Excavator Swing Control to Avoid Overhead Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic shovels lack effective automatic control mechanisms to prevent interference between the excavation attachment and objects above the design surface, such as electric wires, during land leveling operations.
Innovation Solution
A shovel with a control device that includes a processor and memory to automatically decelerate or stop the upper turning body when interference with a control reference surface, such as a design surface, is predicted, using sensors and a hydraulic system to manage the movement of the boom, arm, and bucket, and prevent accidental contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the upper turning body continues turning without automatic control, then the turning speed and productivity are improved, but the attachment may interfere with objects above the design surface such as electric wires
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary action by predicting potential interference between the attachment and objects above the design surface before the interference actually occurs. The processor calculates the position of the attachment and compares it with the design surface to determine if interference is likely, then proactively decelerates or stops the upper turning body to prevent damage to objects such as electric wires.
2Manufacturing precision
If the boom is forced to rise to avoid excavating deeper than design surface, then the manufacturing precision of land leveling is improved, but the boom may come into contact with objects such as electric wires above the hydraulic shovel
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the position of the attachment and the design surface, then adjusting the boom movement accordingly. When the attachment approaches the design surface, the system provides feedback signals to decelerate or stop the boom, preventing both over-excavation and contact with overhead objects like electric wires.
3Reliability
If automatic control is implemented to prevent interference, then the safety and precision are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control device achieves multi-functionality by using a single integrated system that performs multiple tasks: it monitors the position of the attachment, compares it with the design surface, predicts potential interference with overhead objects, and automatically adjusts the movement of the upper turning body and boom. This universal approach improves safety without requiring separate complex control systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A shovel includes a lower traveling body; an upper turning body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body; an attachment mounted on the upper turning body; and a control device including a memory storing a program and a processor configured to execute a process including automatically decelerating or stopping turning of the upper turning body when interference between the attachment and a control reference surface is predicted while the upper turning body is turning.