External Weight Data for Articulated Hauler Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Onboard weight measurement apparatuses in articulated haulers fail to achieve required accuracy and reliability in aggressive environments due to exposure to dust, dirt, and material, leading to potential failure.

Innovation Solution

Receiving weight information from an external source, such as a wheel loader equipped with an onboard weight measurement system, and using wireless communication to control the transport vehicle's systems for improved operation, fuel efficiency, and operator comfort, eliminating the need for onboard weight measurement apparatuses in the transport vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an onboard weight measurement apparatus is installed in the transport vehicle, then weight measurement capability is provided, but reliability and accuracy deteriorate due to exposure to dust, dirt and material in aggressive environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of weight measurementVSAvoidexposure to dust, dirt and material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The weight measurement function is extracted from the transport vehicle and relocated to an external loading vehicle. The transport vehicle no longer carries its own weight measurement apparatus, eliminating the reliability problems caused by exposure to aggressive environments while maintaining the capability to obtain weight information through wireless communication from the loading vehicle's measurement system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of information

If an onboard weight measurement apparatus is installed in the transport vehicle, then weight information can be obtained, but cost increases due to additional equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight information availabilityVSAvoidcost of equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading vehicle's weight measurement system serves dual purposes: it measures the weight for the loading vehicle's own operation and simultaneously provides weight information to the transport vehicle through wireless communication. This eliminates the need for a separate measurement system in the transport vehicle, reducing overall system cost while maintaining information availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the transport vehicle is equipped with its own weight measurement system, then autonomous operation control is possible, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous operation controlVSAvoidstructural modifications
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Wireless communication serves as an intermediary between the loading vehicle's weight measurement system and the transport vehicle's control system. This allows the transport vehicle to receive weight information and perform autonomous operation control without requiring physical integration of measurement equipment, thereby maintaining ease of operation while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2291621B1A method for controlling operation of a work site and a work site system
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
  • EP2291621B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2291621B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2291621B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a transport vehicle provided with a container with due regard to a weight of a received material in said container. The method comprises the step of receiving information associated to the weight of the received material in said container from an external source (501), and in response to the weight information controlling operation of said vehicle (503).