Work Machine Control for Efficiency, Energy, and Fatigue Tradeoffs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work machines, such as excavators, lack effective control mechanisms that consider both work efficiency, energy consumption efficiency, and metal fatigue damage in their operations.

Innovation Solution

A control unit in the work machine prioritizes operations based on a degree of priority among work efficiency, energy consumption efficiency, and metal fatigue damage, using a controller to manage the machine's operations and display real-time feedback on these parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the work machine operates to maximize work efficiency, then productivity increases, but energy consumption increases and metal fatigue damage accumulates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit dynamically adjusts operation parameters based on real-time monitoring of work efficiency, energy consumption, and metal fatigue damage levels. The system transitions between different operational modes (high efficiency mode, energy-saving mode, fatigue-reduction mode) depending on the current state and priority settings, enabling adaptive optimization rather than static operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as hydraulic pressure, motor speed, and actuator force based on the selected priority level. When energy consumption is prioritized, parameters are adjusted to reduce power usage while maintaining acceptable work output. When work efficiency is prioritized, parameters are optimized for maximum productivity within safe fatigue limits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the work machine operates to maximize work efficiency, then productivity increases, but metal fatigue damage accumulates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidmetal fatigue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors metal fatigue damage levels through sensors and feedback mechanisms. When fatigue damage reaches predetermined thresholds, the system automatically adjusts operations to reduce stress on critical components, preventing catastrophic failure while minimizing impact on productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system preemptively reduces operational intensity when metal fatigue damage approaches critical levels, even before failure occurs. This cushioning approach allows the machine to complete necessary work while preventing acceleration of fatigue damage that could lead to sudden component failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the work machine operates to minimize energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but work efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption efficiencyVSAvoidwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies energy-saving measures selectively rather than uniformly across all operations. Critical high-priority tasks receive full power allocation, while lower-priority tasks operate in energy-saving mode. This partial application of energy conservation allows the system to reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining essential productivity levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If the work machine operates to reduce metal fatigue damage, then component longevity improves, but work efficiency and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetal fatigue damageVSAvoidwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary actions to prevent metal fatigue damage by avoiding operations that would excessively stress components. The control unit proactively identifies and prevents fatigue-causing operational patterns before they occur, such as preventing repeated cyclic loading on already-stressed components, thereby extending component life without completely halting productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS12565756B2Work machine and information processing device

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

A work machine includes a machine body having a work element, and a control unit that controls an operation of the machine body based on a degree of priority among work efficiency, energy consumption efficiency, and metal fatigue damage.