Wheel Loader Imaging Control for Even Bucket Load Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional control systems for work vehicles require manual and complex operations to evenly load target objects, imposing a significant burden on operators and potentially affecting the performance of the target vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A wheel loader equipped with a vehicle body, lift arm, bucket, hydraulic actuator, pressure and posture sensors, and a controller that computes load distribution and controls the hydraulic actuator and drive unit to evenly distribute the load onto multiple sections of a loading platform.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual operation is used to evenly load target objects, then loading positions can be controlled, but operator burden increases and operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading evennessVSAvoidoperator burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel loader automatically determines its own position relative to the target vehicle using the imaging device and position calculation section, and autonomously controls the hydraulic actuator to distribute load without manual intervention, making the system serve itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical operation of the operator is replaced by an automated control system that uses image processing, position calculation, and hydraulic control to achieve precise load distribution, substituting mechanical manual control with an automated electromechanical system

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

2Manufacturing precision

If manual operation is used to evenly load target objects, then loading positions can be controlled, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading evennessVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device continuously captures images of the target vehicle, and the control system continuously calculates position and adjusts hydraulic actuation in real-time, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the loading process to reduce total operation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated control system replaces manual mechanical operation, enabling faster and more efficient load distribution without the delays associated with manual decision-making and physical adjustment

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

3Ease of operation

If automated control is implemented, then operator burden is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator burdenVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device serves multiple functions: capturing images of the target vehicle, determining vehicle boundaries, calculating loading positions, and providing feedback for control adjustments, making one component perform multiple tasks to reduce overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary that processes image data, calculates positions, and translates these into hydraulic control signals, serving as a mediator between the imaging system and the hydraulic actuator to manage system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The wheel loader automates the loading process, reducing operator burden and preventing adverse effects on the target vehicle's performance by evenly distributing the load across multiple sections.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of the hydraulic actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

a posture sensor that detects a posture of the bucket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPosture detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4187021B1Wheel loader
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP4187021B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4187021B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4187021B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a wheel loader capable of evenly loading a target object for loading onto a target area for loading with simple operation to thus mitigate a burden on an operator. The wheel loader 100 includes a travel device 120 that causes a vehicle body to travel, a drive device 150 that actuates a lift arm and a bucket, an area detection device 160 that detects a loading area, and a control device 170. The control device 170 recognizes the loading area on the basis of a detection result of the area detection device 160 and controls the travel device 120 and the drive device 150, so that the target object for loading contained in the bucket is distributed to be loaded in a plurality of different positions of the loading area while changing the position of the vehicle body in the front-back direction.