Excavator Control Device for Target Surface Alignment Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of excavators face challenges in accurately determining whether the excavator directly faces a target construction surface, especially with semi-automatic control systems.
Innovation Solution
A control device with circuitry is integrated into the excavator, enabling notification to the operator on whether the upper turning body directly faces a target construction surface, based on information about the surface and the orientation of the upper turning body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If semi-automatic control is used for excavator operation, then operational automation is improved, but the operator's ability to accurately determine alignment with target construction surface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device provides real-time feedback to the operator by notifying whether the upper turning body directly faces the target construction surface. This feedback mechanism compensates for the loss of direct visual confirmation in semi-automatic mode, maintaining alignment determination accuracy through automated sensing and information delivery to the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the excavator's orientation sensors and the operator. It processes orientation information and target surface data, then delivers processed alignment information to the operator, bridging the gap between automated sensing capabilities and human decision-making.
2Device complexity
If the operator manually determines alignment, then system complexity is reduced, but operational precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs self-service by automatically acquiring and processing its own operational data from sensors. It independently determines alignment status without requiring external intervention, then provides this information to the operator, maintaining precision while minimizing additional system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device replaces manual mechanical alignment checking with automated electronic sensing and processing. Sensors detect orientation and target surface positions electronically, substituting manual visual estimation with precise electronic measurement while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
3Productivity
If automated alignment notification is implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device leverages existing multi-functional components within the excavator's control system. It utilizes already-present sensors for position and orientation detection, repurposing them for alignment determination. This approach improves operational efficiency without requiring entirely new dedicated hardware, thus limiting complexity increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment notification function is merged with the existing control device rather than being implemented as a separate system. By combining multiple functions (operation control, sensing, and alignment notification) into a single integrated device, the system achieves improved efficiency while avoiding the complexity overhead of separate dedicated alignment systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An excavator includes a lower traveling body; an upper turning body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body; and a control device including circuitry, the circuitry being configured to perform notification of whether or not the upper turning body directly faces a target construction surface based on information about the target construction surface and information about an orientation of the upper turning body.