Excavation Apparatus Crawler Load Sensing and Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing civil engineering devices face inefficiencies and unreliable operation due to inaccurate ground pressure calculations, sensor malfunctions, and dynamic influences, leading to unnecessary shutdowns and hindered efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system with multiple load sensors on crawler tracks that record local loads over time, providing time-stamped data for evaluation by a control unit to determine actual ground load conditions, allowing for reliable detection of critical operating situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If theoretical ground pressure calculation based on device configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to uncertainties and deviations from actual ground pressure conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of ground pressure determination systemVSAvoidaccuracy of ground pressure measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces theoretical mechanical calculations of ground pressure with actual sensor-based measurements. Load sensors directly measure the forces acting on the crawler tracks, substituting the theoretical calculation model with empirical data acquisition, thereby achieving high measurement precision without excessive system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a single pressure sensor is used to detect ground pressure, then device complexity is minimized, but reliability deteriorates due to load peaks from local irregularities causing unnecessary shutdowns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of sensors in the systemVSAvoidoperational reliability of the civil engineering device
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the ground pressure measurement system into multiple segments by installing several load sensors at different positions along the crawler tracks. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between localized load peaks (which are normal) and genuine critical situations, thereby improving operational reliability without requiring an excessively complex sensor network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If multiple load sensors are arranged along the crawler track to measure local loads, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the large number of sensors required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of ground load distribution assessmentVSAvoidnumber of load sensors and data processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the data from multiple load sensors into a comprehensive ground load condition assessment processed by a single control unit. The control unit evaluates the combined information from all sensors to determine overall ground load conditions, thereby achieving high measurement precision while managing device complexity through centralized data processing rather than distributed analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If theoretical ground pressure calculation is used without real-time sensor data, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to unnecessary shutdowns hindering efficient operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of ground pressure monitoringVSAvoidoperational efficiency of the civil engineering device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback system where load sensors continuously monitor actual ground pressures and provide real-time data to the control unit. The control unit compares measured values with critical thresholds and provides immediate feedback to operate the device, enabling both ease of operation through automated monitoring and high productivity by preventing unnecessary shutdowns through accurate real-time assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient operation with high reliability by accurately assessing ground load distribution and preventing unnecessary shutdowns, ensuring safe and continuous operation.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of load sensors are arranged on each crawler vehicle, which load sensors are designed to detect a local load on the crawler chain over a time course

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce measurement: Force

Data Source

PatentEP4506507B1Excavation apparatus and method for operating an excavation apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 BAUER MASCH GMBH
  • EP4506507B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4506507B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4506507B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a trenching device with a crawler undercarriage comprising at least one left crawler track and at least one right crawler track, each crawler track having a circumferentially mounted crawler chain, a superstructure mounted on the crawler undercarriage, a trenching unit arranged on the superstructure and designed for carrying out trenching, and a control unit designed to determine the ground load exerted by the crawler tracks. According to the invention, several load sensors are arranged on each crawler track, designed to detect a local load on the crawler chain over time, the detected load data being time-stamped, and the control unit is designed to evaluate the detected load data over time and determine the ground load state under the crawler tracks.