Work Machine Cylinder Swing Position Accuracy Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In working machines, low hydraulic pressure due to small control valve openings can cause the working tool cylinder and tool to rattle, leading to inaccurate determination of swing position by the controller, especially when the operation amount is small or the control current is low, resulting in erratic angle sensor output signals.

Innovation Solution

A working machine with a controller that adjusts the accuracy of determining the swing position based on the operating status of the working tool cylinder, using a control valve with multiple positions and sensors to manage hydraulic fluid flow, and adjusting the sampling rate of cylinder sensor output values to improve accuracy during low-pressure conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of sampled output signals of the angle sensor is increased to improve determination accuracy, then the accuracy of determining the swing position is improved, but it takes more time to determine the swing position, making it impossible to follow the operating speed of the working tool

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of determining swing positionVSAvoidoperating speed of working tool
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the sampling cycle adaptive rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the sampling cycle based on the operating status of the working tool cylinder - using a first (longer) sampling cycle when the cylinder is stationary or moving slowly, and a second (shorter) sampling cycle when the cylinder is operating actively. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high accuracy when needed while maintaining fast response during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of sampling cycle based on operating conditions. By switching between different sampling cycles (first sampling cycle vs. second sampling cycle) depending on whether the working tool cylinder is in a stationary state or operating state, the system optimizes the balance between measurement accuracy and response speed, preventing both unnecessary oversampling and inadequate sampling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the operation amount of the manual operator is small and the opening of the control valve is small, then the hydraulic pressure acting on the working tool cylinder is low, but the working tool cylinder and working tool rattle due to looseness, causing irregular output signals from the angle sensor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation amount of manual operatorVSAvoidstability of angle sensor output signal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback by having the controller detect the operating status of the working tool cylinder based on angle sensor output and manually operated body input, then uses this feedback to adjust the sampling cycle. When rattling is detected (through the operating status detection), the system switches to a more appropriate sampling cycle that can capture the irregular signals caused by looseness, thereby maintaining signal reliability even during low-pressure operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting its own operating status and adjusting its sampling parameters accordingly. The controller monitors the working tool cylinder's state and autonomously switches between sampling cycles without external intervention, ensuring appropriate signal acquisition under varying operating conditions including low-pressure rattling scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4524329A1Work machine
Publication Date: 2025.03.19 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4524329A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4524329A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4524329A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The swing position of a working tool (24) is determined appropriately depending on the state of a working tool (24). A working machine (1) includes an arm (23), a working tool (24) swingably attached to the arm (23), a working tool cylinder (C5) to swing the working tool (24) by extending or retracting, one end portion of the working tool cylinder (C5) being supported on the arm (23) via a cylinder shaft (35), the opposite end portion of the working tool cylinder (C5) being supported on the working tool (24), a cylinder sensor (80) to detect an operation of the working tool cylinder (C5), a control valve (72) to retract the working tool cylinder (C5) by controlling flow of a hydraulic fluid to the working tool cylinder (C5), and a controller (71) to periodically determine a swing position of the working tool (24) based on an output value of the cylinder sensor (80), and the controller (71) changes the accuracy of determining the swing position of the working tool (24) in accordance with an operating status of the working tool cylinder (C5).