Excavator Boom Controller for Slope Finishing Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

During slope construction, excavators face issues with slope collapse and reduced workability due to excessive boom lowering momentum, which can cause the slope to collapse or the excavator to be lifted, and operators must adjust operations based on site conditions like ground hardness, complicating the finishing process.

Innovation Solution

An excavator system with a controller that restricts the lowering operation of the boom to control the pressing force and speed of the bucket against the ground, preventing excessive momentum and adjusting operations based on real-time feedback from sensors and cameras to maintain stability and workability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the boom lowering operation is performed with large momentum to improve productivity, then the slope may collapse or the excavator may be lifted, but workability deteriorates when operators adjust operations to prevent these issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslope construction speedVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device monitors the lowering speed of the boom and the pressing force of the bucket in real-time, and automatically adjusts the boom lowering speed based on feedback from these parameters to maintain optimal operating conditions without requiring manual adjustment by the operator

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-regulation by automatically controlling the boom lowering speed based on the actual pressing force and lowering speed of the bucket, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention and allowing the machine to maintain optimal performance autonomously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 3:

The control device dynamically changes the boom lowering speed parameter based on the measured pressing force and lowering speed of the bucket, adjusting operational parameters in real-time to prevent slope collapse while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the boom lowering speed is increased to improve efficiency, then the pressing force of the bucket becomes too large causing slope collapse, but reducing speed maintains stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating efficiencyVSAvoidslope collapse risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device uses feedback from sensors measuring bucket pressing force and lowering speed to automatically adjust the boom lowering speed, ensuring the pressing force remains within safe limits while maintaining efficient operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the boom lowering speed based on real-time operating conditions, allowing the excavator to operate at optimal speeds when conditions permit and automatically reducing speed when slope stability becomes a concern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3708718B1excavator
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY
  • EP3708718B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3708718B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3708718B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An excavator, that can appropriately perform a finishing operation to prepare a slope while maintaining workability, is provided. For this purpose, the excavator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an undercarriage 1, a slewing upper structure 3 rotatably mounted on the undercarriage, a boom 4 pivotally mounted on the upper structure 3, an arm 5 rotatably mounted on a tip end of the boom 4, a bucket 6 mounted on a tip end of the arm 5, and a controller 30, and the controller 30 restricts a lowering operation of the boom 4, so that at least one of a pressing force of the bucket 6 against the ground and a speed of lowering the bucket 6 toward the ground does not become relatively large.