Scraper Work Cycle Detection for Automated State Transitions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional work units, such as scraper systems integrated with or coupled to vehicles, lack a refined approach to detect current work states and transitions during the work cycle, leading to inefficiencies in loading, transporting, and unloading operations, which can result in reduced productivity and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize sensors to determine the current work state of a work unit by correlating operating parameters of the vehicle and implement, generating output signals to automate operations, and adjust settings based on threshold values and target locations, enabling more efficient loading, transporting, and unloading processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional preset time methods are used for loading stages, then operation simplicity is maintained, but work cycle efficiency deteriorates due to inability to detect actual work state transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring operating parameters (speed, acceleration, position) and using them to detect work state transitions. The controller receives real-time data from sensors and adjusts work cycle timing based on actual detected states rather than preset timers, enabling efficient loading and transporting operations while maintaining operational simplicity through automated state recognition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/timer-based work cycle control with an electronic sensor-based detection system. Instead of using preset timers to control loading duration, the system uses sensors to detect when work states transition (e.g., when loading is complete or transporting begins) based on monitored parameters like speed changes and position data, substituting mechanical timing mechanisms with intelligent electronic detection
2Measurement precision
If manual monitoring of work states is used, then system complexity is minimized, but measurement precision of work state transitions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves precise work state detection by using multi-functional sensors that monitor multiple parameters simultaneously (speed, acceleration, position). A single sensor suite performs multiple detection functions to identify different work states (loading, transporting, unloading) without requiring separate specialized sensors for each state, thereby improving measurement precision while limiting the increase in system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The work unit performs self-diagnosis and self-monitoring by using its own operating parameters (speed, acceleration, position) to detect work state transitions. The system serves itself by automatically recognizing when it transitions between work states without external monitoring equipment, achieving precise state detection while minimizing additional system complexity
3Productivity
If automated work state detection is implemented, then productivity is improved through optimized transport settings, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the work state detection function with the existing control system by integrating sensor data processing into the controller that already manages work unit operations. The same controller that manages loading and transporting also detects work states by analyzing operating parameters, combining multiple functions into a single control unit rather than adding separate detection and control systems, thereby improving productivity while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for work cycle tracking for a self-propelled work vehicle having an integrated or drawn/pushed implement, for example comprising a scraper, and a loading container for receiving material worked thereby. First sensors generate data corresponding to operating parameters of the work vehicle, and second sensors generate data corresponding to operating parameters of the implement. Data storage includes, for each of various work states associated with the work cycle, correlations between operating parameters, of the work vehicle and/or implement, and a start or completion of the respective work state. A controller determines a current work state of the various work states associated with the work cycle based on current input data from the first and second sets of sensors, with respect to the stored correlations, and generates one or more output signals based on the determined work state.