Work Machine Control Using Stacking Volume for Lift-Up Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in efficiently filling a stockyard with materials like earth, sand, or rock involves determining the necessary region for lift-up operations, which is not adequately addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for a work machine, such as a wheel loader, that calculates the stacking volume and determines a lifted-up region based on this volume, enabling precise prediction of the region needed for lift-up operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the region for lift-up operations is not properly determined, then the stockyard filling efficiency is reduced, but the existing technology does not provide adequate method for determining the necessary region

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestockyard filling efficiencyVSAvoidlack of determination method for lift-up region
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The controller calculates the stacking volume and determines the lifted-up region before the lift-up operation begins. This preliminary determination of the necessary region allows the operation to proceed efficiently without delays caused by on-the-fly decision-making or inadequate region assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a computational model to create a virtual representation of the stacking volume and lifted-up region. By calculating these parameters in advance, the system generates a plan that guides the actual lift-up operation, effectively copying the desired outcome into a actionable region determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If the stacking volume is calculated accurately to determine the lifted-up region, then the region prediction becomes appropriate, but this requires additional calculation steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking volume calculation accuracyVSAvoidcontroller calculation function
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller automatically performs the stacking volume calculation and lifted-up region determination without requiring external intervention or complex external systems. The work machine's own controller utilizes available operational data to compute these parameters, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional complex equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller serves multiple functions: it not only controls the basic operation of the work machine but also calculates stacking volume, determines lifted-up regions, and guides the lift-up operation. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated controller.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4610440A1System including work machine, method for controlling work machine, and controller for work machine
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 KOMATSU LTD
  • EP4610440A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4610440A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4610440A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A region necessary for lifting up is appropriately determined. The lift-up work is a work of ascending a slope formed by material and stacking the material on an upper portion of the slope. The system includes a work machine main body including a travel body, a work implement attached to the work machine main body and including a bucket, and a controller that commands operation of the travel body and the work implement. The controller calculates a stacking volume that is a volume of the material stacked on an upper portion of the slope by the lift-up work, and determines a lifted-up region (V2) on the basis of the stacking volume.