Wheel Loader Bucket Control for Reliable Rearward Dumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wheel loaders that repeatedly perform excavation and loading work face challenges in reliably ejecting loads from the bucket during the loading process.
Innovation Solution
A work machine system equipped with a travel sensor, work implement posture sensor, and object sensor, controlled by a controller that ensures the bucket is in a full dump state with its feature point above the loading target and maintains this state while traveling rearward, allowing reliable ejection of loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wheel loader travels rearward with the bucket in a full dump state to eject loads, then the reliability of load ejection is improved, but the complexity of control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller sets the bucket to a full dump state before the wheel loader reaches the loading target position. This preliminary action ensures that loads are already positioned for ejection before contact with the target, improving reliability of load ejection while the automated control sequence manages the complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses detection values from the travel sensor, work implement posture sensor, and object sensor to continuously monitor the wheel loader's position and bucket state. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to maintain the full dump state during rearward travel and adjust control commands accordingly, managing system complexity through intelligent control algorithms
2Productivity
If the bucket is positioned above the loading target in full dump state during rearward travel, then the productivity of loading work is improved, but the precision of bucket positioning required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual operator control with an automated control system that uses sensor detection and controller commands to position and maintain the bucket. This substitution of mechanical/manual positioning with automated control achieves high positioning precision required for maintaining the bucket above the loading target during rearward travel, thereby improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system replicates the skilled operator's actions by using sensors to detect the loading target position and controlling the work implement actuator to maintain the bucket in the correct position and attitude. This copying of expert behavior through automated control achieves the necessary positioning precision while improving productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine capable of reliably ejecting loads loaded in a bucket is provided. A travel sensor detects a state of travel of a travel unit. A work implement posture sensor detects a posture of a work implement. An object sensor detects an object around a main body. A controller provides a command to drive a work implement actuator based on detection values from the travel sensor, the work implement posture sensor, and the object sensor. The controller recognizes a loading target into which the loads in the bucket are to be loaded, based on detection of the object. The controller controls the work implement actuator and the travel unit such that the bucket is set to a full dump state while a feature point of the bucket is located above the loading target and such that the travel unit travels rearward with the full dump state being maintained.