Wheel Loader Control for Slip and Implement Stall During Excavation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wheel loaders experience significant fuel inefficiency during excavation tasks due to prolonged ineffective operations, which can be attributed to slip-during-excavation and work implement stall.

Innovation Solution

A work machine equipped with a controller that monitors operation command values and sensor data to detect slip-during-excavation and work implement stall, and outputs signals to alert the operator and adjust operations to minimize these ineffective states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a work machine is equipped with both a work implement and a cargo body, then the work machine can perform multiple functions (work operations and cargo transportation), but the device complexity increases and requires multiple separate implements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-functionalityVSAvoidnumber of implements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the work implement and cargo body into a single integrated assembly where the work implement is mounted on the cargo body. This merging eliminates the need for separate implements, reducing device complexity while maintaining multi-functionality. The integrated design allows the work machine to perform both work operations and cargo transportation with one combined structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cargo body is designed to serve dual purposes: it functions as a cargo transportation container and simultaneously serves as a mounting structure for the work implement. This universal design enables the same component (cargo body) to fulfill multiple functions, thereby reducing the overall number of implements needed while enhancing adaptability.

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

2Device complexity

If the work implement is mounted on the cargo body, then the integrated structure improves space utilization and reduces the number of components, but the work implement may interfere with the cargo body during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidinterference between work implement and cargo body
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The work implement is designed with movable or adjustable components that can dynamically change position or configuration during operation. This dynamic design allows the work implement to move away from or adjust its position relative to the cargo body, preventing interference while maintaining the integrated mounting structure. The dynamic adjustment ensures smooth operation without harmful interactions between components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the work machine performs both work operations and cargo transportation, then productivity increases, but the reliability decreases due to higher complexity and more components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the work implement and cargo body into a single integrated assembly, the patent reduces the total number of components and connection points. This consolidation simplifies the overall system, reducing potential failure points while maintaining the ability to perform both work operations and cargo transportation, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3722521B1Work machine and system including work machine
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 KOMATSU LTD
  • EP3722521B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3722521B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3722521B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A time period for which an ineffective operation is performed during an excavation work is reduced. A work machine includes a vehicular body, a running wheel rotatably attached to the vehicular body, a work implement operable with respect to the vehicular body, an operation apparatus for operating the running wheel and the work implement, and a controller that controls an operation by the work machine. The controller determines that slip-during-excavation which refers to slip of the running wheel with respect to the ground is occurring during the excavation work based on an operation command value output from the operation apparatus and outputs a signal relating to working of the work implement.