Construction Grapple Alignment Using 3D Point Cloud Center of Gravity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The efficiency of construction operations, particularly in grabbing and lifting objects, is operator-dependent due to traditional reliance on manual center of gravity recognition, leading to variability in work accuracy and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An automatic grab assistance system for construction machines, equipped with a sensor unit, point cloud sensing device, and electronic control device, automatically aligns the grapple with the center of gravity of an object by calculating and controlling the machine's components to ensure precise gripping and lifting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual center of gravity recognition is used by the operator, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the work accuracy and efficiency vary depending on the operator's skill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecenter of gravity alignment accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical sensing method with an optical sensing system. The point cloud sensing device captures three-dimensional data of the object, and the electronic control device automatically calculates the center of gravity position, substituting the operator's manual recognition process with automated optical-mechanical systems to achieve consistent high-precision alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the construction machine to automatically determine and align with the center of gravity without operator intervention. The sensor unit and control device work autonomously to calculate the center of gravity position and generate control signals for positioning, making the system self-sufficient in the alignment task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual center of gravity recognition is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity varies depending on operator skill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrabbing and lifting operation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical sensing method with an optical sensing system. The point cloud sensing device captures three-dimensional data of the object, and the electronic control device automatically calculates the center of gravity position, substituting the operator's manual recognition process with automated optical-mechanical systems to achieve consistent high-precision alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the construction machine to automatically determine and align with the center of gravity without operator intervention. The sensor unit and control device work autonomously to calculate the center of gravity position and generate control signals for positioning, making the system self-sufficient in the alignment task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If automated center of gravity calculation is implemented, then the alignment accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecenter of gravity alignment accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical sensing method with an optical sensing system. The point cloud sensing device captures three-dimensional data of the object, and the electronic control device automatically calculates the center of gravity position, substituting the operator's manual recognition process with automated optical-mechanical systems to achieve consistent high-precision alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the construction machine to automatically determine and align with the center of gravity without operator intervention. The sensor unit and control device work autonomously to calculate the center of gravity position and generate control signals for positioning, making the system self-sufficient in the alignment task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If automated alignment control is used, then the work efficiency is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrabbing and lifting operation efficiencyVSAvoidoperator control simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the construction machine to automatically determine and align with the center of gravity without operator intervention. The sensor unit and control device work autonomously to calculate the center of gravity position and generate control signals for positioning, making the system self-sufficient in the alignment task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements closed-loop feedback control where the sensor unit continuously monitors the grapple position relative to the calculated center of gravity, and the electronic control device adjusts the working device in real-time to maintain accurate alignment, ensuring consistent operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4632156A1Automatic grab assistance system for construction machinery and automatic grab assistance control method for construction machinery
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
  • EP4632156A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4632156A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4632156A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An aspect of the present disclosure is an automatic grab assistance system for construction machine comprising a working device having a lower driving body, an upper swivel body rotatably coupled to the lower driving body about a first rotation axis, and a boom rotatably coupled to the upper swivel body about a second rotation axis, an arm rotatably coupled to a front end of the boom about a third rotation axis, and a grapple as an attachment rotatably coupled to a front end of the arm about a fourth rotation axis, and there is provided an automatic grab assistance system for construction machine comprising a sensor unit for detecting posture information of the construction machine, a point cloud sensing device for photographing a three-dimensional point cloud of an object to be grabbed, and an electronic control device for calculating a center of gravity area of the object based on point cloud data obtained from the point cloud sensing device and controlling driving of the upper swivel body and the working device so that the grapple is aligned with the center of gravity area of the object.