Excavator Control Pattern Switching Under Movement Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shovels with electric-type operation devices lack a mechanism to safely switch operation modes, potentially leading to unintended movements and reduced safety.
Innovation Solution
A shovel with an electric-type operation device that includes a control device capable of acquiring and switching operation patterns based on predefined conditions, using a selector switch to ensure safe and intended mode transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operation mode switching is enabled in electric-type operation devices, then operational versatility is improved, but unintended movements may occur reducing safety
Solution Approach 1:
The control device checks whether the shovel is in a movable state before allowing operation mode switching. This preliminary check prevents unintended movements by ensuring the system is in a safe state (non-movable) before accepting mode change commands, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling mode switching and maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the operation mode switching command and the actual mode change. It introduces a safety verification step that mediates between the desire for operational versatility and the need to prevent unintended movements, allowing mode switching only when safety conditions are met
2Reliability
If operation mode switching is restricted to prevent unintended movements, then safety is improved, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the availability of operation mode switching based on the current state of the shovel. When the shovel is in a non-movable state, mode switching is enabled; when in a movable state, mode switching is restricted. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by adapting the operation flexibility to the current operational context
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operation modes are implemented, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single control device performs multiple functions: it manages operation mode switching, checks movable state conditions, and controls the actual mode changes. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity by consolidating control functions rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each operation mode
Data Source
AI summary
A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body, an attachment provided on the upper turning body, an operation part configured to output an operation signal indicating a received operation direction as an electric signal, and a control device configured to perform drive control of at least one of the upper turning body or the attachment of the shovel in accordance with the operation signal. The control device is configured to acquire, from a storage, an operation pattern in which an operation direction receivable by the operation part is associated with drive control to be performed in response to an operation in the operation direction being received, and is configured to switch the operation pattern for performing the drive control, in accordance with a predetermined operation received while a condition for restricting movement of the shovel is satisfied.