Work Machine Drive Mode Switching for Actuator Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In work machines with multiple actuators, identifying a malfunctioning actuator is challenging due to the concurrent operation of actuators, where outputs are combined and difficult to isolate.
Innovation Solution
A work machine with a controller that switches between hydraulic-alone and electric-alone drive modes, allowing for individual operation of actuators, and includes sensors and measurement devices to display output values and states, enabling easy identification of malfunctioning actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple actuators operate concurrently to drive a common drive object, then the productivity and power output are improved, but it becomes difficult to identify which actuator has malfunctioned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the concurrent operation into separate, isolated operations. The control unit enables individual actuation of each actuator (hydraulic actuator and electric actuator) separately, allowing the operator to test each actuator independently. This segmentation transforms the undifferentiated combined output into distinguishable individual outputs, solving the malfunction identification problem while preserving the capability for concurrent operation during normal work.
2Ease of operation
If a single operating device controls multiple actuators simultaneously, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to diagnose individual actuator performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the control mode flexible and switchable. The control unit can dynamically switch between two modes: (1) concurrent operation mode where both actuators are activated simultaneously for normal high-productivity work, and (2) individual operation mode where only one actuator is activated at a time for diagnosis. This dynamic control capability allows the system to adapt its operation characteristics based on whether the goal is productivity or diagnostics, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and ease of repair.
3Device complexity
If the outputs of multiple actuators are combined in an indivisible manner, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of individual actuator performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by isolating the output of a specific actuator from the combined system output. When diagnosing a particular actuator, the control unit activates only that actuator while keeping the other inactive, effectively extracting its individual contribution to the drive object. This extraction eliminates the mixing of outputs, allowing precise measurement and assessment of the specific actuator's performance without interference from other actuators, while maintaining the simple combined-drive configuration for normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine includes a swing hydraulic motor and a swing electric motor for driving an upper swing structure. A capacitor supplies electricity to the swing electric motor and an operating device outputs through one operation, an operating signal for concurrently operating the swing hydraulic motor and the swing electric motor. A main controller switches between a hydraulic-alone drive mode and an electric-alone drive mode, the hydraulic-alone drive mode being a mode to drive only the swing hydraulic motor selected from the swing hydraulic motor and the swing electric motor when the operating device is operated, the electric-alone drive mode being a mode to drive only the swing electric motor selected from the swing hydraulic motor and the swing electric motor when the operating is operated. Therefore, the actuator that malfunctions can easily be specified among the plurality of mounted actuators.