Work Machine Teaching Point Adjustment for Automatic Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work machine operation systems require reteaching when the position or shape of a work subject differs from the taught position, leading to reduced work efficiency due to the need for operator input during reteaching.

Innovation Solution

An operation instruction system that includes a work machine and a mobile terminal capable of communicating, where the system generates and changes teaching point information automatically, allowing the work machine to perform operations like excavation and soil discharge without continuous operator input by using sensors and a mobile terminal to adjust positions and orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If reteaching is performed when work subject position or shape differs from taught position, then operation accuracy is maintained, but work efficiency decreases due to operator input requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation accuracyVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the work subject's position and shape using sensors, and self-adjusts the teaching point information without requiring operator intervention. The work machine performs self-service by autonomously updating its operation parameters based on real-time environmental data, thereby maintaining accuracy while preserving work efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the work subject's position and shape through sensors and uses this feedback to automatically adjust teaching point information. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures operation accuracy is maintained while eliminating the need for manual reteaching, thus preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If numerical value changing technique is used for small differences, then reteaching is avoided, but operator input is still required every time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime for reteachingVSAvoidoperator input frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects work subject variations and adjusts teaching point information without any operator input. The work machine serves itself by autonomously updating its parameters, eliminating both the time loss and the repetitive operator input required by previous methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual operation of changing numerical values through switches is replaced by an automated sensor-based detection and adjustment system. This substitution eliminates the need for operator input while maintaining the ability to adapt to small variations in work subject position or shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automatic operation is implemented, then work efficiency improves, but adaptability to different work subjects decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to different work subjects
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts teaching point information based on real-time sensor data about the work subject's position and shape. This dynamic adaptation allows the automatic operation system to handle different work subjects effectively, maintaining both high productivity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically changes operational parameters by adjusting teaching point information based on detected work subject characteristics. This parameter adaptation enables the automatic system to accommodate various work subjects while maintaining high work efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3998383B1Operation instruction system
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD
  • EP3998383B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3998383B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3998383B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A point generating unit (151) of a mobile terminal 3 generates teaching point information associating a teaching position that teaches the work machine (2) a position of the attachment (30) in a series of movements to be performed by the work machine (2) with orientation information indicating a target orientation at the teaching position, based on a slewing angle of an upper slewing body (22) and on orientation information on the attachment (30). A point changing unit (152) changes the generated teaching point information. When the teaching point information is changed, an instruction generating unit (112) of the work machine 2 generates an automatic operation instruction for automatically operating a slewing device 24 and the attachment (30), based on the changed teaching point information. An operation control unit (113) of the work machine 2 automatically operates the slewing device (24) and the attachment (30), based on the automatic operation instruction.