Cherry Picker Engine Auto-Start Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cherry pickers with internal combustion engines face issues of premature wear and high fuel consumption due to idling during working configurations, and existing solutions for automatic engine control are cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A cherry picker with an economical operating mode that allows the internal combustion engine to be switched off and automatically started based on data from a charge level indicator and operator actions, using a foot-operated activation/deactivation member to control the engine without manual starter actuation, enabling background starting and reduced fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the internal combustion engine is kept running during working configuration, then the platform elevation means can operate immediately, but the engine experiences premature wear and significant fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The engine operates periodically rather than continuously - it is switched off during idle periods and automatically restarted when elevation operations are required, as detected by the control system monitoring the activation/deactivation member position
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects when elevation control is activated and autonomously restarts the engine without operator intervention, using the control system to monitor and trigger engine starting based on operational needs
2Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is switched off automatically, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the operator must manually actuate the starter and activation/deactivation controls which is tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when the activation/deactivation member is actuated and autonomously triggers the starter motor to restart the engine, eliminating the need for manual starter operation by the operator
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors the position of the activation/deactivation member and uses this feedback to automatically determine when engine restart is required, creating a closed-loop control system
3Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is switched off, then energy consumption is reduced, but the hydraulic pump requires time to reach sufficient speed for elevation operations
Solution Approach 1:
The engine is restarted in advance when the control system detects activation of the elevation control, allowing the hydraulic pump to begin operating and reach sufficient pressure before elevation operations commence
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a cherry picker (1) comprising a chassis (2), a heat engine (4), a starter (5) and a starter actuator (62) for said engine (4), a platform (8), means (9) for lifting the platform (8) that include a lifting arm (91), a control console (10) that includes a control unit (26) for the lifting means (9), a drive unit configured to control at least the arm (91) according to the data input into the control console (10), a member for powering the drive unit (11), a member (12) for activating/deactivating the control unit (26) for the lifting means (9), said member (12) being mounted to as to be movable between an inactive position, in which the control unit (9) for the lifting means (9) is deactivated, and an active position. In the working configuration, which corresponds to the raised position of the arm (91), the cherry picker (1) has an operating mode in which, when the heat engine (4) is in a stopped state while being powered, the drive unit (11) is configured to control the start of the heat engine (4) by means of the activating/deactivating member (12) without the actuator (62) for the starter (5) being actuated.