Obstacle Detection Device for Construction Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing obstacle detection systems for construction machines frequently misidentify components of the machine as obstacles, leading to unnecessary operation stops and alarms when the millimeter wave radar's directivity is adjusted to widen the detection range, causing interference between the upper slewing body and the lower travelling body.
Innovation Solution
An obstacle detection device that includes a three-dimensional object detection unit, an angle detection unit for slewing angle measurement, and an obstacle determination section to set a monitoring region around the construction machine, excluding machine components based on the slewing angle, thereby preventing false obstacle detection and operation stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the millimeter wave radar directivity is directed toward the ground to widen the detection range, then the detection range is improved, but machine components are falsely detected as obstacles causing unnecessary operation stops
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring space is segmented into multiple regions based on the slewing angle of the upper body. By dividing the detection space into sector-specific monitoring regions, the system can selectively monitor only the appropriate regions based on current slewing position, preventing machine components from being falsely detected while maintaining comprehensive obstacle coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring regions are dynamically adjusted according to the slewing angle detected by the angle detection unit. As the upper body slews, the monitoring regions rotate and reposition accordingly, ensuring that the radar always monitors the correct spatial sectors while excluding regions where machine components are located.
2Reliability
If the monitoring region is expanded to improve obstacle detection coverage, then the safety is improved, but machine components are included in the monitoring region causing false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
Different spatial regions are assigned different monitoring qualities based on their likelihood of containing obstacles versus machine components. Regions in the outward radial direction from the rotation center are assigned high monitoring sensitivity, while regions closer to the machine body are excluded or monitored with lower sensitivity, creating localized quality differences in the monitoring coverage.
3Area of stationary object
If the radar detects objects in all directions to ensure comprehensive monitoring, then the detection coverage is improved, but operation stops occur frequently due to detecting machine components
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily determines which regions should be monitored based on the current slewing angle before actual obstacle detection begins. By pre-calculating and setting the monitoring regions according to the upper body orientation, the system avoids detecting machine components that would trigger false operation stops, ensuring continuous productive operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
When an object detected by a distance measuring sensor (40) is located in a monitoring region set in a blind spot of an operator, an obstacle determination section (221) determines the detected object as an obstacle. Then, the obstacle determination section (221) sets a monitoring region so that a region indicating a lower travelling body (2) is excluded according to a slewing angle detected by an angle sensor (210). Based on the slewing angle detected by the angle sensor (210), a stop control section (222) determines a component, of at least one of the lower travelling body (2) and an upper slewing body (3), which has a possibility that a construction machine (1) collides with the obstacle when the component is operated, and stops operation of the determined component.