Remote Engine RPM Control for Hydraulic Excavators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote management systems for working machines require cumbersome operator input to change work modes, especially when managing multiple machines or those located far away, leading to inefficient engine rpm usage and potential reduction in work efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A remote management system that allows a base station to remotely manage the engine rpm of working machines by communicating with the machine's control unit, determining appropriate work modes based on load pressure and operational instructions, and adjusting fuel usage to optimize engine performance and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator manually changes the work mode using the switch in the operator's cab, then the engine rpm can be adjusted to match work requirements, but it becomes cumbersome when managing multiple machines or when machines are located far away
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the appropriate work mode based on operational data (load pressure, operational instructions) without requiring manual operator input. The control unit receives data from sensors and autonomously selects the optimal work mode, making the system self-adjusting and eliminating the need for manual intervention in mode changes
Solution Approach 2:
A base station serves as an intermediary between multiple working machines and the remote management system. The base station collects operational data from machines, determines appropriate work modes, and transmits control signals back to the machines, enabling centralized remote management without requiring operators to manually adjust each machine
2Productivity
If the operator leaves the engine controller in a higher rpm mode, then work efficiency is maintained for heavy loads, but fuel waste occurs when the load is light
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors operational data including load pressure and operational instructions from sensors on the working machine. Based on this real-time feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts the work mode and engine rpm to match actual workload requirements, ensuring high efficiency during heavy loads while reducing fuel consumption during light loads
Solution Approach 2:
The work mode is made dynamic rather than static, allowing automatic adjustment between different rpm limits based on changing workload conditions. The system transitions between multiple pre-set work modes (each with different upper rpm limits) to optimize the balance between productivity and fuel efficiency according to real-time operational demands
3Extent of automation
If remote management is implemented via base station communication, then centralized control of multiple machines is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station is designed as a universal platform that can manage multiple different working machines through a single communication interface. The system handles various machine types, sensors, and work modes through a unified control architecture, reducing the need for machine-specific management systems and simplifying the overall complexity through standardization
Data Source
AI summary
A remote management system for at least one working machine manages an upper limit of an engine rpm. A hydraulic excavator includes a controller and an instruction switch for selectively instructing three kinds of work modes. The controller includes a target rpm storage unit, a target rpm computer for selecting one of stored upper limits of the target rpm according to an instruction by an instruction switch and computing a target rpm in a range smaller than the selected upper limit, and a communication unit. A server selects a work mode, according to an instruction by an input device, and instructs the selected work mode to the controller. When the work mode is instructed from the server, the target rpm computer computes a target rpm based on the instructed work mode.