Work Machine Control for Rotation-Aware Target Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional work machine control devices do not consider construction involving rotating motions, leading to unintended switching between offset and target topographies during operator intervention.

Innovation Solution

A work machine equipped with a control device that includes a sensor for detecting the position and attitude of the work device, an operation amount detection device, and a central processing unit to determine the work content and calculate correction values based on operator intent, assisting in operations such as finishing and rough excavation by considering rotating motions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the control device automatically switches between offset topography and target construction topography based on bucket attitude, then the operator's work is simplified during slope formation, but the switching may occur against the operator's intent during construction involving rotating motions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator's work simplificationVSAvoidswitching accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the switching criteria based on the detected rotating motion of the work machine. When rotation is detected, the device suppresses automatic switching or modifies the switching conditions, allowing the operator to maintain manual control. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system both automated when appropriate (simplifying operation) and controllable when needed (ensuring reliability).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device incorporates feedback from sensors that detect the attitude of the work implement and the rotating motion of the machine. This feedback mechanism allows the system to recognize when automatic switching would be inappropriate and adjusts its behavior accordingly, preventing unintended switching while maintaining automatic functionality during suitable operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the control device considers rotating motion to determine work content, then operation assistance aligns with operator's intent, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation assistance accuracyVSAvoidcontrol device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device integrates multiple functions into a single system: it continues to perform automatic switching between offset and target topography while adding the capability to detect rotating motion and adjust behavior accordingly. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving high reliability without requiring separate independent systems, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control device uses its existing sensors and processing capabilities to detect rotating motion and automatically adjust its control strategy. Rather than requiring additional specialized equipment or manual intervention, the system serves itself by leveraging available resources to improve operation assistance accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4039888B1Work machine
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP4039888B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4039888B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4039888B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a work machine capable of providing operation assistance matching an operator's intent in consideration of a rotating motion. A control device 80 includes a storage device 81 and a central processing device 82. The storage device 81 has stored therein construction target information for a work device 10 and determination criteria information for the work content of the work device 10 based on the amount of operation of a rotating device 30. The central processing device 82, based on the position and attitude of the work device 10 detected by a sensor 60, the amount of operation of the rotating device 30 detected by an operation amount detection device, and the determination criteria information stored in the storage device 81, determines the work content of the work device 10, calculates a correction value for the construction target information based on the determined work content, and controls a drive device 50 based on the construction target information and the correction value to assist an operation by an operator.