Excavator Control Device Detects Buried Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Excavators risk damaging buried objects such as water pipes during excavation due to the inability to detect their presence accurately.
Innovation Solution
A control device for excavators that includes sensors to detect excavation reaction forces and ground conditions, allowing the system to estimate the presence of buried objects and adjust the excavation process to avoid contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If excavation work is performed without detection of buried objects, then productivity is improved, but buried objects may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of buried objects using sensors (ground radar, electromagnetic wave sensors) before excavation begins. The control device creates a map of buried objects and plans an excavation trajectory that avoids them, allowing excavation to proceed efficiently without damaging underground utilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the excavation system and buried objects. It processes sensor data, calculates safe excavation trajectories, and controls the excavation attachment to follow paths that avoid buried objects, preventing damage while maintaining productivity.
2Reliability
If sensors are installed to detect buried objects, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device integrates multiple sensor functions into a single system. The ground radar and electromagnetic wave sensors are combined with the existing excavation control system, allowing the control device to perform both excavation control and buried object detection functions, reducing overall system complexity despite multiple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple detection methods (ground radar, electromagnetic wave sensors) and integrates them with the excavation control system. The control device merges sensor data processing, trajectory calculation, and excavation control into a unified system, managing complexity through integration.
3Reliability
If real-time detection and avoidance is implemented, then safety is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs buried object detection and trajectory planning before excavation begins. By pre-mapping the underground environment and calculating safe paths in advance, the excavation can proceed at normal speed along predetermined safe trajectories without real-time interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously receives feedback from sensors during excavation and adjusts the excavation trajectory in real-time if buried objects are detected. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain safety while minimizing interruptions to productivity through dynamic path adjustment rather than complete stops.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for an excavator includes circuitry configured to control the excavator; and a sensor configured to detect information about a ground raised by excavation. The circuitry estimates presence or absence of a buried object based on at least one of an excavation reaction force calculated during excavation by an excavation attachment of the excavator or information detected by the sensor.