Travel Control System for Construction Machine Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction machine travel control systems, such as those for hydraulic shovels, face issues with operator fatigue due to continuous operation of pedals and levers for traveling, leading to discontinuous speed changes and instability during steering, and prone to accidental operation of traveling devices.
Innovation Solution
A travel control system with a switch for traveling and a manipulator for steering integrated into the operating levers, featuring a lock mechanism and modes for standby and travel, allowing smooth shifting between straight and steering travel, reducing operator load and preventing accidental device operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a selector switch for cruise control is used to achieve constant-speed straight travel, then the operator's workload is reduced, but smooth steering operation cannot be performed due to discontinuous speed change when shifting from straight travel to steering travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cruise control function with the steering操纵 by integrating a steering操纵 lever into the existing traveling操纵 system. This allows the steering操纵 to directly influence travel speed, enabling continuous speed adjustment during steering operations without discontinuous transitions. The steering操纵 lever simultaneously controls both steering direction and travel speed, merging two previously separate control functions into one integrated system.
2Ease of operation
If variable output switches on operating lever grips are used to drive traveling devices, then traveling can be controlled, but continuous operation of these switches leads to operator fatigue accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the traveling control function from the work操纵 levers by providing a dedicated traveling操纵 lever. This separates the traveling control operations from work operations, allowing the operator to use a specialized lever designed for traveling操纵 with appropriate feedback characteristics. The extracted traveling操纵 system provides more intuitive force feedback and operational comfort, reducing fatigue during extended traveling operations.
3Device complexity
If small levers on operating lever grips are used for steering, then the system is compact, but large operation amounts occur making the machine unstable during sharp turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of travel speed based on steering操纵 amount. The system automatically adjusts travel speed according to the position of the steering操纵 lever, providing finer control during sharp turns. This dynamic speed adjustment prevents excessive speed during large steering operations, maintaining chassis stability. The system also provides force feedback that increases with steering amount, giving the operator tactile information about the magnitude of steering input.
4Ease of operation
If the manipulator for work and switch for traveling are integrated into the same operating lever, then operability is improved, but accidental operation of traveling devices may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the操纵 functions by providing separate操纵 levers for traveling and work operations, even though they are both located in the operator's cab. The traveling操纵 lever is positioned on the right side while work操纵 levers are on the left side, creating physical separation that reduces the risk of accidental traveling操纵 during work operations. This spatial segmentation maintains ease of operation while improving reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Problem: To reduce load of the operator operating a traveling apparatus, and to establish traveling stability of the traveling apparatus in the steering operation of aconstruction machine that has a pair of right and left traveling devices, an engine as a driving power to the right and left traveling devices, and a pair of right and left operation tool to drive the right and left driving devices. Solution: The invention is comprised of a switch for traveling (13) to be controlled to drive or stop both a right and a left traveling devices (2L, 2R), a switch for steering (14) to be controlled to change the direction of the driving vehicle while the driving devices (2L, 2R) is controlled by the switch for traveling (13), and is made to reduce the engine speed in accordance with the operation amount of the switch for steering (14).