Construction Machinery Interference Prevention Using Region Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional interference prevention devices for construction machines often falsely detect movable parts as interference objects, leading to unnecessary operation stops and warnings, and narrowing the detection range to avoid this issue compromises the ability to detect actual interference objects.

Innovation Solution

An interference prevention device that uses a distance sensor to acquire distance image data, an interference determination unit to assess danger, and a region removing unit to exclude pixel data from movable parts that do not interfere, preventing false detections and maintaining a wide detection range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple work equipment are operated simultaneously on a construction site, then work efficiency and productivity are improved, but the risk of interference accidents between equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidinterference accident risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the positions and operation states of multiple work equipment through communication devices, and provides real-time feedback to operators about potential interference risks. The management server analyzes data from multiple sources and sends alerts when equipment may interfere with each other, enabling operators to take preventive actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A management server acts as an intermediary between multiple work equipment operators. It collects operation data from all equipment, performs centralized analysis to detect potential interference situations, and coordinates between different operators to prevent accidents while maintaining simultaneous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If operators rely on personal experience and awareness to avoid interference, then no additional management system is needed, but operator burden increases and accident prevention reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccident prevention reliabilityVSAvoidmanagement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management server performs multiple functions: it monitors equipment positions, analyzes operation states, detects interference risks, and communicates with multiple operators simultaneously. This multi-functional system consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate monitoring and communication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically collects operation data from equipment-mounted communication devices and performs interference analysis without requiring manual input from operators. The management server self-manages the coordination process, reducing the cognitive burden on individual operators while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents movable parts from being falsely detected as interference objects, reducing unnecessary operation stops and warnings while ensuring that actual interference objects can still be detected, thus enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a distance sensor configured to acquire distance image data indicating distance distribution in a surrounding environment of the cab

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3409841B1Interference prevention device for construction machinery
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 KOBE STEEL LTD
  • EP3409841B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3409841B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3409841B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A region removing unit (121) determines a coordinate region of a boom (15) indicating a region in distance image data by using posture information acquired by an acquisition unit (100), and removes pixel data constituting the determined coordinate region from the distance image data. An interference determination unit (122) detects an interference object that is a work device (4) or a grasped object of the work device (4) by using the distance image data obtained by removing the pixel data constituting the coordinate region to determine danger of interference of the detected interference object in a cab (31). When the interference determination unit (122) determines that there is danger of interference, an interference prevention unit (123) performs at least one of a warning to an operator and operation restriction of the work device (4).