Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02873021 2014-11-07
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BUCKET MOVEMENT CONTROL DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY SHAKING OFF
FOREIGN SUBSTANCES AND METHOD THEREFOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus for
controlling bucket movement for automatically shaking off
foreign substances, and a method thereof. More particularly,
the present invention relates to an apparatus for
controlling bucket movement for automatically shaking off
foreign substances, and a method thereof, which can
automatically control the bucket movement so as to control
the foreign substances contained in the bucket or to
sprinkle earth and sand without any separate operation of an
operator.
BACKGROUND ART
In general, an excavator is equipment that is used for
the main purpose of containing earth and sand in a bucket
and moving the earth and sand contained in the bucket to a
target position.
However, if the earth and sand get wet or pressure is
applied to the earth and sand during containing, a
considerable amount of earth and sand may stick to an inner
or outer portion of the bucket. In this case, the weight of
the bucket is increased and the volume inside the bucket is
reduced to cause the work rate to be reduced.
To prevent this, as illustrated in Fig. 1, an existing
operator may move the bucket forward and backward to shake
off the earth and sand through impacts, and repetition of
such an operation may cause the operator's work fatigue to
be increased.
Further, the operator may perform such an operation for
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the purpose of sprinkling the earth and sand contained in
the bucket.
However, introduction of an additional operation device
for automatically performing such an operation is not
advantageous in cost and use convenience.
DISCLOSURE
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve
the above-mentioned problems occurring in the related art,
and an object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus for controlling bucket movement for automatically
shaking off foreign substances, and a method thereof, which
can automatically control the bucket movement so as to
control the foreign substances contained in the bucket or to
sprinkle earth and sand without any separate operation of an
operator.
TECHNICAL SOLUTION
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an apparatus for controlling bucket
movement for automatically shaking off foreign substances,
which includes
an automatic mode selection switch; an
operation value detection means for detecting an operation
value generated by a stroke of a joystick; an operation
angle detection means for detecting an operation angle of
the joystick; and a bucket movement control unit controlling
the bucket movement by determining whether to output an
automatic control signal for automatically driving the
bucket forward and backward at a predetermined speed even if
an input value of the joystick is not changed or to output a
manual control signal for driving the bucket according to
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the operation value of the joystick, in accordance with a
selection/non-selection of an automatic mode by the
automatic mode selection switch, the operation value
detected by the operation value detection means, and the
operation angle detected by the operation angle detection
means, and outputting a corresponding signal to a bucket
driving unit.
Preferably, the bucket movement control unit may output
the automatic control signal to the bucket driving unit in
an automatic control state where the automatic mode is
selected by the automatic mode selection switch, the
operation value of the joystick is equal to or smaller than
a set value, and a command direction obtained from the
operation angle of the joystick coincides with a predefined
direction, and may output the corresponding manual control
signal to the bucket driving unit in a manual control state
where the automatic mode is not selected by the automatic
mode selection switch, the operation value of the joystick
is larger than the set value, or the command direction
obtained from the operation angle of the joystick does not
coincide with a predefined direction.
Further, in the automatic control state, the bucket
movement control unit may output a first automatic control
signal for shaking the bucket slowly to the bucket driving
unit if the operation value of the joystick belongs to a
first range that is relatively small, and may output a
second automatic control signal for shaking the bucket
quickly to the bucket driving unit if the operation value of
the joystick belongs to a second range that is relatively
large.
In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method for controlling bucket
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movement for automatically shaking off foreign substances,
which includes selecting an automatic mode; detecting an
operation value generated by a stroke of a joystick;
detecting an operation angle of the joystick; and
controlling the bucket movement by determining whether to
output an automatic control signal for automatically driving
the bucket forward and backward at a predetermined speed
even if an input value of the joystick is not changed or to
output a manual control signal for driving the bucket
according to the operation value of the joystick, in
accordance with a selection/non-selection of an automatic
mode, the operation value of the joystick, and the operation
angle of the joystick, and outputting a corresponding signal
to a bucket driving unit.
Preferably, the bucket movement control step may output
the automatic control signal to the bucket driving unit in
an automatic control state where the automatic mode is
selected, the operation value of the joystick is equal to or
smaller than a set value, and a command direction obtained
from the operation angle of the joystick coincides with a
predefined direction, and may output the corresponding
manual control signal to the bucket driving unit in a manual
control state where the automatic mode is not selected, the
operation value of the joystick is larger than the set
value, or the command direction obtained from the operation
angle of the joystick does not coincide with a predefined
direction.
Further, in the automatic control state, the bucket
movement control step may output a first automatic control
signal for shaking the bucket slowly to the bucket driving
unit if the operation value of the joystick belongs to a
first range that is relatively small, and may output a
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second automatic control signal for shaking the bucket
quickly to the bucket driving unit if the operation value of
the joystick belongs to a second range that is relatively
large.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT
According to the present invention, the operator can
effectively remove the foreign substances that stick to the
bucket with reduction of the operator's work fatigue, and if
needed, the above-described operation can be automatically
performed while the excavating work is performed without any
operation of a separate additional device.
