GNSS Antenna Mounting Structure for Rotating Construction Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
In construction machines with a lower traveling body and an upper revolving body, attaching GNSS antennas leads to positioning inaccuracies due to changes in antenna position with the revolving angle, and radio wave interference from covering members.
Innovation Solution
A construction machine design with a lower traveling body and an upper revolving body, featuring a pair of GNSS antennas attached to antenna support posts via a base body, positioned to avoid obstruction by the roof and with adjustable attachment mechanisms to ensure fixed and accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an antenna is mounted on a construction machine, then communication capability is improved, but the antenna is damaged by collision with obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the antenna movable rather than fixed. The antenna can rotate about a first axis and tilt about a second axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation. This dynamic capability enables the antenna to avoid collisions with obstacles while maintaining communication functionality, resolving the contradiction between communication reliability and collision damage risk.
2Ease of manufacture
If the antenna position is fixed, then installation is simple, but the antenna cannot avoid obstacles and is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed antenna into a dynamic system with rotation and tilting capabilities. This allows the antenna to adapt its position to avoid obstacles while maintaining relatively simple installation through standardized mounting structures and drive mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the antenna is made movable to avoid obstacles, then collision damage is reduced, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements minimal necessary dynamics - rotation about one axis and tilting about another - to provide obstacle avoidance capability. This balanced approach reduces collision damage while keeping the structural complexity manageable through efficient mechanical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure integrates multiple functions into a unified system: communication antenna, rotation mechanism, tilting mechanism, and drive systems all work together as an integrated assembly. This multi-functionality approach reduces overall system complexity compared to separate independent systems.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the antenna rotates and tilts to avoid obstacles, then collision resistance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna employs periodic scanning motion - rotating and tilting in controlled cycles - rather than continuous movement. This periodic action allows the antenna to survey the environment for obstacles and adjust position only when necessary, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining collision resistance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A revolving work vehicle comprises a lower traveling body 11 and an upper revolving body 12. The upper revolving body 12 is revolvably supported by the lower traveling body 11. The upper revolving body 12 comprises: a roof 55; rear-side support columns 52; a base body 61; antenna support columns 63; and GNSS antennas 64. The roof 55 is disposed above an operator's seat 37. The rear-side support columns 52 are disposed as a pair and extend upwards from the rear section of the upper revolving body 12 so as to support the roof 55. The base body 61 is attached to both of the pair of rear-side support columns 52 so as to connect the pair of rear-side support columns 52 to each other. The antenna columns 63 are disposed as a pair and extend upwards from the base body 61 at positions which do not overlap with the roof 55 in plan view. The GNSS antennas 64 are disposed as a pair and are respectively attached to the pair of antenna support columns 63.