Shovel Arm Control for Consistent Ground Compaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Construction machines struggle to accurately control compaction force during leveling and slope finishing work due to variations in the pose of the work part, leading to inconsistencies in ground compaction quality.

Innovation Solution

A shovel equipped with a sensor system and processor that controls the operation of the boom, arm, and end attachment to ensure precise compaction by detecting the orientation of the work part and adjusting the operation accordingly, maintaining a predetermined compaction force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the work part is pressed against the ground to perform compaction, then the compaction force is applied to the ground, but the compaction accuracy varies due to changes in the work part's pose

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompaction accuracyVSAvoidwork part pose variation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control device receives detection information from sensors about the work part's pose and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the arm and end attachment operations, maintaining consistent compaction force despite pose variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own sensor detection capabilities to automatically monitor and adjust its operation, enabling self-correction of compaction force based on real-time work part pose information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the boom lowering operation is performed manually, then the operation is simple, but the compaction force cannot be consistently controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidcompaction force consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically adjusts the arm and end attachment based on sensor feedback during manual boom lowering, enabling the system to self-correct and maintain consistent compaction force without requiring complex manual coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual coordination of multiple components with an automated control system that uses sensor feedback to manage the relationship between boom position, arm angle, and end attachment orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12163310B2Shovel performing compaction by automatically moving arm and end attachment according to boom lowering operation

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body, a boom attached to the upper turning body, an arm attached to the boom, an end attachment attached to the arm, a sensor configured to output detection information about an orientation of a work part of the end attachment, and a processor configured to control operation of the work part to cause the work part to perform compaction of ground by pressing the work part against the ground, wherein the processor is configured to control an operation of the arm and the end attachment according to a lowering operation of the boom to cause an end portion of the work part to perform the compaction of the ground on the basis of the detection information of the sensor.