rotating body 4, and the hydraulic excavator 1 communicates between a radio wave tower-side antenna 70 arranged outside the machine body 10 and the plurality of machine body-side antennas 60. The plurality of machine body-side antennas 60 includes front antennas 61 provided at least one on each of right and left sides so as to sandwich the work device 5 in a right-left direction ahead of a rotating center 4a of the upper rotating body 4 in a front-rear direction of the machine body 10, and at least one rear antenna 62 provided behind the rotating center 4a in the front-rear direction.