Patents by Inventor Teppei Saitoh

Teppei Saitoh has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12630998
    Abstract: A work machine controller is configured to, when in a swinging operation, identify a circumferential operation start position of the tip of an arm based on a detected posture of the work device, and identify an angular interference prevention position in a swing direction that does not interfere between a vessel being loaded and the work device. A lower limit value of a height direction of the work device corresponding to the angular position in the swing direction of the arm is calculated to be within an operating range of the swing body from the identified operation start position to the interference prevention position. While the swinging body is in motion, the controller invalidates the operation of the arm and controls the movement of the boom and the swinging body so that the height of the tip of the arm does not fall below the lower limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryu Narikawa, Teppei Saitoh, Tadashi Kotani, Hideaki Ito, Kei Sato, Hidefumi Ishimoto
  • Patent number: 12612764
    Abstract: Provided is an unmanned work machine capable of reliably coordinating with a manned work machine and smoothly executing work. An excavating machine 100 is an unmanned work machine capable of working in coordination with a hauling machine 200 that is a manned work machine. The excavating machine 100 includes sound collectors 31a and 31b that are a receiver receiving a notification regarding the operating status of the hauling machine 200 or an operating instruction to the excavating machine 100, which are transmitted from the hauling machine 200 in response to the operation by an operator aboard the hauling machine 200, and a controller 10 that controls the operation of the excavating machine 100 in accordance with the received notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Juri Shimizu, Teppei Saitoh, Shinya Imura
  • Patent number: 12529203
    Abstract: Operations of an upper swing structure and a front work device are controlled such that a swing operation of the upper swing structure starts after a work tool starts only a lifting operation. The lifting operation and the swing operation are performed until the work tool reaches a height position of a passing position and only the swing operation is performed after the work tool reaches the height position of the passing position. The swing operation of the upper swing structure starts to decelerate at a swing deceleration start position, and only the swing operation is performed until the work tool reaches a swing position of the passing position to pass through the passing position. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the discomfort feeling of an operator while realizing interference prevention at the time of a loading operation and a stop during the loading operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryu Narikawa, Teppei Saitoh, Tadashi Kotani, Koji Fujita, Hideaki Ito, Hidefumi Ishimoto, Kei Sato
  • Publication number: 20250223784
    Abstract: Provided is a work machine capable of appropriately controlling a loading work onto a carrier machine by verifying validity of a recognition result of the carrier machine. A hydraulic excavator includes an external measuring device that measures a surrounding environment, an information processing device that recognizes a dump truck present around the hydraulic excavator based on a measurement result of the external measuring device, a control device that controls an operation of the hydraulic excavator based on a recognition result of the information processing device, and a truck information acquisition device that acquires a position and vehicle class information of the dump truck through external communication. The information processing device corrects the recognition result of the dump truck based on the information acquired by the truck information acquisition device. The control device controls the operation of the hydraulic excavator based on the corrected recognition result of the dump truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Inventors: Tadashi KOTANI, Teppei SAITOH, Ryu NARIKAWA, Hideaki ITO, Hidefumi ISHIMOTO, Kei SATOU
  • Publication number: 20250207353
    Abstract: A controller for a work machine is configured to, upon a swing operation being performed, identify the starting position of the movement of the tip of the arm, and a collision avoidance position between that position and the side part of the vessel; and calculate a lower limit value that becomes larger as it gets closer to the collision avoidance position and becomes a collision avoidance height at the collision avoidance position, within the range from the starting position of the movement to the collision avoidance position. The controller, while the swinging body is in motion, is configured to invalidate the operation of the arm and control the movement of the boom and the swinging body so that the height of the tip of the arm does not fall below the lower limit value. The controller is configured to enable the operation of the arm when the tip of the arm exceeds the collision avoidance position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: Ryu NARIKAWA, Teppei SAITOH, Tadashi KOTANI, Hideaki ITO, Kei SATO, Hidefumi ISHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 12264452
    Abstract: Provided is a work machine that allows assisting a loading work without giving uncomfortable feeling to an operator. The control device 40 of the work machine 1 includes an allowable range calculation section 46 that calculates an allowable range indicating a range in which the front work device 2 is movable in a height direction allowed in a swing operation; an operation determining section 45 that determines whether the work machine 1 is under a convey operation; and an operation control section 4 that controls a turn operation of a boom 8 such that the position of the front work device 2 in the height direction remains within the allowable range when the work machine 1 is determined to be under the convey operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryu Narikawa, Kouji Fujita, Hideaki Itou, Hidefumi Ishimoto, Teppei Saitoh, Tadashi Nishizawa
  • Publication number: 20250059725
