Construction Machine Slope Operation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction machines experience sudden acceleration and uncomfortable operator feedback due to automatic release of operation restrictions when the vehicle body inclines on a slope, and there is a risk of increased speed towards obstacles when operation restrictions are suddenly released.

Innovation Solution

A construction machine equipped with an obstacle detection system, an inclined angle detection device, and a controller that disables operation restrictions only when the vehicle body is not inclined beyond a threshold, ensuring the operation restriction function remains active during inclines, preventing sudden acceleration and maintaining safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the operation restriction function automatically releases when the vehicle body inclines on a slope, then the vehicle can operate more freely on slope ground, but sudden acceleration occurs unintended by the operator causing uncomfortable feeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation freedom on slopeVSAvoidoperator comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the operation restriction based on the detected inclined angle. When the inclined angle exceeds the threshold, the control device releases the operation restriction, allowing free operation on slopes. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to slope conditions while maintaining operator comfort through automated control rather than sudden automatic release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors the inclined angle through the inclined angle detection device and adjusts the operation restriction accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the operation restriction is released only when necessary (when inclination exceeds threshold) and maintains operator comfort by preventing unintended sudden acceleration through controlled response to inclination changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the operation restriction is suddenly released when the vehicle body inclines, then the vehicle can respond to slope conditions, but the speed of approaching obstacles increases fast contrary to operator consciousness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse to slope conditionsVSAvoidspeed towards obstacle
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts operation restriction based on real-time inclination detection. By releasing the restriction gradually and controllably when the inclined angle exceeds the threshold, the system responds to slope conditions while preventing sudden speed increases towards obstacles, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device uses continuous feedback from the inclined angle detection device to manage the release of operation restriction. This feedback control ensures that the speed increase is managed and controlled rather than sudden, preventing the harmful effect of fast approach to obstacles while maintaining the ability to respond to slope conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the operation restriction function is disabled when the vehicle body enters a slope, then the vehicle operates smoothly without restriction, but sudden acceleration occurs giving uncomfortable feeling to the operator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating smoothness on slopeVSAvoidoperator comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors the inclined angle and only disables the operation restriction when the detected angle exceeds the predetermined threshold. This feedback-based control ensures smooth operation on slopes while preventing sudden acceleration that would cause operator discomfort, as the restriction is released only when genuinely needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters (operation restriction status) based on the detected inclined angle parameter. When the angle exceeds the threshold, the restriction is disabled; when below, it remains active. This parameter-based control achieves smooth slope operation while maintaining operator comfort through controlled transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4012107B1Construction machine
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP4012107B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4012107B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4012107B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a construction machine that avoids automatic release of operation restriction involving, for example, sudden acceleration unintended by an operator even when an inclined angle of a vehicle body changes. The construction machine includes a vehicle body 50 configured to operate, 3D sensors (obstacle detection devices) 5, 6, 7, and 8 that detect an obstacle present around the vehicle body 50, an inclined angle determination device (an inclined angle detection device) 9 that detects the inclined angle of the vehicle body 50, and a vehicle body controller (a controller) 14 having an operation restriction function that performs a restriction control to restrict an operation of the vehicle body 50 when the 3D sensors (the obstacle detection devices) 5, 6, 7, and 8 detect an obstacle. When the inclined angle of the vehicle body 50 exceeds a predetermined threshold while the restriction control is not performed with the operation restriction function, the vehicle body controller (the controller) 14 disables the operation restriction function. When the inclined angle of the vehicle body 50 exceeds the predetermined threshold while the restriction control is performed with the operation restriction function, the vehicle body controller (the controller) 14 does not disable the operation restriction function.