Forestry Vehicle Loading System Optimizing Fuel via Crane Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Forestry machines face inefficiencies in loading and unloading operations due to variables such as crane outreach, vehicle position, log load, and local conditions, making it difficult to predict and optimize fuel consumption and operation time.
Innovation Solution
A loading and unloading operation system for forestry vehicles, comprising a crane control unit, engine control unit, sensors, and an operation CPU, which calculates an optimum vehicle stopping position for minimal fuel consumption or time, using a fuel matrix based on crane movements, load weight, and vehicle position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the crane outreach is increased to reach more log piles, then the loading and unloading coverage is improved, but the fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the crane outreach based on real-time measurements of log pile positions, vehicle location, and current crane configuration. Instead of using a fixed maximum outreach, the system calculates the optimal outreach for each loading/unloading operation, extending the crane only as far as necessary to reach the target log pile while minimizing fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the crane by measuring and recording the actual outreach achieved during each operation. These measured parameters are stored in a database and used to create fuel consumption models that correlate outreach distance with fuel usage, enabling the system to optimize future operations based on actual performance data.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle position is optimized to reduce crane outreach, then the fuel consumption decreases, but the operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations by measuring the positions of log piles and the current vehicle location before initiating a loading or unloading operation. Based on these pre-measured data, the system calculates the optimal vehicle position that will minimize crane outreach and fuel consumption, allowing the operator to position the vehicle optimally before the crane operation begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors and measures the actual crane outreach and fuel consumption during operations, storing this feedback data in a database. This feedback is used to refine the fuel consumption models and improve the accuracy of future optimal position calculations, creating a learning system that adapts to actual operating conditions.
3Productivity
If the crane moves faster to reduce operation time, then the productivity increases, but the fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures and records the actual fuel consumption at different crane movement speeds and outreach distances, building a comprehensive fuel consumption model that captures the relationship between operational parameters and energy usage. This model enables the system to calculate the optimal speed and outreach combination that minimizes fuel consumption while maintaining acceptable operation time.
Data Source
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AI summary
Loading and unloading operation system (10) adapted for use in a forestry vehicle (100), comprising a crane control unit (20) and crane sensors (30), adapted to measure the turn angle of the crane (35), and the extension position of each hydraulic actuator (36) of the crane (35), so that the crane tip location (40) and a maximum crane outreach state is detected, an engine control unit (50) and engine sensors (60), adapted to measure the RPM speed of the engine and the fuel consumption, an operator interface (70), the operation system (10) adapted to display the location of logs and various adjectives of the logs and the locations and a calculated optimum position of the vehicle (100) for loading and unloading operation, an operation CPU (80) with CPU software (90), adapted to correlate the measurements and establish a fuel matrix, depending on measured values of the crane (35), and on the fuel consumption, calculating an estimated fuel consumption depending on the established fuel matrix (110) and a theoretical crane reach as well as the number of logs, size and position in relation to an estimated vehicle position, displaying a calculated optimum stopping position of the vehicle (100) for loading or unloading the logs based on the calculation and a minimal fuel consumption or a minimal operation time, adapted to assist the operator to find the optimum stopping position by displaying the vehicle (100) on a map display, and/or stopping the vehicle automatically at the optimum stopping position.