Shape-Aware Shovel Control for Accurate Bucket Weight Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting the weight of an object loaded on a shovel are inaccurate due to variations in the bucket shape, which affects the position of the center of gravity.

Innovation Solution

A shovel control device that considers the shape of the bucket to calculate the weight of the object, using input from a detection part that varies with the weight in the bucket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If weight detection is performed based on boom cylinder thrust without considering bucket shape, then the detection method is simple, but the weight detection accuracy deteriorates due to variations in center of gravity position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by obtaining bucket shape information before weight detection, and pre-calculating the relationship between bucket shape and center of gravity position. This allows the detection system to account for shape variations in advance, improving accuracy without adding complex real-time measurement equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces bucket shape information as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the detection system and the weight calculation. By using shape data to determine center of gravity position, the system bridges the gap between simple thrust measurement and accurate weight detection without requiring direct center of gravity measurement equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the center of gravity position is assumed fixed regardless of bucket shape, then the calculation process is simple, but the weight detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight detection accuracyVSAvoidcenter of gravity measurement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the center of gravity position determination from the weight detection process by obtaining it separately from bucket shape information. This allows the system to use pre-determined center of gravity data based on shape, avoiding the need for complex real-time center of gravity measurement while improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a correspondence relationship (copy) between bucket shape and center of gravity position that can be reused for weight detection. Instead of measuring center of gravity directly each time, the system uses the pre-established shape-to-center-of-gravity mapping to obtain the position information efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4382676B1Shovel control device and shovel
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP4382676B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4382676B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4382676B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A shovel control device according to an embodiment is configured to receive an input of a shape of a bucket provided at a tip of an attachment attached to a shovel, and calculate a weight of an object in the bucket, based on the input shape of the bucket and an output of a detection part whose detection result changes according to the weight of the object in the bucket.