In particular, since the operation according to the
direction of the joystick is separately set and the shaking
speed or level is controlled in proportion to the input
value of the joystick, the operator's work fatigue can be
reduced and the work rate can be increased as the excavating
work is normally performed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above objects, other features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent by describing
the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating an excavator
that is shaking off earth;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the
configuration of an apparatus for controlling bucket
movement for automatically shaking off foreign substances
according to the present invention; and
Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the sequential
operation of an apparatus for controlling bucket movement
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for automatically shaking off foreign substances according
to the present invention.
* Description of Reference Numerals in the Drawing
201: automatic mode selection switch
202: operation value detection means
203: operation angle detection means
204: bucket movement control unit
205: bucket driving unit
BEST MODE
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present
invention will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings. The matters defined in the
description, such as the detailed construction and elements,
are nothing but specific details provided to assist those of
ordinary skill in the art in a comprehensive understanding
of the invention, and the present invention is not limited
to the embodiments disclosed hereinafter.
For clear explanation of the present invention,
portions that do not have relation to the explanation are
omitted, and in the entire description of the present
invention, similar drawing reference numerals are used for
the similar elements across various figures.
In the entire description and claims of the present
invention, the term "comprises" and/or "includes" used in
the description means that one or more other components are
not excluded in addition to the described components unless
specially described on the contrary.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the
configuration of an apparatus for controlling bucket
movement for automatically shaking off foreign substances
according to the present invention.
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As illustrated in Fig. 2, an apparatus for controlling
bucket movement for automatically shaking off foreign
substances according to the present invention is configured
to briefly include an automatic mode selection switch 201,
an operation value detection means 202, an operation angle
detection means 203, and a bucket movement control unit 204.
That is, the apparatus includes the automatic mode
selection switch 201; the operation value detection means
202 for detecting an operation value generated by a stroke
of a joystick; the operation angle detection means 203 for
detecting an operation angle of the joystick; and the bucket
movement control unit 204 controlling the bucket movement by
determining whether to output an automatic control signal
for automatically driving the bucket forward and backward at
a predetermined speed even if an input value of the joystick
is not changed or to output a manual control signal for
driving the bucket according to the operation value of the
joystick, in accordance with a selection/non-selection of an
automatic mode by the automatic mode selection switch 201,
the operation value detected by the operation value
detection means 202, and the operation angle detected by the
operation angle detection means 203, and outputting a
corresponding signal to a bucket driving unit 205.
Here, the automatic mode selection switch 201 is a
device which selects an automatic mode, in which the bucket
is controlled to move quickly forward and backward to shake
off the foreign substances even if the input value of the
joystick is not changed, according to an operator's key
operation, and inputs the result of the selection to the
bucket movement control unit 204.
The operation value detection means 203 detects the
operation value that is generated by the stroke of the
joystick. The detected operation value of the joystick is
input to the bucket movement control unit 204 and is used to
determine whether to output the automatic control signal or
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the manual control signal. The automatic control signal that
is defined according to the present invention is a signal
for automatically driving the bucket forward and backward at
the predetermined speed even if the input value of the
joystick is not changed, and the manual control signal is
defined as a signal for driving the bucket corresponding to
the input operation value of the joystick.
The operation angle detection means 203 detects the
operation angle of the joystick, and the detected operation
angle is used to determine whether a command direction of
the joystick coincides with a predefined direction.
The bucket movement control unit 204 outputs the
automatic control signal to the bucket driving unit 205 in
the case where the automatic mode is selected by the
automatic mode selection switch 201, the operation value of
the joystick is equal to or smaller than a set value, and a
command direction obtained from the operation angle of the
joystick coincides with a predefined direction (i.e.,
automatic control state). In contrast, the bucket movement
control unit 204 outputs the corresponding manual control
signal to the bucket driving unit 205 in the case where the
automatic mode is not selected by the automatic mode
selection switch 201, the operation value of the joystick is
larger than the set value, or the command direction obtained
from the operation angle of the joystick does not coincide
with a predefined direction (i.e., manual control state).
That is, in order to determine whether an automatic
operation or an ordinary operation is selected, the command
value of the joystick is compared with the set value, and it
is determined whether the command direction of the joystick
is a predefined direction. In the case where the input value
is larger than the set value and the command direction
coincides with the predefined direction, the ordinary
operation is performed, while in the opposite case, the
automatic operation is performed. Here, the ordinary
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. a
operation means that the bucket is made to move at a speed
and with movement that correspond to the input value of the
joystick, and the automatic operation means that the bucket
is made to quickly move forward and backward to shake off
the foreign substances even if the input value of the
joystick is not changed.