    Abstract: The posture of a work machine is computed on the basis of posture information about the work machine output from a posture measurement device. A loading area which is an area where a transporting machine stops and where loading work by the work machine to load the transporting machine is performed is set. On the basis of the posture of the work machine, it is assessed whether or not the work machine can sense, with an external environment measurement device, the transporting machine having stopped in the loading area. When it is assessed that the work machine can sense the transporting machine, the transporting machine is sensed on the basis of measurement information output from the external environment measurement device. Accordingly, it is possible to more accurately sense the position of the vessel of the stopped transporting machine and to appropriately assist loading work by the work machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Tadashi KOTANI, Teppei SAITOH, Ryu NARIKAWA, Hideaki ITO, Hidefumi ISHIMOTO, Kei SATO
  • Publication number: 20250010861
    Abstract: An autonomous control system includes a state amount acquiring unit that acquires the information of a control target, a control target position identification unit, a control target reaching region calculation unit, an outside information acquiring unit, a target distinguishing unit, a non-control target position identification unit, a non-control target reaching region calculation unit, an intersection region calculation unit, a control parameter setting unit, and an operation amount calculation unit that calculates a control input such that the value of an objective function J becomes a smaller value than the previous value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Shinji ISHIHARA, Masaki KANAI, Teppei SAITOH, Ryu NARIKAWA, Kazuya SUGIMOTO, Tadashi KOTANI
  • Publication number: 20240376687
    Abstract: Operations of an upper swing structure and a front work device are controlled such that a swing operation of the upper swing structure starts after a work tool starts only a lifting operation. The lifting operation and the swing operation are performed until the work tool reaches a height position of a passing position and only the swing operation is performed after the work tool reaches the height position of the passing position. The swing operation of the upper swing structure starts to decelerate at a swing deceleration start position, and only the swing operation is performed until the work tool reaches a swing position of the passing position to pass through the passing position. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the discomfort feeling of an operator while realizing interference prevention at the time of a loading operation and a stop during the loading operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Ryu NARIKAWA, Teppei SAITOH, Tadashi KOTANI, Koji FUJITA, Hideaki ITO, Hidefumi ISHIMOTO, Kei SATO
  • Publication number: 20240376693
    Abstract: In a work machine, when on a travel plane S of crawler belts, a straight line passing through a predicted travel point P1 a given distance from the crawler belts and having a maximum climbing angle is assumed to be a first line L1, and a line connecting an installation position of a distance sensor and the predicted travel point P1 is assumed to be a second line L2. The distance sensor measures a distance to a ground surface on the second straight line L2. A controller calculates a height H1 of a predicted travel region T based on a result of the distance sensor and a detection result of a turning angle sensor, and determines whether a height difference H3 between a height H1 of the predicted travel region T and a height H2 of the travel plane S is equal to or greater than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Teppei SAITOH, Ryu NARIKAWA, Tadashi NISHIZAWA, Hideaki ITOU, Hidefumi ISHIMOTO, Kei SATOU
  • Patent number: 12104349
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine configured such that a hydraulic actuator is driven by a hydraulic pump for a closed circuit, by which oil film breakage of the hydraulic pump for a closed circuit is prevented to improve the reliability and a high operation rate can be obtained. The construction machine includes a switching valve that is provided in a branch hydraulic line connecting one of suction/delivery ports of a closed circuit pump and a charge line to each other and is opened and closed according to a control signal from a controller. The controller is configured to, in a case where a state in which a delivery volume of the closed circuit pump is kept to zero continues for a predetermined time period or more, open the switching valve and keep the delivery volume of the closed circuit pump to a predetermined delivery volume or more, the predetermined delivery volume being greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Hiraku, Akira Nakayama, Teppei Saitoh
  • Patent number: 12065805
    Abstract: A work machine includes a second pilot line that introduces a hydraulic fluid from a pilot hydraulic fluid source to a pilot valve bypassing a first gate lock valve, a second gate lock valve that is disposed on the second pilot line and that is configured to be switched to an open position for allowing the supply of the hydraulic fluid to the pilot valve or a closed position for interrupting the supply of the hydraulic fluid, and a controller that controls the second gate lock valve on the basis of a second remote operation signal transmitted from a remote operation apparatus and that controls the pilot valve according to a first remote operation signal transmitted from the remote operation apparatus. In a state where the first gate lock valve is at a closed position, the second gate lock valve is allowed to be controlled by the controller when stairs are in a retracted state, and is kept at the closed position irrespective of the second remote operation signal when the stairs are in an extended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teppei Saitoh, Kouji Fujita, Hideaki Itou, Hidefumi Ishimoto, Ryu Narikawa, Tadashi Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 12000118
    Abstract: A construction machine makes it possible for an operator to linearly push a bucket by operating an arm in a pushing direction. A controller is configured to, in case a straight locus is selected by a bucket locus selecting device, calculate a constant flow rate ratio according to a boom initial angle that is an angle of a boom sensed by a boom angle sensor at a time point when an arm is operated in a pushing direction by an operation device, and control the delivery flow rate of a first hydraulic pump such that a hydraulic fluid is discharged from a boom cylinder cap chamber at a flow rate obtained by multiplying a flow rate of a flow supplied to an arm cylinder cap chamber by the flow rate ratio while the arm is operated in the pushing direction and there is no boom operating instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juri Shimizu, Kenji Hiraku, Hiromasa Takahashi, Teppei Saitoh
