Anti-rebounding Control for Hybrid Excavator Swing Motors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid and electric excavators lack an effective anti-rebounding control system for electric motor swing operations, which is crucial for smooth stopping of swing structures without rebounding, similar to existing hydraulic systems.

Innovation Solution

An anti-rebounding control method and apparatus that utilizes an anti-rebounding control algorithm in a controller to manage the electric motor inverter, setting torque limit values to '0' or maximum based on speed feedback thresholds to control power supply, ensuring smooth stops without rebounding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If an electric motor system is used for swing operations in hybrid excavators, then the system can be simplified and control precision is improved, but anti-rebounding control capability is lost causing oscillations during stopping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidanti-rebounding control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical hydraulic anti-rebounding system with an electrical control system. The electric motor system uses controller-based torque regulation and power interception/re-suppression mechanisms to achieve anti-rebounding control, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic circuits while maintaining or improving control precision and anti-rebounding performance

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes control parameters (torque limits, power supply states) based on swing speed feedback. The controller adjusts torque commands and power supply interception timing according to real-time motor speed measurements, enabling adaptive anti-rebounding control that maintains reliability across varying operating conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the electric motor speed is reduced to stop the swing structure, then the stopping process is simple, but rebounding and oscillations occur due to lack of anti-rebounding control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestopping process simplicityVSAvoidswing structure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by intercepting power supply to the electric motor before the swing structure comes to a complete stop. The controller detects when motor speed enters a threshold range indicating impending stop, and proactively intercepts power supply to prevent rebounding, maintaining stability during the stopping process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring electric motor speed and using this information to regulate torque commands and power supply states. The controller adjusts control actions based on real-time speed feedback, ensuring stable stopping without oscillations while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2690224B1Anti-rebounding control apparatus and method in an electrical swing system of a hybrid excavator
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
  • EP2690224B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2690224B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

An anti-rebounding control apparatus is provided, which includes an anti-rebounding controller outputting a first command for setting a torque limit value to "0" if an electric motor speed value is equal to or smaller than an upper threshold value and equal to or larger than a lower threshold value in the case where a speed command value of "0" is input and outputting a second command for setting the torque limit value to a maximum value if the electric motor speed value is smaller than the lower threshold value, a torque regulator setting the torque limit value to "0" when the first command is input and setting the torque limit value to the maximum value when the second command is input, and an electric motor inverter intercepting a power that is supplied to an electric motor if the torque limit value is set to "0" and re-supplying the power to the electric motor if the torque limit value is set to the maximum value. Accordingly, the same performance as an anti-rebounding system that is used in a swing system of an existing hydraulic excavator can be implemented even in a system that performs a swing operation using an electric motor such as a hybrid (or electric) excavator.