Construction Equipment Antitheft System Hydraulic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction equipment is vulnerable to theft and safety accidents when a driver leaves the cabin with the ignition turned on, as existing security devices fail to prevent unauthorized operation during preheating or inactivity periods.
Innovation Solution
An antitheft system that includes a hydraulic device controlling fluid flow to actuators, utilizing a function selection switch, timer, safety lever, and engine operation to determine if the driver has exited, locking the driving unit if the ignition is on and unlocking it only after passing a security device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a common key is used for construction equipment, then equipment management is simplified and ease of operation is improved, but security against theft and unauthorized operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of driver absence by monitoring ignition state, seat occupancy, and control lever position before theft or unauthorized operation can occur. The controller proactively locks the hydraulic device before the equipment can be misused, preventing the security breach rather than responding to it afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between the driver and the hydraulic device. This controller acts as a security gatekeeper, mediating access to the hydraulic system by detecting driver absence conditions and automatically locking the device, thereby enhancing security without requiring the driver to manually secure the equipment.
2Productivity
If the ignition is turned on for preheating heater or engine, then operational readiness is improved, but vulnerability to theft and safety accidents increases when driver leaves cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the ignition to remain on for preheating purposes while simultaneously performing preliminary detection of driver absence. When the controller detects that the driver has left the cabin (through seat sensor, control lever position, or ignition key removal), it proactively locks the hydraulic device before theft or unauthorized operation can occur, thus maintaining operational readiness while preventing security breaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors multiple parameters including ignition state, seat occupancy, and control lever position, providing real-time feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the system to dynamically adjust its security state, locking the hydraulic device when driver absence is detected while allowing preheating operations to proceed normally when the driver is present.
3Reliability
If security device is added to prevent theft, then security is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the security function with existing equipment components rather than adding separate security devices. The controller integrates detection of seat occupancy, control lever position, and ignition state with the hydraulic device control system, combining multiple functions into a unified system that enhances security without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages normal hydraulic device operation, monitors driver presence through various sensors, detects driver absence conditions, and executes security locking when needed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated security devices, maintaining device complexity at acceptable levels while providing comprehensive security protection.
Data Source
AI summary
An antitheft system and method for construction equipment is disclosed. The antitheft system and method can prevent the construction equipment from driving if a driver gets out of a cabin in the state in which an ignition is turned on so as to preheat a heater or engine or in a case where a driving unit is not manipulated during a predetermined period.