  • Patent number: 11970838
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine in which travel operability is not impaired when a combined operation is performed in which a single-rod hydraulic cylinder is driven during a travel operation. A hydraulic excavator includes a controller that controls the delivery direction and delivery flow rate of a closed-circuit pump, opens and closes a travel switching valve and an assist switching valve, and controls the delivery flow rate of the open-circuit pump, according to a travel operation lever and a work operation lever. The controller holds the assist switching valve in a closed position irrespective of whether or not the work operation lever is operated in a case where the travel operation lever is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shohei Sugiki, Kenji Hiraku, Hiromasa Takahashi, Teppei Saitoh, Juri Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11859367
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine on which a hydraulic closed circuit for driving a single rod-type hydraulic cylinder and a swing hydraulic motor is mounted and that has good swing deceleration responsiveness. In this construction machine that drives each of a single rod-type hydraulic cylinder and a swing hydraulic motor in a closed circuit, a minimum passage area from a second flushing valve to a tank in a case the second flushing valve is fully open is smaller than a minimum passage area from a first flushing valve to the tank in a case the first flushing valve is fully open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teppei Saitoh, Hiromasa Takahashi, Kenji Hiraku
  • Publication number: 20230366178
    Abstract: A work machine includes a second pilot line that introduces a hydraulic fluid from a pilot hydraulic fluid source to a pilot valve bypassing a first gate lock valve, a second gate lock valve that is disposed on the second pilot line and that is configured to be switched to an open position for allowing the supply of the hydraulic fluid to the pilot valve or a closed position for interrupting the supply of the hydraulic fluid, and a controller that controls the second gate lock valve on the basis of a second remote operation signal transmitted from a remote operation apparatus and that controls the pilot valve according to a first remote operation signal transmitted from the remote operation apparatus. In a state where the first gate lock valve is at a closed position, the second gate lock valve is allowed to be controlled by the controller when stairs are in a retracted state, and is kept at the closed position irrespective of the second remote operation signal when the stairs are in an extended state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Teppei SAITOH, Kouji FUJITA, Hideaki ITOU, Hidefumi ISHIMOTO, Ryu NARIKAWA, Tadashi NISHIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20230358014
    Abstract: Provided is a work machine that allows assisting a loading work without giving uncomfortable feeling to an operator. The control device 40 of the work machine 1 includes an allowable range calculation section 46 that calculates an allowable range indicating a range in which the front work device 2 is movable in a height direction allowed in a swing operation; an operation determining section 45 that determines whether the work machine 1 is under a convey operation; and an operation control section 4 that controls a turn operation of a boom 8 such that the position of the front work device 2 in the height direction remains within the allowable range when the work machine 1 is determined to be under the convey operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Ryu NARIKAWA, Kouji FUJITA, Hideaki ITOU, Hidefumi ISHIMOTO, Teppei SAITOH, Tadashi NISHIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20230349132
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine in which travel operability is not impaired when a combined operation is performed in which a single-rod hydraulic cylinder is driven during a travel operation. A hydraulic excavator includes a controller that controls the delivery direction and delivery flow rate of a closed-circuit pump, opens and closes a travel switching valve and an assist switching valve, and controls the delivery flow rate of the open-circuit pump, according to a travel operation lever and a work operation lever. The controller holds the assist switching valve in a closed position irrespective of whether or not the work operation lever is operated in a case where the travel operation lever is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Shohei SUGIKI, Kenji HIRAKU, Hiromasa TAKAHASHI, Teppei SAITOH, Juri SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20230257963
    Abstract: Provided is an unmanned work machine capable of reliably coordinating with a manned work machine and smoothly executing work. An excavating machine 100 is an unmanned work machine capable of working in coordination with a hauling machine 200 that is a manned work machine. The excavating machine 100 includes sound collectors 31a and 31b that are a receiver receiving a notification regarding the operating status of the hauling machine 200 or an operating instruction to the excavating machine 100, which are transmitted from the hauling machine 200 in response to the operation by an operator aboard the hauling machine 200, and a controller 10 that controls the operation of the excavating machine 100 in accordance with the received notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Juri SHIMIZU, Teppei SAITOH, Shinya IMURA
  • Publication number: 20220364337
    Abstract: A construction machine that makes it possible for an operator to linearly push a bucket simply by operating an arm in a pushing direction is provided. A controller 50 is configured to, in a case where a straight locus is selected by a bucket locus selecting device 52, calculate a constant flow rate ratio ? according to a boom initial angle that is an angle of a boom 2 sensed by a boom angle sensor 33 at a time point when an arm 4 is operated in a pushing direction by an operation device 51, and control the delivery flow rate of a first hydraulic pump 12 such that a hydraulic fluid is discharged from a cap chamber 1a of a boom cylinder 1 at a flow rate Qb obtained by multiplying a flow rate Qa of a flow supplied to a cap chamber 3a of an arm cylinder 3 by the flow rate ratio ? while the arm 4 is operated in the pushing direction by the operation device 51 and there is not an instruction for operation of the boom 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Juri SHIMIZU, Kenji HIRAKU, Hiromasa TAKAHASHI, Teppei SAITOH