Buffer Unit for Working Machine Kinematic Chain Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile work machines lack effective safety mechanisms to prevent accidents and damage when operating near obstacles or in restricted areas, as existing control systems do not intervene in operator inputs to prevent exceeding prohibited heights or entering dangerous zones.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a buffer unit and buffer area within the control system that adjusts the kinematic chain's movement speed and direction to prevent the work tool from entering prohibited zones, using a buffer parameter set at a safe distance from the limit parameter, allowing for secure operation and new functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control signals from the operator are passed on to actuators without checking or intervention, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to lack of safety mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit checks control signals before they are sent to actuators, performing preliminary validation to prevent unsafe operations. This includes determining whether the work machine or tool is in a prohibited area and preventing actuator activation that would cause entry into restricted zones, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If a buffer area with buffer distance is introduced before the prohibited area, then the reliability is improved by preventing accidental entry, but the productivity deteriorates due to restricted movement range
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the buffer distance based on the type of prohibited area and current operating conditions. For example, the buffer distance can be larger near high-voltage power lines and smaller in less critical zones, allowing the machine to maintain safety while maximizing productive working range in different situations.
3Reliability
If the buffer distance is increased to ensure safety, then the reliability is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to reduced accuracy near the actual limit
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different buffer distances to different spatial zones and prohibited areas. Critical areas like high-voltage power lines receive larger buffer distances for enhanced safety, while less critical areas have smaller buffers to maintain measurement precision and working accuracy. This localized approach optimizes both safety and precision where needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3b
AI summary
A working machine and a working method for operating a working machine and/or a working machine orientation unit are proposed, wherein at least one limiting unit defines a limit parameter of a kinematic chain (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14) and/or lifting device (4, 5, 6, 7) and/or a working tool (8) and/or a tool holder (9), wherein the limit parameter defines a boundary line/surface between a prohibition area and an adjustment area, wherein within the adjustment area the kinematic chain (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14) and/or lifting device (4, 5, 6, 7) and/or the working tool (8) and/or the tool holder (9) can be adjusted and/or positioned, which at least partially improves the disadvantages of the prior art.According to the invention, this is achieved by at least one buffer unit changing/braking/buffering an adjustment speed and/or an adjustment of the kinematic chain (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14) and/or lifting device (4, 5, 6, 7) and/or the working tool (8) and/or the tool holder (9), so that the adjustment range (A) forms at least one buffer range (P) designed as an edge range (P), wherein the buffer range (P) borders the prohibition range (T) and has a width (B) designed as a buffer distance.