Excavator Bucket Speed Control Using Work-Area Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction equipment, such as excavators, limit the speed of buckets based solely on the shortest distance to the work area, leading to inefficient operation when the bucket is not likely to invade the work area, affecting work speed and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The construction equipment calculates the angle between the work machine and the work area, controlling the speed based on the turning radius and angular deviation, only limiting speed when the bucket is likely to invade the work area, thereby optimizing operation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the speed of the bucket is limited based solely on the shortest distance to the work area, then the work area boundary is protected from invasion, but the work speed and efficiency are reduced when the bucket is not likely to invade the work area
Solution Approach 1:
The control method applies different speed limitation strategies to different spatial regions and operational contexts. When the bucket is in positions where turning radius indicates high risk of work area invasion, speed is limited. When the bucket is in positions where turning radius indicates low risk, normal speed is maintained. This localized application of control resolves the contradiction by making protection measures only where necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts bucket speed based on real-time calculation of turning radius and angular deviation from the work area boundary. The speed limitation is not static but adapts continuously to the current operational state, allowing maximum efficiency when safe and providing protection when at risk, thus resolving the contradiction between consistent protection and variable efficiency.
2Reliability
If the bucket speed is limited based on shortest distance to work area, then work area invasion is prevented, but unnecessary speed limitations occur when turning radius shows low invasion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the control parameter from solely distance-based to a composite parameter including turning radius and angular deviation. By incorporating turning radius calculation, the system can distinguish between situations where distance-based limitation is necessary versus situations where it is unnecessary, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining work area protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors bucket position, calculates turning radius, determines angular deviation from the work area boundary, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust speed limitations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that speed limitation is applied only when the calculated parameters indicate actual risk of work area invasion, eliminating unnecessary limitations and reducing time loss.
3Productivity
If the bucket speed is controlled based on turning radius and angular deviation, then work efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with electronic control and calculation methods. The turning radius and angular deviation are calculated using sensors and processors, and speed control is achieved through electronic signal processing rather than mechanical linkages or hydraulic mechanisms, thereby managing complexity through electronic intelligence rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs multiple functions using the same computational framework: it calculates turning radius, determines angular deviation, assesses invasion risk, and controls speed all within a unified control algorithm. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A construction equipment includes a work machine which includes a boom, an arm, and a bucket operated by their respective hydraulic cylinder. The construction equipment also includes a control valve for controlling the hydraulic cylinder; an operation lever for outputting an operation signal corresponding to an operation amount of a driver; a work setting unit for setting a work area; a location information providing unit; and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is for outputting a control signal for the control valve according to the signal inputted from at least one of the operation lever, the work setting unit, and the location information providing unit. The electronic control unit calculates an angle between the work area and the work machine, and controls a speed of the work machine based on the calculated angle.