Excavator Swing Control Using Ground-Based Dump Position Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shovels require operators to perform repetitive swiveling and bucket opening operations for each excavation, leading to a heavy burden on the operator.

Innovation Solution

A shovel control device that includes a processor and memory to determine a target releasing position based on ground features recognized by a space recognition device, controlling the swiveling movement of the upper swiveling body to orient it towards the target position, reducing the need for manual swiveling and bucket opening operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the operator performs manual swiveling and bucket opening operations for each excavation cycle, then the releasing operation can be completed, but the operator burden increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexcavation efficiencyVSAvoidoperator burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shovel system performs the releasing operation autonomously by detecting the ground surface and automatically controlling the swiveling and bucket opening movements, enabling the machine to serve itself without continuous operator intervention for each cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses ground surface detection and automatic movement control to perform the releasing operation, substituting the operator's mechanical actions with an automated mechanical system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the operator performs repetitive releasing operations, then the excavation work continues, but operator fatigue increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous work capabilityVSAvoidoperator fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous operation by automating the releasing process, allowing the shovel to perform successive excavation cycles without operator fatigue by handling the repetitive swiveling and bucket opening actions autonomously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If automatic control is implemented for swiveling movement, then operator burden is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation levelVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a control system that acts as an intermediary between the operator and the shovel's mechanical components, automatically mediating the swiveling and bucket opening movements based on ground surface detection to reduce operator burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12612760B2Shovel, shovel control device, and machine learning device

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

A shovel control device includes a processor and a memory storing one or more programs, which when executed, cause the processor to execute: determining a target releasing position based on a feature of a ground recognized by a space recognition device; and controlling a swiveling movement of an upper swiveling body of a shovel so that the upper swiveling body is oriented toward the target releasing position. The shovel includes a lower traveling body, the upper swiveling body swivelably mounted on the lower traveling body, attachments attached to the upper swiveling body and including a boom, an arm, and an end attachment, and the space recognition device configured to recognize the feature of the ground.