Remote-Controlled Excavator Posture Feedback for Overload Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional remote-controlled excavators are prone to overload and malfunction due to communication delays and unexpected obstacles, leading to potential failures during operation in difficult or dangerous environments.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that utilize inertial sensors to measure and compare the actual posture of a remote-controlled excavator with its expected posture, stopping operation when a difference exceeds a predetermined value, and transmitting an overload signal to prevent further driving and potential failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If remote control signal transmission is used to operate the excavator, then the excavator can work in difficult or dangerous areas, but communication delays and unexpected obstacles cause overload and malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to work in difficult areasVSAvoidoverload prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the actual posture of the excavator using inertial sensors and compares it with the expected posture calculated from remote control signals. This closed-loop feedback mechanism detects deviations caused by overload conditions and triggers appropriate responses, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining remote operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system calculates the expected posture in advance based on remote control signals before the excavator actually moves. By comparing this predetermined expected posture with the actual measured posture, the system can detect overload conditions proactively before they cause malfunction, preventing rather than just responding to failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the entire process of manipulation and feedback is performed remotely, then the excavator can be controlled from a distance, but it requires a considerable amount of time and may occur malfunction due to overload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The excavator autonomously monitors its own posture using onboard inertial sensors and automatically detects overload conditions by comparing actual posture with expected posture. This self-monitoring capability eliminates the need for continuous remote monitoring and manual intervention, reducing control process time while maintaining ease of remote operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides automatic feedback regarding excavator state through continuous posture monitoring and comparison. This automated feedback mechanism reduces the time required for manual monitoring and response, allowing the excavator to be controlled remotely more efficiently without sacrificing safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If inertial sensors are used to measure actual posture and compare with expected posture, then overload can be detected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverload detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical overload detection mechanisms with electronic inertial sensors that measure posture. This substitution uses electronic sensing and computational comparison instead of mechanical switches or force sensors, reducing physical complexity while improving detection accuracy and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The inertial sensors serve multiple functions: they measure the actual posture of the excavator, provide data for overload detection, and can potentially be used for other control and monitoring purposes. This multi-functionality justifies the added device complexity by providing multiple benefits from a single sensor system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11459728B2Apparatus and method for controlling remote-controlled excavator for preventing overload

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 IND UNIV COOP FOUND HANYANG UNIV ERICA CAMPUS

AI summary

Disclosed are an apparatus and method for controlling a remote-controlled excavator for preventing overload. The apparatus for controlling a remote-controlled excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: inertial sensors provided in the excavator; a communication unit for receiving a remote control signal from a remote control apparatus; and a control unit for driving the excavator in response to the remote control signal, wherein the control unit stops driving the excavator when a difference between an expected posture of the excavator estimated on the basis of the remote control signal and an actual posture of the excavator measured by using the inertial sensors exceeds an allowable value.