Excavator Work Assist System for Consistent Excavation Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hydraulic excavator operations, maintaining work efficiency is challenging due to difficulties in accurately determining the optimal excavation position as the height of the object to be excavated changes, especially in bench cut methods where the excavator needs to adjust its position to maintain a consistent excavation amount.
Innovation Solution
A work assist system for self-propelled work machines that calculates and displays the optimal work position based on the assumed excavation amount and region to be excavated, using a controller and laser distance meter to determine the region and position for the next excavation operation, ensuring consistent excavation capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the excavator position is determined based on maximum overlap area between target work surface and workable range, then the workable range is maximized, but the excavation amount cannot be kept constant when bench height changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the calculation parameter from maximum overlap area to constant excavation amount. The controller calculates the work position based on the assumed excavation amount and bench height, adjusting the position dynamically to maintain consistent excavation volume despite height variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the laser distance meter to continuously measure bench height and adjusts the work position calculation accordingly. The controller receives real-time height information and recalculates the optimal position to maintain constant excavation amount.
2Ease of operation
If the operator visually recognizes the height of the object to be excavated, then the height can be perceived, but accurate height measurement and position determination cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the operator's visual estimation with an automated laser distance meter and controller. The laser distance meter precisely measures the bench height, and the controller automatically calculates the optimal work position, eliminating the need for manual visual assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-measurement and self-positioning. The laser distance meter automatically measures the bench height, and the controller automatically determines and displays the optimal work position, without requiring operator intervention for height assessment.
3Productivity
If the excavator needs to adjust position frequently in response to height changes, then the excavation amount can be maintained, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs position calculations and displays the optimal position to the operator. The controller continuously monitors bench height and automatically recalculates the work position, reducing the operator's decision-making burden while maintaining excavation consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
A work assist system for a self-propelled hydraulic excavator includes a controller (18) configured to determine a region in which an assumed excavation amount is obtained from an object to be excavated by one excavation operation of the hydraulic excavator (1) as a region to be excavated S on the basis of the assumed excavation amount in the one excavation operation of the hydraulic excavator (1), and to calculate a work position Pw of the hydraulic excavator (1) at which the hydraulic excavator (1) performs a next excavation operation on the basis of the region to be excavated S. A distance Lw from the hydraulic excavator to the work position Pw is calculated by the controller (18) and this distance Lw is displayed on the monitor (21).