Excavator Bucket Angle Control for Automatic Target Surface Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional excavator configurations require setting a target digging surface and approximate surface before starting work, consuming time and resources.

Innovation Solution

An excavator with a controller that sets a target surface based on the current angle of the bucket, allowing for automated and semi-automated operations, including remote control and gesture recognition, to streamline the configuration process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual configuration of target digging surface and approximate surface is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget surface setting accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration procedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the target surface by detecting the bucket's reference angle and calculating the target surface attitude autonomously, eliminating the need for manual operator input and configuration procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The target surface is pre-calculated based on the detected bucket angle before excavation operations begin, allowing the system to be ready for immediate operation without time-consuming setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automated target surface setting is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation work efficiencyVSAvoidcontroller system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses changes in the bucket angle parameter as a reference to automatically determine target surface parameters, transforming a simple mechanical parameter into a control system input for automated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors the bucket angle and uses this feedback to automatically adjust and maintain the correct target surface attitude, enabling closed-loop control without complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4461879B1excavator
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP4461879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4461879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4461879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is directed to saving the time and resources required for configuration procedures. An excavator includes: a lower traveling body; an upper rotating body that is rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body; an attachment that is attached to the upper rotating body, and includes a boom, an arm, and a bucket; and a controller that is configured to set a target surface, the target surface being set differently depending on a current angle of the bucket serving as a reference angle in setting the target surface.