Excavator Bucket Image Comparison for Sensor-Free State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of the state of the bucket in an excavator is cumbersome due to the difficulty in installing sensors on the bucket, which is a working portion that contacts the target surface.
Innovation Solution
An excavator equipped with a comparing part that compares first and second image data or moving image data of the bucket captured at different timings to output a comparison result, facilitating the identification of the bucket's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are installed on the bucket to detect its state, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the difficulty of installation on a working portion that contacts the target surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an image capturing device as an intermediary to detect the bucket state indirectly, avoiding the need to install sensors directly on the bucket. The imaging device captures images of the bucket, and image processing extracts wear and vibration information, serving as a mediator between the bucket and the detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor installation on the bucket with an optical imaging system. Instead of using physical sensors that contact the bucket, the system uses cameras to capture images, which are then processed to extract mechanical state information such as wear amount and vibration.
2Productivity
If manual measurement methods are used to manage the bucket state, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to cumbersome management processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service bucket management by automatically capturing images, processing them to extract wear and vibration data, and generating diagnostic information without requiring manual measurement. The bucket state is monitored autonomously through image analysis, reducing the need for human intervention in inspection tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual measurement processes with an automated image-based detection system. The system uses image capturing devices and processing algorithms to automatically determine bucket wear and vibration states, substituting human-operated manual inspection with an automated optical-mechanical system.
3Measurement precision
If image data comparison is implemented to identify bucket state, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images at different timings and preprocessing them before comparison. Image data is captured during specified motions, and the comparison process uses these pre-captured images to determine wear and vibration states, reducing the need for real-time processing during critical analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by capturing images at specified timings during bucket motions and comparing them periodically. The image comparison is performed at discrete intervals based on captured images, rather than continuous real-time processing, which reduces computational burden while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An excavator includes a comparing part configured to compare first image data obtained by capturing, at a first timing, a bucket in a specified orientation, with second image data obtained by capturing, at a second timing different from the first timing, the bucket in the specified orientation; and an output part configured to output a comparison result obtained by the comparing part.