Work Machine Manipulation Gain Update via Operator Frequency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work machine operation assistance systems fail to set optimal manipulation gains tailored to an operator's skill level and work habits, leading to suboptimal working efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A work machine operation assistance device that includes a manipulation gain storage section, a manipulated variable detection section, a time integration section, a manipulated-variable frequency arithmetic section, a criterion setting section, and a manipulation gain update arithmetic section, which computes and updates the manipulation gain based on the operator's frequency of operation to optimize drive speed settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed manipulation gain is set before product shipment, then the work machine can be operated with a general-purpose setting, but the manipulation gain cannot be adjusted to match individual operator skill levels and work contents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to operator skill level and work contentsVSAvoidcomplexity of manipulation gain setting system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically calculates and updates manipulation gain based on detected operation frequency, eliminating the need for manual setting by operators. The work machine itself performs the optimization by monitoring its own usage patterns and adjusting parameters accordingly, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manipulation gain parameter is dynamically changed based on operation frequency data. The system transitions from a fixed parameter to a variable parameter that automatically adjusts according to detected usage patterns, enabling adaptability without requiring complex manual configuration systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If manipulation gain is arbitrarily set by operators, then individual preferences can be accommodated, but optimal settings for skill level and work contents cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking efficiencyVSAvoidloss of information about operator skill level and work contents
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by detecting operation frequency and using this information to automatically update manipulation gain. This closed-loop approach ensures that the system learns from actual usage patterns and continuously optimizes performance, improving productivity while capturing valuable operational information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of operation frequency patterns to determine optimal manipulation gain settings before making adjustments. By pre-calculating the relationship between operation frequency and optimal gain values, the system can quickly adapt to different operators and work contents without trial-and-error adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a general-purpose manipulation gain is used for all operators, then device complexity is minimized, but working efficiency cannot be optimized for individual operators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manipulation gain settingVSAvoidworking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The work machine automatically optimizes its own manipulation gain without requiring operator intervention or complex setting procedures. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation while significantly improving working efficiency through automatic adaptation to individual operators and work contents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual manipulation gain setting with an automated computational system that detects operation frequency and calculates optimal gain values. This substitution eliminates the need for complex manual configuration while enabling personalized optimization for each operator and work scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3385454B1Work machine operation assistance device
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP3385454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
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  • EP3385454B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a work machine operation assistance device which enables setting a manipulation gain appropriate for a skill level and habits of an operator and/or actual work contents. The work machine operation assistance device according to the present invention includes : a manipulation gain storage section storing a manipulation gain; a manipulated variable detection section detecting a manipulated variable of the operating device; a time integration section adding up time that the operating device is operated; a manipulated-variable frequency arithmetic section computing a manipulated-variable frequency of the operating device; a manipulated-variable frequency criterion setting section presetting a criterion value for the manipulated-variable frequency; a manipulation gain update arithmetic section performing a computation to update the manipulation gain; a manipulation gain display section displaying a result of the manipulation gain computed; and a manipulation gain update selection section to select whether or not an update to the manipulation gain displayed on the manipulation gain display section is performed.