Crane Collision Avoidance System Blind Spot Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crane operations face safety hazards due to limited visibility caused by the boom, counterweight, outriggers, and load, leading to potential collisions with objects or individuals in the surrounding environment, which existing systems fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A crane collision avoidance system equipped with sensors and cameras that monitor blind spots, detect potential collisions, and provide real-time alerts and automatic control to prevent accidents, including counterweight movement and load zone monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the crane structure (boom, counterweight, outriggers) is used to perform lifting operations, then the crane can execute its primary function, but blind spots are created that reduce operator visibility and increase collision risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cameras and sensors as intermediary devices that capture visual information from blind spot areas and transmit this data to the operator. The cameras are positioned on the boom, counterweight, and outriggers to monitor areas directly behind and around these components, providing the operator with indirect visual access to zones that are physically blocked from direct line of sight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical visual system (operator's direct line of sight through windows and mirrors) with an electronic visual system comprising cameras, sensors, and display interfaces. This substitution allows the operator to see around obstacles electronically rather than being limited by physical geometry and human anatomical constraints.
2Illumination intensity
If side mirrors are positioned farther from the cab to improve visibility of one side, then that side's visibility improves, but new blind spots are created on the opposite side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a comprehensive camera system that serves multiple monitoring functions simultaneously. Cameras are strategically positioned to capture images for both side mirrors' blind spots, the rear view, and areas around the boom and outriggers, providing universal coverage of all previously problematic blind zones through a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional mirror reflection to multi-dimensional camera-based imaging, utilizing multiple camera angles and perspectives to construct a comprehensive view of blind spot areas. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous monitoring of multiple previously invisible zones.
3Reliability
If blind spot monitoring systems are added to the crane, then collision detection capability improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the blind spot monitoring function into multiple independent camera units positioned at different locations on the crane structure. Each camera independently monitors a specific blind spot zone, and the system processes images from each camera separately before integrating the information for the operator. This segmentation allows modular implementation and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic image processing and analysis capabilities that operate autonomously to identify potential collision risks. The processed images are automatically presented to the operator in a format optimized for quick interpretation, reducing the cognitive burden and enabling the system to serve the operator's safety needs without requiring additional manual monitoring effort.
Data Source
AI summary
A crane collision avoidance system is disclosed herein that is configured to monitor a crane and an environment surrounding the crane. The crane collision avoidance system may include one or more devices or sensors that are selectively attached to a crane. In various embodiments, the crane collision avoidance system may include a computer system configured to use images or information obtained via the devices or sensors to monitor a crane operator's blind spots and movement of the crane and its components, detect potential collisions with danger objects within the environment surrounding the crane, detect counterweight movement, monitor a load zone, detect when a boom or any other component of a crane has become energized, and/or otherwise provide improved situational awareness to a crane operator.