On the other hand, in the process of performing the
automatic operation, it may be required for an operator to
directly adjust the bucket to strongly or weakly shake the
bucket or to directly adjust the bucket to quickly or slowly
shake the bucket. In order to reflect such an operator's
requirement, a predefined output may be sent according to
the command value of the joystick in the case where the
operation value of the joystick is equal to or smaller than
the set value. For example, if the joystick input operation
value is a relatively small value that is equal to or
smaller than the set value, the bucket is controlled to be
shaken slowly, while if the joystick input operation value
is a relatively large value that is equal to or smaller than
the set value, the bucket is controlled to be shaken
quickly.
For this, in the automatic control state, the bucket
movement control unit 204 outputs a first automatic control
signal for shaking the bucket slowly to the bucket driving
unit 205 if the operation value of the joystick belongs to a
first range that is relatively small, and outputs a second
automatic control signal for shaking the bucket quickly to
the bucket driving unit 205 if the operation value of the
joystick belongs to a second range that is relatively large
(in this case, the change of the automatic control signal,
that is, the output signal, may change the frequency, the
level, or both the frequency and the level of the output
signal).
Hereinafter, the operation of then apparatus for
controlling bucket movement for automatically shaking off
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foreign substances according to the present invention of
Fig. 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the sequential
operation of an apparatus for controlling bucket movement
for automatically shaking off foreign substances according
to the present invention.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, according to the present
invention, it is first confirmed whether to select an
automatic mode, and then an operation value that is
generated by a stroke of a joystick is detected.
In addition, an operation angle of the joystick is
detected.
Then, the bucket movement is controlled by determining
whether to output an automatic control signal for
automatically driving the bucket forward and backward at a
predetermined speed even if an input value of the joystick
is not changed or to output a manual control signal for
driving the bucket according to the operation value of the
joystick, in accordance with a selection/non-selection of an
automatic mode, the operation value of the joystick, and the
operation angle of the joystick, and outputting a
corresponding signal to a bucket driving unit 205 (S301 to
S306).
This will be described in more detail.
First, the automatic control signal is output to the
bucket driving unit 205 in an automatic control state where
the automatic mode is selected, the operation value of the
joystick is equal to or smaller than a set value, and a
command direction obtained from the operation angle of the
joystick coincides with a predefined direction (S301 to
S305).
In contrast, the corresponding manual control signal is
CA 02873021 2014-11-07
output to the bucket driving unit 205 in a manual control
state where the automatic mode is not selected, the
operation value of the joystick is larger than the set
value, or the command direction obtained from the operation
angle of the joystick does not coincide with a predefined
direction (S306).
That is, in order to determine whether an automatic
operation or an ordinary operation is selected, the command
value of the joystick is compared with the set value, and it
is determined whether the command direction of the joystick
is a predefined direction. In the case where the input value
is larger than the set value and the command direction
coincides with the predefined direction, the ordinary
operation is performed, while in the opposite case, the
automatic operation is performed.
Here, the ordinary operation means that the bucket is
made to move at a speed and with movement that correspond to
the input value of the joystick, and the automatic operation
means that the bucket is made to quickly move forward and
backward to shake off the foreign substances even if the
input value of the joystick is not changed.
On the other hand, in the process of performing the
automatic operation, it may be required for an operator to
directly adjust the bucket to strongly or weakly shake the
bucket or to directly adjust the bucket to quickly or slowly
shake the bucket.
In order to reflect such an operator's requirement, a
predefined output may be sent according to the command value
of the joystick in the case where the operation value of the
joystick is equal to or smaller than the set value.
For example, if the joystick input operation value is a
relatively small value that is equal to or smaller than the
set value, the bucket is controlled to be shaken slowly,
while if the joystick input operation value is a relatively
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A
large value that is equal to or smaller than the set value,
the bucket is controlled to be shaken quickly.
For this, in the automatic control state, the bucket
movement control unit outputs a first automatic control
signal for shaking the bucket slowly to the bucket driving
unit if the operation value of the joystick belongs to a
first range that is relatively small, and outputs a second
automatic control signal for shaking the bucket quickly to
the bucket driving unit if the operation value of the
joystick belongs to a second range that is relatively large
(in this case, the change of the automatic control signal,
that is, the output signal, may change the frequency, the
level, or both the frequency and the level of the output
signal).
As described above, according to the present invention,
the bucket movement can be automatically controlled so as to
control the foreign substances contained in the bucket or to
sprinkle earth and sand without any separate operation of an
operator.
Through this, the operator can effectively remove the
foreign substances that stick to the bucket with reduction
of the operator's work fatigue, and if needed, the above-
described operation can be automatically performed while the
excavating work is performed without any operation of a
separate additional device.
In particular, since the operation according to the
direction of the joystick is separately set and the shaking
speed or level is controlled in proportion to the input
value of the joystick, the operator's work fatigue can be
reduced and the work rate can be increased as the excavating
work is normally performed.
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s.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
As apparent from the above description, the present
invention can be used for the apparatus for controlling
bucket movement for automatically shaking off foreign
substances, and the method thereof, which can automatically
control the bucket movement so as to control the foreign
substances contained in the bucket or to sprinkle earth and
sand without any separate operation of an operator.
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