Construction Machine Battery Interruption Alarm Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Construction machines face issues with erroneous interruption of power supply to controllers in a key-off state, leading to potential function halts, which can be hindered by conventional methods that fail to accurately prevent such interruptions.

Innovation Solution

A construction machine equipped with a battery, key switch, interruption switch, sensor, and alarm device, where the alarm device issues an alarm only when the key switch is in a key-off state, the interruption switch is in a supply allowing state, the controller is operational, and the sensor detects necessary motion for interrupting the power supply, thereby preventing erroneous interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the display portion is constantly lighted during controller operation after key-off to restrain interruption switch manipulation, then the visibility of controller operation status is improved, but the possibility of erroneous interruption switch manipulation remains and operator attention is continuously required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of erroneous interruptionVSAvoidoperator convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The alarm device issues an alarm sound before the interruption switch can be manipulated to interrupt power supply. This preliminary warning action prevents erroneous interruption by alerting the operator in advance, allowing them to cancel the interruption before it occurs, thus resolving the contradiction between preventing erroneous interruption and maintaining operator convenience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The alarm device serves as an intermediary between the interruption switch and the power supply system. When the interruption switch is manipulated, the alarm device intervenes by issuing an alarm sound, creating a buffer that prevents direct interruption of power supply and gives the operator time to reconsider the action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the interruption switch is manipulated to interrupt power supply from battery to controller, then power consumption is reduced, but the controlled function is halted which hinders construction machine operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidfunction continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alarm device issues a preliminary alarm when the interruption switch is manipulated, warning the operator before power supply is actually interrupted. This allows the operator to understand the consequence of halting the controlled function and avoid unnecessary interruption, thus maintaining function continuity while still allowing intentional power savings when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The alarm device provides feedback to the operator when the interruption switch is manipulated, informing them that the controlled function will be halted. This feedback mechanism ensures that power supply interruption only occurs when the operator is fully aware of the impact on function continuity, resolving the contradiction between energy savings and operational reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3502360B1Construction machine equipped with battery
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD
  • EP3502360B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3502360B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3502360B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a construction machine capable of restricting halt of a function controlled by a controller (31) when a key switch (35) is in a key-off state. The construction machine includes an interruption switch (51) switched between a supply allowing state of allowing supply of power from a battery (33) to the controller (31) and a supply interruption state of interrupting the power supply; a sensor (53) detecting presence/absence of interruption necessary motion necessary for manipulating the interruption switch (51); and an alarm control device that causes an alarm device (54) to issue an alarm only when the following conditions are all satisfied: the key switch (35) is in the key-off state; the interruption switch (51) is in the supply state; the controller (31) is being operated; and the sensor (53) has detected presence of the interruption necessary motion.