Microprocessor Control Unit for Optimal Dumping Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current working machines lack an efficient method to determine optimal dumping positions for material entities into receivers, considering material characteristics and receiver conditions, which can lead to suboptimal loading conditions and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A control unit that determines loading operation information, including current receiver conditions and material characteristics, to calculate the most suitable dumping position within the receiver, using sensors and models like Mohr-Coulomb and Chen and Liu Upper Bound to simulate and compare different dumping scenarios for selecting the best position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional control unit with separate circuits for each function is used, then each function can be implemented independently, but the device complexity increases and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate control circuits (power supply control, discharge control, filling control, gate control) into a single microprocessor-based control unit. This integration reduces device complexity and space requirements while maintaining all necessary control functions through software programming rather than separate hardware circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The microprocessor control unit serves multiple functions simultaneously - it controls power supply, discharge timing, filling operations, and gate operations within the dosing chamber. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, reducing overall system complexity.

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

2Reliability

If a conventional control unit with separate circuits for each function is used, then each function can be implemented independently, but the space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol unit space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate control circuits (power supply control, discharge control, filling control, gate control) into a single microprocessor-based control unit. This integration reduces device complexity and space requirements while maintaining all necessary control functions through software programming rather than separate hardware circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If manual operation of the dosing chamber is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity decreases and time loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoiddosing productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically manages the dosing chamber operations including power supply timing, discharge activation, filling control, and gate operations. The system serves itself by programmatically coordinating all dosing functions without requiring manual intervention for each operation, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining reasonable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit pre-programmes the sequence of operations for the dosing chamber - power supply is activated before dosing, discharge is timed appropriately, and filling is controlled in advance. This preliminary coordination of operations improves productivity by ensuring smooth, timely execution of each dosing cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If manual operation of the dosing chamber is used, then the device complexity is low, but the time loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoiddosing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically manages the dosing chamber operations including power supply timing, discharge activation, filling control, and gate operations. The system serves itself by programmatically coordinating all dosing functions without requiring manual intervention for each operation, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining reasonable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit ensures continuous operation of the dosing chamber by automatically managing power supply, discharge, and filling cycles without interruption. This continuous automated operation eliminates time losses associated with manual intervention and ensures uninterrupted dosing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3445918B1Control unit for dumping of material
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
  • EP3445918B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3445918B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3445918B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a control unit (28) for controlling the dumping of a material entity (34) from an implement (14) of a working machine (10) into a receiver (30). The control unit (28) is adapted to determine a loading operation information comprising: - a current loading condition indicative of the distribution of the material that is currently accommodated by said receiver (30), and - a material characteristic information comprising one or more properties of the material of the material entity (34) that is present in the implement (14). The control unit (28) is adapted to, on the basis of the loading operation information, determine a dumping position within said receiver (30) at which dumping position said material entity (34) is to be dumped.