Excavator Stability Prediction Display for Overturning Risk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Excavators face instability and risk of overturning, particularly when operating on inclined surfaces or with heavy loads, relying heavily on operator skill and reaction time to prevent accidents.

Innovation Solution

An excavator equipped with a display unit that visually predicts stability before manipulation, considering factors like inclination angle, bucket position, attachment speed, and engine RPM, allowing operators to intuitively assess and prevent overturning by displaying restricted operation areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the excavator operates on inclined surfaces or with heavy loads, then the productivity and operational capability are improved, but the stability deteriorates and overturning risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational capabilityVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary stability calculation and prediction before the operator manipulates the attachment. The stability prediction unit calculates the predicted stability based on current status conditions (inclination angle, bucket weight, attachment position, etc.) and displays it to the operator in advance, allowing the operator to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback to the operator by displaying the predicted stability value. The display unit shows the predicted stability in a visually intuitive manner (e.g., color-coded indicators, numerical values), enabling the operator to monitor the stability status and adjust operations accordingly to maintain safe operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If reliance is placed on operator skill and reaction time to prevent overturning, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to delayed reaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the purely mechanical/operator-dependent stability control with an automated electronic calculation and display system. The stability prediction unit automatically calculates stability based on sensor inputs and displays the results, substituting the operator's manual assessment and reaction with an automated computational system that provides immediate, accurate stability information.

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

3Ease of operation

If the attachment is manipulated without stability prediction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to inability to assess overturning risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary stability assessment before the operator manipulates the attachment. By calculating and displaying the predicted stability in advance, the operator can evaluate the safety of the intended operation beforehand and make informed decisions about whether to proceed, adjust the operation, or avoid potentially dangerous maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3438354B1Mechanical shovel
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP3438354B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3438354B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3438354B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

An excavator attachment is attached to a rotating platform of an excavator. A display unit 502 visually displays a predicted stability indicating stability of the posture of the excavator after the excavator is manipulated.