Excavator Dumping Trajectory Control Using Dump Truck Position Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic excavator systems require manual operation for dumping operations, limiting efficiency and automation capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A shovel equipped with a hardware processor that recognizes the position of a dump truck and generates a target trajectory for autonomous dumping operations, integrating with a hydraulic system and control valves for precise actuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual operation is used for dumping operations, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and automation capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedumping operation efficiencyVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the shovel to perform dumping operations autonomously by detecting the dump truck position and automatically controlling the boom, arm, and bucket movements without requiring manual operation, thus achieving self-service capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and control algorithms to detect dump truck positions and generate trajectories, substituting human mechanical control with automated electronic control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If autonomous control is implemented, then productivity and automation are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous dumping capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system integrates multiple functions including dump truck detection, trajectory generation, and execution control into a unified automated control framework that manages boom, arm, and bucket operations simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity through functional integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If autonomous dumping operation is performed, then productivity increases, but collision risk with dump truck must be managed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedumping operation speedVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously detects the dump truck position and compares it with the planned trajectory, using feedback control to adjust the shovel's movement and maintain safe distances, preventing collisions while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system generates a target trajectory in advance that incorporates safety margins and collision avoidance constraints before execution, preventing harmful interactions before they can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12338601B2Shovel

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

A shovel includes a lower traveling structure, an upper swing structure swingably mounted on the lower traveling structure, and a hardware processor provided on the upper swing structure. The hardware processor is configured to recognize the position of a dump truck and create a target trajectory for a dumping operation.