Hydraulic Excavator Controller Distance Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of work machines, such as hydraulic excavators, face difficulties in intuitively grasping the extent of excavation required to reach a target surface and the appropriate operating speed due to the lack of displayed distance between the current landform and the target surface in machine guidance systems, leading to reduced efficiency and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A work machine equipped with a controller that calculates and displays the distance between a reference point on the work implement and both the target surface and the current landform, allowing operators to visualize the positional relation and necessary excavation depth on a display device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If machine guidance displays only positional relation between target surface and work implement, then automation of guidance is achieved, but operator cannot intuitively grasp excavation extent and operating speed
Solution Approach 1:
The distance information is segmented into two distinct components: first distance (work implement to target surface) and second distance (current landform to target surface). This segmentation allows the display to provide both automated guidance information and intuitive excavation depth information simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between automation and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of information display by introducing the second distance (excavation depth) alongside the traditional first distance (positioning information). This dimensional expansion of information provides operators with both automated positioning guidance and intuitive excavation extent information without compromising either aspect.
2Device complexity
If distance information between current landform and target surface is not displayed, then display device complexity is reduced, but working efficiency decreases and damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device acts as an intermediary that automatically calculates the second distance (excavation depth) by integrating position information from the work implement and landform data. This intermediary processing adds valuable information without requiring complex manual measurements or additional physical devices, thus maintaining simplicity while improving productivity.
3Measurement precision
If operator must stop work to check distance to target surface, then measurement precision is improved, but time loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device continuously shows both the first distance (positioning) and second distance (excavation depth) information without requiring work interruptions. This continuous display maintains measurement precision while eliminating time loss, as operators can monitor excavation progress in real-time during continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to the operator through the display device, showing real-time distance information between the work implement, current landform, and target surface. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for periodic stopping and checking, maintaining both measurement accuracy and continuous workflow.
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller (40) of a hydraulic excavator (1) includes: a first distance calculation section (43f) calculating a first distance D1 that is a distance between a bucket toe and a target surface on a virtual straight line Lv extended vertically from the bucket toe, based on position information on the bucket toe and position information on the target surface (700); and a second distance calculation section (43g) calculating a second distance D2 that is a distance between the target surface and a current landform on the virtual straight line Lv, based on the position information on the bucket toe and the position information on the target surface and position information on the current landform 800. A display device (53a) displays the first distance D1 and the second distance D2.