Work Machine Bucket Position Tracking for Accurate Terrain Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing topography data is not accurately updated when work is performed at positions higher than the lowest point of the bucket's cutting edge, leading to deviations from the actual topography.
Innovation Solution
A work machine equipped with a bucket position obtaining unit, distance calculating unit, and recording unit to record topography data based on the distance between the bucket's position and design topography, ensuring accurate data recording within a prescribed range or upon user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If topography data is updated based on the lowest point of the bucket's cutting edge, then the update process is simple, but the topography data accuracy deteriorates when embankment work is performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection criterion from a fixed parameter (lowest point only) to a dynamic parameter (point closest to design topography). The control unit calculates distances between multiple points on the cutting edge and the design topography, then selects the point with the minimum distance, adapting the selection based on actual work conditions including embankment operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical approach of tracking only the lowest point with a computational geometry approach. The control unit performs mathematical calculations to determine the position of the cutting edge relative to the design topography and identifies the point of closest approach, substituting mechanical simplicity with computational precision
2Productivity
If only the lowest point of the cutting edge is tracked, then the data processing is fast, but the topography data deviates from actual terrain when work is performed at higher positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations by maintaining continuous information about the position of multiple points on the cutting edge relative to the design topography. This preliminary tracking of multiple points enables accurate identification of the closest point without requiring complex real-time computations during data recording
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a computational model (copy) of the cutting edge geometry and its relationship to the design topography. By working with this mathematical representation rather than physical measurements, the system achieves both speed and accuracy in determining the relevant topography point
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine includes: a work implement including a bucket; a bucket position obtaining unit that obtains a position of the bucket; a distance calculating unit that calculates a distance between the position of the bucket obtained by the bucket position obtaining unit and a design topography of an execution object; and a recording unit that records existing topography data corresponding to the position of the bucket, based on the distance calculated by the distance calculating unit.