Excavator Boom Control for Shock-Free Up-Down Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Construction equipment, such as excavators, experience vibration and reduced durability due to shock caused by rapid switching between boom-up and boom-down operations, leading to driver fatigue and decreased work efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A boom shock mitigation function that controls the spool of the control valve based on the boom control angle value, using an electronic proportional pressure reducing valve and electronic control unit to prevent shock by allowing only boom-up or boom-down operations based on the boom's position relative to the work surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rapid switching between boom-up and boom-down operations is performed to track the work surface, then work efficiency is improved, but shock and vibration occur causing equipment damage and driver fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts the boom position in advance based on current operation state and work surface geometry, allowing the operator to plan boom-up/boom-down switching operations ahead of time. This predictive capability enables smoother transitions and reduces sudden shock loads on the hydraulic system and structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the boom control based on real-time conditions including current position, work surface slope, and operational context. The control unit modifies boom-up/boom-down switching points adaptively, allowing optimal tracking performance while minimizing shock through dynamic rather than fixed switching criteria.
2Ease of operation
If manual control lever operation is used for boom-up and boom-down, then operator flexibility is maintained, but driver fatigue increases due to insufficient driving experience
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors boom position, work surface geometry, and operational parameters, providing real-time feedback to the operator through the display device. This feedback mechanism guides inexperienced operators by showing optimal boom-up/boom-down switching points, reducing fatigue while maintaining manual control flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the operator and the hydraulic system, processing operator inputs and work surface data to generate optimized control commands. This intermediary function assists inexperienced operators by automatically calculating optimal switching points, reducing their cognitive and physical load while preserving manual operation capability.
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
Prevents shock during switching operations, enhances equipment durability, reduces driver fatigue, and improves operational efficiency by ensuring smooth and controlled movements.
Implementation Method 1
controls the spool of the control valve based on the boom control angle value, using an electronic proportional pressure reducing valve
Implementation Method 2
controlling the control valve to control the hydraulic oil supplied to the boom cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention provides construction equipment comprising: an undercarriage; an upper swing body rotatably supported on the undercarriage; a work device supported by the upper swing body and comprising a boom, an arm and a bucket, which operate by means of respective hydraulic cylinders; a control valve for controlling the boom cylinder; an electronic proportional pressure reducing valve for controlling a spool of the control valve; a control lever for outputting a control signal corresponding to the amount of control of a driver; a work setting unit for providing a work mode and target work surface setting function; a location information providing unit for, according to a work mode setting of the work setting unit, collecting and/or calculating location information of the work device and location information of a work surface that has been set; and an electronic control unit for calculating and outputting boom pilot pressure for the electronic proportional pressure reducing valve, wherein the electronic control unit controls the operation of the boom by using the control signal of the control lever and the location information collected and/or calculated by the location information providing unit.