Mobile Machine Ripper Control System for Tip Contact Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for mobile machines with rippers do not adequately prevent unintentional damage by detecting when the ripper tip contacts a support surface before travel, leading to potential harm to the machine or terrain.

Innovation Solution

A control system with an initiation detector and ripper configuration sensor that determines if the ripper tip contacts a support surface, executing a ripping prevention action before travel to avoid damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the ripper is positioned to rest the ripper tip on a support surface and allow deactivation of actuators, then energy consumption is reduced and the system is simplified, but unintentional damage may occur if the machine moves while the ripper tip contacts the surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidunintentional damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs a preliminary check before allowing machine travel by detecting whether the ripper tip contacts the terrain surface. If contact is detected, the system prevents travel or raises an alert, thereby preventing unintentional damage while allowing the ripper to rest on the surface during non-operational periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the ripper tip position relative to the terrain surface and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback enables real-time detection of contact conditions, allowing the system to prevent unintentional movement while maintaining energy-efficient resting positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the control system continuously monitors ripper tip position to prevent unintentional damage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary sensor to detect terrain contact conditions rather than requiring complex direct measurement of ripper tip position. This intermediary detection method simplifies the control logic while maintaining reliable damage prevention capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the ripper configuration sensor detects ripper tip contact with terrain, then measurement precision is improved, but the system requires additional sensors increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveripper tip position detectionVSAvoidsensor quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical position measurement mechanisms with simpler sensor-based detection. The ripper configuration sensor provides precise contact detection through non-mechanical means, reducing overall system complexity while improving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250207370A1Control System for Operating a Mobile Machine with a Ripper

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

A mobile machine with a ripper attached is configured with a control system to conduct a ripping operation. Prior to the ripping operation and travel of the mobile machine, the control system may receive an initiation event. The control system may also determine a riper configuration using ripper configuration sensors. If the control system determines the riper configuration indicates the ripper tip contacts a support surface, the control system can take one or more prevention actions to prevent the ripping operation.